Park life

I am fairly confident that we both have the base endurance and we are just starting the 'build phase' of the programme which involves interval training. We should see a fairly quick improvement - after all we havent been training that part so far - in our strength and anaerobic capacity if we maintain the structure of those sessions mid week. We also need to keep the long rides up at the weekend of course.

In Park yesterday trying my best to keep with with Stevie doing intervals - he's defo on track but I feel like I'm playing catch-up at this stage. Went out again tonight for another session of 'telekom forties'. Went well and knee not playing up.

Park Action

Aram and I met earlier for a bit of Richmond Park Action. Were still on track - I think!

No turning back...

Half way through the 'shaving' process. Does't look good but it feels sooo nice...

no pain no gain

just finished 2nd of my 2 hr mid week rides in the park. Lovely weather if a bit chilly. Knees sore on first ride but saw physio on wednesday and much less pain tonight - so hopefully medial plica is the root cause of y problems. Going to do some serious mileage over weekend.

Trains, planes and automobiles...revenge of the volcano

Spent most of the last week in Spain - trapped by the fall out of the Icelandic volcano. Complete mayhem and everyman for themselves. Complete lack of information and advice resulting in 72 hours on the phone and computer trying to work out how to get home. A week for a train from madrid, no eurostar, buses full and all hire cars booked. Only saving grace was that I got a rest from riding (although very little sleep!).

Exhausted and skint.

Gonna shave legs tonight for 'rub and a tug' and will report back later

Support Dog

Introducing the latest member of the team showing off her new hat!!

Saturday - had a massage (not very good) and a bike fit session. Some minor adjustments to be made and a lot more stretching required. I'm all tight which is affecting the knee.

Today did a London - Frieth return run. No problems it all went very well. Did a few hills at the other end too.

Some gym work tomorrow and physio Tuesday

Painful elbow + knees

Its all hurting now. Elbows got torn up a bit yesterday doing core work in the gym. Knee is anyones guess - must try and make a physio appointment to get that looked at.

Painful Arm + knee

Good sunny ride on Sunday with crap signings for the Hell of the North. Plenty of getting lost but still a good day. I am struggling with my knees though and a painful arm as shown. The arm is just scratched but the knee is now bad. By the time I finished Sundays ride uncomfortable had turned into painful and very painful by the time I got off. Need to get this looked at soonest.

Digging out the sun cream and chaff ease...

Another evening spent in Richmond Park (90 mins, 20 miles). Although nothing special it is just so much nicer now the evenings are light and sunny. Gym later on this afternoon followed by a session on the SDW tomorrow (I plan to do some serious hill loops to up the level of training) then on for the 100k 'Hell of the North' ride on Sunday. Best thing is that the weather forecast for the weekend looks dry and sunny - better get the sun cream and chaff ease out!

Sports massage on Sunday to ease those tired muscles and hopefully keep me flexible enough to stop the knee getting sore. 

Easter Weekend

Easter Weekend was a big one and lots of riding with Aram. It was as Aram says below very very wet and pretty miserable riding on Friday.

Easter Monday rode from my flat to my Parents and back which was a good ride. About an 80 mile round trip. Going to do another good ride this evening hopefully and make use of the nice weather. Might try and ride to my parents house again if time permits

half way through the programme

Now 3 months from the event and half way through our training programme. Still a long way to go and the hardest part starts now as the rides get more frequent, intense and the overall time in the saddle increases. Still feeling motivated and confident we can do this if we keep progressing.
Been in the gym again tonight...

Easter weekend - energy drink sickness

Most intense period of riding for a long time over easter. 90 mins around the park on Thursday, 4 3/4 hours around a VERY wet Marlow on Friday with Stevie - soaked through - followed by a hard 4 1/2  hours around the south downs on  saturday. Absolutely exhausted but great riding - tested the leg with some sprints and all seemed well. Keep the fingers crossed! However, had consumed so many energy products (drink, bars and recovery shakes) that my digestive system went into melt down. Gym on Monday for weights and another 90 min ride this evening. Things are getting serious.