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on 9/6/09 3:54 am - UK
First off Myself and the whole of Team 100k wants to thank everyone who has donated to http://www.justgiving.com/team100k/ raising £125.
Team 100k members are, Joby, Rafe, Emma, Anna and Myself.
Around 6.30am Joby picked me up and off we went to the start line, Traffic was pretty bad as we got there and it was fun to watch people with bikes on their car roofs drive under low trees, no, not funny, wrong I mean.
Well today was the big day, just over 2 months on from my last 100k ride (Manchester to Blackpool) I am sat at the start line ready to go.
I had quite a low number for Blackpool (I was 500 from 9000) so decided for this event to register on the day and get a higher number, It was painless doing so but there was big queues and I wont be doing that again, I was Allocated 3596
So a little before 9am Team 100k and I set off, The weather was a little chilly but dry with little wind, a stark contrast to how the rest of this week has been, thankfully.
The early pace was pretty good holding around 17mph but once the first 10% hill hit my hip wasn't for playing ball game.
Guru Heading To Church
Just after this picture was such a hill and I found myself pretty quickly struggling to hit 15mph but I pushed on and eventually we got to a first aid stop for Mr Magoo
Not too sure what had happened to him but once he had his eyes washed out the swelling went down and off we went again.
A little like having a child in the car with you on a long journey Guru Rafe declared “I need a pee" AGAIN…This was the trend for most of the day, Guru Rafe may yet be renamed to “I Need To Pee Rafe"
Around 30 miles in we took a rest and filled out bottles, While Rafe had a pee.
With around 20 miles to go we stopped to refill our bottles and let Rafe have a pee.
Rafe NOT on the toilet
We rode out from here as a team but after about 5 miles my hip was again KILLING and I started falling away with around 13 miles for so to go I pulled over and snapped this picture.
At this point, mentally, I wasn't in a great place, A few seconds later someone stopped and I just kept my head down, messing with my phone, I didn't really want to talk, The person asked if I was blogging, I said “no just texting" The person then introduced himself as Chris (@ChrisB112) Someone I had never met but had exchanged messages with on Twitter, He too was in a pretty bad place mentally (He however was doing the 100 Mile) We agreed it would be good to help each other out and kicked off, initially we held 14 mph, chatting and enjoying the renewed drive we had found by seeing each other, but pretty soon that changed and we were riding even faster, over 20mph at some points, Christ was a gent and waited for me at the top of a hill in Wilmslow, We kicked on not even thinking about pain or how we had struggled, we were holding 18mph and it was a breeze, Chris you sir are a LIFESAVER.
Around 1 mile from the end Joby, Rafe and Anna were waiting, I introduced Chris and before long Emma was with us, We all let pretty good at this point and set off as to finish as a team, Everyone knew tho that Joby, Anna and myself were going to sprint it out and we did, I stretched it a little just before the turn but going up the driveway in Wythenshawe with people coming the other was not ideal condition, Joby and Anna passed me, I hit 25mph swerving between bikes and peds but couldn't go any faster, there was just no room to do it in without risking myself or others, I reeled them both in and was sat on their back wheels as we passed the finish line.
So I didn't win the sprint, but this journey for me is about endurance not sprinting (but I'm bloody good at it, if I do say so myself) I finished my second 100k event this year and who 12 months ago would have thought about that and today I met and rode with some GREAT people (Joby, Emma, Rafe, Anna, Chris)
My Time was 4 Hours and 30 Mins, for 62.5 Miles.
From here I want to do Manchester to Blackpool 2010 in under 3 Hours 30 Mins and in The Manchester 100 next year I want to ride the 100 mile version.
Gaz wearing Livestrong.
Livestrong Everyone !!!
on 8/29/09 9:19 pm - UK
The Blog:
First off, I think the blog redesign has gone pretty well, I find it loads MUCH faster and every blog post is still there on the landing page for all to see.
The Poll Shows that 68% of viewers like it but there is 28% of you that don't, So please don't be shy, Tell me what it is that you don't like and I will see what can be done.
I am looking at putting some header/gif/picture etc in the blue empty space at the top of the page, Do any of you have any suggestions ?
This Morning I added more menu links on the top of the page, so we now have:
Home, Email Gaz, Justgiving, Gaz Bike Status, About Me, Links and Promo Video.
I have removed the links from the left hand side and given them their own page, Its less cluttered and more info can be added.
I have been discussing with Guru and Joby about moving to word press and giving the blog its own domain, I expect that it will happen around December time, around 40% of the visitors here are from America so my next question is do I go .co.uk or .com ?
You my readers are important so your suggestions WILL be heard.
Commute:
Its been a quiet week with Joby being away, the weather has been so bad that there hasn't been any other cycle commuters on the road, but as Joby has now returned I give you, The Joby Gaz Pose
Now joking aside I have not been able to get a football shirt over my should for a good 8 years and while its not as loose as I enjoy I think you would all agree that it fits……So surprised was I at the fact of it fitting I broke out into a SMILE…Yup its true…you don't believe me ? I have proof
Its gonna be a couple of months before I feel ok about wearing it in general but im chuffed I really am.
As I said the commute was boring, No one to race, I did set some PB’s and the Ribble is simply an AMAZING machine but will be looking forward to thrashing it without a head wind and monsoon.
![carpark[5]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_IxCw323vrKs/Sppa-vQ9jhI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/y****h50yCs/s1600-h/carpark%5B5%5D%5B5%5D.jpg "carpark[5]")
The Surosa:
Now has Livestrong Stickers
I have not done a huge amount of riding on it but it does seem like another bargain, £370 for a £899 (When New) bike, Its had little use (tho more than the Ribble) one thing I will do is use a set of Gore Cables on it, I think they would compliment the Campagnolo Veloce groupset (The Ribble will get a set too but that will be over the salty winter)
Does anyone know where (ideally in Manchester) I can get a name sticker done ?
