WITH my next Ironman race – Ironman Cozumel in Mexico – now just three weeks away, I have been clocking up some big miles recently.

I’m writing this on a well-deserved day off after a monster week of swim, bike and run action. Earlier this week, I did what my coach calls a 'practice race day', where we try to mimic the stress of race day as closely as possible, without me actually racing. It was a day of workouts from sunrise to sunset.

It all began at 6am at my local pool with 40 x 100 yards at race pace, with 10 seconds rest between each 100.

I then hit the bike for an 80-mile ride, which included a 15-kilometre hill climb called Latigo Canyon.

I didn’t just do it once, though . It was double trouble, and I was under strict instructions to try to make the second effort as good as the first.

Of course, that’s exactly what I did, with the second repeat actually being a minute faster than the first.

I ride using a power metre, so can always see how many watts I’m putting out and can download all the data (speed, heart rate, distance, power and plenty more) and send to my coach once home .

He was pleased, as we both were, with my training and performance. After riding, I came home for lunch and a quick shower and rest before pulling on my run gear.

I knew this would be the toughest part – as it always is in the race – as the fatigue begins to accumulate and you have to hold it together.

I found it quite tough. I was due to run between one hour 45 minutes and two hours, depending on how I felt. After 20 minutes, I knew I’d be going for the shorter option.

I had already banked a big weekend last weekend, doing a double run day on Saturday (a two-miler and then an 18-miler), followed by a 100-mile ride on Sunday. As I said, the time is now to make gains before race day on November 29, so the volume has been high.

I realise the mileage and volume might sound ludicrous to many but I am absolutely loving it and am feeling fitter, stronger and happier than ever before.