SoloSzabi

Tenerife camp - short resume

2012-01-25T21:59:00.002Z

We landed 00:05 on Gatwick airport on Monday morning. I had great 2 weeks training on Tenerife. I managed to do one of my hardest training camp ever. Basically I rode off my socks!

Tenerife training camp - week 1 - quick update

2012-01-16T13:01:00.002Z

Just a quick update! I try to spend a less as possible time front of my computer! :)

First week is gone already! Time is flying here. I have to say nearly everything went well, except couple of bits and pieces.

Sunshine... 21 degrees....

2012-01-08T08:15:00.000Z

Sunshine and 21 degrees.... these are the parameters in Tenerife at the moment.

Happy new year to all!

2012-01-01T15:58:00.002Z

First of all, I would like to wish a happy new year to all!!!

Yep, we are in 2012! Big dream, big plans and lots of ambition.

New toys... Garmin Edge 800 and Suunto Memory belt

2011-12-30T20:44:00.000Z

My old Garmin 705 gave up last week. I managed to fix it partly but the mapping system still doesn't wanna work. I can upload any pre-made route plan, 705 put my 190k Oxford loop on the screen all the time. I was a bit afraid to get bored easily with this lap, I decided to make some update on my training partner. 705 worked 4 years for me, he did the job! RIP!

Rapha 500... only once! - Part 1

2011-12-29T22:50:00.003Z

Oh well, big plan, good start and early finish! That is how I can describe my Rapha 500 twice plan. My coach was a bit sceptic from the beginning, because I had lots of training during the last 3 weeks and he was planning to have a rest week for me. Everything went well at the beginning, but around Xmas and Boxing day my sleep and rest were not right and my form started to go a bit pear shape. Nothing serious, but my coach pulled the brake and told me to STOP. I can't take any risk, because my first training camp is coming up in 10 days time. No point to go away with some cold or over training and can't enjoy my "holiday"! But no real reason for moaning, I had enough fun and some great ride in this 5 days.

Rapha Festive 500..... twice?

2011-12-22T22:29:00.000Z

New sponsorships and long rides

2011-12-19T21:41:00.001Z

Last two weeks.... Well, they were not quite. For starter, two weekends ago I moved house. It was a bit draft idea to ride nearly 5 hours and finish off my training 1,5 hours before the moving started. Anyway, I am over on it now, I live the doorstep of Richmond park and 5 minutes from work and my cat is overly happy with the bigger space. It was a bit hard to concentrate to recovery and packing out in the same time...

Read more »

KASK

2011-12-06T20:00:00.000Z

Well, you know already, KASK helmets are going to protect my head in the future. I received sponsorship from KASK's UK distributor, Velo Brands. This guys have other great brands on board as well, like RH+ , Chapeau, Juicy Lube and Cyfac. Take a look on Velo Brands's website! The sponsorship includes 2 KASK Vertigo top of the range helmets.

New sponsorships on board!

2011-12-06T14:24:00.001Z

I have some very exciting news! I got two new sponsorships during last week!

The first one is KASK by Velo Brands. I received two top of the range KASK Vertigo helmets in Lime/White colour and a tub of Chapeau chamois cream for try. I started to use one of the helmet immediately and I am going to share my thought about it soon.

The other sponsor is GOOD Hemp Nutrition, who is going to supply me with vegan protein during the next season. I am just waiting my delivery at the moment from this guys.

I finished of November's last weekend with a 140k Sunday ride. I rode out to Box hill on a longer way then my usual and I came back via Virginia Water and Windsor. It was a great ride and stunning weather!

Last week I had an easy rest week, with very little ride and lots of sleep, but since this morning I am back on the hard training. I am still off from running, left glut area is still sore.

Keep moving! I am going to come back with more information about my sponsors ASAP!

Busy days..

2011-11-25T15:29:00.000Z

Wohooo, I am here again!

I had 9 busy days since my last post.

Training is going well as usual. I had a good and productive last week and I have a bit easier plan for this week. Only one small annoying thing... I have to take a break from running for couple of weeks. My left ITB/TFL combo started to play up a bit and I try to prevent any damage. Mr SuppleWorX works hard on the problem and thanks for Martin's magic hand and RockTape UK, my left butt section is better day to day. Poor Martin couldn't fold and massage me enough in the last couple of sessions...my muscles have a grumpy days.. may be I should stretch a bit more?!

Read more »

After a while...

2011-11-16T14:35:00.000Z

Hey ho!

I know, I know... I've been a bad boy.....

I haven't done anything with this blog in the last 3 months. Well... I wasn't really in the blogging mood and I had better things to do then writing about nonsense. But, now it HAS to change and I am going to update it at least on weakly basis.

Let see what happened in the last 3 months....

- my english definitely didn't get better (in case you were annoyed already with my poor english, STOP reading now and change page!!!)

- I had a very good rest month in September and I started to train properly again from beginning of October! Hurra! It means I am back in the saddle again!

- I made my first entry for a next season 24 hour solo race!

- I continuously fiddled around with my diet... nearly perfect... nearly!

- I've been in Hungary to visit family and friends and I had a good time and lots of fun

- I got sponsorships! Yes, sponsorships!!! More... couple... couple of very good and useful one.

The actual list here, but I am going explain everything in my next post!

- Green Serpentine Kft.

- SuppleWorX

- NavMii

- Personal Bikefit

And some other ones on my plate, we just have to finalise details!

Well, that's all at the moment! So far so good everything. Training is going very well, my FTP improved 10% in 3 weeks and I am going to be freacking strong in next season!

I am off now to see Smashing Pumpkins! Keep looking, more is coming soon!

Passed exam and other bits...

2011-08-25T07:52:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone!

I haven't posted anything nearly 3 weeks ago. I had couple of hard days, a gym instructor exam and lots of fun over the last 20 days. Let see it in nutshell!

Read more »

London in the summer time...

2011-08-06T11:54:00.001+01:00

The name of the post is a phrase from Red Hot's Emit Remmus song! It is a wicked song and I am going to listen Red Hot in LIVE! :) Oh yeh, big Red Hot has a concert in London 3 months time and I have ticket! :)

But this phrase is actual now!
We have some summer feeling here...
Read more »

Vibram Five Fingers- first ride

2011-08-02T10:46:00.012+01:00

I surprised myself with a pair of Vibram Five Fingers Bikila couple of weeks ago. I didn't buy them just for running, I bought them for all rounder every day usage as well.

Read more »

Mavic Ksyrium SR, the perfect all rounder

2011-07-29T14:32:00.009+01:00

I think it is time to say something about my "new" Mavic wheels.

Reloaded

2011-07-25T18:35:00.004+01:00

The plastic surgery was successful and my new lover is lighter, faster and prettier then ever!

Read more »

School and exams week

2011-07-18T20:23:00.005+01:00

Ok, the beginning of the job is done. I am over 4 exams, 3 super intensive school days and a hefty stock check. It means I didn't have an off day since last Monday and I am going to work true this week. 12 days in the row!

I have to take a bit easy my training for a couple of days, I slightly over pushed myself in the last couple of weeks. I had a lots of study and not enough sleep, but I still did my 9-12 hours weeks. Last week was the hardest, I managed to do around 8,5 hours in 5 days. It doesn't sound to much, but if you pair this amount of training ( over 70k run, 100k cycling and couple of heavy gym sessions) with daily average 4 hours sleep, stress and exams, you can have some idea about the impact. Yesterday I felt my hips wanna fell off. I skipped my planed afternoon run and gym session, and I had some "feet up" time instead. I have to learn, when should I draw the line. I made this mistake enough time during the last two seasons, and now time to learn and understand!

Sunday morning 5:15, Richmond park

W. Cromwell road...

Chill out Sunday afternoon, swordfish steak with corn and Belgian beers..

I have couple of exciting news ( one is very exciting, but I can't really speak about it at the moment...) , I passed all my 4 exams during the weekend. I spent 3 days on the Gym Instructor course in Chiswick. My final level 2 exam is in 4 weeks time. Wowww.. time to pull up the socks again! Bring it on, personal trainer life is waiting for me! :)

My next season plan is started to be round and I have more and more information, sponsorship, help... but the time isn't here yet to talk about it!

Ok, I am off to a run now, here is couple of photos from the last few days!

Last two weeks in review

2011-07-11T22:40:00.015+01:00

Last two weeks were incredible busy, I didn't have time for everything... I didn't touch my blog as well. I am deeply in my PT study, school days and exams are coming up on this Friday. But I still had some fun during this two weeks. Because I still haven't got too much time, let see the last 14 days in pictures!

I made my first sushi

And I ate all...

I ran to work on last Saturday morning... easy 20k start for a day!

I received my new CompresSport gears! Thanks for CompresSport UK!

I cathed the moment with Hipstamatic

Bought a new PowerTap.... It means , I am back on the track soon!

Got one of the greatest present! Pink cable ends! :) (cheers Martin!)

I enjoyed some very nice coffee from Ecuador

I got my new Ipad 2! New toy... and it made study much easier!

I had an awesome Nicosian salad with real tuna steak from my lunch box

I been in Italy with Willier for 3 days. I rode lots of nice bike, like this Cento Uno XC.

I bought my first Vibram Five Fingers...

I built a DREAM bike! Vanilla Speedvagen

I lost a bit in the City of London... sometime good to feel how cool London is!

I had some watermelon during the 2 day long British summer...

And I rode more in Italy

On this brand new Willier 0.7

And touched Pantani's bike

And rode my new lover... Miss CAAD5 6.9(kg)

Picked up my 2012 racing rig! Oh yeh! (big thanks for Mr. Jago!)

And the numbers:
I attempted 50 anatomy online lessons
I studied around 30 hours
I did a lots of work....
Next all of this, I managed more then 18 hours training....
And I slept 5-6 hours every day (not a lot..)
And I had lots of fun!
Now, I am off to study a bit more... I will be back with more stuff beginning of next week!

Food food food... and some pink

2011-06-29T07:47:00.011+01:00

Since I finished my fruitarian diet, I try to get back normal. After my last Thursday jump out I started my new culinary journey. I try to put back some cooked food and meat just gradually in my diet, I have to get used to it. I had some minor digestion problem in the first few days, but now everything looks ok!

I was eating fruit and veg all day long on Friday, but I had some additional Honey Stinger protein bars. My body was craving so badly after protein, and it is still.... Adel and me decided to go out for a dinner Friday night. I found a very good looking little restaurant in Westfield. The place called Pho. It is an authentic Vietnamese restaurant and it sells freshly made noodle dishes. I had a massive bowl of wok fried rice noodle with chicken, prawn , lemongrass and peanut sauce (usually I don't eat peanut, but sometimes you need it...). Adel had some beef steak and meatball soup with a massive amount of rice pasta. And we shared couple of summer roll with peanut sauce. The meal was delicious and my body just sucked everything in. After a little chat we made our way to home, but on the way out I seen a Pret a Manger. I was craving after one particular Pret sandwich in a last few days. I walked in, when I just got told , tills are closed, sorry. I got a panic attack! :) I tried to buy a sandwich.... The manager was a nice guy and he just gave me the sandwich free! Wow! BTW, Pret has a freshness promise, the stuff what left over are going in the bin end of the day.

Light menu..

Bowl of love!

Pret rocks! OOOOOHHHHH YEEEEEE!

Saturday morning I headed out for a short run after 4 days full off from training. Legs were a bit stiff in the first couple of k, but end of the day I felt great! After work on the way home I popped in to see Martin and we finished of his new toy. He bought an old (okok not too old) Sigma carbon TT frame on Sigma's sale and we turned it for a single speed commuter monster. He did a rest of the job, I just had to swap over the crank from his other bike. It wasn't an easy process, removing alloy cup BB from a steal frame...thread is soaked in lock tight, but with some McGiver tricks we solved the problem. On the evening I dig myself in the kitchen and made some avocado stuffed sweet potato and turkey fajita. It was so good, but the too much

bell pepper blow up me like a air balloon.

Martin mobile

Avocado stuffed sweet potato with turkey fajita

But not just Martin has a new toy! I rebuilt my CAAD5 on last Thursday night. The bike got nearly everything new, just a frame, wheels and saddle stayed the same! Here is a photo and more details are coming soon.

My love...

One day later my new shoes turned up! Limited edition Rapha Condor Giro. Only made 600, mine one is a 471. I ordered it nearly 5 months ago... but worst the wait, it perfectly match my bikes colour!

Pimp high...

Sunday morning I taken out CAAD for a short ride. I just did easy 65k but I was very impressed with a bike. I changed couple of set ups and now it feels far better then before. I spent a rest of the Sunday with study, but I still had time for a little Whole Foods trip, meet with friends and a quick gym workout.

After the last month muscle mass loose, I decided to bulk back a little bit quickly. I pushed up my protein intake and I am going to do drop sessions in the next 4 weeks. I hope I can get back around 64,5-65kg quickly with a less as possible fat gain. From Monday my diet is still strictly clean again and I try to eat much raw as possible.

Monday was a madhouse, but a very very good day! I started a day with a little bike build for my friend. After I went to see MArtin , who played with my legs 2 hours and made my mood better. We had a good chat with him and his girlfriend Sue and I changed my world view! :) Cheers guys!

After the treatment we headed out to Look Mum No Hand for a lunch. We rode across the whole city, flow in the traffic! It was a great ride and I realized again, how cool is London, when you are see the things from the right angle... but, I have to buy a single speed ASAP! Because this trip also remembered me, why I hate to ride single speed riders, when I am on geared bike! Ehhh, it is suck!

Journey wasn't too long, but Martin managed to get a puncture with his super light (condom?!) inner tubes. No panic, mechanic on the board, we solved it in 5 minutes.

Great salad lunch in LMNH, and ride home. I had an other meeting in Barnes later on the day.

Look mum salad....

I went to see a new friend. We don't know each other long time ago, but hopefully it is beginning of the beautiful friendship...

Cut the long story short, a beer later I had a very very good sponsorship deal in my pocket for next season! I am neraly covered! I don't really want to share more details at the moment, but it looks a bloody fXXking big help! We finished the meeting with a nice dinner in Red Lion pub in Barnes. Hmm... I had some awesome lamb steak with salad!

Wollie Bollie bahhhh bahhhhh

Tuesday morning was a bit adventure. I went for an early run, I planed to run 13-14k, but I finished with nearly 19... I did a wrong turn on one place! :) The humidity and temperature were killer.

The last two days went quick and I am just finished with the pack in! I am off to Italy tomorrow morning for 3 days. I am going to see Willier's 2012 products launch! Stay tuned, keep looking, lots of interesting stuff is coming up!

30 days - end of my journey

2011-06-26T21:41:00.002+01:00

Well, I am done with my fruitarian journey. I was planing couple of more weeks end of last week, but I decided to pull out and switch back to normal diet. I finished off my 30th day on Thursday and I had normal cooked food and meet again on Friday night.

Why did I make this decision?

Lets see! First of all my body weight drastically dropped in this 30 days period. I didn't loose only body fat, I lost a fair bit of muscle mass as well. My weight went down from 63kg to 60,5 (that was the lowest one in the 30 days) and my body fat was 4.8% on last Monday! I consumed mad amount of calories every day (over 4000 kcal) and a ton of greens, but my body weight didn't settle. The first two week's energy rush and good mood started to change tiredness and lack of energy. After the 20th day I had to start use my alarm clock again, I wasn't able to wake up automatically anymore. I woken up 1 hour later every morning then my usual time and I still was tired and I didn't have a mood to do any exercise. My recovery was far slow, I had muscle soreness from any small amount of training. I cut my finger and it still didn't heal after 1,5 weeks! (usually it takes me 2-3 days). After the 25th day I was ready to jump out in any critical moment. I totally stopped training on the last 5 days, eat a mad amount of calories and try to keep up until the 30th day!

In the same time a tried to find the answer for my questions! I read every related topic on 30bananas a day forum and I explained my problems as well. I had lots of very very "clever" and interesting answer. Basically the weight I lost, it isn't muscle , it was just crap and excess water! Wowww.... I wasn't a particular muscular build in the lest 2 years but now I look like a 13 year old teenager boy... Oh, well, I see, my muscles were full with crap! OK!

I had a sport related question as well, about "How can you run any endurance event on LFHR diet and how many top athlete follow this diet?". Well... I got a good explanation from team (and religion) leader Durianrider, basically no really LFHR top athlete (except Mike Arnstein) because everybody is a drug addict and dooper and nobody bother to change his current diet. And the same time Durian started to polish himself and his "sport carrier". Well! How many race have you finished on the podium , mate? NONE!

I started to have a feeling , that something is a bit not right with this bunch of guys on the forum. Durian is well know about attacking other diet gurus publicly.... like Mark Sisson, who is one of the leader paleo/primal diet guru. I am follower of Mark's blog and I never ever seen any slag off and judging about other diets. Everybody has opinion and most of people can share it in diplomatic form.

Durian blame all diet gurus are ripping off the public and try to sell his own products the public and tell for people , what people wanna hear...

Well, dear Durian, how much is your monthly fee of your " lifestyle advice"???? $2000/month? About what? Telling people, eat bananas and drink water? Well.... I think this is a rip off!

Anyway, I don't give a flying shit for this guy and his plastic tits girlfriend (who talks about natural lifestyle...). I hope you will be responsible for somebodies death one day! Your attitude is CRAP! (please note, this is not related with 80/10/10 diet, it is all about Durian)

Ok, move on! I started to do deep research on fruitarian diet failures and I found lots of interesting info again! Most of the fruitarian , who stopped this diet after 3-5 years, when started to have deficit on certain nutrition, talk about cheating during the diet. That is explain how people can survive on this diet that long!

Usually tooth failures is very common problem and this people blame cooked food and diets before. I found some extreme case, when people lost teeth and thought it is all ok, because the body just detox out the bed teeth...

The B12 and D vitamin deficit are just coming out years later.

Anyway! I did my little proof and I learned a lots of new things, but I had to realised this diet can't work on long term. (definitely not for me!). My goal wasn't to switch 80/10/10 diet fully and live on forever, I just wanted to try out!

Very good feeling to be lean, but what does it worth, if you haven't got strength in the same time?!

You feel yourself incredible light and fast...but this feel is just temporally and will switch to tiredness and slow motion.

I think this diet is great for end of season detox, carry on it for couple of weeks with zero or very small amount of training. Eating lots of fruit can be very beneficial for your performance, but you have to find the right balance. Raw food is one of the best for you without any shadow, but you also need some cook food as well! I started to eat cooked food, meat and other whole foods again and my cut finger hailed in two days.......

I am eating everything what my body craves in the last 3 days. I had some "bad" stuff as well, but I am full back to my healthy diet in couple of days time. I try to get back most of my muscle mass and strength as soon as possible. And I am going to keep one full fruit day every week!

The banana with you! And bear in mind eat some nice tasty but less healthy stuff sometime, because sometime you have to enjoy life.....

Hurry up...

2011-06-20T22:09:00.009+01:00

My last week started very slowly but it turned to be fast lane after couple of days. First of all the weather was CRAP, thanks for Dave.... I was moaning about low temperatures on Wednesday afternoon, when Dave had a big speech about how lucky we are with dry weather and we shouldn't give a flying fXXk for low temp! Since this big clever talk I managed to get fully soaked at least once each day, basically it rains now EVERY day! Cheers mate! :)

Beginning of the week my black Sram Red rear mech's due date has changed again and went forward 5 more weeks. I had enough, I canceled the back order and I ordered the normal silver version, which turned up next day. I have everything on site now, I just have to manage find some time slot for my CAAD5's plastic surgery. I hope I can do it before weekend and I can test the new baby during the weekend.

