#2016justdoit

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.

Sunday brings my biggest challenge yet in training and involves a 50-55mile bike ride from Newcastle to Darlington with a colleague and friends. It's to help with training but also linked to a workplace challenge called sported52. Each staff member does an event or challenge of some sort small or large and we try to achieve 52 events across the year. It feels good to be taking part in a work challenge and everyone is behind it which is good. The ride on Sunday is a NE Landmark Challenge so we hope to pass 6 along the way and Gloria will be collected! Preparations are in place, route mapped both on an app and hardcopies, bike checked over, food sorted, refuel stops planned and transport arranged. Let's just hope the planning and prep means we succeed!

Saturday - 15miles. Sunday-30miles Yep experienced that moment during a ride when I thought what the hell have I let myself in for and why am I putting myself through this I must be mad! But the view from the top of the hills was certainly worth it and the feeling of completion is a good feeling!

Half way into my training for the coast to coast and time has flown by! I'm realising I need to pick up the pace and get out on the bike as much as possible. When I'm out I'm doing okay but each time it's a struggle cardio wise so the more I can get out the better that should be. I tackled a huge hill today and half way up I nearly stopped but a man on a bike flew past me and shouted 'go on you got this' so I digged deep and kept going and made it to the top! I couldn't breathe once I got there but over the moon I had achieved it and know I'm going to have to find energy from hidden depths during the actual challenge! Tomorrow is the biggest challenge yet of a 25/30mile route including 2 massive hills in the Yorkshire dales but in my head I just keep telling myself to 'just do it!'

On track... Reading this and following the example training program I seem to be on track 😀 into week 6 and managing 10-15 mile rides and been on the bike 2 days in a row and comfortable with that. Having a little break as away this weekend and then when I'm back I am raising my game and getting some longer rides in! Watch this space.. Working progress!

Just finished the book I borrowed about cycling. Rather interesting read and I did learn a few things about getting started and training. It does amaze me the amount of information out there on cycling and terminology I had never heard of!

I made it up the hill! Now I have figured out gears there's no stopping me for the hills I am attempting. It was touch and go this morning if I would make it to the top and did let out a bit of a ARGH very close to the top (the dog walker nearby looked at me in a funny way!) but I made it!! That's the weekly hills sessions done and looking forward to a longer distance on Saturday.