Mission Ironman Complete - for now

Yesterday I completed Lanzarote Ironman.  It has the reputation of the hardest in the world and has the strap line "where normal limits do not apply".  I can concur this is the hardest challenge I have ever taken part in.  The 2.8 mile sea swim was fine and I managed that in my fastest time ever, 1 hr 13min despite a kick in the ribs!  The bike is such a hard course over 112 miles including 7,500 ft of ascending was brilliant as I completed it in 6 hrs 53 min.  The hard work over the last year had really paid off as had coming out here 2 months ago.  Physically when I came off the bike I felt good however a dodgy water bottle at a feed station left me without water for too long and I knew I was in trouble for the marathon.
The marathon in the heat of the day was horrendous.  I had to concentrate on getting liquids in therefore had to walk through every feed station where I had two or three drinks of water, put ice under my cap and wet sponges in my top - I was in survival mode.  I couldn't eat the energy gels at the planned times as I needed water and started drinking coke for the sugar rush earlier than planned.  13 miles in the pain started in my legs and every step was sore - your mind goes to a dark place and the thought of giving up wasn't far from my mind.  However knowing you were supporting me and that so many people had sponsored me kept me going.  I passed Gareth with about 12 km to go and he was suffering from back pain but still managed to finish.  My marathon time was 4 hrs and 8 mins and although slower than expected, in that heat I was more than happy with a total time of 12 hrs 35 mins.
This event is awesome.  There were disable athletes taking part.  One one of the climbs I passed on who was cycling a standard road bike WITH ONLY ONE LEG!  The oldest athlete was 76 and he made it in before the cut off of 17 hours - truly inspirational.  The medical tent at the end was like a scene out of MASH with dehydration being the main issue.  I feel very honoured to have completed this event and even more so to have raised so much money with your help.  If you haven't already done so you can sponsor me at www.justgiving.com/Derek-Stewart0 .
12 months ago I came to Lanza and was destroyed by the cyclists I was with and the conditions on the island - I had a score to settle with the island and think I have now done that.  My coach Gen put together an incredible training plan as the result above would not have been possible without her expertise.  Coming out here with Gareth and completing the event together was also special so thank you.
Finally I can't finish without thanking my wife and kids for putting up with me and my training over the last 7 months.  Training for Ironman take a lot of time and disrupts your family life.  The good news is that life is going to get back to normal now, or at least till I start my MDS training! 
I'll let you know when the next chapter in Mission Ironman starts but for now I thing I deserve a rest!  Thank you for all the support you have given me, it kept me going.

Preparation, preparation.....

Had a long lie this morning taking advantage of not needing to get up and also knowing that you don't sleep well in the last 2 nights before the event.  So at 8.45 we went out on the bikes for a final test to make sure the mechanical problems were all sorted, which they were.  After 35 minutes we got back and out for a 12 minute run.  Felt great and that's the last exercise before Saturday.
My rest time was interupted when I found out the booking of our accommodation had been cocked up (not by me!) for 2 days in Puerto del Carmen but after an hour it was sorted - just as well I checked!
This afternoon was the manditory briefing and I met someone who is doing his 1st triathlon - Lanzarote Ironman!!!  He's been here since Friday and hasn't looked at the bike course - "I'll take it as it comes" he said.  Well ignorance is bliss as they say and I hope he survives and finishes within the 17 hour cut off.
All bags packed for the event and bike ready to be transported to Puerto del Carmen tomorrow.  It will be racked late afternoon and then an early dinner as we'll be up at 3.30am for breakfast.  The time is approaching and I am so looking forward to the event.
I don't know what internet access I have so this might be the last blog before the event.  When I started raising money for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres 4 years ago it was with a white collar boxing event.  Before entering the ring a business acquantance said "you've talked the talk but can you walk the walk".  Well on Saturday I will not only walk the walk but swim, bike and run in it memory of my friend Neil Sutherland.  If I don't blog before Sunday, I'll see you on the other side! Remember you can follow me on race day on http://www.ironmanlive.com/ race number 1530.  Thanks for all your support.