I decided to speed up a bit my PT study and I started to make major effort on studying. Thanks for couple of really good friends I fly forward and get the necessary knowledge with incredible speed. I try to hurry up to finish of the school ASAP and my Gym Instructor exam is on middle of August! Hurra!

Mainly I ran last week and I just went out two times for a ride. I wasn't really in the riding mood during this "lovely" English summer rain period....

I did some speed workout during the week and I planed to run a race today but thanks for my weekend private gym course, the couple of shower I decided to don't do it. It is a trail race and I am not really in the mud swim mood..sorry.

I headed out for a 60+k ride Wednesday morning and it was pretty good! Weather was a bit windy, but the banana engine worked well and I turned up to work with a big smile on my face. My Sunday ride was a bit less fun at the beginning. I planed to do my usual Croydon- Epson- Richmond lap, but I got a puncture in Croydon. I quickly managed to change the tube, but my only one CO2 cartridge taken the Micky out of me and unscrewed my valve core. I stand with flat tyre and no pumping device with me 7 o'clock middle of Croydon. Thanks God, some other rider came past me and stopped to help. He had a such a crap pump, but I managed to put around 50 PSI in my rear tyre with 180 pumping movements. It was enough pressure to ride home and top up the tyre. I decided to carry on the ride but I changed plan. I went out to ride a lap in Richmond park and I headed to the city directions. I invited myself for a coffee... Where? Look mum no hands! Oh yeh! This is one of the coolest bike related cafeteria in London. I never been here before, time was here! This place is amazing! Check it out!

After a quick coffee and my necessary purchase I headed home and eat 15 bananas quickly.

I spent most of the afternoon in Barnes with one of my friend. She is a PT and she try to help my preparation to the course. I learned lots of new things.... and I have a quite intensive muscle soreness today. Lol!

Monday was a day of the rest and calm....or not?! I headed out for a short recovery run first thing and after all I picked up the "bargain of the Monday" on the market! I bought 39! huge size Valencian oranges for £8. I already managed to eat 22 end of the day....

I went to see Martin (Mr Elastic band, Super stretcher, Muscle whisper SuppleWorX man) , who gave some good squeeze for my legs and fixed my right painful elbow. After the 2 hour long human origami we moved in the kitchen with Sue. We cooked some mega healthy lunch and also made some raw dessert. The menu was avocado stuffed sweet potato and paleo chicken fajita. My lunch was 7 more oranges... :) But end of the day I nibbled a little bit from the raw dessert!

Not for me... (at the moment!)

Raw goodness

Sue and my oranges...

Today was a manic day! I woken up so tired. I didn't have enough sleep and I made around 1000kcal deficit in my intake yesterday. I didn't pay enough attention. On 80/10/10 diet if you don't consume enough calories, you are going to be a zombie next day. I got myself "stabilized" at the end of the afternoon, but I decided to come home after work and don't do any exercise at all. No running, no cycling, no racing.... Bad bad Szabi...

BTW, yesterday was the end of my 4th week on low fat high carb raw vegan diet. I decided to carry on this diet couple of week longer. Little progress update is coming tomorrow, now I have to finish of my huge salad and go in the bed ASAP!

21st day!

2011-06-11T06:44:00.005+01:00

3 week done already! I ate only fruits and some sort of veg in the last 21 days. I didn't touch any cooked food, animal products or processed food. I am on the Low Fat High Raw Vegan diet and I feel brilliant! No digestion problem, no hunger and no craving after cooked food! (I miss my extra dark chocolate only).

My body fat and body weight dropped drastically in the last 3 weeks. And I lost some muscle mass as well. I try to prevent muscle loosing now and I eat a ton of greens every day, includes 750-1000g of spinach.

Everyone was quite sceptical at the beginning but it turned to curiosity in the last 10 days and I get more and more interesting questions about my diet! One of the common question is: "How long do you wanna do this? " My answer is: " Longest I feel myself great!". If I start to crave after any other type of food, I will have it! Over the 4 weeks period I am not going to ban myself from any food. I am going to eat what my body wants. But, at the moment my body says: "I need more fruits!". I never been this lean and energetic in the same time. I think this is the ideal endurance athlete built!

My last week went very fast.

Couple of new bits turned up for my CAAD5 project in the last few days. I am only waiting for my new rear mech, which one was due yesterday, but date jumped forward couple days again. Hopefully the final missing part are coming Wednesday at the latest. Mike from Jim Walker was very kind and sorted out for me a great price on my new "cock pit". I ordered Thompson X2 stem and a Masterpiece seatpost. (pimping is never ending......) and in the same time I got a bargain on a brand new Easton EC90 SLX3 handlebar. It came from the same place then my Easton fork. I couldn't say NO for a £100 price. And thanks for Dave and his lovely wife Tina I didn't pay a single penny P&P! Tina went and picked up my handlebar from the shop and then Dave transported it for me from the far Harrow... :)

I am in love with Thomson parts. They are not the lightest and most technocrat parts on the market, but this each Thomson bit has a vibe... So industrial and looks very strong!

Since Richmond 10k I haven't done a huge amount of cycling. Somehow I prefer a bit more running at the moment than cycling. I think the reason the time efficiency. Lots of things going on around me and some change is coming up soon. This thing takes a lot out from my free time, but I reckon it worsts the effort! Hopefully 4 more weeks and everything is going to be settled again. I managed to ride only once last week (plus my weekly 100k commuting). I planed to ride a long one on Sunday, but the horrible rain and the 6000 miles/ hour wind kept me inside during the day. I just went down to the gym and ran 8k on treadmill last night.

I started to look a pair of new racing flats. I have 4 pairs of shoes already, but they are not enough. I know...this is bad! But I wanna get something very light and fast for my next 10k. Nike Lunar Racer 2? :) I am also looking the Brooks Green Silence, but I still have a big swoosh on my heart and I can't (and I don't want) give up my Nike freakness.....

Other new arrival of the week was my new water bottle. I ordered a CamelBak Grove bottle which one comes with a built in (and replaceable) water filter. It works on the same way than the Brita system. It has an little active carb filter. You just have to feel up the bottle with normal tap water and you can straight sipping out the fresh filtered water from the bottle. Save you time and money on long term. The filter is good enough for 3 months and the cost comes out cheaper then any mineral water.

Ok, I think now this is enough.... I have to get back to my little project! Carry on watching , if everything is gonna be alright , my new rear mech will turn up and I can make my CAAD5 full plastic surgery! :)

Last two weeks in numbers..

2011-06-06T21:33:00.002+01:00

Just a quick update, I summarised my fruit consumption....

Here we go!

bananas: 278

melons: 24

dates: 123

oranges: 22

mango: 11

papaya: 6

grapefruits: 12

apples: 10

pineapples: 4

mandarines: 44

sharon fruits: 12

kiwi: 4

Wow! You can see, the dominating foods are bananas, melons and dates.

I tried to pay more attention for my the protein intake from today. I lost a fair bit of muscles mass over two weeks . I have to eat much much more greens! I am going to post about leafy greens protein contain in the next few days. I started to dig myself in deep and I found lots of interesting stuff!

Great Sunday!

2011-06-05T17:59:00.005+01:00

I had a brilliant Sunday! Why? Because I managed to win my first 10k running race! :) Ok, stop right now, don't think anything extraordinary... It was just a race, not a super race. But let see from the beginning.

I started to follow fruitarian diet 2 weeks ago. I made a decision to run a 10k race at the beginning of my new diet and 4 weeks time an other one. Just see how is my fitness changes during this period. My legs were itching for a 10k run since Kingston Breakfast Run 16 miler and the time was here!

I tried to find some local race and I spotted out Richmond Rugby 150th anniversary celebration run in Runners World's event calendar. It was an ideal race, Sunday morning, start wasn't to early, I could reach the place easily by tube. I did my entry in the last second, actually I had a think about to skip the race beginning of this week, when I had an intensive muscle soreness from the lack of protein. But SuppleWorX Martin magic hands and lots of eat and sleep solved the problem and I was in relatively good shape on Thursday morning. I decided to push the "ENTRY" button on Thursday afternoon..... in the last minutes! :D

I did really small amount of training during the week, tried to taper on the best way. It worked!

My alarm went on 6 o'clock. I had plenty of time to prepare everything. I had a 6 bananas- 8 dates smoothies for breakfast. I jumped on the tube quickly and I been in Richmond around 8:20. I went to pick up my start number and headed to Starbucks. I had a post race chill out! :)

I turned up the event village 30 minutes before the start. I had the first surprise of the day, I met with my old flat mates from Southfields! Linka and Robey ran the same race.

Opposite with the last year 450 entries, this year field was quite thin. The start was late with 10 minutes and finally we got the green signal 10 o'clock. I tried to stick with the leader group and it wasn't a hard effort. I thought we run slow, but checking my Garmin I realised the pace is under 3:40 min/km. My group was formed by 7 people and over the 5k sign we shrank down just 3 of us. The pace still was constants and one of the guy started to drop back over the 7km sign. After 8k I was pretty sure then my second place is mine if nothing goes wrong. In the same time my legs and lunge started to burn from lack of lactate acid, but I tried to keep up. The leader guy started to breathing heavily 500 m before the finish and I didn't need much more, I started to push like a lunatic. I won with 50m. I finished with 37:15. I ran a new PB, my best was 39:45 in the past.

I got a nice medal and a bottle of quality whisky. Ok, the whisky isn't too useful me, but I am sure it makes my dad happy! :)

After the race I stayed to chat with Robey, Linka and their friends. After I shared my all nutritional suggestion and tips with this guys I headed home and had a massive celebration fruit lunch and an hour nap.....

Overall:

Great event, good place. I love to run Thames footpath every time. Frutiarian diet seems working, but I am still worried with my muscle loose.... when is it going to settle????? We will see!

I have to say especially big thanks for Martin Jeffries (Mr. SuppleworX magic finger, muscle guru) who was very kind and helpful and sorted out my legs yesterday early morning on his off day and weekend....

Very big thanks for CompresSport UK as well! Tim is a top bloke! Thanks for your support!

10th day

2011-06-03T21:04:00.010+01:00

Yesterday was my 10th day on the fruitarian diet. Here is a little summary of the first 10 days:

Overall:

- my weight was 62,9kg when I started and the scale showed 61,9kg yesterday morning

- my body fat was 7,1% at the start and it is 6,4% now

- I lost 1kg in 10 days, 500grams fat and 500 grams muscle.... (to gain 500 grams quality muscle, it is hard work...)

I had a very hard couple of days beginning of this week. I didn't eat enough on Monday and I didn't have too much quality sleep for couple of days. I was a bit tired and felt a bit burned out, but with more food and proper sleep I got stabilised the "situation". Yesterday I was fine again. I pointed out this diet's first negative side. 10% protein isn't enough for fast and proper recovery next to very active lifestyle and 9+ training hours week.... The half kilo muscle loose is a bit

worrying, but I still feel strong and good!

23rd May.

2. Jun

Well, keep looking and I am updating you guys....

Short bank holiday weekend!

2011-06-01T12:35:00.009+01:00

Doh! Bank holidays are not good for me anymore. Because I am off every Sunday-Monday and actually the shop is closed on Mondays the Bh days doesn't effect me anymore! :(

I missed Friday running speed workout and I decided to do it on Saturday evening. Treadmill session went well and may be I went on the mad side a bit. Saturday night was the usual story, I went in bed very late and I had to wake up early on Sunday morning...

Martin (my hyper-super sport massage therapist) wanted to try something on me. He made some work on my legs before my ride. Basically I sat straight on the bike from the massage table and headed out for a "longer" ride. I met with him 6:30 in the morning.

When I left home and headed to Martin's place Sunday morning, my legs cried for more sleep. I had terrible muscle sorness from last night run. I thought this Sunday ride isn't a good idea...

But after 45 minutes later I headed out for a ride and actually I quite enjoyed it. My head and rest of my body still was tired, but I got a pair of brand new legs! Wowww! I have to say Martin's pre ride work made some huge change on my legs and the experience was unbelievable.

I am really looking forward Martin's further techs testing... If you have any flexibility or muscle problem, just give him a buzz and I am sure, he can help for you! You can find his contact details here: http://www.suppleworx.co.uk/

Part of my legs my Sunday ride was awful and short. The weather was windy, my garmin went mental and lost route plan and Sunday drivers were assholes! Usually wind doesn't bother me and I like to ride in windy weather, but when you tired and didn't have enough coffee... all views change! I managed to ride only 80km, which one is a bit shame. I could ride more, but wasn't a point totally kill myself one week before the 10k running race.

Monday was my rest day. I felt myself a bit tired, but all was ok! We went out to Holland park with Adel and we had a lunch over there. The weather was a bit windy, but quite nice. I managed to read out the new Runners World magazine and chill out a bit. I finished the afternoon in the gym with some upper body workout.

Picknick lunch in fruitarian style...

My dinner was a bit disappointing and painful... My pineapple went a bit too acidy and I got a very sore mouth, lips and tongue after dinner and my stomach felt funny, but was too late....

Tuesday morning I felt my stomach very uncomfy, but managed to do my short run with speed workouts. I didn't enjoyed this session very much, but I did it. I had a major muscle pain from Monday gym session. I think I reached the point when I can made a first negative feedback about 80/10/10 diet. If you do heavy training and destroy muscle mass, your body struggle to build it back from 10% or less daily protein intake. The recovery seems a bit longer as well. Energy level still was high and I wasn't heavy headed then on the high fat-protein paloe diet....

I finished the morning on the market, when I managed to buy 20kg bananas on some blinding price.

End of the (first) week

2011-05-29T19:12:00.002+01:00

Weekend time! Thanks God!

Wow, where should I start? Ok, start with my diet.

Today is the end of my first week on LFHR diet. I have to say I still feel great. The banana eating became my daily routine now and no problem to consume the right amount of food. I try to eat all variety of fruits, but I ate mainly melons and bananas during this week. I got some warning about potassium over dosage by bananas. It called hyperkalemia . But I am afraid I couldn't eat nearly 100 bananas a day.... I am not in the danger. During the week, my personal best was 27 yesterday.

Only a bit hassle the evening salad, which one weight usually 1,5-2kg. But I try to switch to more spinach from ice-berg lettuce and I can blend it and just drink it.

My weight doesn't see to change a hugely, my weekly average stayed the same. My energy level is still high and I hammered down training quite well this week. I just had to sort out my sleep in the next couple of weeks. I don't (can't) sleep enough. My biological clock wakes me up around 5:00-5:30 every morning. If I go late in the bed, I still wake up early. It isn't a problem yet with this boosted energy level, but shouldn't be good on long term.

I got the question about craving... None! I don't crave after any cooked or processed food or meat. I just crave after more ripped bananas and mangoes.

I still buy most of my fruits on North End Road market and I receive some discount as well now! I buy the rest in local Tesco.

I am very interested now with my strength and endurance in the next few week. To see the possible change I signed up a 10k running race for next weekend and I will do an other one a bit later. I know, I shouldn't expect any major change in this short period, but the energy level change is amazing. Well, I keep on the fruit diet and we will see!

Local market purchase....

Week was quite busy in the workshop (just a usual...) I had couple of nice service job, but the highest point of the week was to build Olli's wheels. A pair of green Chris King R45 hub with DT Swiss Aero Lite spokes and Mavic Cermaic Open Pros. I didn't take any picture but I will do on Tuesday. They are going to be fitted in Olli's SuperX. I spent a fair bit of time on this wheels on Saturday afternoon, but worth the effort! Olli is a happy chapy now!

My CAAD5 project is still going on, more parts has been arrived during the week, but the situation on my rear mech isn't good. It is on back order and it dues middle of Jun. Bahhhh...

My shifters turned up Saturday and I straight fitted the pink hudz on! Looks lovely!

After a long wait I received my Zero Gravity brakes as well! But how? I got a letter from Parcelforce to pay custom charges. I called up PF and paid by card over the phone and waited the brakes. Nothing happened, and I found it out, the item still wait for custom charge payment?! Basically PF taken my payment, but didn't upgrade the system. After 1 hour on the phone and fight with people with funny accent I decided to pay again and cancel my old transaction with the bank...Wasn't easy mission, but sorted now. And one day later I could hold my brakes in my hands.

So far I have, fork, tyres, drive train, shifters and brakes, but I still need a handlebar, stem , seat post and a rear mech. I can't wait until I can finally do the surgery on CAAD5.

I am off for a short run now and my 30cm salad bowl is waiting for me!

So keep looking and I will update Banana land's story!

Second and third day... so far so good!

2011-05-25T21:46:00.004+01:00

I just finished my third fruitarian dinner, it means, I am over the third day! I feel myself great and I haven't got any craving after cooked food or meat. I try to eat all sort of fruits, but I started to be addicted with bananas. Today I had 17!

Yesterday was very good, I noticed the first positive change. My energy level is constant during the day and I am not heavy headed and sleepy during the afternoon. I was awake very early and no signs of tiredness during the day!

I started the day with a short running and I went for a ride after work.

I tried out one of our new demo bike, a top of the range Orbea Orca with Sram Red. Well.... it wasn't my nicest ride unfortunately. I absolutely dislike this bike and I can't see the point why it costs £6.600!? First of all I felt I sat on a chopper. Secondly the whole bike was flexing under my 63kg.... The front end isn't stable, handlebar feels like a spaghetti, BB area is a rubber band and a rear end like a bad rear suspension. Cornering is terrible and control all over the place. Sorry, but only thing what I liked on this bike it was the colour..... Pffff.....

Anyway, it is over now....

The positive side of this ride was my legs! Thanks Martin both worked perfect and felt effortless! Mr SuppleWorx did a job again! I noticed other interesting thing, my blood sugar didn't dropped down during the ride. In the last few month (since I don't eat grains) I had to be careful and eat 2-3 gels /hour. But last night I did the whole 1 hour 40 minutes with a half pack of energy chew! I am quite interested, it will stay in the same way or not....

Yesterday food:

breakfast:

-3 apples

-1 banana

-2 cantaloupe melons

- 50g date

Snack:

-5 bananas

Lunch:

-4 bananas

-4 oranges

-100g dates

Afternoon snack:

-6 bananas

-2 oranges

Dinner:

-1 bananas

-1 lettuce (600gr- blended with bananas)

-2 apples

-50 g almonds

-50g dates

-beetroot and carrot

Activity:

1:40 minutes cycling (50km)

30 minutes run (7km )

Today I was awake 4:30!? What? I couldn't sleep and I was very fresh! Wooow! During the day I had a same feeling then yesterday. High and constant energy level. I started the day in the gym with some mad hill workout on treadmill and it was great! I felt great and I preformed great. I felt myself a bit light headed, but blood sugar stayed okay. After work I went for for a quick spin (45 minutes) and I was still very energetic! Third day is done... I am looking forward tomorrow! I will go in the gym early and after I do some serious shopping on the market!

Tonight menu...

Today food:

Breakfast:

-3 bananas

-50g date

-800g pineapple

-100g spinach

Snack:

- 5 bananas

-2 oranges

Lunch:

-7 bananas

-100g date

Afternoon snack:

-2 bananas

-5 oranges

Dinner:

-30g almonds

-30g pumpkin seed

-2 apples

-200g cherry tomatoes

-1 iceberg lettuce (700g)

-100g spinach

-4 satsuma

-150g mango

-carrots

Activity:

-1 hour treadmill workout (14km)

-45 minutes easy pace cycling

First day in fruit land...

2011-05-23T21:31:00.003+01:00

I started my 80/10/10 diet today. I am over the first day and it was quite good! I didn't have any craving after any "forbidden" food.

