The Latest Training Update

We might not have done all these things together but our team has been extremely active. Our latest endeavors include...

Mark Thompson signing up and training for the Kuala Lumpur marathon
Sarah Beale training for an Ironman distance triathlon having already completed a half Ironman
Drew Bradley and Ben Oldham continue their training on the bikes clocking several hundred miles in the past weeks
Oonagh Thompson and Dominic Berry continue their mountain training in the Mourne Mountains
Laura Bradley and John Watson continue their higher impact training with rugby and mixed martial arts respectively. We know who to turn to if things get a bit handy on the mountains!

We're all doing this because we want to achieve our goals. Completing the 3 Peaks Cycle Challenge. Please see this video for more information about our challenge. Thank You

Charity Video

Slieve Binnian March 18th

After several weeks away from the mountains we finally made it back and we're back to training. Plenty more cycling and more trekking to come! But on Sunday 18th March we were faced with blue skies, warm sunshine and so what can you do? Well you've got to go from a long trek in the mountains, obviously! The Blue Lough is just one of the great views we had on this trek.

 As we started the trek we had some company. The locals were slightly curious about the three people geared up in gators and water proofs on such a lovely day but the sleet and sudden downpour on the way back to the car vindicated out decision to waterproof up!

Unfortunately our equipment wasn't quite ours. In a slightly rushed moment I picked up a pair of boots and asked Oonagh if they were hers. She said yes so off we went. Sadly they weren't Oonagh's, they were her sister Eileen's which were identical... but a size and a half bigger.

Despite the 'malfunction' Oonagh gallantly continued on the trek and we're glad she did. The Mourne Mountains are home to some wonderful scenery which has largely to this point been enjoyed while covered in rain, snow and cloud. It make a nice change seeing the mountains in the sun. To show how much we appreciated the sun we took lots of photos. Now we realise that it seems slightly odd taking black and white photos on a gloriously sunny day, but we think they look lovely nonetheless. 

 

 Near the top of Slieve Binnian there is a large open space. Above you can see Ruud majestically striding across it. This is what we should have crossed last time we did Binnian but were forced to turn around due to 100 mile an hour winds. Even the less diminutive of our group would have struggled to stay grounded in those conditions.

Our return to the mountains was even celebrated by the local search and rescue team who organised a fly by in our honour. Please note it is an assumption on my behalf that the fly by was for us, it could have been a training exercise, but here's hoping. 

Lunch at the top of Binnian led to some debate. More on that in the next post. Still we were there to enjoy the last of the sun before the clouds closed in and we were chased off the mountain by rain and hail. The waterproofing paid dividends, apart from the lighter trekking trousers I decided to wear. By lighter I mean not waterproof and with two soggy legs I squelched back to the car... lesson learnt!

The inner monologue of a cyclists

Having done plenty of bike rides recently and not been able to upload photo of the rides we decided to share some of our thoughts while out riding. Cycling can take you to some strange and wonderful places...

Oh man this is going to be a long ride. I could do a little less, if I don't go up that road. Hmmmm. No for goodness sake you're out no, just get on with it. The sooner you get going the sooner you get back for a brew.

Right that hill. The hill is the key. It'll be ok after the hill.

If I lie here, If I just lay herrrrre. Would you lie with me and just forget the world. Lets waste time, chaaasing cars. Around our head. 

Countdown was a great show. Who presents that now? I'll have a P please Bob, ha! Hold on, that's not right.

Bloody hell this hill is steep!

If you go any slower you'l fall of the bike! Don't look up, don't look up. Just cycle until you get there. Oh bloody hell I knew I shouldn't have looked up! How can I be peddling this hard and not go anywhere!

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I love being at the top of a hill! Downhill here I come! Oh that's fast. Very fast. Too fast! Oh Sh1t! Brake brake brake brake brake! Urrgh I'm in too high a gear.

Half way to tea.

Des Lynam did countdown for a while but I don't think he does it now. Is countdown even on now?

Wind. Oh no don't get windy!

That car hasn't seen me. Don't pull out! Look! I'm in a bright yellow top you HAVE to see me!! Good, he saw me. Man it's got to hurt hitting a car on a bike.

I can't wait for a cup of tea.

Carol Vorderman doesn't do it now either. What happened to Countdown?

The Sum coming up easy as the rain cam tumbling down. Comin up easy, not on this hill.

Bloody hills. It's not even a hill, it's barely a slope I'm just knackard.

Home! Tea... awesome!