run bike swim beat cancer

All the training is done !! and I really do mean ALL !! lots and lots of training done – its been amazing, its been tiring, its been stressful, its been mentally draining, upsetting, amazing (did I say that) !! its been challenging and awesome, its been physically tough but incredible. It’s unbelievable what you can achieve, its been massively rewarding ….its been…… alot !

I think in general the training has gone quite well, I’ve managed to stick pretty much to my plans – its my biggest skill – just turning up !!! no talent, but definitely stubborn and maybe a bit crazy ?? 🙂

I’m pretty sure everyone thinks I am massively motivated and enjoy every minute of training, but that is really not true. I struggle to get out the door for at least half of my sessions – BUT I do always, always enjoy them when I’m out – its just the getting out that’s the problem !! I did cry before at least two of my long cycles because I didn’t want to go !!! 😢😫😭😭😭

Cycling was (and still is) my weakest link, but I’ve managed to do:-

• 2 cycles between 60 and 70 miles
• 3 cycles between 70 and 80 miles
• 6 cycles between 80 and 90 miles !!
• 2 cycles over 90 and 100 miles
• 2 cycles of 100 miles !!!

That’s actually crazy !!!!!!!! none were fast, but hey – who cares :-))))

Its funny cos when I was a kid (sooooo long ago 😁) I used to love riding about on my bike and I hated running !! but now running is my comfort zone….

Running:-

• 5 runs between 12 and 14 miles
• 2 between 14 and 16
• 7 between 16 and 18 miles
• 2 runs 18 to 20 miles
• 2 runs over 20 miles !!

Obviously there has been lotttttssssss of other shorter stuff too :-)) oh and some swimming – actually pretty much managed to swim 3 times a week, with a couple of double swim days, with an- evening swim at Monikie :-))

I have spreadsheets and graphs and strava to prove it all hahaha

The plan for ‘longs’ :-

And here are ‘some’ screenshots of the training sessions – looking back on the titles has really made me laugh, my favourites are :-

So cold – I only just survived.

Tired and hungry – tirangry.

I saw the eclipse of the moon.

Running with a picture of Jamie – yeah why not !?

Petrified of being blown off by the crosswinds.

I cannot get my head into how far and how long I have to go for Ironman, thinking too far ahead – spent the best part of 3 hours arguing with my brain.

Yipeee 64 miles – longest ever !!

Awh look its the penguin.

Egg-cellent M3 reps.

Oh my gawd – actually Glen Clova and back.

A bit Carroty.

Parts of that were brutal, parts terrifying.

Cuttin aboot Carmyllie.

A sweeeet hour.

The penguin has a balloon.

Running off the crazy !!

Turned up late with no googles !

Longest run for 10 years !!

90 !! 90 !!

Running in that rain was an out of body experience – couldn’t feel my body – thought I was going to die in the thunder and lightening.

Post skydive cycle – running on adrenaline.

Wee shuffle.

100 miles !!

Run to Arbroath – touch the cliffs – run back.

Moot Moot.

That wasn’t easy !

Practicing getting ‘out of my head’ – was so far out at one point, I forgot where I was – true story !!

So if you’ve made it this far – well done !!!! not me…I mean if you’ve managed to get to the end of this blog, after the 3 million strava screenshots hahahahahahahaha

So, about Ironman……..I am actually really petrified – really scared – I don’t even know why. I am a worrier but this is….oh I don’t know… just so unknown maybe !!?? and aaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrgghhhh what if I get a puncture :-((((((((((((( (and don’t ask if I’ve practised !!!). But I am really, really, actually scared 😥😥😥😥🙁🙁🙁 That’s why I bought that book ‘The Brave Athlete – Calm the F**k Down ‘ – I’ll let you know if it works !!!……….OK……Sangster (Shellard) – you will be OK – you WILL be OK – you will BE OK – YOU WILL BE OK !!!!

I need help with some mantras……..so far I only have:-

• Its your victory lap
• In the voice of Dory ‘just keep swimming, just keep swimming’
• Mr. Blue Sky – to sing if I’m struggling !