The last week...

Spoke to Toby Foster on Sunday night, someone who has actually completed the race. He put me on to the site www.beehatch.co.uk, as a source for a training schedule and general inspiration. Thanks Toby!
Ran to swimming Tuesday night after dentist. Swam for an hour then ran home. 2:30 mins exercise and felt fine the next day.
Cycled to work wednesday and thursday with swim (1hr) in the evening. The sessions are getting crowded which isn't great for consistency in the drill sets.
Friday off. Actually went out for a drink in town!
Saturday - due for a longish ride, but coughing up green flegm, so decided to recover from mild bronchitis. Slept till 1230.

Nutritionist...

From appointment with (Becky) Proactivate

Carbos = 600g/day
Protein = 125g/day

3000-3500 kcal/day

Action Plan:
1. Hydration
2. Include low GI foods = glycemic index (beans lentils wholegrains apricots
3. Increase carbohydrates - introducing extra meal after training (OJ with meals, increasing snacks)

She gave me a breakdown of the meals throughout the day to include those with most carbs and protein. Also mentioned Survival for the Fittest Cookbook, available from the Australian Institute of Sport.

Swam at the gym Saturday - 40 lengths with paddles.
Sunday - Short swim then RPM in cycle studio, followed by 50 min run.

Recovery drink at home 3 poached eggs on toast with 3 rashers of bacon. 1hr sleep till 1430.

Ok, it's been a while since I updated this thing. That's cos I've been training! Have done some good swim sessions with the club. Swim on the 12th and 16th - an hour and 2hours respectively. Training at the POTC (1hr 30 - circuit) on Friday, a good 50 min run yesterday (treadmill at the gym) and cycle round Richmond Park today and now 1hr 15 min swim. Inhaled some extinguisher gas, a real lungful at the training school and the chest is still a bit tight. Hope there's no lasting effect...

Sun 8th - Long run...

1:30 min run round Boscombe Down airfield. Roughly 10 miles. No problem in terms of effort, but 2 big blisters on the arches of both feet. Have put in some contoured sidas insoles which feel good and the start, but the shape is obviously a little aggressive for the long distances. Will be alright once the skin has toughened up a bit...

Sat 7th Swim at CP

0830 - 1000

Good 1hr 30 min session including 5 sets of 300m. Talk with Jon (the coach) Horsman after about the kind of training program that is need, and how that can be fitted in around a job and friends/family etc.

last few days...

No sleep Mon night panicing over what I'd done and the fact that I hadn't thought it through.

Tue hard row and some weights on legs and upper arms - 40min. Sent off email to Karen (CPT - did the IMUK) pleading sympathy. Very encouraging reply, although the spector of wimping out looms.

Wed - rest

Thurs morning - 45min swim with paddles. Chugged a bottle of SIS ReGo.


Knees could be a problem. All those hours on the tennis court could make themselves known.

Mark just asked why I didn't enter Ironman Holland - surely a lot easier. Now where would the challenge be in that?

Entered today...

What have I done!

When it came down to it, I just made the decision and paid the money. I'd been thinking about it since I joined CPT (Crystal Palace Triathletes) last year. But wasn't something I had discussed with anyone. Not sure if that's a good thing. At least it's my decision, not being influenced by anyone else. Having said that, there is the bombard of emails from CPT and the support of club members racing as well. It's also the fact that it's in Zurich where I've been a few times, and where I might have a bit of swiss support if I'm lucky.
Now I've entered I'm feeling all the twinges and aches in my shoulder again. What have I done! I'm in no shape to take on this crazyness...

Anyway, that's the easy part, now for 7 months of finding out the stuff of what I'm made.