The day went great,first I went in the gym and after I did some shopping on the market. Market was quite rubbish today, I hope tomorrow will be better. After I went to see Martin again at 11 o'clock. He spent 2 hours with my terrible legs! :) After I moved down to the kitchen from the massage room and we did some serious cooking with Sue. We were quite excited to try out Sue's new baby. She bought a new VitaMix in Whole Foods yesterday! Oh my lord, I need one soon... This blender's strength is incredible.

We made some raw cream of spinach soup for today and some coconut sweet potato curried soup for tomorrow. The second dish was apple cabbage stir fry with lemon zesty chicken breast all in paleo style. Everybody enjoyed the lunch, during Sue and Martin tried to eat the huge meal I had a VitaMax blended banana-spinach smoothie with dates and a whole papaya.

Today I had:

breakfast:

- 2 large bananas

- 2 small Cantaloupe melons

- 50g dates

- 3 oranges

lunch:

- 100g spinach

-3 large bananas

- 100 g dates

- 1 large papaya

afternoon snack:

- 4 large bananas

-3 large oranges

dinner:

- 2 large bananas

- 2 white grapefruits

- circa 1,8 kg green (Romanian and ice berg)

- 30 g almonds

- 400g watermelon

- 1 beetroot

- 100g radish

- 3 stalk celery (it is important for a salt intake)

My dinner, the bowl's diameter is 30 cm... and the whole lots weighted 2.1 kg! It toke 40 minutes to eat it! :D

Activity:

- 1 hour upper body workout in the gym

- 2X 20 minutes commuting cycling

My weight was 62.9kg at the morning. I measured my body fat as well, but have to calculate out the right number....

I am little bit tired now, I wanna off to the bed! Why am I doing this? What is 80/10/10 diet and fruitarian diet? I am going to explain you tomorrow!

Cipollini test ride and diet change!

2011-05-22T21:18:00.007+01:00

Just a quick post about last week.

I haven't been here a while. I had quite active weeks.

Last Monday I went to see Martin again ( check out SuppleworX kingdom ), who did a big work on my back and after I gave some raw food "cooking" session for Martin's lovely girlfriend , Sue. We made marrow spaghetti with tomato sauce and walnut "meat" balls for main course and some banana - avocado cream for dessert. Martin was a bit sceptic in the first second, but end of the day he loved it!

(This is the butternut squash spaghetti version, it is an older photo)

Rest of the week went super fast, workshop was absolutely ramped, I didn't have a time to fart... (sorry).

My bits started to turn up for my CAAD5 reborn. I still wait for parts (rear mech on back order, brakes still sit in custom...) but I received my new crank, new chain rings and my new pink (pimp the fuck out my bike) Chris King bottom bracket. I have a Sram Red crank with Rotor (52/36) chain rings. I am looking forward to give a plastic surgery for my baby!

I did a fair bit of training as well. I finished the week with nearly 50km run (includes 1 serious speed workout) and 210km rides. My barefoot concept run (I use Nike Free-s at the moment) is progressing as well, I can do up to 7km in the Free-s without any problem. I think the time is here for sign up some running race soon! I wanna do some 10k race to set up my PB on this distance.

Bike training was the usual Richmond park series during the week and a 100km Box hill round yesterday. But, I managed to spice up my Friday night ride! I had some awesome opportunity! On of our rep landed for a shop something special! One Mario Cipollini RB1000 with full DI2! Thanks for good awesome excellent boss and friend Dave he let me go out on the beauty for a night! My time was limited and I wasn't in the best shape on Friday, but I did my best and I hammered in the bike nearly 70km. I think I found one of my dream bike! It is unbelievable, how this bike response and act! The bike was size M, the reach was ok, but the seat mast was a bit low for me (around 1,5cm lower, than should be).

Couple thought about the bike:

- everyone should have one

- I need one.... (this complete bike's price is 11,5K, it means I have to sell my kidney...)

- totally "overbuilt"... or it built right and gets all the material what should get! No silly weight saving, no flapping around

- the bike front end is hell responsive, bloody stiff, corners like you ride on rails

- bottom bracket area is very stiff... (okok, definitely under my 63kg...)

- after the first 500m, you really know why it costs 11,5k!

My opinion:

After I rode couple of good bikes, I own a Super6 and I thought it is one of the best bike on the planet earth (until last Friday..) my world view has changed! Where is the difference? The difference is, Super6 designed by somebody, who spent years and years on the university and next to the drawing table and try to design something with a pure knowledge with the numbers in the background.... and RB1000 designed by the people , who spent years and years in the peleton, riding all sorts of different bike and he knows what is important for a rider! Well done Mario! You did a job fuckin well!

If you need any information about the bike, please contact me or our shop! We sold one complete bike and one frame set already (same spec, what I rode, just the guy got cheaper wheels in at the moment, until he will receive his new Enve wheels).

OK, now the interesting bits comes! My diet! I decided to be a fruitarian at least for one month! This diet is based on the 80/10/10 diet or other name low fat high raw diet (LFHR). This means, I am going to eat a ton of fruits every day, nothing else! I started my "journey" this morning! Keep looking and I keep you tuned day to day, how is my diet going on.

I will explain more about this diet in the following post!

The perfect weekend in pictures...

2011-05-09T06:47:00.009+01:00

After I landed ten to midnight last Tuesday on Gatwick airport, I didn't have enough sleep during last week and I managed to do a bit too much training, I decided to have a perfect weekend. The perfect weekend, when I don't set my alarm to 5:50, I try to stay away from hard training and enjoy some good food, cheating a bit on my diet and give some rest for my body.

Well, I managed to do quite well:

My perfect Sunday started a little house work, washing and pack away stuff after holiday. After I went to visit Real Food Festival . The festival was hold next door Earl's Court Exhibition Centre and I won the ticket on Whole Food's competition last week.

I hanged around couple of hours and I find a lots of interesting stuff, like:

Laverstoke farm's real buffalo babies

Little sheep

And big sheep on the catwalk...lol

Some truffle (didn't have any taster on this stand.... why???)

And I spent a fortune...

I bought a bar of El Rey chocolate from Venezuela, Choc Chick starter kit (I can do my own raw chocolate now!), some buffalo mozzarella and buffalo biltong and 2 pots very nice full vegan cheesecake.

I spent the afternoon to recover from the show and headed out for an hour and a half easy ride.

I started the Monday morning in the gym. I had appointment with SuppleWorX Martin at 11 o'clock. After two hours agony my legs felt much much better. Thanks God, Martin has magic hands! I got some present from Martin and his lovely girlfriend Sue.

Interesting huge book and a little nibble....

Lunchtime, beetroot pineapple turkey salad, followed by some awesome vegan cheese cake.

After lunch, me and Adel went out for a walk in Holland park.

We got battled by squirrels....

And we finished our afternoon in Whole Foods Market,

Ostrich eggs... hmm... One big egg is equal with 24 hen's eggs. I have to have one some point..

Yamm... check it out the blue tomato!

Fruit heaven...

Where I stocked up my treat box a bit.... Raw vegan chocolate spread, raw grain free crackers, chcoclate honey halva and two small bar of chocolates.

During our shopping I managed to buy a pair of Zero Gravity brakes from the US on some bargain price!

And eat some real buffalo milk ice cream as well....

It was a perfect weekend. Now I am looking forward the following week with full of energy....

Back from holiday

2011-05-05T21:38:00.002+01:00

I am just back from holiday. I landed last morning at 00:01 on Gatwick airport. I had 6 amazing days on Malta, with lots of fun, some serious sun burn and not much rest. This holiday was a bit active... I try to catch up with everything at the moment.

Ouch, that is hurt.....

Now I am back in my every day life. Couple of interesting stuff is coming up soon. I will have some major refurbishment-pimp up on my CAAD5. I am waiting for the new bits at the moment. Only just my new fork has turned up couple of days ago. Easton EC 90 SLX....

Today was a (non)offical Cannondale Super6 EVO launch! We found some information on the web this morning, but we shouldn't wait longer, because our Cannondale rep popped in the door this afternoon. He showed the new EVO range for us. Hmm... The new EVO's look tasty. The frame claimed weight is 695 grams in 56 cm with the Ultimate paint job. EVO comes in 4 different spec, Ultimate, Team, DI2 and Red. Price will starts around £4k and going over £10k.

The frame looks a carbon CAAD10. We didn't see too much details on the PDF sheet, but I am sure more information and photos are coming out soon!

This week looks ramped. I have too much to do and workshop is busy as well. I try to put altogether a post about Malta soon as possible, but I am off to the bed now, I have a running speed work out at the morning and some good Surrey ride is waiting for me after work tomorrow!

Belgium trip with Rapha women's team

2011-04-27T17:27:00.005+01:00

I spent the last Sunday in Belgium with a Rapha Condor women's team. I got the invitation from Rene Groot, who works for Rapha and managing the women's team in the same time. I turned to be the team's mechanic for one day on the Stad Roeselare belgian race.

We met at Rapha office late Saturday afternoon and after loading up the van we headed out to Dover. We taken the ferry to Calais and spent the night in a French hotel on the Belgian- French border.

The team was formed by:

- Hannah Manley (junior)

- Gabriella Shaw

- Charlotte Colclough

- Emma Grant

- Rebecca Curley

- Natalie Creswick

And Rene, Steev and myself were the crew.

I couldn't stay on my ass... never... I headed out for an hour run before breakfast...

Sunday morning after breakfast we drove over Belgium from the hotel and got involved in the race preparation. Steev and me checked over the bikes and fitted race numbers, Rene tried to managing the girls. The junior race started early. Hannah did very well, she finished 2nd!

Hannah nails down

The main race started 13:45. Our 5 girls signed up 12:30 and got ready for the start.

Miss Curley concentrates before start...

All major pro women's team were over there, I seen Garmin - Cervelo, Specialized factory and other big names. I spent a race in the team bus with Steev and Hannah (who had a verbal diarrhoea from the post race adrenaline...). We followed the peleton and picked up our pulled out riders. The tempo was incredible fast and everybody got pulled out, who was 5 minutes more behind the leader group. When the peleton climbed up on Kemelberg ( 9% avg, 20% max, cobbles..) we just had one rider in race. Only Natalie managed to finish of the race.

Emma on the Kemmelberg

After packed in the van, we headed back to Calais and thanks for Rene unbelievable driving skill, we didn't miss the boat!

Personally I didn't have to much to do during the race, but I tried to help everywhere... I hope nobody had a complain! :D

This weekend was an amazing experience for me. I have to say thanks for the whole " Charlie and angels" team for this great weekend and the opportunity. I hope we will see you each other again!

And my thought:

- only one rider finished from our team,BUT I know and seen everybody did the best, that is racing - very tough

- this girls aren't pros, everybody work full or part time and didn't get paid for the racing (and I am nasty now.... but this six ladies still look for ladies and not females with hairy face and deep voice... )

- big respect for Rene, who looks after this girls in his own time and works like a professional team manager and Steev, who helps everywhere....

- I hope the team gets more publicity in the future and hopefully more sponsorship

- and.... I got a big "bag" of motivation again... it is good sign! ;)

( I stolen the pictures from Steev and Kris Claeye, I will upload mine one after my holiday...)

Back into running....

2011-04-25T16:52:00.008+01:00

I have a busy but awesome week behind me. I started the last week (Tuesday... my weeks start with Tuesday all the time) with a running session after 2,5 weeks off from running. Martin (SuppleWorX muscle magic man) gave me green light again. My hip is looks like nearly on the right place and my length different between my two legs just 0,5 cm!

I did my first run on treadmill, just for better control and less chance to do something stupid. It was a quite interesting experience, I couldn't really control my legs in the first couple of minutes. Get back nearly the full range of motion on both legs is very strange feeling, I felt my legs absolutely over the place. The guy from the next treadmill gave me some funny look during my fight with the gravitation and "wobbly" treadmill. I got the situation under control 5 minutes later. I just did 9km under 40 minutes on some moderate pace. I finished the day with a little ride in the park, workshop was busy during the day and I didn't left too much energy for the evening ride. Next day I woken up with little muscle soreness in my legs. It was great to feel me legs again!

The workshop was absolutely awful during Wednesday and Thursday. I did only one gym session, 3k run in my Frees and 1,5 hours cycling in the park. I didn't have a chance to recover and get enough sleep. I managed to go early in bed on Thursday night.... and I was awake 5:30 on Friday morning. Friday was bank holiday and we had short opening time, 11 till 5. Dave, Jay and me had a meeting in the park for a little group ride around 8 o'clock. I launched out myself on the door quarter past six and did 1 hour and 20 minutes before our meeting. We did three laps altogether and chatted about cycle porn and this kind of silly stuff. After 35k and my continues complaining about my empty stomach we headed back to the shop for an espresso and some food. I didn't calculate right and I went out with 2 Cliff shots and without breakfast for nearly 3 hours ride.... stupidos! I stuffed myself up with good food during the day and I was full with energy again. I couldn't stay at home after work, my energy level was so high, the weather was gorgeous and I headed out for an easy pace run. I wanted to test my legs on road now. Well.... testing happened, but I lost the "easy pace" in the first 300m. I felt my muscles want to explode and I couldn't keep back myself. I did 10.7km in 42:54. Upss... 4:01 min/km avg? Okok... This isn't easy pace. My legs were effortless and I could carry on this run much longer, but I pulled the handbrake! Step to step...

Saturday was a very big day for me! I turned to be the Rapha women's team's mechanic during the weekend. Friend of mine, Rene Groot, who works for Rapha and managing the women's team in the same time (looks like Charlie and his angels... :D )gave me a buzz on last Monday. The team's mechanic couldn't make this weekend, and the girls were without spanner monkey. He kindly offered this temporarily position for me! I had to say yes! The race was in Belgium. We drove over there on late Saturday afternoon. But, I started the day very early with a good 70km ride. I just did my usual Wandsworth- Croydon- Epsom- Kingston- Richmond lap. I felt my legs a bit heavy after the night before running mayhem, but I managed to get home in time!

What did happened last weekend in Belgium? Well, keep looking, the next post will tell the whole story.....

Fast week

2011-04-18T06:38:00.004+01:00

This week went really fast. I started the week with my final dentist treatment, which one was a most painful as well.... because I had to pay the bill at the end. £513! Wowww! But now it is over and I can chew my raw vegetables without any problems.

The workshop was quite busy at the beginning of the week and it calmed down a bit after Thursday. I didn't really have any exciting in my stand, except our new demo bike the Orbea Orca and an American export Super 6 Team Liquigas,

I was still off from running during last week. I did 300km cycling during the week it is not too much, but enough for keep my endurance. I try to raise up my mileage a bit, but I still take it easy. I am planning to get some serious mileage during the summer. I will start the clock in after my Malta holiday.

Tuesday I was a bit dead the 5 hours sleep/ 6:30 gym / 8:30 dentist and 9 hours work combo. I rode straight home after work. I went out for a Richmond park ride on Wednesday, Friday I did a Box hill and back and Sunday I rode to Aylesbury. I was craving after some British country side. (thanks the tip for Dave!)

Friday evening - Epson Downs

I tried to eat much raw as possible during the week. I had only one cooked vegetable meal. I cooked only my meat and eggs. I try to get the carbs from fruits instead cooked stretchy vegetables. Sometimes it looks funny, when I get my lunch out of my backpack. This diet seems to work fine, but it needs more time for final judgement. I feel myself more fresh and energetic.

Fruity day...

I visited Martin again this morning. He worked hard on my legs again, but gave some attention for my back as well. I nearly pissed myself, when he tried to make usable my abductors. The progress is fabulous! The 18mm different between my legs dropped down to 5mm in 2 weeks! It means, it is running time tomorrow! This guy is a muscle whisper! I am so excited! 2,5 weeks without running was quite hard. Hopefully my form didn't really go pear shape and I can catch up quickly.

I spent a rest of the morning and afternoon with study. My anatomy exam is coming up soon... Come on Szabi pull your finger out!

I am going for a food shopping now and I have a meeting with one of my personal trainer friend later on today...in Whole Foods Market! OMG! Should I leave my credit card at home????

1/2 Hell of the North, sunshine, good food = awesome weekend

2011-04-11T19:02:00.006+01:00

Rapha organised a sportive ride last Sunday. The event called "Hell of the North" and celebrates Paris Roubaix spring classic. The route goes over North London's worth roads and includes 20 grave sections.

I turned up 15 minutes before the official start. The start was on Pond square. On my way I found a very nice climb, which one is quite rare in London. Only 20 minutes away from home, I keep in my mind this street! 73m ascent on 900m.... it isn't too bad for short intervals!

Registration opened in time, I got my map in 5 minutes. The course was 100km long. I felt myself great and I really enjoyed the off road sections, but I didn't select my tires carefully. After 32km I got my first puncture followed by other two in the next 9km. I had only 3 spare tubes and 3 CO2 cartridges. When I got my last puncture around 41km I decided to pull out. I was a bit sad, because the organisation and the course were great! But, I didn't come home straight. I was really hoping in my good luck now and carried on my ride on the solid tarmac. I did a nice loop around North London and when I stopped front of my house, my Garmin stand on 110km. The weather was absolutely gorgeous! I didn't feel this great since I came back fromFuerteventura!

After a quick lunch and a little nap I went out for a small Whole Foods shopping.

I tried to don't buy any unnecessary and I had to reorganised my basket couple of times during the shopping! But end of the day I was a good boy! I just bought some toothbrushes, coconut shred, veggie wash, grounded cinnamon, fresh pumpkin seed butter, raw fruit bar, my usual Carob bar and a Salt of the Earth natural deodorant.

This toothbrushes are brilliant. They made by Preserve Company. It is 100% recycled fromyogurt cups! What a great idea. Check out Preserve's page, you will find lots of interesting stuff on! Also very good stuff the salt deodorant. I was a bit sceptic with it in the first time, but it works absolutely fine! It is 100% natural, made from Ammonium Alum, it is a natural antibacterial mineral salt. If you don't want to punishing your skin with lots of chemicals, give a try for this one! Made by Crystal Spring.

After my short shopping trip I started to prepare some dinner. Basically "The Dinner of the Year" (at the moment). I made my first full RAW meal. Not just raw vegetables and ingredientsput on the plate... it was a complete meal! Spaghetti with "Meatballs".... (Recipe is coming up in next post.)

Monday went quick again. I had an appointment with Martin (SuppleWorX) 11 o'clock. The treatment is going very well, my 17mm hip different dropped down to 10mm! Yihha! He worked hard 1,5 hours on my legs. I got some deep tissue massage and all sort of magics. It was a hard work both of us. I felt my legs very tired during the afternoon. I stayed home during the afternoon, I studied fro my upcoming anatomy and physiology exam. I just popped out to buy some stuff in Holland and Barrets. I bought a bag of milled flax seed, cocoa and berries super food, 1,5 kg 10+ Manuka honey, bean selection for sprouting, some iron tablets and bag of dried wine fruit for Adel.

The last week I tried to eat much raw as possible. I think I managed well, I ate only my meats and protein omelets cooked. I think I ate 85% raw.... My daily 2-3 green smoothies help a lot. I feel myself more energised and positive, BUT I have to pay more attention the calories intake during my exercises. It will interesting how my body handle this highly raw diet after the next week, when I am going to start to run again. Riding wise, I have to eat or drink some energy product 30 minutes before my ride and I have to consume at least 2 gels/ hour. When I was on normal diet, I just ate every 45-60 minutes. Has to be learned the right timing now, but when I find the right moments, my engine spins like a hell!

