Champions of Cyclosport event and challenges ahead

After a hectic day at work on Thursday I managed to find a couple of hours prior to the charity cycle event at the Hurlingham Club and decided to take an easy run from Putney to Kingston via Richmond Park. I started in the light but it was dark by the time I was half way through Richmond Park. Managed to see a few deer but then I was simply pleased not to lose the No.4 cycle route, which I was following to Kingston. Approx. 10 miles covered in about 1:30 - relatively easy pace, enjoying a different route and catching up with my podcasts. On reaching Kingston I found Sigma Sport, which was my chosen destination, and spent 10-15 mins looking round the large specialist road cycling / triathlon shop over 2 floors, before turning back to Putney, this time on the train.

A quick shower at the hotel, on with the dinner suit and black tie, before meeting up with my work colleagues for the Champions of Cyclesport charity event at the Hurlingham Club. Great to see some of the big names in the sport and also catch up with friends, fellow cyclists and sport celebrities - Geoff Thomas and Sonia O'Sullivan.

I cycled with Geoff in the London 2 Paris 2011 charity bike ride and am fortunate enough to be asked to be part of the team for 2013. Geoff is truly inspirational and it was great to hear of his goal for 2015, completing the Tour de France route, 10 years after his first attempt, continuing to raise both the profile and important funds for the Leukaemia and Lymphoma charity. We even discussed a 2014 challenge cycling around the 40 Brewin Dolphin offices as a fundraising effort for our new Company charity, a seriously long way! So lots to think about for future years, combining some great cycling challenges with very worthwhile causes.

After the 10 mile run on Thursday I took Friday as a rest day. Saturday back in the pool for the Club swim, Sunday another run but only 45 mins. Monday more rest (try not to make that too much of a habit). Good strength session tonight, about an hour, including some high cadence cycling on the turbo, weights, lunges, squats, step-ups and ab exercises (various sit-ups demonstrated via an iPad app). Tomorrow I have another run planned in the morning and the longer Club swim in the evening.

Now getting a clearer idea of my races and dates for next season - more on the later.

Happy training!