Today was my first Sunday morning in a long time. Last week was puppy sitting, the week before was Tokyo Marathon, the weeks before then were running or raining.

I got the puppies weighed and checked before 6:30, had the bike ready by 7 and was at the start right on time at 7:30. My thighs were sore from a new exercise routine though and felt like I’d been on the Tokyo Marathon again. On Friday night while in the hot bath I decided to do 500 Hindu squats. I only got to 100 as the water was hot and I was feeling dizzy. The water in the bath was about half way up my shins while standing and I’d squat down till a dangling appendage hit the water. I bit like a mini bungee jump by 100. I may make this a regular bath time ritual if I can see an improvement from it. Certainly cause my thighs to be lactic this morning.

As usual, up the river to Shinzakya, photo shoot, team selection, sprint back to the start. I almost went in the fast group but due to no breakfast, no pocket money on me for refill drinks and only one bottle of water I went in group two. They were fast enough and at about the 8km mark I pulled off and let them go on without me. My heart rate was up around 180 and didn’t feel too hard but I’d prefer to be beating these guys with a heart rate lower than 165 so I’ll wait till I’m stronger. Still need a bit more saddle time to go full on and a bit of breakfast wouldn’t go astray. One reason to be starving myself today is my annual work medical is on tomorrow and I’d like to weigh in a lot lower than I did a year ago. I think the scals will show at least an 8 or 9kg drop from exactly a year ago. That should deserve some METABO award from the government in the form of huge amounts of cash.

After training the thought of 6 lonely puppies had me pedaling hard into the headwind and I was home in record time. Love these puppies. So far we have 3 people interested in making them a home. I’m sure it will be hard to part with them. The smallest one we’ve nicknamed Sky is tiny but smart. He’s all over the place and thinking. Always first to do something clever. First to take a bog properly, first to test taste the puppy food (not ready to give it to them daily yet just get them used to the smell). Looks like they are already to start eating. After Sky had a bit they all wanted some.

I may be adding in 2 extra trainings starting Tuesday. 5:20 a.m about 8kms from here. If they don’t get the weight off and have me flying faster than ever, I should retire and become a dog breeder…

Going to put my fast wheels on again soon too…