The Training Diary

Weightlifting competitions are fun! I think everyone should do them.
Weighing in at a tubby 83kg I totalled 175kg for my first competition.
75kg snatch was comfortable but I didn't pull 80kg very well, and I'm never very good at getting under it fast so that one went amiss.
Series: 70kg, 75kg, 80kg fail.
100kg clean & jerk also shot up, so feeling confident I got pursuaded to put my last lift up from 105 to 107. Got one white and two red lights because of a little press out on the left arm. I ...
Continue reading...

Indeed Coz, Christmas is the line in the sand where serious training must begin. I've been limiting myself to just a few hours on the bike per week as I've a small issue first of making my competitive weightlifting debut. Crystal Palace, Saturday 13th December is the day of my destruction surrounded by dozens of fast twitch powerhouses. I'm expecting to get beaten by a reasonable number of teenage girls who weigh a good bit less than me, but hey you can't win 'em all. Keep your fingers crosse...
Continue reading...

I've just read the first 72 pages of rules and regulations and here are a few of my favourites:

1. You are allowed a spying vehicle
2. The racer may proceed (in the event of breakdown or mechanical failure) on foot but they have to be pushing, carrying or dragging (hee-he!) their bike (please no!)
3. Racers must not be tethered by electrical wiring or oxygen tubing to a support vehicle or pedestrian
4. One ear must be cleared of obstructions at all times during the race
5. You must have a "Crew...

Continue reading...

I'm gearing myself up (pardon the pun) for some proper training. By this I mean I going to stop phaphing around in the gym trying to do a chin up and dust off the bike, pump up the tyres, put new batteries in the lights and get out on the road. Yes, all before Christmas...

I'm going into the Phys. Lab on Friday afternoon with Dr. Mark for some baseline testing and this should give me some data to work out my training zones (which I'll try really hard not to ignore) and also a measure of my pro...
Continue reading...

Lactate profiles today !!
for Tom and Jon.



Tom - Looking comfortable @ 350 watts !




Tom - In a zen like state of concentration



Jon - Barely breaking a sweat , testing by Dr Mark who snaps on the latex-free gloves for today..

How did they do ?

Early analysis show whilst neither may be "Lance Armtrongesque" both seem quite capable of pushing a strong pace. With a little training the miles will fly by...... Results to follow

Continue reading...

When you set yourselves the challenge of riding over 3000 miles how do you go about setting your training schedule ?

Surely with a team composed of an exercise physiologist,strength and conditioning coach,biomechanist and a musculoskeletal injury specialist we must be able to cobble something together ?

Before christmas the team will be hitting the physiology lab to undergo a series of physiological testing including a lactate profile and the dreaded VO2max test. How will we fair ?

Keep checking...

Continue reading...

Where are we starting? are we ready to cover the 3000 miles in under 9 days, the sleep deprivation, the team support?
Continue reading...