Preparing for a major race requires a lot of planning. Tonight I'm cleaning the bike and checking it to make sure everything is in order. I needed to fit new cleats to my shoes and then test them out on the turbo trainer to make sure I won't have a problem on Saturday - one had lost a screw and was loose which would have given me a huge problem in the race. I need to get me ready also so upped my water intake as you need to hydrate a few days in advance. I've also increased my food intake and tomorrow night should be a major carb overload - some of my pals might be doing this with beer but I won't touch a drop until Saturday night. It's not that I wouldn't like to join them it's just of I do I won't be racing the next day.
Fingers crossed for the weather as this will be a hard enough slog without competing with the rain and wind. This is going to be tough and it will hurt but it's an important stepping stone in preparation for Lanzarote. I'll report back on Sunday when I return.
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Bealach Mor Preparation
Well the prep is all done. Other than a wee spin on Wednesday and checking my bike and kit, I'm all set. This morning I received a note from the organisers that made me smile. Here are some of the key points:
1: Please note at sea level in may be warm but at the top of the mountain it may be snowing! Dress accordingly - can I get my parka jacket into the back of my bike shirt?
2: No "alfresco" peeing or you will be disqualified - hmm, might need to try the real cyclists method but remember to take extra body spray for afterwards.
3: There is an unmanned level crossing and a train coming through at 10.30 - if you don't stop for the flashing lights "you will be disqualified if STILL ALIVE"!
It's good to know the organisers have a sense of humour however I think all laughing will disappear when we start the 6 mile, 2000 ft climb in the middle of the 90 mile race! Onwards and upwards as they say. Bring it on or as my spin teacher used to say "it's only a hill, get over it". I am sure those words will be ringing in my ears as I try and block out the noise on me crying.
1: Please note at sea level in may be warm but at the top of the mountain it may be snowing! Dress accordingly - can I get my parka jacket into the back of my bike shirt?
2: No "alfresco" peeing or you will be disqualified - hmm, might need to try the real cyclists method but remember to take extra body spray for afterwards.
3: There is an unmanned level crossing and a train coming through at 10.30 - if you don't stop for the flashing lights "you will be disqualified if STILL ALIVE"!
It's good to know the organisers have a sense of humour however I think all laughing will disappear when we start the 6 mile, 2000 ft climb in the middle of the 90 mile race! Onwards and upwards as they say. Bring it on or as my spin teacher used to say "it's only a hill, get over it". I am sure those words will be ringing in my ears as I try and block out the noise on me crying.
Monday, 29 August 2011
Off road
Mountain biking is something I haven't really done before but today I went to Glentress with my eldest son Jamie. It proved a good workout although we kept it relatively short as Jamie wasn't prepared for the uphills - he thought we we're going on motorbikes so he got a bit of a shock!
I enjoyed the challenge and am looking forward doing much more in the winter as I won't be doing so much roadwork in the winter. I'll spin my legs on the bike on Wednesday but won't be doing anymore as I am tapering for Saturday.
I enjoyed the challenge and am looking forward doing much more in the winter as I won't be doing so much roadwork in the winter. I'll spin my legs on the bike on Wednesday but won't be doing anymore as I am tapering for Saturday.
Saturday, 27 August 2011
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!
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!
Friday, 26 August 2011
No longer a happy hooker!
On Tuesday I played golf - badly. I hooked everything off the tee. No I really shouldn't complain as I don't invest any time in practicing and have hardly played this year but when you have a stationery object aiming to hit at a stationery target - how hard can it be? Well today I played some more business golf and was delighted to be hitting the ball straight again. What a joy. In addition my objective was to get my host to agree to certain action which he did so it was a win win putting a bounce back in my step.
I know my fellow triathletes mock the game of golf but you'd need to go a long way to find a game that is played in between your ears! As far as a decent drive and a five iron I'd say.
Tomorrow back to the last serious training before I start my "tapering" for the following weekends event.
I know my fellow triathletes mock the game of golf but you'd need to go a long way to find a game that is played in between your ears! As far as a decent drive and a five iron I'd say.
Tomorrow back to the last serious training before I start my "tapering" for the following weekends event.
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Early morning disco
Remember disco's? That word dates us all but my kids would laugh if they heard me use it. Anyway at 5.50 this morning I was boogying on down while sweating like a pig wearing tight clothing - just like a disco but I was on my turbo trainer. It's amazing the level of workout you can get up to in a structured hours training - that's the key, having a plan, sticking to it and monitoring the results.
Jumped in the shower and then made myself some porage (scottish spelling)and all done before the kids got up. Yes morning training definitely works for me. Now off to work.
Jumped in the shower and then made myself some porage (scottish spelling)and all done before the kids got up. Yes morning training definitely works for me. Now off to work.
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Sometimes life can get in the way
With all the best intentions I was going to train today. I usually train in the early morning but I took the extra sleep. Following the blues yesterday today was much better. I got through so much work today but had to leave early for my son. That's when it all started. From 4 - 9.30pm I was involved in shopping, making the dinner, sorting my sons CV and helping apply for his first job, picking him up from a friends house - all normal activities for most people. But bang went the scheduled training which had been postponed from the morning. Then my wife and I had a glass of wine and off to bed as tomorrow I WILL get up early and put in my training session. That explains why it's better for me to train at 5.30am because sometimes life can get in the way! This lackadaisical approach will change come October when the Ironman training starts and then there's no excuses.
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