Pushing the limits

Following the hardest weeks training ever I was amazed when I got up at 6am and completed my 3k swim as per the schedule (1k warm up, 5 x 200m and 10 x 100m).  My swim times were a few seconds off but training when you are tired is meant to push your limits.  In ironman you never practise a "mock race" so the first time you go the distance is on the day therefore you have to train tired as you approach the event.
A few months ago I would have needed several days off after that effort never mind the training that went on in the previous 6 days!  But it seems that the physical and mental conditioning that takes place when you train for an endurance event keeps you going.
My final big effort is on Sunday with another 80 - 100 mile bike ride and then I can look forward to tapering which will reduce my training time down to 6-7 hours and it will involve more short sharp efforts than long distance.
I have just returned from my sports massage which is the only think keeping my legs moving at the moment - it's amazing the muscle they have put on in the last 12 months.  I have a few niggles but they are under control.  A relaxing night is in order, I hope!

Visiting dark places

I was so lucky with the weather today. 20 minutes away from Glencoe the rain was coming down in sheets and thoughts of turning the car round came to mind. Fortunately I persevered and got round the 106 miles without getting wet. The scenery was spectacular and I stayed with the group until 40 miles from the end when I started to have gear problems and couldn't get back to the pack. I travelled 20 miles on my own and the hard weeks training had caught up with me. I met up with the group at a food stop and fortunately there was a bike mechanic there who sorted my gears. I managed to stay with the group until the big climb and I dropped back and worked at my own pace. I came across a pal from the Glasgow Tri club who was in his own dark place. The important point is that in endurance events you will always visit that dark place at some stage and you have to just press on (rule 5), grit your teeth knowing that it will get better. I managed the course in just under 6 hours which was a good average speed for me in preparation for Lanza. Cup of tea at the finish, fish supper on the way down the road, dinner when I got home followed by a bath. Needs to be an early night as this is my last HARD week of training and I have 3k to complete tomorrow morning in the pool. That should loosen off my legs!

Rest?

So today I was meant to rest. The day was spent catching up with all the things that need to be done during the week but hadn't. Then lunch and birthday shopping for Ali who has a birthday on Tuesday. Home and for once on a Saturday the whole family was home so we had a good chat and laugh. The bikes been cleaned, gears tweaked, nutrition organised as are the clothes. In Glencoe you can never predict the weather so you need to be prepared for anything, including snow! The first 85/90 miles looks fine but the last 15 are up hill and that will be a good test for Lanzarote. Early night tonight as I have a 5.30 am start. 2 hour travel, possibly 7 hours on the bike and another 2 hours travel - it's going to be a long day but the scenery will be special.

H.A.PP.Y

When I was in the pool yesterday I completed 3k (1k warm up and 20 x 100m) but tried not to think that tomorrow I was doing a continuous 4k - no stopping for a wee rest to get your breath back!  So this morning I convinced myself, what's the big deal just get the pace right.  After 1k my coach Gen got in behind me and stuck to my toes so that helped me not to slow down.  As a result, I beat my last 4k by  minutes coming out in 1 hr 19 minutes, a PB - I was delighted.  It makes such a difference to have someone chasing you round the pool but it also shows that the hard work is paying off.
When I got into the car a song I hadn't heard on 20 years came on, H.A.PP.Y by Edwin Star, so I ramped up the volume and sang my way to the office like a happy bunny - got some strange looks from other drives but nothing was going to change my good mood and feeling of achievement.
I'll finish today with a 2hr bike ride and then enjoy a day off tomorrow before my 106 mile bike ride on Sunday.  Have a great weekend folks and if you want to smile, find and old song you love and ramp up the volume! Be H.A.PPY :-)

Pain management

On Tuesday I bruised the top of my foot when running.  I could feel it when swimming yesterday and it hurt when walking today.  So the big test was the 1 hour run that I completed tonight having swam 2 miles this morning with my coach.  I was aware of some discomfort but decided to run it off and I'm pleased to report it feels ok but I am going to be taking it easy when running (it's all relative!) to make sure I don't have an issue in 4 weeks time!
The time has flown in since I entered Lanzarote Ironman almost a year ago.  The event is the "cherry on top" which is what people always ask about.  However the best part of Ironman is the journey you take with the training and how you change physically and mentally.  You meet fantastic people along the way at various events that build up to Ironman and everyone offers so much encouragement when they find out you're "going long".  The first objective is to get to the start line fit.  It's within touching distance but I need to stay focused on the training programme and making sure I don't pick up any niggling injuries - such as a bruised foot.  I am sure it will be ok and I'll just need to "man up"!

Busy day

I am often asked how I fit my training in with my life and work. And with the training building to a crescendo at the end of next week, it's becoming a real challenge. Following yesterday's mammoth training effort today all I needed to do was a 90 minute bike session including 6 hill climbs. So I decided to do that after work to give me the maximum rest from yesterday.
I had a long lie, left the house at 8am for a 25 minute journey to the office. However an accident on the motorway meant it took 65 mins to get to the office and straight into back to back meetings until 4pm. Home then onto the bike. Finish the bike, shower, make up rolls and eat them while watching my son play football. Home for 8.45pm to watch the 2nd half of the Chelsea game with my boys while writing my blog. It's amazing what you can fit into a day and tomorrow will be no different with an early swim, wall to wall meetings and a late run.
But this isn't managed single handed. At home my wife is making all the domestics arrangements happen (she also works in the business) and at the office I have a team of people taking care of everything for me. One thing is certain, this amount of activity takes planning and people to support the plan.

I love this feeling!

When I woke up this morning at 5.40 am the sky was grey with rain clouds, the trees were getting battered by the wind and the rain was horizontal.  6 months ago I would have turned over but this morning I thought "bring it on".  This was my 2nd last key running session lasting 2 hrs and 35 mins.  My face hurt with the freezing cold rain, almost hailstones, but every other part of me was covered up.  I managed a good pace and completed 18.75 miles.  Yes it was sore at times and I've just finished icing my foot which is bruised due to the new shoes I was wearing but that's why you try out new gear in advance.  You have to learn to live with the discomfort and pain because you don't do these kind of distances without it.
Tonight I was at the club swim session and completed 3,100 metres without difficult despite not having swam in almost two weeks.  I've got two more big swim sessions this week so my swimming will get stronger.
But I have to say, I feel great physically and mentally and this is all as a result of my coach and her training plan that I have been sticking to.  It has taken me to levels I never thought possible and there is a message for anyone in there that is setting a challenge or wants to change their life - don't restrict yourself.