Well, I have some good stuff to add but more importantly I have an entry from a great friend of mine called Adam. I mentioned him a couple of weeks ago and invited him to be my first ever guest blogger! Take it away Adam..............
Ok so it’s been three weeks today since I went to sunny Dunmow to borrow a bike from my good mate Bruce and start my training for SITS. I had not been on a bike ride since I was 14!! The feeling of freedom it gave me just getting out there and riding is something I’ll never forget and I haven’t looked back since.
There were a couple of things that compelled me to give the 24 hour marathon a go and the main reason was fitness (I think). I am / was 3 stone overweight and if I am honest had probably let my 20’s go by without more than 5 months of sustained exercise in the gym when I was 24 and single! I got fit that time and lost weight, met my girl, married her, had two kids and in no time was fat again. I needed a jolt and motivation this time to keep going - so doing something extreme like this was ideal even if I was more than a little apprehensive.
Cycling machines are my worst as well. So boring! We’ve got one that sits in the living room - its part of the family and gets dusted every few days. I didn’t give mountain biking a thought. Just not me. How wrong was I! I can’t imagine not having a bike to ride now.
In three weeks I have gone out on average 4 days a week on various rides and not just discovered a love for the biking but for the first time really discovered where I live! Welwyn Garden City rocks. So many cycle routes and the woods 5 minutes away from me has become the battle ground where so many of my demons are being slayed I tell you. Uphill struggle rewarded with fast treacherous downhill. I found myself whooping with joy at times - how good is that feeling… forget the brakes - Woohoo!!
It’s freedom, pure and simple.
Suffice to say I’ve lost some weight already although I’m not weighing myself I just look a bit better. I am fitter and have worked well up to now. I have three weeks before the actual race and I am quite exited and nervous. I am enjoying the pursuit of fitness like nothing else so the actual race will be something amazing I am sure. Cheers Bruce, inspired me baby.
22.7.08
16.7.08
What a plonker
Well, I have been useless. Apart from the the last three days I pretty much took 10 days off of training!! WHAT A LOSER. I have missed key sessions, some really important long runs and long cycles and seriously pissed myself off.
Its now 3 and a half weeks until Sleepless in the Saddle and I need to get moving! I figure I will max it for 3 weeks and then ease off the days before the race! Sounds scientific ay!??
Must stay focused now and have had a pretty good 2 days of training. Still a bit anxious about my left calf but it held up fine during a gentle 10k yest morning so fingers crossed its pretty much fixed.
Must start taking some pics and putting them on here!
Its now 3 and a half weeks until Sleepless in the Saddle and I need to get moving! I figure I will max it for 3 weeks and then ease off the days before the race! Sounds scientific ay!??
Must stay focused now and have had a pretty good 2 days of training. Still a bit anxious about my left calf but it held up fine during a gentle 10k yest morning so fingers crossed its pretty much fixed.
Must start taking some pics and putting them on here!
4.7.08
Week summary
Sat: 20 mile run
Sun: Strength (upper body, legs and core)
Monday: Rode to work and back and a quick 40min pop at lunch.
Mon Eve: Very gentle ride of about 2 hours
Tue: Cycled to work and hard 3 hours on the bike in evening
Wed: Got drunk
Thur: 10k fartlek running (a very satisfying 43 mins)
Fri: Core work out and 45min fartlek cycling
Monday night is worth an additional note. A friend of mine who is making a fitness comeback came and joined me for a ride. He has decided to take on the monumental challenge of Sleepless in the Saddle (24hr Mountain Bike race). Respect due! Bloody infectious to see someone getting excited about a new physical challenge and glad I could help out in a very small way. The race is just 5 weeks away! Can't wait!
Physio........
Went to see a physio about my calf on Thursday and she was not too worried about it and I received a bit of ultra sound and some massage. Specific stretching was also prescribed. Other than that, I found out a lot more about her life and opinions than I was frankly interested in and would of paid more to leave sooner. Fingers crossed the calf will settle down properly now.
Sun: Strength (upper body, legs and core)
Monday: Rode to work and back and a quick 40min pop at lunch.
Mon Eve: Very gentle ride of about 2 hours
Tue: Cycled to work and hard 3 hours on the bike in evening
Wed: Got drunk
Thur: 10k fartlek running (a very satisfying 43 mins)
Fri: Core work out and 45min fartlek cycling
Monday night is worth an additional note. A friend of mine who is making a fitness comeback came and joined me for a ride. He has decided to take on the monumental challenge of Sleepless in the Saddle (24hr Mountain Bike race). Respect due! Bloody infectious to see someone getting excited about a new physical challenge and glad I could help out in a very small way. The race is just 5 weeks away! Can't wait!
Physio........
Went to see a physio about my calf on Thursday and she was not too worried about it and I received a bit of ultra sound and some massage. Specific stretching was also prescribed. Other than that, I found out a lot more about her life and opinions than I was frankly interested in and would of paid more to leave sooner. Fingers crossed the calf will settle down properly now.
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