Our Hawaii trip is starting to take shape, flights and accommodation sorted, we are also very, very, very lucky to be having a support crew member fly out from the UK to be on the sidelines in Hawaii cheering us on. Mark “Fozzy” Foster is the man making the journey to join us in his grass skirt. I must remember not to leave home without mine, Ben’s I think is already packed!!! We have also had confirmation through of our return flights back home to the UK. Team benben will be back on UK soil 16th Oct just in time for me to wish my big bro, Alex “happy birthday” in person.
Our performance has of course not quite been Olympic standard but training is starting to get epic, we have just got back from a 6 hour session, 5 hours on the bike and an hour run with both disciplines including lots of race pace efforts. This session taxed not only the body but also the mind, 5 reps of a 30km loop, numerous parts of my body were numb after the 4th loop and I still had another one to conquer. The majority of our training is of course to improve our fitness, to ensure our bodies are physically fit, however, an integral part to ironman racing is all about what’s between your ears. The ironman race is like a roller coaster, it has its ups and downs, so when those big dippers hit, mentally you need to be tough, your mind and body needs to be equipped to cope with anything the course and race throws at you. Putting yourself through mind and body numbing sessions is all part of the prep and for us at the moment, just another day at the office / just another day in paradise!
6 hour single sessions or 6 hours plus of training a day is now once again not a one off, on the upside (if 6 hours plus was deemed on the downside) this type of volume does require the odd nap in between sessions. As I type sleeping beauty, Ben in case there was any doubt, is resting. I had better shut my eyes too soon, I do not want him to think I am not tired, thus not working hard enough, I am, I am promise!!
The 6 hour session mentioned above is of course not the only session we have done this week, it is our biggest yet in this campaign, did you notice the careful use of yet, I know what’s in the post!!! Last Saturday morning I braved the dark and cold to hit the tarmac with the boys. 5.15am we are in the saddle which means the alarm pinging at just before 4am. As if the early start is not enough of a rude awakening the ride also requires climbing up Dorrigo mountain (11k’s), no pootling allowed on this pursuit!!! I must admit, smashing about 110k’s on the bike with a 30 min trot off and being back home with a bowl of steaming porridge on your lap with tea and/or coffee brewing all before 11 am is a result. A monster session in the morning also means the afternoon is free to watch a DVD in bed even more of a result! We watched an Aussie classic, “The Man from Snowy River”. We have wanted to watch this film ever since we spent a few weeks in back in Feb in the High Country of Victoria, Falls Creek. I forgot to mention the DVD is a box set so we still have part deux to watch, another result.
Yesterday (Fri) was our precious weekly rest day and a date with Russell, Marg and caffeine. Over the past few weeks we have got into the routine of popping out every Fri morning for a cuppa. Last week the destination of choice was sunny Sawtell, this week we headed a few k’s north up the highway to Woolgoolga which has a stunning headland and if you time it right a great vantage point for whale watching. Unfortunately, on this occasion we did not get the timing right, no blowing spouts in sight. No whales to watch meant just one thing it was coffee time!
A few days have passed since I started blogging and guess what I have just done again, yes that early morning Saturday boys bike ride, although this time it was just Ben and I. The wind gusting between 30 to 40 kmph meant a no show or two. The winding climb to Dorrigo and the views from Bellingen river do make it a little easier to take!
The wind made it a tough outward leg but a much zippier homeward leg. I don’t think any cyclist is a fan of the wind but we really cannot hide from it as the Ironman in Hawaii is known for its vicious cross winds, staying up right on my bike will be my first goal, moving will be the secondary goal. I have just re-fuelled on my favorite, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on rye bread, YUM! I daren’t close my eyes as we are off to the pool soon, although someone has their eyes closed and legs elevated!
A few more hours have passed since I was tapping away, the time has been spent watching part 2 of “The Man from Snowy River”, his horsey is amazing!! That’s the box set watched ready to be packed into a box for home when the time comes, that also means we have it for anyone to borrow if any requests?!?
I think that just about brings you up to date with the latest antics of team benben, like the London 2012 Olympics, this blog entry is drawing to a close. But don’t worry I will be back before 4 years!
Just a few more pics to share of what the countryside looks like when we have time to take it in on an EASY ride and the little friends we meet.......
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