Friday's practice session went well and I got two good laps in on the Superbike although the sun was really bad in places. It's always bad in the places you don't want it to be bad, like Gorse Lea, and even after coming here for years, it's difficult to deal with. We'd put the race engine back in and it was better though still not quite feeling as quick as it should.

I also got out on the Paton and managed a 114mph+ lap which was pleasing given the seat position was wrong. I was angled downwards too much but the bike itself was running well. Ohlins had done some work with the suspension which made it a lot better.

With Saturday being set aside for practice, I knew it was going to be a long, tough day but it was worse than I thought, particularly on the Superbike. I did two laps on it straightway and although the first one went ok, the second didn't. Michael Dunlop came by me so I tucked in behind him to see what I could pick up and where he was quick but he pulled over and waved me by at Kirk Michael. The rest of the lap was a real struggle and for whatever reason it's just not going to plan.

It was really hard work getting the bike to change direction through the fast stuff. It was holding the line well but going from left to right was so hard. I managed to lap at more than 130mph but it felt like the bike was trying to pull my arms off. I came in and went back out on the Stocker but I couldn't even hold onto the bike going into Quarter Bridge. I did the lap as quick as I could but came in at the end of it and was completely done.

I went to see Isla Scott for some physiotherapy afterwards - for the first time in about four years which shows how bad it was - and had some electric shock treatment which definitely helped. I had a good rest in the afternoon too and we got my BSB Stocker out and fitted that with the Superbike wheels and swinging arm for the afternoon's single lap.

I was fastest on the lap at 129.5mph and although it's not ideal running a half Superbike/half Superstock bike with essentially a road engine, it's the best thing to do all things considered. Six laps won't be easy but we'll see how we get on.