I am grain free now more than two months and I absolutely don't miss any grain related products. I have much much less gut problem then in the past.

I had my second (and last) dentist appointment this morning. I just got two more filling and a bit clean up. All done and honkey dory!

Shop is going well and workshop is quite busy with couple of big jobs. My day wasn't too hectic today, but it went very slow after my 5,5 hours last night sleep. I was very tired, I had an early morning workout in the gym and I ran to the dentist before work. I decided to not ride tonight. I was a bit unmotivated , weather was windy and cold... I just wanted a peaceful evening.

I wanna find some event around end of May, a running race or may be a duathlon?! We will see....

Busy days

2011-04-05T21:02:00.005+01:00

My last couple of days was hectic! Sunday went really fast, I stayed in a bed so long. I woken up around 10 o'clock and I headed out for a 2,5 hours ride an hour time. I spent the afternoon to do fuck all, but I finished the day in the gym. I couldn't concentrate anything, my thought was far away. I had an appointment with the dentist on Monday morning. I had a root canal treatment last year and it wasn't the nicest experience in my life (pricey and lots of pain in the next few days). I was a bit worried, what my doctor will find in my mouth. I am very bad guy and dentist didn't see me nearly 6 years ago...

Well, I turned up at 8:40 on Monday morning in Marshgate dental practice. I was well informed and a bit more calm in 25 minutes time. I have several issues in my mouth, but nothing major. One quite big hole, but it is fixable and 4 small other repair. In this time no physical pain... just a pain of the payment. I have two treatment appointments and a £513 bill. Upssss.....

My next meeting was around 11 o'clock. I went to see Martin. Martin is one of our customer and he is aaa..... muscle guru?! I don't really know the right word, but he is Martin Jefferies, therapist, fitness advisor, flexibility expert, fitness writer & ski teacher.... Check out his page!

Well, I complained about my left leg issue to him and he kindly invited me for a check up. The diagnoses wasn't nice... All of my muscles are hard like a concrete and my hip is a "bit" on the wrong place. My left leg was nearly 2cm longer then the right. 4 weeks treatment and at least 2 weeks of from running. Bummer....

Martin started to work on my immediately and he gave me lots of home works.

Tuesday morning I woken up like who spent a whole Monday in the gym... Martin's Monday effort started to work. Tuesday was a quite hectic day, I went for a short ride after work, but it wasn't a pleasure.

Wednesday's weather was glorious! I started the day in the gym... but not with my usual treadmill workout! :( I landed on the cross trainer. After 20 minutes I was sweating like a pig... it is hard work!

Workshop was quite busy on Wednesday, but the whole day was fun! Definitely the afternoon bit! I built a Cannondale Slice Ultimate custom for a customer with full DI2 group set, Zipp carbon clincher 808 wheels. Nicest job in the month! The bike worst nearly £7000! Wow!

Afternoon went pretty fast and I headed out for a ride after work. The weather was so nice and I had just long clothing with me. The first 40 minutes was a bit "hot" but after the temperature started to drop down and I felt myself comfy in the light winter clothing. I did 65km and was pitch black outside when I got home. This was one of my nicest ride since I came back from Canary. I noticed Martin's work's benefits. My back is much much better and I was able to ride on the drops! I couldn't do this ages, any time I grabbed the drops, my back wanted to brake.

Now is bed time. I tried to do this post 2 days ago...but finally finished! Tomorrow is dentist day! I will be back soon!

I took the DOG(ma) for a walk

2011-04-03T14:11:00.007+01:00

Couple of weeks ago one of our customer walked n the shop with a Team Sky Pinarello Dogma. He works for Sky TV and he had the opportunity to buy one of the last year team bike. He bought Thomas's one. It is the right size for him (56cm) and it had a less usage. I had to change couple of bits on the bike and I checked over. When he picked up the bike, I got a kind offer for a test ride... Wooow! And the time was here on this weekend! He came in the shop on Friday morning with a bike. I just had to do some minor work on, but he wanted to pick up next day! Hurra!

During the day I sorted out the bike and personalised a little bit (right seat height, stem up side down, Garmin bracket). I launched out on the door 18:30 and took the DOG(ma) for a walk.

I didn't have too much time, basically 14 hours which includes my 7 hours sleep and other house works. I did two rides on the bike and I pedalled in nearly 100km. It isn't too much for a proper opinion, but I got some feedback.

The bike:

Pinarello top of the range bike. It comes with full Shimano DI2 group set, Dura Ace wheels and Deda finishing kit. I didn't weight the bike, but light enough... :)

The frame set is loaded lots of interesting solution, like asymmetric rear end (Pinarello claims, Dogma frames was the first asymmetrical frames on the market...), Torayka 60.1 carbon and nano alloy, tapered head tube, wavy fork and rear end.

The first thing what I noticed was the incredibly stiff BB area. The Dura Ace crank and Dogma frame combination give you a fell, you stand on concrete. The down side, my Super6 frame with SI crank gives a same feeling and nearly 250grams lighter...

The frame was 56 cm, but I felt huge. I more used to compact frames. It is a typical traditional Italian geometry. You sitting so high and the head tube is huge. I thought that this position gives you less stable ride and control, but it isn't true! The bike's cornering like you ride on rails. It was very very responsive and incredible stiff. And in the same time it was very harsh. The bike's comfort feel is very similar then my CAAD5 one.... basically on bad quality roads it beats the shit out of you!

The DI2 group set works incredible nice and fast. My favorite is the front mech, it shifts up in a second, no hesitation. I really enjoyed the DI2.... in the first half an hour... and after I wasn't too excited with it anymore. Shame, but I have to say, rather I spend a money for wheels or training camps and stick with the old and good cable operated group set.

Over all:

I really enjoyed this short time in the Dogma's saddle. My dream was one of the Prince of Spain paint job Dogma couple of years ago. It also was a good feel to ride one of the pro's bike. But I had to realised it isn't my cup of tea. Lovely piece of kit, nothing wrong with it... but I stick with my big C and have a lighter and cheaper Sram or Campy group set...

Brugge - 3 days holiday

2011-04-01T17:01:00.009+01:00

Usually we have a 3-4 days city break in every year around March-April. We went Belgium again, this was the third time in row. We visited Brussels and Antwerp already, now the target was Brugge. We booked our trip via Eurostrar, it is chip as chips. 2 nights in 4 starts Crowne Plaza Hotel and train ticket for £190 each, bargain!

We left with the earliest train on Monday morning. I felt myself a bit dizzy and tired after 5 hours sleep and a running race behind me, but the high caffeine intake did the job and after couple of coffees I felt brilliant. Train journey to Brussels was quick, around 2 hours and 20 minutes. We had a short coffee break in Brussels Midi train station and we caught the next train to Brugge in an hour.
We was a bit early, we had more then 3 hours until the check in. After a short walk we found a nice cafeteria with a terrace. We enjoyed the sunshine( and a free WIFI) here until 3 o'clock.

After check in we went straight in the bad and after a good sleep we headed out for a dinner and a little walk. We had a dinner in a small but lovely salad place. I was starving... the answer was double salad!

Salad with parma ham and melon and an other salad with curry chicken, raisin and apple

Second day was the exploring day. I left for a short run before Adel woken up. I just ran 35 minutes, but it was terrible feeling two days after the race and the cobbles didn't help either!
We didn't stop walking until late afternoon, we climbed up the ...... on 366 stairs and we visited all sights in the city.

Belgium's Venice...

The view after 366 stairs...

I was quite exhausted, I had a small nap before dinner.
We had dinner one well known local restaurant. We choose Flemish dishes, I went for a mussels and Adel had some Flemish stew, all washed down with local beers! Full tummy, happy people!

I started the third day with some running again. I headed out for 55 minutes. My legs was a bit better than day before, but still not perfect and my movement was quite similar for crossing Forrest Gump with RoboCop... but end of the run I felt good!
After two day sunshine we had a rain on the third day. We missed the boat trip, because the bad weather. But never mind, we found other interesting things to do...like visiting chocolate shops and shopping a bit. We went back to Brussels late afternoon and left Belgium with the last Eurostar.

We spent 3 really good days in Belgium again. This was the third time, but not the last. I love this country... I really don't know the reason why, but it makes me relaxed and I just feel great! It hasn't got sandy beach, huge mountains or any other special stuff, but has soul, life and great atmosphere.

I had none waffle during the three days. I am proud for myself(on our last trip, I ate 15 waffles on the last day..). I had couple of chocolates and beers, but nothing wrong with that! :)
We found a very interesting chocolate concept store. It called B by B and has chocolate praline in a most weird flavours. The owner is a chef, who runs a restaurant with Micheline stairs. I am really big fun of dark chocolate, but I am not really fuss with the Belgian praline. But, this B by B praline moved my fantasy!

We also found an Oxfam shop, it sells fair trade and organic products. Some money from the profit is going for charity.

Now I try to get back in every day life! :D

I did my last short run this morning and I am off from running at least 10 days. I try to get my left knee sorted. During my non running period I am going to cycle more....

Kingston Breakfast run

2011-03-28T05:37:00.003+01:00

I am over my first proper running race. I didn't really plan to do any competitive event for this year, but I won the entry for this race 1,5 months ago via Whole Food's Facebook page. I didn't take 100% seriously the preparation, but I tried to do my best with training. I think I did well!

16 miles. That was the distance what waited for me yesterday morning. Me and Adel caught the night bus very early (London's public transport is absolutely terrible on Sunday morning) and we met up with Tarek around 7:10 in Richmond. We had a quick coffee and chat with Tarek before the cab arrived to take us to Kingston. We been on the start place around 8 o'clock. Streets was already full with people, everybody tried to warm up on this terrible typical British morning. Weather was so chilly and grey. Our start was at 8:25. I tried to find my ideal pace, but it wasn't too easy without any race experience. We ran the first 5 miles altogether and after I said good bye to Tarek. I finished my first 8 miles lap around 52 minutes, my pace was under 4:00min/km. I felt great! I wanted to keep back a bit on the second lap's first half and I wanted do do negative splits on the last 4 miles. When I finished the first lap, I already knew, I can do sub 1:50 time. The next question was, can I do under 1:40?! I got the answer a lap later! NO! :) Unfortunately my right quad started to play up and I had some cramp. Nothing major, but when I tried to push harder, my quad started to look up. I still kept my pace under 4 minutes, but I couldn't nail down the last 4 miles. I finished the race with 1 hour and 43 minutes. This time was enough the 34th place in overall and 8th place in my age group! I am more then pleased with it! Tarek finished couple of minutes behind me.

I had 2 gels and a half glass of water during the race, my grain and junk free carb load went very well!

After the race we said hello to CompresSport Tim and caught the bus back to Richmond. We finished the morning in a local Starbucks with a huge cup of coffee and some food.

I have to say, event organising was more then great! Humanrace did the job well! Also big thanks for Whole Foods Market for the free entry and the fabulous goodies bag!

I ran the race in my full CompresSport gears and I wore the new CompresSport full socks for recovery during the day! My legs felt great this morning! I am also really pleased with my new shoes! Wowwww...... These shoes are flying! I only have 2 small blister.

The only negative thing was my Garmin. Something went wrong and I lost my data! :( I haven't got any usable data from the race. Can't be everything perfect... :D

Week of the freebies...and knee scan

2011-03-25T21:18:00.005Z

Who likes freebies? Everybody, so do i! You just have to keep your eyes open and you can find plenty of free stuff! Usually big companies always have something to flog you.

The week is started with a small bag of Clipper Organic Tea bags. I just joined the club on Clipper's site and I will get free samples in the future. Tatammm, 3 days later a bag of tea bag landed in my post box!

The second surprise was a bottle of vanilla drops. It came from MyProtein. I order all my supplements from MyProtein long time ago. MP has a best price on the market and if you buy in bulk, you can get even better prices! I decided to order unflavored protein this time and MP sent a bottle of vanilla drop with it FOC! Thanks guys!

I am Starbucks card holder! (oh, big words... basically I registered on Starbuck's page) Time to time Starbucks has a really good offers. I got a voucher via email on Monday. It offered me a bag of free coffee beans on Thursday, if I buy a handcrafted drink! Here we go, medium black americano in my tummy, bag of coffee beans in my bag! Thank you very much!

This kind of freebies are good!

I got some other stuff free as well....but I can't call them freebies. They are more like presents. Time to time I get different sort of presents from customers and friends. It is really good feeling, it makes feel, somebody appreciate your work or your friendship.

One of our customers/my friend brought me some awesome gadget! It is a calf stretcher! He bought it for me in US! Tarek regularly go in US and most of the time he brings me different sort of running and cycling magazines, but today this little green gadget came with my magazines. Thanks mate!

I visited Forge Clinic on Thursday afternoon. Thanks for Matt, he find me a slot in his busy schedule and he spent some time to listen my moaning... I still had this odd pain/discomfort around my left knee (not inside the knee!). He had a closer look and scanned my knees. Thanks good everything is okay, just some small injury in the cartilage, I can keep moving. He showed around in my knees with the scanner. It was very very interesting. I love to have one of this scanner thing at home! :) You just marvel how wonderfully designed the human body!

Good news, my knees (joint and all sort of things) has NO sign of any wear! It looks like a 15 years old teenager's knees! Hurra!

I am going to bed soon. Tomorrow is race day! My race kit is prepared already. Wish me a good luck! :D

The lucky number is... 1208!

2011-03-23T14:02:00.006Z

Kingston Breakfast run is coming up 3 days time. I did my last training before the race last night. I just had 50 minutes with 3 times 5 minutes on target race tempo. I felt great, but my left leg still sore a bit. I haven't got any problem after 5-10 minutes, but it hurts a bit after heavy sessions. We will see, how weekend is going and worst case I take couple of weeks of from run after the race.
My race pack has been arrived by post today. Now I have got everything, start number, timing chip... basically I just have to do the warm up and stand on the start line on Sunday morning.

But today surprise wasn't only the start pack.. My new seat post turned up after long wait. I snapped my Ritchey Super Logic on last year during the Bristol Bike fest and I used Dave's Thomson rest of the season. Finally Crank Brothers started to make 27.2mm carbon seat post in 400mm length. Everybody make just 350mm long, which one isn't long enough for my meter legs. I ordered one Cobalt 11 end of last year... And finally it is here now! I have to give a good service and some love for my Scalpel soon.

I am looking forward the weekend, lots of coming up! Sunday is race day and we are going to Bruges early Monday morning for three days. Actually, my whole April looks very very exciting! Hell of North Rapha sportive ride is two weeks time. I just received the confirmation email from Rapha, I have a place! And yesterday we booked a six day trip to Malta end of April! Happy days.

The weather was glorious today! I decided to give a quick spin for my new Mavic Zxellium Ultimate shoes after work. I just rode an hour in the park and headed home, the week's motto is "take it easy"! My though about the shoes are coming soon!

Short weekend, new shoes again, speed converter

2011-03-21T14:07:00.010Z

My last couple of days in nutshell:

My weekend was very short, only one day! Usually I am off every Monday, but I swooped days with James and I was working today. Day was quite fun with Dave, just the usual "2 kids in the candy shop..."

We managed to fit me in the Cannondale box.... no comment..

My Sunday was very productive. I headed out for a short-long run in my new Nikes around 7:30. I ran just 15km, I had to cut back on training now, because Kingston Breakfast run is just couple of days away. I spent the rest of the morning with personal stuff and food shopping. I planed to try out some new recipes.

After a quick lunch we went up to High Street. We returned back our TV aerial, which one didn't seem to work and I wanted to buy some swimming short. Bruges trip is just a week away, we are staying in a hotel, what has a huge swimming pool and all my old swimming shorts are too big for me... and the hotel's swimming pool hasn't got a nudist section... :) I lost a fair bit of weight again, if I carry on this, I will be disappeared in the future. :D

We managed to return back the aerial,but I couldn't buy a short. It doesn't look good! :(

I started to cook quite late. I made first a roasted cauliflower and parsnip soup with cashew cream. I didn't check the recipe properly... and I made around 4 litres... It taste really nice and I am sure, this 4 litres of soup will go very quick.

4 litres of soup...

I also made some balsamic and garlic roasted brussel sprouts. I love brussel sprouts! Most of the people hate this lovely veg... I can't see the reason why?!

I bought uncleaned sprouts... I never do again! I spent around 40 minutes just taking off the top leafs and clean the sprouts. It is terrible job, trust me!

But the final product was very very tasty!

After the cooking session I finished the day in the gym with a little back workout and 3 km easy treadmill run in my Nike Free-s.

I headed out for a short ride on Saturday morning. I did only 60km, but I got absolutely frozen. Everything was frosted in Richmond park. I started to warm up after 45km.

View from top off Richmond hill

Freeze sunrise from Putney bridge

During the day (when I was working) the weather was gorgeous! I ran home after work. I got bonked half way home and I had to stop to eat some Cliff shot blocks. I was okay after 2 minutes again and thanks for the shot blocks I managed to run my quickest commuter ride. My average pace was 4:17 min/km. After a quick shower and some food I decided to go out and buy a pair of shoes..again. (I hope this Saturday evening shoe shopping isn't going to be an usual event...)

I bought a pair of Air Pegasus a week ago and I bought a pair of Lunar Elite now. Okok, I had a good reason! My Lunar Glides are too small, and the Pegasus isn't quick enough for speed and tempo workout and occasionally short distance racing. I really wanted to get a pair of racing flats, but I know I am not ready for those yet!

I bought the Elites in Sports Direct as well. Good price, no too much trouble.

Bite of London... Piccadilly circus, opposite Sports Direct

Here we go... my shoes obsession is definitely out of hand now...

Friday was my speed workout day! Oh my God! I never did this before. I went in the gym early morning and jumped on the treadmill. The plan was 6 times 1km in zone 6. (4:02-3:55 min/km). The I never keep myself for a plan...we know this.

My workout:

4km warm up

6X 1km tempo with 500m rests:

1-3:52 min/km

2-3:48 min/km

3-3:38 min/km

4-3:38 min/km

5-3:32 min/km

6-3:32 min/km

3,5km cool down.

I ran 16km in 1 hour and 6 minutes and I was exhausted!

Convert my speed from km/h to min/km or back are every time is a trouble for me.

I found a cool and helpful chart on the web, what makes my life easier.

It called treadmill conversions chart:

Just keep looking peeps, some bike related post is coming up soon! :)

Middle of the week

2011-03-17T18:10:00.005Z

Middle of the week already. Today was a rest day for me. I decided to take full off from training. The last couple of days were quite busy and Kingston Breakfast run is coming up soon. I have one more hard interval session tomorrow and I cut back on training gradually now... taper time! I never did running race in my life. I did only the London Duathlon Ultra distance last year, but it was a bit different. I tried to guess and decide in my ideal pace for this 16 miles race, but it isn't too easy. I think I just give a go for it... and how I am feeling. Back to my bike races, I never made any target speed before the race, I just rode, how I felt ok and it was working...

Unfortunately my feet still don't shrink and my LG2s are still small... I think I have to get some new shoes..again! :D
Fair enough originally I didn't buy the LG2s for running, they still stay my casual shoes. I try to find some nice Lunar Elite-s or Lunar Spider-s for a good price.

Ahhh new shoes! My pair of bright yellow Mavic Zxellium turned up day before yesterday. Time for a test ride soon...

I ran again in my Free-s yesterday morning, I did 3,5km. I feel myself more and more confident run to run in this slippers, but after this short distance I have huge tiredness in my feet. I know, time and patients.

