Sunday 13 January

LMH - yes i do have a significant length discrepancy, legacy of a motor bike accident back in 1968, leading to broken femur. Its about 10-12mm as measured about 10years ago when I first got orthotics which i still wear. My club mates are always pulling my leg (ouch - bad pun) about it.

I do have a much lighter road bike - a Specialised Allez, which is worth about 3mph for the same effort, but as I said my bike skills aren't to good and I've come off it a few times more than I should. When I get my confidence back I'll probably take it out then. In the meantime controlled effort is more important than speed.

Tom, I've got a Specialized Allez too, it's a lot more harsh a ride than the old touring bike, but that translates into a faster ride. There's also the numb bum that they don't tell you about.

For me, I managed a gentle 5.5 miler at lunchtime, then we ate out at Frankie & Benny’s, after which I managed to make it to the planned hour swim coaching session (over-fuelled, and barely an hour after finishing the meal). I didn't die, or whatever the warning is.