Bobby Moore Fund - Something New to get my Teeth into

Well, it's been a while since I last update this blog....I've just about recovered from my last challenge for The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK!!!


With today being the 19th Anniversary of his death, i got thinking about what else I can do to help raise money and support the work The BMF4CRUK do in raising awareness of bowel cancer.  When I think back to my last challenge in 2010 I think I'll admit I was disappointed.  As I've explained to friends today, the problem with me is I get a certain stubbornness about me when preparing for these challenges.  So I lose myself in the training and preparations and forget to think about the marketing and getting the word out there.  I could have raised so much more had I thought more about telling people about what I was going to be doing.


So, I'm in the early stages of planning my next event. 900 miles of cycling in 8 days....actually, make that 7 days.  The plan?  Well, as ever it involves the two grounds closest to my heart.  I'll be cycling from Newcastle United's St James' Park to West Ham's Boleyn Ground.......via Lands End. 


I'm aiming to raise £10k in the process and am looking to do this in the last week of September 2012.  


As I say, it's early days.  At the moment I'm on the hunt for backers.....it's going to personally cost me a fair bit financially as I never like to offset money raised into covering the cost of the event.  So if there's anyone out there that wants to help me, hotels etc then please do not hesitate to contact me on 07798 853160 or info@jamiepenfold.com


In the meantime, can i point you in the direction of an inspirational little fella called Jonjo Heuerman who is currently walking between Wembley and West Ham's Boleyn Ground.  He's only 9 years old.  This is the second time he's done the walk and currently with this event he's raised £37k.  He's such an inspiration and deserves everyone's support.  You can find more info about his efforts here


Viva Bobby Moore!

Introducing....

I thought it was about time I introduce the bike, my trusty sidekick which I will be intimately spending 2 days with.  I've estimated that I will probably be in the saddle around 10-12 hours on the Monday (Newcastle to Lincoln) and 8-10 hours on the Tuesday (Lincoln to London).  Luckily I've invested in some decent cycling shorts.  


I've done nearly 1000 miles on the bike in the past 9 months in preparation and thanks to the guys at Start Cycles in North Shields, the bike has been stripped, cleaned and serviced ready for the off.


I've got one more long training planned which will be down in the Chilterns next weekend and then it's light cycling just to keep the joints fluid.

Nearly there

First of all, apologies.  I know I should have kept the blog up to date but things have got very busy around here.  Where to start??

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....

Back in the saddle

It's been a couple of weeks since I last updated the blog and there's certainly a lot to update you with. Training in general is coming along nicely. I'm feeling fitter and fresher each week now and have really started to enjoy it.

So where to start?

Lets start with going for a Body Balance Assessment at Be-Fit in Newcastle. I've known Antonia Pellegrino and her brother Michael for a few years now and have seen some of the work they have done with pro-sportsmen and women. So when Antonia suggested going along for an assessment and putting together a training plan I jumped at the chance.

First thing I was told was to stop running. I don't need to be putting the miles in at this early stage but instead concentrate on strength and cycling.

Next I was told that my right foot was out of line and needed manipulating. This would help prevent all sorts of issues. So for the next 20 minutes or so I was bent, pulled, stretched and prodded (with a chopstick!). The end result? A straight foot and no ankle pain. It did feel a bit odd walking around at first...and I also felt taller. After that we went to the gym to pull together a fitness programme concentrating on my back, legs and shoulders (basically, the parts of me that are going to get a hammering on the bike).

So after an hour there I felt a million dollars! Seriously, you should checked them out. They work miracles there .

Despite being told to stop the running for a while I couldn't resist a sneaky jog to see how my new trainers and newly aligned foot felt. I'll be honest, it felt weird. But at the same time I felt good and there was no ankle pain!

Most importantly though over the past few weeks is the increase in bike training. The weather has improved so I've gradually started to get the bike off the turbo trainer and out onto the road. I did a few shorter rides in the evenings after work (including a climb up Dunston Bank in Gateshead) to get the feel for the road again. I was quickly reminded about how poor the roads are at the moment, dodging potholes while contending with a few impatient drivers. Then there was the spilt diesel on a roundabout which I was turning right on in Wallsend. The adrenalin was pumping as the front wheel started to slide out from under me. Luckily, I stayed on and there were no cars.

However, yesterday (Sunday) was my first ride of any meaning of the year. 7am, looking out the window, blue skies, no breeze and sunshine. Perfect!
Wrong. Within 30 minutes I realised it was a lot nippier than first imagined. I had my fingerless mits on so was feeling the cold a bit but in general it was all fine. Heading from North Shields I made my way along the banks of the Tyne, along the Quayside and then made my way up the bank through Scotswood, Newburn and Throckley, eventually reaching the top of the climb at Heddon on the Wall. Once I was at Stamfordham I turned and made my way back to North Shields via Ponteland, Wide Open and Backworth.

Now, remember I said no breeze? Wrong! There was a slight breeze coming in off the coast which I had to cycle into from Ponteland for the next 20 miles until I got home...and it was cold and energy sapping. That being said, I pushed on and made it back in one piece with no major dramas.

This morning, my legs feel great. So it's back to the gym tonight for another strength session.

On the donation side of things. I'm getting a lot of encouraging messages of support and have now just about reached the £300 mark....10% of my target. I would dearly love to smash that the £3000 target well before I start in September so please, share the blog with as many people as you know and visit the fundraising page and donate . It's for a great cause.

Until next time..

Anyone for potholes??

The cycling training started today. Taking advantage of the car going into the garage I put the bike into the back, dropped the car off in Cramlington and set off. The thermometer on the car read -2 degrees. There had also been a weather warning about icy roads. But the ice was the least of my problems.

My route: From Cramlington, i headed out to Blagdon, Ponteland and out to Dissington Hall before turning back and heading back to North Shields. The air was freezing cold but at least it was sunny and once out of the town and onto the open road the cold was soon forgotten. I'd not been out on the road since October so this was heaven.

However, I had not taken into account the state of the roads around South Northumberland and North Tyneside. Last summer they were bad...now after the snows....unbelievable!! I had to keep an eye out for not only patches of ice but huge craters. Add to that the morning traffic and I was left with very little room for error. I swear these roads are worse than the worst roads in Outer Mongolia!

I was also reminded of the impatience of some drivers...pulling out at junctions right in front of me, overtaking and not leaving any room but worse were those with a mobile phone clamped to their faces and not taking a blind bit of notice about me or anyone else for that matter.

Aside from these irritations out in the country it was a superb ride. No really tricky climbs but plenty of chances of hammering it on the long straights.

So, ride number 1 = 37miles. Which is probably just about right for the first ride of the year. I'll gradually increase the mileage and hope to be hitting the 100 mile mark by June. To be honest, the ride down to London isn't going to have many big climbs so today's ride was probably a good representation of what I'll face.

I have a training ride planned for a couple of weeks time from home in North Shields up to Carter Bar on the Border which finished with a devilish climb. Can't wait!

Over the coming few weeks I hope I'll add a few photos, post up the planned route for the bike ride part of the challenge and also (and most importantly) the fund raising page.

Until next time....