The short term plan

Two things to note as this week comes to an end (under a blanket of snow!) - my training for my first big ride of the year starts now that I am BACK in the game... and I have two interviews for separate jobs next week!! YIKES!!

I have been applying for jobs in earnest since mid December. No easy feat really, as I want part time, ideally term time only and I want to be paid LOADS. Joke. Anyway, I have had several disappointing 'no thank you's' and then out of the blue, a formal letter arrived in the post yesterday inviting me to an interview on Monday, and another via email telling me of a telephone interview next week... I won't say more than that right now, because I believe in the power of jinx. But I also believe in the power of positivity, and actually, universe, just so you know 'I WOULD LIKE EITHER OF THESE JOBS PLEASE' although I am grateful for the interview practise if that is all this is. It goes without saying that I also believe in the power of grayskull.

Moving swiftly on.. My training plan! (Ironically, we only joked last night that I might not have time to find a job for the foreseeable future at least and all these polite no thank yous might not be such a bad thing..) Yes, I plan to cycle an 86 mile sportive in April, and given that my last real cycling was last October.. I have some work to do. Paul has written me a comprehensive training plan that involves me beating the turbo into submission and going out for a longer rides at the weekend.

I don't know if this is big enough for you to see, but this is THE PLAN. We have found a great turbo website 'The Sufferfest', and believe that a killer turbo session for 1hr is the equivalent to 2.5 on the road.. So if I work really hard at it, I should be fine. (Another positive, how many do you want? But another positive is that it doesn't involve any running)

Good news really, because I want my cake and I want to eat it. I really want to get a job AND cycle/Tri my hardest, in between and without detriment to all my Mummying and life stuff.

Thanks to http://www.swimbikemom.com/ for this image

Looking forward - sport

Paul and I have been looking to next year and setting ourselves some goals. After 3 weeks out of the game (aka gym!) I am feeling pretty de-motivated and so I really enjoyed our planning session last night - in front of a warm roaring fire, with bacon sandwiches, amazing apple cake courtesy of a visit from my family, in the coziness of our lounge. Win win. (See Vikki, I can own up to the less than virtuous food :-)

Swimming:
I had thought to enter an open water swim triathlon next year, but I have decided that this is perhaps bigger than I want for next year, when my primary goal is still cycling based. My swimming is good, although I maintain breaststroke, and I improve and improve, but it still isn't open water swimming worthy.
To this end I have decided to find a local lesson or two for adults who want to improve their stroke and technique.
I have promised myself that next summer I will endeavour to do some beach swimming.

Cycling:
100 miles in one go, during one sportif is my over whelming urge and goal next year. I love my bike and all the miles I do on her, she is my steed! I have decided to enter the New Forest Spring Sportive, doing the 'epic' route of 86 miles... Eeeeeeeeeeeeek. Let me reiterate. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKK. Emma and I booked the 50 mile 'standard' route this time last year and that was frightening. This feels on a par with that. I am further on than I was, I recognise that, but this is 20 miles further than I have done so far and its winter.. Dreaded cycling weather. BUT! Paul and I are gifting ourselves a turbo trainer for Christmas. The shed is fully kitted out and a perfect space for making the best use of a turbo trainer, and this one is our current favorite - although we will wait for the after Christmas sales before committing.
The autumn will see me enter my 100 mile race.. But dates haven't been released yet.

Running:
I continue to aim for 5k in 30 mins. My PB still stands at 5k in 33mins. I know that once I get back out there it won't be long before I can achieve it. I plan to maintain my running and vary my distance. 7k is a standard run for me right now, so extending that will be part of my plan. Continuing with my endurance will pay dividends once I get back into brick training come the spring.

Triathlon:
Initially Paul and I were very excited about the Festival of Sport, held in September in Cornwall. But the event has been cancelled (plus any triathlon there would have been open water swimming) so I have chosen two other initial triathlons for next year - a local one in Fareham (this years details can be found here, next year hasn't been confirmed yet) and I am going to go back to Henley (see here), now I know what to expect, to see what I can do about improving my time.

