Back in the game

I'm now back down the gym once a week and have signed back up to the standard Budd training plan of "go to the gym when it's raining and go for a ride when it isn't".  I'm back to where I was at the middle of last summer in terms of fitness, which is reassuring given the calendar of fairly bonkers races I'm entered in this year.  Today was a good first test of the lungs, legs and motivation and in the sunshine over Frith Hill, I absolutely loved it!  It was great to be able to attack on the hills again and keep motoring through the trails.  The course was really fun; despite the heavy rain on Thursday it was mainly dry (Ralphs were fine) nicely flowing and there were some really great sprinty hills to open the legs up a bit.  I really noticed the new Absolute Black oval ring on the power climbs and out of corners.  It's the first race I've done on an egg ring - can't quite believe it's taken me this long to try one.  The benefits on any what I'd describe as "smashy" bits are really noticeable.  You know - when you just stamp on the pedals and get on with it.

The race itself was a bit lonely; Will disappeared, Pybus was dangling a minute or so ahead and Jody the same behind, so it was a very tiring kind of lonely.  I felt back to normal in terms of motivation (until the winter series, I don't remember the last time I didn't finish a race) and the result was a solid 3rd place in a good quality field.  So all in all, very encouraging for the forthcoming season.

Next weekend is Battle on the Beach at Pembrey.  I've promised Matt I'll pay attention better on the first lap this year and try not to miss the break this time.  Given the increasingly stacked field, I'll be happy with top 10 again.  I might even miss the usual 4hrs round Afan the day before this year, you never know.  However this is likely to just be replaced by 5hrs round the Surrey hills before I leave on Saturday morning instead.

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