Early start provides a wake up call!

I had an appointment at lunch time to celebrate the first anniversary of a community space in teh local shopping centre and so had competing priorities. I wanted to get in a long run to build the mileage since South Africa and attend the celebration.

The Ironman had the answer. He wanted to 'test his metabolism' at the same time as we would be starting the Etape. Therefore it was agreed we would meet at Crossford at 07:30 for a 100km blast.

The Fit One and Santiago were resting as they have entered a triathlon in Dalkeith tomorrow. It is said that a world record is anticipated at the marathon event in Glasgow 2014 as the contestants head through the east end of the city. Perhaps Dalkeith will similarly inspire fast times tomorrow!

Clearly I was still asleep as I approached Crossford, went through Crossford, and arrived in Cairneyhill ( the next village) before I had realised my error. It was then I came to appreciate the feisty wind out of teh east, ice cold and doused in precipitaion.

I turned around and dragged myself back. By this time The Ironman was standing with arms folded looking for the arrival of Bigman out of teh east.

We splashed our was at a good pace towards Culross and onto Clackmannan, reviewing our respective week whilst motoring. The climb into Clackmannan is always an opportunity to send the heart rate atmospheric and today was no different. The run to Stirling after Alloa was at supersonic pace. Head down, no chat, just going for it> By Stirling we had completed just over 25 miles in less than 75 minutes meeting an average speed of 20 miles per hour.

We knew the story on the return leg would be different as we would be heading into the wind. And so it came to pass. The wind was surfing along the Ochil foothills pushing us back from whence we had come. On days like this, you just have to lower your head and pummel the pedals. Yetts of Muchart did not arrive quickly but when it did, it was a welcome sight. The last leg to Milnathort was a relative blast constrained only be the exhausting wind. We opted not to stop for coffee for a couple of reasons. One I was short for time and two we were both freezing from sweat clad clothes in a chill wind.

We agreed let's get this done. The Ironman was so hungry he even stooped so low as to eat Bigman's special diet chewy bananas. They would pay dividends late.

When you arrive in Kinross, there may be 15 miles to go but it feels like you are almost home with only the North Face of Col du Cleish between you and a hot shower.

We wound our way up the hillside and were both pleased to crest the col. It was a blast down the other side befoer we approached the bus museum sprint.

Given the journey we had , I decided to put some distance between me and the Ironman in the hope of persuading him that an attack was futile. As I sped down the start, I glanced behind to find him some 50 yards off the pace. The opportunity to spin my legs felt good with the wind behind, I was flying. As I flew up the hill towards the finish line I thought I would just check he had not gotten any crazy ideas!

And there on my shoulder, like some escaped parrot from Treasure Island sat the Ironman waiting to make his move. Having been exposed, the race began with only about 30 yards to go.

And in an instant, the line arrived. I managed to hold off the young pretender and I noted to myself to file that stealth strategy as one of the signature approached for the Ironman.

After making it home. the Garmin gave the stats, 4024 calories burnt over 96 km in 3 hours 40 minutes and feet feeling like two blocks of ice.

14 days to the Etape and much to do.