Paul's goals include a half distance iron man in August. The event is called 'The Eirias' and he plans to compete with our friend Dylan. A great challenge! My parents have kindly agreed to have the kidlets for two nights, so Paul and I are going to Wales for three days with Dylan and Jo - Jo is his wife, a friend I made when Bebe was born. I have mentioned her blog before, but you should go and check out her amazing feats here. They have four children, so it shall be slightly crazy that we will be without all seven kidlets for two nights! Bring on the wine. Ahem. I mean, bring on the training! Bring on the cheering!

Then in September Paul has entered 'Challenge Henley' which is a full distance Iron Man. C-r-a-z-y distances, not for the faint hearted.

I'm really excited by the initial plans we have made, and I am looking forward to getting back to training this weekend! On Sunday I shall make my come-back. A 5k run followed by a swim. Hasta la vista baby!

What are your plans for next year?

Last cycling Sportive of the year..

And it was a big un!! Hilly and hard - at 'only' (!!) 45 miles I was quietly confident, but actually it was quite tough! But man I LOVED it! I love cycling, the camaraderie, the prep, the doing it, the country side, the food stops, the route that comes with arrows pointing you in the right direction and the smug feeling of achievement afterwards! I love cycling with Paul, and I love that I am fit enough to do it.

There was no sun last Sunday, it was a grey day, but nice and mild. We headed out from Chichester and cycled to East Meon, up Butser Hill (Hey Papa, Butser is a hill worthy of our other nemesis, Whitchurch Hill!) and then back to lovely flat Chichester.

I was particularly muddy at the finish, but I was the proud owner of a new speed PB and a worn pair of break pads. I've only had Amy since May, so those break pads are testament to my busy summer!

Top left: Me as we arrived. Top right: Chowing down at the food stop, half way round. Bottom left: finishers medal. Bottom right: Me and Paul complete with helmet hair!

This would be me, walking up a hill..!

I have completed 5 sportives this year and I have loved every single one of them. The nice thing about a Sportive is that the format is always the same and you know what to expect, but the route is obviously different so the cycling is always exciting.

As we head into winter, I'm looking forward to a little less bike intensity and a slow route through to spring - where I hope I'll start as I mean to go on with an 80 miler to open the season.. Watch this space!

Hope you're feeling much better Rach, I missed you on Sunday. Here's to more riding x

New Forest Sportive

Thank you to everyone who offered me support in facing my fears for the the sportive yesterday.  Your support via this blog, and in 'real life' means the world to me and I really appreciate you taking the time to contact me.

I suppose the best way to start is to say I DID IT!!  I DID IT!! YAY ME!! Yesterday I cycled 66 miles (106KM!) through the New Forest, at an average speed of 14.2 (the .2 is important!) miles per hour.

The day really started the night before, when I picked the kidlets up from school and we drove to where Paul works in Basingstoke (half way between our house and my parents house) and met my parents for a kidlet drop off. Once my parents had taken them back to their house for the night, I waited for Paul to finish work and then we drove home together.  So very weird to be in a car without children.  Even more weird to be in a house without children.  Everything was so very quiet, almost as though the house was missing its heart beat - an unconscious noise needed for daily life!

Anyway, Paul takes cycling prep very seriously, and since I didn't feel 100% certain about my ability we decided that food was going to be key to fuelling me round.  So we spent a nice evening pottering around, sorting food into transportable quantities and making sure we were ready for an early start on Saturday morning.  The rain poured down over night, the wind was so loud it woke me up several times and each time I wondered if the weather was going to be hideous for the ride.

However, the morning dawned dry, if cloudy, and very cold.  Totally managable - a big relief if I'm honest!

 

Since we didn't have any child seats to worry about, we decided to transport the bikes in the car, rather than with the rack and Paul just had to re-attach the front wheels once we were there.

I started the ride in my waterproof jacket and long gloves to keep the wind chill off - it was pretty cold, but the cloud soon cleared and the sun came out. One of the many good things about riding with Paul is his ability to take photos whilst on the move!

