The simple stuff

The past few days have been topsy turvy as I drive around the countryside (legacy trips from before I took the job in Norfolk), and some lessons on the simple stuff have come up.

I spent Saturday and Sunday riding with a group of a Tour de Forcers in Kent (near Ashdown Forest). On Saturday evening former professional rider and director sportif (cycle team manager) Sean Yates came and talked us (rode in 14 Tour de France, and was DS in the initial years of Team Sky, presiding over Bradley Wiggins tour victory). Along with some anecdotes about being a cyclist and DS he offered up some training advice for the hills. Lose weight. When pushed on some specific training strategies, the advice: lose weight. Plus stay hydrated and get as much rest as possible.

Then on Monday night I had a sports massage. Or 1.5 hours of being (deservedly) berated for my lack of muscle condition, accompanied by sports massage, depending on your perspective. I was under the impression that I just had some chubbiness covering up a ripped physique, but turns out no.

So, the good news is that I still have enough time for some new habits to make a difference to my race in Hawaii, and the Tour. None of this is rocket science, but its the stuff that is the first part of your training to go to the wayside when you get busy.

The simple stuff:

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

2. Take recovery seriously.

3. The less weight you're carrying the better I'll cope with (and maybe even enjoy) the hills.

4. Core work and strength work will help guard against injury and better my performance (and make me ripped.