LEJOG Training Update – Part 1 of 2

It has been just over two months since my post rounding up a running-focused training block, which culminated in a PB at Hastings Half Marathon.

I then had a duathlon on the Sunday, where I came third!, took a few days off/easy, then my training for Land’s End to John O’Groats began on April Fools’ Day. (Make of that what you will!)

Check out the average speed...

Having set a marker of where my fitness on the bike lay, after months of predominantly focusing on running and only cycling a few times a week, the plan was essentially to cycle as many miles as I could in preparation for Lejog.

My second-ever 200 mile week!

There were a few long and/or hard rides in this four-week period, but none that I am more proud of than this:

20mph for almost four hours!

Averaging 20mph has been in my mind since I started cycling. There are a boatload of factors that affect average speed, but 20mph can be thought as a great intermediate goal; initially it was for one hour, and I did that. Then two, and I did that. Then I thought, whilst dogsitting for my parents down in Hastings, why not have a tilt at a fairly flat 70+ mile ride taking in the majority of the south-east (that's how it felt!).

The easterly wind (blowing from the east) was fantastic in that Rye to Pevensey stretch (the hilly middle portion), but left me with 15 miles of block headwind along the coast, with nowhere to hide, and an ascent of Old London Road to finish. I can't tell you how happy I was to press the "Save Ride" button atop that hill, with 20.2mph average speed showing on my Garmin.

With everything I achieved in running over the winter I was keen to ensure that I didn't let it all go to waste. I managed to maintain my "cycling legs" by riding 2-3 times a week, with one weekly long, social ride with a mate.

Running very much on the back burner!

The first time I rode >200 miles in a week, back in late March/early April 2017, I took the next week super easy, and didn't do more than 150 miles in a week until October. It really affected me physically, but also psychologically. In all honesty I was probably a little burned out, having only just started regularly cycling and running.

With that in mind I approached the following weeks with my previous experience in the back of my mind, but keen to push on through the inevitable fatigue as I knew there'd be no let up while traversing the country!

200 mile weeks - like London buses!

As you can see the 30 APR - 6 MAY week was quiet with only(!) 98 miles cycled. I purposefully made this a "down week" to 1) give myself a break, and 2) use it as a mini-taper for a 25 mile TT that I had entered.

Absolutely trucking on my little £100 Gumtree bike

The sub-heading in the picture tells the story - I just couldn't get comfortable. I had been having saddle issues causing me to ride with a very sore perineum (stop sniggering medical folk!). Before I started training seriously for this charity ride I wasn't sure if I would have the legs. Now, deep into training, I'm confident I do - and will - have them. With enough training anybody can do this. Yet, to put it bluntly, a sore arse is something that cannot be worked around. Fortunately, I have since picked up a saddle from Handsome Bicycles in Hastings, with a bit cut of the middle which has provided a marked improvement in comfort. Fingers crossed!

Running more regularly

The second half of this block saw me running much more frequently. Whilst I have enjoyed cycling, it has become repetitive at times, and sometimes its nice to just put a pair of trainers on and go out for a jog, listening to a podcast or music, and switching off mentally. Those are two things I would never do on the bike, for obvious safety reasons.

Summary
At the time of writing this I have 45 days until I board the train for Penzance. I could not be happier with my current level of fitness; it's simply a case of keep on keeping on from now until the beginning of the trip.

A few numbers for my fellow geeks: Since April I've cycled 1,339 miles taking 3 days 5 hours and 16 minutes, climbing 62,946 feet. Nifty.

If you aren't aware of the reason for this trip, or would like to donate, please click here.