Well, for the past couple of months now the gym work has intensified. 6.30am gym sessions 4 to 5 times a week to work on my strength and stamina. I've said it before and I'll say it again....I HATE WEIGHTS!!!! This has been the most difficult part of the training. But I've noticed a massive difference especially when out on the bike. I've dropped a few pounds which has helped both on the bike and out running.
Out on the bike, the miles are stacking up. Lots of short high tempo rides with one or two longer rides in between. Looking at the routes for the 2 days of cycling in September, there isn't much in the way of hill work but I've been keen to get some hill training done, so I've made sure some of my training rides have included riding through the likes of Newburn, Throckley and Heddon on the Wall. Not terribly steep climbs but long climbs. My main concern is day 1 of cycling will include a steady climb up past Durham right at the start of the day. Don't want to burn myself out at the start.
The bike is going in for a service next week to make sure it's ready for the 2 days.
As for the running, well, I'm back out on the road. Running definitely isn't my strongest discipline these days. When I was younger I could run for miles. But now what with years of football injuries behind me, I find it a little more difficult. I'm out doing regular 3 to 4 mile runs and will start increasing that over the next few weeks.
I've also had to fight the urge to go for a fast time in the Great North Run. If I didn't have 2 days of cycling to follow, then yes, I'd go for a faster time. It's a matter of just getting round the course with as little fuss as possible without causing any damage or injury.
There have been a few hiccups along the way. A few injuries, the most serious being a back injury done while getting the kids in the car for school back in June which put me out of action for 2 weeks. There's been a few aches and pains with my ankles. But apart from that relatively injury free.
A week in Cyprus didn't help either. I tried to get out for a run on my first day there but after 2 miles it looked like someone had thrown a gallon of water over me. When I got back on the bike on my return I struggled to do 20 miles!
But all in all, I'm getting there. I'm getting a bit irritable now. I'm getting bored of the training and just want to get out there and do it now.
I'm nearly up to the £600 mark with sponsorships. If truth be told, I'm a bit disappointed. I was hoping to be past £1000 by now. But hopefully, the press release I'm going to start sending out will encourage more people to donate. I am so thankful to those who have already done so.
That's about everything for now. I'll be updating now on a weekly basis and hopefully will have some photos to add as well.
Until next time, be careful out there....
