Getting restless

I am sure it's no surprise to you that I'm getting restless.  After 8 months of following a programme it is difficult just to stop and do nothing.  So tonight I'll be playing my second round of golf in as many days and I have a competition on Tuesday so I need to get my handicap back before then!  I had a sports massage today and Grant was gentle with me but we both agreed my legs were in much better shape than expected.  However this doesn't mean I should rush out and start training hard - I know they aren't ready for that yet.
I will give it one more week and then start light training.  I am considering a half ironman in August which gives me 10 weeks to get ready.  Based on where my fitness is at this shouldn't take too much time but I need to treat it with respect - every distance is hard if you have a go at it rather than just waltz around the course - never was a good waltzer!
I have a run training camp in September and a 16 mile race in November so plenty of "stepping stones" to compliment my Marathon des Sables training.  I hope to meet up with someone who will point me in the right direction and may be able to put together a training schedule for me as this is new territory for me.
So one chapter closes and another one begins.  This is what life is all about.  I'll touch base next week when I've started my light training.

After the event

An easy day today catching up with emails but staying at home as I knew I'd be tired.  Surprisingly my legs feel good but the blisters on my feet are the sorest part.  I've been eating all day as I start to try and put a few pounds back on.I've put a race report on my tri club blog and you can access this by going to http://www.athelite.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/lanzarote-race-report.html .  You will see a reference at the end to people following the event on Facebook.  When I got back I was stunned at the traffic with people tracking me during the day and getting excited about the end result.  I've almost raised £5,000 for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres so far and if you haven't contributed yu can do so by linking via the blog.
In about a months time I will start some light training with the Marathon des Sables in mind (April next year).  However I need something to keep me interested so I am considering a "half ironman" distance event in Fort William in September.  I need something to judge my progress against. Enjoy your summer.

Mission Ironman Complete - for now

Yesterday I completed Lanzarote Ironman.  It has the reputation of the hardest in the world and has the strap line "where normal limits do not apply".  I can concur this is the hardest challenge I have ever taken part in.  The 2.8 mile sea swim was fine and I managed that in my fastest time ever, 1 hr 13min despite a kick in the ribs!  The bike is such a hard course over 112 miles including 7,500 ft of ascending was brilliant as I completed it in 6 hrs 53 min.  The hard work over the last year had really paid off as had coming out here 2 months ago.  Physically when I came off the bike I felt good however a dodgy water bottle at a feed station left me without water for too long and I knew I was in trouble for the marathon.
The marathon in the heat of the day was horrendous.  I had to concentrate on getting liquids in therefore had to walk through every feed station where I had two or three drinks of water, put ice under my cap and wet sponges in my top - I was in survival mode.  I couldn't eat the energy gels at the planned times as I needed water and started drinking coke for the sugar rush earlier than planned.  13 miles in the pain started in my legs and every step was sore - your mind goes to a dark place and the thought of giving up wasn't far from my mind.  However knowing you were supporting me and that so many people had sponsored me kept me going.  I passed Gareth with about 12 km to go and he was suffering from back pain but still managed to finish.  My marathon time was 4 hrs and 8 mins and although slower than expected, in that heat I was more than happy with a total time of 12 hrs 35 mins.
This event is awesome.  There were disable athletes taking part.  One one of the climbs I passed on who was cycling a standard road bike WITH ONLY ONE LEG!  The oldest athlete was 76 and he made it in before the cut off of 17 hours - truly inspirational.  The medical tent at the end was like a scene out of MASH with dehydration being the main issue.  I feel very honoured to have completed this event and even more so to have raised so much money with your help.  If you haven't already done so you can sponsor me at www.justgiving.com/Derek-Stewart0 .
12 months ago I came to Lanza and was destroyed by the cyclists I was with and the conditions on the island - I had a score to settle with the island and think I have now done that.  My coach Gen put together an incredible training plan as the result above would not have been possible without her expertise.  Coming out here with Gareth and completing the event together was also special so thank you.
Finally I can't finish without thanking my wife and kids for putting up with me and my training over the last 7 months.  Training for Ironman take a lot of time and disrupts your family life.  The good news is that life is going to get back to normal now, or at least till I start my MDS training! 
I'll let you know when the next chapter in Mission Ironman starts but for now I thing I deserve a rest!  Thank you for all the support you have given me, it kept me going.