Like this ?
But saying “Amazing Shrinking Gaz" I know I can get em off eBay but would like one before Sunday next week.
Manchester 100:
Speaking of Sunday, Its the Manchester 100 where team 100k will be raising hell :0). Please do wish us well, If the weather continues like it has done this week this its going to make for an uncomfortable 100k but regardless we will enjoy it and of course raise money for a good cause.
A few weeks ago I ordered a set of Livestrong shorts for the event, They still haven't shown up with just 5 post delivery days (Damm Bank Holidays) I'm a little on edge but we shall see.
Im not sure what bike to ride either, The Surosa is much better quality than the Ribble BUT the Ribble has a Triple and the Surosa compact and I know the Ribble inside out now, Suspect the best thing is to commute on the Surosa for a couple of days and see how it goes.
and FINALLY – I lost 3 Lbs this week…WHOOT….Back on Track though will have to load on Saturday for Sunday
http://www.justgiving.com/team100k/
My name is Trish, and I had RNY 1 year ago. I have lost 118 lbs, and am wearing a uk size 14. I live about an hour from London. Delighted with weight loss, and improved health issues. Enjoying my food, I am able to tolerate all food types. My confidence and willingness to take on challenges has increased, and |I am generally ecstatic with outcome, and process so far...
Fingers crossed! But I have this vague memory of being told that they are not allowed to give NHS prescriptiosn for supplements so it might be a blanket ban with no exceptions allowed!
Kate
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
I have checked out the WLS Pregnancy board and have found it to be very helpful! I'm so glad I've got all the help and support I need!!
Vicky
on 8/24/09 6:01 am - UK
**The Following is taken from my Blog (http://gazzasblogs.blogspot.com/)
As regular readers to the shrinking ones blog will know I am right now having serious issues with my hip, I have seen 2 physio’s and 1 GP……The Verdict ??
I was advised NOT to ride the Manchester 100………
However thought-out this one man has come to my rescue ! Mr Guru he advised me (after coming through issues himself) that mainstream medicine isn't always right and ONCE AGAIN it seems that he might have just been right with this one too.
I have decided against medical (conventional anyway) I will ride the Manchester 100 in 2 weeks (wow that came around didn't it) Why put myself though the pain and worry etc ? To me this is pretty simples :0) We are raising money for people with cancer, people who are not sure they will even be here in 2 weeks time, people who WISH they could ride a bike, Yes its going to hurt me, yes I have been struggling just to walk all weekend BUT sometimes you just have to fight like you want it, you have to give everything and it might take me 10 hours but I’m crossing that finish line, When I was about to ride the Manchester to Blackpool in July I was worried about not being able to finish, worried about me and what people would think of me, It’s not long about me, its all all those people who are less fortunate than I am.
As Lance would say “Livestrong"
Maybe I have done this in Thursday’s ride, Maybe I need to learn to slow down a little, maybe maybe maybe….I’m still here and as long as I have a breath left in me I will FIGHT.
On the weight loss front:
I am officially back on the wagon, I took a month to relax the diet a little, its been 18 months of nothing but pure focus and determination and I wanted to take a little pressure off myself, stop worrying every single day about how I will do at my weigh in, well that month is over and where am I ?
I did put any weight on at all, I did stall and loose just a couple of lbs, to me though I am happy, I feel more relaxed and as of today even more focused than ever before.
I started to change my habits' last week and on Thursday evening it looked like I was in for a large loss, However due to the fact that since Friday night I have hardly been able to walk its no surprise that the scales read just a 0.5 loss for this week, I have a bit of mobility back and I am ready for the commute and challenges ahead of me this coming week.
Enough ramblings from me, I am going to leave you with this amazing picture from the top of Chunal Hill, It captures just how my legs were feeling :)
If your doc says you MUST have the supplements, can't you get a prescription? So being Welsh - free! In fact, free in England too for pregnant women! I know they won't usually give scripts for supplements like vitamins but if they are essential......??
Anyway, sounds like you are being well looked after. Have you checked out the WLS pregnancy board on OH?
Kate
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
. I've also been suffering headaches, and severe tiredness.... but I'm told these are all good signs!!!I do have extra docs instructions yes.... I've had to stop most of my supplements beside the calcium, and I have to take pregnacare and pregnacare plus ( and they cost a fortune!). I have to have blood tests every 6 weeks, and have been put on an adjusted diet to include lots more dairy and carbs ( both of which I don't tolerate well). I'm doing my best to stick to it all too, the baby is the most important thing and I will do all I can to make sure we're both ok!
I will also have to see a high risk consultant who my surgeon will liase with, just to make sure we're both getting what we need and to make sure baby develops ok! I will also have to go see my dietician every month so she can assess me. I'm only 13 months post surgery and I have 2 years free aftercare as part of my package so they are looking out for me!!
It is going to be none stop appts until next April by the sounds of it lol!! April 10th is my EDD at the moment, although I am going for a scan next week and they will confirm this!
I'm SO excited!!
Vicky
I loved being pregnant! I had a bit of morning sickness but not too bad but I just loved sticking my tummy out in a sort of "hey, look at me, I'm pregnant" way!
Do you have extra doc's instructions because of WLS?
Kate
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
on 8/21/09 8:35 pm - UK
Hope you are well?!
Vicky.
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Miss Redd
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Kate -True
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