News update

Been a while since my last entry, so here's a rap up of all that has happened since the triathlon.

Fundraising: 

Fundraiser at the Swan pub in Taffs Well was great, and with the raffle and collections we made £360! So a big thanks to all who contributed to the prizes, and a massive thanks to Leigh at Ysgol Ty Coch for drumming up support for the raffle! Thanks also to my sister and Mark  ( and Charlotte, for rattling the bucket) for sorting out the night with the guys at the Swan.

Training:

Up and down, busy at work so not as good as it could have been. But as the run is close and the ride not far behind it is now time to step it up!

Currently recovering from a big 80mile ride over the bridge into England. Returning into a punishing head wind! The return through Newport was painful, So a big test today, and more to come.

I did it. Challenge 1 completed.

 

Wow that was much much more enjoyable than I thought. 

The overriding feeling from the Blenheim Palace Triathlon is the warmth from the other triathletes and event staff. As a first timer you felt welcomed into their sport.

So will I do it again? Defiantly! Possibly the longer distance next time, after a lot more work on my swimming and general fitness.

The swim leg was hard, but I felt determined to get to the turn marker which looked along way away for most of the swim! The water was much warmer than I thought it would be and the visibility (although very green) was surprisingly good.

The cycle element was the most fun and I made up some ground and even overtook a few others!

Running after that was hard and the only thing I overtook were a few ducks on the side of the lake. But I saved some energy for the finishing line and took a flag "Brownlee style" from my parents to cross the line.

So challenge one is complete, next stage at the Olympic Stadium, London!

Final countdown!

Almost there, kit packed. Hope I've remembered everything, so many bits and bobs to get ready.

One week to go!

Not posted for a while, so I thought I'd update on how things are going.
Managed to get in my first open water swim in the week. Glad I had a chance to experience this before the Blenheim Tri, wasn't prepared for the shock to the system of entering cold water!! It really does take your breath away, making breathing and swimming a challenge.
It was also a good chance to swim in a wet suit and hopefully it won't be a big shock on the day of the triathlon.
On the down side I've managed to pick up an ear infection and hope that it clears before next weekend. Left me feeling grotty and have pulled the plug on some training over the last few days.
Suppose at some point in between my events it was going to happen, so a few days rest and back to it!

This just got real!

Wow, I knew the triathlon was a matter of weeks away. But today it feels just around the corner as my race pack and numbers arrived for the Blenheim Palace Triathlon.

But with good timing I had a boost at the gym. My weigh in went well, unbelievably I managed to drop 4kg in a week! Great timing and a bit of a boost in the count down to event number one!

MYLOs Olympian Challenge Launch

Next week Macmillan are putting out their press release. So I am busy starting to put out posters and sponsor forms in work and posting Facebook updates and Tweets.
I think I might have gone a bit over the top with the poster. Happy with end result.

Big test.

Currently on sofa watching Giro d'Italia after the hardest day of riding for a long time. My legs are suffering!!
I headed off from Cardiff at around 9am heading for Brecon via Talybont. The weather started off ok with the promise of a band of rain later.
The climb over the top is at 1453ft, the weather closed in and the decent was slippery and tricky.
I had a brief stop in Brecon, before heading back over the Mountain on the A470.
The weather on the pass under iPen-Y-fan was as bad as I have cycled in. The climb went on forever with a nasty gusty head wind blowing me about.
By the time I was getting back towards merthyr I was soaked and very cold.
At this point I decided to wave the white flag and found the train back to Cardiff had just pulled in.
6 hours in the saddle enough for a first long run out.

Updates...

Not blogged for a bit. But that's no to say i've neglected the training!
In fact in the last few weeks I have tried to up my game. Commuted 3 out of 5 days for last 2weeks. Easy in last weeks mini welsh summer, not do good in this weeks monsoon.
Started personal training at gym, realising I need someone to give me a "kick" to push myself.
Seems to be working 2lb loss this week and motivated to run this morning.
So far so good...

Big push.

Starting a big push on training, slightly in nerved by the approaching triathlon. Started commuting on bike to work, only a short 30 minute ride, but with one big climb.
I ride ok on the flat, the problem being that living in Wales at some point your going to hit a road pointing up! Power to weight ratio is my main problem.
I'm hoping to keep up riding to work as much as possible through to the end of this term. Just requires a bit of organisation to get kit ready for the morning, and braving the Welsh weather, which so far has been great ( only done 2 days so far though).
Also managed to get in another 400m in the pool and started running in the treadmill last night at the gym.

London Ride 100 route

Thought I'd put up the route that I'm riding in the summer. It mirrors the London 2012 Olympic road race, except it starts from the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
Looking forward to riding on closed roads through the city, nervous about Box Hill!

Olympic Park Run 2013

Very excited, managed to get a place on the National Lottery Olympic Park run 2013 on 21st July. 5 mile course around redeveloped Olympic Park, finishing back in the Olympic Stadium with 300m on the track.
I did last years event, which was the first event in the stadium. Looking forward to follow literally in the footsteps of the Olympians and Paralympics stars of 2012.
00:58.25 mins for 5 miles to beat.

Just giving

Please support me and Macmillan Cancer Support via my Just Giving site.

www.justgiving.com/chrismyhillridelondon100

What I'm doing and Why.

On Sunday 4th August I will be taking on the challenge of riding 100 miles through London and  out into the Surrey countryside, following a course used for the London 2012  Olympic road race.

The Prudential Ride London 100 ride is part of a weekend of cycling activities in London , including a UCI professional road race following my ride later in the day.

I will be riding for Macmillan Cancer Care and I am aiming to raise over £1000 to support their valuable work.

I will be blogging as I train for this event and try to get in shape. This WILL be a real challenge for me and I hope you clan support me as I take on the road to London in 2013.

Pictures from evening ride

Thought I'd keep my blog updated with any interesting pics on my road to the Ride London 100. Pictures from the top of Eglwysilan.

Move'in Mountains

Sometimes you don't no why you thought that you might not get out on your bike. I'm able to come up with a million excuses. But I'm so glad I bothered this evening.
 Headed out in gloomy weather, as I got going the clouds melted away and left me with great views from the top of Eglwysilan over Pontypridd, Tonteg and back towards Taffs Well. 
The views were well worth the climb up.
Lesson learnt, get out on your bike, and enjoy!

Start of blog

This is my first blog as I build up to riding the Prudential Ride London 100 mile event this summer. I will be riding for Team Macmillan and helping to raise funds to support their work.
I will be updating my blog with the ups and down of training for my first  big cycling event.