Sunday 4 October 2015

...and so it starts

On Thursday this week I started my Ironman training.  That's 275 away from the event.  If you have ever wondered how you prepare a 53 year old body for a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 run then please follow my weekly blog.  As I write this my pals are just crossing the line in Barcelona Ironman in fabulous times.  Others were doing the Glencoe Marathon, the Glasgow 10km and half marathon - a busy day.  Completing an Ironman doesn't just happen.  It requires dedication to train your arse off 6 days a week.  The training time builds up but starts off getting your body ready for the hell that is going to be inflicted on it.  The hard bit is having done it twice before, I know what's coming!
My coach has laid out an online training plan and my garmin records every session.  The data downloads to the online website and Genevieve sees everything.  Therefore every stroke I swim is recorded.  Every revolution of the bike and foot strike in the run is there for her expert eye to analyse.  There is no hiding place.  And that's what I like.  Because when I'm not feeling up to the session, I know I have to give it my all or else I'll be getting my butt kicked!
Yesterday I went out on the bike with the guys and we did 83k at an average speed of 26.1km per hour which I was very happy with.  But today Genevieve turned up for a "social" 90 minute ride.  She "suggested" I could improve on this so we went out and smashed it - 28.6km per hour!  It's amazing how your focus changes when your coach is sitting on your tail.  A quality session.
I've a long way to go but I know tomorrow is my day off training and I think my body will appreciate it.  Since Thursday I have been doing exercises I wouldn't normally do and my body is telling me something is going on.  It sure is.  I'm being prepared for hell on earth and the reason is I'm doing this is simple.  Being in phenomenal shape impacts positively on all aspects of your life and at the same time I'll be raising money for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres.  It doesn't get better than that.