Decided to have a long lie this morning and train in the evening which is not like me, but I wanted to give my legs and extra 12 hours rest after the run yesterday and the weekends event.  However it was home made curry for dinner and the thought of a long cool beer to wash it down was tempting as beer is liquid carbs after all!  I managed to resist but had to drag myself out the door and onto the bike as the couch and the telly were inviting.  Glad I did because it was a quiet summers night so I did get to "smell the roses" which I had promised myself yesterday.  Once I got back I finished with a quick work out and am now settling down with a cup of tea.  Only 8 hours till my run session tomorrow.

Following my rest day after the Etape, today involved a 2,500m swim and a 50 minute run.  However the feeling of satisfaction was dampened by a funeral of an ex-tabler taken too soon by cancer.   As I listened to stories of his life it made me reflect that we are only here for a short time so we should make the most of it.  I think it was a reminder to take time to smell the roses and going forward, I will make sure I do.  Why not try it to?

Etape Caledonia Race

What a weekend.  Sportsmans dinner on Friday night, charity concert on Saturday night.  Left for the Etape Caledonia race at 3am Sunday morning with 2 hrs sleep - ideal preparation?  This is the longest bike ride to date, 81 miles, and I increased my average speed from 14.5 mph to 16.3 mph for 4hr 58 min & 32 sec  losing 4,400 calories along the way.  The race was eventful with plenty of accidents - my friend and experienced cyclist Jacques went over the handlebars on a fast down hill stretch and did some damage to a tree and a dry stane dyke (wall).  Before the ambulance could get to him he dusted himself down and completed the race 16 minutes quicker than me!  After the race we did spend 4 hours in A&E but he'll be fine.  Andres led the 4 x 5 man teams, it must have been the biggest team in the event, and managed to cross the line with his son in a respectable 4hrs 34 mins.
As I crossed the line I reflected on the race. I am 89 days away from Ironman and have to swim 2.4 miles before getting on the bike and completing 31 miles (112 mile in total) more than this race before running a marathon.  Looking at my training schedule my coach understands what's ahead as it increases considerably from tomorrow.  Next target the half ironman in Wales 12-13 June.
Finally thanks to my wife Fiona for carrying the burden of watching our son in the cup final while also organising the rest of the family, I think racing 81 miles was easier and certanly less stressful!  The result went the wrong way but he has two more trophies to chase before the end of the month - I don't know where he gets it from!

Cracking swim this morning - 3 x 400m warm up, 12 x 50m main set and 6 x 50m warm down, now that sharpens you up for the day.  Got my rear wheel back from the unmentionable shop, the rest of my bike after its "tune up" from Willie Bains (thanks Willie great job), and had my Garmin replaced for the correct sex!!! I might run like a lady but I prefer a gents watch!
Long lie planned for tomorrow, 9am, then a 1 hour cycle before going off to film and interview Midge Ure, Marti Pellow, Paulo Nutini & Jim Diamond who are performing for the Tiger Tim Stevens Tribute night raising money for Tim who has MS.  The concert will be great and if you want to know why I am involved in this go to www.thegathering.co.uk .  Straight home after the gig, missing the party afterwards, and up at 3am on Sunday to travel to Pitlochry for the Etape 83 mile race - 7.04 start!  Just a normal weekend!!

Today is the 13th - I am not normally superstitious but...... Remember I said Ironman is all about planning?  Thanks to a bike shop with the same name as a muesli, my rear wheel still isn't repaired as promised (over 5 weeks) & my sports massage appointment some how wasn't in his diary.  My replacement Garmin watch that I picked up today isn't linking to my computer so back to the shop tomorrow.  Aaaahhhhhhhhhhh!
So the plan has to change.  Tomorrow morning at 7pm I will have a relaxing swim for an hour, pick up my rear wheel which hopefully will be repaired, pick up my bike from a real bike repair shop (thanks Willie Bain) after its service, get my Garmin sorted and take my bike out for a spin to make sure its working. Oh and fit in a days work.

Tollcross was quite this morning at 7am which is unusual, and my hard session wasn't as hard as I expected.  To give you an idea, 3 x 400m warm up, 9 x 100m timed with every 3rd length faster and a 4 x 50 m cool down.  Due to this being an easy week I came out feeling strong - however the open water training will start next week and I will have to increase the intensity and distance of my swimming.  This is all easy when compared to people battling with cancer and as you know I am raising money for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres.  If you can spare some cash for a fantastic charity then go to my just giving site via this blog.  Have a great day.

Ironman training is all about planning.  With the next event on Sunday this is a relatively easy week.  Today was a 40 minute run which gives my legs plenty of rest time.  If I can juggle my family commitments then I will have a hard swimming session tomorrow at 7am and a sport massage on Thursday (not a pleasant experience but the after affects are worth it).  On Friday when my bike is back from its service I will have a 1 hr spin with Saturday being a rest day.  There are no short cuts but with proper planning you stand a chance!