Ironweek From the inside out.
HI all?
I decided to do this blog to be honest to have a reason to stay in out of the sun for a little while everyday!!!! I´m over here in Lanzarote about to attempt my first Ironman on Saturday. I´ve kept a diary of my whole IM journey really but thought I´d share here what Ironman week is like for me as it happens....remember this isn´t going be me telling ya what it´s like just me telling you how I experiance it.
I arrived this evening. First thing about the trip was that the plane was full of fit people with HUGE suitcases, suitcases so big they´d even fit a bike!!! And all the men had shaved legs!! (A lot of Wicklow Tri club hoodies too!!!!) It was then I realised this was going to be bigger than anything I´d experianced before. Thankfullly the trip went off grand bike got here in one peice...I got settled in at about 8pm and went out for an easy run. I did one out & back of the marathon course it´ll be 4 out and backs on the day. It really got the excitement up when I passed the stand and finish aera. It´s mad the amount of triathletes around and the sense of comaraderie between everybody. Every athlete i met on my run had a friendly smile and hello as if we all don´t know exactly what awaits us on saturday!!
I just heard the news that dustin didn´t qualify for eurovision :-(
Registration tomorrow so it should be interesting.
Later
Mark
Ironweek continues!!! I got registered today. Got all my bags for transitions and got to see what all the fuss was about club la santa. When I got there I saw. What a perfect place to train this island is and what a perfect base CLS would be. It's got it all. Got out for a swim this morning. My first sea swim. Was class....so much more interesting sceenery than at a lake. Salt water takes a bit of getting used to though.
Let me talk about my bike handling skills for a minute. I wouldn't have super "road bike" handling skills or know the ins and outs of group riding but on the time triall bike I'd say I can stay in the bars and pick a line through a corner with the best of them.....except when you've to cycle on the right hand side of the road!!! Spent an hour on the bike today going in circles around Puerto Del Carmen. It takes a bit of getting used to the right hand side but The road surfaces are great out here for cycling. I wish we had them in Ireland. I'm a bit worried about my gearing, wondering will I be ok with a 11-23 cassette but don't want to sacrifice the 11 for the fast bits by changing.
My only other observation is that I've to hold myself back from doing too much. I'd love to be on this island with a full heavy week of training to do. Someday maybe. Going to go watch last years race video now.
Later
Come on Mark ! think about your coach waiting to know how you get on.......
One of the coach said that when one of his/her athlete race it is like they are racing too..... my opinion is that it is true for some, but I am afraid I won't be able to cope with you racing for 10h00.... :-)
Anyway keep us inform..... only 3.8/180/42 to go......
A realy enjoy experiance. A great race. I done 12hrs 43mins. I am meaning to do a race report for ages....will do it over the weekend and post it here. Well done to all the irish ahletes there.
Joined: 2008-01-15