Another of the many good things about riding with Paul is his ability to sort punctures!  I had two (yes 2!) within the first three (yes 3!) miles.  Soul destroying!!  The 2nd puncture broke our tyre irons and had there been a 3rd puncture we weren't sure if we'd have been able to change it on our own.  Paul is such an avid tyre changer that when we pass cyclists who look like they are having bike issues, he always slows down and asks if they need any help.  Two seperate groups needed help whilst we were out so that by the time we had finished, Paul had been involved in resolving 4 punctures. You cycle the length of Britain without issue, but have 4 stops through the New Forest!

The route was beautiful.  Stunning. Through old woodland and open gorse land.  Just spectacular. Plenty of horses, donkeys and cows roaming around and we crossed two fords.

Yesterday was pretty epic for me.  The last 10 miles were tough. We really picked up the speed for the last 4 miles and I attempted a sprint finish.  I also sobbed my way through those last 4 miles.  Nothing new for me, I know!! By that time I was totally done and I would have happily walked to the finish.  Paul kept feeding me jelly babies and encouraging me on but 6 hours 10 mins in the saddle is a long time and I really felt it.

This is the route as logged by my Motoactv watch. You can see the flat lines where we stopped and so skewed our average speed. You can also see I got over 25 mph for my sprint finish. 

I so completely exhausted last night, I was in bed half an hour after the kidlets! But I was (and am!) so so pleased with myself. 66 miles! Such a milestone for me.  I was trying to explain to my Dad that I love being on my bike, and once I'm out I don't really notice the time or the miles done, so I didn't really notice the 66 miles slip by.. Does that make sense? When I run I clock every half KM and wish myself to the end, but cycling isn't like that.  Yes I was dead at the end, yes I was pushed to my absolute limit and I so so pleased to reach the finish, but its only served to make me think I can absolutely train for 80 miles in the spring and 100 miles next autumn.. Yesterday would have been so much easier for me a few weeks ago.  Yet more proof of the ease with which training slips away.

I was really excited to wake up this morning and find we were featured in one of the publicity shots from yesterday!

Many thanks to my amazing parents for having the children and giving them such an exciting sleep over. Missed you yesterday Daddy, I hope we can do more events next year.

Huge and massive congratulations to Emma and Kay for completing their chosen ride yesterday.  Absolutely gutted to have missed you at either end, but that doesn't detract from my pride!  Well done.  Seriously Emma, new bike, new goal.. I need you with me!

Paul. What can I say. I loved cycling with you yesterday, and I loved all the time for talking. As ever, you 'manage' me like a pro and always know what I need - even when I'm not entirely sure what I need.  Love you x x

So, now then Rach.. 2 weeks til the next one! Which looks to be a little tougher..  Less miles, more hills..! Clanettes, have a look at the South Downs route here! I am on it like a car bonnet...!

The Fear

So. This Saturday sees my last challenge of the year (well actually its not now (more on that later) but it's the last of my original planned challenges this year!). A 66 mile cycling sportive through the New Forest.

http://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/wiggle-new-forest-100-saturday-sportive-2012/

I am terrified. Excited. But mostly terrified.

This will be my 4th cycling sportive this year, my 5th event including the Tri, and my longest cycling distance ever. Full stop. 

I am particularly terrified because I haven't done any real distance on my bike for several weeks. The last two weeks have seen me do absolutely no exercise whatsoever, bar the 20 mile ride with the puncture last weekend. And then to round it off, my stomach, whilst healing nicely, is still bruised and not happy with the invention known as a 'waist band'.

Paul is cycling with me, he has stepped in to take the place of my Dad, who has an ongoing back injury. Emma, my original sportive partner, has decided to take on the 43 mile challenge instead and I totally understand and support her decision. Yet I am still determined to complete 66 miles.

