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.
Saturday, 2 June 2012
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Getting restless
I am sure it's no surprise to you that I'm getting restless. After 8 months of following a programme it is difficult just to stop and do nothing. So tonight I'll be playing my second round of golf in as many days and I have a competition on Tuesday so I need to get my handicap back before then! I had a sports massage today and Grant was gentle with me but we both agreed my legs were in much better shape than expected. However this doesn't mean I should rush out and start training hard - I know they aren't ready for that yet.
I will give it one more week and then start light training. I am considering a half ironman in August which gives me 10 weeks to get ready. Based on where my fitness is at this shouldn't take too much time but I need to treat it with respect - every distance is hard if you have a go at it rather than just waltz around the course - never was a good waltzer!
I have a run training camp in September and a 16 mile race in November so plenty of "stepping stones" to compliment my Marathon des Sables training. I hope to meet up with someone who will point me in the right direction and may be able to put together a training schedule for me as this is new territory for me.
So one chapter closes and another one begins. This is what life is all about. I'll touch base next week when I've started my light training.
I will give it one more week and then start light training. I am considering a half ironman in August which gives me 10 weeks to get ready. Based on where my fitness is at this shouldn't take too much time but I need to treat it with respect - every distance is hard if you have a go at it rather than just waltz around the course - never was a good waltzer!
I have a run training camp in September and a 16 mile race in November so plenty of "stepping stones" to compliment my Marathon des Sables training. I hope to meet up with someone who will point me in the right direction and may be able to put together a training schedule for me as this is new territory for me.
So one chapter closes and another one begins. This is what life is all about. I'll touch base next week when I've started my light training.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
After the event
An easy day today catching up with emails but staying at home as I knew I'd be tired. Surprisingly my legs feel good but the blisters on my feet are the sorest part. I've been eating all day as I start to try and put a few pounds back on.I've put a race report on my tri club blog and you can access this by going to http://www.athelite.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/lanzarote-race-report.html . You will see a reference at the end to people following the event on Facebook. When I got back I was stunned at the traffic with people tracking me during the day and getting excited about the end result. I've almost raised £5,000 for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres so far and if you haven't contributed yu can do so by linking via the blog.
In about a months time I will start some light training with the Marathon des Sables in mind (April next year). However I need something to keep me interested so I am considering a "half ironman" distance event in Fort William in September. I need something to judge my progress against. Enjoy your summer.
In about a months time I will start some light training with the Marathon des Sables in mind (April next year). However I need something to keep me interested so I am considering a "half ironman" distance event in Fort William in September. I need something to judge my progress against. Enjoy your summer.
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Mission Ironman Complete - for now
Yesterday I completed Lanzarote Ironman. It has the reputation of the hardest in the world and has the strap line "where normal limits do not apply". I can concur this is the hardest challenge I have ever taken part in. The 2.8 mile sea swim was fine and I managed that in my fastest time ever, 1 hr 13min despite a kick in the ribs! The bike is such a hard course over 112 miles including 7,500 ft of ascending was brilliant as I completed it in 6 hrs 53 min. The hard work over the last year had really paid off as had coming out here 2 months ago. Physically when I came off the bike I felt good however a dodgy water bottle at a feed station left me without water for too long and I knew I was in trouble for the marathon.
The marathon in the heat of the day was horrendous. I had to concentrate on getting liquids in therefore had to walk through every feed station where I had two or three drinks of water, put ice under my cap and wet sponges in my top - I was in survival mode. I couldn't eat the energy gels at the planned times as I needed water and started drinking coke for the sugar rush earlier than planned. 13 miles in the pain started in my legs and every step was sore - your mind goes to a dark place and the thought of giving up wasn't far from my mind. However knowing you were supporting me and that so many people had sponsored me kept me going. I passed Gareth with about 12 km to go and he was suffering from back pain but still managed to finish. My marathon time was 4 hrs and 8 mins and although slower than expected, in that heat I was more than happy with a total time of 12 hrs 35 mins.
This event is awesome. There were disable athletes taking part. One one of the climbs I passed on who was cycling a standard road bike WITH ONLY ONE LEG! The oldest athlete was 76 and he made it in before the cut off of 17 hours - truly inspirational. The medical tent at the end was like a scene out of MASH with dehydration being the main issue. I feel very honoured to have completed this event and even more so to have raised so much money with your help. If you haven't already done so you can sponsor me at www.justgiving.com/Derek-Stewart0 .
12 months ago I came to Lanza and was destroyed by the cyclists I was with and the conditions on the island - I had a score to settle with the island and think I have now done that. My coach Gen put together an incredible training plan as the result above would not have been possible without her expertise. Coming out here with Gareth and completing the event together was also special so thank you.
