Training still on track.

Well, a little bit more time has passed and the training has remained constant, with the sessions feeling easier as I have grown stronger.
I have tried to steer away from competition, of any sort, as the strain of high intensity effort, is too draining, physically, to be able to maintain my endurance on the longer sessions that I am doing.

I am doing 6 sessions on the hard weeks and 5 sessions on the easier weeks, with a drop in distance to allow the body to recover.

The six sessions comprise the following elements, which I have identified as being crucial to any successful attempt on the TOURMALET:

2 recovery cross training type sessions, made up of 4mile run, 15min rowing and a short weights and stretching element to ease out the muscles.

Running club, speed work type session doing 400m, 800m, 1000m, or 1mile reps, done with appropriate recoveries in-between.

Cycle turbo trainer session done to boost climbing strength and endurance.

A long slow run, preferably off-road in a cross country type setting.

A long slow cycle ride, done at a very leisurely pace, concentrating on distance and technique rather than speed or going to off hard.

Hopefully this routine will cover the basic needs of endurance build-up, and also gaining the additional skills that will be needed come the big day.

The improvements are coming but it is still a long way off and a lot of work has still to be completed in the days, weeks and months ahead.