Why on earth do I NEED to do 66 miles on Saturday?! Maybe I am slightly crazy (that's a given, right!) and maybe its a secret knowledge that I CAN do it (can I?!), but more than that, I think its probably that I need to keep upping my goals and keep proving to myself that I am capable of going the distance.  If I don't have a goal, whats the point?  The last couple of weeks have been frightening from a sitting on the sofa getting used to evenings in again perspective.  I have thought about how easy it would be to just not do any exercise again.  Its a routine, I know that.  Once you're doing it, you're in the routine and I enjoy it. I love how I feel after exercise.  But once I'm on the sofa enjoying a routine of sitting..  It gets easy to say 'tomorrow'..  And that only leads me backwards 10 months. I don't want to be her - I am NOT her anymore.

With that in mind, to keep my momentum (once I find it again - I am determined!), we have been looking at our goals for next year, and I am tentatively thinking about finding an 80 mile sportive in the spring, a couple of Triathlons during the summer and then going for 100 mile sportive next autumn..  I am still thinking about a half marathon, the thought of a warm winter on a treadmill really does appeal, but I just love my bike and running really isn't the same!

Anyway.  The Kidlets are going to my parents house over night tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday is do or die.  Paul will be with me, loaded with encouragement and food and even if it takes all day, I will complete.  As he says, we'll go and have a cycle, enjoy the time together, follow the route round and it'll be done before we know it.  True.

 Wish me luck Clanettes x x

Sportive photo

Before I forget, here is the photo from last weeks Sportive - not a great quality shot, the photographer has done something weird to it (my waterbottle lids are actually red!) but I managed a smile despite my slow burning death..!!  We were really disappointed that we didn't get a picture of my Dad, I have emailed the Sportive peeps and we have our fingers crossed, but I am beginning to think there isn't one.  He is just out of shot here, in front of me going over the bridge. My post about the actual day is here.

And I was brave this evening, I have talked to Paul about all of my emotions regarding RAB and I feel like I can start blogging again - its hard to blog when you can't talk about what you are feeling because you haven't talked it through with your husband..!!  Ha ha, anyway.  There is a great video here in case you are wondering what on earth it is that Paul is going to do for 9 days starting a week on Saturday.

Oh, oh, and another thing - after taking last week off, I diligently got back in my trainers, or saddle and ran 5k on Sunday and then I cycled 27 miles on my own last Monday!  The ride was a bit of a coup for me because I just found a route on Endomondo, Paul uploaded it to Garmin for me and off I pedalled..  I was taught a lesson too, a route that says 'hilly RIP' is not going to be easy, and it really wasn't!!!

And a big hello to Rosanna!!  Nice to 'meet' you, love your blog - I stole your ecard in honour of my getting back to it x x

Sportive #3

Photos taken with my phone - Me, my Dad and my view of the start line!  There were 'official' pics taken by photographers on route - hopefully I'll be able to share these later in the week.

We booked this Sportive with trepidation, the opening blurb warned of hills and whilst I can do distance, I REALLY struggle with hills - to quote the website "The course rolls out easily for the first few miles from the event start, through wooded lanes that take you down almost to the river at Whitchurch, where a sharp right delivers you onto your first trip into the red for the day, straight up the formidable Whitchurch Hill. From here it's west, crossing the Thames at picturesque Goring and turning south at Streatley. For the next 30 or so miles, you'll be exploring West Berkshire's rolling Quiet Lane network, roads designated as such for their beauty and tranquility. Then there's a hike back up to the ridge and a wake up call in the form of the searing descent of Streatley hill!
The route turns north from here, crossing back across the Thames below Wallingford and pointing towards the choppier terrain of the south Chilterns, more familiar to Woodcote veterans. A stiff climb of Garsons Hill false summits before the last drag to the courses high point at Cookley Green, before a drop into the Oxfordshire plain gives you a chance for a breather. What goes down though, must come back up, and Britwell Hill is a test equal to Whitchurch; higher, and at the sharp end of the course too!
This brings you to the final act. Enjoy the excellent descent from Stonor, but remember that this course started high. The final miles are stubborn, kicking you up sharply twice and undulating constantly to stretch you all the way to the finish.
The route choices come in three flavours as usual; short and mid total 86 & 103km respectively, with the full course weighing in at 136km with 1,827m of height gain. It's to be a spectacular day out on the bike!"

