Social life

On returning from Lanzarote Ironman 4 weeks ago I have been catching up with my social life with my wife and family.  Eating is no problem as I try and put on some weight to get back to 11 stone but it isn't easy.  It's fair to say that my alcohol consumption has increased (liquid cards!) but I am still a relative light weight as I found out last night when out with a few of the "football Dads".  But this continues today as I attend "Hangerfest" music festival in Strathaven and it can compare to Glastonbury - wet, muddy and windy.  This will be followed by a 50th birthday party tonight of a good friend of mine so the alcohol theme will continue.
Tomorrow I will be resting / recovering and then on Monday back to training.  I need to get ready for the Aberfeldy half ironman in August.  I am looking forward to training again as I will begin to feel better as my body gets back to exercise.  It doesn't mean I won't be socialising in the future but getting the focus back on the goals is good for me.  It's how I work best. 
On Tuesday I am meeting with Dave from www.sand-baggers.com to discuss equipment and food requirements for MdS.  I have a lot to learn before I set foot in the Sahara Desert and I can't wait - it will be a whole new world and as a novice I need to gather an experienced team around me.

A whole new world

Tonight I met with Tony, a Marathon des Sables veteran who gave me a quick introduction on how I should prepare myself, the equipment I would need (including the venom pump!), the food and the place where I can buy it all.  It's a whole new world and I was at a complete loss when he was talking about the equipment and the brands.  But he reassured me that my tri training can continue as mixing swimming & cycling with my running will keep me fit and reduce my risk of injury.  Tony's description of sleeping under a carpet of stars sounder amazing although the camel spiders and snakes didn't go down so well!
I came away with a copy of a book, "Fixing your feet", which I think gives me a big clue in what to expect.  In Lanza I suffered a few blisters and that was sore so I will study this carefully.  I will also start learning French which is the 1st language of most of the Marshall's and volunteers - at the moment I might be able to order 2 beers but it may be more important to explain I am suffering from dehydration!
So the next chapter in Mission Ironman begins.  I'm excited and looking forward to it and on route I'll have a couple of other challenges to keep my short term focus.  I hope you can follow my journey and please take the opportunity to post a message - I'll always respond.  I can't wait to enter this "new world".

Motivation

I find myself in a strange place. I am keen to start training but am uncertain that my body is ready. At the same time having no plan in place leaves me unfocused. 2 years ago after my first Ironman I felt like I'd fallen off a cliff. I don't feel like that now but getting motivated to start with no plan isn't easy. The other difference this time is I have three goals in place. 18th August is a half ironman, in January I have the Tough Guy Challenge and in April the Marathon des Sables (just under 300 days away). But I have just booked a meeting on Wednesday night with an MDS veteran and am hoping he will help me with my training - I'm excited already as this is new territory to me. Can't wait - lots to learn!

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.