Not so much 'new', as resurrected!

As mentioned a little while ago, I was going to transform my Planet X Superlight Pro Carbon bike into a fast commuter. But after last weekend's ride I have had a change of heart; the Planet X is now going to stay as a winter/training bike and I have dusted off my old Scott frameset to be my 'new' commuter. The Scott was the bike that I used when I first started triathlon, and is now almost 10 years old, although it has had very little use over the last few years.

I needed flat handlebars, gear shifters and brake levers and Planet X duly provided a lovely set of On-One blue bars and Shimano levers. I've put the bike together over the last couple of evenings, and I'm quite pleased with progress. It has 105 chainset (53-39), front and rear mechs, Ultegra brakes, Shimano 16-spoke wheels, carbon seatpost and Body Geometry saddle. I reckon it should be a reasonably swift commuter!

I'm waiting on a final delivery from Wiggle for a chain, new brake blocks and cassette, and then super-fast commuting shall commence. Unless its raining! It doesn't have mudguards so will be a fair weather commuter only. I may splash out on mudguards in due course but its not a priority at the moment.

Train smart folks!

First Bike Ride in a Very Long Time

This morning I was up bright and early, took the dog for his early morning walk along the coast, had a hearty breakfast of eggs & bacon accompanied by a glass of water and a strong coffee, and then got changed for something I haven't done for many months; a long bike ride. OK, it was planned to be 2.5 hours that I know isn't very long for some of you, but I haven't ridden a bike for more than 2.5 miles since April (I think) so this was, for me, quite a big deal. I was quite pleased that the weather was OK, as I had arranged to meet a ride buddy and so there was no pulling out.

I had prepared all my kit last night, so wasn't scrabbling around looking for stuff, and at 0730 I headed out the door. I was riding the Planet X on what was supposed to be it's last ride before becoming a flat-barred commuter, but I think there's a change of plan coming there! I was late meeting my ride buddy, partly because of the wind but mainly because I no longer have 'bike legs', and it took me longer to get to the meeting point than it did last year. Anyway, we headed out and rode fairly easily, a few efforts on the hills but overall a fairly gentle and steady effort. We had to cut a few km off towards the end because I was tight for time, and after dropping my ride buddy off at his house I headed home, but my lower back was aching which suggests that I need to become more familiar with my bike. I think we did about 65-70 km this morning, in 2 hours 45 minutes; nothing spectacular but it's a major step forward for me.

When I got home, I went upstairs, got changed into my gym kit and headed straight out to the CrossFit gym. If I hadn't promised my son that we were going I certainly wouldn't have bothered, I was knackered! The session was: 100 pull-ups, 100 press-ups, 100 sit-ups and 100 squats. Sounds easy, but it was quite painful, and I wasn't exactly overflowing with energy! But I did it (although I did cheat on the pull-ups!).

My legs are very tired this evening and I've tried to ease the pain with fresh scones, clotted cream and raspberry jam.

Train smart folks. Unlike me.

SAD

SAD, as in Seasonal Affective Disorder, rather than sad, not being a happy bunny. The dark mornings and evenings seem to have dragged the enthusiasm for fitness training out of me. But never fear, I have a plan!

I've started cycling to and from work, it's not far and I'm especially enjoying the ride home. I'm using Mrs TM's non-electric powered commuter bike so it's not ideal, but it's good fun. I reckon this is saving me a gallon of petrol a week so I've decided to use the money saved to change my PX from a drop bar race bike to a flat bar commuter speed demon. The parts have been ordered and should be here early next week. The PX will then be converted and hardcore commuting will commence, along with lunchtime bike rides. The rides will be short but fresh air and a slow build up of miles in the legs is the aim. The CrossFit will help build strength and endurance.

Pictures to follow when the conversion is complete. Feeling positive.

Getting Started Again!

It's been 3 weeks since my course finished and I have spent this time easing myself back into a CrossFit regime. After 8 weeks of very little activity plus the 7 weeks or so before that with my knee injury it has come as no surprise that my body has not accepted getting back into a training regime lightly. I have had sore shoulders, arms and legs for several days now and have become very well reacquainted with our old friend 'DOMS'.

But its great to be getting back into it, and I will add the cycling back in slowly over the next few weeks.

Train smart folks.

Marco Simoncelli

I was watching the MotoGP and saw this 'live'. Extremely shocking and hard to believe that one of the most exciting young riders to arrive in MotoGP in recent years has been taken from us before reaching the heights that he was undoubtedly capable of. He was just 24 years old.

RIP Marco Simoncelli.

A clean sheet of paper ...

I've now finished my course and am looking forward to getting back to a reasonably healthy lifestyle. I managed to put on 12 pounds in just 8 weeks so have some work to do just to get back to where I was 2 months ago. I have given myself a 10-week plan starting this week to ease myself back into it gently and hopefully by Christmas I will be back at the lower end of the 11 stone scale rather than the upper end that I am now. I plan a nice mix of CrossFit, gym bike/turbo training, the odd road ride and plenty of core, stretch and flex as well as some healthy eating.

I've been in touch with my Desk Officer and we are currently discussing where I will be moving to in 2012. There are some good jobs on the table but no doubt there will be plenty of interest in them because of that. More news as and when I know it!

We had some sad news earlier this week; one of our chickens died. We didn't know the cause of death so couldn't eat it. The other 2 chickens are still laying one egg each per day but with 5 of us currently in the house (it's half term) I may actually have to buy some eggs this week!

Train smart folks, and enjoy the winter break.

I'm a Physical Mess

On the positive side, the knee issues seem to be completely behind me. No issues whatsoever for several weeks now.

But my right calf is in pieces and I managed to rub my 'buttocks' raw doing last weeks CrossFit session (3 x 75 sit ups seemed to act upon my delicate skin like 400 grade sandpaper!). Added to this, I have had 3 days in France on a MASSIVE carbo high that has left my digestive system in complete overload (or should that be breakdown?). I fasted on Friday that helped and have been very good over the weekend so hopefully I am back on track now; I just need to ease back in to the exercise regime and eat better, hard when I am living in a mess that is most definitely non-primal.

Only 2 weeks of the course to go and then I can start riding my bike again.

Well done to Frank for a sub 18 min km run. For everyone else, rest well, recover properly and look forward.

All the best.