Sharon's 365 Day Challenge

Happy Boxing Day!

2009-12-26T01:29:00.001-08:00

It's Boxing Day and I am off to the gym. Now that we at least have a direction in work, I am trying to get back on track with my cycling!

Unfortunately, the computer bikes in the gym don't seem to fit my leg length/ body length and my knee is getting injured. So I have switched back to the upright bikes. However, to keep the challenge up - I have downloaded some excellent tracks (Propane Nightmare by Pendulum one of my current favorites) and am now doing manual hill routines. I do at least two and if I can three big climbs.

I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas.

Off to the gym... will write again soon!

19th December

2009-12-19T09:29:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

So, I have not updated my progress at all in the last 3 weeks - sorry! Between a trip to the states, my company going into Administration, and losing (work wise) many friends and colleagues ... well, I haven't been writing much. Nor have I been doing many miles on the cycle.

I am back in the gym now and have rounded up some new sponsors. I also had a reprimand from my personal trainer, Mo, for allowing work issues to impact my care for my health and other commitments (like my bike riding).

In the States I did an excellent new bike - it was computerised and you could chase dragons. I loved it and did a fair few miles. I have to get my diary and update all my actual miles.

Then fora week and a bit I did nothing but work - every day, every hour.

Today I was back in the gym and found I have a lot of anger - for the first 12k I was so engrossed in my own thoughts about work I didn't even remember to turn on my ipod!!! Then at about 12.5k I got a twinge - a strong twinge - in my left knee - the same place I got a ligament injury a few months ago. I thought, well only 2.5k to go, just ignore it. Note to self - don't do that again!!!! I couldn't put any weight on my knee by the time I got off, couldn't stretch my left leg and had to ice it. Better now though!!!

Ok so back on track now and will be on my bike 4 days a week minimum.

Thanks to everyone supporting me!

Another Week...

2009-11-19T04:33:00.000-08:00

Another week gone by and my progress was not good! I have been working all the hours and finding it hard to keep up the cycling (never mind anything else!!). Off next week, so hopefully will get in a LOT of miles to make up for this abysmal week.

As always, please donate!

Change of Pace

2009-11-14T01:18:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been an exceptionally busy time at work so my bike rides have had to fit around work appointments. I have moved from the stationary bikes at the gym to the computer driven ones where you race on a set track. They are slower than the stationary bike but a bit more interesting!

I am off to the gym again this morning - gales here mean bike riding would be a bit too dangerous! Check out the storm report!

My target for next week is more business sponsors. I am contacting all the business and cycling groups to see if I can get any support.

I am off to the States next week so my cycling will be in the gym there. I am going to bring my cycling shoes in case the weather is nice enough for me to go out on my sister's bike!

Challenge to reach end of Stage 2 by Sunday!

2009-10-29T02:54:00.000-07:00

I want to complete Stage 2 by this Sunday - that means upping my mileage (or kilometerage?) for the rest of the week.

That means Sunday I will be in the equivalent of Brignoles...

My new speedometer goes on the bike today. I was hoping to try it out at lunch but the roads are too wet. So looks like the weekend.

Got a great new windproof/water resistant jacket from Wiggle - bright yellow of course!! - in their season sale. Can't wait to try it on the weekend - my bright orange jacket that I wear kayaking is NOT breathable and wow do you feel that on the bike!

Sunday's Ride

2009-10-25T09:08:00.000-07:00

Haven't written all week - sorry!

Had a good week in the gym but the best part is the rides around Swanage.

Am much more confident on my bike now - all this cycling is making me a real lover of cycling!! I see why Tim likes it so much now!

Did 21k today - my longest yet on a Sunday. Had to stop twice which doesn't seem bad but when you have clip on shoes every stop (for me) is a challenge!!! Still think I have mastered it now.

After the ride had to go around the whole way in the car to see how far it was - thanks Tim again as always for your support!!! Decided we would use up to much petrol doing this so I have bought a 'bike computer' to track my miles and speed. Looking forward to that - I want to see my speed improving!!

Only have 2 supporters but 5 local businesses are sponsoring me and I am trying to get more. It is really difficult in this economy which I so understand! But still I have to keep on trying.

Thanks again to everyone reading my blog!

Please check out my website and please if you can, donate even if only a few pounds - every bit helps!!!