Preparation, preparation.....

Had a long lie this morning taking advantage of not needing to get up and also knowing that you don't sleep well in the last 2 nights before the event.  So at 8.45 we went out on the bikes for a final test to make sure the mechanical problems were all sorted, which they were.  After 35 minutes we got back and out for a 12 minute run.  Felt great and that's the last exercise before Saturday.
My rest time was interupted when I found out the booking of our accommodation had been cocked up (not by me!) for 2 days in Puerto del Carmen but after an hour it was sorted - just as well I checked!
This afternoon was the manditory briefing and I met someone who is doing his 1st triathlon - Lanzarote Ironman!!!  He's been here since Friday and hasn't looked at the bike course - "I'll take it as it comes" he said.  Well ignorance is bliss as they say and I hope he survives and finishes within the 17 hour cut off.
All bags packed for the event and bike ready to be transported to Puerto del Carmen tomorrow.  It will be racked late afternoon and then an early dinner as we'll be up at 3.30am for breakfast.  The time is approaching and I am so looking forward to the event.
I don't know what internet access I have so this might be the last blog before the event.  When I started raising money for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres 4 years ago it was with a white collar boxing event.  Before entering the ring a business acquantance said "you've talked the talk but can you walk the walk".  Well on Saturday I will not only walk the walk but swim, bike and run in it memory of my friend Neil Sutherland.  If I don't blog before Sunday, I'll see you on the other side! Remember you can follow me on race day on http://www.ironmanlive.com/ race number 1530.  Thanks for all your support.

Hardest challenge yet

The tension is building.  This morning we cycled the marathon course and I have to admit, I can't wait to get to that stage.  We then swam one lap of the 2 lap swim course.  Again it was fast but I am not certain they have laid out the course yet and we may not be swimming the correct course.  Not that it matters because it's about getting experience and comfortable in swimming in the sea before being joined by 1,800 others!
We followed this with breakfast before driving round the 112 mile, 7,500 ft of climbing, bike course.  I've cycled 95% of the course before but not with temperatures soaring to 39 degrees - we were even sweating in the car with the aircon on!  It was good to reacquaint myself with the course and I am looking forward to the battle (being over!).  The road surface is smooth in most places but some of the descents are quiet tricky so full concentration will be required.  It did make me realise that the strap line "normal limits don't apply" (to Lanza IM) will be so true and this will be the toughest challenge I've undertaken.  It will require everything I've got, and possibly more!  But that's what the training was all about.
I've now registered and am proudly wearing my gold wristband to allow me "access all areas"!  Tomorrow we'll be taking it easy with a short cycle and run but no more swimming till Saturday.  On Friday Gareth and I decamp from Club la Santa to new accommodation in Puerto del Carmen where the race is being held.  This will help on race day as we meet at 5am at the beach.  Also when the race finishes having a 40 minute drive wouldn't be good news so we'll dump the bikes and our gear in the apartment then get something to eat before collapsing.  They don't call it Ironman for nothing.

Club la Santa bike shop rocks!

Early morning start with a sea swim.  Gareth and I travelled to Puerto del Carmen and swam one lap of the IM swim course.  It was fantastic to get in the sea and go over the course taking account of the sun in case it blinds us in the water.  A hearty breakfast and then we checked out part of the run course.  It's now 9.30am and 35 degrees!
Back to Club la Santa and plenty of fluids and rest.  After lunch we rested some more before going out for 20 minutes on the bike.  I had a gear issue so back to get it repaired.  Craig Simpson is a genius with bikes, he formally raced for Shorter Rochford Cycles and he stripped the bike down and within an hour had it better than it's been in a long time.  Thanks Craig as I would hate to have a DNF due to a mechanical problem.  They are so friendly in the shop and I met another racer Andy Gray who will be competing in IM Nice - good luck Andy.
The excitement is building here as the "expo" was set up today and registration begins tomorrow.  We are off to cycle the Marathon course and then drive round the 112 mile bike course.  Preparation is everything and in these temperatures we need to know what's coming next.  Getting acclimatised is essential and we are lucky to have 5 days before the race.  Feeling good although I am sure the nerves will start to creep in as the "Day of Destiny" approaches!

