Getting there

Coming back to training is an interesting process. The rest has been great and getting a family and social life back even better but I feel sluggish. A couple of pounds have gone on although while shopping yesterday I was still getting into a 30 waist! Today I watched as the rain was pouring down and the wind howling and decided I'd leave the bike for another day and go out for a run in between the showers. So I ran 10k slightly slower than my normal time but faster than my last run which is to be expected. However the feeling when I finished was terrific. It's what makes running so good. Today I have friends competing in the West Highland Way race, a 95 mile race which most of them will complete in under 24 hours. Now that serious ultra running and it shows what is possible when you put your mind to it. So onwards and upwards for me. I recon I should be back to full fitness in a month but will gradually increase the intensity while trying to avoid any set backs.

Busy night at Loch Lomond

You can tell it's summer in Scotland when so many people are "rubbered up" and standing on the shore of Loch Lomond ready to take the plunge. There must have been 30 swimmers in their wetsuits and even a couple of "hard core" swimmers only in speedos! The first 5 minutes was cold but you soon warm up as you swim towards the beech on the opposite side which means you track the shoreline before you turn up the loch and into the deeper, colder and darker water. There were 9 ATHelite members in my group and we do a regular headcount to make sure no one goes missing! Our brightly coloured swim caps are to help boats coming into the harbour spot us and last night a big boat did just that honking it's horn as it approached. Bit scary but they are used to us. Afterwards I was interviewed by an ITV producer who is planning a programme around the loch and people who are using it. There idea is for the presenter to go swimming on the loch with me or another swimmer Sounds like great fun and I'd love to get the opportunity of spreading the word of mission ironman to a national audience which would increase my fund raising for Maggie's. I'll let you know the outcome but they may go for someone more local to the loch.

Steep learning curve

This morning started with my swim.  My 1,000m warm up went well but my 100m's were a struggle after 5 so I did a warm down and accepted that I'm still in recovery.  I'll save myself for tomorrow night in Loch Lomond.
Then I met Dave who is an expert in all things desert - he is leading a party tomorrow into the Gobi Desert which is an annual challenge.  We had a good discussion around MdS and he explained the 2 most common reasons for failure was water discipline and foot maintenance.  I'm happy with regulating water following Lanzarote Ironman but the foot maintenance will require a lot of studying hence the reason I know have a book to read of feet.  We discussed various aspects, such as the venom pump that you have to carry but doesn't work (yikes!) that I have never considered before and it gave me a glimpse as to how much I need to learn, over and above the training.  I can't wait but in the meantime need to get back my stamina back.

Back to basics

I woke at 5.50am this morning and was due to start my training with a swim.  But the sun was shining and the sky was blue so I decided a run was in order.  Fortunately I checked the temperature, 2 degrees, so dressed like it was a winters day!  Unfortunately as I am out of practise I forgot to do "something" which resulted in clenched bum cheeks for half the run and the fastest ever last 50 metres!  I won't make that mistake again.
It's amazing how six weeks ago I was at the peak of my fitness and today was a struggle.  My heart rate was high and my pace was slow for 5.4 miles but I now have a benchmark and I aim to get back into shape for the half Ironman in Aberfoyle on August 18th.  It's fantastic to have a short-term goal to aim at as this will give me the motivation and focus to train hard.  Tomorrow I will be in the pool early morning and this will help loosen of any stiffness from today's run.  I did fancy going out for a spin on the bike but think I should ease my way into training.  It's back to basics and build up gradually but I did feel good after my run.

Social life

On returning from Lanzarote Ironman 4 weeks ago I have been catching up with my social life with my wife and family.  Eating is no problem as I try and put on some weight to get back to 11 stone but it isn't easy.  It's fair to say that my alcohol consumption has increased (liquid cards!) but I am still a relative light weight as I found out last night when out with a few of the "football Dads".  But this continues today as I attend "Hangerfest" music festival in Strathaven and it can compare to Glastonbury - wet, muddy and windy.  This will be followed by a 50th birthday party tonight of a good friend of mine so the alcohol theme will continue.
Tomorrow I will be resting / recovering and then on Monday back to training.  I need to get ready for the Aberfeldy half ironman in August.  I am looking forward to training again as I will begin to feel better as my body gets back to exercise.  It doesn't mean I won't be socialising in the future but getting the focus back on the goals is good for me.  It's how I work best. 
On Tuesday I am meeting with Dave from www.sand-baggers.com to discuss equipment and food requirements for MdS.  I have a lot to learn before I set foot in the Sahara Desert and I can't wait - it will be a whole new world and as a novice I need to gather an experienced team around me.

A whole new world

Tonight I met with Tony, a Marathon des Sables veteran who gave me a quick introduction on how I should prepare myself, the equipment I would need (including the venom pump!), the food and the place where I can buy it all.  It's a whole new world and I was at a complete loss when he was talking about the equipment and the brands.  But he reassured me that my tri training can continue as mixing swimming & cycling with my running will keep me fit and reduce my risk of injury.  Tony's description of sleeping under a carpet of stars sounder amazing although the camel spiders and snakes didn't go down so well!
I came away with a copy of a book, "Fixing your feet", which I think gives me a big clue in what to expect.  In Lanza I suffered a few blisters and that was sore so I will study this carefully.  I will also start learning French which is the 1st language of most of the Marshall's and volunteers - at the moment I might be able to order 2 beers but it may be more important to explain I am suffering from dehydration!
So the next chapter in Mission Ironman begins.  I'm excited and looking forward to it and on route I'll have a couple of other challenges to keep my short term focus.  I hope you can follow my journey and please take the opportunity to post a message - I'll always respond.  I can't wait to enter this "new world".

Motivation

I find myself in a strange place. I am keen to start training but am uncertain that my body is ready. At the same time having no plan in place leaves me unfocused. 2 years ago after my first Ironman I felt like I'd fallen off a cliff. I don't feel like that now but getting motivated to start with no plan isn't easy. The other difference this time is I have three goals in place. 18th August is a half ironman, in January I have the Tough Guy Challenge and in April the Marathon des Sables (just under 300 days away). But I have just booked a meeting on Wednesday night with an MDS veteran and am hoping he will help me with my training - I'm excited already as this is new territory to me. Can't wait - lots to learn!