It was a JDI day - just do it.
Bigman, Wingman and myself had taken part in the beer tasting evening at Dunfermline FC - sponsored by Belhaven and an excellent night. Possibly not the best preparation for 2 athletes in the heavy training phase pre race. It was worth it as we had a great laugh and really enjoyed the evening.
So this morning we met slightly later than usual at the usual junction and set off for Perth. It looked like the skies were going to clear and the mild weather of late was going to lead to a pleasant ride. How wrong we were.....
We climbed Knockhill slowly chatting about the night before and our relative weeks. We were pedestrian at best and as we climbed the mist and fog closed in. The boy racers were heading for their fuel fest at the race track and our voices were lost under the throaty roar of exhausts claiming the available decibels. The chat died away as we reached the top. The posse was grinding out the miles today!
There was a temptation to stop in at the Powmill milk bar, settle in and enjoy a coffee before heading home after a gentle ride out but with 5 weeks to go the temptation was avoided and we ploughed on towards Dunning. At the junction to Dunning we were passed by a roadie - he soon shot ahead of us mountain bikers.
The climb up Dunning was easy but the clawy miserably weather closed in and the temperature dropped quickly. Our roadie friend waited ahead and joined up with us - turned out to be a member of Stirling called Graham. We had a really interesting chat as Graham is studying about performance in cycling and how the body reacts to different training regimes. I was really interested and we had a great blether.
We said our goodbye's at the top of the hill as he was heading back to Stirling and we were off to Perth. The drop down into Dunning was baltic. I was really cold by the end of the decent and thirsty. We stopped for a bottle of water before setting off again. The valley between Dunning and Perth was very cold and I was using the climbs to warm up. We pushed our way up and into Perth looking forward to a bowl of soup.
I turned a few heads with my mud spattered face - I thought initially I must have been looking attractive in my lycra but my face was a picture.
Lunch at the Outreach Cafe in Perth was great. Fab food, friendly service and a nice atmosphere - I have to say the thought of the cycle home didn't appeal in any way and it was an effort to leave the warmth of the cafe.
We pushed the speed up on the way home. The run down to Bridge of Earn was done at pace - Bigman following me was pebbledashed by grit. It turned out to be his first facial. He didn't enjoy it my spa treatment and took the lead as we climbed back up to Glenfarg. Bigman had the bit between his teeth and we hammered the pedals up the long climb. The welcome sight of the motorway bridge at the top of the hill signposted the top of the hill. I jumped off the back wheel and pushed hard to Milnathort - I was keep to get home. The damp, cold and wet was getting to me and I just wanted to get home.
We crashed on through Kinross and turned towards Cleish. I briefly flirted with the option of avoiding the hill but the additional milage was not an attractive proposition. We reached the bottom of the hill, I changed gear and pedalling fresh air! Initially I though the chain had fallen off but it had snapped.
A quick call to Wee Yin and the 5th emergency service went into action and international rescue appeared. It was great to jump in the car. I'd had enough ( I think the Bigman felt the same) It was without doubt one of the least pleasant rides we done. Cold, damp and abjectly miserable. Other than the company it was no fun.
Anyway we'd cycled for 5 hours and the just do it training session was done! I was as cold as I've been in a long time.
We hopefully get our rewards in Cape Town in 6 weeks....
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Emergency services attend carnage on Col du Cleish after Ironman disaster
The Posse Ecosse offered their bodies to medical science last night.Would the carbon fuelled ales of the world provide world beating performances? The answer is NO.
Today was grey in every way. Grey clouds, grey roads, grey rain, grey mist, grey mindset.
The climb up to Knockhill was pretty straight forward if uninspiring in the grey gloom and mist covered bogs. Even the grazing sheep looked depressed.
The Ironman had left his waterproof trousers at home and so he was in for a wet seat. His mudgards Christmas present remain in the wrapping so as not to get them dirty. This means anyone within a 12 foot distance of his rear tyre is going to look like a rarely spotted much speckled fluorescent coated beast.
