The benefit of rest

It's one thing having a schedule to focus as it gets results but at the same time you need to be prepared to change if necessary.  Yesterday was that day and I am so glad I listened to my body which was asking for a rest - even on an easy week!  So when I got up to swim this morning I felt refreshed and my legs, which were the main source of tiredness, felt good.  This led to a very productive swim session this morning.  It wasn't a long swim, just 1,900m, but it was interval training against the watch and I was able to work on my technique at the same time.  I left the pool knowing I had worked out but wasn't shattered.
This recovery will help when I am filming tomorrow for a short promo video for my Mission Ironman conference speaking as I will be open water swimming in Loch Lomond!  Should be challenging as today snow is forecast.  Once my digits have thawed out I'll report back.

Interesting day

I attended a workshop today where everyone had completed a behavioural profile and we worked through them with a facilitator which was illuminating.  I have some experience in this field but it does no harm to get a fresh perspective on the most important person to you. i.e. you!  It fascinates me that we do have differences which result in different approaches which is why we are all individuals driven by different things.  It's understanding these differences and getting the best out of people that really interests me and Mission Ironman is all about helping people exceed their capability which is only limited by their mind.
Later on I went for my regular sports massage which was unpleasant / painful, but absolutely necessary.  Following the heavy week last week my legs were in need of "the treatment" and as a result I won't be training tonight as they need to recover.  I can get away with this as it's my easy week and it will mean I am ready to tackle 3 hard weeks starting on Monday.

Aimless

To spread the work of Mission Ironman I am aiming to attract conference speaking engagements which are designed to help the audience achieve results beyond their wildest dreams.  Quiet a claim but one I really believe in and know if people take the lessons from Mission Ironman and apply them then they will succeed.
So on 9 Feb I will be delivering the message to an audience at the Belfry in Birmingham.  While preparing the presentation I reflected on how I felt after my first Ironman.  After the high of crossing the line it was like falling off a cliff.  There was no purpose in my training.  Why bother?  The training had no structure, I was going through the motions - aimless.  So tonight when I was at swimming training one of the athletes mentioned he had no goal this year, no event to aim at, it reminded me of post Ironman.  The message is you don't need to be competing in Ironman but in life having worthwhile goals makes everything more interesting, more focused and more fun.  So come one, commit to a goal, set out a plan and get on with it.  Enjoy!

Easy week

After yesterdays hard bike ride and a heavy training schedule the previous week I was looking forward to my "easy week".  This is built into the programme every four weeks to allow your body to recover.  So a long lie till 6.45am and then I noticed I had a 10km run - no problem there but my coach had asked me to do a personal best time!  Not sure of the motive here but as she wasn't well today I went out when I got home and gave it everything I had.  Turned out that wasn't enough for the PB but I was delighted to have been able to make the effort following yesterday so although physically knackered, mentally I felt I'd visited the hurt locker (again) and survived.
So tonight will be a stretching session to make sure the muscles are recovering.  I am going to try and get a sports massage tomorrow before our club swimming session in the evening.  Now you might be thinking, didn't he say an easy week?  Yes that means only 6 hours training instead of 12!  Surely you didn't think it meant "easy"?  You should know better by now!  You don't play triathlon.

Playing with the "big boys"

Today was important in my training schedule as I was going to go out with some real cyclists.  Guys who eat raw meat and take no prisoners (all they do is cycle and they take it seriously) so I was apprehensive about doubling my mileage from last weekend.  Add to that there's been quite a bit of ice on the road and we were going to Perthshire where we'd be high up so it was a possibility.  It was a beautiful  day with snow capped mountains but it was a biting wind so if you fell out of the peloton it hurt.  The 2.5 mile climb in the middle was very tough. 70 miles later I was exhausted but satisfied that I had survived.
This ride tested me physically and mentally but I needed to do it as it was a test to see if I am on track for Lanza.  The pain melted away with a hot bath, good dinner and a glass of red wine.  Easy training week next week as it's only 6 hours - bring it on.

Expensive day off

I needed this day off following yesterdays heavy workload.  So I took the opportunity of going shopping with my wife - should have gone training as it cost me a small fortune!  Granted the items were needed for the house.  I'm now relaxing so I'll be refreshed for tomorrows long bike ride.  I hope the wind has calmed down as if it remains like this I won't be cycling outside as it would be too dangerous.  Now for a nap - I could get used to this!

Toughening up

The training is building and today was one of the toughest so far.  This morning was a 3km swim - it's amazing how you can organise your day will swimming up and down the pool.  I got home early so I could complete a 50 minute run before it was dark and then went on my turbo trainer for an hour.  Tough shift but I feel great.
Tomorrow is a day off and it will give me the opportunity to catch up with the family!  I'm even hoping to go shopping with my wife which will include a nice lunch.
On Sunday I am scheduled to go for a 70 mile bike ride but the weather may mean this converts into an indoor turbo session followed by a run.
It's not called Ironman for nothing and the training is only going to get harder.