Sunday's Ride

2009-10-18T01:55:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

Set out today at 8:40am. Did 17.9k - kept up same speed as I did for the 14.5k time trial so not too bad.

Learned several things:

1) Car drivers just don't see bikers. Need to cycle keeping this in mind - the woman who opened her door gave us both a shock!

2) Forget being polite - staying to the left to allow drivers to pass easier only drives me into the sidewalk!

3) Came up with a few more ideas for fundraising on my cycle round.

4) Cyclists nod at each other - I shout a cheery good morning, startling them all! Trying to get my nod down, but was not successful even once!!

Watched the rowers at the Swanage Sea Rowing Club out on the Dancing Ledge boat. Very nice!!

Update on Week 1

2009-10-17T00:37:00.000-07:00

First week nearly over.

Despite being sick in the middle of the week, I will hit my target for the week - yippee!!

My hamstrings are killing me (and my husband is sick of me telling him my hamstrings are killing me!).

I finally have my collecting tins (goblets) from CRUK so am putting them up in my gym and some local shops who have sponsored me.

Relaxing morning this morning but off on the bike soon!

And the first week goes on....

2009-10-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

I have garnered support from several local businesses who have generously allowed me to put collecting goblets and letters.

I have drafted my letter for CRUK to do a press release.

And oh yes, another 12.3k down and off to the gym again now.

Distance: 1373.2 to go.

Coming next - my website complete with a map of where I am on the route!

Keep coming but most importantly, please donate!!

Why am I doing this?

2009-10-11T09:48:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone.

Cancer Research UK tells me to write why I am doing this... so...

my mom, of course, who is a 2 time cancer survivor. The first time I was too young to even register what it was, the second time I was there when the doctor called - and I will never forget that moment... my best friend Kat whose 24 year old husband got cancer... my other best friend's mother who had terminal cancer leaving a very bereft family behind... my father in law who also had terminal cancer... my friend's husband with terminal bone cancer... for my brother in law, cancer survivor....

please support the scientists who are working so hard to cure this disease...

And anyone who wants to add their story, please do so!

Sharon's 14.5k Timetrial

2009-10-11T02:19:00.001-07:00

Due to a slight mismatch in google maps versus real life, my trial was 14.5k.

My time was 36:41 so not too shabby!

2009-10-11T00:04:00.000-07:00

Is about to start my 3500k challenge - 15.5k this morning in line with the 15.5k Monaco Time Trial on 4th July 2009. These are the times aout of that trial...

Stage one ITT: Monaco-Monaco, 15.5km
1. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Saxo Bank in 19-32
2. Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana at 18secs
3. Bradley Wiggins (GB) Garmin-Slipstream at 19secs
4. Andreas Kloden (Ger) Astana at 22secs
5. Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence-Lotto at 23secs
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana at 30secs
7. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas at 32secs
8. Tony Martin (Ger) Columbia-HTC at 33secs
9. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas at 37secs
10. Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana at 40secs

Nearly there...

2009-10-09T05:02:00.000-07:00

Have had a response from the Area Volunteer Manager at Cancer Research UK who has been really helpful! I am getting some sponsorship collecting goblets (that's really what they call them!) for local businesses which have kindly agreed to collect for me. Names to follow once I have their sponsorship!

I am setting up the 1% club for people who donate £36.50 - need to finish the website for that.

My prep is nearly over and off to the real challenge with my 15.5k time trial on Sunday - weather is supposed to be great!

1 Week to Go

2009-10-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Only 1 week to go! I have decided to partake in the 365 challenge - a year long endeavor to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

I have been very busy organising everything. The first thing to do was to choose a goal! I have decided to cycle the 2009 Tour de France over the year. That is 3500k! I am doing the last 22k up the Mont Ventoux - the scene of one of Lance's greatest ever rides!!! (And for those of you who do not follow the Tour - Lance had Stage 4 testicular cancer, recovered, and won the Tour more times than anyone else EVER!).

I have got a response from Cancer Research UK, I have written to Fitness First (no response) and to Lance Armstrong (long shot - no response yet but hopeful!) and about to start moving my fundraising to local businesses and my long suffering family and friends who I am going to ask for yet more money for Cancer Research UK!

I start with the 15.5k time trial next week... trying to find the appropriate place to do it... next posting will be my results (and just for fun I will compare it to the real Tour de France results).

Please keep watching... and more importantly please donate!