The 94.7 Cycle Challenge is almost upon us

It's about time I caught up on this blog.  Forgive me for being absent for so long.

Firstly, I should let you know that I finished the Jacaranda Satellite Classic (94 km's) in 5h25 - Woohoooo for me!!

It was a toughie especially the second half, so much for it being downhill to the finish.  Not everyones version of downhill or flat is the same.  This is something I have to remind myself of constantly. 

The good news is that I cycled all the way up Hekpoort.  No walking for me.  Yippeeee!!  I did, however, stop in 3 places to catch my breath.  :-))

I had a rough start where I nearly quit the race.  Traffic was chaotic and between me trying to stick as far left as I could, motor vehicles galore and other cyclists squeezing between me and the cars, my nerves were shot.  Fortunately, we turned off the busy section and the road quietened down a lot.

Always happy at the start of a race

Coming up to the finish line.  It felt like forever - thankfully I had a friend encouraging me along on the side

I'm not sure if that is a smile or a grimace from pain. hehehehehe

I was in the last 10 timed cyclists to come in.  Let me tell you - I was just happy to finish. 

I am confident that I will have a great race this coming Sunday and that I will finish.

To everyone who has supported me, a HUGE big THANK YOU!!

Riding the 94.7 Cycle Challenge for Pink Drive

I'm not sure if you remember but a couple of posts back I mentioned that this year I will be riding the 94.7 Cycle Challenge for Pink Drive - 'Pink Drive is a non-profit organisation that is committed to improving breast cancer awareness, education, and providing and offering services to women across South Africa, particularly to those who do not have access to information on breast health'.     Read more over here Pink Drive

I need to raise R3 000.00 to be apart of the Pink Drive team on the day.  So far I have managed to raise R1 680.00  I am halfway there.  Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to this very worthwhile cause so far. 

My donor page :  please donate here 

Today while at the Natural & Organic Exhibition which was combined with The Women's Show I bumped into the peeps from Pink Drive.  What an amazing bunch of ladies.  After chatting to Lize de Jonge (Project Manager) I feel a lot more informed about mammograms and what to expect.  What I especially love about this project is that they take it to various clinics where they offer this service for free to those who cannot afford it.  

You will be hearing a lot about this charity initiative in the next 3 months.  I'm proud to be apart of it.

Living it...or should that be loving it...

I am heading to my third week of Weigh Less and I happy to report another 1 kg down.  Woohooo!! 

The new plans offer such a variety that I try and spend more time trying to fit in the yummy meals more than worrying about what to eat.  This is a good thing as lunches have been my downfall.  From toasted wholewheat/brown pita with feta, onion and tomato to wholewheat wraps with lean bacon, avo and other salad goods.  Good stuff.  I'm still however avoiding those cans of tuna - what's with that.  hehehehehe  I just cannot seem to swallow tuna lately.

So right now I am living the Weigh Less way and loving it.  It is giving me ideas - I probably would have never of thought of these meals for lunch.  It has taken the boring and mundane and made it interesting.  Some days may not be a 100% but when I stray - I enjoy the moment for what it is and savour it.  Like on Saturday when I enjoyed the Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks or that half a cup cake today.

But now I worry...

For the past two weeks I've dropped the 1kg a week but from tomorrow I throw cycling into the mix.  Last year when I started cycling the weight loss came to a practical grinding halt - I'm hoping that between Weigh Less + Eat Smart for Sport by Liesbet Delport that this time I'll keep everything on track so to speak.  My aim is to be 10 kg's down by the next 94.7 - and so far we're 2 kg's down.  8 to go.  By keeping focus, the cheats to a minimum - I know that I can do this.  

Time to dust off the Road Bike and Charity initiative

94.7 Cycle Challenge 2009

It is that time of the year.  Spring is in the air (while almost) and the cycling season gets into full swing.  Yep, it is time to dust off my trusty stead (road bike) and hit the road.  Well, not literally I hope. 

This year feels alot more organised.  I know exactly which races I want to do and I know which charity I am raising funds for.  Yep, last year I rode for the Sunflower Fund in the 94.7.  This year I will be riding for Pink Drive, you can read up more over here : Pink Drive Charity initiative  (Breast Cancer awareness and prevention).  They are hoping to get about 400 cyclists to raise about R1 million which will enable the Pink Drive organisation to purchase another Educational truck that will travel the country educating people that early detection can save lives. 

I need to raise R3000.00 (about $410.00).  This means that at the least, I need to find 30 people (family, friends, aquaintances, generous souls) to donate R100.00 ($15.00 - worked on an approx. exchange rate of R7.50 to the $1.00) each.  But any amount can be donated.  Donations can be sent via Paypal, SMS and EFT.  Please donate here  if you can.  I'd really appreciate it and you would be supporting a good cause.

Should I not be able to raise the R3000.00, the money that has been donated will still go to the Pink Drive Charity - I just won't be able ride with the group.  I will still, however, be taking part in the race should this happen.  But I am determined to raise the R3000.00

Taking part in my first Road Race (Meals on Wheels) with my mountain bike...very grateful for my road bike - it is much lighter.

Meals on Wheels will be my first race this season and it is taking place on the 19th September.  There is another one which takes place on the 5th September but I'm still deciding. 

My main focus this time around will be weight loss.  I want to be at least 10kg's lighter by the 94.7.  I can honestly say that I have been down this road a thousand times, well, this time the POA is already in action and I have already lost ONE of those kilograms.  Woohooo!!  I know I can do this!!  I have also realised that on the weekends that I do race that I don't have to eat for an army and that eating normally will suffice but the plan is also not to race every weekend but knowing me and how much I love cycling that could change.

So here is to the new season and getting ready.  What are your goals??

Chat soon.