Well into race week sees me sitting at the airport waiting for my ironman buddy…..on the final approach so it says. This is where it all starts, Andy is on his way and the four of us follow tomorrowmorning. Then the nerves will start as we arrive and check out the transition area and the finishing chute….I remember Nice, when we arrived the finish podium was under construction and we both couldn’t imagine crossing it after the challenge, but we did. 

Anyhow this is now getting very real, Dan again has proved that even the simplest tasks we undertake can bite us, his fingers look a mess, and god knows how many time we have dismantled and re built our bikes. David has gone to work….but you know what they say about PPP ! 

The Justgiving site continues it’s upward spiral and for that we thank you all, still a way to go but hopefully some of you are just waiting to see how far round we get…….before donating, yes that will be it.

The support team is also getting ready with our Mum and Dad making the trip on Friday…..that will be great.

So it’s now just making sure we have everything…..David don’t forget your helmet…….and it’s game on.

But please keep raising awareness by telling everyone you know about this great cause, we received a fiver from someone who shall remain nameless but who really cannot afford it but wanted to contribute, and that apart from being well appreciated is what it’s all about. Cheers

David: Well as I stand on the train into London (seems out of the team I am the only one working???) it’s all REAL.
(Admin will refrain from reminding readers of David’s recent “business trip” to St Lucia)

My kit is laid out, bike ready to be boxed, taxi booked for 4 tomorrow morning. 

Have we all done what we need? Of course it’s 80% mind games. Next time I am on this train I WILL have a new story a new experience (good or bad) I just want to get on with it. 

Team Russell let the games begin

David: Well yesterday was the last full day of training, a 52k ride followed by a 10k run, today 18k ride and then a painful massage – OUCH !!! Just need to start pulling all my kit together. 

A difficult concept for me to grasp especially when I’ve missed out on a couple of weeks solid training.

Relaxing lido session in the sun today, gentle cycle and jog tomorrow then down to bare minimum for the remainder of the week. Not long now! Exciting. 

Tapering right back now just a short less intensive bike ride each day this week. It is actually quite hard to hold yourself back after all these weeks off bashing out mile after mile as hard as you can go – seems as if I am cheating. I’m now worrying about kit and stupid things like that – have I got this ? have I got that? Wow its taking over my every day thinking !! Must learn to relax and try to enjoy it after all its a once in a life time challenge, certainly for me anyway. Once I’m sitting in a bar afterwards with a cold beer all will be good! So my big ask now is please, please try and find a few extra pounds and donate to this worthy cause every penny WILL make a difference – then this event will be a breeze – here’s hoping.

I think my tire pressure is low.”

Translation: Slow down, will ya?

“I definitely have a flat tire.”

Help me change it

“This trail is a blast!”

I hope you have good medical insurance

“I’m on my beater bike”

I had this baby custom-made in Tuscany using Carbon Fiber blessed by the Pope. I took it to a wind tunnel and it disappeared. It weighs less than a fart and costs more than a divorce.

“This is a no-drop ride”

I’ll need an article of your clothing for the search-and-rescue dogs.

“That wasn’t that bad…”

Oh…my…god… I’m…having…a…heart…attack…

“Wow, that was at least 10 feet high”

5 feet max. probably closer to 4

“I don’t have a low enough gear.”

I’ve gained 5 pounds

“I’ve decided to buy a lighter bike.”

I’ve gained 10 pounds

“That climb wasn’t that bad!”

I’m going to puke

“I’m carbo loading.”

Pass the beer

“I’m tapering.”

I haven’t ridden in 2 months

Peter: So just 13 days left until the race starts not sure now how hard to train, everyone is talking about tapering ? well I might have been doing this all along anyway who knows??

Less intense I believe is the way to go. Cannot do anymore than I have so what will be will be. The bike is in for a service, the kit to wear on race day has arrived, got my passport got my flight ticket everything in order – its now just up to this old body to get me round – feeling exicited, nervous, apprehensive just can’t really wait to get started. So my last efforts are on course, please though keep digging deep and help us raise as much money for this worth while cause – www.headcase-ironman.me
Thank you