The Scales of Truth

As Week 1 draws to a close it was time for the Scales of Truth this morning. And the result was (cue trumpet call - da da da da da da daaaaaaaaaaah!) - 12 st 2 lbs. Target is one pound per week so this week is a "Hit". Thanks for your confidence Sags! Indeed, although my last recorded weight on this forum was 12 st 2 lbs that was, as commented at the time, somewhat skewed by being dehydrated. I didn't actually record my start weight on here but it was 12 st 3 lbs, so one week down, one pound down - RESULT.

I took Bandit out for a run this morning and I have an easy bike ride with Sags planned for tomorrow morning. The plan is to spend an hour or so riding easy around the Cambridgeshire countryside before Sags goes and beasts himself with the St Ives Cycling Club fast group and I go home for a hot shower and a bacon butty! I will try and take some photos tomorrow on the new phone gadget type thing.

I don't believe this is me...

For the second day running I was up bright and early to go running. After feeling pretty rubbish yesterday due to a poor night's sleep I was in much better shape today and extended the run to some 36 minutes. I also managed just over an hour of cycling as well, nothing too hard, just easing the body gently back into a regular training regime. A reasonable day diet wise, nothing excessive (except maybe the cream cake at dinner!). The first real test will be when I get home this weekend to see what the Scales of Truth tell me about my first week of training. Will it be a "Hit" or a "Miss"?

Rome Wasn't Built In A Day

It's started.

Some exercise.

Some sensible eating - definitely in credit on the calories in/calories out equation today.

Training should be sensible base stuff with a few intervals thrown in for good measure and to keep it interesting. I share an office with the Chairman of RAF Cycling so I'm looking forward to regular evening rides during the week. He's only done a couple of TTs, but knocked out a 21-something 10 last year!!! I may have to re-evaluate my "base plan" after the first couple of rides. There's also a lunchtime running group that do between 5 and 8 miles at lunchtime - might have to extend lunch if I go 8 miles! And I would certainly need an afternoon kip! The motivation is there and the mojo is rising.

Train smart folks.

Lazy Sundays...

Breakfast in bed.

Coffee and Hob Nobs!

Yum yum!

Sags was out doing a hard 60+ miles with the St Ives Cycling Club; I could have gone with them but the draw of a warm bed and the aformentioned coffee and hob nobs was too much to resist. Mary prepared a Banoffee Pie for the boys last lunch and then I took them back to school this afternoon.

Tomorrow I head off down to Gosport to start my new job. But, more importantly, my preparation for the 2009 season starts tomorrow, with the plan to be at racing weight (or at least very close to it) and at least bike fit for a fast 20km TT at the IS duathlon towards the end of April. Not sur ehow my running will be but if I can get my weight down I don't think it will be too shabby (by my own low standards that is).

The mojo is rising; beware.

New Phone & Stuff

Mrs Turbo Man finally got fed up with my old phone not being able to hold a charge for more than 10 minutes and bought me a new one yesterday - it has a camera, bluetooth, MP3 player and all sorts of other technowizardry I will probably never use, but it does mean that I will actually be able to see those pictures I occasionally get sent now. I can set my own ring tone as well, so it's currently "Classico" by Tenacious D (check out the film "Pick of Destiny"). Unfortunately it's not very PC and, as Mrs Turbo Man said, not an appropriate ring tone for one of my new status. Makes me laugh, though, every time I hear it, so if I don't answer the phone when you call me it's because I'm listening to the ring tone!

Which means, of course, I can now take loads of pictures of my bikes etc. Yes, the Prince of Darkness is now all cabled up and just needs a test ride to check out everything is adjusted properly. Might need to make some small adjustments to the position as I think I'm a bit too stretched out at the front at the moment; we shall see. Anyway, here are my first attempts at photography with the new phone (sorry for the poor quality!):

The Prince of Darkness, 2009 version.

Cut down base bar (might need to get used to this!) and Planet X 82mm front wheel.

Ceramic bearing jockey wheels (yes, cable needs trimming but I will do that after the gears have been set up)..

Ceramic bearing bottom bracket (shocking photo I know).

Come Dine With Me - The Finale

Last night was the final instalment with our 8 year old daughter as Head Chef. As you would expect she had some help, although this was mainly limited to advice about timings and all things heat related. She did most of the knife work herself and it was almost a surprise NOT to find a finger in our dinner! She prepared prawn cocktail starter, gammon and pineapple for main course with seasonal veg, proper chips, with a fried egg. Dessert was a cheesecake style dish with a layer of toffee and fresh fruit on top. All in all, a very good effort.

At the end of the last meal the results were announced. It was no real surprise to find myself in last place, with our daughter 3rd, 13 year old son in 2nd and 15 year old son in 1st place. All in all the standard was very good and I was certainly surprised how capable the kids were in the kitchen, vastly superior to me I must say.

I managed another gentle run this morning - a little over 30 minutes. Slowly, slowly catchee monkey.

Putting Things in Place

My re-ordered Wiggle parcel arrived today with all I needed to get my MTB ready for its commuting duties next week. It's now got brakes (always useful) and full mudguards including mudflaps. I've fitted lights as well, just in case, and took it for a spin round the block. The brakes are, quite frankly, awful (perhaps new brake blocks might help) and the handling is horrible - I'm not sure why as it is exactly as it left the factory, unless the headset is sticking. But it will do for the daily 2.5 mile ride each way, and once I get my Scott back on the road I will use that for longer routes a few times each week to bump up the mileage.

The Wiggle parcel also included Park cable cutters so I will hopefully have the Dolan ready for 2009 tomorrow - pictures to follow.

And finally, I put my turbo and turbo bike together ready for training to start in earnest next week. I reckon a picture of my bike stable may be on the cards.