Today we cycled down to docklands to the Cycle Doctor to have our bikes fitted properly. Thing is, we do the 25-40 mile runs over the course of a couple of hours and they can take it out of you, so making sure you aren’t overstretched or cramped up on a badly fitting bike is a must. Cath’s fitting was a dream. Pretty much it was just a case of minor adjustments and she was there. I, on the other hand, have been told I have a non-standard body shape. It appears that my legs are longer than yer average man of my height, and so my body is shorter (which is why it bulges out at the sides?) This means that I need a bike that fits as a 54inch frame vertically, and a 52 inch frame horizontally. The phrase “custom fit” was then mentioned. Now I hate that phrase because it normally precedes £££. I remember when I finally got boots to fit. They fit like a glove, and cost twice as much as normal boots. So I’ve long legs, short body and odd feet. I sometimes think that the only sport equipment that will fit me properly is a 50metre swimming pool!

Talking about swimming pools, we have one at the bottom of the garden. Sounds very posh doesn’t it. Well it’s better than that, it’s the local 25m municipal pool and sports centre. Cath is putting me through my paces in there. I managed 24 lengths in 26 minutes last night. Actually, that explains why I was staggering home afterwards.

I’m not sure if Cath is trying to kill me or if she’s entered me in a triathlon without telling me about it!

Actually, while at the Cycle Doctor – who was fantastic, and couldn’t do enough for us – we spoke to a feller called Ray at Swim for Tri who has just installed an endless pool a few doors down. It’s going to be a very impressive place with all sorts of gadgetry that will help people’s swim strokes. He was telling us that one hour in his pool with his tuition was equivalent to 6 hours swimming up and down lanes in an ordinary pool. I have to say that we have been very lucky with the people we’ve met recently both on my photography course and in relation to the triathlon industry. The people we have met are very talented and committed to what they do and are not interested in judging people on their sport, or lack of it. I’m grateful that they are as welcoming and accommodating as they are, especially as a someone more than a bit partial to a proper bowl of ice cream…