No Danger Denver

I now find myself at the kitchen counter of my friend and lead sponsor. It's been two nights since I arrived and even though the body is not quite where it needs to be, the trip seems to be ticking along nicely. 

Downtown Denver from 7000ft

The bike guru that Mitch is and has lead my "Boy Blue" to be in the best shape it has been in since I bought it. Who knew you could take off the bottom bracket!? The bike now has race wheels, a new chain and cassette and pedals. Yes, this does constitute something new for race day. However, allow me to explain. The likely culprit of my foot pain was discovered during the bike overhaul. Upon a close examination of my pedals and cleats, a slow disappointed shake of the head from Mitch, it was pointed out to me that the cleats has been shorn down on one side completely. Confirming why I had frequently numbing outside toes and a very sore right foot after long rides. Even though a change to news pedals at this point is a risk, I feel the likely reward outweighs the risk of finishing the course on my old pedals with my sore foot facing a marathon. Fingers crossed the gamble pays off.

Tomorrow is athlete checkin day. Hopefully, the weather will behave and I can sneak in a practice swim in the morning after registration which will be the first time I've been in the open water, due to this illness and a touch of overtraining (related? discuss), for a few weeks. Should be interesting.

The preparation that has gone in to this Ironman race has been far from ideal. However, there is nothing to be done about it now. As I sit here, I listen to an interview with an Australian lady who was diagnosed with ALS during her road to complete an Ironman. Sadly, she had to refocus her goals. That is, until her friends stepped in and helped her completed Ironman Australia. This is an example of the type of stories that motivate me to do such long distance events. They motivate me and bring the realisation that no matter what adversity with think we face in our everyday lives, someone somewhere in the world is facing a far greater struggle, putting our worries in to prospective. We never remember what is was that we worried about. We remember the good memories! So, with that said, Sunday will be a day to be savoured and enjoyed, no matter how much it hurts.

I am lucky enough to have enormous amounts of invaluable support this week, locally and from afar. This is part of the journey that you can never be thankful enough for. They push me forward and remind me how lucky one individual can be.

Good luck to us all!

Illness before an Ironman

A brand new challenge has presented itself. As if Ironman racing and training wasn't a challenge in itself, I lie here, 8 days before Boulder and I am sick. Blame it on whatever you can think, the fact remains. Whether the body will recover in time is to be seen. Not much can be done. Lots of good real food and extra vitamins to help the body recover as best as possible. 

The key, at this point, is not to allow it to bother you and just truck on with the day.  This is nothing gained from what we worry about it life. We don't remember those concerns. We remember the better times and that is the main goal now. 

My wife organized a surprise send off last week. My training friends and their wives and children came down to the pub and we all got together for one more time before we make the trek to Colorado. Shows what a great woman she is. To become an iron widow for the 3rd year in a row and still go to all that trouble is a testament to her wonderful character. 

Napoleon graced me with a signed portrait of us in a less than flattering moment for my "inspiration" as he called it. For my great concern more like it!

The tapering has gone well up until yesterday. To be clear, lying in bed is not tapering. Ideally, I would be dialing back the time spent working on the 3 disciplines, but still maintain some level of structure and intensity. 

I did manage a good session in North Carolina the day before I fell ill. However, from here on out, I suspect it will be ensuring the body has as much energy to recover as possible. So a very big reduction will have to happen. 

The last long run of the training was a good success. Had my training friend Bryan accompany me for the first hour as he recovers from a stress fracture in his foot. Then it was Maggy's turn to set the pace. My black lab has a lot to learn about pacing!

We've been out for a jog it many times however, so she's getting better. We even have matching Road IDs!!! 

Well, I'm sure the week will be a long one. Recovering and traveling. Headed out on Monday to work on becoming acclimatized to the high altitude I will share the day with next Sunday. Hopefully, the body will be back up and running by then and I can at least compliment the great support that is coming to cheer me on, with a good showing on the day. 

