6 weeks to the Race Around Ireland

There isn't long left now and the next six weeks are very important as we prepare for the big adventure around Ireland.Training over the last few weeks has been good.I covered 550 miles last week and approx 400 the week before.I have done many consecutive days of 100-140 miles with some nice climbs in Cork and Kerry including the Healy Pass, Caha pass,Conor Pass,Molls Gap.I have always felt like I could do a lot more which is a good sign.My aim has been to increase the daily mileage instead of doing really long spins which I feel are detrimental to training if done to regular.I did a power test today in the gym over 4 mins and managed 380-400 watts for 4 mins which puts my power per kilo between 4.6 - 4.8 at 82 kilos.I will probably lose another kilo or two before the race but am more interested in getting my power output up as the gains are far greater.Hopefully I can get it up to around 420-430 and my weight down to 79-80 kilos in the next 4 weeks which will bring my power per kilo up to 5.4 watts per kilo.This will significantly improve my ability to climb the hills quicker at the same intensity.I will improve this by doing very very hard short workouts between 30secs and 4 mins and by losing weight.Any gains made in strength and power have significant benefits for my long endurance speed-Its not all about cycling miles and miles!
Tommorrow I will leave from Youghal and do the Race Around Ireland route in a week or so.I have the route downloaded in my garmin which will sit on the stem of my bike and all I have to do is follow the route on the gps.I am staying in Wicklow tommorrow night and Belfast Sunday in friend's houses who have been kind enough to look after me and Monday near Malin Head somewhere. My incredible friend Darcy will drive up to meet me Monday afternoon with fresh clothes and support me for the rest of the trip from Donegal.We will stay in Darcy's parents house in Limerick and other than that we will stay in a b and b when we need to.Im really looking forward to it and hope to do 150-200 mile a day basically starting early and just keep going for 12-15 hours everyday stopping at the odd cafe and enjoying the trip.1350 miles in a week is a bit of a jump from 550 miles so Im keen to go easy and just get around without putting to much effort into the hills.I will be keeping my heart rate under 150 all the way.
Trying to raise money for the Jack and Jill charity has been slow and dissapointing.Despite several requests I have received very little response accept from good friends and mostly foreign friends.It's a little dishearting although I understand people are very busy these days and there are so many people doing things for charity and our case is no different.Hopefully as the race gets closer people might support the charity.The Jack and Jill will also post details of the race on their site which will be helpful.Donations can be made on our charity page on www.mycharity.ie/events/capperman