My Dad and I were on for the 'short' distance and Paul booked in for the 'full' distance as good RAB training.  Since the ride was a stones throw from my parents house, we arrived in Reading late on Saturday afternoon with a poorly Niamh. Stupidly I had stayed up late on Friday night, and coupled with little sleep on Saturday night due to Niamh, I was already tired at the start line on Sunday.

Sunday dawned HOT!  We decided to drive to the venue, rather than cycle like we did last time, because we really weren't sure how we'd be at the finish and I didn't know if I could handle another 6 miles there and back on top of the actual hilly route.  We arrived circa 8am, ready to see Paul off on his full distance and then get ourselves sorted.

Well, what can I say.  The first half of the race totally totally killed me.  It was so hot, I was tired, I had no energy reserves and I just struggled.  Whitchurch hill beat me psychologically, although I didn't get off, so I recognise the win was mine really.  Thankfully we arrived at the feed station at mile 28 and I was able to down 3 flap jacks, half a banana and refill my drinks bottle.  Fuelled by the food I finally found my mojo and really enjoyed the next 20 miles, we sped along with the same few chaps - over taking them and then being over taken in equal measure.  Then with only a handful of miles left to the finish, there was one hideous hill that just finished me, I was out of food fuel and reserves and felt ready to get off my bike and declare the whole thing over.  Half way up the hill a couple of fellow riders got off and were walking up - this urged my stubbornness into being and I have no clue how I did it, but at virtually zero miles an hour, I pedalled myself to the top and we cruised home.

I am soo delighted with our time!  7 minutes outside of bronze and average! To say I was tired and that I felt beaten, I am thrilled that we averaged 13.9mph (over 54 miles thats pretty good for me on a good day!).  The official time includes all breaks and stops - so our feed station, the 2 small stop breaks, all red traffic lights, general traffic and the three combine harvesters we got stuck behind on a minute lane for at least 5 mins whilst they reversed, so in my head I'd like to think I made bronze if the stoppage time were removed.. But what's in my head isn't on paper, and I need to make sure I achieve it next year!

What do you eat before an event?  Everything I have done this year has been in the morning, so I have a breakfast of porridge, milk and banana.  Depending on the event, I will sometimes follow that with toast with or without peanut butter and jam.  Events aside, if I am doing under 20 miles on my bike (or going for a run), I generally take 1 sports bottle with one electrolyte tab dissolved in it, which I find stops me getting cramp.  If I am going out for longer than 20 miles I use SIS electrolyte because it has carbs too.  Paul and I both love granola bars for energy whilst we're riding, and of course you can't beat a banana.

I ache today, I haven't ached like this since I started all this shenanigans back in the spring.  I pushed myself yesterday, I had nothing left by the end.  So I'm kind of relishing my ache today - I earned it!  I also learnt that you really can't put a value on getting enough sleep!

As always, thanks to my amazing Mum for watching the kidlets and giving them such a great day.  Without you I wouldn't be able to enjoy cycling with Daddy (although the term 'enjoy' was a stretch by the end of yesterday).  And you Papa, you were so fab yesterday, you really must try a sportive on your own when you won't be hindered by me.

Christie, you totally smashed your full route yesterday.  I hope it has given you a mental boost for RAB. Two and a half weeks to go and you have never looked stronger.

Here's to my next Sportive - 66 miles in the New Forest on the 06th Oct x x x

Roar!

Clanettes!  Please join me in ROOAARRRING at our amazing-ness.  I am feeling absolutely amazing right now and whilst you sit and read the narrative I am about to gush at you, please take a mo to think of two amazing things that you are really proud of and pleased with.  I can list many more than two, ha ha!
Training is going great right now, but it ought to be with only 12 days until THE triathlon.  I am the lightest weight I have been since forever, I have hit a new pb for cycling and I am fresh off a great 5k run/swim brick session.  I feel like I can accomplish anything right now.