Finally I can't finish without thanking my wife and kids for putting up with me and my training over the last 7 months. Training for Ironman take a lot of time and disrupts your family life. The good news is that life is going to get back to normal now, or at least till I start my MDS training!
I'll let you know when the next chapter in Mission Ironman starts but for now I thing I deserve a rest! Thank you for all the support you have given me, it kept me going.
The marathon in the heat of the day was horrendous. I had to concentrate on getting liquids in therefore had to walk through every feed station where I had two or three drinks of water, put ice under my cap and wet sponges in my top - I was in survival mode. I couldn't eat the energy gels at the planned times as I needed water and started drinking coke for the sugar rush earlier than planned. 13 miles in the pain started in my legs and every step was sore - your mind goes to a dark place and the thought of giving up wasn't far from my mind. However knowing you were supporting me and that so many people had sponsored me kept me going. I passed Gareth with about 12 km to go and he was suffering from back pain but still managed to finish. My marathon time was 4 hrs and 8 mins and although slower than expected, in that heat I was more than happy with a total time of 12 hrs 35 mins.
This event is awesome. There were disable athletes taking part. One one of the climbs I passed on who was cycling a standard road bike WITH ONLY ONE LEG! The oldest athlete was 76 and he made it in before the cut off of 17 hours - truly inspirational. The medical tent at the end was like a scene out of MASH with dehydration being the main issue. I feel very honoured to have completed this event and even more so to have raised so much money with your help. If you haven't already done so you can sponsor me at www.justgiving.com/Derek-Stewart0 .
12 months ago I came to Lanza and was destroyed by the cyclists I was with and the conditions on the island - I had a score to settle with the island and think I have now done that. My coach Gen put together an incredible training plan as the result above would not have been possible without her expertise. Coming out here with Gareth and completing the event together was also special so thank you.
Finally I can't finish without thanking my wife and kids for putting up with me and my training over the last 7 months. Training for Ironman take a lot of time and disrupts your family life. The good news is that life is going to get back to normal now, or at least till I start my MDS training!
I'll let you know when the next chapter in Mission Ironman starts but for now I thing I deserve a rest! Thank you for all the support you have given me, it kept me going.
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Preparation, preparation.....
Had a long lie this morning taking advantage of not needing to get up and also knowing that you don't sleep well in the last 2 nights before the event. So at 8.45 we went out on the bikes for a final test to make sure the mechanical problems were all sorted, which they were. After 35 minutes we got back and out for a 12 minute run. Felt great and that's the last exercise before Saturday.
My rest time was interupted when I found out the booking of our accommodation had been cocked up (not by me!) for 2 days in Puerto del Carmen but after an hour it was sorted - just as well I checked!
This afternoon was the manditory briefing and I met someone who is doing his 1st triathlon - Lanzarote Ironman!!! He's been here since Friday and hasn't looked at the bike course - "I'll take it as it comes" he said. Well ignorance is bliss as they say and I hope he survives and finishes within the 17 hour cut off.
All bags packed for the event and bike ready to be transported to Puerto del Carmen tomorrow. It will be racked late afternoon and then an early dinner as we'll be up at 3.30am for breakfast. The time is approaching and I am so looking forward to the event.
I don't know what internet access I have so this might be the last blog before the event. When I started raising money for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres 4 years ago it was with a white collar boxing event. Before entering the ring a business acquantance said "you've talked the talk but can you walk the walk". Well on Saturday I will not only walk the walk but swim, bike and run in it memory of my friend Neil Sutherland. If I don't blog before Sunday, I'll see you on the other side! Remember you can follow me on race day on http://www.ironmanlive.com/ race number 1530. Thanks for all your support.
My rest time was interupted when I found out the booking of our accommodation had been cocked up (not by me!) for 2 days in Puerto del Carmen but after an hour it was sorted - just as well I checked!
This afternoon was the manditory briefing and I met someone who is doing his 1st triathlon - Lanzarote Ironman!!! He's been here since Friday and hasn't looked at the bike course - "I'll take it as it comes" he said. Well ignorance is bliss as they say and I hope he survives and finishes within the 17 hour cut off.
All bags packed for the event and bike ready to be transported to Puerto del Carmen tomorrow. It will be racked late afternoon and then an early dinner as we'll be up at 3.30am for breakfast. The time is approaching and I am so looking forward to the event.
I don't know what internet access I have so this might be the last blog before the event. When I started raising money for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres 4 years ago it was with a white collar boxing event. Before entering the ring a business acquantance said "you've talked the talk but can you walk the walk". Well on Saturday I will not only walk the walk but swim, bike and run in it memory of my friend Neil Sutherland. If I don't blog before Sunday, I'll see you on the other side! Remember you can follow me on race day on http://www.ironmanlive.com/ race number 1530. Thanks for all your support.
