2016 Lets Do This!

Considering the next challenge and what's to come for the year of 'just do it 2016! It sure won't be boring!

After 3 long days I sit outside in the garden rather content that I completed nearly 140 miles cycling from coast to coast! I made it and can't actually believe it to be honest. It was as physically challenging as I thought it would be and I am surprised at how much grit and determination I showed to get through it. There feeling of completing a challenge that I know many others couldn't do is a good one especially after only training since January. Just think what I could achieve if I keep up the training and do more! Hmm what shall the next challenge be? 😀

Look at that hill climb today!

Amazing views and scenery today on the first part of the coast to coast ride!

I've been reminded today that if we all stayed within our comfort zone nothing would ever scare us or challenge us. Only you can make change and decide which direction to go in once you set sail

A wise friend shared advice with me today 'a good plan is a flexible plan' and I hadn't heard that before but it's so true. I'm planned, I'm organised .. Now just to go with the flow and be flexible with whatever happens. Bring on the challenge!

Getting everything packed and sorted for the challenge and I can't work out if how I am feeling is good exciting nerves or make you feel sick anxious nerves. What if I've under estimated this and my body's ability and readiness to attempt this cycling challenge. I've got all angels covered but there's still such an element of the unknown of what the next few days will bring. The support is great but feeling it's adding pressure to do well and make everyone proud. Just keep reminding myself about the tortoise and the hare.. Slow and steady with the aim to just cross the finish line still in one piece!

It's been one hell of a 5month journey to get me to the point that in a few days time I will be attempting to cycle from the west coast to the east, 140 miles over 2 and half days. The support from those who have given it and followed me on my journey has been priceless and I can't thank people enough. It's made it even more clear to me that support comes in different forms and in different ways. It's not really about the donations (although it's great for charity) it's the understanding of the journey and focus I've had to get to this point. In reality it's been one of the hardest things I've trained for physically and something I've never done before. I look to anyone who's trained for a race, challenge or marathon with the up most respect, even more so as I've gone from scratch to where I am now. Anything is achievable with the right people around you offering support

Safety first always! Getting the bike checked over one last time before the big ride to make sure everything's okay.

One of those rides today that was a mixed bag of hating the bike and then finding myself speeding down a hill shouting "hell yeah!!!"

#thisgirlcan #cyclechallenge #slowandsteady #keepgoing

After a not so nice ride last Sunday I have struggled with headaches all week, backlash of the migraine I suppose. This has meant I haven't been out on the bike and as the days passed the nervous and fear of 'getting back on the bike' increased. It's a legit fear and one that makes no sense and struggles to be explained but the main reason for many people quitting and stopping exercise and therefore becoming one of many in the vicious cycle of active- inactive lifestyle I've had for many years. But I refuse to be that person anymore and listen to the numerous excuses I give for not keeping going and getting past challenges. So today I 'got back on the bike', took it slow and easy and feel so much better for it. Tomorrow's another new day and I shall be cycling again, then again and again. No quitting, no giving up just determination to keep training to do this challenge in whatever way I can! Just do it people don't let excuses get the better of you!

1 in 100 people suffer exertion headaches - and I thought it was just me and a stupid thing that happens! Nope it's real and horrendous when it does happen!

Having the feeling of hitting a brick well is always a challenging one but then I found this picture and believe it so true. "Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Time to get back into training for the coast to coast challenge!

Monday's a new day, time to put the weekend behind me and come up with a new plan! Good job there's 25 more letters in the alphabet to work through!

Learning curves come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes the most planned days go wrong. A set back in progress opened feeling and thoughts I didn't know existed or maybe I didn't but being hiding them and let me look at things differently. On today's ride I came down with a server headache and as I am prone to migraines it showed all signs to turn into one nasty migraine.a very hard decision was made for me to stop the ride and pull out leaving the others to continue. For someone who is very motivated and likes to achieve it was a hard decision to make but I made the right one. I focused on my health and what my body was telling me and I didn't push myself. I've thought about the possible mistakes I've made today and things I can do to avoid it happening again. I've learnt those who are around supporting me recognise the struggle I am going through and how hard it's been. Simple words, messages or comments mean more to me than you will ever know. So today didn't go to plan, I've learnt from it, I will make changes next time and move on from it.