Yesterday, Sun 10th June, I took part in my second Sportif with Paul and my Dad (Hello Daddy!).  Seeing us come in from the 01st April ride, my Dad was inspired to take up cycling again and we agreed that we needed to do an event together.  We just couldn't find the right one on a date we could all make, until this last minute race came up and it was only 5 miles up the road from their house.  Perfect. 

As last week was the long jubilee weekend, Lucy and I had gone out on the Monday (post birthday!) and we did a full distance ride/run brick session and then I swam in the afternoon and whilst I felt good, I was tired.  We went to visit my parents on the Tuesday, because it was half term, and I went for a ride with my Dad on the Wednesday.  Oh my word, it was so hard, it was a great 26 mile route but my legs just had nothing in them and I found it quite a challenge.  My Dad on the other hand was impressive, and I began to wonder what I had taken on in agreeing to a Sportif so close to the Triathlon.  So I did what I do naturally - rest!  Between Wednesday and the ride on Sunday, I only swam (on the Friday) and let myself rest up and take it easy (it was lovely!).

Despite the wet weather warnings, Sunday dawned dry and cool.  We left my parents house at 7.15am, waving goodbye to my Mum (Hello Mummy!) and the kidlets, before cycling the 5 miles to the start/finish line.  The route actual was 34 miles long and we set off at 8.35am.  It was beautiful, a great route that my Dad and I have already talked about doing again.  There were two stinker hills, but I gritted my teeth, got my mental 'kill it' hat on and sat it out.  It was very disheartening to see so many riders get off their bikes half way up the hill, to walk the rest of the way, and for them to be going faster than me, still doggedly sat on my bike pedalling for all I am worth!  Paul and my Dad breezed up the hills and were great for encouraging me up and over the crest.

I knew we were flying down hill and on the flat, but I couldn't believe it when the trusty garmin confirmed we had done 14.5mph average over the entire journey, including the 5 miles back to my parents house.  14.5mph average over a 46.5mile distance absolutely smashs my previous best times and I am absolutely delighted with myself.  I believe I text Lucy and told her to look 'euphoric' up in the dictionary, and there would be a pic of me smiling at her.  Amy is just a great bike, and now her saddle and my botty are friends again, I don't think there is any stopping us!!

So, given that I was already feeling smug and happy and euphoric, I gingerly went to the gym this evening with Lucy, and we stormed it on the treadmill.  We did 5k in 36 minutes (plus a few secs, can't remember precisely, I was too busy celebrating).  I am quite sure its not Lucys best time, she is a running goddess, but its my best time ever ever ever.  After the run, we swam and I right now, just feel great.  Yes, my legs are tired, but I don't feel like I've reached my limit yet.

I could seriously gush and gush on about what we have achieved in the last 6 months, but you read this blog, you know.  In 6 months I have gone from being barely able to wheeze my way through 1 min of running, followed by 2 mins of walking, followed by another wheezing minute of running, to running 5k in a time I know I haven't nailed yet.  I am loving being on a road bike averaging 14.5mph, and I am enjoying swimming.  I have lost over 2st, without hugely mad diet changes, and with only another stone to go, I FEEL AMAZING.  If I can do this, if me, a fat house wife, can contemplate doing this crazy training then anyone can do it.  Seriously, really and truly.  And I tell you what, you won't know yourself, you'll just wake up one day and know you haven't reached your limits yet.  Its glorious.

Half centurian..!

The ride was great, it was just fabulous.  From the moment we arrived and turned up to registration until the very end and we got home, I loved every moment.  I have done some of life's tradionally grand moments, ie getting married, buying a house, having children and in terms of personal achievement, the ride was one of the best days of my life.  The sense of achievement as we came in at the end beats most things hands down!

Looked warmer than it was.. Brrr!

Our alarm went off at 05.30am on Sunday 01st April and we were immediately up, showered and eating breakfast.  The only slight mark on the morning was the ache in my back and the fact that there was frost on the car!  We collected Emma at 06.30am and arrived at the venue just before 08.00am.  We registered and had a brief chat with the people in the car next to us as we unloaded bikes and gear, they were an older couple and between us we were proof that both fat and old people can train to ride a bike!  It was much colder than we had thought it would be, -1C, and there was much discussion over suitable clothing, because the first couple of miles were down hill and the wind chill was likely to be killer..  Anyway, finally we were ready and we joined the que to start.  It was arranged in such a way that 15 riders set off every 2 minutes.  Those 2 minutes of waiting seemed to last an eternity, but finally we were off!