As we joined the roadie climbing through the glen to Dunning, The Ironman had found a new friend who had not heard about his exploits in Ironman competitions. He regaled his tales of times in Austria and New Zealand and the passion and persistence with which he powered to the end. Originally Graham had probably been going all the way to Dunning however after enough regaling to last a life time, he felt the need to return to Stirling a by different route! (Just joking)
The run down to Dunning was perishingly cold.Bigman had limited visibility through grit speckled glasses. It is a fair summary to say, this was not a joyful experience. But we had set out to go to Perth and go to Perth we would. As we shot along the valley floor, the temperature dropped even lower. Thank goodness for the climb up to Perth. The Ironman was romping ahead. Bigman was busy telling himself 'this is fun, this IS fun, I AM enjoying this'. The truth is, he was not. Had it not been for the obligation to meet The Ironman, he would still have been tucked up in a warm bed and sound asleep.
The hot soup at The Mustard Seed Cafe across from Lidl was really really welcome. It was hot, it was tasty, and it was pea and ham.
If I said Bigman was enthusiastic about climbing onto the saddle and climbing up and over to Bridge of Earn then climbing up the long torturous hill to Glenfarg and then climbing up Col du Cleish in an ever deepening and dampening precipitation, I would be being economic with the truth. This was misery on wheels and that is a positive report on how it felt.
The Ironman has a range of gears on his Revolution MTB and he uses them all effectively. Earlier in the day he had 'spun' his way up the climb into Perth legs turning like the needle on a 45 rpm record player. At the foot of Cleish he upped the rate to a '78 rpm' however it had little effect as the bike did not move forward. 'No chain' he shouted a comment often shouted by Lance Armstrong when he wsa cruising effortlessly. But not today. The Ironman has over stressed the chain and now it lay collapsed on the road looking like a rattle snake that had lost its rattle!
The Posse had a choice - fix the chain or call the Wee Yin to rescue the posse. Fortunately The wee Yin was in residence and a rescue bid swung into action.
Bigman relaxed in a Radox bath for 45 minutes to restore some body heat. This was not a joyous day and one not to be repeated when dividends are paid out on the Cape Epic in 5 weeks time.
Today was grey in every way. Grey clouds, grey roads, grey rain, grey mist, grey mindset.
The climb up to Knockhill was pretty straight forward if uninspiring in the grey gloom and mist covered bogs. Even the grazing sheep looked depressed.
The Ironman had left his waterproof trousers at home and so he was in for a wet seat. His mudgards Christmas present remain in the wrapping so as not to get them dirty. This means anyone within a 12 foot distance of his rear tyre is going to look like a rarely spotted much speckled fluorescent coated beast.
As we joined the roadie climbing through the glen to Dunning, The Ironman had found a new friend who had not heard about his exploits in Ironman competitions. He regaled his tales of times in Austria and New Zealand and the passion and persistence with which he powered to the end. Originally Graham had probably been going all the way to Dunning however after enough regaling to last a life time, he felt the need to return to Stirling a by different route! (Just joking)
The run down to Dunning was perishingly cold.Bigman had limited visibility through grit speckled glasses. It is a fair summary to say, this was not a joyful experience. But we had set out to go to Perth and go to Perth we would. As we shot along the valley floor, the temperature dropped even lower. Thank goodness for the climb up to Perth. The Ironman was romping ahead. Bigman was busy telling himself 'this is fun, this IS fun, I AM enjoying this'. The truth is, he was not. Had it not been for the obligation to meet The Ironman, he would still have been tucked up in a warm bed and sound asleep.
The hot soup at The Mustard Seed Cafe across from Lidl was really really welcome. It was hot, it was tasty, and it was pea and ham.
If I said Bigman was enthusiastic about climbing onto the saddle and climbing up and over to Bridge of Earn then climbing up the long torturous hill to Glenfarg and then climbing up Col du Cleish in an ever deepening and dampening precipitation, I would be being economic with the truth. This was misery on wheels and that is a positive report on how it felt.
The Ironman has a range of gears on his Revolution MTB and he uses them all effectively. Earlier in the day he had 'spun' his way up the climb into Perth legs turning like the needle on a 45 rpm record player. At the foot of Cleish he upped the rate to a '78 rpm' however it had little effect as the bike did not move forward. 'No chain' he shouted a comment often shouted by Lance Armstrong when he wsa cruising effortlessly. But not today. The Ironman has over stressed the chain and now it lay collapsed on the road looking like a rattle snake that had lost its rattle!
The Posse had a choice - fix the chain or call the Wee Yin to rescue the posse. Fortunately The wee Yin was in residence and a rescue bid swung into action.
Bigman relaxed in a Radox bath for 45 minutes to restore some body heat. This was not a joyous day and one not to be repeated when dividends are paid out on the Cape Epic in 5 weeks time.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Cool runnings.....
