I finished the ten week novice training plan a few weeks ago. I’m leaner and faster as a result, but I’m not sure if I achieved that any quicker than if I went about it in the same manner as last year.

Having a plan was a positive and a negative. On one hand I was more inclined to do specific work because it was prescribed. On the other hand some rides were a chore, and some of the joy of riding was removed.

In saying that, there is now a different type of joy, when you are pushing as hard as previously but your speed has increased.

When I’d completed the plan I took a week off to do my own thing, and then decided to do the Intermediate one. Let’s see where this takes me.