Good luck to us all!

Like a slow sunrise.

Napoleon train spotting on our long ride. I think his shirt shrank in the wash ;)

As I sit her in Canada, watching Le Tour de France and sipping an English pint in an English bar, reflection is found in the irony of the situation. 

It seems only a short age ago that I first agreed to Ironman France with Napoleon and Victory. Now I find myself a meer 3 weeks from attempting my 3rd Iron distance event. 

As this third event approaches in the heady guise of Ironman Boulder, many familiar thoughts return to the clouded memory. However, they appear slightly clearer and far more familiar this time around. Like a familiar old friend strolling through the door and igniting good memories of times past. Yes, it always hurts, but so do many things. I remember Napoleon reflecting that his third Ironman in Nice (our inaugural attempt at the distance) was by far his most fun. There is a strong hope in the back of my tired mind that this too will prove to be the most fun. 

There is more familiarity to this event. Although my biggest cheerleaders in mum and dad won't be there, it sees the return of my wife to the sidelines which is a huge boost. It also sees the return of my great friend Neal who made the crossing to England at my last attempt and duly drank his way through the day. I trust he will do the same this time around. However, one of the stand outs for this years race resides in my friend and title sponsor Mitch (owner and founder of Imagewerx.us. Shameless plug!). This is the man who ultimately we can blame all this mess on. It was he, back in 2005 that suggested I give a bike and triathlon a try upon hearing my complaints about knee pain and subsequently offering me Midol! Once he had saddled me up to my first, and heavily undersized bike, my first Sprint Triathlon in Estes Park, Co appeared on the horizon like a slow moving sunrise. 

Once this easily sown seed sprouted the bug was well and truly rooted inside me. To have Mitch on the sidelines during this race and supporting me so well is simply a welcome twist of appropriately founded fate. 

In a total shift in topic, like Chevy Chase on a roundabout in England, I move to the topic of training. The volume is really hopping up, but the scenery is ever changing. Canada and the Saskatoon River provided the backdrop to a very pleasing short run today and swim today.

 Colorado Springs will add the high altitude spring in my training steps tomorrow. All good preparations for the high altitude racing slowly creeping up on the horizon. 

The big ride of the year is this week with a century of road cycling providing the entertainment. Hopefully the weather will behave and it will provide an enjoyable backdrop to the 6 hours in the saddle. Oddly enough, I find myself looking forward to it, which is a first. I'll report back on these shenanigans next week. 

Good luck to us all!

 

The creeping glowing eyes in the bushes

It's a bit like those glowing eyes that often feature in creepy movies, poking out of the bushes and making you feel uneasy about when it will strike.

Often, in the final stages of training for an Ironman, you teeter on the edge of over training. Always running a knife edge as the volume increases and fatigue knocks on the door every session. A few days ago, I opened that door and jumped over that edge. During a strength training session, the legs could no longer cope and the body raised the white flag. It was an odd feeling, as the previous day and demonstrated a solid day of 6 hours on the bike with a good finish. However, since Sunday, there had been a nagging feeling (the glowing eyes lurking in the dark) that the body wasn't quite happy. A poor food day followed by lack of sleep did the trick to push that edge so much closer. Fortunately, some good advice from Napoleon and a well placed massage therapist, a good dialing back of the training for a few days ensued and recovery is well on the well.

Colorado Springs hinting at me!

I now find myself in El Paso with 97 degrees F outside awaiting the first day back. Not exactly my idea of easing back in, but a gentle run to the pool shall follow to begin the subtle crawl back to work. With less than 3 weeks left to the race a delicate balance is important. The training is essentially done and the fitness is in the muscles. I must now ensure I maintain that fitness with a gentle taper and lots of sleeping. This always creeps up without my notice. All of a sudden there seems to be insufficient time to get everything packed and ready to go. Yet, I see the departure date to Colorado on the horizon, cresting quickly. Time to get the athlete guide on disk and get preparing.

