Baldy nae tufty

Mondays are normally a day off training but this weeks schedule is going to be mixed up and I did a good long hard swimming session, 2,700m , this morning before my day off tomorrow - I'm knackered and need a rest!  Sometimes when you are putting your body through a lot it takes a wee reminder to make you realise how lucky you are to be able to do the training.
My pal Tufty has shaved his head and is now officially known as baldy.  He posted a comment under the Support Tufty heading a few days earlier.  Give it a read because that is what it is all about - real people, real lives, real cancer, real hero's.  Go on baldy, you get through this and then you can join me on a wee triathlon!

Melting tar!

Today was hot.  So hot the tar was melting on the streets so this was great practice for Copenhagen in August.  A 65 minute cycle as a warm up,  I decided on a hilly route as this is what I will face in Wales in 3 weeks time.  Then a quick change of shoes and off for a 95 minute run.  The route was hilly and I tried not to frighten too many children in my one piece tri suit - for those of you who haven't seen one it's like a victorian swim suit, but in lycra.  This will be what I wear in Wales so you have to get used to it and make sure if any bits are rubbing, you slap lots of cream on - no more detail required just use your imagination!

Free fake bake!

What a glorious day.  In Scotland this might have been our summer.  Blue skies and sunshine meant I smothered myself in factor 30 before going out.  Unfortunately a lorry drove past kicking up a dust bowl and when I came out the other side the dust had stuck to my sun cream - free fake bake!  After 4 hours and 95km on the bike I went for my sport massage to help maintain my legs in working order - aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh thanks Grant, for stopping!
It's funny how your horizons change as you train.  4 months ago I could not have survived on the bike for that length of time never mind contemplate the "brick" session I have tomorrow; 75 min cycle followed by 95 min run and 20 minute walk.  However without the guidance of my coach Steve I wouldn't have a clue how to build up to this level of fitness but there is still a long way to go before 15 August.

Swimming in a birds toilet

I did a double session today.  I got the opportunity to take my first open water swim of the season in Strathclyde Park.  Stepping into the cool murky water with lots of "bits" floating in it wasn't pleasant.  When you swim you take water into your mouth so I let you work it out - a very hot curry followed so it should sort any internal problems out.  You can't see past your elbow in the water and the wetsuit constrains your breathing at the beginning until you get used to it.  You zig zag all over the place as there is no dark blue line below you to follow and this is why I will be putting in a lot of practice before 13 June when I compete in a half Ironman which is rated as in the top 10 hardest in the world - oh s**t! 

Support Tufty!

The thought occurred to me, as I was ploughing up and down the swimming lane at 7am, what do normal people do at this time in the morning?  Take my blue nose pal Tufty who is going through intensive treatment at the Beatson - he is probably getting a nice back massage but he deserves it for what he is going through.  His real pals are going to shave their heads to raise money for the Beatson once his last few strands are gone so well done lads.  Tufty, I'll stick to the Ironman and hopefully raise as much as I can for Maggie's from my pals while leaving my hair on.  Come on guys get online and support Tufty!

A chorus of birds woke me this morning and encouraged me out into the smir (a particular type of Scottish rain - almost like a mist).  Before leaving I downed a gel which is a concentrated carbohydrate mix to give you energy - I can't run within 2 hours of eating.  When running I practice drinking a carbohydrate drink which will be essential to stop "bonking" on the bike (yes that's what they call it!) or hitting the "wall" in the marathon. The nutrition side is very important during training and the event itself and if you get it wrong you won't finish.  One question I keep getting asked is where do I find the time to train?  The answer is simple; get up an hour earlier, watch less TV, swap golf for the bike (there is 5 hours available with no beer as well) and most importantly have an understanding family!

Decided to have a long lie this morning and train in the evening which is not like me, but I wanted to give my legs and extra 12 hours rest after the run yesterday and the weekends event.  However it was home made curry for dinner and the thought of a long cool beer to wash it down was tempting as beer is liquid carbs after all!  I managed to resist but had to drag myself out the door and onto the bike as the couch and the telly were inviting.  Glad I did because it was a quiet summers night so I did get to "smell the roses" which I had promised myself yesterday.  Once I got back I finished with a quick work out and am now settling down with a cup of tea.  Only 8 hours till my run session tomorrow.