7 mile stitch....

I'm following a marathon training regime set out by the marvellous Sam Murphy. I rate her running books more than most others. Her starting out training programmes are good and I've completed 2 marathons using her marathon plans.

Running is a complete release to me - it was a stunning morning - beautiful blue sky and Fife at its best. The plan said run for an hour at a steady pace. So that's what I did. Well almost an hour, 55 minutes and just over 7 miles done.

Running gives me the chance to think and relax. I enjoy the solitude of the road and the opportunity to listen to good music. The time passes easily and I feel exhilarated as the endorphins kick in. As they say old age doesn't come alone and my hips are evidence of this. I always felt my body had the mileage of a 25 year old on the clock. What I mean is that although I'm in my prime at 45 now I've only really been running for a few years and therefore my joints have only done the running of a younger person. Now I think I'm beginning to feel the miles and the reality of training hard may have to be given some thought....

Decided to do Ironman UK next year and I suspect that will be my last.....

Who knows....

I didn't get a stitch today but couldn't think of a better header!

Mountain biking tomorrow. Can't wait.

Record rides and 5 mile runs....

What a day. Record breaking.....

My bike was looking great - new chainset fitted. I decided to fit my tri bars in preparation for the Carnock Epic in a couple of weeks. I fitted them wrong - probably as you'd expect. I didn't find out this crucial fact until later in the ride.

So feeling in Ironman mode (I was wearing my Ironman Austria top) I set off. Braked to turn corner 1 and my brakes stuck. Disaster. I stopped. A quick check of the bike revealed my own stupidity - I'd fixed my tri bars around the brake cables - doh! Anyway, yanked the cable and the brakes came loose and I was was off again. 30 odd seconds lost....

The saline climb seemed easier with my new compact chainset - not Mont Ventoux but a good start to the Carnock epic course. I was flying. I reached the Forestmill cafe turn feeling strong but slightly frustrated - my right tri bar was loose and part of the challenge was holding it up while in the tuck position. I managed to stay low most of the way to the turn and realised things were going well.

The path was busy but not excessively so and I managed to keep a good speed up to the Carnock turn off. I was left with the Col Du Carnock - it was easier on the compact. A final spin at the top, down the hill and I was home in a PB OF 58:46 - A full minute off the previous best. YE HA!

The gauntlet is truly thrown down....

I know the boys are up for it and will be back to give the challenge a good go.

I had a wee run later in the day. 5 miles at 8minute mile pace. I was expecting to be knackered but once I got moving I actually felt pretty good. I love running......

Chainrings and indoor spins.....

I woke up feeling tired. A bad sign usually but when the alarm goes off at 6:30 and you didn't venture to bed until 12:30 tiredness is inevitable.

I've not got as much work as I'd like, usual summer quiet time, so my thoughts turn to other things. The new shimano chainset arrived yesterday and I'm joining the ranks of the compacts. The regular chainset boys and girls will be sniggering but after following the bigman up most of the hills recently I thought I'd give it a bash. It's all about the bike I've come to realise and not about fitness and strength......arf arf.....

So I took my bike to local repair centre along with my recently ebayed chainset - it will take a week he announced. I was disappointed, I was keen to get out on it quickly but I smiled and said there was no rush....

Mid afternoon it was back - ready to roll. I picked it and set off home. Then the huge dilemma....

New chainset, open road beckoning or cut the grass. What to do? The weather looked dodgy not only for today but for the next few days so believe it or not I cut the grass. I counted dragging the mower through soggy grass as cross training which added to my 40 minute run of this morning made me feel I'd had a reasonable day.

Moonwalker arrived home and announced her physio was coming over. No excuses. That was me off to my spin bike for an hour. It was a cracking set following the instructions of the Sufferfest. I peeled myself off the bike a hot sweaty mass! Not an attractive sight! My diet is going well and if I can keep working at it I'm sure I'll be in good shape for Loch Ness.

So hopefully I'll get to try the bike tomorrow. I'm sure I'll be awesome!!!!

Memories of Alpine Traning Camp - Mont Ventoux

Wedensday 1st July 2009

Height - 6561ft

Distance - 21km

Height gain - 4500ft

Max gradient - 12%

Avg Gradient - 8%

The forecast was claiming temperatures to exceed 100 degrees fahrenheit over the next week and so we decided to make the three hour car journey to Provence the previous day to allow for an early start for THE BIG ONE.

Having set off around mid-day, we made a Decathlon stop in Orange ( part of a historic family cultural experience) before heading to Bedoin for base camp. Literally. we were staying overnight in a two man tent. The overnight provided the opportunity to have a holiday within a holiday and being between jobs required budget constraint.

