A restful prep day……NOT

I woke easily this morning after a reasonable short sleep and headed down the car to take the bike out for as 20 minute spin. As I set of I noticed the front tyre was a little flat so gave it some air from the super duper tyre inflator. After the ride I changed the inner tube, not wishing to have the problem re-occur tomorrow. Then out for a 15 minute run. The hotel I am staying in is in the centre of Bolton and very close to the finish line. When I passed it on my run it was quite a moment. Seeing the gate with the Ironman logo made me stop to look. Tomorrow evening I hope to make it through that gate as a finale to this massive journey.
Then back to the hotel to pack up my gear and then into the car (again). First stop was registration which was a 20 minute drive away; there was a whole collection of bits to collect, then all my cycling gear into a blue bag. This had to be walked along with my bike to transition one which was a fifteen minute walk away. As I was walking I noticed a nasty lump in my front tyre. Fortunately, I was passing the bike tech guys who kindly pointed out that I had pinched the inner tube and quickly corrected it for me. What a relief, it would have been a nasty surprise tomorrow and would have no doubt meant a delay. After dropping the bike and blue bag, I headed for Transition two (in the car again) for another 25 minutes dropping the red bag that has all my running gear in it. Then, back in the car for another 20 minutes to the hotel. What a palaver. I finally managed to get some breakfast in Starbucks at 1, followed very rapidly by lunch bought from M&S. Then back to the hotel for so R&R and a doze. After a couple of hours in the car again to head to the Reebok Stadium for the pre-race briefing, 45 minutes surrounded by some very fit and experienced looking people hearing about the day tomorrow. It was time well spent. After heading back to the hotel, parking up and collecting the rest of my gear from the boot of the car and dumping it in my room I headed out for a bite to eat. and reflected on how I am feeling? Sort of clam and a bit worried! Calm because all of the mucking about is over and now all I have to do is be on time tomorrow and do my best. I am worried about trying to keep a reasonable pace up for 112 miles on the bike. The longest I have cycled is around 85 miles So who knows? Ultimately, finishing is the first goal, doing it at a reasonable time is a nice to have

The adventure begins

Up and out for a 40 minute gentle run first thing this morning, it was a beautiful day. As I crossed the railway bridge at the top of my road the sun was rising precisely between the trees that flank the railway track. Wonderful. Legs felt good. Then off to see Janis (sports therapist) who proceeded to attack the knots in my legs, my calves were the worst especially my left leg, it was agony but hopefully worth it. Then off to work. My friends at work are so supportive, their good wishes and friendship has been so important over the past few months. I count myself as a very lucky person to have them so close. Messages have come from all over and I find it very touching.
After getting home I packed the car with everything I could think of, said my goodbyes to Aimee, Ollie and Jennie set out on the 4 hour car journey to Bolton. As I left Ollie reminded me of something that have said to both of them before the took exams:
“You have done the hard work now it is time to collect your reward”
It was good to hear my own words being played back to me
Once I hit the road all was going well until I hit the M6 motorway. Oh dear, we didn’t move for an hour, my legs started complaining, when we finally did get moving it was at a crawl on a massive diversion that resulted in the 4 hr journey taking 6. I hit the hay at 2:15 pm and struggled to sleep. Not the best preparation, but at least tomorrow should be an easy day.

Some good news.......some bad news

Into the lake this morning for a 30 minute swim, a nice steady 1500m. Still feeling a bit nasal. Then sitting at work still worried about the bike, my nerve broke. I rang Ollie and asked him to walk the bike to our local cycle shop. Within an hour they called and reported a worn chain which meant replacing it and the cassette on the back wheel. Relief, I don't think I could have stood the creaking for 112 miles.
I collected the bike this afternoon and all is well. However, this afternoon I have a slightly sore throat and definitely a blocked up nose. It is amazing for the last 7 months I have had one cold which didn't affect my training, then 4 days before the event bosh, great timing.  I am hoping this is a 24 hr thing where by the morning I will be fine. This evening I cycled for just under an hour and felt good. The bike behaved itself and my legs were fine.

Chilly out of the lake

Bit of a school boy error tonight. Cycled over to the lake for a 60 minute swim but left later than anticipated and so didnt start swimming until 7:30pm. As I entered the water I did notice a bit of a blocked nose, I hope I dont have a cold coming. By the time I had finished it was 8:30 and the wind had picked up. This lead to a slightly chiily ride home but nothing terrible, needed the lights though. 
However, more worrying is the noise that the bike is making. It is creaking like crazy and I am worried that half way through the race it is all going to fall apart and I will be left with a pair of wheels, a saddle and a pair of tribars. On a possitive note legs are feeling ok today.

Time for the little red ones... I think the bike needs some help too

So the thigh and ankle are not better and so it is onto the Dicloflex (strong anti inflamatorys). For that reason I have abandoned the idea of running today. I feel nervous about this but considering the amount of training I have done over the past 7 months I am sure it wont have that much of an effect. I will definitely do the brick session tomorrow and attempt to get the swim in as well late in evening, maybe hit the lake and knock both out in one go.  My other concern is that the bike is creaking badly. Tomorrow I am going to call the bike shop to get it checked out. Its all getting a bit tense!!!!!!!

A very welcome recovery day

Today's recovery day is very welcome a my legs, especially my right thigh is feeling achy. My left ankle is also giving me some grief. If it is still the same tomorrow I will hit the anti inflammatories. This week is also a bit of a challenge regarding work and I am going to spending far too long in the car which doesn't help. At the moment the weekend seems to be hurtling towards me at far too greater speed. I am going  to sit down and plan the rest of the week tomorrow to ensure that I take greater control and relax the nerves a bit.

Reckless running.......

Its 11:50pm on Sunday night and I have just come home from a 90 minute run. I had intended 60 minutes but it was a fantastic night and I couldn't resist carrying on. Warm and still with hardly any cars on the road. The only issue was that one road that I include in a longish run has absolutely no streetlights at all. I had only run this during the day and so was completely unaware until it was too late. As I turned into the road I was accompanied by a long stream of cars who generously provided enough light to see my way. However, after a few minutes the cars dried up and I honestly couldn't see a thing. I had to slow my pace to a shuffle. It was quite disconcerting to be risking all of this training by tripping over a hole in the pavement. When I turned into a lit street I was very relieved.

Earlier in the evening I had managed a 70 minute bike ride. Heading over to a hero of mine, Jamie who has recently come back from a rather impressive section of the Tour de France. I took a few minutes out to hear tales of  the mountains that made me feel very humble and my venture sound a little tame.