49 days (not that I'm counting)

  When I started on my Ironman journey I was adamant I did not want/need a training plan or coach. I stuck to my guns when it came to training plans insisting that I could do it alone. As my journey to become an Ironman is a personal one I said I would know within myself if I am doing enough. I think everyone training for an event knows their own limits and with that knows how to push them. Ultimately you know if you haven't done enough, even if it is hard to admit.
  This choice is a good one for me as I like to be in control and would most likely get bored and demotivated trying to stick to a limiting and generic plan. I am in high spirits as I feel I am cutting it. I believe training for eudurance events is all about incorporating training in and around your lifestyle (something some training plans cannot always offer). This is exactly what I am doing. From Tuesday, following my nights, I put this into effect. I went to the gym before work at 6.30 completing a brick session (bike immediately followed by run) and some shoulder and chest weights. I then went again at lunchtime and completed another brick session. Equalling a total of 3hours. On Wednesday, I decided to cycle to Chesham (9miles) to a cycle session which included some interval training (6miles), back to Amersham to wait for swimming )(5miles), then back to Chesham to swim (5miles), then back home, (9miles). An approximate cycle mileage of 34miles. Although it's not a huge amount in comparison to an Ironman distance it included lots of hills and is better than driving.
  However, a blowout puncture on the way to Chesham for the 2nd time meant that I had to abandon the bike and got a lift to swimming from Dan's dad (I managed to run to their house from the disaster spot in time). Dan then picked me up from swimming. I wasn't too disheartened as I know I would've done it and I still did over half the distance.
  On Thursday I ran around home for 40minutes and then went for an open water swim with the tri club. This consisted of 10 x 250m(10lengths). On Friday I decided to go to the gym before work and at lunchtime (my gym sessions now include some hard cardio and triathlon specific weight exercises which I am so glad I am able to fit into my training as these will inevitably make me stronger). On Saturday I met someone at the tri club for an open water swim at Heron Lake at 6.30am, before work. I did 3km, although I can't say the exact time I did it in as I still don't have a waterproof sports watch. (When I told Adrian, the Ironman who has done Wales, he was shocked I was training without a Garmin waterproof watch, sacrilege in his eyes!). As the weather had finally cooled a little I also did a short 3.5mile on my lunch break and got into a good natural pace (probably because I had no alternating music beats from my iPhone as I have sent it off to be repaired).
  Now we're onto today. I swan the Ironman distance of 2.4miles (4km) at Heron Lake before work and did a shoulder and leg weight workout at lunch. I need to build my leg muscles to get up the Tenby hills.
I was the only one in the gym today, a sure sign Ironman can be a lonely sport. It could also be that everyone else is actually enjoying the sun rather than moan about it being too hot to run in.

  I am feeling great mentally which is having a profound effect on my performance and motivation. Although physically this is a lot to take on I constantly remind myself why I am doing this. Whilst drinking my pre-swim coffee and eating crumpets at 5.30am struggling to keep my eyes open, I heard Dan shout 'just think of your end goal'. It is so easy to just go back to sleep. It takes a lot of determination (especially for me who hates mornings) to get out the door a that time to train. I now understand why Ironmen say that the early mornings all pay off, because I know now there are many early mornings! (Fingers crossed the euphoria is all I dream it to be).
  Although it doesn't seem like I have much of an existence I am loving this new routine. All I do is eat, train, sleep, repeat. I haven't showered at home for a week (this doesn't mean I haven't showered), and have a spare of all my essentials in my training bag which comes everywhere with me. This all means I am also having to work on my organisational skills. Every night before I crash to sleep I put out my clothes ready and make sure I have everything I need to change into inside my bag. Another huge bonus to training in the early mornings is that when I get home after work I don't have to worry about cramming in any exercise before bed. That time is my time to unwind.
  Despite being comfortable in this routine, I know it will have to change soon when my shift changes, but variety is also a key factor for keeping motivation up when training.

  Although I haven't spoke much about my nutrition, despite being one of the things I said I would discuss in this blog, I think I have finally nailed it. My nutrition at the moment seems to be playing a massive role in my energy levels which is great considering I am having less sleep. This would be a typical work float shift (9am-9pm) meal plan;

5.30; Crumpets x2 with natural peanut butter & skinny iced coffee
(Train 6-8.30am)
11.00; Porridge with demerara sugar
13.00; Banana
(Train 1400-15.15)
14.30; 100g Wholemeal pasta, chopped tomatoes and tuna
16.30; Danio yoghurt (my new obsession)
18.00; Pink Lady Apple
21.00; Chicken breast, wholemeal basmati rice and broccoli
(Bed 22.30)

  This equals around 1800 per day calories which although is under the recommended for a sedentary woman is the amount I always aimed for and now it is healthy and nutritional food.

  On another note. As I was flicking through my diary I realised how quickly the weeks are going to go before it is September the 8th. Then I decided to scare myself even more and count the days. It is a mere 49. The last 7 of those will be nowhere near on the intensity at the moment as I need to prepare my legs for the event. However, I am not disheartened, I'm feeling nervous obviously, (scared shitless to be honest) but I am also excited. I have also bought my first race day gear, a headband that says my favourite sporting quote, and quite possibly the one I will repeat in my head on race day to get me round. "Pain is temporary, pride is forever".
  My next event is in a week, a half Ironman distance event overnight in Dartford, the Midnight Man. The route isn't particularly exciting as it is a 10 x 5.5mile lap bike on a closed dual carriageway but it will be a fast flat event and for motivational reasons I need to tick off a half Ironman distance. (This lap count however, is nothing compared to the 76 x 4.7km laps it takes when doing the Double Ironman in Germany).
  As for training tomorrow I am going to run before work, do some weights at lunch and then I'm going straight from work to a moonlight midnight swim in the Thames with the Tri Club (below are the photos from it).

On Tuesday I will have a rest day where I will see my friend Ele in Oxford. After that I will keep the training up but calm down a little towards the end of the week in preparation for the midnight man.

  I just want to finish on a little I told you so note. If you read my previous blog it rattles on about the argument Dan and I have about my apparent complacency towards the marathon in Ironman. Even mum and I have had this debate. When I read this comment in my latest triathlon magazine I squirmed in excitement that I wasn't being complacent. "Do most of your training on the bike as it's the leg that will exhaust you. Don't worry about the run. You will complete the run if you can survive the 112-mile bike". This was written by someone who has completed six triple Ironmans, five deca Irons and one double deca Ironman (search the distances - an Ironman seems nothing in comparison). There is method to my madness!