First task in Bedoin was to identify a 'suitable' campsite. The first choice was a four star - relative luxury and promoted its passion for nature. Well, that is what I thought it meant. As we drove up the road to the entrance, the enclosed 6 foot wooden fence was a curious observation not previously seen in any campsite we had previously visitied. On arrival at the main gate the reason became clear for a couple of reasons - one the sign was more explicit in its defition of Naturisme and second, if there was still any doubt, a couple in their sixties were making their way to reception. They could not have been going there with the purpose of purchasing anything as there was nowhere to carry money ..... enough said, and a quick u-turn took us to campsite number 2.

The reception hut looked like it had been constructed from driftwood and much green moss type algi covered the visible caravans. Onto site number three and the temperature is approaching 38 degrees .......... outside!

A fine looking swimming pool set overlooking the valley with the reception office a part of the owners villa style accomodation. so far so good. The toilets were clean and well looked after and so we checked in - 11 euros for the night for a tent and two people. Within budget. The initail pitch had some fine views over the valley however the beach type shingle on the hard standing area was not conducive to a comfortable nights sleep. A revised pitch was agred - less scenic however a better nights sleep - we thought!

We walked down to the village to stroll amongst the shops and streets of this village so famous, as the only route up Ventoux used by the Tour because it is the hardest of three access roads. Unrelenting the guide book warned. Bedoin is a beautiful village with picture postcard style restaurants and street cafes. Whilst it does attract road bike cyclists, not in the same volume as the Alps.

We ate at Relait du Mont Ventoux which featured as the Tour passed by this year. The food was superb. A good value 3 course meal for less than 20 Euros. Clearly, only one seating was the custom and we enjoyed sitting on the street side on a balmy summers evening with crickets in the trees, an accordianist playing french stuff in the background. Carbing up in this atmosphere was a great experience.

We returned to the campsite around ten o'clock as the bells in the church told the village the time. I had no idea campanology was a nocturnal exercise.

At eleven, on the chiming of the bells we decided it was time to snuff out the mosquito protection candle and retire to our 'castle' en Provence. we had a big day ahead.

At twelve o'clock, it was assumed that the bell ringers would knock off cos it was getting late. At one o'clock we decided they must really be enjoying this hourly rendition. At two o'clock, the repertoire was twice as long as one o'clock but hardly tuneful. More like a name that tune competiton. I heard the bells at three however woke at 04:10 concerned that something might have happened to the bell ringers as I did not hear the four o'clock bells, only to be re-assured by Mrs Bigman that they had indeed chimed. I relaxed.

At 6:45 we decided to enter the day, gald we would not have to listen to the Bedoin capanoligists practising their limited repertoire for another evening.

Tent packed up and breakfast in the village with fresh croissants and we were on our bikes by 7:45 and even then it was hot. Our thinking was not original. Several cyclists had already started their climb. One of the unique features of Mont Ventoux climb is that 15km of the 21km is in the trees and you have no sense of teh height you are gaining other than messgaes from leg muscles to brain. The first 5km average about 4.5% as you weave your way through vinyards - a gentle warm up. The the fun begins. The next 8km double the average gradiet to 9% with nothing under 8.7% in each km covererd, it is constant, it is wearing. In the Alps the switchabcks offer respite as they generally are almost flat. Not here. The corners resemble the sides of a velodrome track banked high and a gradient count of 10% in themselves! The guide books advise you to take it easy on the lower slopes and use lower gears than planned to avoid burn out before the difficult bits at the top. I needed no second invitation. With no wind in the trees, the flies were a constant nuisance constantly bathing in the torrents of perspiration running down my face, which all added to the 'experience'.

After the first 13km the gradient eases to 7% for 3km which takes you to Chalet Reynard at 1419m. You have 600m to climb over the next 6km. To give local perspective, this is twice the height gain of the Col du Cleish climb in 3/4's of the distance. The thought of coffee quickly dispelled from Bigman's brain, as Mrs Bigman pushed on past onwards to the top effortlessly ........or so it appeared.

At Chalet Reynard, I know we will do it. We still have 'fuel in the tank' and it has taken less than 90 minutes. It is how and the air is noticeably thinner however not unbearable. In a recent blog I read about the Etape de Tour apparently around one third of participants walked some stages of this climb. We are doing well.

The last 5 km give you a good view of the radio mast and buildings at the top however no view of the snaking nature of the road to get there. The white mountain top resembles a road through the desert. Apparently, it was caused by people in medieval times taking the trees from the top to make ships. With the winds synonomous with this area, all the soil was blown away when unprotected and has never grown anything since.

