Well February was meant to be the month that I started training in earnest after skiing. That didn’t exactly go to plan. I returned from Switzerland with a bad cold, that wouldn’t be the only time this month to be affected by illness as I got another cold later in the month.
None of this was helped either by the weather, which proved to be miserably cold and snowy. I know some of the other riders made it out these days and the phrase “man up” comes to mind but I did find it difficult to motivate myself to go out, not enjoy my riding, then return home not able to feel my hands and feet.
The one good ride I did have was with Trevor Laffin, another Tour de Force ‘lifer’. Trevor has become a good friend and gives me lots of advice and encouragement, both of which I need a lot of. Trevor showed me some nice roads in East Lothian, giving me my first 100km ride. It was an eye-opener! Due to my inexperience I did not fuel properly before and during the ride and had my first experience of totally running out of energy. Fortunately some Jelly Babies saw me complete the ride. It did however take us over 5 hours to do a ride that Trevor reckoned should take 4-4.5hrs. This shocked me and showed just how much work I had to do.
Much of the month was spent spinning at Lifescycle in Edinburgh. Trevor advised me to give it a go and I’m glad I did, it made a huge difference both in fitness and how I approach my rides. Thanks to Andy, Jeannie, Josh and Zara.