Our Bruges trip is coming up soon. Basically we are leaving London on Monday 28th morning. I hope I will be able to move! :D
I am looking forward the 3 days trip in Belgium, and the Cromwell Plaza hotel with a lots of stars. I also can't wait to drink some Kwak again and taste some real Belgian chocolate. I think I have to miss the waffle trip this year.... or may be I have just ONE! ( and not 15/day, then last year).

Yep, missing waffle... I am "grain free" more then a month now! And you know what? I don't miss it... Okay, sometimes. I don't say, that I never ever eat grain again. I am not on strictly diet or this is not religion.. if I am going to be feel some craving after grains, I have some. But I feel myself great without it at the moment.

I managed to made some really nice dishes over the last few days.

I made a raspberry and goat cheese salad for dinner last week. I used spinach and red cabbage for base and added some raspberry and goat cheese for it. The finishing touch was the Atkins and Potts Raspberry and Black pepper salad dressing! It was amazing! The black pepper really gave a good kick for a whole salad. Okay , this salad contains some dairy product... basically it isn't full paleo, but .... but what? :) Goat milk products are freaking good for you! Ask Cleopatra....

My second creation was zesty chicken breast with orange caramelised broccoli! Oh yeh! I found this recipe in my Paleo cooking book.

Welcome in my lunch box!

And beginning of this week I made some duck breast with orange salad and sweet potato. I were craving after duck breast ages.... I know it isn't the leanest choice, but once in a while I can have some bad!

And we shouldn't forget about the dessert. I have one "bad" addiction! I can't say NO for a good dark chocolate. I really like chocolates with over 85% cocoa solid.

I managed to pick up couple of bars Seed & Beans chocolate bars in Whole Foods. I had couple of strange flavour in my selection, Extra Dark with Lavender, Extra Dark with Cornish Sea Salt and Extra Dark with Pumpkin Seeds and Hemp Oil. All had 72% cocoa solid, it means all were a bit sweet. I really liked the salted one, lavender and pumpkin seeds one were nice as well. Seed & Beans is a small British company, who makes handmade chocolate bars from organic and fair trade ingredients. Highly recommended to try it!

Running gears - New shoes- Nike Pegasus 27+

2011-03-14T09:51:00.005Z

I mentioned already a post before, I have a pair of new shoes. I bought a pair of Pegasus to replace my old Sauconys. I wanted to get something for long distances and after a little research I choosed the Pegs.

The first Pegasus- Hello Pegasus 1983

Pegasus's history in nut shell:

Pegasus is Nike's one of most iconic and oldest running shoes. First Pegasus created in 1983 is known to be the shoe for every runner and had experienced various changes and modifications throughout its life. It disappeared for awhile in the 90s but thousands of runners reached out to Nike through emails and phone calls asking for the shoe they love and hoped that Pegasus will be back and it was.

In 1983 Hello Pegasus was created that featured an Air – Sole wedged in the heel a swing of other features not found on any shoe at its price range. By 1987, the shoe got its official name changed to Air Pegasus while the amount of air was increased for better cushioning. The Air Pegasus was updated in 1989 with an upper and was especially soft and fits like a glove.

On its 10 birthday in 1993, Air Pegasus sold 17 million pairs and its inner sleeve was changed into a spandex but with mixed reviews the changed proved to be temporary. Air Pegasus went to a more traditional upper in 1994.
Air Pegasus in 1996 was the first of two editions of the shoe where a visible Air – Sole unit in the heel was visible but most runners were not happy with the changed and the shoe regressed to the consistent, reliable cushioning.

Air Pegasus was reborn after a three – year lull with all the good genes of its forefathers plus some evolutions. The heel wedge was replaced by a full – length Air – Sole while a new version of the tried and true Waffle outside offered exceptional traction. The reintroduction of the Air Pegasus was made exciting with a more universal fit and supportive upper.

For the very first time, the women’s shoe was modified to match the female anatomy in 2004 as the Air Pegasus experience a steady evolution of the millennial version.

Air Pegasus featured a better fitting upper, more flexible forefoot and gender –specific crash pads in 2006 making the Runner’s World International Editor’s Choice for Shoe of the Year. And in 2008, Air Pegasus +25 became the best Air Pegasus, paying respect to the original while providing cushioning that was not even a hint in 1983. Cushioning technology featured a three – pronged system of full – length Nike Air, light and flexible Phylon and soft PU. As a whole this system forms the most complete combination of lightweight, durability and comfortable cushioning than any Air Pegasus in 2008.

The Nike Air Pegasus SE came out that featured the original waffle design, a whole new full length air – sole and a lighter 2007 shoe. Nike Pegasus SE was a hybrid performance shoe with an upper sole inspired by the original Pegasus that came with a special box for collectors.

Air Pegasus 25 was the best edition that came out in 2008 and was Nike’s best seller until 2009. The retro style of the Pegasus SE was designed more for a fashion trainer rather than for a serious running shoe. The Air Pegasus continued its timeless series with Air Pegasus 26 and 27 and the controversial Nike Air Pegasus 28.

(source: http://www.runningshoeswizard.com)

My personal experiences:

I own this shoes less then 72 hours ago, but I love them! I tried them out yesterday during my long run and I clocked nearly 28km in. They are awesome, give you a very plush ride. Shoes are well cushioned but quite flexible in the same time. The hells have Nike Zoom unit integrated in.

When I picked up the shoes from the box, they were surprisingly light! I expected something heavier. I scaled them and only 8 grams different between those and my LG2-s. Wooow!

Lunar vs. Pegasus ( Lunar is UK10, Pegasus is UK 10,5)

I feel Pegs are more plush then LG2s but not as responsive, but I can't feel the "floating" effect, what my LG2s give me some time on sharp turns. Thanks for yesterday drizzle I could try them out in wet condition as well and I noticed the Pegs give you better grip in wet condition. With LG2-s I had couple of interesting moments in wet condition.

28km in one go for first time, no irritation, no blisters, no worries... just a pleasure! I think I found my ideal long distance training (racing?) shoes! I feel myself very lucky, that I did the right pick for a first time! What should be a next????

Unfortunately my LG2-s is a bit small for me..I started to look a Lunar Elites now for a shorter distances and speed workout and tempo runs.

Zzzooommm Zoooooooooommmmmmmmmmmm

New shoes (again), immunity boosters and more running

2011-03-14T06:59:00.000Z

I had to retired my old Sauconys after more then 900km usage. I started to use my Lunar Glide 2s last week. These are great shoes, but originally I bought them for normal casual use and not for running. I had to realised, they are too small for longer distance. And shoe dilemma has started again....

After reading couple of discussion about distance running, checking out articles and reviews I decided to get a pair of Nike Air Pegasus 27. Sports Direct has blinding deal on this shoes. I went and picked up a pair in Lilly White on Saturday evening.

I didn't wait too much with the test run, I headed out for a long run yesterday morning. The plan was up to 24 km. But the execution wasn't this easy.... Sunday morning was one of the "disaster" morning. I left my flat around 7:20 ... and I came back 26 minutes later....

Everything went wrong! :) First of all, I decided to try my new running waist pack , what Dave gave to me. I swear I never ever wanna use it again! I can't fit it right and it started to bouncing and turning around on my waist after 4 steps. This wasn't enough 10 minutes later my iPod's battery went flat and other 3 minutes later my Garmin's battery gave up as well. I decided to go back home and try to start the whole thing later on.

I headed out again an hour later, with fully charged battery and without any bouncing accessories. I finished the morning with 5,5 + 22km.....

I did nearly 28km in my new Pegasus and I have to say I am pretty impressed! They are very very comfy!

I went in the gym last night I did some back workout and also ran 3km on treadmill in my Nike Frees. I did 70,5km run last week.

We went for a little shopping yesterday afternoon. I picked up couple of battle Manuka Honeys and Pumpkin Seed butters in Holland & Barrets. H&B has a pretty good offer on now, buy 1 get one for a penny. I planed to try Manuka honey long times ago. It is from New Zealand, bees make it from Manuka bush and it claimed that have antibacterial properties and boosts immunity system. For starter I bought two jars of 15+ and later I will use the 10 or 12+. What are this pluses? Manuka honey has Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). This scale is between 0 and 30 and give an indication about the antibacterial activity in the honey. Higher the UMF, higher the antibacterial activity in the honey. If you wanna read about more, CLICK HERE.

I also picked up a Green Magma trial pack. I use barley grass powder nearly 6 months ago. I used the Lifestream one in the past, but I decided to give a go for a Green Magma now. It is a bit more price, but lots of people reckons it is the best on the market... It came with a little nice shaker, hurra!

Barley grass juice/powder is on of the most alkaline food, very high in antioxidants and nutritional properties. Basically it is a super food....

Saturday early morning me and Max did some "private" ride again. We left the shop around 6:30 in the morning. We rode my old training loop. Richmond- Wandsworth- Croydon- Epsom Downs- New Malden- Kingston - Richmond. Data with map is here.

Rest of the week wasn't particularly interesting. I did two shorter rides beginning of the week, but still the running dominates in my training. Kingston Breakfast run is less then 2 weeks away. I am really looking forward my first running race.

CompresSport, Nike Free and work out on treadmill

2011-03-08T21:54:00.000Z

Start of my week was PERFECT! (every week start with Tuesday for me, this is my first day at work). I woken up quite early and headed out to do some treadmill hill workout in the gym. I got the idea from Matt Tabor, who is a running, food and nut butter addicted guy from the US. ( check out his blog!)

The workout was the next:

Matt’s Hill Workout of Champions

Warm up: 20 minutes at an easy pace.
Hill Interval: 2 minutes at a fast pace at 4% incline
Rest Interval: Recover for 2 minutes.
Hill Interval: 2 minutes at a fast pace at 5% incline
Rest Interval: Recover for 2 minutes.
Hill Interval: 2 minutes at a fast pace at 6% incline
Rest Interval: Recover for 2 minutes.
Hill Interval: 2 minutes at a fast pace at 7% incline
Rest Interval: Recover for 2 minutes.
Hill Interval: 2 minutes at a fast at 6% incline
Rest Interval: Recover for 2 minutes.
Hill Interval: 2 minutes at a fast pace at 5% incline
Rest Interval: Recover for 2 minutes.
Hill Interval: 2 minutes at a fast pace at 4% incline
Rest Interval: Recover for 2 minutes.
Cool down: 20 minutes at an easy pace.

I did 15km at the end. I kept my pace around 4:26 on all hill reps. I really really enjoyed it.

After the great workout my day was good already, but Tim from CompresSport did my day even better! He popped in the shop today and we had a quick chat. I am officially off from racing this year, but he still support/sponsor me this year as well and will give me the latest CompresSport gears! Lots of new stuff (around 16 new gears) are coming out soon! I keep you tuned about it!

I finished my day a short 50 minutes recovery ride after work.

My leg-knee-MCL (or fuck knows what) improves and goes better. I know it can't hail in two days.... but I am not a patient type... :P So, please my dear body, HURRY UP!

I am in a very big shoes dilemma... I just realized last week, time is here for a pair of new running shoes (or two). My Sauccony did the job, I clocked in 900km. I am quite fancy with a pair of Nike from the Lunar family long time ago. Little Dave, my personal gate specialist, reckons I can go away with Nikes without any problem! Amen!

I have a pair of LunarGlide 2 and a pair Nike Free 5.0 . I didn't buy those for running purpose, my LG2s were my "go in the gym" shoes and my Frees are the "gym workout" shoes. I decided to use the LG2 for running now, but in the same time I wanted to get something lighter, quicker and more responsive. After 6 million hours on the web and visiting 2 Nike store and Nike town I was totally confused. I couldn't find the right answers for my questions anywhere. But last Sunday I decided to give one more chance to Nike and I visited the Covent Garden shop, what is the running specialist store! And Eureka! I got the right advice and I got lots of answers. Unfortunately I missed the guy's name, who helped out me, he is a short, young oriental guy. His knowledge was great and he gave me the straight and clear answers for my "stupid" questions. End of the day , after nearly an hour chat I came out from the shop without buying anything. He didn't sell me anything, because I have the right stuff already! Wooowww... He talked about Nike Free for me and advised to try it out! And I did. I was really interested, I had a thought running in Free-s long time ago. I started my Free life with the tinny step last Sunday evening. I ran 2,5km on treadmill in my Free-s and it was very interesting and amazing experience. I love it! And I loved the next morning feeling, when I woken up and felt something different "soreness" in my legs. I try to build up gradually my running in Free-s, step to step. I think I am on the right (long) way to barefoot running now!

Thanks Nike store Covent Garden! Super B shop with super B crew!

But! I still need something lighter and quicker then my LG2! :) I am sure I can find something.....

Ouch!

2011-03-06T11:29:00.000Z

I have been injured.. :)

Okay, nothing serious, but I am taking 3-4 days off from running and legs weight sessions. I don't really know, what did happen. I have this "pain" inside of my left knee nearly two weeks ago, I thought it is nothing, but it didn't wanna go. It isn't really painful and I can't feel normal during run or cycling. It starts to be uncomfy, when I twist my leg or do really deep squats. I ask my super physio, Matt. He owns and runs the Forge Clinic in Richmond and I have to say he and little Dave (who is the running specialist) do damn good job. He recommended for me 3-4 days off from run, lots of ice and Nurofen cream. He reckons I tweaked my MCL or the meniscus. It is much much better after two days, but I still fell it a bit. Hopefully it disappearing for next Tuesday and I can carry on my training.

Why I don't eat peanuts?

2011-03-03T22:32:00.000Z

I mentioned about my peanuts free diet couple of weeks ago, but I didn't share the reason. I am a quite big nuts and nut butter fun long time ago and I started to eat even more in the last couple of months. I consume more then 1-1,5kg/week... sometimes a bit more. Usually I eat all sort of nuts, almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashew, brazil...

And I ate a lots of peanuts and peanut butter as well! But hang on, actually peanut is NOT nut! Peanut is a legume! Okay, basically it isn't reason, because I usually eat legumes.
But cut the long story short, the main reasons are:

- peanut one of the most genetically modified plant (GM never good..)
- according different tests, peanuts contain huge amount of pesticides (except organic)
-very high in lectin, which can cause heart and vascular disease
-because peanut is legume, it can contain alfatoxin, which is produced by fungus called Aspergillus flavus. This fungus live on grains and legumes. Alfatoxin can cause food poisoning, liver disease and even death. I got very serious food poison from peanuts last December. I spent 3 day in the row in the bad, I wasn't able to move...
-omega 3-6 ratio is absolutely wrong in peanuts! Peanuts and peanuts oil are too high in omega 6 and too low in omega 3 fatty acids. It can cause cardiovascular disease..

Are they enough reason for you to cut out peanuts from your diet?
Try to munch on other nuts, like almond or brazil and try to change your peanuts butter to almond or cashew butter!

Sunday , First night off road run

2011-02-27T20:21:00.000Z

Sunday... Sunday means different things for everybody. Somebody tries to get some sleep and recovery after Saturday night fever, somebody goes out lunch, shopping and meet with friends and some of us(like me) tries to make the most out of it. I am off every Sunday.That's why Sundays are my "long" training days. I do my longest runs and rides usually on Sunday. I really enjoy to hit the road early, when the streets are empty and get home when other people just starts to weak up. Enjoy my breakfast with some tiredness in my legs and I can feel the "yes, I worked for it" feeling!

I headed out for a long run this morning. I woken up a bit later then usually, I had an active week behind me. I planed to run 20km... I did 19,5. I ran from Earl's Court to Richmond via the Thames towpath. The towpath was very very muddy, when I got over to Richmond, my legs and shoes were covered by thick mud. I ran to the shop and picked up my "purple shadow" bike and rode home. It was just 10km ride, but was very good for my legs. Basically I started the day with a mini duathlon! :)

I spent the rest of the day with cooking and I went out the local Sweat shop to buy a long sleeve running top. I bought a Nike one... and I am going to return it back tomorrow... It is too big! :((( Hey dear Nike, when do you wanna make size extra small tops???? Or smaller smalls???

After the unlucky shopping I finished the day in the gym with some leg and back session.

Saturday was a multi sport day as well. I headed out for an early ride with Max. We just planed to do 4-5 laps in Richmond park, but he didn't feel well and left me alone after the first lap. I hope he feels better now.. I carried on the ride alone for one more lap, when some " fast train" passed me! Some tall (very tall.... I reckon he rides 63cm frame) guy on a Kuota. Bloody hell, he was quick. I did 2 laps with him. We pushed around 33-34km/h average... I did nearly 60km before work. After work I just pulled my running shoes on and I ran home from Richmond. Easy 10km run...

Friday was very exciting! I did my first off road trail run. I got a very good head light to try from Petzl's Hungarian distributor couple of weeks ago. I wanted to try it so badly, but I didn't have time...But I hit the Richmond park's little trails on Friday evening. What can I say? Woooowwww! It was amazing experience! I think I have a new addiction now! I really love to ride in night time, but I explored the night run is amazing fun as well. Everything looks different, some climb are steeper or easier, some sections feel longer or shorter. Everything change!

It was my hardest running week since I started to run. I clocked up more the 60km and I am going to run more next week.

The light is a Petzl Myo RXP.

Run around Richmond park (on full blast), Whole Foods and double up Saturday...

2011-02-22T21:29:00.000Z

I started the day with some unplanned running test today. I wanted to run just one lap in moderate tempo in Richmond park, but when I got true the gate everything changed.... I had a " how long is one lap take for me on the Tamsin trail?" question in my head long time ago. I had to have the answer this morning...

I ran up from the shop to the park, which takes good 8 minutes. It was enough warm up after the 20 minutes ride from Earl's Court. When I crossed the gate, I went mental and started to push it. I never ever run this fast for 11,5km. I felt really good myself. It was well over my comfortable running pace, but was excellent feeling! I felt my real own again, when I loose my mind and just push it. I finished the lap with 4:03 min/km average speed. Basically I ran around the park on the gravel path, it called Tamsin trail. The distance is 11,5km and it took me 46 minutes and 43 seconds. Is it good or not good time in usual? I don't know, but definitely this is my new PB! Data here!

Yesterday and Sunday were my usual off days. Yesterday I started the day with some house work (cleaning and shits..) and I headed out to the gym. The gym workout made me hungry and I came home to cook something before my Whole Foods mission. I made some super tasty paleo lunch. Orange poached fish! Here is the recipe ( after I post nearly all of my food on Facebook, I got couple of enquiry about recipes... I think it is time to start to share those...)

-4 medium fillets of any white fish ( I used mackerels... is it white? Mine was a bit brown...)

-1/4 cup dry white wine

-6 black peppercorns

-1 bay leaf

-1 small onion, sliced

-1 medium orange

- dried dill weed

In a large skillet, place the fish in a single layer. Add the wine, peppercorns, bay leaf, onion, and enough water to just cover the fish. Poach over medium heat until tender, then remove the fish from the pan and drain on paper towels. Squeeze the juice from one of the orange over the fish, and dust with dill. I used the other orange for side dish...

It was amazing.

After a little nap, I walked up to Whole Foods Market (whole pay check...)to spend a bag of money again... I bought nearly 2,5kg nuts, 6 bars of dark chocolate, soy yogurt, sheep milk chocolate pudding, Raspberry and Black pepper salad dressing, two boxes Dr. Stuart's herbal tea and a big jar apple sauce.

The chocolates will be interesting, they are Seed & Bean. The selection includes some really interesting one, like dark chocolate with lavender and extra dark chocolate with pumpkin seeds and hemp oil....

The Atkins and Potts Raspberry and Black Peppercorn salad dressing rocks! I tried out last night and I love it! With spinach and goat cheese... yummm!