The last 5km has no gradient less than 9% with the last two averaging 9.5% with some stages up to 12%. Tom Martin masked the gradient well as he led the peleton to the top recently however as you watch spectators maintain the pace of the bikes you get some relative perspective of their pace using big cogs to drive forward.

With 2 km to go , you pass the Tom Simpson memorial stone. the British rider who collapsed and died at this spot during the 1967 Tour de France. The records of the event indicate his final instructions were to 'put me back on my bike'.

A quick health check re-assures me, Mrs B has no requirements to learn the whereabouts of the insurance policies!

Mont Ventoux was the scene of a grudge match between seven times Tour winner, Lance Armstrong, and Italy's Marco Pantani in 2000. Pantani was one of cycling's great climbing greats and matching his pace that day helped Armstrong win the Tour. So he allowed Pantani to win the stage. The proud Italian, who died in 2004, never forgave Armstrong for not fighting for the stage win. He said it demeaned his victory.

There is good camaradory amongst cyclists encouraging each other to the top. Past Chalet Reynard, where three acees points come together, everyone has the same aim on this road. To conquer Mont Ventoux. Amongst the biggest and most brutal of climbs in the Tour circuit. This is a mountain where the wind is never you friend as you twist and trun, rocking and rolling up the gradient.

And then you arrive. It is done. With almost a sense of anti-climax, the hardest climb in the tour is done and you have something left in the tank. As you look over the Provence region, you let your mind wander to the Tour gladiators who will fight out, what is expected to be the deciding stage of this years Tour as the penultimate stage of the 2009. Photographs taken, sights swallowed and it is time to leave the tourist shops and stalls and back on the bike for the descent. But not before a couple of French Air Force Mirage jets fly overhead. Both climbing from the valley below, one turns upside down as he flies over, whilst the second flies through the col below the toursit spectators.

The heat haziness means we have limited expectation of clear photographs of the magnificent vista on each side of the the mountain. Below you is the valley of the Rhone, to the south the Mediterranean, and to the east, the Alps. Memories will need to come from within. As we descend wearing our 'I dun it' grin, respect is shown from open shirted, perspiring, panting, cyclists on their way up in what is now 90 degree plus heat.

It has been a great experience to have climbed the BIG ONE.

We celebrated with a coffee in Bedoin before saying our farewells to one of the Tours great climbs knowing that as we watch the penultimate stage of this years Tour live on television, we will have shoulders back and head held high thinking those immortal words of that great Welsh rugby fan , Max Boyce, "I was there".

Bigman suffers piston seizure

Bigman's pistons were creaking after the punishment taken yesterday in the sprint finish on the climb stage (albeit not quite Hors Categorie) in the morning with a view to getting Mrs Bigman to her meeting on time and then the alledged gentle turning of teh pedals in the afternoon with the Ironman finishing on teh Col du Carnock which is definitely an Hors Categorie in gradient if not in distance.

Today it was time for a gentle turning of the pedals out to the Aberdour ascent and back. It was to be an easy ride to stretch the legs. An easy ride including the Aberdour Ascent is a paradox, but that describes the Aberdour Ascent. It is a riddle wrapped in an enigma surrounded by some of Fife's finest scenery.

The strong south westerly was neither your enemy nor your friend twisting and turning, buffeting this way and that. There was no expectations of record setting today. Well, perhaps a lighthearted attempt at improving the Ascent time. In the end the pain in the legs was too much and the record could only be improved by a few seconds to 4mins and 7 seconds. Bigman kept thinking of the Ironman catch phrase.......No gain without pain :-)

The circuit time was just over the hour which was fine as no attempt was being made on the General Classification time and a few incidents on the way would not have helped.

It was good to turn the pedals. On the return weigh-in, the weight was nestling tantalisingly just over the 13st and 8lbs. A little more pain required to wring out a quarter pounder that would set new record.

Still, eight months to go before the day of reckoning on Table Mountain.

It was just an easy ride out this afternoon

Today was a game of two halves. In the morning, inspired by a bright sunny dayBigman and Mrs Bigman decided to speed across teh forth Bridge to the Linlithgow Canal Bistro. It was a stiff south westerly. One of those wind directions that prevents easy progress, however unlikely to support you in your return journey. The view from the bridge was cracking. In days like these Scotland is a picture postcard and the scenery lives up to the reputation.

Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the bistro cafe. The cakes were limited in choice and devoid of flavour. It must have been an off day cos usually the investment in the journey to this stop provides greater returns than a bank share!

