..the mileage that is. 25 today on the bike, just under 2 hours non stop. Ian reckons on cycling in three hour stints, so got a lot more work to do yet. Another session with the chiropracter in the afternoon, reassembling my bones. Not as painful as the last time, fortunately, but lots of ‘adjustments’ still required. Back again in a fortnight…..

Looking at the route, was wondering whether we should add in detours to Ben Nevis, Scaffell Pike & Snowdon?. What do you reckon guys?
On the basis that any upward slope currently has me reaching for an oxygen mask, that might be a tad too challenging….
21 miles on the bike today, quite tough as it was more than just a bit breezy, but averaged 13mph so quite satisfied. Hope to get some more mapping done later.

 Bit tight for time with domestic responsibilities, but squeezed in 12 miles on the bike. Still aching quite a bit, but hopefully manage further tomorrow…..

…well thats my excuse for 2 more ‘rest days’. I did ache a lot, so I’m not sure that running last Thursday was such a good idea. Hopefully that was just coincidence. Anyway the rain and gales had abated this morning (Sunday) and the sun was shining so I set off on my bike for a gentle jaunt. 17 uneventful miles round local lanes at an average 12.7 mph. Hopefully the sort of pace we’ll maintain during the trip. Just got to go 6 times as far( every day)  without slowing down then, eh?. Hmmmm……..

Taken me a week since getting the OK ,to pluck up courage and attempt a run. Almost 14 months since my back went after a run, and it showed! Following instructions I ran 2 mins, walked 2 mins, ran again etc.. Once I’d mastered the one leg in front of the other thing, it went OK. 2 mins at a time was plenty…. So far so good, the back doesn’t ache any more than it did beforehand.

24mins running, 22 mins walking, 4 miles in total 

…and time to get back on the bike after a 5 day break. Seemed to have lots of aches and pains after the last chiropracter session and had somehow strained my chest. Must have overdone the ‘dead bug’ exercise!. A nice steady 16 miles on Tuesday got the legs going and made me feel a bit better.

On Wednesday went for a bit more. Attached the bottle carrier and a flask of coffee to my bike and set off for Wickham and the Meon Valley Railway track. A bit chilly, but fairly pleasant when I left. Several hours later, arrived back home, frozen stiff and plastered from head to toe in mud! Knew there was a likelihood of ‘drizzle’ later on, but hoped to beat it. I didn’t!. I hadn’t banked on the hail & sleet though…….

Still, 35 miles on the training log.  The thought of doing 3 times that distance daily for nearly a fortnight is starting to seem pretty scary!

As David worked so hard, I felt it necessary to balance things out a bit by doing precisely zero training. the excuses are having to wait in for a parcel delivery and numerous aches and pains from yesterdays chiropracter session. As compensation I walked 3 miles tonight (to the pub & back, train crew reunion…..) but don’t suppose that really counts?

Swimming today, 53 lengths was more than enough…. Chiropracter in the afternoon went quite well. She still crunched bones in my thoracic (ouch) but coming on fine. Got the OK to start running again. 2 mins run, 2 mins walk etc. etc but its a start. Guess I ought to return my Marathon entry…………

New week, new challenge. Time to get the bike out again.

Sunday was usual jaunt down to the coast at Titchfield Haven, have a rest and cycle back. Hadn’t realised how strong the winds were though. Unusually they were northerlies, seemed very odd to arrive at the coast with the wind ripping out to sea. Also meant that cycling back it was often straight into the wind. Had a couple of virtually stationary moments.

Monday similar route, adding a bit and staying on roads, without the stop at the coast. Also took out my GPS to test it. Had a problem after 9 miles when a pedal started to fall off! Well, the pedal crank actually, had come loose. Without a large allen key to hand, had to shove the crank back on and tighten the screw with my finger. Needless to say had to stop every half mile or so and repeat the process. 13.5 miles.

Tuesday had no bike problems so repeated yesterdays route with a small loop added on to make it 14 miles. My GPS told me that I can do 25mph (downhill!), we shouldn’t reallistically anticipate an average speed of more than 13mph. And I slowed so much after 10 miles that the thought of doing over 100 miles a day is quite scary……..

……… I didn’t even get on my bike! However I did go swimming Tues, Weds, Thurs & Friday. Managed 50 lengths most days, which to a decent swimmer is probably childs play. I however, despite enjoying swimming, am lacking a bit in the technique department. Quite an explosive front crawl if I put my mind to it……… which leaves me desperately in need of an oxygen tank at the end of a single length!. My breaststroke is worse, I can’t seem able to kick like a frog and coordinating the arm & leg stroke is beyond me. I can just about keep up with the silver haired ladies who cruise up and down without getting their hair wet. Mind you, they turn round and go straight back at the end of each length, whilst I still require a breather!

However, it seems to have done me some good. No training Saturday, spent a few hours stripping floor boards out of the in-laws loft and my back held up fine.