Good luck to us all!

Countdown has begun

Stamford, CT July 5th 2014


As this is typed on yet another hotel computer, having just finished another stationary bike workout, it dawns on me that there is now less than one month remaining until race day.


As it has been mentioned before, we find ourselves at the business end of the season. However, as this post is typed out on a questionably sanitary keyboard, I find myself far more relaxed and much more excited that in years past. The end is coming in to the light and I imagine in my vivid thoughts crossing the finish line on Pearl Street. I wonder if I will receive a contact high as I plod the last few meters in to the finish. It might be a tough one to call, as delirium is likely to have already set in. Here's hoping the Ben & Jerry's stays open until late that night!


As far as training is going, the week was positive, if not a bit unseasonably chilly for my long bike and run. I was joined along the windy and cloudy morning by Napoleon who made the ride that much less solitary. They say you must train your mind to be alone for the long periods out on the race day course. Be there, done that. Now I just want some company for long training days. Napoleon took the first shift of two hours, during the wind and brisk nature of early morning. Next up was Greg The Neighbour, who was was good enough to humor me for the next three. Greg is a naturally strong climber and we headed out to St Paul to test the climbing legs. It was a tough day, not helped by the sudden appearance of abundant sunshine and warmth, not helped by my outer shell which was unable to be removed. The combination of climbing, sun and heat left me a wreck later on that night. I failed to renew my energy stores readily, resulting in a foul mood and too much dehydration. I feared for the next day's long run at this point.


As the next day appeared over the horizon, I awoke to another reminder of how resilient the human body can be. Although sore, I managed to get out the door and have a very good run. It wasn't the quickest, but the body responded amazingly and despite the strong sun and increasing heat, I felt the tank only 3/4 empty with room to spare at the end. A good feeling after the day before. All the positives that are thrown my way will be welcomed with open arms at this point.


Today was spent virtually touring the Cote D'Azur on the loudest indoor bike known to man. Very apt as this is where the first race was run. It really is a beautiful area and I feel there is unfinished business in the town of Nice.


For the rest of the day, swim shops will be dialed around to try and find anyone who is willing to print on my race suit. I surprisingly difficult task to accomplish.


Good luck to us all!

High Altitude training camp, aka where work makes me go!

As I sit in the airport waiting to begin another day at the office, I find myself reflecting again on trying to turn a negative in to positives. Certainly not a strong point on my part. However, everyday, one must continue to strive to improve on our weaknesses.

The negative is I'm headed to Mexico for the night. Mexico is a flamboyant country full of colour and great people. However, constantly worrying about food, water and getting caught in the cross fire is not my idea of a good time. Now to turn that in to a positive. Aguascalientes finds itself at a high and dusty altitude of 6,100ft and it just happens to be the day that Netherlands will play Mexico in the knock out rounds of The World Cup. What an atmosphere this will be! Anything has to be an improvement on the couldn't-hit-a-barn-door-from-five-paces performance England has put on this year. You can never argue that Mexican support lacks passion, even if it is a little blind and narrow sighted at times.

In between World Cup games, there might just be some training. Normally, Mexican hotels in the middle of the country aren't well known for an expansive gym. However, all you needs is a descent treadmill and a stationary bike. These pieces of equipment are typically manufactured circa 1980 and have a tint of rust that an old Ford Cortina would be proud of. With a little magic, the belt will begin to turn and a relatively productive training session might be accomplished. 

The real benefit for Boulder will be the sleeping at altitude. The body won't have that much time to adapt and begin producing the high altitude goods. However, it will get a taste of it. Just a sneak preview to the grand premiere later in August. Hopefully, just enough to awaken the red blood cells and remind them of a time when high altitude living was common in my life.

Training outside really isn't such a good idea when in the middle of Mexico. Unless you have a friend that lives in the area, who is willing to take you out on a run or bike, heading out the door as you might in US is just an ill advised endeavour. Although, even the Cartel members might well be caught up in World Cup frenzy during the Mexico game, I am not willing to miss the match and therefore will not be training outside tomorrow.

