Started Growing

At long last I have started some real growing, sown quite a few seeds in the greenhouse this week as well as tidying up the plot ready for Spring to really kick in, also put my first early potatos in as well this week.

First seeds sown for 2010

Straightening up the plot


Map of Inham Nook Allotments (Plot 71 nr bottom right corner)

The kids will be on the plot over the next couple of weeks sowing seeds and planting their beds up, will blog on their little parcels of land too :)

Tuesday 23rd March *Road*

What started out as a quick 30 miler turned into a 50 mile ride with a PB, headed out through Kegworth and took the Lount route through Staunton Harold and up my old friend Heath Lane, it's been a while since Heath Lane and I met and it has not got any easier, I would compare it with Drum Hill (not sure of the stats) I made it up of course. Then headed into Ticknal onto the usual training route and home. Hit the 50 mile mark at 2 hrs 56 mins & 51 seconds, over two minutes off my previous best.

One other milestone almost reached, the Trek is now 998 miles old.




Distance = 50.6 miles
Time = 2 hrs 59 mins
Ave Speed = 16.9 mph
Top Speed = 40.0 mph
Hillometer = 16.9 ft/mile
Heart Rate High = 183
Heart Rate Ave = 144
Weather = Sunny Spells, 11c

2010
MTB = 73.3
Road Bike = 413.8
Total Mileage = 487.1

c2c

Just called my Dad, rooms are booked and route planned for 2 day c2c in July, it's really happening now, just got to keep training and building up to the big ride.

Sponsorship is starting to come in already, visit http://www.justgiving.com/liamscoasttocoast if you want to donate anything, every pound is appreciated.

10 mile TT Wednesday 17th March *Road*

Had a go at the clubs new 10 mile TT course this afternoon, took a steady ride out there and one steady lap of the 5 mile course before a quick breather and then 31 minutes of punishment (OK I did ease up a couple of times, I had to...) and then a brisk ride home.

Was disappointed not to crack the half hour mark but 31:21 gives me something to aim at. TT is not on the agenda this year really as I need to build up distance rather than maintain 'balls out' for 30+ minutes. I'll have a go every few weeks and see what happens.

Over 100 miles in a week for the first time this year too, must keep it up.



Click above to view TT Course

Distance = 38.1 miles (Inc 10 mile TT)
Time = 2 hrs 14 mins
Ave Speed = 17.0 mph
Top Speed = 32.7 mph
Hillometer = N/A
Heart Rate High = 188
Heart Rate Ave = 150
Weather = Sunny Spells, 11c

2010
MTB = 73.3
Road Bike = 363.2
Total Mileage = 436.5

Monday 15th March *Road*

Flippin heck, that streched the legs, I write this the day after and the legs and lower back still ache, 64 miles at a good pace was hard work, my longest ride yet and my first over the 100K mark.

I was joined by Mike W of Beeston CC for the ride who kept me at a good pace and provided good cover as we took turns to lead into the stiff westerly breeze on the outbound journey. I particularly enjoyed the long downward road from Rangemore to Barton, clocking 40mph and keeping above 30 for over a mile. The ride home was brisk with afore mentioned breeze pushing us home. Thoroughly enjoyed the ride, it was a real step towards 2010's first goal for me, a 110k Audax next month.





Distance = 64.3 miles
Time = 4 hrs 03 mins
Ave Speed = 15.8 mph
Top Speed = 40.6 mph
Hillometer = 17.5 ft/mile
Heart Rate High = 168
Heart Rate Ave = 134
Weather = Sunny Spells, 10c

2010
MTB = 73.3
Road Bike = 325.1
Total Mileage = 398.4

Done with digging!

All areas have now been dug :) it's took a couple of afternoons a week for 16 weeks but we are finaly there, and in time for spring too, still lots of jobs to do of course but at least now I can look forward to getting some planting done.

Tuesday 9th March *Road* - Hilly Route

After abandoning a couple of weeks ago due to ill health I had another go at the clubs hilly route today, I can now say Ive made it up Cloves Hill & Drum Hill. Both have a nasty little kick to them but I just kept my head down, deap breaths and I made it..... with a little left in the tank dare I say. Legs feel as thought they have done more than 33 miles though so they must have had a good workout.