Sunday was a bit boring for me. I went out some early morning ride, but I got back 1,5 hours later. The weather was terrible, grey and miserable. I couldn't be asked... and Szamba either...

I had an invitation from one of my personal trainer friend. She works in David Lloyds Kingston. She wanted to show around and I could do my workout as well! I rode out to Kingston and back home. It added nearly 40km more for my daily miles. It is still not too much, but I have a priority on the running now in the next couple of months.

Saturday I did my first "run to work and back home" workout. I was so excited in the morning. I packed my stuff in my new Nike back pack and headed out in the rain at 7:30. I know now, it was a bit too early. The distance is 10km and takes comfy 42-44 minutes. Thanks to my new CompresSport gears it wasn't a problem to run back home after 9 hours standing work. It was a great fun! I plan to run longer and longer distances in the morning and just easy 10 km on the way back home. Good opportunity to clock up miles.

I didn't eat any grain in the last 9 days. I carry on this little "challenge". I don't think it has any major benefit after 9 days, but I noticed, that I am less tired during the afternoon... feel more energised?! I still drink my 3 litres of water every day as well....

But some new "cut out" started yesterday. I try to avoid peanuts! Why? I will tell you later.... It is too late now.

Upside down week, more Rapha and more running

2011-02-18T20:18:00.001Z

I have a hectic week behind me. I skipped two work outs already.... bad bad bad!

This morning I woken up very early (thanks for early bed last night..) and I decided to ride out Richmond and do some hilly trail run in the park. I managed to make dirty my "new" AdidasKanadia TR3s finally. I bought this shoes nearly 3 months ago and I didn't have a chance to try out those. The weather was a bit chilly but ideal for running. The surface was a bit wet with couple of really muddy bits. I tried to make a most ascent, what was possible in an hour. I managed to do 13,3km and 273m climb.

I am pretty happy with my new shoes. They worked really well, only the cushioning was a bit hash on the tarmac bits. It isn't surprise after my pillow sole Saucony Triumph 7s. I lost a bit control only in the really deep and slippery mud. The fitting looks perfect, but I have to clock in more mileage before I can say honest opinion. Anyway for a price what I paid for it, itdefinitelywas a bargain!

Workout data is here.

I still feel a bit tired from this mad week, but it is much much better then yesterday! I skipped gym workout tonight and deepens how I am feeling, I try to do it tomorrow evening.

Forecast is pretty shit for a weekend, we cancelled our group ride and I cancelled my own private one is well. I will see in the morning, in the worst case I will run in work and home tomorrow and ride on Sunday.

Yesterday was an official second Rapha day for me! :D My order turned up...again. I ordered a new, size small Paul Smith hat and in the same time I put a pair of Paul Smith leather gloves in the basket as well.... Rapha heaven. Dave reckons I am going to be a tart and I will be not able to ride a whole lap in the park, if I carry on this things! :D Hopefully not... but I am already looking the new Rapha cycle specific jeans.... I am going to be bankrupt soon....

Wednesday I still felt myself really tired form missed Monday rest day. I did some gym workout in the morning, but I couldn't be asked to do anything after work. Yesterday was a same.... morning gym session and 40 minutes ride after work... I think I need a very very good sleep!

Highlight of the week happened Wednesday! I won an entry for the 16 miler Wholefoods Kingston Breakfast run! I entered the competition couple of weeks ago and I have an entry now! Jolly good!

Monday was Valentines day. Usually it isn't really effect me, but this one was a bit different. I helped out in the shop where Adel works. I did a local deliveries and cut roses from the new shipment. It was really interesting 13 hours, I did 21 local deliveries, 1 delivery to the city by tube, I cleaned approx 3600 stems roses and walked nearly 28km!

The shop called Only Roses. It sells high quality organic roses straight from Ecuador. Have a look the shop's site!

This Monday work made my whole week upside down. Tuesday morning I skipped gym workout. After work I went for a run. I did 14km. I ran to pick up my birthday present from Francis. He bought me a new Nike Cheyenne Vapor running backpack! What a gentleman! Okay, the bought is not correct, he gave me the money and a rest was my mission. I ran to buy it...just a stylise way... I ran up from Earl's court to Oxford circus Nike town, grabbed the first backpack from the shelf, paid it and ran back to Earl's court!

It looks awesome, the buckle system felt very comfy on the way home, and have a plenty of place inside with lots of smart features. I am going to run to work and back home weekly once. It is 10km each way. It isn't too much, but helps clocking up miles.

Birthday, TCR show and challenge time

2011-02-14T05:50:00.000Z

11th February was my birthday! Thank you very much for everyone, who said me happy birthday.

I started my bday with a good 14,5km run. I had some nice surprise from my bosses when I got in work. A bottle of Pink Champagne and a box of cup cakes waited me on the workshop bench. Day was quite fun, I got lots of messages and couple of phone calls. I had more surprise at home when I arrived back from work. More cakes! I think I am topped up with sugar for a while now! :)))

My exclusive birthday present for myself just turned up a day later. I ordered couple of nice bits from Rapha. I already had a gift voucher, what I got nearly 5 months ago and my credit card company sponsored the other half my order. I choosed a Rapha- Paul Smith silk scarf and a Rapha- Paul Smith cycling hat. These are lovely piece of kits and quite unique looking. Unfortunately the hat is too big for me, but new one is on order now and Dave take the bigger one.

Saturday morning me and one of our customer Max did some early morning pre group ride. We rode out Windsor and back in 1 hour and 32 minutes... I have to say it was a quick ride! :) Was it, Max? :))) After our private ride I did our shop group ride as well. We did couple of laps in the park with the guys. I was a bit dead when I finally got back in the shop.

(If you interested out Saturday morning group rides, just please flog me an email! Start is from TW9 1UR, usual duration is: 2,5-3 hours, avg speed: 28km/h)

Max just gave me a really good cd for my bday. I still can't stop to listen it! It is a XX cd. Dave reckons this guys from south London. I love it!

Me and Dave went to visit TCR show yesterday. It just was one of the exhibitions, where is lots exhibitors, but nothing really exciting. We had a nice chat with Tim from CompresSport (one of my sponsor). I picked up couple of new gears and Tim just told about new products. More then 15 new CompresSport gears are coming out soon. Dave introduced our shop for Cytosport. It is a well known company in body building and try to reach the market on the endurance market now. The company has a lots of different type protein products, what could be really useful for endurance athletes. We tried the Muscle Milk shakes and bars and I have to say, it is one of the best tasting protein shake what I ever had. We will be stockist soon and I am going to order couple of tubs Muscle Milk myself and I can tell more about it later.

We left the show quite early.

I did my long run the middle of the afternoon. Usually I run early morning, but I had some building work done in my flat and I had to wait until the builder left. I ran 18,5km. I felt really good and I could run easily more, but I didn't want to over do it. After the run and a quick shower I finished my day in the gym with some serious legs and back exercises.

Okay, challenge time!

Two challenges!

First:

This week I try to cut out all of the grain from my diet! I think the only difficulty will be my breakfast. I had porridge every morning.... I have couple of grainless breakfast idea in my head already..

Second:

I try to drink at least 3 litres of water every day... It shouldn't be hard?!

New gears and Chinese new year

2011-02-11T22:35:00.001Z

I finally decided, that I wanna sell my power meter from my bike. I don't wanna ride around numbers in the next couple of months. I just want to enjoy my ride. Power meter causes addiction. If you get one, you are going to be hooked by watts and you can't stop watching your bike computer's screen. When I decided to stop race preparation training, I wasn't interested with the numbers... I thought! But I had to realised after couple of rides, I still watch the number in the left top corner.... I don't wanna do that! :)
I sold it.. it means I had to get a new set of wheels. I had a lots of thoughts around wheels. I didn't want: aero, heavy, tub, fragile and expensive... I wanted something strong, reliable, stiff and comfy at the same time, light enough and not to pricey. I work with Mavic wheels ages and I owned few pair of mountain bike one. I know, these are really good stuff, I never had a single problem with these. But I never had Mavic road wheels... On the road side I was far more interested with weight and aero dynamic. But time changes and I am going to be older and ...... (OK , I am not sure with the second word).
I just been on some Mavic seminar last week and I heard a lots of interesting and clever things about Mavic wheel systems. After the seminar I had my choice! Ksyrium SR!
I haven't ride too much yet, I will write something more about it after couple of hundred kilometers.
I also have some upgrade on my road crankset and a pair of new white Ergon grips turned up and my new seat post on order for my Scalpel.

Nike released a new running shoes (LunarHaze) and a brilliant looking backpack (Cheyenne Vapour ). I went to check out this new stuff in Nike town last Monday. The experience wasn't great, gears looks awesome, the new shoe gives me a hope, that I can upgrade my running kit for full Nike. I couldn't find any Nike shoes in the past, what could deal with my catastrophic foot! I am going to do some gate analysis with the new LunarHaze and we will see....
Back pack is very funky, specially the green version! It is the "have to have one" type gadget!
Nike town has one of Lance Armstrong's Trek on the first floor. I don't know it is really one of Lance's bike or not, but good to believe , you can touch his bike!
I had a really bad experience with customer service. I have to say, this guys are a bunch of idiots! Knowledge about products = 0!!! The answer for my "How much is the back pack weight?" question was " I think it is no more than 30 grams?!?!?" Thanks!

Last Sunday was a last day the Chinese new year celebration. We decided to go to visit the festival in China town. The place was ramped already midday. We just tried some traditional Chinese food, followed by some Chinese dessert (sugar bombs) and we got out from the Soho. It was out of hand, you couldn't move 3 steps in 20 minutes.

After the quite unhealthy, but interesting Chinese lunch I decided to do some "nearly" paleo healthy dinner and dessert. I made some oatmeal coated veal liver with baby carrots, basil and spinach. Dessert was raw cocoa coated banana.

Week is nearly over now. I am just looking forward a weekend, lots of interesting stuff is coming up!

What's going on?!

2011-02-06T20:19:00.000Z

I haven't posted anything a while ago. I had a hard time over the last couple of months and I had to make couple of really hard decisions.

In the last two season I tried my best. I tried to live two life in one. I was a professional, who works nearly 50 hours a week, looks after himself and try to build some "carrier"! ( I hate this word, I don't really wanna be a carrier hunter, who steps over on everybody and everything just for himself..) And same time I tried to do my best on the race courses. I trained like a lunatic, and tried to do as much training as possible next to my job. It wasn't easy and I had some really hard moments, but in the same time it was a wonderful experience and good lesson! When I had to realize that no one really wanna support me and help me in next season, I knew that it is over and I have to give up. Not forever, but I have to stop racing for a while. This thought has been in my head for ages, but I did my final decision in rest and peace , alone, far away from my usual everyday life. I went to Fuerteventure on 1st of January and I had a really good training camp over there. A camp, what closed a episode in my life. When I had my eyes opened up and I learned the lesson. First I have to put my life in order (thank Fiona, these are your words!) and after I can carry on, what I love to do! I don't really wanna waste more words to explain my decision, who is close enough for me and has to know the details, they already know!

Well, just make clear everything! I am not over trained and unmotivated! OK?!

I still carry on "training", collect lots of milage and until my free time is limited by school and other important things in the next 2 years, I try to keep up my endurance with a little more running. We all know, running is more efficient to build base then cycling, when you haven't got enough time. I just started running last April and I am more and more addicted to it from strike to strike. In this upcoming season I wanna taste a bit what is ultra running about! Running gives me a same freedom as cycling but it gives me something new, I can punish my body different way and I can experience pain in different forms.

In the same time I try to dig myself deeper and deeper in nutritionist stuff. I started to do PT course and I am planning to do massage, British cycling coach and nutrition specialist courses as well. All day fitness and healthy life! :) All good!

And finally message for worrying people!

Don't worry, I am not going to be lost! I just need to prepare myself and put my life's stem on the right direction and I will be back harder, faster and stronger then I ever been!

Festive season with lots of training...

2010-12-17T21:07:00.001Z

Xmas is couple of days ago. We are in the middle of the festive season now. Lots of Xmas shopping, nice festivefoods and couple of drinks. But don't forget about training! First the hard work, after the temptation!

I just received my last week training plan and it looks quite hard, but I have to do it more difficult. Francis just sent me a link about Rapha Festive 500 challenge. It is all about Xmas holiday rides. The point of this, you have to ride at least 500km between 23. and 30. December. I wanna do it so badly! :) And I know , I don't need 7 days for put 500km in my legs. I think I will have active 24.-25. and 26.! Basically it is my last proper training week before I am going away to Fuerteventura. I have a flight 1. of January and I am spending 12 days on the island. Oh yes, first training camp is coming up!

Back to the last couple of weeks.

I have rest week now. I did 3 weeks quite hard block and my coach reckons I am stronger already now then I was in the same time at last year. Hm, that sounds good.

I do cycling 3 times and running at least 2 times a week. Gym comes additional 3-4 times / week. Lots of work, it means, I have to eat a lots! Never better time! :)

Last couple of weeks were really gastronomic. All started with Thanks Giving foods. I ate around this daysin Whole Foods market. It is American company, it means, should has a Thanks Giving foods! I had a lots of turkey and cranberry sandwiches and couple of slices pumpkin pies. Pumpkin pie was a heaven! I tried to do for myself couple of months ago, but I overdosed the stelvia little bit and it wasn't the perfection... This time I chose the less healthy but definitely quality option! Sugary (cane) pumpkin pie with nice pastry...

Thanks giving bundle

On normal weekdays I follow the paleo diet in 95% and try to eat as much raw as possible, but when weekend comes up, I have to cheat! And the best parts is coming now! I found something extraordinary in middle of London! Little bit more then two weeks ago I decided that I wanna eat steak. We cought Piccadilly line and headed to Covent Gardens direction, after Knighsbridge some signal failure taken place (usual bullshit on LOndon tube..) and we decided to get off from the tube at Hyde park corner and go in Winter Wonderland. First we visited the well known Belgian waffle company's stand. Belgaufra makes a best waffle on planet earth. After the sweet treat we craved some less sugary food. And after 3 minutes walk we found a Hungarian food stand with authentic Hungarian foods and authentic Hungarian crew! Oh my God! I wanted to taste everything.... We had 4 different courses for share. During the culinary tour we had a conversation with the owner. Papas and his team came straight from Budapest. He runs couple of Spanish delicatessens and several pubs over there. He is a real gourmet! He knows everything about food, jazz and wines!

Now we frequently visiting Winter Wonderland in our free time! :) I just received the weekend menu andI have to say we will go Saturday and Sunday as well.

Hungarian heaven...

We had snow today in London. Not too much, but I think it is enough for a wicked off road run tomorrow morning,. I am heading out early, drop my stuff in work and after run in Richmond park an easy hour. Hopefully it is time to try out my new off road shoes now...

I am off to the bed now! Have a great night everybody!

140 days ago...

2010-12-13T21:10:00.000Z

Well, I haven't done anything here exactly 140 days ago! It is a little bit shame, but I wasn't really in the blogging mood! Other side... nobody really shouted me " Szabi... why don't you do your blog????"

Anybody interested????

Okay, I don't give a flying shit! :)

I do again , because I enjoy it again! I will carry on blogging about my everyday life, my mad cycling habit, my food addiction and one of my new obsession , running! So ladies and gentlemen, tick your follow button and keep ready your "like" sign please!

Last 140 days in nutcase:

- 24 hours world championship- nearly second, but I finished 4th. Not bad, but I still have a little nail in my proudness...

- New sponsor- CompresSport! Really big thanks for Tim Williams, who give me a chance and his support!

- London Duathlon- Ultra distance: My first duathlon race in my life, finished 2nd in age group and 17th overall! Well happy! I never did 20 km run for one go in my life..

- Huge building work and changes at work! Check out our new web page! http://bicyclerichmond.co.uk/

- Started winter training 7 weeks ago....

I am back...hopefully

2010-12-09T17:55:00.000Z

Ok, I know! I didn't write here anything ages... nearly 5 months ago. I wasn't really in blogging mood in the last couple of months... to much was on my plate. Moving, racing, training... Busy busy life, but I will try to find some time for managing this blog as well... I hope that I can share some interesting things from my life and you are out there still will follow me!

Salzkammergut trophy

2010-07-26T18:25:00.000+01:00

Hmm.. I wasn't really in a blogging mood over the last couple of days. Unfortunately I didn't do to well in Austria a week ago. I went away with big plans and I came back with bitter taste...

My thoughts on the way back on the airplane:

"I didn't really write to much here in the last couple of days. I was too busy organising my Austrian trip.

I raced in heart of the Austrian alps two days ago. The experience is still fresh and the feeling is really mixed my inside. I am sad and happy in the same time. This race was really hard, really hard and not just a physical side, it was really hard mentally.

I am sad because I didn't do too well, I wanted to ride at least 1,5 hours better time, but this sadness is my fault. I put the requirement too high. I had to realize that this type of race isn't my profile. I don't really train for this and I can't really train for this type of the course. Unfortunately we haven't any similar high hill around London. In the same time I wasn't in my best shape, I am over 3 quite tough races and I finished on the podium every time. We try to shape up me for the 24 hours World Championship. The biggest problem, I lied myself and I thought that I do really well....it was a mistake! I have to learn and I have to accept, that I can't be in the top form all the time.

Other side I am happy! I am happy, because all of the bad things I didn't give up the race, I finished. I had a heroic fight my inside over 13 hours. I had to fight with my weakness, but I won! I killed the bad voice and I rode up on all the climbs and I finished the race properly. I did my best, that's it!

But what did happen?

I flow back to Hungary last Thursday afternoon. My really good friend, Zsabi came and picked up me on the airport and I stayed on her place over the night. The Tatra street base! :) We had dinner and we went in the bad really early. We drove to Bad Goisern on Friday morning with VasP, Hedi and Miss Fishtax. The trip was good fun, we had a lots of laugh in the car. We arrived to Bad Goisern late afternoon. We picked up our start number in 5 minutes and we had a quick shopping. Everybody prepared everything for a next morning early start. We been in the bed around 9 o'clock.

The alarm went on 3:50. Everybody jumped out from the bed and started to be done quickly. The start was 5 o'clock. We started the first climb in nearly dark. I was quite hopeful in the first 10 minutes, I felt okay and I didn't have any crump...hurra! But I had to realize my heart rate wasn't right. It was too low and I was slow... The weather was really humid and hot already. After 20 minutes I swatted really hard and I didn't feel any strength in my legs. And a mission started. I knew, that I couldn't ride good time, I was dead. I tried to eat a bit more, I thought may help, but it didn't work. My stomach started to be full and my energy level just went lower and lower. I wasn't well, I couldn't push hard uphill and I didn't feel myself confident on the downhills. I fallen off around 40km and I hit my left knee. Nothing major just some nasty bruise. I moved slowly and I didn't really stop until 150km. Around the Hallstadt lake, middle of the forest I hit the wall. I had to stop and sat down. I wanted to drink coke and eat flat bread, but I hadn't any with me. I was alone and I had to realize in this moment, how hard is this race. It more harder the any 12 or 24 hours race, where you know the course and you had a complete support team, who helps for you. After 10 minutes brake, I felt a bit better and I carried on riding. I rode up until the salt mine, but after I had to push the bike, I couldn't ride. Anyway, I finished a race on the 21. place in my age group with 13 hours and 40 minutes. "

And my thoughts now:

- it was a good lesson, I learned a lots!

- I will prepare myself properly next year and I will do at least 2 hours better time!

- I have to accept failure and I have to grow up!

- what dosen't kill you, makes you stronger!

Pictures

Fowlmead Enduro 6

2010-07-08T21:30:00.000+01:00

Finally I have 5 minutes to do post about last weekend.

