My bottom's sore. I've started cycling for the second week of my six-week express training programme for the REAL Women's Duathlon next month.
The first week's training went like a breeze.
I did my two fitness classes with Tania Campbell and went for the three prescribed jogs.
I found it a bit tougher this week because of the cycling.
It's been about a year and a-half since I've been on a bike - and it hurts.
I need to invest in some padded shorts.
I have difficulty sitting down and then, once I am sitting, I have difficulty standing up again.
The online training programme said I had to do three 25-minute jogs and two bike rides of 15 and 20 minutes each.
I admit I haven't strictly adhered to that, but have managed to get out there and give it a go.
I haven't run non-stop for 25 minutes but I did go for three jog/walks.
In my defence, I have cycled 15-20 minutes on three occasions and I still attended my two fitness classes.
That's a big step up for me, so I'm pretty proud of myself.
I reckon as long as I'm getting up and out it counts.
It is hard to fit extra training into my day but I've made the commitment now so I just have to make time.
The secret is going home but not sitting down.
If I don't change and go out straight away chances are I'll get lazy and won't bother.
I've been told rest days are important, so I don't want to overdo it and put myself off exercising forever.
Another trick I've learned is bringing snacks like fruit or a yoghurt to work to eat about an hour before home time.
That way I'm not absolutely starving and depleted of energy by the time I'm out running.
I decided it would be better if I slotted my bike rides into my daily routine so I cycled to and from work on Tuesday.
It was fine on the way there but on the way back it was mostly uphill and it ended up with me nearly crying, hungry, hot and tired, and walking the bike up Goldfield Heights.
It was not my idea of fun.
Not to be deterred I got back on the bike and cycled to work on Friday.
Thankfully, the guys at Vertigo Bikes kept it overnight so I didn't have to cycle home on the same day.
After buying the bike secondhand last week, I wanted it looked at professionally.
I will feel safer knowing my brakes and gears are all in good working order.
I'm told as long as a bike has two pumped-up tyres and a reliable set of handlebars, it will do fine for the duathlon.
Being comfortable and used to riding it will come, hopefully, in the next few weeks.
Next week, the training schedule steps up with longer bike rides.
I'm hoping to be able to run for a bit longer, too.
I haven't seen the benefit yet, after just two weeks' training.
I have not suddenly become toned and I'm not really finding the exercise any easier.
But I'm determined to keep going.
I think the secret is perseverance - and perhaps padded shorts.
