The Maiden Voyage

The "on loan" 1950s racing bike has had a new seat post, a new saddle, newly lubed up bearings in the front wheel, a whole lot of gunk removed from the chain and some tinkering with the brakes and gears; £6.99 (eBay).

Using it to beat my initial mountain bike 20km cycle time by over 4 and a half minutes; priceless!

Technically, it was a hilly 20.8km course completed in 41 minutes 03 seconds, which equals a pro rata 39 minutes and 28 seconds over 20km. But a flat course should see the total time decrease slightly further, as will more practice.

Coupled with the new personal best run time of 28 minutes and 40 seconds over my usual hilly "off road" course and my improved swim time approaching 13 minutes, The Editor is becoming increasingly outwardly concerned. However, inwardly I suspect it is also having the positive side effect of enhancing motivation for his two least favourite component parts of the Triathlon.

However, if the same age and weight related handicapping used in the 2000m Concept 2 rowing challenge was carried over to "The Event", I wouldn't be in the running, so to speak.

Current weight is 15 stones exactly (210 pounds / 95.3 kg).

Concept 2 makes me sick

This month's gym challenge is a timed 2km dash on the Concept 2 rowing machine. Sounds simple, but it's the most physically demanding 7 minutes of my life. Everything aches during and afterwards. It's the closest I've come to being physically sick without the prior enjoyment of 10 pints plus.

My first posted time without any rowing practice for months is 6 minutes and 57 seconds, which incidentally is 1 second slower than my previous best acheived during my last fitness burst in 2005 when I weighed in at over 18 and half stones. I reckon I can knock off a few seconds during the next go.

Current weight is not disclosed due to massive overdoses of beer at the weekend.