Race day tomorrow.

All bags and bike checked in. Sitting in the premier inn watching the tour. There's a few days activities to fill in when I get back. Worried the hip may not hold out but more relaxed than I've ever been - it'd great when not looking for a good time.

Ella and George get here soon. Getting here yesterday was the right thing to do - got to bed at 7pm for 12hrs sleep.

Rollers

30min - just to keep mobilised. Starting to get things ready. Have decided not to have only have Ella a George and Mum there - just too difficult to have all the family.

My bike tools arrived today - too late (needed them on Sunday)  - tried the master link pliers out it reduces that 2hour Sunday job to 30 seconds!!! - I thoroughly recommend them (Park tool MLP-1.2)

Run

5km - the aim was to do 10km but at the 2.5km turn around I thought there was no advantage for me at my current level. Will leave the suffering until Sunday!

Massage

Did some work on my right obturator for what it's worth.

Had a phone call from a friend to say i'm in a triathlon magazine this month. Either triathlon plus or 220. Must have a look. 

Weigh in 76.8Kg

Swim 1.5km - easy pace just 300m at end at 65 strokes a minute

Day off today - no kids for a while! Did some long awaited DIY - changed a tap, went to the tip etc, Exercise wise thought i'd have an easy swim.

Just changed the countdown timer - it says on 5 days left.

Sorting out nutrition now - luckily found enough old packets of this and that so I don't need to buy anything. Don't think i'll be needing any manufactured sports Gels etc, again (I can always hope).

Fairly amazed about the weight - got down to my target without the fuss of previous years. Didn't obsess about it, ate what I wanted and only weighed myself once a week. This really has demonstrated that 30-60min of exercise a day and sensible choices can get it done.

Treated myself to a couple of bike tools - well I don't spend money on anything else right now.

1 Week to go

Cycle 50miles

With a week to go it was time to get the bike sorted out - so maintenance in the morning and then test it out in the afternoon.

All the jobs were due to the change to a compact set up (smaller chain rings on the front)
1. Change back cassette - i've been looking forward to this as I have an old one that costs over £200 new and it just sits in a draw.
2. New chain - this always makes me nervous. Is it too short / too long when you commit to it there's no going back. It took me 2 hours to get the master link to come apart. So straight onto wiggle once it was done to order the proper tool for next time.

The jobs went well - tested it all out on a ride to Rob's house 25miles away. A quick game of cricket with his son Rafe. Tried out the new Kask Bambino hat - not bad.

So approx. half an ironman cycle - should be able to do double that next weekend. A bit of a swim and a long walk and it's done.

Germany Argentina tonight. 

Rest day

The taper continues - Ella in London, i'm looking after Will and Rory. Rory screams for at least 50% of the time - it is hard work on the ears. Will's swimming lesson in the morning then took them for a cycle in the cargo bike. So not "rest" at all. Thought about doing something when Ella got back but watched football instead.

Rest day

Well this is turning out to be a real taper - lots of rest. In the past chasing a good performance I would be doing lots of shorter speed work so it doesn't feel like a taper at all. I'm looking after the kids tonight after a 10hr day with no lunch break at work. Ella has gone down to London so it's daddy day care tomorrow. What with the hip and family life there is no way I will be doing another Ironman - just hope I can make it round next Sunday - i'm more unsure than i've ever been.