The Training has Begun

Yesterday I officially started my RideLondon cycle training. I am nervous and excited, like that time I signed up to a marathon and thought 'now what?' I did 25 miles in 2 hours and 10 minutes, averaging 11.67 mph, way below what I'm hoping for next year. I promise not to post all of my stats, mind.

I've also just arrived back with this little beauty - 

It's occurred to me that I may struggle with timings for training as I currently have time available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but don't want to do nothing for four days and then cram it all into the weekend. I'm therefore combining family time and cycling on Wednesdays, leaving actual cycling to Fridays and Sundays - starting with shorter distances as 25 miles seems too much for early training. What can I say, I'm keen, but I know the risk of injury is high from overtraining. Been there, done that. Now it's time to stick to the plan.

No More Running for the Rest of my Life

I'm amazed at the cynicism of some people. I've just come off a pretty rigid ten week training plan that involved a lot of healthy eating, very little drinking and absolutely zero pizza or pasties yet when I mentioned that I would be taking this weekend off completely before switching to cycling next week I received a few knowing looks, more than a few titters and one person almost flat out suggesting I was giving up.

Although I have to put a lot into cycling I do have eight months to prepare and have to ensure I don't get bored of it so thought I'd have a week to myself to recover. This means I can celebrate a friend's birthday guilt-free and actually live a little before putting myself through yet another ordeal.

I promise you all though, I will be back. Oh yes. Back I will be.

Here's me looking knackered after my Autumn half marathon events.