Winters back

The wind is howling outside and the rain is battering the windows. Today a number of my club mates were taking part in numerous events. The woman's 10k, the Glasgow Novice and Sprint Triathlon, the Fort William half marathon and the Etape Caledonian. However they had to perceiver in horrendous conditions, but they did. Their training will have paid off and this is the start a busy season for them. For me it is almost the end of the season as Lanzarote Ironman is my "A" Race and I do not have any other races organised this year. I will take a month to six weeks to recover before starting my training for Marathon des Sables which is in April next year. During my recovery I'll be catching up with my wife, family, friends and dusting down my golf clubs and see if I can get my handicap back. But now off to bed as the taxi is picking me up at 3.45am. I'll keep in touch in the build up to the race. Hope your weather improves!

Time to pack

I got lucky this morning, with the weather. It was dry, sunny and windy which was ideal for my final bike ride. I choose a route with a number of climbs that would give me a good workout as this was my last ride before Lanzarote. 59 miles at 16.6 mph was a good shift so now it's time to clean the bike and pack it away for its Holidays. But first I'm off with my wife for a slap up lunch - can't wait.

Back to winter training!

Training for an endurance event early in the season is difficult because so much of the hard work is done in the dark, the cold and the rain or snow. We are half way through May now but when I got home It was chucking it down with rain and blowing a whooly as we say in Scotland. I switched my bike ride to an indoor turbo session which was hot and sweaty, ideal for Lanzarote preparation but then went out for my run off the bike into the elements. It wasn't nice but I know in 8 days time I will probably be glad of these conditions because I will be running the marathon element in the 30's! So not long to go now. Today I will be doing my last pool session and on Saturday I have a 50 mile ride and a run off the bike. The rest of weekend will be spent packing and making sure my planning for the day is sorted.

Blind faith

It was a beautiful sunny day up north yesterday and I watched in awe as a blind man with a long White stick negotiated his way along the busy main street in Perth. Tap, tap, tap with his stick gave him the feedback he needed to know where he was in the street so he could "visualise" his route. I thought how difficult this must have been to learn and how much faith you had to have in your own ability but the benefit is he has his independence - what a brave man. The Image stayed with me during the day as I though how important the feedback from the stick was and how having key milestones would let him know where he was. I have employed a similar principle in my last 7 months training to ensure i arrive at the destination (the event) in peak condition. Unfortunately however I didn't bargain on getting a cold but I have 9 days to get over it. As for the blind man, he is making sure that despite his disability he "gets out there" and makes the most of his life. Perhaps we should all take note of this and make the most of our lives because you never know what's round the corner.

Mechanical problems

Another rainy bank holiday although our office was open today so I was able to catch up with a lot of work as nobody rang us. It was also a rest day but my niggling calf muscle wasn't easing off so I phoned the Physio. John is a retired triathlete and was able to identify the problem as mechanical I.e. Not something that is going to be corrected after 1 or 2 visits. Basically I put more weight on my right leg than I do my left. This would explain why my left calf and quad muscles are smaller than my right. This will be redressed when I get back from Lanzarote because it will be a bigger problem when my training starts for Marathon des Sables! He had some great advice for the event; "when you feel the pain ignore it. When it gets worse press on and if it becomes unbearable then grit your teeth, man up and finish the task - you are an Ironman". Good advice and he can pick up the pieces afterwards.

Passion in sport

Another semi-final for my son this morning and they came back from 2 nil down to win 5 - 2 with Ali scoring.  It was a nerve racking game with some brutal tackles going in and the opposition players swearing at us and parents exchanging words - the ref was a joke which didn't help.  The hand shake at the end of the day turned into some ugly scenes with a few punches being thrown.  This is kids U15 football and while I love seeing passionate players, when it gets out of control it's disappointing.  However their hard work now has them in 2 finals - well done Strathaven Dynamos.
So it was a relief, after all that stress, to get on my bike and complete a 25 mile Time Trial.  My fastest ever average speed at 19 mph over the distance which was a good workout.  So now to rest and eat with a bit of stretching. My stats are backing up that the training programme has worked and that as I rest and recover I will be in peak condition for Lanza which is now 13 days away! 

