BACK IN BLIGHTY

Decent journey home; cracked on with some Admin etc and now off for a weekend with my (huge) family down in Exmouth. Will swim at Ellingham and ride a bit before we go and then hopefully get in a couple of quality runs on the coastal path!

The weather in Bourg stayed changeable.....chapeau to the guys who did the triathlons there after we left. Snow faling daily on the high ground!!! Stopped off in the Vosges on our way home. Main purpose was to stock up with Alsace wine!!! but also took in my favourite ride of all with loads of climbing and views across the Black Forest, The Jura and right down to the Alps. On a really clear day you can make out Mont Blanc........stunning and very quiet!!!!

My hand is still extremely sore and will have to get checked out properly after 7in7. Swimming has, therefore, been kept to a sensible level (in my case very little!!) but hey, I never could swim too quickly anyway!!

Popped into Primera today where Alex had a nice new pair of Cycling shoes waiting.......thanks to Spesh!! and picked up a few more essentials. Not sure I've ever pointed out just how much support Primera have given me (personally) and our events over (many) years.......so thanks, guys!!!

Got so excited I forgot to pick up any new cleats!!!

Must start getting comfortable on Joanne's TT bike over thee next week, although I'll probably ride my road bike for some of the days to look after my aging back.

Getting excited about the week now. Fantastic to be attempting something outside normal comfort levels.

Have thoroughly enjoyed trying to get fit(ish) without the pressure of a race at the end of the process. Chuffed with myself for not getting "over excited" and have just kept things in perspective.

Back to those apposite words from (the great) Judie Tzuke: "With the moonlight to guide you feel the joy of being alive: the moment you stop running is the moment you'll arrive.................................stop chasing shadows, just enjoy the ride!!!!!

More thoughts next week I guess.