Working on a six pack!

Due to various circumstances I have not really trained properly for the last 3 weeks. I noticed on Sags's blog the photo of the Henlow 10 finish area, which I hate as it makes me look like I have a belly! As a result I have decided that I need help from the "Ab Master" or in this case the "Ab Mistress". I have recruited Anthea to help me sort out my core stability and hopefully help me get a six pack for the spring. I have been doing some core stability this week with her down the gym before my swimming training and it hurts. I didn't know what abs were! I do now. Next week should see me return to a normal training week and re-discover that thing with wheels called a bike. I am currently working on the big plan for next year. At the moment its provisionally looking like Ironman Brazil. There are a lot of "ifs and buts" at the moment though so it may not come off yet. I guess I will know in the next few weeks as entries need to be in by 5th Jan 09. The main stopper will be money as I am not sure of travel and accommodation costs yet. The other concern is getting Ironman fit in time for the event as it is very early in the year (31st May). It will be hard to get the bike miles in if the winter is a bad one, but I do have a turbo trainer now, I just don't fancy spending 5 hours on it! Running should be ok as I am doing London again (hopefully without the illness) in April and its about 5 weeks before IM so that could work out very well. We will have to wait and see.

How many bikes?

I've been sorting out some pictures off my old computer before getting rid of it and found some photos of some of my bikes. I thought I would stick them on here to show how many bikes i've had in the last 2 years, quite scary really as its 10! I only have 4 at the moment though the sponsored bike, the time trial bike, the single speed and the training bike. OK seems a bit excessive or perhaps i've not had enough, but a few of them have been second hand so I haven't spent thousands and thousands. One of my favourites was the TCR Carbon in ONCE colours, it was a great bike and I sold it just because I fancied a change after 2 years of use. I bought the white Bianchi with the money but that went in the bin after a collision with a motorbike, that was a nice one as well. Without doubt the nicest one i've ridden is the TCR Advanced that my sponsor www.hilderthorpecycles.co.uk provided, however Paul from Hilderthorpe Cycles prefers the look of the time trial machine. Not much going on at the moment hence the random blogging.

Sorry its been so long

First of all I will apologise for such a long gap in the blog world. I've been trying to regain some fitness but it just doesn't seem to be happening on the running side. I can't get up to speed at the moment and am quite worried about the Henlow 10 next month, I won't be happy if its not a sub hour run! I've got a couple of races I might do before it so I will be able to see how good or bad its really going.

I did my longest ride since the World Champs today, clocking up 47 very hilly and windy miles. It did take me 2 hours 50 to complete but given the route and the wind I am quite happy. Its only the second long one I've done since Holland the other being 41 miles, also on a very hilly route. I've been getting out with the cycle club on Tuesday nights and I've really enjoyed it. We ride out 10 miles as a group and do some big gear hill reps to work on strength, followed by another 2.5 miles spinning a small gear at high cadence before doing a u turn at the 12.5 mile point. Then we work as a group through and off for 9 miles and at the last village before home its a free for all for 2 miles. I have become frustrated at being pipped at the post over the last few weeks so this week I tested them by putting the hammer down 2 miles from the finish and destroyed the field leaving just 1 rider hanging on my wheel. I felt very strong all the way to the finish. The last 1.5 mile is a warm down after we re-grouped. I am really enjoying these rides and its great to have some company after 2 years of solo riding, I hope to start going out on some of the Sunday long rides with them when the shift pattern allows.

That's about all for now, not much going on really hence the lack of blogging.

Another New Toy for next season

Well I finally sold the Kuota and got the cash this week. I have spent it already. This is the latest toy in my plans for next season. I will have the full on time trial machine pictured for the fast flat courses and the sponsored TCR Advanced for the hilly courses. Paul at http://www.hilderthorpecylcles.co.uk/ has looked after me yet again with a fantastic deal. All I need to do now is keep fit this winter so I have the legs to do such a fine machine justice!!! The bike is pictured with the standard wheels which are Mavic Cosmic Elite and also pictured with my Cosmic carbons.

A new training partner - but at what cost?

Well I've got a new training partner, but its costing me money! I needed to motivate Beth into using her new bike more that she got for her birthday in August. The motivational tool was cold hard cash. She cycles along side me when I go for my runs when possible allowing for other clubs and activities that she takes part in. She has created a chart and marks up her mileage as she goes earning 10p per mile. As you can see Beth is pictured with her fantastic Kona cyclocross bike and wearing the size 6 cycle top that Kelda ordered which didn't fit. I really want her to get some miles under her belt but can I afford to encourage her too much?

I sold the Kuota this week to a mate up here so that cash has already been spent, I will upload some pictures on the latest toy purchased to try and make more gains next season!

New Toy Arrives

Just a quick post to show some pictures of the new toy. A Giant Bowery Single Speed, you can choose between a fixed wheel and a freewheel by turning the wheel round. Going to have a play with fixed for a while and see how I get on.

6 Minutes

Well its been over a week since the last post. What have I been upto?

I had a week off after Almere and seem to have been very tired since. This week has been my first proper week back in training. Its not going well. Everything seems like a struggle, but slowly I am coming round and hope to find some running form in time for the Henlow 10. I've been thinking a lot about what I can do this winter to improve and have identified some key areas to work on. I have also been thinking a lot about next season, and have decided to chase the sponsorship boat for cash in order to fund my trip to Australia as I am determined to go to the World Long Distance Championships again. 6 MINUTES, that's what I need to find this winter. I move up to the 35-39 age group next season and my time at the long course this year in the next age group up (the one i move to) meant I would only of missed a bronze by 6 minutes. I think that is definitely achievable!!!

I will put more details of my plans to improve on future posts. One way to improve is to buy new toys, as a result I collect by brand new Giant single speed on Friday, supplied by the fantastic Paul at www.hilderthorpecycles.co.uk which I am really looking forward to having a ride on. I also hope in the next couple of weeks to have sold the KUOTA (buyer in the pipeline) in which case I will be getting my new Giant TT bike ready for next season, again provided by Paul. Having a sponsor really helps to motivate you, as you tend to feel the urge to perform at every event. I will have the TT bike for the fast flat courses, and the sponsored Giant TCR Advanced with clip on tri bars for the hard mans courses up here in Yorkshire. With the winter bike as well that's a full fleet of 4 Giant bikes. I love bikes!!!! you can never have enough.

That's all for now, pictures soon of the new single speed.