The Ironmen (6/07)

So with only a week to go until we race in Nice.... we have moved into the 'Taper' phase of training and are turning our attentions to the final preparations. After so many months tough training it has been difficult for some of us to mentally adjust to the concept of resting and letting our bodies recover in readiness for the big day, and I think we've all felt at some stage as if we ought to be out there pounding the pavement or doing one last long ride.

Since the last time we updated the site most of us have raced - Alex and Jonny in Zurich Half Ironman and Jamie and Chuck at Weymouth Long Distance. For the majority of us these were the first forays into the world of competitive triathlon so there was much to be learned from the experience. Jonny learnt that his shin injury has recovered sufficiently that he was able to complete a half marathon (only another 13 miles to do on the day), Alex was pleased with his effort and returned home with various new additions to his ironman wardrobe (including a neoprene swimming bonnet), Chucky discovered that it pays to carry a bike pump when racing and Jamie remembered how boring a 3 hour bike ride on the dual carriageways of the South West is (the hills above Nice should at least be more scenic). Derk continues to run more than Forrest Gump and has taken delivery of a new toy - a 100% carbon frame race bike. He strenuously denies rumours that he has taken it to bed with him every night since he bought it. Mike has decided to 'keep his powder dry' and has preferred to take a more 'head down' training approach, sticking rigidly to the programme set out in his bible - Don Fink's Ironfit Book. Any question regarding nutrition, pacing, and run-up to the race is invariably answered with 'look at what Don says'.

Aside from Don, the main topics of conversation in the last week have revolved around the following:

- What kit we each wear on the day. Might sound simple but given the plethora of choice available to the triathlete not as easy as you might think. Some go for the fetching all-in-one (think logistical difficulties when nature calls!), other prefer shorts and a top. Some choose to change in the transitions between each discipline, others see the wasted minute or so as crucial. There is only one point of consistency - none of it is fetching. You do not do this sport to look good (as the photos from Zurich prove). We have all arranged to have our name printed on our kit so that the crowds can cheer us on - we need all the support we can get!

- Camelbaks. The manufacturers of those backpack water carriers with a straw sticking out should be in for a good Q2 as the entire team has subscribed to the theory that they might be a good idea in order to keep drinking when we are descending at 40 mph on the tricker sections of the bike course. It is said that hydration is the 4th discipline in Ironman and none of us want to leave ourselves at risk of 'bonking' on the marathon section, but equally we are all a little nervous of reaching for the water bottle on a hairpin bend, hence the Camelbak.

- Discussion of the swim start. Ironman has the legendary mass start with all 1400 athletes running into the sea at the same time. At best you get kicked, elbowed or swum over. At worst your goggles get knocked off or you get a bloody nose. A malicious rumour has circulated that the Nice start will be staggered to thin it out and although some of us deny this, we are all secretly hopeful. In reality the carnage will still happen at the turning point so it makes no difference anyway.

- Watching the weather forecast. So far so good. Don't want it too hot but don't fancy rain on those downhill sections... http://uk.weather.com/weather/local/FRXX0073?x=0&post=post&code=code&y=0

- Fantasising about what we might eat/drink for week following the event. The answer is universal - lots!

Most of us travel out on Thursday or Friday and the race is on Sunday so there's time for those final preparations (and kit shopping for Alex) when we arrive.

Thanks to everyone for your donations so far - we are up to £20,000 and we would love to double that in the next week.

Jonny, Chuck, Alex, Jamie, Derk and Mike

Four weeks to go until Nice Ironman..... which entails a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42km run ..or the equivalent of swimming the Bristol Channel, jumping on a bike and cycling down the M4 in time for the London marathon. Admittedly the foothills of the Alps are slightly more attractive than the M4, but they're a lot hillier and given its expected to be >34C the run is likely to be fairly upsetting. We're into the 20 hour peak training week of our 6-8 month training programme. The ALMT team of elite triathletes can probably be characterised by "running low on energy, but buoyed by good banter and driven by the desire to raise money for Angus's trust"

Its been a tough 3 weeks for Jamie and a tough 6-9 months for the others, but the end is definitely in sight … and for the most part we have been injury free. OK so Chucky broke his hand (& Mike left him at the roadside); Alex's knee was a recurring injury and Jonny's stress fractures are because he's over trained ..Jamie, Mike and Derk have been injury free.

 Highlights of 6 months include

1. Nice trips - recceing the route. The realisation that the hills, though not too steep are genuinely very very long. Highlight .. The look on Jamie's face as Mike tells him after descending for 20mins at 40-50mph that he's left the car keys at the restaurant at the top of the mountain … and that yes we really do need to go back up and get them. See the attached photo of Jamie ..aptly, given his language at this stage, cycling later past the city of Tourettes

2. Club La Santa Lanzorote, Chucky and Alex first insight into the bizarre world of Ironman. A 'holiday' to the filmset of Planet of the Apes for 6 hours bike rides, running and swimming....one day consisted of 5hour bike ride, 1.5 hour swim and a 2 hour run... with energy gels for lunch.

3. Tour of Wessex - getting some hill training done on the hills around Exmoor. Day 1 - a tough 100 mile ride with times varying from 5hrs 10m for the quick, but navigationally challenged, Jonny to 7hrs 30m for the taking it more leisurely Jamie. Day 2 - another tough 100 mile ride in the pouring rain and howling wind … which some didn't even venture on ("what's the benefit ? ..after all the soaring temperatures in Nice will provide a far more different climatic challenge) and those that did called off after 2hrs 30m (I'll gladly give up the extra 10mins I might gain on race day from doing this .if I survive the hypothermia I am about to catch)

4. Derk's enthusiasm for discussing all things triathlon; and Jamie's lack of it.

5. Chucky and Jonny shaving their legs… after all its what the professionals do.