Santiago called and we were on for a lunchtime run. It was cold, baltic cold. The ground was frozen, the air still but there was a level of enthusiam that warmed even the coldest parts.
We set off up the Col du Carnock which dragged the freezing air into the lungs and challenged the burning quads. Not only was the air temperature still low but the ground was entirely frozen. We slip slided away until we reached the bottom of hill by which time the road was dry.
We chatted about our week. Santiago confessed to feeling a little jaded after the bike run on Saturday but it was a hard ride so we were all a bit tired after pushing a big gear. After reaching Cairneyhill we turned towards Crossford and then almost immediately off road and onto the track that leads back up to Crossford. The ground was frozen which was a relief because it would have been very muddy if it hadn't been!
We charged on back up to the Dean Plantation. Through the forest and up the hills to the main road. We pushed hard at the start but I fear went too early as we laboured up the last of the hill.
The drop down to the bike path was welcome. We met with some guys coming off the path with there bike - it was incredibly slippy.
An hour done - good mix of terraine and conditions. It was good. Despite the cold I warmed up very quickly and I enjoyed the run much more than I anticipated. Running with a partner is motivational, it passes the time quickly and encourages improved performance.
I'm still a runner turned biker rather than a biker. Having said that I love biking.
We set off up the Col du Carnock which dragged the freezing air into the lungs and challenged the burning quads. Not only was the air temperature still low but the ground was entirely frozen. We slip slided away until we reached the bottom of hill by which time the road was dry.
We chatted about our week. Santiago confessed to feeling a little jaded after the bike run on Saturday but it was a hard ride so we were all a bit tired after pushing a big gear. After reaching Cairneyhill we turned towards Crossford and then almost immediately off road and onto the track that leads back up to Crossford. The ground was frozen which was a relief because it would have been very muddy if it hadn't been!
We charged on back up to the Dean Plantation. Through the forest and up the hills to the main road. We pushed hard at the start but I fear went too early as we laboured up the last of the hill.
The drop down to the bike path was welcome. We met with some guys coming off the path with there bike - it was incredibly slippy.
An hour done - good mix of terraine and conditions. It was good. Despite the cold I warmed up very quickly and I enjoyed the run much more than I anticipated. Running with a partner is motivational, it passes the time quickly and encourages improved performance.
I'm still a runner turned biker rather than a biker. Having said that I love biking.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Variety is the spice of a training life!
The Fit One has been counselling the Bigman on his training regime. He is concerned the nobbly knee incident of last week is an indication of training fatigue.
The advice was to vary the training and so it came to pass. Today was a session spent in the pool followed by a session in the sauna and steam room oozing sweat with limited aerobic exercise.
The swim felt good and sweating without associated pain was a welcome relief.
Some more of that training will become a permanent fixture
The advice was to vary the training and so it came to pass. Today was a session spent in the pool followed by a session in the sauna and steam room oozing sweat with limited aerobic exercise.
The swim felt good and sweating without associated pain was a welcome relief.
Some more of that training will become a permanent fixture
Running around.....
I woke up in Fort William - it was a stunning morning. The snow that was disrupting the travel in the central belt had passed through overnight and was replaced by a sunshine and mist. It was beautiful. 
I had a good meeting to start the day and then set off towards Inverness. Despite time pressures I stopped to take a couple of photo's looking back towards Fort William from the site of the Commando Memorial. My phone doesn't capture the scene in full effect but it gives a flavour of the beauty. It also reminded me that we are going to race the Cape Epic but also going to see and photograph an amazing country.
I laugh with the Bigman about the grading of animals that will allow a stop to take a picture. We are slowly creating a list of animals that are permitted stops and those which don't merit a stop! I suppose today was an example of where the beauty of the location merited a stop despite the time pressure.
After a couple of meetings in Inverness I set off home, stopping at my usual coffee stop in the Mountain Cafe in Aviemore. Where the coffee is amazing and the cakes are just out of this world. Today, the cake selection was up to it's usual high standard and after much internal debate my resistance weakened and I selected a blueberry chocolate brownie. It wasn't just good it was amazing - amazing 600 calorie worth. I enjoyed every morsel! The Bigman can keep his legal cakes - the brownie takes the biscuit every time!
