What's that thing comin' over the hill? Is it a Bigman

Eight weeks today and the big race begins. That means we have less than 7 weeks training time, allowing for taper time of one week. Assuming one day off per week, we are down to 41 training days to go. So every day counts.

Today, Bigman wand The Fit One were heading across the Forth Bridge to 'bag' some miles. They were accompanied by the Posse Ecosse official and professional event photographer www.fettimages.co.uk (alias The Wingman). The Posse headed up to Newton after crossing the bridge and climbed the hill at a ferocious pace. The Fit One was on his Roadie and set a cracking pace for Bigman to chase on the Trek 6500. It felt good. At Newton, they turned left and headed for Winchburgh and then back to Kirkliston and onto Dalmeny. As they cruised into Kirkliston the speed camera flashed 26mph. impressive afeter blasting up the hill. The climb back over to the bridge is one where you just have to dig in, safe in the knowledge this is an investment that will pay dividends when the Posse Ecosse hit The Witches Hat stage of Day 3 in the Cape epic 2010.

With Bigman keen to hit the gym for a session before footie, coffee stop arrangements were cancelled and the duo powered on back to the bridge. The Wingman only just managed to get back to the bridge before the duo had completed the crossing. There were many potential future generation Ironmen on the bridge resplendent on little bikes with stabilisers. Bigman wondered whether we should buy a set for The Ironman as he is still falling off his bike at his age!

After the bridge, it a quick wheech over Inverkeithing and on to the Masterton Monster. Bigman just wound it in, keeping the heartbeat consistent. And then we were back in Dunfie.Another 40 km nearer South Africa.

Just time for a quick change of gear and over to Cowdenbeath to watch Ski Sunday from The Hannenkalm in Kitzbuel, Austria whilst striding outnon teh step machine. It is 30 years since Bigman spent 2 fantastic weeks burning both ends of the metaphoric candle skiing hard during the day and disco dancing by night. Scary thought on reflection. The style has not improved much in skiing or disco dancing. Moving on.

A scalp for Age Concern today with Didier Cushe at the ripe old age of 35 won the race. He won in 1998 and then in 2008 and was in cracking form to pull of another win today. Maybe it is a sign. Armstrong last year, Cushe in skiing this year, could this be the year of Ironman and Bigman on the podium?

30 minutes on the step machine blew away the caramel and apple pie from yesterday with 350 calories followed by 500 calories on the treadmill, interspersed with some weights. These are really helping the efficiency of breathing when climbing.

And then the final hour of the day was in the fives footie. It was a bit of a tense affair and in the end Bigman and his team were well thrashed. His team were playing with a quality front four. The problem with a quality front four in fives is that it does not leave many players for defense, even if you do have Scotland's number one indoor keeper (The Fit One) pouncing catlike from left to right and back again.

And so the sun goes down on another weekend with Posse Ecosse. It all starts again tomorrow night with Spin at Cowdenbeath after a gym session. Bigman is really really really looking forward to it!Honest