Right, apparently the key to success with this training malarkey is to have short-term challenging goals, and apparently getting slim enough to fit into a size 8 Gucci skirt doesn't cut it so I have instead picked the far less glamorous but potentially more challenging Cheshire Cat Sportive on 30th March.

It has such a cuddly name I think. Which is bizarre because it looks like the kind of ride that's more likely to slap you in the face than give you a hug. It's 97.5 miles and has several climbs, one of which reaches, at its steepest point, 1:4 i.e. 25% i.e. what the hell is that doing in a bike ride?

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I entered via http://www.kilotogo.com/cheshirecat2008.htm Having done a few triathlons in the early days of my insanity I have to say that "sportives" really are reasonably priced. £27. And I bet I get a banana at the feed station. Love it.

I'm off to Girona in Spain tomorrow for Dave the brother's birthday. 31 in case you're wondering. Old huh? And will be out training tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday in the beautiful Spanish countryside. I will be accompanied by the mountain goat, but she's suffering from tendonitis, which although terrible for her is great for me, I intend to try and half wheel her up some of the climbs. Because it'll be one of the few times I ever can. And that, my friends, is good for morale