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Hardest challenge yet
The tension is building. This morning we cycled the marathon course and I have to admit, I can't wait to get to that stage. We then swam one lap of the 2 lap swim course. Again it was fast but I am not certain they have laid out the course yet and we may not be swimming the correct course. Not that it matters because it's about getting experience and comfortable in swimming in the sea before being joined by 1,800 others!
We followed this with breakfast before driving round the 112 mile, 7,500 ft of climbing, bike course. I've cycled 95% of the course before but not with temperatures soaring to 39 degrees - we were even sweating in the car with the aircon on! It was good to reacquaint myself with the course and I am looking forward to the battle (being over!). The road surface is smooth in most places but some of the descents are quiet tricky so full concentration will be required. It did make me realise that the strap line "normal limits don't apply" (to Lanza IM) will be so true and this will be the toughest challenge I've undertaken. It will require everything I've got, and possibly more! But that's what the training was all about.
I've now registered and am proudly wearing my gold wristband to allow me "access all areas"! Tomorrow we'll be taking it easy with a short cycle and run but no more swimming till Saturday. On Friday Gareth and I decamp from Club la Santa to new accommodation in Puerto del Carmen where the race is being held. This will help on race day as we meet at 5am at the beach. Also when the race finishes having a 40 minute drive wouldn't be good news so we'll dump the bikes and our gear in the apartment then get something to eat before collapsing. They don't call it Ironman for nothing.
We followed this with breakfast before driving round the 112 mile, 7,500 ft of climbing, bike course. I've cycled 95% of the course before but not with temperatures soaring to 39 degrees - we were even sweating in the car with the aircon on! It was good to reacquaint myself with the course and I am looking forward to the battle (being over!). The road surface is smooth in most places but some of the descents are quiet tricky so full concentration will be required. It did make me realise that the strap line "normal limits don't apply" (to Lanza IM) will be so true and this will be the toughest challenge I've undertaken. It will require everything I've got, and possibly more! But that's what the training was all about.
I've now registered and am proudly wearing my gold wristband to allow me "access all areas"! Tomorrow we'll be taking it easy with a short cycle and run but no more swimming till Saturday. On Friday Gareth and I decamp from Club la Santa to new accommodation in Puerto del Carmen where the race is being held. This will help on race day as we meet at 5am at the beach. Also when the race finishes having a 40 minute drive wouldn't be good news so we'll dump the bikes and our gear in the apartment then get something to eat before collapsing. They don't call it Ironman for nothing.
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Club la Santa bike shop rocks!
Early morning start with a sea swim. Gareth and I travelled to Puerto del Carmen and swam one lap of the IM swim course. It was fantastic to get in the sea and go over the course taking account of the sun in case it blinds us in the water. A hearty breakfast and then we checked out part of the run course. It's now 9.30am and 35 degrees!
Back to Club la Santa and plenty of fluids and rest. After lunch we rested some more before going out for 20 minutes on the bike. I had a gear issue so back to get it repaired. Craig Simpson is a genius with bikes, he formally raced for Shorter Rochford Cycles and he stripped the bike down and within an hour had it better than it's been in a long time. Thanks Craig as I would hate to have a DNF due to a mechanical problem. They are so friendly in the shop and I met another racer Andy Gray who will be competing in IM Nice - good luck Andy.
The excitement is building here as the "expo" was set up today and registration begins tomorrow. We are off to cycle the Marathon course and then drive round the 112 mile bike course. Preparation is everything and in these temperatures we need to know what's coming next. Getting acclimatised is essential and we are lucky to have 5 days before the race. Feeling good although I am sure the nerves will start to creep in as the "Day of Destiny" approaches!
Back to Club la Santa and plenty of fluids and rest. After lunch we rested some more before going out for 20 minutes on the bike. I had a gear issue so back to get it repaired. Craig Simpson is a genius with bikes, he formally raced for Shorter Rochford Cycles and he stripped the bike down and within an hour had it better than it's been in a long time. Thanks Craig as I would hate to have a DNF due to a mechanical problem. They are so friendly in the shop and I met another racer Andy Gray who will be competing in IM Nice - good luck Andy.
The excitement is building here as the "expo" was set up today and registration begins tomorrow. We are off to cycle the Marathon course and then drive round the 112 mile bike course. Preparation is everything and in these temperatures we need to know what's coming next. Getting acclimatised is essential and we are lucky to have 5 days before the race. Feeling good although I am sure the nerves will start to creep in as the "Day of Destiny" approaches!
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