One thing confirmed at the weigh in was that I have had a good winter! Since completing Challenge Roth last year I have put on 6.8kg of blubber, which was great fun to accumulate and did its job over the winter months. So how much am I going to lose? Having raced Roth at 79kg last year I felt that I could comfortably lose another 2kg. Knowing that I boxed in the army at 73kg which was hard work to get to and a weight I can't realistically sustain, I suspect that 75kg is my basement weight. For reference I am 173cm in height and medium build.

I am going to attack the weight loss in 2 phases. Phase 1 aim will lose a kilo a week achieved through some serious distance and mountain work combined with a 'modest' reduction of alcohol and unhealthy snacks in my diet. Phase 2 will see a more graduated and controlled weight loss to identify a comfortable race weight achieved through exercise in my training programme and a more regulated diet substituting any remaining unhealthy snacks with tasty, healthy alternatives.

You may wonder why I haven't decided to try a more effective weight loss diet such as the protein diet? The simple answer is that I enjoy my diet which is pretty healthy aside from unhealthy snacks which 'should' accompany a beer or glass of wine. The easy calories to eliminate from my diet will be reducing those unhealthy snacks and portion control which means that I don't need a 'new diet', my existing diet just needs a tweak. When I hit 80kg I will start to minimise alcohol and unhealthy snacks whilst trying to identify healthy ways of satisfying the 'hunger monster' created by the training programme.

I will also start experimenting with solid foods for the race nutrition plan... Prior preparation and planning, prevents piss poor performance! The 5Ps for success...

Darroch

I have pressed the ‘pay now’ button for the Double Brutal but I suspect that most of the payment will be made in September in blood, sweat and tears in Snowdonia National Park!
 
More importantly I now have to set some key objectives, produce a training framework and understand what I need to do to cross the line without crippling myself.
 
I have set some initial objectives, which consist of losing weight, increase strength and flexibility, continued improvement of swim technique and sort out my existing niggles with the physio.
 
I fly out to New Zealand for 5 weeks in the morning which sorts out my immediate training framework… Mountains, mountains and more mountains. Fortunately the open water swimming in Lake Wanaka is as good as it gets and I’ll use the opportunity to build up to being comfortable for 2 hours in the water.
 
Whilst I’m out in New Zealand I will develop a training framework for the UK and flesh out the race plan. I will also start to look at the admin and logistics requirements to sustain the support team and myself over the weekend.
 
When back in the UK I am going to see a very good friend ‘Grant Breese’ who is a personal trainer and performance coach (https://www.breese2you.com). Aside from catching up for a few beers I am going to ask him for his take on preparation, training and managing your body for an event like this.
 
I’ll post progress and developments for what will hopefully be an enjoyable, painful, challenging and healthy journey to a successful weekend!

​After Challenge Roth in 2016 I decided that I wanted a bigger challenge in 2017. I started to look for Ironman plus distance events and whilst supporting a friend’s team in the Double Brutal triathlon in Llanberis, found my event!
 
I had already decided that I would like to compete in two ironman distance events in 2017. Having decided on the Double Brutal as the main event I need to find an ironman distance triathlon in the UK. I am looking for something close to home, not to expensive, well organised with a relaxed atmosphere and enjoyable course. In essence a pleasant warm up to the Brutal later in the year to gauge where I am at. I may have left it a little late with the growing popularity of Ironman distance triathlon and struggle with availability on my preferred events in which case I will be trying something a bit different. Trying something different, not always getting what you want is probably good for you every once in a while…
 
This left me wondering how other people choose their events. What are the drivers people use for event selection; is it an enjoyable course, high profile event, race organiser, atmosphere, location or availability?
 
Whatever their motivations they are notching up some serious kudos… there is no such thing as an easy ironman!

​Darroch

The nice people at Time Sport have been in contact to let me know that all of their products carry a 2 year guarantee, which is good news. I was under the impression that it was a 12 month warranty so I was delighted but am now wondering what the other cycling companies are offering on frames and components?
I purchased the pedals through Wiggle who no longer sell the Time Attac XCs so it's time to look around to see who does. I wonder if Wiggle are moving away from Time products as their Time pedal range seems to have vastly reduced.
A good outcome for fans of Time pedals today... a 2 year guarantee isn't something to be sniffed at!

Running and cycling in Europe offers so many enjoyable holiday benefits that we forget about it's forthcomings... Today I was reminded of one, 'the ambush gate dog' that will always surprise the pants off you! Every time you forget about the last gate you were made to look like a startled cat, you are abruptly ejected out of your holiday runs' deepest thoughts by another pair of ankle high dogs barking well above their weight!
I have seen a lot of Europe on the bike and have yet to be bitten, but 'ambush gate dogs' will always get me and to be honest it doesn't really bother me. Mainly because I know that I can drift back into some relaxing thoughts until the next gate...