Two mad things happend immediately as we left..  The kind that with hindsight I can almost imagine happend in slow motion, but actually obviously didn't.  The first was with my back.  It always seems to come down to my silly back these days!  There were a few cables across the start line, inside a big black cable cover to make them safe and we had to ride over the teeny bump that they made.  I didn't angle myself very well and managed to jarr my back within the first half metre of the ride.  It was a different and very distinctive kind of pain, the kind that you know really isn't right and is much more than just an ache.  Pretty daunting with 50 miles ahead of you!!  Paul and I are still arguing the merits of my decision to ignore it and carry on, but carry on I did.  The second mad thing was the cold in those first couple of miles.  Going down the hills at speed was painful, there is no other word for it.  I had fingerless gloves on and to keep my fingers on the metal of my brakes for what seemed like an eternity took huge amounts of determination - more so than the decision to go with the ride after the jarr of my back.



Paul and I leading the peloton! (Emma is just behinid in yellow and blue)

Lets ignore the pain in my back for the duration of the rest of the story, once you're on a bike it kind of warms into the position you're in and is fine so long as you don't get on or off the bike!  In terms of physical fitness I felt great the whole way round, my legs were strong and at no point did I feel exhausted or desperate to stop.  Our longest training ride had been 34 miles, so I expected to get to that 34 miles and hit 'The Wall' and start to struggle, but it was fab all the way round.  There were some amazing hills, one of which was 3 miles long..  an incredible climb that just kept on going and going!!  Then of course there was the 2 mile hill we had frozen down on the way out that morning and therefore had to climb to get back to the finish line.. No joke after 50 miles!!  What was funny though, and Emma and I found it particularly hilarious was that we were coming in and finishing our 'standard' 50 miles with the first of the 'epic' 100 mile riders..  So we were coming back up the last hill with some amazingly fit cyclists, one of whom asked us how we had found it..  Cue more giggling!  Paul was amazing, as he always is on his bike.  He took the whole thing in his stride (pedal?) and on the longer of the hill climbs he kept going up and down again between me and Emma (we had become seperated) to check on us both..  So he must have done double the climb we did!

On the homeward stretch and it had finally warmed up!

The finish line was amazing, my parents had brought the children to see us in and 2 of Emma's sisters were there with her nephew and some pom poms and I don't know about anyone else, but I felt like a returning warrior and totally invincible!  At registration in the morning we were given a timing chip for our helmets and my official ride time, incuding stops was 05hrs 07mins. According to Pauls bike Garmin, which didn't include stop times, we did it in 04hrs.  We averaged 12.6 miles per hour, which astounds me given that we didn't really get above 11mph on our training rides and the size of the hills on the day!!

I am so hugely proud of myself.  Emma and I reminisced on the way home in the car about our little 9 mile bike rides last autumn and my mad suggestion to cycle in a sportiv and set ourselves a big goal.  Doesn't seem real now.  What is real is that I now want to do 100 miles.  Scrap that, I need to do it.  50 miles wasn't as hard as I thought it would be (get me!) and I know 100 miles would push me to the limit.  Thats for next year though.  The rest of this year is about triathlons and RAB, plus I'm not in a rush, the challenge will still be there when I'm ready for it.

Sadly 4 days on I'm really struggling with my back.  I have pins and needles down my leg into my foot and shooting pains down my thigh.  I can't lift Niamh and don't trust my leg to hold my weight.  I have injured my L5 (5th lumbar) disc and it is bulging onto the nerve which is creating all the pain.  I start physiotherapy next tuesday.  On the bright side I have 12 weeks until my triathlon and I now understand the joy of completing such a challenge and barring amputation or similar, there is no way I won't be ready!!