Hardest challenge yet

The tension is building.  This morning we cycled the marathon course and I have to admit, I can't wait to get to that stage.  We then swam one lap of the 2 lap swim course.  Again it was fast but I am not certain they have laid out the course yet and we may not be swimming the correct course.  Not that it matters because it's about getting experience and comfortable in swimming in the sea before being joined by 1,800 others!
We followed this with breakfast before driving round the 112 mile, 7,500 ft of climbing, bike course.  I've cycled 95% of the course before but not with temperatures soaring to 39 degrees - we were even sweating in the car with the aircon on!  It was good to reacquaint myself with the course and I am looking forward to the battle (being over!).  The road surface is smooth in most places but some of the descents are quiet tricky so full concentration will be required.  It did make me realise that the strap line "normal limits don't apply" (to Lanza IM) will be so true and this will be the toughest challenge I've undertaken.  It will require everything I've got, and possibly more!  But that's what the training was all about.
I've now registered and am proudly wearing my gold wristband to allow me "access all areas"!  Tomorrow we'll be taking it easy with a short cycle and run but no more swimming till Saturday.  On Friday Gareth and I decamp from Club la Santa to new accommodation in Puerto del Carmen where the race is being held.  This will help on race day as we meet at 5am at the beach.  Also when the race finishes having a 40 minute drive wouldn't be good news so we'll dump the bikes and our gear in the apartment then get something to eat before collapsing.  They don't call it Ironman for nothing.

Club la Santa bike shop rocks!

Early morning start with a sea swim.  Gareth and I travelled to Puerto del Carmen and swam one lap of the IM swim course.  It was fantastic to get in the sea and go over the course taking account of the sun in case it blinds us in the water.  A hearty breakfast and then we checked out part of the run course.  It's now 9.30am and 35 degrees!
Back to Club la Santa and plenty of fluids and rest.  After lunch we rested some more before going out for 20 minutes on the bike.  I had a gear issue so back to get it repaired.  Craig Simpson is a genius with bikes, he formally raced for Shorter Rochford Cycles and he stripped the bike down and within an hour had it better than it's been in a long time.  Thanks Craig as I would hate to have a DNF due to a mechanical problem.  They are so friendly in the shop and I met another racer Andy Gray who will be competing in IM Nice - good luck Andy.
The excitement is building here as the "expo" was set up today and registration begins tomorrow.  We are off to cycle the Marathon course and then drive round the 112 mile bike course.  Preparation is everything and in these temperatures we need to know what's coming next.  Getting acclimatised is essential and we are lucky to have 5 days before the race.  Feeling good although I am sure the nerves will start to creep in as the "Day of Destiny" approaches!

Winters back

The wind is howling outside and the rain is battering the windows. Today a number of my club mates were taking part in numerous events. The woman's 10k, the Glasgow Novice and Sprint Triathlon, the Fort William half marathon and the Etape Caledonian. However they had to perceiver in horrendous conditions, but they did. Their training will have paid off and this is the start a busy season for them. For me it is almost the end of the season as Lanzarote Ironman is my "A" Race and I do not have any other races organised this year. I will take a month to six weeks to recover before starting my training for Marathon des Sables which is in April next year. During my recovery I'll be catching up with my wife, family, friends and dusting down my golf clubs and see if I can get my handicap back. But now off to bed as the taxi is picking me up at 3.45am. I'll keep in touch in the build up to the race. Hope your weather improves!

Time to pack

I got lucky this morning, with the weather. It was dry, sunny and windy which was ideal for my final bike ride. I choose a route with a number of climbs that would give me a good workout as this was my last ride before Lanzarote. 59 miles at 16.6 mph was a good shift so now it's time to clean the bike and pack it away for its Holidays. But first I'm off with my wife for a slap up lunch - can't wait.

Back to winter training!

Training for an endurance event early in the season is difficult because so much of the hard work is done in the dark, the cold and the rain or snow. We are half way through May now but when I got home It was chucking it down with rain and blowing a whooly as we say in Scotland. I switched my bike ride to an indoor turbo session which was hot and sweaty, ideal for Lanzarote preparation but then went out for my run off the bike into the elements. It wasn't nice but I know in 8 days time I will probably be glad of these conditions because I will be running the marathon element in the 30's! So not long to go now. Today I will be doing my last pool session and on Saturday I have a 50 mile ride and a run off the bike. The rest of weekend will be spent packing and making sure my planning for the day is sorted.