I had a 6 hours enduro race down in Kent last weekend. I found this event in British Cycling's calender 6 weeks ago. I decided to do it for training reason.

I wasn't really human beginning of last week, but thanks for my coach and the 3 times 10 hours sleep I felt myself really good on Sunday morning. Tibi and Evi came and picked up me around 7 o'clock. We met with Adel 20 minutes later and we headed out straight to Deal's direction. Deal is a little town down in Kent. The race was hold in Fowlmead country park. We were a bit late and I have to say the true, I wasn't sure that we can catch the start in time, but Tibi drove really fast and we arrived 30 minutes before 10. Quick pack out and I had a little warm up before the start. The race was quite local and a field wasn't to big. The start was 10 o'clock and the ride was 6 hours long. The course was nearly flat but wind and sunshine were incredible strong. One lap was around 19 minutes average for me. I had lots of trouble with the long wheelbase fullsuser and the bad tyre choice. The course had a lots of dusty sharp corner. The weather was incredible hot and I got really bad sunburn. Thanks for my crew I got enough liquid and I didn't have any problem with hydration and food. After 4 hours Adel passed me the info: I was on the first place! I couldn't believe it! :)

I finished the race with one lap before the second one. I was in a really good shape, but I have to say, it wasn't any big name in the field...

I was really happy with the result. I had a quick shower and I picked up my free BBQ after the finish. The price giving ceremony was a usual British style... madness, no podium, no medal..... but I am not surprised! :)

On the way back we stacked nearly 3 hours in the traffic jam on the motor way... sucks!

Overall, it was a great day, good organising (except the prize giving), nice weather , my first win in the UK and all of this on Adel's birthday! :)

I prepare my mind for Salzkammergut now.....

Rest day and fixing broken bikes....

2010-07-02T19:56:00.000+01:00

After the hard Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday combo, I had a rest day today. I did a sleeping marathon last night, I spent nearly 10 hours in the bed. I was fresh and relaxed this morning.

I tried to prepare everything for a weekend race during the day and I nearly got sorted everything. Couple small issues left, but I will sort out those tomorrow morning and evening. I have a early bed attack again, you know, train hard, rest harder.

I just cooked my ultimate super healthy carbo load lunch for tomorrow. Brown rice, soy milk, grounded cardamon and cinnamon, raisins and stevia. It looks and smells really good... yummi.

I had one hour recovery ride tomorrow morning before work and I will try to spend my whole day in the biggest rest and piece what is possible in work. The race on Sunday and it is just 6 hours, what is not too long... basically it will be just warm up.. :)

We are driving down Sunday morning, thank for my great driver Tibi and for my super support team!

Back to last Sunday, I had some problem with my Super 6 bottom bracket. I told , that it started to do some very weird noise. I opened up it on Tuesday morning...and woooowwww.... Basically I found the left hand side bearing in pieces. Hmm... I reckon it wasn't the bestJapanese quality bearing. I sorted the problem quickly, old bearing out, new one in, job done. I headed to Hillingdon after 6 o'clock and I returned back on the crit race course. We had a really good race and I rode a lots on the front. I didn't feel myself too strong, but my coach was happy with the work.

It looks a bit tired....

I started to feel the pressure in my head to fix my Scalpel after 3 weeks on Wednesday. It still had a broken bits of the seat post in the frame. Thanks Dave mega clever bold head, he got out the broken piece from the frame in 5 minutes. He had a brilliant idea, the bold head started to sparkle. He super glued one freewheel remover tool in the broken piece and after just wrenched out with a spanner... Genius! And it wasn't enough, after he landed me his old (new?!, anything what Dave owns more then two hours , it is turning to be old...) Thompson seat post! Cheers mate!

Wrench baby, wrench! :)

Happy Dave...

Training wise I had a hectic week, but no pain no gain! Basically I just rode, slept and worked in the last couple of days. No socialisation, no web, no books, no fun... actually it isn't true, because that all were fun! I really like to dance on the limit. It is a great feel, when you get home after 3 hours ride (includes a super intensive crit race) on the evening, you have some meal, shower and go straight in the bed and 7 hours later you are on the bike again and do some mad hill reps 6:30 in the morning....

Ok, it is bed time now! I am back after Sunday race! Have a good weekend!

No break...

2010-07-01T20:40:00.000+01:00

What did happen between Tuesday morning and Thursday morning (50 hours)?

-18 hours work

- 15,5 hours sleep (not too much...)

-10,5 hours cycling (includes 1 hour crit race)

-3 hours gym

-1 hour run

And I finished the day now with this:

(Heather's protein microwave cookie and dark chocolate dreams by PB & Co)

I am dead... and off to the bed now!

What a great weekend!

2010-06-28T21:40:00.000+01:00

I had a brilliant weekend! It started with Saturday evening. I went for 9km run after work. The weather was really nice, glorious sunshine, 26 degrees, Smashing Pumpkins in the ears and 9km in 41 minutes and 17 second! Fast legs are back, good sign!

I was awake really early and headed out 4,5 hours ride on Sunday morning. I rode out to Box hill and did the zig-zag climb 10 times. The weather was really good, may be it was a bit too hot. I had 1 liter of water before I left and I drunk 2 bottles of drink on the bike. When I got home, I checked my weight and I was 2kg lighter. Good workout, I am happy to feel the power in my legs again.

I had a huge and healthy lunch, beef with broccoli, chicory and sprouts.

I spent the afternoon with resting and I went down to Earls Court to meet with Adel around six. Until I waited for her, I had a massive Frappucino in the next door Starbucks...sugar bomb. I was shocked, when I found out, that one Frappucino contains 54gr of sugar! Pff... OK, sometime, I can have some junk.

Adel had a nice surprise for me, she bought me a Starbucks Red travel mug! I wanted one long time ago!

Today was my rest day. It was a bit active, but I had time to rest is well. We sorted out our shopping in the morning, I had a massive monthly shopping in Whole Foods and Tesco. I wasn't able to carry all my staff at home, I just managed half of it, but this 3 bags weighted 20 kg! I bought a lots of nut butters, grains and basic foods. After the shopping we had a massive lunch in the Whole Foods restaurant, just a usual Mexican one... yammi, toslada rulezz forever! After I still felt peckish and I had a yogurt pot, which one was really disappointing and rip off for £3.29. Anyway, that's life.

We spent the whole afternoon in Holland Park. Sunshine, ginger beer and gluten free pretzel and chocolate coated rice cakes... perfect afternoon snack! :)

I am off to the bed now, I am starting the day with run and I am

Broadband is back, speedway course in Richmond park?!

2010-06-27T21:23:00.000+01:00

After couple of days my broadband in working order again. My flat mate Janice sorted out the new BT line for us.

I saw the signs about road resurfacing last weekend in Richmond park. When I went for a ride in the park on Tuesday morning, I got a shock. Sorry, but this idiots did again... resurfacing work? What? Put gravel on the tarmac? Sorry guys, but do you have a giraffe??? Are you wanted to be Richmond park part of the Olympic course? I think you came from some different planet... People are really upset, this surface is very dangerous to ride and riders can get puncture easily. Ok, I know, Richmond park is not only for cyclist, but this park is the green heart of London, lots of people use for sport and I think you should look after it and not fucking up! May be you should thinking about banning traffic! I think it is unacceptable, that every day is a full traffic jam in the park in the rush hours, because drivers try to do sort cut across the park.

Pictures from our new speedway course (well done government):

Rest Monday, end of power cut and Cannondale 2011

2010-06-24T05:46:00.000+01:00

First of all, I haven't broadband for a couple of days... Our BT line got cancelled somehow and we have to wait 2-3 days until the new line fitted in.

I started this week really hopefully after my terrible last week. Monday was my rest day and my carb load day. I found out, that I didn't take enough carb in the last couple of days and possible that was the problem behind my weak performance. I started the day in the gym, I had 1,5 hours upper body workout. After I rode to Earls Court when I had some breakfast with Adel. I picked up some fresh British strawberry on the market on the way and we had a good old classic porridge with it. After breakfast we went for a walk and we had a nice Mexican lunch in Whole Foods. On the way out we picked up some Wallaby bars for snacking. These are from Australia and hasn't contain gluten or added sugar. We finished the afternoon in Kensington garden with a big cup of Starbucks coffee and couple of M&S cookies (hmm.. they are not the healthy option, full on sugar and wheat, but sometimes you need a cheat). I consumed 2 servings of Vitargo for a better carb load during the day. I went in the bed really early and looked forward the next morning training. I was so nervous and I didn't sleep well....

I was awake v around 5:30. I headed out to train quickly. I had 30gr Vitargo before exercise. The first sign was good. I didn't have any blood sugar problem after 20 minutes. I got in the park and after a half lap I started to do my intervals workout. Everything was fine and I felt myself strong again. I think problem is sorted, I have to take much much more carb then before I did. Hopefully end of my power cut and I can perform well on the next weekend 6 hours Enduro race.

I had appointment with my dentist again. He finished my tooth and put the final filling in. I haven't any more bad teeth , thanks God!

I did a huge order wit SS health food on Monday afternoon and the pack arrived next day. This is service for you... I ordered 11 boxes protein bars, it was on offer. Ok, not all mine, but I keep 4 boxes! :)

Yesterday was a really good day. The British weather turned glorious! Sunshine all day long. When I left in the gym around 6:30 in the morning, it was backing outside already. I had a lots of basic jobs (first services and bike builds) in the morning and I decided to work on the back yard. It was quite good fan, working half naked and sunglasses on. The Cannondale rep popped in the shop on the afternoon and showed for us the 2011 range. We are not aloud to post any picture or info, but I have to say the new carbon cross bike looks amazing! It is already on my Xmas list. Lots of change in the road and mountain line is well..models disappeared and new ones came.

Ok ladies and gentleman , time for breakfast now!

Moody week with weak performance, 2 boxes painkillers and nice foods...

2010-06-20T16:28:00.000+01:00

End of this week, thanks good God! I have an easy gym session tonight and I can rest after. This week was terrible, I just back from rest week and I didn't perform to well. My training were weak. I didn't eat enough carb during the week, I had blood sugar problem every morning after 20 minutes on the bike. I think the dentist and the 2 boxes painkillers, what I ate in 2,5 days didn't help either. But it is over, I have to chill tomorrow and feel up myself for a next week. I haven't time to waste! Hurry up Szabi! Shut up and train! :D

After the lots of negative things I had couple of positive experiences are well. I put back the tub wheels in my Super6 and the ride quality is far much better! It is more comfy and the bling factor is extended. Ride the bike with the FFWD wheels did my couple of nostalgic moments, and I had a lots of thoughts around Lanzarote and Mallorca and this made me a bit more positive.

She is beautiful! Isn't she?

I tried couple nice and healthy food options. The first one is Heather's idea, but I gave a new name for it. It is omelet with Goat cheese and jam. Yes, eggs, cheese and apricots jam. Heather posted this recipe on her blog couple of days ago and since I found it, I couldn't get out from my head. This morning after my training I was in a bad mood and I wanted to eat something different... I decided pop in the shop and buy some Goat cheese and jam. I didn't really want to go out, but I must to do... I had a long hesitation... go in the shop...don't go in the shop... go in the shop... End of the day I did it, and because I mooned a lots about the going out I decided give a new name for this omelet: Heather's fault! It is her fault, because she posted this brilliant recipe and I couldn't say no to d it! :D It was amazing and I have to have one more portion soon.

(the shape isn't the best, but I am really rubbish with omelet making...)

When I been in the shop I found something interesting. Non dairy parmesan cheese. I bought a box and I was really excited to try it. I did some roasted aubergine with tomato and parmesan (I used the new one), chicken and spinach. I have to say the cheese is great. Ok, it isn't taste lake a authentic italian parmigiano but really good choice for who wanna skip dairy products. (I hope my italian friend Vlad dosn't throw me on heretic fire)

Ok, I finished my post and my late lunch is well. I have to go in the gym and after I have a meeting with couple of good friends...something new is coming up soon... :)

OUCH!

2010-06-17T20:58:00.000+01:00

Ouch, ouch and ouch! I am still in pain! :(

I had my root canal treatment yesterday. Actually the treatment was absolutely painless,but I started to be worried when the doctor gave me 4 pain killers after we finished. First I thought I can bring home in case if I will have some pain... but the doctor told I had to take in the same time. What? Afternoon was ok, I couldn't really chew because my whole left side was sensitive. I was so hungry, the meal replacements couldn't feel up me. I could kill for a piece of carrot or some broccoli end of the day. When I got home, I couldn't wait more and I created my own green smoothie. I found some soy milk, spinach and broccoli in the fridge. I put in the smoothie maker and 3 minutes later. It was really delicius and I pushed down a can of tuna after the greenery.

I went in the bad really early, I fallen in sleep around 8:30. I woken up around 11 o'clock. I had a proper pain, I felt, that my head crashed with a fast train. Ohh, my God. I taken 2 more painkiller but nothing happened. I taken 1 more after 30 minutes. One hour later I was ok again. I slept back and I woken up in the morning and I taken 2 more painkiller straight... interesting breakfast. I had a rest day today, thanks God. I went in the North End road market after breakfast and I bought a lots of veg and fruits... I can make a ton of liquid food... doohhh.

I was painless all day, but I taken around 3-5 painkillers during the day. Hopefully tomorrow will be better and I have a peaceful night. I managed to do couple of press ups and sit ups tonight, it is a good sign.

I am back in training tomorrow, with pain or without pain, I have to training, 9,5 weeks until the World Champ and I have a 6 hours race soon. I have to figure out my Salzkammergut setup soon. I am afraid , that my 27-32 highest gear isn't enough and I have to fit a 11-34 rear cassette. Other question is the second bottle cage on the bike. I have just one place for bottle cage on the Scalpel and I don't really wanna take CamelBack. I never felt comfy ride with backpack. I found couple of picture on the web from 2008 Cape Epic, where the Cannondale Factory team has a second bottle cage on the seatpost. I try to sort out something on next week.

I think I settled some new record and managed to build one of the heaviest road rear wheel on the world for myself. My Open Pro Ceramic rim gave up, the ceramic coating started to fell of. I have to send back under warranty, it means I had to rebuild my training rear wheel. Just in time... one of our customer bought a Cann Capo from us and he decided to fit different rims in. I could keep the Capo's original rims, and they are my new training wheels base in the CAAD5. The rims are bloody heavy, 650 gramms EACH! I built my PowerTap Elite hub (625gr) with some left over DT Swiss AeroSpeed spokes and 14mm brass nipples.... Outcome? Ahhh, 1470gr rear wheel! :) Actually it is 100 gramms heavier then my PAIR(!!) of Fast Forward wheels! :) It is heavy, but bombproof!

End of the rest and time to harvest...

2010-06-14T21:59:00.000+01:00

My total rest week has ended! (thanks God!) I am really looking forward to get back in training. I had a short ride and a gym session today and I will do 1,5 hours ride and some run tomorrow. I got my weekly plan, which one looks quite easy... but I am more than happy , that I can train again. I have to really look after myself in the next 10 weeks. 24 hour world champ ship is 10 weeks away. In meantime I have a 6 hours race 4th of July, Salzkammergut trophy 17th of July and the Bontrager 12 hours night race in Plymouth a week after Salzkammergut. I am so excited and full with motivation. I try to do my best end cut all small edges!

The last week was sooooo booorinnngggg! I hate rest weeks, but sometimes I need a proper rest. Weekend was ok, I kept myself busy, shopping, cooking, housework and reading. I had a dinner with one of my friend, Vlad. He is a italian chap and he can cook proper italian food under 5 minutes. We had a nice pasta dish with a glass of good red wine and healthy dessert option, apple and dark chocolate. Ohh and we ate nearly 300gr pistacia before dinner. I wasn't to successful chief on the weekend! :( I tried to do some non-baking protein bar... end of the day I had to baked, because it was to sticky. Result? Pfff.... catastrophic, but healthy! :) Today wasn't good either. I tried to bake some pumpkin pie, but I put too much Stevia in and I had a pumpkin syrup...yakkk...

I bought my plain ticket to Germany this afternoon. I found some bargain ticket with AirBerlin. I booked the ticket, but I have to call the customer service, I couldn't book the bike via online. Sucks.

Other great news! :D I had a first harvest in my mini greenhouse this evening. I removed the done sprouts and put small plastic boxes in the fridge. I have healthy biosnack for a whole week! :)

Ok, it is late now, time to go in the bed!

Nite nite

New projects and huge appetite

2010-06-11T20:34:00.000+01:00

Weekend is here, hurra! I still have a rest and I am not aloud to do any training, what is not too good. First of all, I am going to be mental, secondly I eat everything. My appetite is huge! I ate unbelievable lots and in the bad time. Usually I just have a protein shake after my evening training. I eat my last big meal around 5 o'clock, but in the last 4 days I didn't have appetite during the day but I started to starving after 7 o'clock. I think my body was quite empty, what isn't surprising after the hard season start. I hope, that I can fuel up and do everything on 110% in the next 10 weeks.

I have couple of new project. First one is my new training/crit/winter bike. I got my "new"CAAD 5 frame yesterday. Thanks for Russ, he kindly sorted out one for me. It is in really early stage, it will get a Honky's old Campy Veloce set, a pair of hand built wheels with Powertap hub and may be an Easton EC70 fork (this Cannondale Six Carbon one is looks shit in the alloy frame) and a Power crank crankset.

Second project is my own mini green house. I bought a bioSnacky germinator and I started to grown my own shoots and sprouts. One more healthy food choice. (what I really need after the last couple of days..) I put 3 different seed mix in and hopefully I can start to harvest 2-3 days time. Ohh my God,it is full Farmville feeling, just in live! :)

Third project is some cooking project for Sunday. I will try to do my first pumpkin pie. I love pumpkins in all format and I read a lots of time about pumpkin pie is how delicious. I found original pumpkin pie filling in WHole Foods Market. I got the recipe from Heather straight from the US. It is the absolutely healthy version and we can call it nearly 100% paleo.

After the pie mission I will try to do my own protein bars. I am sick about how pricey are protein bars and in the same time all full with artificial stuff, GM ingredients and SUGAR(?!). Yep, you need some carb with protein, because it helps protein synthesis , but not 15-10 grams in one go!

Ok, I have to have some quality sleep now, possible it will be interesting with full tummy..

Nite, nite!

Check out Heather's blog for couple of healthy recipes!

"Easy" (?!) week..

2010-06-11T07:08:00.000+01:00

I had to realized, that rest weeks never be easy. When I get an easy week in my plan, and I want to do some proper relax, never happens.

Because middle of season my coach decided, I need some rest before we start to do the training for a Salzkammergut trophy and the 24 hour WC. I was really glad with this decision and started to plan, what I wanna do, but Murphy again.

My gum started to play up 2 weeks ago (I just thought it is a gum..) and after Bristol a I started to feel some strange in my mouth and a proper tooth ache has arrived Tuesday evening. I couldn't see any hole on my tooth, but next day after a short hesitation (hmm.. who like dentist?) I went to visit the dentist in Richmond. I didn't want to wait, because it never be better, tooth ache every time goes just worth. The diagnoses was quick, hole on the tooth, quite big, hard to see, because it is between the two. I got medicine filling in and I have to go back next Wednesday and I have some root canal work done. All right, I am happy it came out now and not 1 week before some big upcoming event. How things change... It was really painful when you went to visit the dentist 10 years ago and you came out with satisfaction and smile, now you go for a dentist and you are coming out with proper pain.. but not physical... it is the pain , when you get the bill! Everybody sit???? Ohh yes... £880! FUCK SAKE! Ok, I just pay £430, because I get down my crown on Hungary later on.