So home, I felt the need to get started quickly. Having run around the country in the car I started running on the treadmill on the house. I spend my 4 mile run listening to my band, father jack, last rehearsal. After running I jumped onto the spin bike, pushed on the telly and watched deal or no deal. It was a bit dull but passed 50 minutes while I climbed the Witches Hat at a good tempo. I feel fortunate to have the facilities in the house.
Anyway a good set tonight of just under 90 minutes. Hopefully a run tomorrow if the weather holds.
It's the thought that counts....................
The Ironman claims the award of the shortest training session so far............. at least until last night when his record was smashed.
Bigman booked a spin session for last night at Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre while there for footie on Sunday. The intention was good, the passion was present, but the body was not.
Work required an extended stay in the cake filled lawyers offices which meant the training stint did not even start let alone finish early.
It is going to be a tough training week this week with social events on Tuesday, Wedenesday, Thursday and Friday evenings.
Where is the commitment?
Answer - training is hard to fit in around other life events. That's the reality.
It makes you respect , even more, the dedication of amateur athletes reaching international success. No danger for teh Bigman there!
Bigman booked a spin session for last night at Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre while there for footie on Sunday. The intention was good, the passion was present, but the body was not.
Work required an extended stay in the cake filled lawyers offices which meant the training stint did not even start let alone finish early.
It is going to be a tough training week this week with social events on Tuesday, Wedenesday, Thursday and Friday evenings.
Where is the commitment?
Answer - training is hard to fit in around other life events. That's the reality.
It makes you respect , even more, the dedication of amateur athletes reaching international success. No danger for teh Bigman there!
Monday, 1 February 2010
Training sessions don't get any shorter than this....
The drive to Fort Willaim was bleak. The cruel snow was sweeping Glencoe and the road was turning whiter by the second.
I select my hotels carefully - noting which have gyms and generally selecting them. So I changed into my kit on arrival and hit the gym. The gym was actually really good and I was surprised to note on the way in that there was a spin class at 6pm. Back to reception to find out more I was informed that it was fully booked but I should join the queue for non turners up spaces in 20 minutes.
Buoyed by the thought of a spin class I set of on the treadmill and did a fast 15 minutes. Junped off and was pointed in the direction of the class - follow Gavin was the cry. I followed Gavin, an uncommunicative soul intent on bagging his space.
The spn room was small but full of expectant chatter and I was joined by a fellow much more experienced 'lurker for spin space'. He was a chatty local who informed me of the underground tactics required to bag a spot at the spin class. We stood and shared stories until the remainder of the class duely arrived. Sadly they all turned up.
Undeterred myself and the intrepid spinner headed back to the gym. It was packed. It was so packed the queue at the running machines indicated a wait of approximately 20 minutes for each bit of kit. This doesn't happen at the Carnock Gym where the queues are much shorter (not that I'm saying anything about Moonwalkers height!) and access to the equipment is only limited by enthusiasm.....
So slightly despondantly I called it a day. On a bright note the haddock and chips plus apple crumble in the hotel went down a storm.
Possibly need to spend an extra 20 minutes in the gym tomorrow - without the queue!
I select my hotels carefully - noting which have gyms and generally selecting them. So I changed into my kit on arrival and hit the gym. The gym was actually really good and I was surprised to note on the way in that there was a spin class at 6pm. Back to reception to find out more I was informed that it was fully booked but I should join the queue for non turners up spaces in 20 minutes.
Buoyed by the thought of a spin class I set of on the treadmill and did a fast 15 minutes. Junped off and was pointed in the direction of the class - follow Gavin was the cry. I followed Gavin, an uncommunicative soul intent on bagging his space.
The spn room was small but full of expectant chatter and I was joined by a fellow much more experienced 'lurker for spin space'. He was a chatty local who informed me of the underground tactics required to bag a spot at the spin class. We stood and shared stories until the remainder of the class duely arrived. Sadly they all turned up.
Undeterred myself and the intrepid spinner headed back to the gym. It was packed. It was so packed the queue at the running machines indicated a wait of approximately 20 minutes for each bit of kit. This doesn't happen at the Carnock Gym where the queues are much shorter (not that I'm saying anything about Moonwalkers height!) and access to the equipment is only limited by enthusiasm.....
So slightly despondantly I called it a day. On a bright note the haddock and chips plus apple crumble in the hotel went down a storm.
Possibly need to spend an extra 20 minutes in the gym tomorrow - without the queue!
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