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.

Fine tuning

It's great to be back.  My new training schedule is through and I have two more weeks of fine tuning with some key sessions in all three disciplines.  Today was a 2 hr 15 min 55km bike ride to get my cycling legs back as I hadn't been out on the road for almost 2 weeks due to the rain and wind before I went off for my weeks training in the heat.
I checked Copenhagen today and the weather is cooler than Portugal - only 20 - 23 degrees so lets hope that continues. 
Later on I went out with my son on a short training ride as part of his preparation for the kids event.  It was good to hear him complain of a sore bum after the ride so perhaps he knows what I am going through - not that he will care!

Acclimitisation & the snake!

Have you been missing me?  This is the first chance I have had to report back.  On my first run I left at 7.45am to miss the worst of the heat - it was only 25 degrees!  While trying to focus through the sweat I almost ran into a snake!  I would have broken the world distance record with a hop, skip, jump and a few swear words - turns out the snake was dead.

Some excellent swimming sessions but the hardest session was my 1 hr 45 min run which was really tough as I started at 4pm in 35 degrees of heat in order to get close to the Copenhagen conditions.  The toughest part was the mental side - keeping going when the heat was just full on.  No side effects the following day when I rested.

Back home to the Scottish weather and my tapering programme when the body gets more rest in preparation for the main event.  This has been a great trip combining training and holiday.  The acclimitisation has been essential and the experience of running in the extreme heat had been a valuable lesson - I will need to be so tough mentally to cope with the conditions.

Heat training

Europe is currently going through a heat wave and I need to prepare for temperatures of over 30 degrees while I am swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles and running 26.2 miles.  I will be on the go for up to 15 hours and the temperature in the UK at the moment does not help with my preparation.  Today I decided not to go out into the rain and wind and started my turbo session at 6am.  I continued for 75 minutes and practiced my hydration as when you are outside in the wind and rain you are not so tempted to drink - indoors when the sweat is poring off you drinking is much easier.  Tomorrow I go to my "training camp" abroad and will concentrate on my running and swimming but I will keep you informed as to how I am getting on.  Hope you get some better weather while I am away!