Otherwise rest week is quite good. We have a lots of fun in the shop with Dave. I went in the gym yesterday morning. I have to say it was amazing feeling to do some exercises after 4 days.

I am desapiaring now, I have to finish my breakfast... I did my first French toast in my life, it looks really yummiiii.. :)

Tatammm, French toast. 3 slice Whole foods rye bread with raisin, 1 egg, 1 egg white, cinnamon, vanilla, soy milk, honey and galia melon...

Rest days...

2010-06-08T21:15:00.001+01:00

After the prize giving ceremony we drove back in London on Saturday night. I went in a bed around 2:30 and I was awake 6 o'clock already. Usually I can't sleep after long races. I started the day in the kitchen and the last two days I didn't really stop eating. I couldn't count the calories what I spanked in the last two days.
I tried to sleep on the afternoon, but I gave up after 20 minutes. I had a shower and a coffee and after I went to shopping some good food in Whole Foods Market. I stopped nearly all shop on the way and I bought some little meal or drink everywhere. I finished in the bed around 10 o'clock and I slept 10 hours in one go.

The "eat everything" mission countinued on Monday morning and I still couldn't stop to eat today. I went a bit on the junk way on Monday, my flat mate made some milk tart and I was really helpful to eat it. I think I had more chocolate bars and sweets on Sunday - Monday then in the past 3 months.

Today I ate more healthy but still too much. The rest of the day was ok, but the protein bar, protein shake and 300gr steak for dinner may be a bit to much... I will try to cut back a bit on calories in the next couple of days.

Tibi, my friend and driver and part of my support crew, did some video on the English Marathon Championship last year and finally he put in one piece!

Bristol bike-fest - WHAT A FU@@ING RACE????

2010-06-07T10:26:00.000+01:00

What can I say? I am over one of my hardest and most challenging race in my life. This was a typical race, when Murphy popped up! And he did 3 times in 12 hours.

But I start from the beginning.

We drove down to Bristol on Friday afternoon, after work. We slept in the usual Holiday Inn.

Early wake up Saturday morning, quick breakfast in Paleo style plus one more portion Vitargo and we drove out to Ashton court. Everything went well, I picked up quickly my start number, quick chat with Ian and prepared myself for a start. My crew team settled up everything in the feed zone. Quick briefing and we started 9 o'clock spot on. The start was Le Mans style.. running up the hill. I started to feel something really bad half way in the run and my both legs were in full cramp when I found my bike. I got cramp in my both quadriceps and tights. I tried to ride, but I had to stop and try to stretch my legs couple of times. When I got back in the feed zone from the first lap I was in maximal pain. I couldn't walk. I started to do some serious stretching and my legs started to be better 10-15 minutes later. I decided to try one more lap. I sat back on the bike and started to spin like a lunatic. My legs started to be better and I tried to push harder and harder. Everything felt to be good again, until I fell off in the fast technical section. It was a little "traffic jam" and I tried to pass the guys... but I did some mistake and I was over the handlebar in a second. The bike flow away is well and landed on the seat. I tried to stand up...but ouch! Cramp in the hamstring! I was shocked for a moment, but I turned to mental and I pulled my leg back hardest I could. It was bloody painful but worked and my cramp despaired.

Blood pressure went up, brain steamed and I started to ride like a mad. I pushed hardest I could. I been around the 32th place end of the third lap. I came up 9th in the sixth laps and I just carried on pushing. My lap times were constantly around 25 minutes.

I catched the 3rd guy around the 16th laps and I left him. Adel shouted me couple of laps later, the the second guy was front of me 4 minutes and he was slowing down. He was Steve Webb. Two laps later I passed him and he started to came with me. I had a plan already in my head and I left him to go. I wanted to do 4 laps bit easier pace, but keep him in 1-2 minutes and after I wanted to ride 4 laps on full blast until the finish. Around my second easy lap my bike started to do some funny knocking noise. I thought my frame went broken somewhere, but I wasn't really interested. Only one thought been in my head... second place. I did my 4 easy laps, Steve 1,5 minutes front of me, adrenaline, afterburner switch on! I rode a really good lap. After the last little "downhill" section something really bad happened. My seat post snapped down. I couldn't believe it! I just stopped and I was in shock, but 2 second later I picked up the post and finished the lap. I tried to find some help, I got a replacement seat post and tools, but we couldn't remove the other half from the frame. I didn't want to waist to much time I went out a lap without seat... It was a really painful but fast lap. I had to push hardest I can, because I couldn't sit down and spin.. End of the lap I had to stop, my legs started to give up. Quick thinking, Adel tried to get any help what we can, I started to shout around for a spare bike, but nobody wanted to help. Everybody just watched me... Sheeps!

3 minutes later I been in the Paligap tent and a brand new Kona was under me with my start number and my own pedals. The bike was far too small for me and the shock- tyre set up weren't the ideal for me, but I can't complain! I went out quickly one more lap and I finished the race after 11 hours and 34 minute. The 4th place still was far behind me and I didn't have chance to catch Steve again, but I could keep my 3rd place. I am really happy and pleased with this result! I have to say I worked for this 3rd place.

I have to say really really big thank you for my crew team. I couldn't do it without you guys!

Really big thanks for Paligap! Angus, Rebecca and other people who prepared the bike for me with in 2 minutes!

And I have to say big thanks for my coach, who looks after my training and he put me in this great shape!

Carbo load

2010-06-03T21:01:00.000+01:00

Less than 2 days and my next 12 hour solo race is here! Usually I start to load up my glycogen storage 2-3 days before the event. I tried to eat a lots of quality carb today. Quite hard job to do it, because you have to increase carb intake but in the same time try to eat less as possible fiber. Fiber isn't good friend before any event... If you feel up yourself with junk, it dosn't help too much, sugary stuff are not the right choice.

I got home really early today, no gym, no evening workout. I went straight in the kitchen and started to prepare my secret weapon race food, Maxim carbo cake. If you check the box, it isn't the best quality food on the world, but works for me. After I finished the Paleo diet book, I decided I will make my own version with healthy and more quality ingredients, but the recipe is still under construction! Quickly I mixed up the bag of powder with water and chucked in the oven.

After I started to prepare my dinner, which one was a proper healthy carbo-bomb. I filled up the blender with 500ml soy milk, 1 banana, 200gr strawberry, 2 spoon raw cocoa powder, 1 scoop whey protein and 80 grams Vitargo. Vitargo made from barley. It is a really low GI indexed carb with high GI load and low fibre. Basically it is the ideal race and workout food.

I had a yummi turmix.

25 minutes later I toked out the carbo cake from the oven.. tatammmm

They look really good...and smell nice... It was a hard work to don't eat any...

I am done now. Everything is packed up, I just had to prepare my food tomorrow morning. Now some deep and good sleep is coming!

Nite nite!

New arrival

2010-06-02T20:17:00.000+01:00

I ordered the next piece in my collection last weekend and it rocked up this morning. Racing weight by Matt Fiztgerald. I just had a quick look in this evening, it looks really interesting. It gives you a totally different view about sport nutrition then my Paleotic Diet book. I am looking forward to read it. Obviously it isn't happening this week, I am too busy prepare myself for this weekend race! Ohh yeh, Bristol 12 hour is coming up 3 days time!

Thanks God, the weather was really nice today and hopefully it is staying the same now. The forecast says 23C for Saturday.

Ok, it is so early , but I am off to bed now! Everybody know, train hard, but rest harder! :)

1. Jun?!?!

2010-06-01T17:47:00.000+01:00

Sorry, but what a fuck is wrong with this British weather???? I just stand on our balcony and can't belive it... I still have to go out and make at least 2 hours training. Crit race is no way tonight! Thanks, I don't like to ride ice-rink... I don't really wanna break myself for little pieces 4 days before my race... Aaaa , time to go out! Shut up and train!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Long weekend and up coming race...

2010-06-01T13:55:00.000+01:00

Ohh well. I wasn't in a really blogging mood in the last two weeks.

After my crash I did a mad ride on the following Sunday. I went in Ricmond park early morning and started to do laps... yes, laps. Couple of laps... 20 laps! :) I have to say it was quite good fun. I really enjoyed my temporarily horse, the CAAD9 . I didn't feel too much difference between C9 and S6 in the first 4-5 hours. But over the 6th hour I started to feel a bit too hash the C9. I think it is a brilliant race horse for crit and road racing but not for endurance!

I managed easily the 20 laps, only I had some food problem around the 16th laps, but after I ate out everything from my pockets, everything was fine. I am sure now, that I can do my stupidness in middle of September.

End of the day I did 239km in 8 hours .

Here is the data!

The following week was ok, it spouse to be a rest week. But the same every time... never happens. I tried to catch up my personal stuff, but everything just turned in a chaos. But the weekend was wonderful! I had a very very long ride again. I rode the King of the Downs and a bit more! :)

My alarm clock started to scream 3 o'clock on Sunday morning. Everything was prepared already, I just dressed up, had some breakfast and my cleats docked in the pedals 4:28. The city was dark and dead when I left it. First of all, I rode down to Gatwick where the KOTD start center was. On the way I watched the sunrise in premier plane from top of Epson Downs. It was a beautiful experience. 5:20 in the morning, middle of nowhere, watching sunrise. I got in the event center around 6, I picked up my start number and breakfast (?!) and launched out 6:20. Last year we had rainy and cold KOTD, this year we had a sauna type one. The weather was wonderful, really hot and sunny. I didn't push too hard, just tried to keep the same pace all day long. I stopped all feed station, fruit cake, go bars and banana...yummi! I have to say it was a very well organized sportive ride. I only lost once, but it was a bit my own fault. I finished of the 191km ride with 6 hours 44 minutes. I didn't spend too much time in the finish, picked u my goodie bag, filled up my bottles , eat couple of energy bars and I headed home. When I got home , my speedo stopped at 9 hours 44 minutes and nearly 281km. It was a brilliant ride but after I couldn't stop eat in the next 3 days... :)

KOTD data!

Last Tuesday was a usual Hillingdon crit day. Nothing extra, good workout, windy weather. Position? Who cares! :)

I had a long Bank Holiday weekend, but I didn't do any long distance ride, because Bristol Bike-fest 12 hours race is coming up on this weekend. We are going down on Friday evening and spending one night in the town before the race. I am looking forward, hopefully everything is going well!

Mad week!

2010-05-17T11:54:00.000+01:00

What a mad week! Where should I start....

Okay, Tuesday was Hillingdon day again. I turned up quite early , because I had a meeting with the operator guy and we sorted out my last week result. I finished 12th. He couldn't see my number on the finish photo, because the guy next to me fully covered my side.

Because some really big crash happened 2 weeks ago, the organizers turned the way on the race course for the opposite way to try make to safer the race... I am not sure it was a good idea. I didn't feel right the course on the opposite direction from the first second. Corners just weren't feel right, our speed was really slow, too much people in one bunch, you could feel something wrong. And crash happened again, after 30 minutes in the last corner somebody fallen off in the middle of the bunch and the domino effect started... and all front of me. I tried to stop, but I couldn't. Everything just was too fast and the weather was unbelievable cold and my fingers didn't work. I jumped over the first guy, but I couldn't jump the second one... I rode over his ankles... sorry my guy, I hope you are better now. After the accident, the first pack rode away and I worked hard to get on the front again in the next 10 minutes. Didn't left enough for the end again, but I finished 17th, and I am happy with it! :) Longest I didn't hurt myself I was happy with everything...

Happy... until Saturday morning. I just did my one hour easy recovery ride in the morning, when some silly cow knocked off me with her car on North End road. She didn't realized what is happened and she stopped 400m later, other end of the road... Thanks God, I am ok, I have just couple of small bruises and I hit my left quadriceps. Unfortunately my bike got more damage, and my clothing is absolutely destroyed. Luckily she has insurance and the whole claim is going true on it. I don't know when I will see any money out of it, but my bike needs a new front wheel and other bits and pieces.

After this accident I decided, that I don't wanna do the Hillingdon Grand Prix on Sunday. I felt myself a bit deconcentrated and when I put major pressure on my leg, it hurts. Anyway, I was full of adrenaline and I had to make something silly. And what? Hehe.... you will see soon! :)

Duncton sportive + a bit more

2010-05-13T07:22:00.000+01:00

I rode the Duncton sportive last Sunday. One of our customer, Nick, sorted out me a entry and gave me a lift the way down. He picked up me 6:30 front of my house. The kick off was 8:30. The route was 138km and it had nearly 1400m elevation. (end of the day, my garmin stopped on 141km and nearly 1800m). I tried to pick up a good pace and keep continuously. I felt myself really good, even I had a hard week and I managed 8km run day before evening. The course was really good, nice quite countryside roads with beautiful landscape and couple of step climbs. The long distance included 2 feed station. I stopped on both and I treated myself with some banana and lovely flap jacks ( good to eat some different then energy bars on some days). The course was well signed and feed stations were really good. I managed to finish the route 4 hours and 33 minutes. It means I rode the fastest time on the long route. I picked up my free coffee in the finish and bought 2 nice cakes, and I headed back to London direction 10 minutes later... yes, I rode back to London! :D The 4,5 hours wasn't enough for me. I got face wind all the way back, but I really enjoyed the british country side view. When I arrived at home, my garmin stopped 231 km, 7 hours 54 minutes and more then 2800m elevation. It was a storming day with a lots of milage. The weather was quite bad, really cloudy, windy and cold and I got some drizzle on the way back, but these things didn't brake my good mood. I am looking forward the next weekend! :)

The garmin file:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/32829124

Weekly report

2010-05-08T20:43:00.000+01:00

I am over my 3rd Hillingdon crit now. I tried to ride a bit more clever this Tuesday. The weather was really cold and windy, it was hard to warm up and I started to feel the morning run in my legs, but the motivation was on the roof. We started really slowly but around half time we started to pick up the pace. Two guys broken away in the first lap and we couldn't catch then. I think it was my best finish but unfortunately I am not on the result list. I contacted already the organizers and I got the promise, but nothing happened yet. I reckon I was in the top 15th and Stavros ( our sales member in the shop, who cheered up me on the race) reckons I was in the top 10... :( I am a bit sad, but anyway crit isn't my party and it is just training for me. After the cat 4th race finished we stand close to the finish line and watched the other category's finish. Unfortunately some proper crash happened. Lots of rider went on the ground and one guy needed a proper medical help. Lots of broken bike is well... lol.... I am not sure , that I wanna go up in category... :)

Week was quite good, I felt myself strong and training went really well, just a weather doesn't wanna change... rain, wind and cold.... I did 2 hours in the rain this morning and I had a 40 minutes run after work. I am in the bed now, because I am up to some sportive ride tomorrow. I will ride the Duncton sportive , which one is 140km and after the event I am riding back in London what adds 80km more to my distance. I have a 7,5-8 hours day in the saddle tomorrow and hopefully the milage is coming out around 220km.

Good night for everybody now! I am off now!

Bank holiday weekend

2010-05-04T15:13:00.000+01:00

Box hill- 6 degrees and rain

I missed the Gorrick 100, but if I think back the Sunday weather and read the comment about the race, I am a bit happy with it. I am sure, my Saturday- Sunday long training was much much useful. When I realized that I couldn't do the Gorrick, quickly I replaned my weekend.

I didn't feel myself too good on Friday night, I messed up my carb intake again. My body was starving and I felt the time for some JUNK! I wasn't too shy and I went straight in the McDonalds, I know it isn't the best example, but I can cheat sometime( I think I didn't have McDonalds nearly 7-8 months). I had a massive BigMac with a medium fry and 1,5 Cadbury Chocolate Egg McFlurry and I washed down with half liter of Diet Coke. It was good felling... but I still wasn't satisfied. I rode home and checked the Sunday race food bag's contain. Uhhh lala... chocolate cookies and Wagon Wheels... they lasted 10 minutes. Basically I spanked in around 2000 kcal from junk. After I had a shower and I went in the bed. I had 8 hours deep and sweet sleep. I woken up like a new man on Saturday morning. I felt myself human again. I been on the bike around 5:50 and I headed out Box hill. I did 3 hours in the morning and I have to say I felt myself bloody strong. My NP was 263 watts for 3 hours and the IF is 0.837. Hmm... may be the lots of junk exploded my inside! :))) But this wasn't enough and after I finished the work at 6 o'clock on the evening, I went out 2 hours more in the park. I finished the day with 5 hours and 156km.

I woken up really early Sunday morning, but after I looked out the window, I went straight back in the bad. I waited for some magic, but it didn't happen... finally I rolled out midday with my all Gore-tex and winter stuff on me. Waterproof stuff worked very well... in the first 15 minutes. After I was soaking wet everywhere, but you know, we live in UK and NO RAIN, NO GAIN! :) I rode out Dorking and Box hill first. My average speed and wattage were terrible, I couldn't see anything, but I kept going. I had a new idea top of Box hill and I went to see the Windsor Castle. I been nearly 4,5 years in London and I didn't see the Castle yet, never better time... I had a quick look on the building 1,5 hours later , quick photo, rain stopped( thanks God) and I rode back Richmond and for finishing I did 3 laps in the park. 6 hours and 10 minutes, 172km. It isn't too bad in the hurricane wind and rain.

I was really hopeful , that I could ride some long one again on Monday, but my coach told, time for a rest! Ok....

Windsor castle- yippi

Castle park, cycling is prohibited.... hmmm.. I have to say, it is a fast road! :)))

I spent the whole Monday in the flat with my laptop and couple of nutritionist books and try to work out what a hell is wrong with my diet.... I have to try out some different diet, in calorie wise I eat enough , but weekly once or twice I run out energy... if I start to eat more, I get up weight in the next second. I try to do more carb with a less as possible sugar and junk in the next couple of weeks. In the same time I think I have to cut back on my protein intake... I calculated out and I just realized I eat nearly same amount of protein then couple of body builder.... less shake, less protein bar... dooohhh....

This morning I did 40 minutes run and I spent 1,5 hours in the gym. After I had a little sleep and soon I start to get ready myself for the Hillingdon night party! :)

I am off now, I have to clean my bike... still full of dirt from the Sunday ride!

Gorrick 100- no go....

2010-04-30T21:30:00.000+01:00

Oh well, weekend, glycogen storage are on full, bike is ready for a rock and roll... and no go!

Unfortunately Dave just realized yesterday afternoon, he hasn't MOT and tax on the car and no way he can sort out before the weekend. I was hopeful, that we can find some solution before Sunday, but I had to realize it is a dead case! The notice was too short and Bank Holiday is coming up, everybody have a ready plan for a long weekend. I am a bit sad, but it isn't end of the word and I have to be honest, if we check the weekend forecast and injured wrist, may be better if I stay on the road and keep training. I try to do some mad long training on this long weekend.

I did 1,5 hours GA1 in Richmond park this morning. I have to say the weather was lovely and I can't believe the shitty weather will be back soon.

Back of the beginning of this week, I rode Hillingdon crit again Tuesday night. It was mad. Some crash happened in the junior category and our start was delayed. I finished on the 32th place, but without polish myself, I think I did the most work on the front in the first 30 minutes, but I didn't left enough to the finish. I have to say again, on this crit series I don't ride for a good result, I ride it for training. Hopefully it makes me a bit faster. It isn't a point for me, hang on the back 36 minutes and do the final sprint. It isn't match my training expectations. Anyway I really enjoy this Tuesday nights fun.

I got some goodies from Hungary last Sunday. Thanks to Fity for a bag of lovely stuff and to Zsabi for a great logistic! And what was in the bag?

Here we go: