I read with some relief that Dez was off to SA again today and so won't be posting any more epic rides for a while. When I read t'other Col's, epic though the distances and gradients are, I'm heartened by a more human sounding pace and feel like I still have a sporting chance of keeping up (at least on the uphills...), and with TGMM and DJ Clarky MIA and last posted doing half the distances we should at least all be 4th cat-esque together. But Mr Evington, it sound like there should be reference to a motor strapped to the back wheel when I read about the 'whizzing round park' antics in gay Paris! Short of there being some miraculous food bug on your travels which gives you the runs AND makes you pile the pounds on at the same time then you'll definately be the one at the front with the tow rope round the seatpin!!!
I can't say I'm overly happy reading about all the miles that have been going in over the last couple of weeks 'cos my training's gone down the pan... if poker and whiskey could get me to the top of Alp D'Huez then I know I'd have you all quaking in your boots, but sadly the only place they'll be getting me is in the gutter at the bottom of said Alp. Still, at least there are still 8 Sundays of grovelling to try and make amends...
Since my last Sunday out I think I've managed 2 rides to work and back (one of which I dawdled through with a sore knee), an hour of hill-climb interval training (5 x 4:30 reps), and 40 miles today in the p*ss*ng rain to ease myself back in. Not good for two weeks, and I really can't say I enjoyed today at all since the weather her is so utterly miserable. I did find a new climb to train on today though with a half mile 1:9 section - I thought I'd gone mad when I hit it 'cos I was expecting something less steep, and then all of a sudden I was barely moving and wondering if someone had sneaked up and slammed the back brake on! That was the last of 3 climbs in today's 40 - the steepest of the 3 but not quite the longest...
I'm out of town for a night this week so hoping I can get a lift out with the bike and get a sneaky mid-week ride in back to Abz, should get me about 50 miles through some decent hills. Otherwise there'll be no more proper miles 'till next Sunday when I'll be out for another 80 or so... Am going to try tweaking the cleats to see if I can sort my knee out, but if anyone else has other top tips for curing it I'll give 'em a try - I'm particularly having trouble with the tendon on the outside behind my right knee.
On a more positive note... I did finally manage to get the Just Giving page emailed out. I see a few folk have signed a few pounds away, which is a great result for anyone else facing the condition Nathan had. I've also printed off paper forms etc from the CMA website - I think I got over half my sponsorship this way when I did the Great North Run as I found people at work were quite happy to take a note out of their wallet but often too busy to get onto the website. Should be worth a try - will give you an update next week so we can add it to the total on the Just Giving page.
That's all for now.
Cheers,
Soaking Simpson.
Nathan Evington
28/02/77 - 03/11/07
About Nathan
Nathan, was a big chap in more ways than one. He was always to be found at the centre of the action, telling it exactly as it was – loudly!
In fact, Nathan was in such a hurry to make his impact on the world, he arrived on a cold February morning 8 weeks early. He was so premature that he spent his first month in hospital, and at the time was one of the youngest babies in Hedon Road hospital to survive!
Cycling played a huge part in Nathan’s life. He loved the film American Flyers and watched it many times. In it, there is a scene where the main character does the "torture test" which involved running on a treadmill for as long as possible before ending the test by hitting the "chicken" switch. After Nathan’s diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in 2004, he was actually quite excited to discover that he would be required to do his own "torture test" and spent a good deal of time psyching himself up for a good performance. In fact, he was so determined that it was ultimately the doctor, his Mum and the technician who had to drag him off, as Nathan refused to give in himself.
Cycling also revealed Nathan’s talent for remembering facts and figures. He was our very own walking cycling encyclopaedia. He loved to test his friends and show off his knowledge, and he was always the person you would want on your pub quiz team.
Nathan was determined to live life to the full, and unbeknown to his Mum he began playing in a football team a few years ago. The cat was out of the bag when a new football trophy took pride of place on the mantelpiece one evening. Nathan was very proud of himself and his team-mates, although I am reliably informed that Nathan was valued more for his enthusiastic participation, rather than his football talents – which led to his shots on goal just missing the target – 100% of the time!
Nathan was the life and soul of any party and loved to dance. He would always take to the dance floor first, and was quite happy to dance alone. However, his infectious enthusiasm always encouraged others to join him.
Nathan was a kind man, and always generous to a fault – on the benefit of his Mum and brother. He had a very special sense of humour – one he shared with his brother – and left his mark on everyone he met.
Sunday, 1 June 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Have a go at the ITB (Illiotibial Track) stretch for the knee.
A quick google search would pay dividends. Just pick a stretch position you can manage
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=iliotibial+stretch&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB
Post a Comment