They flew back to the bridge and up through Inverkeithing. On cresting the climb Mrs B noticed she had 11 minutes to be at a meeting in Dunfermline. Bigman was despatched to fetch the car and so it was pedal to the mettle up and over Masterton climb and then up over the Garvock Ascent. Before he could park his bike in the garage, change his shoes and reverse the car out of the driveway, Mrs B appears pummeling down the hill in a sprint finish that even Mark Cavendish would have been proud of. With her light frame and Alpine climbing experience she is fast becoming a Tour contender.

With Mrs Bigman off to a meeting a wee txt to the Ironman, and a rendezvous was set up to do some reconnaisance work on the Col du Carnock International meeting route in late August.

Neighbours in Carnock have reported strange lights across the fields after midnight. Is it Aliens making crop the circles? Is it criminals pursuing their professions? Or is it the Ironman getting in some extra training to claim the Carnock crown in his home country. All this Tour spectating is building national pride in the metropolis of Carnock.

It was agreed to have an easy ride to allow time to take in the climb lengths, the number of bends, and analyse the gradients both up and down. The stiff Westerly was not going to make the journey easy. A reasonable pace was maintained up to Saline with the Ironman confirming they were only a minute off his record time. That was fine. It was, after all, an easy ride. Down the Saline brae and dogs cowered behind hedges as the whoosh flew past, both at a reasonable pace.

Quickly the Forestmill turn off was upon us. This has all the hallmarks of a do or die junction and will deserve respect. There will be no prizes for hospitalisation on this event.

There has never been an accident on the International col du Carnock meet. Okay so there has never been an International Col du Carnock meeting but lets not allow the facts to get in the way of sensationalist journalism. The 300 readers of this blog are all highly intelligent. Who else would read such quality stuff?

After debating whether the car behind was letting us cross the road for the right hander to the rod leading down to the cycle track or just lining up his grill for mounting a madone on the front we shall never know however the guys crossed the carriageway and with a single motion were flying down the hill with warp speed back up to 25mph. After all this was only an easy ride.

A few bystanders on the cycle path looked bemused at these lycra clad middle aged men blasting their way along the path however always showing resepct for fellow path users even if this was not reciprocated by the woman with five mussled lurchers. The dogs could say nothing, their master choose to not reciprocate pleasantries.

The Col rushed towards the pair and then the sky came down to meet them as the mighty Col pointed skywards .................... and it was done. The end achieved in a time of XX mins. With the competition for Carnock Crown hotting up, it would be inappropriate for me to divulge the time.

It was after all just an easy ride this afternoon :-)

40 miles covered in the morning, and another 28 covered in the afternoon, we are another step closer to the Epic Caper in South Africa. At the weigh in post outing this afternoon, Bigman was down to 13st 8lbs equaling the pre Alping Altitude Training Camp ( which had required much re-hydration)

The metrics are heading in the right direction. what could possibly get in the way of an even leaner, fitter, faster Bigman?

Contador might have a race on his hands.......

The text lit up my phone at lunchtime. Fancy getting out on the bike later in the afternoon it beeped. We agreed 4.15pm at Carnock....

The bigman appeared on time - one thing on his mind - the Carnock Epic. Lets run the course.

We set off, timers clicked into action and we pedalled off up the wee hill out of Carnock. The bigman said let's take it easy - words that weren't really meant to be taken literally. We started at pace. I felt rusty and a bit tired but I was determined. I think yesterday's 11 mile run was still in my legs but I really had no excuses as the bigman had already completed a 40 mile tour earlier in the day.

He was pushing and I was hanging on. A regular tale recently. I felt like I was holding him up - not only felt but knew, there was no doubt he was faster than me. We reached the top of the climb to Saline a good 50 yards apart - I was behind. I checked my watch and we were a minute down on my previous best but then we weren't going for the record were we!

We turned into a really stiff westerly - it was hard going. The bigman was in front I was gasping for air behind. Everytime I moved in front to take my share he moved to one side to confront the breeze. I was pretty sure he wanted to do the ride unsupported. We reached the cafe at the end of the Saline Road and turned gleefully away from the head on wind. The downhill past the pig farms was a joy (despite the whiff of lingering pig poo in the breeze!).

Time was passing slowly! We were moving quickly - well the yellow peril was and I was still in the same grit the teeth and stick in. We were held up a few times on the path by dogs, people and small children. Some of the folk with dogs looked at us with disdain and our thanks remained unacknowledged. Frustrating cos it is after all a cycle path....

Anyway back to the col du Carnock, our local Alp D'euz. The bigman was flying up the hill. I was out of the saddle breathing out of everywhere. At the top there was no time to relax. The final push and we were back - 63.11 (edited - error notice by Fit One) on the clock. An amazing time for the 31.4km course.

All of the training is paying off....

PS The bigman's gone and got work. I wonder if it will affect the training regime......