Wednesday 16 May 2012

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.