Well, I've not been very good at keeping this up to date... again... but here we go with, first of all a photo from the Duston triathalon...

Yes, it's the end... I did it in 1hour 38 minutes, 2 minutes below what I expected.... so I'm pleased... but it was so, so, so, painful. When I was doing the run my legs were in so much pain I couldn't believe it: it felt as though my bum had been clamped in a vice and the screw slowly turned, and turned, and turned.... and turned and turned. It truly was more painful than anything I've done for a very long time, which was a surprise as it was the shortest distance triatholn they do... never mind, I just won't bother doing another one!

Anyway, since then I've picked up on the cycling quite a bit, which is a good job really I suppose as now, as I'm about to eventually publish this post, there is less than two weeks until we set off on the bike ride!!! Tony and I have been out quite a few times recently, it doesn't help that I'm working three days a week just outside Dover and so can't get out on the bike then.

I loaded the panniers with three glass blocks each side around three weeks ago. Each block weighs 2.5 Kg so I'm carrying 15kg (around 2.5 Stones) on the back of the bike and my legs can certianly feel the difference. We've also upped the mileage, I've been doing 30 to 40 miles at least once a week and getting at least three rides in (some of them only 10 miles) every week. It's now all about getting the legs used to pulling lots of weight day after day, after day: I did 20 miles today and am planning to do at least 30 tomorrow and 40 on Sunday, then next weekend - the last one before we set off - the current plan is to do 20, 30, 50, 40. Well, that's the plan anyway!

The reason I've been saying 'I', 'I', 'I' over the last couple of paragraphs is that Tony is on holiday in Spain at the moment so we've not been out together for a little while.... I'm sure it will all come together!!

Actually, I'm really pleased. I got home last night to find my copy of Cycle magazine on the doormat. It's the magazine of the CTC - Cycle Touring Club of Britain - and it had a fantastic raving review of the book... I'm recommended by a nationally distributed magazine!!