Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Bestmed Campus to Campus 2010 - Race Report

You can read about last year's race here

My not so favourite part, the early mornings!!  We had to get up just before 5am so that we could be out the door by 05:30.  Ouch!!  Weekends around this time are not my own.  Saturdays I tend to be up early as I go to WeighLess at 07:30 to get my weigh-in over and done with, leaving Sundays as the sleep in day but alas that is not to be at the moment.  At least this weekend there are no races for me.

We picked up Harry on the way and off we went.  This was a far one, one of the furtherest we have to travel to.  We got there just in time.  Harry immediately got his bike and stuff sorted and headed for the start line as he was doing the long distance.  I went off in search of a toilet.  While doing that I quickly munched on a Bran Muffin - yummy!  From then onwards it was a mad dash to get everything setup from HR monitor to MP3 player (don't worry I only used one ear piece and can quite comfortably hear everything around me - safety is a priority for me).  At least I did not forget the sunglasses behind this time.

I met up with my friend Sandi at the start line.  Hubby managed to get a few pics and it was time to start.  This year the groups were very small.



From the start the wind made itself known and did not let up.  I don't think we had a break from it, from head-on to any other direction it could come at us - it did.  Sandi was behind me at the beginning and then I lost her - I was on my own with a few riders in front and behind.  At least I was not going to be all alone the whole time.



And while I was out doing my thing.  My support team found trees.  Gotta love those guys. 





I really enjoyed the race even with the wind and when I smelt the finish line I pedalled hard.  Hubby even said I came in fast.  Told him it helps coming in on a downhill instead of an uphill. Hehehehehehe.



We waited for Sandi and then headed off for some pancakes and refreshments while we waited for Harry to come in.

The good news is I improved on last years time :

2010 :  2:23:42

2009 :  2:50:05

My next race is on the 10th October.  It is one of my favourites, Race for Victory.  Cannot wait...

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Remember 'Invincible' - Meals on Wheels 2010

It has been a year since my first 'official' race and what a difference.  Doing the happy dance here!!

This was last year :

Meals on Wheels 2009


The Support Crew, Member 'J'

Support Crew, Member 'B'
Just what were they up to while I was out pedalling....looks like they were up the tree.  hehehehehe  Sounds like they had loads of fun!!  Climbing trees, jumping on the jumping castle, eating pancakes and drinking milo.  Definitely fun!!

The race itself started earlier this year and we got away around 8am somewhere.  Right from the start we head uphill.  Great way to wake those legs up. hehehehehe.  I got to the halfway turn poing in just under and hour.  The route was undulating.  Definitely not flat and fast. 

Today was spent trying to get past the 'I'm out for a Sunday ride with my BFF' while they're casually riding abreast (taking up most of the road to do this) and catching up on whatever.  This is done with no consideration for cyclists or even motor vehicles coming up behind them.  Idiots!!  The fact of the matter is at the 94.7 there are going to be zillions of these types.  I hope I survive!!

The GOOD news is that I did improved on my time from last year.  Woohooooo!!

My official time was 02:09:05 - I was the 204th cyclist in for the 40km out of 224 (not including those who did not finish).

Last year (2009).  My official time was 02:31:02 - I came 3rd last.  Ouch!!

I was not chased by the ambulance and sweeper vehicle and there was no bursting into tears.  When hubby asked if my song had played this time - strangley enough, even though it is on my MP3 - Invincible did not come into play today. 


Seriousley, this needs to go!!
With this weight loss, a few things are happening to the shape of my body.  This is one in particular that I HATE with a passion and seems to be more noticable when I'm on my bike (sad face).  It appears that this middle section is definitely going to be the last to go.  Ouch!! 


Very happy with myself!!

Gotta love helmet hair :-)
Next week is my second race leading up to the 94.7.  I'm looking forward to it.  It is 54km's.

Hope everyone had a super weekend.

Before I go.  In the past 6 weeks I have lost 5.1 kg's - EXTREMELY happy right now.

Mich

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Dome 2 Dome or was that Silverstar Casino 2 Silverstar Casino

Guess who joined me!!

Last Sunday was my first cycle race for the Spring/Summer season.  I opted to do the 40 km.


This was the profile - you guessed it - OUCH!!

The night before the race we went out for our youngest's 6th birthday - a nice Italian restuarant which meant I could carbo-load and not do my diet too much damage.  The kids then went off with my BIL to spend the night with their cousins.  Hubby made an impromptu decision and decided to join me on the race.  Some adjustments on my mountain bike and a spare entry that a friend had, and he was all set to go.  And GO he did!!  He eventually calmed down and slowed down to a pace I could handle.  Relief!! 

I enjoyed this one, well, except for the end bit.  When I do it again I hope it will be a me at goal weight.  My weight is really slowing me down on the hills **sad face**

We finished the race in just over 3 hrs - around 03:08:something.  That hill at the end there killed us.  We walked, chatted and begged for mercy but we got up it.

We made it!!

Fortunately, one of cycling shirts fitted hubby.  Don't worry - one day they won't. hehehehehe  I'll be in skinnier ones.

I tried a new low GI drink on this ride, 32 GI and was very impressed with it.  It cut down on how many gels I needed to take in.  On a ride like this it would have been up to 3 gels - making the calorie intake a lot more than it was.  I also packed a healthy picnic for afterwards - NO greasy boerewors rolls or hamburgers.  **huge grin**

The next race is on the 19th.  I did this one last year so I am looking forward to comparing.  It is the Meals on Wheels race.  Fun times.

Back soon.....