Back home

It was a tight schedule today. Get home from Centerparcs, eat, get on the bike and complete 2 x 10 mile time trial followed by a run off the bike. Then off for a sports massage (agony) then a chat with my coach to look over my schedule for the next 2 weeks (scary). As expected the schedule is extremely tough but what's required for the final preparation for Lanzarote Ironman in just over a months time.
Tomorrow is a rest day to get over my sports massage and also to get ready for the 100 mile bike race in the Trossachs (very hilly) on Sunday.
Holidays are great but it's nice to be back home.

Risk v reward

Last day of the holiday and I made sure it was a relaxing one.  I read a book ALL day!  Those of you that know me are probably struggling to visualise that but I did.  I was meant to run a fast 10k but my right knee was telling me that all the running this week was showing.  I considered running through the pain but weighed up the risk of an injury versus the reward of a fast 10 k run which won't make or break my Ironman in 36 days time.  I don't like skipping sessions but as I have a tough couple of weeks coming up I played it safe.  My sports massage tomorrow and a new pair of running shoes will help as the old ones (3 months old) are passed their best - worn out.
This unexpected "time out" did allow me to completely relax and I watched my two boys play in a friendly (not) five a side football tournament.  It was good to watch them going through their paces against adults and I didn't even break sweat as I sipped my coffee at the side.  So now out for a family dinner with friends and kids - table for 14.  Should be fun and tomorrow back home and into the normal routine.  What a great holiday.

A Life without limits

Being on holiday is great.  You get to lie in, have a late breakfast, do some light training as it's a recovery week (1.5 hours on the bike and a 6 mile run), sandwich for lunch, a 40 min power nap and get to finish a book - that's what I call a holiday!  The book I finished is "A life with no limits" by 4 times Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington.  What a great read, even if you're not involved in triathlon, as it demonstrates what you can do with the right attitude.  In the last chapter she explains in detail the physical and mental pain she endured to finish (never mind win) her 13th Ironman and 4th world championship while suffering injuries that would have had most of us not even turning up for the race.  I love reading inspirational stories about people who continually defy the odds.
So more rest on the cards for today plus a nice meal out for 2 this evening as me and Mrs Stewart get some quality time.  I've been in touch with my coach to confirm my training for the next two days and book a sports massage before I have a rest on Saturday.  On Sunday I have a 100 mile bike race around the Trossachs before 2 extremely tough weeks of training to complete my build up before my training tapers off.  Only 37 days to go!!

Success

What a stressful final.  Our team completely outclassed the other with a good passing game while all the opponents did was "hoof" the ball up the park.  We scored half way through the first half after Ali laid on the pass to the striker who finished but we must have missed another 5 chances to go 2 up.  All the time we were on edge as with the wet and windy conditions the boys could have lost to an error.  However they held out and picked up a nice trophy and medal which they deserved.  We managed not to have anyone sent off whereas 3 players from various teams were sent off against us which shows how physical the game is and why discipline is important in achieving an objective.
Now I'm off to Center Parcs to relax with some light training just to tick over on my recovery week.  Unfortunately the planned swim won't be happening due to the size of the pool and the booked activities that mean there is little swimming time available.  So I am off for a run in this beautiful forrest and as I am typing the rain has gone off and the sun is out so I'd better hurry up!  This will be followed by a 3 hour session with my wife in the spa - all part of destressing.  Relaxation is an important part of recovery which is an essential park of endurance training.  I know, it's tough but someones got to do it!

In the final!

Since Friday I have been at my son's football tournament in Preston and today they battled their way into the final.  The game looked like it was going to penalties to decide the outcome but a last minute goal finished the match off in our favour.  The whole team have worked hard and not everything has gone their way as they have lost the first goal in two out of three games - hopefully the coaches and players will spot the pattern and do something about it!  But the players BELIEVE they can win and this is a great attitude to have at such an early age.  So tomorrow is the final and I think the parents on the sidelines will be the most nervous as I certainly kick every ball!
So this was my day off and I am please to say my legs certainly feel the better for it.  After another day off tomorrow I will be ready to start my recovery week's training.  It's nice to be able to focus on my son's performance for a while rather than my own.

Toughest week ever

Currently down south at a football tournament with Ali.  However it was the end of an intense training week, the hardest ever.  I ran yesterday for an hour and today went out on the bike for 90 miles which took in the Yorkshire Dales.  That was immediately followed by a 50 minute run off the bike.  I am amazed when I consider the amount of training this week, how well my body has coped with it but shouldn't be as it has been carefully planned by my coach and it has gradually built up to that level.  It shows the benefit of conditioning and that is as much mental as physical.  Being out on the bike for 5.5 hours is a lot of time to think and you have lots of conversations with yourself.  What's important is keeping them positive as it all too easy to give up.
So now for a recovery week and it starts with two days off and I need them!  I'm also on holiday so that will give me some quality time to catch up with the family.

Mental break through

Last night after my 17.5 mile run at a decent pace, I felt I was going to be struggling at today's 4 km swim.  I considered swimming with a pull buoy to take the pressure off my legs but having slept in compression clothing I woke up feeling surprisingly fresh so I didn't  bother.
So I tackled the longest distance I had ever swan, 4km.  It's fair to say it was mind numbing but after just over 1km my coach got in behind me so there was no way I wasn't going to complete it.  Your mind wanders and you have to give it positive things to think about.  In the end I completed it in 1 hr 27 mins and was really pleased.  My coaches husband who is also a coach had been in the same lane and he mention how fast (for me) I was swimming compared to what I used to be like.  So the hard work has paid off but today was really a mental exercise in believing that my training has "raised the bar" and what I previously would have though of as impossible is perfectly achievable with the right mindset.  I'm having a day off tomorrow, then a 90 mile bike ride and then I enter a recovery week where my training reduces but I train every day.  So all that's left for me to say is have a wonderful Easter break.