Making Progress...

... slowly. One small step at a time. This week's small step was to increase the bike mileage and a total of 295km was ridden, with a little over 190km of those being on the road. Pace wasn't important (good job too!) it was simply a case of getting time in the saddle and miles in the legs. Despite it being early March, this is only Week 2 of my 2009 training programme so there is plenty of time for speedwork later in the year.

Today's session was a steady ride with Sags, although there were a few long tempo efforts thrown in for good measure. Unfortunately for me the tempo efforts were at Sags super-fit level (and don't let him persuade you he is in anything other than fine shape!) which meant that I was working very hard and my lack of endurance work caught up with me as we attempted to ride the Sawtry 10-mile TT course at a decent pace (which we started just over 2 hours into the ride). Despite drafting the whole way I called "time" at the halfway point and had to return home at a somewhat reduced pace with jelly legs. A total ride time for me was 3 hours 17 minutes for 91.3km. Great training for this time of year.

And if Sags posts any "dodgy" pictures on his blog then be reassured they are a photoshopped set-up!

The diet was a bit of a disaster this week; training more really ups the appetite and I was the same weight this week as last; not good. I clearly need to give up puddings - whilst living in the Mess has many advantages, 3-course dinners every night with stodgy puddings (no matter how nice they are - Baileys and banana bread and butter pudding anyone?) is not agreeing with my waistine despite in excess of 11 hours training this week. I promise to be more disciplined in future. The evidence will be at next week's weigh-in - target next week is a nice round 12 stone.

Train smart folks.