Fear no more

Tonight was my last chance for an open water swim before travelling down to Lake Wimbleball.  My previous one was not pleasant and even made me doubt for a minute that I couldn't complete the 1.9k swim.  But I knew that I'd get my head round it if I had another chance and tonight was it.  I was able to get into a rhythm and glide.  The key is getting off at the right pace and getting into a rhythm as quickly as possible.  However with 1,500 people all starting at the same time I need to be prepared to be punched, kicked and climbed over - should be fun!
My bike came back from the bike shop today and tomorrow morning or night, subject to the weather, I will go out for a short ride and check that the gears are working properly.  The bike course on the event is extremely tough and gear failure in any way could finish me off as the climbs are steep.
Tomorrow night I'll be packing my gear which requires military precision.

Picture this....

Long lie till 7am and went out for a quick 6k run.  It was a beautiful day and this was a great start to the day.  It is a real privilege watching the rush hour drivers getting stressed out as they head in for the "rat race".  Being able to run your own business does have some advantages and choosing when to travel in to the office is definitely one of them - I can do a few hours and have put in a training session and miss the grid lock.
Tonight I had my swim analysed by the coaches on video, including under the water.  There were no nasty surprises but it's never easy seeing yourself making mistakes, especially as you have been told about them before.  But now I have the mental picture and was given some drills which will allow me to improve my technique.  I will work on this when I am in the pool but realistically technical work is sorted in the winter sessions.  Nothing will change before Sunday.
Looking forward to another long lie tomorrow, 7 am, and an open water swim tomorrow night assuming the weather is ok.  I would like to be more comfortable in the open water swim so I don't waste a lot of nervous energy in the event.

Last early rise

That was my last early morning training alarm at 5.35am.  The usual porridge tasted good knowing I'd be having at least and extra hour in bed each day this week.  I didn't do the full swim session as I am letting my body recover this week before putting it through hell on Sunday.  My shoulders had been feeling the strain of the swimming last week but were fine today.  However I did feel a wee twinge in my pectoral muscle so decided to switch to some kicking drills before finishing.
Chocolate milk and bananas washed down by tea and I'm ready to start the week.

Easy rider

Today I tried to get my bike sorted but it needs a new part and it will be Wednesday before it's ready.  So when I went out later with my son, who I'm hoping will take up triathlon to build on his running, I only had access to 6 gears.  He strained his groin on Friday so we went for an easy 24 km ride.  We averaged 15 mph and it was great fun.
I got to spin my legs as did he with no adverse affects on his groin.  Watching him cycle, this is only his second ride on a road bike, it won't be long before he leaves me behind but I will try and extend this as long as possible!
I also learned that a friend of mine who was doing a year of endurance challenges wasn't able to complete Mt Kilimanjaro due to altitude sickness.  It's a reminder that when extending the limits sometimes we are not able to cross the line.  However it's about the journey and having the courage to let everyone know what you are aiming for.  Anyone, including Neil last week, that puts it out there gets my full respect.

Tapering

With a week to go my tapering starts i.e. reducing the amount and intensity of the training.  So today I spent an hour on hill climbs outside my house followed by the smallest of runs to get used to the feeling of running off the bike.  My legs felt very fresh but my bike gears need attention which will be sorted tomorrow.
Then it was Gala day in town so a real family occasion as the parade comes through the town so a few beers were had.  Bumped into a friend who three years ago had promised to enter my first triathlon with me but he didn't follow through.  Today he renewed his vow and after I finish this blog I am off to find him a novice triathlon that he can enter before the end of the year - another convert and success story I hope!

Conquering my fear

Tonight the forecast from the Met office was for 1 degree and snow - on returning from London it was a beautiful night and ideal for an open water swim so I was pleased they had got it completely wrong!  However this was only my second open water swim in the year and once in the water I had to control my feeling of panic.  The cold water increases your heart rate, your breathing is strained and the wetsuit constricts your chest.  Your mind plays games and as I was swimming and feeling uncomfortable, lunch was threatening to reappear, I started to doubt my ability to take part in next weeks event.  I was worried about being left behind with the 12 swimmers in the water and in a weeks time I will be involved in a mass start with 1,500 swimmers - slightly more dangerous.
However I kept talking to myself and trying to relax.  The good thing about open water swimming is that is that your wearing a wetsuit and if you relax you can glide which takes less energy.  So half way through the swim I started to relax and managed to punch one of my coaches in the face, by mistake - honest.  Punching, kicking and climbing over other swimmers is common in an open water swim especially if you have a mass start.
Next Wednesday is my last chance before the event to relax and enjoy an open water swim because if you are panicking that saps your energy which isn't clever as you still have a hilly 90km to ride and 21 km to run.  Part of Mission Ironman is about overcoming obstacles.  It depends on your mindset how you handle obstacles because to some hurdles are an obstacle and to others they are a form of exercise.  So bring on the exercise!

London calling

Slipped the running gear into my overnight bag and a 6am went for a 10k run round Green Park and St James Park.  The activity in the parks at this time is incredible.  People playing rounders, doing sit ups, cycling, ti chi & boxing - it's a hive of activity.  Running past Buckingham Palace and many other land marks keeps the run interesting.
Last night I went to Shepperd's Market which is tucked in behind Park Lane and it's places like that which make London special.  It's like a tiny village with restaurants, pubs and shops and it just shows you what you can find when you venture off the main roads.  So business and training went hand in hand on this trip.
When I get back tonight I am scheduled for an open water swim subject to the weather followed by steak and pasta I hope!  In the meantime I need some calories so I'm off for breakfast!