Celtman, Coffee, Cake and a Collie

Pushing through the water, feeling the glide and the swing of my stroke.  I can see a group of swimmers off to my right where I'm sighting, but I know they're being pulled by the tide.  I know I need to stay left to stay straight, avoid being pushed into the bay.  There are jellies all around me, they're beautiful, hanging in the water, some pulsing themselves along.  I feel strong and fast...  I come out of the water and stop my watch: 1 hour, 59 seconds.  What? How on earth...?! That's 26 minutes faster than last year!  On my bike, and I'm yo-yoing on the hills with another rider.  I pass her downhill, hold the gap on the flat, and she rides past me uphill.  We're evenly matched overall, and we share chat and encouragement along the way.  I feel great, like I'm flying...  I walk through the hall, not wanting to speak to anyone, resisting making eye contact.  I have never felt so broken in my life.  I see Alan standing by...

If you haven’t read Jenny Graham ’s book Coffee First Then the World , you should. Jenny is something of a local legend in the highlands, but a few years ago she became a Global cycling legend when she set a new world record as the fastest woman to cycle round the world.  During her trip, one of the things that kept her going was her Invisible Peloton.  People who were important to her that she visualised riding with her for the tough bits of her 124 day expedition.  I've got to know Jenny a wee bit in recent times and consider myself lucky to call her a pal.  She completed Celtman last year, and having bailed out of my own attempt, I watched her finish in characteristic Jenny style... with the biggest grin on her face and the most joy you could imagine after powering herself around the 250km course.   And so that became my goal for Celtman: Finish With Joy.  Speaking with Jenny briefly a few days ago got me thinking.  We're a week away now: who will b...