Marathon des Sables training

I got my first taste of MDS training today as I ran a couple of miles with a rucksack on my back. It wasn't really a training session as such but it gave me a feel for what lies ahead. Today is Strathaven Gala day, probably the biggest day of the year in our town. There will be a procession with lots of floats with kids in fancy dress and the town grinds to a halt for a few hours. So the reason for the run with a rucksack was having dropped my car off at a house where we will be at for the 2nd party of the day, I had to run home with some wine! The training will get more serious shortly - honest!

Loch Lomond

Today I collected my bike from "hospital".  A new "bottom bracket" was required and this was the noise I had heard when I was last out on it.  The result was that my pedals were not easy to turn.  Can you imagine what would have happened if this had occurred in Lanzarote Ironman which was the last time I had ridden the bike!  Obviously it was close to failure but luck was on my side.
Tonight I went to Loch Lomond for an open water swim with team ATHelite.  Initially the water was cold and it took your breath away.  But after 100m swim I started to feel ok and could enjoy swimming in such a stunning location with the mountains in the background.  I only stayed in for one lap of the course as I am still recovering so I watched on as the other triathletes went on for a second lap - they are preparing for a half ironman in 2 weeks time.  There is no point rushing my recovery as I will end up exhausted and not able to train.  As I have a half Ironman on 18 August I want to make sure I am fit to take part.  But what a way to end a week - not may people get that opportunity.

Back training

I have been easing my way through the "recovery period" after Lanzarote Ironman.  My recovery seems to be quicker that after Copenhagen 2 years ago but I'm not daft enough to think it's complete yet.  In the last week I have played 4 games of golf and that was just to do something completely different and also to exercise the legs - they feel great.  Yesterday I had entered a team into the Strathaven Pro Am and it was a privilege to play with Stephen Gray from Hayston Golf Club.  I think triathletes could learn a lot watching the "mental" approach of players at this level as it only takes one shot to ruin their day so they need to be mentally tough and weigh up the risk versus reward in every shot.
But time to get back to some light training and this morning I got back in the pool. Before arriving at the pool I realised I had no schedule to follow.  This would have meant I would have had no focus and it would have been a mere splash in the pool.  But I wanted to know what shape I was in so I set myself the target of 3 x 500m which by pre-ironman standards was a short session.  Well I am sure you will have guessed, it was long enough with the third 500 being quiet slow but I needed to know where I was in fitness terms.  So it's a start and I will build from here to my next race on 18 August.  it's good to be back!

Breakdown

On Friday night I ventured out for my first exercise since Lanzarote Ironman.  It was meant to be a slow bike ride with no big hills and as the day before 3 flights of stairs had left me breathless.  Getting my recovery right will pay dividends in the months to come.
I had unpacked my bike from its "suitcase" and after a mile stopped to make some adjustments.  4 miles later my chain had come off twice and strange noises were coming from the pedals.  I had to turn back and nurse the bike home. 
I was gutted as it was a beautiful night and I enjoyed being out on the bike without working to tough targets.  But it's a start and next Friday I am hoping to be swimming in Loch Lomond with the ATHelite club.  Open water swimming is so energising and Loch Lomond has to be the most beautiful place to swim with the amazing colours and surrounding mountains.  So slowly I will work my way back to training so I am ready for Aberfoyle Half Ironman on August 18th and be well into my MDS training.

Getting restless

I am sure it's no surprise to you that I'm getting restless.  After 8 months of following a programme it is difficult just to stop and do nothing.  So tonight I'll be playing my second round of golf in as many days and I have a competition on Tuesday so I need to get my handicap back before then!  I had a sports massage today and Grant was gentle with me but we both agreed my legs were in much better shape than expected.  However this doesn't mean I should rush out and start training hard - I know they aren't ready for that yet.
I will give it one more week and then start light training.  I am considering a half ironman in August which gives me 10 weeks to get ready.  Based on where my fitness is at this shouldn't take too much time but I need to treat it with respect - every distance is hard if you have a go at it rather than just waltz around the course - never was a good waltzer!
I have a run training camp in September and a 16 mile race in November so plenty of "stepping stones" to compliment my Marathon des Sables training.  I hope to meet up with someone who will point me in the right direction and may be able to put together a training schedule for me as this is new territory for me.
So one chapter closes and another one begins.  This is what life is all about.  I'll touch base next week when I've started my light training.

After the event

An easy day today catching up with emails but staying at home as I knew I'd be tired.  Surprisingly my legs feel good but the blisters on my feet are the sorest part.  I've been eating all day as I start to try and put a few pounds back on.I've put a race report on my tri club blog and you can access this by going to http://www.athelite.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/lanzarote-race-report.html .  You will see a reference at the end to people following the event on Facebook.  When I got back I was stunned at the traffic with people tracking me during the day and getting excited about the end result.  I've almost raised £5,000 for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres so far and if you haven't contributed yu can do so by linking via the blog.
In about a months time I will start some light training with the Marathon des Sables in mind (April next year).  However I need something to keep me interested so I am considering a "half ironman" distance event in Fort William in September.  I need something to judge my progress against. Enjoy your summer.

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.