Success all round

Today goes down as a very successful one for the Stewart family.  When I finished Ironman last year my wife picked up the "baton" and started a years training to be a yoga teacher and today she graduated!  I am so proud of her as it has been a long journey with a lot of work and dedication required.  So I am looking forward to my own personal yoga teacher to sort my tight muscles while I now pick up the "baton" for Lanzarote Ironman in May 2012.
The second success isn't as big as the first one but it is a step in the right direction.  I went out with a view to completing at least 70 miles without stopping, in preparation for next weekend.  It was about getting the pace right and the mental side.  So I chose a route that wasn't too hilly but towards the end provided some challenging climbs.  The weather wasn't kind with a tough headwind and three long showers but that's summer cycling in Scotland.  At 55  miles there was a big climb and I managed it with no problem except the local ned who thought he'd give me some verbals - what is it with these idiots?  If I hadn't been on the clock I may have conducted survey to establish the reason for his behaviour!  Then I took a slight detour to go up the "vertical mile", again no issue.  I was slightly short of my 70 mile target so I spent the last few miles going up and down the hills outside my house - character building i.e. going through pain when your house is in sight and you could easily stop.  But 71 miles in the bag and feeling good.
So, one yoga teacher and one cyclist who hated hills starting to get used to them.  However I know next week will be the biggest cycling challenge ever and I'll need to be prepared both physically and mentally.  It will be like cycling in the Alps.  Now I am tapering which means my training tails off.  Tomorrow is a rest day (except for watching my son play football) and I am going to mountain bike on Monday for my first time ever - can't wait!