With a little over 4 weeks left until the big race fatigue is beginning to show up with the added miles on the road. The long ride this week was only 65 miles with the question of how on earth do we produce 112 out of this body the last two years! Yet, no doubt, by the time my final 6 hour ride comes along the training path, 65 miles will seem like a drop in the metaphorical pond.

The runs are getting much hotter. Humidity is very much smacking you in the face as you head out the door. A trait of Mother Nature that I have never seen eye to eye with. Not that it matters an awful lot, as Boulder is not one for swooning with much of any form of humidity. Dry as a bone would be a good way to describe it. As much as it has been hot, that is what I am looking for. Running in the afternoon in order to be sure my body is well aware of the time of day that T2 will be showing it's face come race day. 

The ankle remains discomforted. Not prohibitive, but mostly uncomfortable. However, the ground work is in place to put me in good stead on race day. There's no doubt this will leave a mark on the ankle post race, but not a permanent one. Will it let me run the entire race and not reduce it to a walk is the big question. So far, so good! There will be many a night between now and the big day spent with all manner of massage tools pounding away at the shin and calf area giving as much as possible to the bits and pieces to all work together and join up for the next 4 weeks.

For now all we can do is say....

Good luck to us all!

Lots of flooding out on the Mississippi River routes 

Realisation

Realisation

It never fails to creep up like a comedian trying to jump you from behind. It seems like the training has only just begun, but a quick glance at the Calender and  all of a sudden it shows 6 weeks to go. 

The typical response to this kind of realisation is the sudden flurry of questions that come blazing out of the woodwork. Will I be ready? Have I done enough training? Was this really such a good idea??

You can often hear many of the managers in Football refer to this equivalent part of the year as "The Business End" of the season. It is time to knuckle down. The training steps up a lot. The social hours disappear for a while. You accept that you will see you friends again when this is all over. It is a tough realisation, but you understand an important one.

This week also presented the first real exposure to the heat and subsequent suffering. In Tulsa, I was confronted with the brutality of heat and humidity, combined with the need to complete a heart rate test. It was unpleasant. The test began with far too hard of a pace. I "blew up" completely with around 25 minutes of the 30 minute test complete. Pulling over to find some shade and any water I could grapple at. Upon inspection of my TomTom gps watch it was clear why. Staring back at me were an initial two miles far above any pace I would normally hold. Yes, these test are designed to be a maximum all out experience. However, this was far beyond that yard stick. On the stumble back to the hotel and the subsequent long cold shower (not that kind!) once again I confirmed to myself that I did not enjoy hot and humid. Good news! Denver isn't humid in August. Shame about the heat element.

Bryan and I at The Depot

After some very unwelcome extended work periods, a missed long run and seeing England relegated to their second World Cup defeat and subsequent exit, I was primed for an up tempo ride. This was duly completed over 4 ish hours during the hottest day of the year (and of course the most humid). On this occasion I found myself better prepared and although I sweat like a pig on a spit roast, I came out relatively unscathed and with only a slight sunburn. The lake's beaches were packed and the trails full of traffic.  This made for less than a fluid ride, but once joined by my friend Bryan, the ride's enjoyability level increased. 

Forever constrained by time, as most working amateur ironman athletes are, too much resting at my favourite spot, The Depot, was limited and I raced back to town to finish all the chores that awaited me. This is when it became apparent, as I tinkered with my training plan, that all of a sudden Ironman Boulder was just around the corner and sneaking up the inside rail quickly. The forthcoming week will be chock full of training and I'm sure the next post on this blog will be a tired one. 

On a parting note, I wonder to myself, if ever I found myself on a larger aircraft whether anyone would notice if I tried to sneak on my bike and trainer and go for a high altitude spin??? 

Good luck to us all!!