Diuretic carbs

I've been following the scientifically and professionally prepared tapering schedule in preparation for Sunday's Event. This includes carbohydrate loading to maximise the glycogen storage in the muscles. Having severely restricted my carb intake over the past 7 months, I was looking forward to the 3 days of loading.

Within half an hour of my first baked potato in over 7 months, I identified an unusual side effect. I have dispensed nearly 2 days worth of pee in less than one afternoon and for the connoisseurs out there it's visibly more healthy. I had to excuse myself twice during swim club last night to provide some relief. The flow shows no sign of abating either, with the situation repeating itself today.

A previously undiscovered phenomenon? Or perhaps my belt's just a notch too tight? Regardless, it's helped further the weight loss, if even temporarily and against expectation during these wind down days.

Current weight is 14 stones 5 pounds (201 pounds / 91.2 kg).

Landmark 5: That's 100 pounds of weight loss so far. Wouldn't it be nice if I could get my current weight below the 200 pound mark by Sunday.

The final week

The final week's preparations leading up to a big sporting event has been scientifically refined over many years and this knowledge has been passed on to me. Eating plans, training plans, rest days, etc. Basically nothing too strenuous.

So I ran up 3 Munros with only 2 bananas in my backpack.

Beinn a'Ghlo to be precise, the collective name for a range of 3 Munros. It took 4 hours and 30 minutes to complete. What does that mean in the real world I hear you ask? My standard off road course 5k run time is now 27 minutes 15 seconds, a further improvement of nearly 20 seconds.

Current weight is 14 stones 7 pounds (203 pounds / 92.1 kg).

Road cycling stinks

Not only the smell from the diesel fumes, but also the 25mph head wind and the majority of other road users who think bicycles are merely to be toyed with from inside their metal boxes. All of it stinks.

After completing my very first attempt at the proper cycle route, I failed to even come close to The Editor's time of around 45 minutes posted last year.

I can't envisage getting in to mainstream Triathlons due to the roadside pollution that would need to be endured during training.

I'm taking to the hills.

Current weight is 14 stones 9 pounds (205 pounds / 93.0 kg).

Run training works

I wouldn't have thought it possible.

One run up a big hill last Sunday, and tonight I knocked 1 minute and 6 seconds off my personal best 5k time around my standard course. I knew in the first 100 metres that it was going to be significantly faster.

27 minutes and 34 seconds.

Which means that 26 minutes might be achievable on a flat course. I just have to find another big hill to run up this weekend. Apologies in advance to The Editor if that upsets your Italian holiday.

Current weight is still up a little, this time from spending most of Monday eating like a horse to refuel from Sunday's run. It'll be back down by the end of the week, though.

Run training

I keep reading about how to improve my run time. The general advice is to do interval training and also do some hill running.

So I ran up a Munro (3000ft hill), slowing down only at the bits that were too steep to run up.

The average hill walker now thinks I'm totally nuts, but it's amazing for improving my aerobic fitness. Also, it's quicker than walking.

Current weight is up a little from drinking too much booze. It'll be back down in a day or two.

The appearance of muscles

Frankly, I'm gob smacked. In a good way.

New muscles are appearing daily. On my arms, legs, stomach and back. Flappy skin is disappearing by the minute. Swim times are improving, run times are improving, cycle times are improving, hill walking is improving, breathing is improving. Overall well being is improving greatly.

I wonder what would happen if I applied the same training to my brain?

I have hit a moment of realisation, though. The feeling of continually improving my physical performance is great, but what happens when that levels out and the body reaches a peak? A long way to go yet, but how is the motivation upheld when that point is reached? Or does improving by 0.1 second then give the same joy as I get when I knock 20 seconds off my latest run time now?

The next milestone is fast approaching - breaking through the 200 pounds mark. Then I will have shed more than a third of my body weight.

Current weight is 14 stones 9 pounds (205 pounds / 93.0 kg).

The Maiden Voyage

The "on loan" 1950s racing bike has had a new seat post, a new saddle, newly lubed up bearings in the front wheel, a whole lot of gunk removed from the chain and some tinkering with the brakes and gears; £6.99 (eBay).

Using it to beat my initial mountain bike 20km cycle time by over 4 and a half minutes; priceless!

Technically, it was a hilly 20.8km course completed in 41 minutes 03 seconds, which equals a pro rata 39 minutes and 28 seconds over 20km. But a flat course should see the total time decrease slightly further, as will more practice.

Coupled with the new personal best run time of 28 minutes and 40 seconds over my usual hilly "off road" course and my improved swim time approaching 13 minutes, The Editor is becoming increasingly outwardly concerned. However, inwardly I suspect it is also having the positive side effect of enhancing motivation for his two least favourite component parts of the Triathlon.

However, if the same age and weight related handicapping used in the 2000m Concept 2 rowing challenge was carried over to "The Event", I wouldn't be in the running, so to speak.

Current weight is 15 stones exactly (210 pounds / 95.3 kg).