The past few weeks I have been humbled by my friends showing how much they care for me. I have had Jim give up his Saturday to take me on a ride along route 68. We set off from my house at 8am and it was already hot. I had opted to ride my comfy, but heavy steel bike due to the terrain we would be riding on. I was fully loaded with water, given the heat and started to feel it as we rode along the lanes coming towards Ashbourne.
When we got to Ashbourne we rode under the old railway tunnels towards the start of the Tissington Trail. There was a café here and perfect opportunity for a cuppa and teacake. Following this we rode north towards Parsley Hay. It was a gradual up-hill ride and to be honest I was starting to feel ‘it’. By the time we pulled off route 68 I had done about 35km, we stopped for a paddle in the stream, well Jim had a paddle, I on the other-hand took the opportunity for a rest. From here we rode to Bradbourne and on towards Brassington and past Carsington Water. I was absolutely spent, the realisation I had bit off more than I could chew was starting to sink in.
I have never, ever, had to do this – but several times on the approach to Carsington I had to get off my bike and push up hill. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Jim having to wait for me. Fortunately there was a pub in Mickleover and I used this carrot to drag me round the remainder of the route. The end of the ride was toasted with a pint of Ale.
Also, just recently a friend of mine (Tom) offered to support me in my Iron Man journey. He encouraged me to enter a Half 70.3 race next year. The question was ‘which’ one? Well I’ve not had much look with overseas events so decided it needed to be in the UK. The ‘branded’ events are Weymouth and Staffordshire, which while local – is quite hilly. I suggested that I recently went to Wells-Next-The-Sea on holiday and the roads were perfect. So that was it – we both entered the Half Iron distance race at Holkham Hall.
The plan is for me to ride with Tom at the weekend and the occasional swim. I struggle with confidence on the road cycling, and tend to prefer indoor Turbo sessions but having tom to support will ‘drag’ me out.
Bipolar Ironman 