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Welcome to May, I am around 10 weeks away from trying to do something that I never thought, even in my wildest dreams, could I do.

Yes I am of course talking about my (and the other 7000 people) ride from Manchester to Blackpool in July, 10 week lol, What have I let myself in for ???

Before I get onto the main part of this update please allow me to touch on a few things:

I now have a helmet camera, Come back next week for video footage of my commute :)

My blog passed the  2000 hits mark this week (Ironic but read on to see why), Thanks everyone, We are getting on average 30 new visitors a day right now.

A good friend of mine invited me to something called Gyminee,

Then we challenged each other via Gyminee to see who can loose 10 lbs first, at the moment I'm in front but that could all change this week, For anyone else who wants to offer me a challenge, be it weight, miles or time just sign up to Gyminee and leave me a message with your username and I m sure we can all help each other push on. 

Ok here we go, This is what its all about !

This week has been by far and away the biggest week I have had since I started this journey:

Tuesday, It was like a monsoon out, but Monday’s weather had kept my commute to 6 miles and I had a target to real this week so on Tuesday I HAD to do it, I had to take the long way, so I did, 10 Miles in 51 Mins,

It wasn't without issue either, While filtering though traffic my foot slipped and on the next revolution smashed into the back of my ankle, I had never felt pain like it, I stopped at the side of the road for a couple of mins, I actually thought I had broken something.

When I got to work I was SOAKED but I felt ALIVE, I looked at the stairs and realizing they are still something I fear I decided this was the week I wanted to beat that fear out of me, despite working on the second floor I ran, no SPRINTED 6 flights after my 10 mile ride, I was soaked but no one could tell it wasn't because of rain, I was making progress.

Wednesday was pretty meh, Though I did attack the stairs again.

Thursday was special, I was on fire, It wasn't the best day of the week, but more about that later.

I rode my morning commute in a few seconds over 17 mins,

Yes 6.5 miles in 17 Mins,

As I said I was on FIRE now I do admit that

all the traffic lights were green,

there was no head wind,

I was under pressure to push hard as I left late

BUT everything came together perfectly,

I was stunned I really was, being under pressure for time I ran just the floors to my office.

I was buzzing all day.

Friday, WHAT A DAY !

Thursday night I watched the 3rd to last episode of Biggest Loser USA, The best season EVER, Tara and Mike are such inspirations, I have no allegiance I just hope either one of those win the show, They really do deserve it,

The show was emotion filled and by Friday morning I was actually quite emotional myself before I set off, the first couple of miles were easy, they always are the day after I watch Biggest Loser (USA, NOT the UK Version, Sorry)

Then half way to work I looked down at my trusty Speedo and it read 2000 Miles, being someone who is in full control of my emotions it was then so bizarre to be riding my bike with my tears streaming down my face,

I was filled with pride, my mp3 player was blasting out inspirational music but for the rest of the ride all I could hear was silence, the world was dark and quiet, I was remembering what the last 10 months had been like, I was thinking of the pain, the hurt, even at times the humiliation but they all flooded out of my mind and all I was left with was a sense of pride,

I WAS DOING THIS and it was ALL ME,

I looked up saw another commuter and rode hard passing him and never looking back. Thinking to myself “Gaz you can DO ANYTHING you want to do, you just had to want it enough".

When I got to work the tears were still streaming down my face, but all the hurt and anguish had left my body, why was this happening ? I was proud, I was happy, I knew I had done this and I was so motivated that I will NEVER EVER stop, So why the flood of emotion still ?

I didnt know !

I stood in the stairwell at work after locking my bike up outside,

I wiped my brow,

Set my mp3 player to "Proud" by Heather Small

Took a drink of water

and then (with rucksack on my back) sprinted and yes I mean SPRINTED, hard and fast up 8 flights of stairs, turned around and ran back down  to the 2nd floor (where I work lol)

I was sweating,

exhausted,

sore,

I was a mess

BUT

I was ALIVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the first time in YEARS, Maybe 10 years I FELT ALIVE.

When I started this journey. Walking to the kitchen almost killed me.

Oh and Stairs, Hold no fear for me any more either !

I looked at myself in the mirror after getting changed and said one last time “Gaz you CAN DO ANYTHING you want to do, you just had to want it enough".

Wow I can talk LOL Sorry, Right there is a video coming in the next week so I will offer just a couple of picures and of course feel free to print the poster, put it in your local shop, supermarket, your car window or office notice board together we can get the message out that no matter how worthless it may look THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE !!!!!!!

Thank you

Gaz

http://www.justgiving.com/gb155