In the last months before a major target your training should get specific. Specific in terms of intensity, equipment, nutrition and terrain!

I am preparing personally for the Celtman extreem triahtlon, a3.8k swim, 200k road bike in the highlands and a 42k off road run.

Needless to say having done several years of flatish Ironmans this is taking me out of my comfort zone and the specific training is tough. As I dont have many hills here in the city, today I drove 100k at 9am to get in a 2 hour bike and do the Stuc a chroin 5000 hill race.

Lothar Leder said to us at a press conference once:

“Enjoy the swim…. because the run… this will not be funny.”

That was very true today and is very true of any hard ultra-distance race… in the end it is not funny. This is another important aspect of specific preparation, to encounter the mental challenges and face the demons you will in your race.

I rode 2 hours at race pace which at around 255 watts is easy but challenging on the undulating roads in the Highlands. This is important however to practice a more stochastic style of riding to a regular Ironman.

This was my first hill run and longest run by some way in several years! Click the image to see my full workout.

Needless to say this was tough, really tough but I was glad to get it done as it will allow me to grow in strength and confidence.

The terrain was particularly challenging and a really struggled on the descents when they got steep and rough. This tough race took me to some tough places mentally and phsically and let me feel how the Celtman will feel in the end so I will be ready.

Happy training!