Club mates

I spent 3 wonderful days this week on the Isle of Barra with my wife and good friends.  What an amazing place with huge white sandy beeches and beautiful remote outlying islands which we visited. There is an annual half marathon which runs round the island but I was on holiday so I'll tackle that another day.
Yesterday I went out with team ATHelite to complete a tough 100 km in windy conditions.  As usual they start fast and group discipline goes out the window.  That meant they were waiting for me at the top of all of the hills.  Not being on the back of the wheel of another cyclist means you are taking all the wind.  After an hour of struggling to keep up I told them I was ruining their ride so they should head off and I'd go solo.  This was immediately rejected and group riding discipline adhered to.  This allowed me to keep up with the group as they protected me from the wind and I was able to complete the ride with them.  It was still hard work but I was constantly encouraged with phrases like"come on auld yin"! It makes a huge difference training with your pals although as I approach summer next year I will need to put in long solo rides as you are not allowed to draft in Ironman.
I know I'm getting fitter each time I go out with the group and what keeps me going, other than the motivational jibes, is thinking what shape I will be in come Ironman next summer.  There's a lot of work ahead as it takes time, planning and hard work to get into shape.
Today I'm resting which is an important part of preparing for an endurance event - no honestly it is and I take it very seriously so I prevent injury or fatique.