I shall try to work this into my 'training' at least once a fortnight, possibly weekly.



Distance = 33.4 miles
Time = 2 hrs 22 mins
Ave Speed = 14.1 mph
Top Speed = 35.2 mph
Hillometer = 38.4 ft/mile
Heart Rate High = 196
Heart Rate Ave = 141
Weather = Cloudy, 6c

2010
MTB = 73.3
Road Bike = 260.8
Total Mileage = 334.1

Sunday 7th March *Road*

After last weeks abandon I needed to get some miles done today, I was joined by Tim H and Andy B from Beeston CC for what was a cracking ride, the weather was first class if a little cold early on. Andy and Tim kept me at a respectable pace, which is probably what I needed, 16.2 mph average is more than I was expecting today, if it wernt for those pesky hills we'd have cleared an ave of 17mph I reckon, but with the c2c on the agenda this year there's no point avoiding those hills.

It was good to get the first '50' under my belt for 2010, onwards and upwards now, I have a 110k Audax in April to do so that's the next target and there there is the small matter of my first 100 mile ride in June before the c2c in July.




Distance = 53.0 miles
Time = 3 hrs 15 mins
Ave Speed = 16.2 mph
Top Speed = 36.0 mph
Hillometer = 12.4 ft/mile
Heart Rate High = 174
Heart Rate Ave = 136
Weather = Sunny, 4c

2010
MTB = 73.3
Road Bike = 227.4
Total Mileage = 300.7

Big beds done!

At last, the fourth and final main bed is done, just got the kids patched to sort now, before tidying all the edges up and getting some planting done.

Fourth bed done at last! (notice my little helper digging his own plot)

As well as blagging some slabs the other day for the plot I have been fortunate enough to find someone who wants rid of a load of bricks, things are starting to come together on Plot 71.

Tuesday 2nd March *Road*

Joined Beeston CC's chaingang last night, wow! I don't think I discraced myself but there was definately room for improvement, it did prove to be a rude awakening though, shows just how much I need to work on maintaining a constant effort, a few TT's may be in order to work on this.

I just about managed to hang on to the gang a couple of times where as some points I felt I wanted to push on??? All in all though I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and the company.



Distance = 19.2 miles
Time = 1 hrs 7 mins
Ave Speed = 17.3 mph
Top Speed = 38.0 mph
Hillometer = 18.3 ft/mile
Heart Rate High = 185
Heart Rate Ave = 146
Weather = Overcast, 1c

2010
MTB = 73.3
Road Bike = 174.4
Total Mileage = 247.7

Weather looking up?

Well it's been long overdue but are we starting to see the first signs of spring? A stunning day today, almost wall to wall sunshine, took advantage and spent the best part of the day on the plot, got half of the last bed dug over and some downpipes on the greenhouse guttering.

Last main bed 1/2 way there

Sunday 28th Februaury *Road*

A bad ride for me today, I was planning on a 50 miler around Loughborough yesterday, rode to the meeting point point and unsurprisingly due to cold weather and poor forcast no one was there to meet me, so I headed out on a shorter route incorporating the clubs 'Hilly route'

Didn't feel great at the start but after the first two hills my condition went downhill fast, I felt awful, weak drained and sick so decided to take the flatest route home, it was the worst hour I've ever experienced on a bike.

I now need to look at my preperation before a ride, I have been eating porridge which os a slow energy releaser so not great for the first hour or so of a ride, but thats never really bothered me before, I carry gels and a protien drink so can top myself up when out. I've an idea it could be the wine consumed the night before (as I do most Saturday nights) so I'll knock that on the head next week. Of course I could have simply been 'under par' yesterday, but there's nothing wrong with a bit of 'prep' work is there.





Distance = 26.7 miles
Time = 1 hrs 59 mins
Ave Speed = 13.4 mph
Top Speed = 30.8 mph
Hillometer = 25.9 ft/mile
Heart Rate High = 183
Heart Rate Ave = 130
Weather = Overcast, 2c

2010
MTB = 73.3
Road Bike = 155.5
Total Mileage = 228.8

Out with Beeston CC's chaingaing tomorrow night for the first time, although I'll be with the 'slower' group I hope I dont disgrace myself.