No update for a while I know, but I have been busy. A time crunched cyclist trying to train for something like this has to drop something for a while.
The big news is that all the forms have been sent and cheques etc. I am attempt number 2080.
It's now down to last few weeks of preparation, and the weather. I can't help but look back to think of things I would have done differently. Analyse my peparation over the last 8 months. Similar to a mid-year review at work.
I would have liked a powermeter, just for the numbers. It would have been nice to be chart progress in some way, but I still can't afford one.
I'd have ridden the route a few more times. I'm sure there are places you can hit the red and find timely recovery, but where I could possibly get the time from I don't know.
It would have been nice to practice feed pickups and played with even more food combinations, but once again, time is the issue.
And of course I wonder if I could have trained wiser, harder, better in general. Who knows? I have put in some serious hours, I do think this record could fall. The roads have changed, more lights with no improvement in road surface and ever increasing traffic but it can be done. By me?
I have only missed two training sessions due to illness, for which I am grateful.
I suspect how well I do will come down to how much and for how long I am willing to suffer. It may come down to my mind not my legs.
Having made a post on a bike forum, I have recieved some less than positive comments. This is hard to take. They still play on my mind. I am modest by nature, and self belief can be in short supply.
My club and the menbers have been very supportive, a lot of friends are helping on the day. I now have a big responsibilty to do well.  They believe in me.
Somehow when you are the middle of something, people looking in have a better insight. I need to be reminded of the long training hours I have put, some of the extremes I have gone to. In my head I could always have done more.
I have hit the limit now. 8 months of training has taken it's toll. I would just to some home from work and know I have an evening with my family. I have also worn out my cycling kit. I've been using three sets a day. The washing machine could do with a rest too. Perhaps I should have asked Bosch for sponsorship.
I have a lot on my mind, most of which PJ Woodburn wouldn't have been bothered with, because they weren't around in 1981. Small things such as what data fields to display on my Garmin.
I have no doubt it is all head, heart, lungs and legs. I just hope they are as strong as my friends believe. It takes me a long time to get over letting someone down.