Happy New Year 2009

Probably not a regime followed by most professional cyclists but after an eleven day lay-off, I went out on New Year's Day for a short training run. Did not feel good. This was probably due to the horrendous diet over Christmas and New Year but I suppose it will give me something to burn off. I am currently sitting at 74kg. I think Alberto Contador's weight is a bit too ambitious (he's the same height as me and weighs 62kg) but I think 68kg is achievable by mid-July. It is essential that calorie deficit is sustained and steady eg 500kcal deficit per day rather than starve/ binge. It is important to keep muscle mass as this is what propels one up the hills. Adipose tissue is, on the whole, ballast but some body fat is essential to life.

On 2nd and 4th January, I did 40 miles each day. The first on my own and the second with the lads . Feeling pretty fine today and hoping to start longer runs and "speed work" soon.