Hey everyone,

Well the good news is that training is going really well. I'm actually a little ahead of schedule in terms of CTL and TSS which is a good thing. As Pete says it gives up some space. For some one like me that is a blessing as sometimes work and the weather can impact on my training.

I do feel like I'm getting stronger. Thursday's session was a good indication, especially when compared to a similar session from 2 weeks ago. For the same amount of time I put out more NP and AP than previously but the best thing is that I felt a lot more comfortable doing it.

I think from next week Peter will start to fine tune the top end and take this approach up till Nationals. We have 4 weeks left with one of those being a taper week.

Fatigue wise I have been pretty good, well till this morning. Due to two nights of poor sleep (due to the heat) and some solid training (in the heat) I broke my record for hitting the snooze button.:) 13 times!!! I just was really, really tired. Still feel a little spacey now.

The one thing I did learn this week is that not only do you need to train your body for a race, but you need to train your mind as well.

I admitted to Peter that I am pretty nervous about this race. The course is full on and so is the competition. We had a chat about this. From it he assured me that the training has gone well and that my endurance is pretty good. He stated again that this race will be a race of attrition. The most important part in my opinion was when he said I need to "Holster that shit". GOLD!!!:) This was in reference to my agressive nature in racing and that I will need to tone it down a little. Also for me not to up the ante just because I feel good. I need to use my efforts wisely, that is at the right time and in measured doses. Of course not to panic when it's hammer time.

So I will also be playing the race out in my head everynow and again. Smooth delivery, don't panic, positioning, save energy where possible and of course eat and drink.

For something different training wise I will be off to Cronulla tomorrow to race in a crit. The likes of Graham Brown (Rabobank) and Chris Sutton (Garmin - next year Team Sky) will be there as well as some other fast boys. Looking forward to it.

Oh yeah just so you get the idea of what the competition will be like at the Nationals, here is who is turning up from Columbia HTC:

Mark Renshaw, Michael Rogers, Matthew Goss, Andre Greipel, Bert Grabsch and their newest recruit Leigh Howard (up and coming freak from Australia). Yeah no worries.:)

Maybe I should start trash talking on the line, "Hey Bert you look fat in those knicks and Greipel you're such a mummy's boy.":) 

Also a word from John Craven the race director says that this championship has the best field yet. He is really excited about it he said. Yeah well lets see how long your excitement lasts by throwing your leg over the saddle and race Mr Craven.:)

Well I think that is enough from me for now. I will post again soon.