De je vue

Day 4 in Lanza and today we got our first real sunshine.  Day 1 was getting settled in and setting the bike up, day 2 I was dropped of the back of the group after 18 minutes (some very strong cyclists here) so went off on  my own (Derek no mates!) and did 25 miles with a very nice lunch - they did 75 miles!  Day 3 was 65 miles (very hard) miles - it hurt.  Today, Day 4 was a rest day (for the very strong cyclists); it had some really easy riding (my kind of pace) and some hills that sent the HR up along with the pain - we did 50 miles (on a rest day!).
I have this feeling of de je vue.  1 Year before Ironman I completed my 1st 50 mile cycle and was walking like John Wayne wondering how I'd complete an IM, but I did it 12 months later.  Lanzarote is brutal.  Hills (9,400 feet of climb on the IM) and a constant wind that destroys you on the bike - your not allowed to draft (shelter in a group of cyclists) that's why it has the reputation of being the toughest in the world.  So my mind is saying how the heck can I manage Lanza IM in 14 months time?  A very serious training plan to work on my cycling and strength will be required along with a lot of determination and support from the family and my training partners.
The guys and gals out in Lanza have been great as I have been the "cows tail" every day and they have encouraged and helped me through this brutal regime.  Tomorrow I'm taking the day off as I need to have a rest as my body is creaking - I'm walking like John Wayne again!  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and the hills in the UK will be easier as a result - bring it on.