14 days to go

In 2 weeks time I will be on the bike leg (112 miles) of the Ironman in Copenhagen.  This weekend was the end of the hard training and now it is about ticking over and resting my body.  I started training a year ago but the real training started in November when I signed up with my coach Steve.  Since then here is a summary of my training:
221 training sessions including; 45 hours on a turbo trainer (static bike), 123 hour and 2,812 km on the bike, 65 hours in the pool covering 150,000 m, 2 hours open water swimming covering 4,300 m and 66 hours running covering 725 km.
The hard work is done.  Now it's about preparing for every eventuality, going over what I need to do before the race and during the race.  Then it's down to executing the plan.  Thanks for your support to date and if you haven't already done so, please click on the link to my justgiving site and support Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres.

4 seasons in a day

Headed out at 8.30 with Jacques, Craig & Garry who are all in training for Mont Vontoux in September and as expected the pace was more than I was hoping for.  Craig & Garry headed back after 1hr 45 min as they didn't want the "full bhuna" and Jacques and I stayed the distance for the planned 5 hrs.  However we had to endure strong winds and numerous showers which meant we had to work hard to keep a reasonable pace.  The roads around here are a disgrace and at times its like riding across a ploughed field! 
Had one close call.  One of my bottles fell of the bike and Garry stopped to get it.  I slowed down and at about 1 mph couldn't get out my clips so fell over clipped into the bike.  No one saw it but when Garry caught up with me he did ask why I was covered in grass all down one side! Lucky escape as it could have been tarmac.
Got some good tips from double ironman Craig about how important it is to come out the water feeling fresh (I was thinking alive!), not to push hard on the bike no matter how good you feel as you need plenty in the tank for the run - it's all about the run I keep getting told and I am sure that is the case.  You don't see too many people warming up for a marathon with a 2.3 mile swim plus 112 mile cycle do you?  Must be mad but it's great fun.

Open water success

Tonight I had my best ever open water swim.  A good crowd had gathered at Loch Lomond from 3 different tri clubs.  The water was cold and in the past it has set my heart racing, especially in such an expanse of water.  But tonight was different.  I got into a fantastic rhythm which is what I have been trying to do and kept up with the good swimmers reasonably well.  We all chatted afterwards with some good tips swapped for Ironman.
Quick fish supper on the way back, coffee and some chocolate.  Early night as I am up at 7am for my 5 hour cycle with a couple of real cyclists; Jacques who is tackling Mont Vontoux in September (three times in 1 day!) and double ironman (yes double!) Craig - should be a real easy ride!

Me & Dolly

Woke at 6.30am to a beautiful sunny day and as I felt better I headed for the hills on my bike.  It is easy to lose concentration when on the bike and it doesn't take much to cause an accident such as a pot hole, ball bearings (i.e. cheap resurfaced road) or an Aberdeen leisure centre (otherwise known as a sheep to those outside Aberdeen).  So as I hairing down the hill picking my way between the pot holes on the cheaply resurfaced road covered with ball bearings, carefully plotting my course I was almost as surprised as Dolly the sheep who was standing in my way as I came round the corner.  My choice was simple; exit road hedge left or go for the softer landing.  So Dolly was going to get some go faster stripes until she stepped out of the way.  I'm not sure if the Merc heading in the opposite direction was a lucky as me going by the sound of the horn and brakes but at least he has airbags!
It was great to be back on the bike and it is essential preparation for my 5 hr bike on Saturday followed by a brick session on Sunday - 1hr bike immediately followed by 1hr run.  On Monday the level of training will reduce as the body starts to recover before 15 August.  Not long to go now!

Unscheduled rest

I went home early yesterday feeling the effects of my swim, I guess, and had a power nap for an hour.  Still felt tired and had a bad nights sleep feeling as though I had a cold.  So this morning I decided to move my training to the evening but still didn't feel right.  So I will take today as a rest day and hope by tomorrow I am fit enough to continue with my schedule.  I can't afford the time off training but I also can't afford to do any damage this close to the event.
I

Comparing notes

Porridge at 5.30 am, poolside by 7am for a long continuous swim to replicate the pace I will swim in my Ironman - my objective is to swim efficiently and exit the water having enjoyed the warm up!  If I am breathing through my bum then "the games a boggie" as we say. 
I managed to clogg up the lane as usual with the Athelite crowd doing shorter faster 300m sets and having to over take me, not that its difficult.
Colin, Gen & Graham from Athelite are all taking part in Copenhagen and we were comparing our training schedules in the run up to the event.  We have different coaches and as we vary in age and standard, we are taking slightly different approaches as I still have a hard weekend ahead before my training starts to taper down whereas there hard work is over.  It was interesting to hear that Colin slowed down too early last year and his hips seized so it will mean doing something every day but not too much.  I can look forward to the rest AFTER the event.

No 2 dogs are the same

When running this morning my mind was wandering, thinking what will I write in my blog  -it is a grey, wet and boring 13km run, not anything of interest.  I reflected on the film I watched the previous night, The Mask with Jim Carey.  Now you may remember the cute wee Jack Russell, as well as Cameron Diaz but that's another story.  Well at 6.45am a Jack Russell came rushing out a garden chasing me 30 yards down the road snapping at my heals certainly got my heart rate up more than Cameron Diaz did - just!  When you are pacing yourself you don't need that type of sprinting but I'll be ready for the wee bugger the next time.
This weekend was Ironman Switzerland and four athletes from my club had entered but sadly only two finished.  It is a cruel reminder that a years training can get you to the start line, which is an amazing achievement in itself, but luck is required to finish without being withdrawn due to injury or complications.