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On 27 June 2010, our super-hero friend Ed Nicoll will compete in Ironman Nice (3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and a 42km run) and raise money for the European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA).
This will be Ed’s first Ironman, but he is not by any means a stranger to endurance sports: Ed has already competed at cross-country skiing in the Winter Olympics and competed in various triathlons in the past, but never anything comparable in size to an Ironman, so this will be quite a challenge for him! Ironman Nice is widely reputed to be one of the toughest Ironman races since it involves a sea swim and a mountainous bike course. Ed’s been training for this event since the start of the year. You can follow his account of the final few weeks of his race preparations below and, of course, sponsor him via his page on AiderDonner (for non-French readers, this is the equivalent of JustGiving.com in the UK). |
Ed’s Race Countdown
5 weeks to go
Wincing with pain on the run today, after only 7km and I’m already thinking I may just sack it this lap and go home, never mind another 14km. It makes me finally realise that what everyone has been telling me, that the final leg in any Ironman Triathlon is going to be the toughest. Finishing the event will be a mental challenge, not purely a physical one.
This week had been difficult as I had been back in the UK for Dad’s cremation in Preston. It was such a beautiful occasion to celebrate his life rounded off with an unscheduled BBQ. Having Dad’s family & friends there made me realise even more that how fortunate I have been.
Work has been very understanding at this time and gave me all the time off I needed so I am really grateful to my friends (I can hardly call them bosses) Anne and Mika at Extrem’Evasion
After racing seven world championships in three different sports I thought it was about time I did something more worthwhile for those who have not been blessed with the opportunities I have. Consequently doing Ironman Nice for Joseph Swift has taken on such an important issue.
Training these last seven months has been very hit and miss due to family commitments, work, injuries and the fact that we have had snow in the Vercors for at least five months. However, even with such a competitive nature as mine getting round is the main priority not winning it. The majority of my training has been done early in the morning before work while trying not to wake the family and during lunch breaks. Swimming which my least strongest discipline of the three, can only be managed once per fortnight in Grenoble at the 50m outdoor pool. There were times this winter where the snow was falling even there and the pool was steaming so much you could not even see across the width of the pool.
Now spring has finally arrived and after a few days down in Nice to recce the course I’m getting to feel more confident about the whole project. My bro’ Chris who has done five IM events already, has been giving me all that vital advice that you don’t find anywhere else. Immediately after the pre-course trip I ran the Annecy marathon in 3:12 which was fine considering the injuries I’ve suffered. Following the long distance runners advice, I plunged into the freezing water of the lake for recuperation for 10 minutes. Try it works!
While in the UK this week I managed to call in on my long time friend and supporter Paul Hewitt who has kindly been able to provide me with a new bike to race on for the Ironman. Due to the hilly nature of the cycle leg the bike has been built to climb the mountains so it is not the traditional time trial bike of most triathlon events. The Cervélo R3 weighs in at 7.5kg with ultra lightweight yet strong Shimano Dura Ace carbon wheels.
Last night I just managed to get back from the UK, after the Easyjet pilot couldn’t find his paperwork? As I was racing the Challenge Vercors the following morning (today) I had to rebuild the bike at eleven o’clock last night in the kitchen. Not the best preparation. The Challenge is a big local race of 158km with 3200m of climbing. It takes in some of the most stunning areas of the Vercors including the Grand Goulets gorges and the Col de la Machine. Although I had done the event many times before; this year due to the Ironman it was going to have a more important significance.
Once I had crossed the finish line in Autrans I continued pedalling back home to change into running shoes to try and complete a run of 21km. The Ironman consists of a 3.8km sea swim + 180km bike + 42km run. So today this was going to be a major test in my preparation with just 5 weeks to go.
I had previously marked out with paint on the road, a 7km loop so I could gauge my run pace for each km. This is where I realised that the triathlon race only starts with the run and probably for mere mortals such as myself, within the last hour of the event. Despite the legs suffering after the previous five hours on the bike I resisted the temptation to cut it short and completed the 21km in a steady 1:49. Which made the full session just close to 7 hours.
There is an article in this months Triathlon magazine which recommends a taper prior to an Ironman event of between 10-14 days. This is when you significantly reduce your training to give the body the opportunity to recover. The article suggests a weekly programme of about 8 hours a week, normally a 60 –70% reduction of the total weekly training. Considering on a good week I’m only doing 8 hours anyway I will probably have time for some much needed house renovation in the last fortnight of June.
4 weeks to go
Swimmers must be the most dedicated of athletes. Endlessly ploughing up & down a pool watching the tiles go by, can be no fun for anybody. At least with the cycling, running & skiing pursuits it gets you out in the great outdoors. I was considering this & obviously not concentrating on the session this week. The 3km swim will probably be the only pool time I get for the next 2 weeks, not ideal.
The new Cervélo bike has been awesome. It fits perfect which is a testament to Paul Hewitt’s bike fitting service. The Tri bars are very comfortable and I managed the 63kph on them the first time out, heading down the local col on the way to work.
Injuries in my calf don’t seem to have cleared up to my satisfaction. Consequently I’ve ordered a cheap TENS machine off the internet. This is one of these electric pulse machines which physio’s sometime use. It worked for Sandrine twice during child labour so hopefully for me too.
For the next four weeks prior to the race I am going caffeine & alcohol free. An economy measure as much as a performance enhancement.