Day off

It seems like a long time since I had a Saturday off but it was necessary today to give my calf muscle a rest.  So instead of training I went shopping, did DIY (unheard off for me) around the house, taxied the kids around, prepared lunch and got in the food for dinner.  I'm knackered!  But it made a nice change.  I've also been making arrangements for Lanza as it's only 9 days before I leave.  In the meantime I will take the opportunity to put my feet up and rest - coaches orders!

Getting down to business

This mornings swim session was short but good, 2,500m.  All my times were fast which shows that the rest I've been enjoying has allowed my body to recover.  This is exactly what my training plan is designed to do.  I then met with my coach briefly and we started discussing my timings for the race.  This was the first time we had discussed the subject but she had analysed all the training data on my long sessions.  We agreed on the swim and run time but have a slight disagreement on the bike time - she thinks I could be 30  minutes quicker.  This is a real compliment but in the end we ran out of time so this subject is to be revisited next week.  In the end there are so many factors that could change everything on the day, but you need a plan.
I then had a sports massage and have been nursing a tight calf muscle for the last month.  It needs a rest so tomorrows training sessions have been cancelled just to give it time to recover.  This isn't a problem as the hard work has been done and now is not the time to take a chance.  The next week will involve short quality sessions with plenty of rest days.  It feels great.

It's not about the length!

It's almost a week since I have been in the pool so I knew I'd be a wee bit rusty.  My session was a 500m  warm up, 300m fast followed by 2 x 1,000m - relatively short compared to my more recent training however that doesn't mean the value is reduced.  Quiet the opposite.  This was a quality session and I focused on my technique, not my time.  I was against the clock but concentrated on my technique and guess what - both were good!
In the pool you mix with a lot of different swimmers and at that time in the morning there are a few 70 year olds who carve through the water giving away there past as a serious swimmer.  One of them mentioned to me that he had noticed the change in my swimming from last week i.e. more relaxed and when I explained I was tapering he confirmed to me the importance of this stage based on his previous sporting experience.  I hope when I get to my 70's I'm able to get in the pool at 7.30am and knock out 2,000m before breakfast.  These guys really inspire me to keep going and they offer a lot of support by just being there and encouraging me.  Thanks guys.

Up with the lark!

After two days rest my eyes opened at 5am ready to get back to training.  At 5.30am I was on my bike heading out for some hill training.  1 hr and 22 mins later I was back for a quick transition into my running shoes and back out for a 50 minute run at 7 min 46 average pace on a hilly course.  My tapering involves quality rather than quantity - I've done the miles now it's about not taking too much out of me while keeping it ticking over.  It felt great to be back training after a 2 day rest.
Got home for 8, showered and had my porridge before heading off for work at 8.45am.  These light mornings are great and I'd encourage anyone to get up early, even if just going out for a walk before work.  You'll feel alive and perform better during the day.
It's also made me realise that after Marathon des Sables in April 2013 I won't enter an endurance event that means you have to do long hours in the winter with the short days as it really affects your life.  In the summer when I am continuing my training for MDS I'll be out there at 5am and that way get the best of the day and not interfere with family and work.  Enjoy the longer days while they are here.

Power walking

Day 2 of twiddling my thumbs and I'm now starting to get impatient although my legs are enjoying the rest.  When travelling to work this morning I couldn't help but notice the number of "power walkers" out and about enjoying the fact it wasn't raining (a good summer in Scotland that is!).  There were loads of them, mostly ladies but it's great to see people out exercising and getting some fresh air.  I remember watching the "power walking or race walking" on the telly (either the Olympics or the Commonwealth games) and realised that their funny wobbly motion let them complete 20 km about 25 minutes quicker than I could run the same distance so I'm not knocking it - although I think they will have severe ankle problems in later life.
I had my bike "pimped" with red tape going on the bars to match my outfit for ironman and also to help me find it amongst 1,800 other bikes.  Your head can be a bit fuzzy when you get out of the water and you will see athletes wandering around trying to find their bikes but hopefully mind will stand out - probably cause it's the only one left! Only kidding.
Early start tomorrow, 5.30am with a bike ride and run before work.  Can't wait to get back in the saddle!