Ernesto's group (third season) - CLOSED (Page 122)

Was referring to the weight challenge - as we migrate to new thread we will need to carry it over.  That's all.

Thought I should update for my end of month. 

It was the funeral last week and I had 3 days off, I am really happy with my training for March and I think the challenge has been a big help. 

Well done to Gabe for the win, but great effort from everyone else. 

- Gabe S 11 / B 18/ R19; Total = 48; 69:04:32 
- Joe P S 12 B 18/ R 13 Total = 43; 51:01:05" 
- Mitch: S 6 / B 14 / R 20; Total = 40; 29:09:47" 
- Matthews: S 13 / B 10 / R 12; Total = 35; 29:10:00 
- Jim S 0 / B 19 / R 17; Total = 36; 27:52:30 
- MarkZ: S 4 / B 11 / R 13; Total = 30; 39:11:00" 
- Kev: S 7/B 9/R 14; Total = 30; 37:06:05
- Rachel S 8 / B 10 / R 11; Total = 29; 38:04:08" 
- Charlotte S 7/ B 12/ R 10; Total =29; 20:47:00 
- Jackie S 11/B 8/R 7; Total 24; 33:40:32 
- Chris S 0 / B 1 / R 22; Total = 23; 28:47:45 
- Samy S 5 / B 7/ R 8; Total = 21; 16:58:58 
- Jennie S 5 / B 4/ R 9; Total = 18; 13:53:17 
- Ernesto S 3 / B 5 / R 13; Total = 21; 22:48:26 
- Scott S 2 / B 4 / R 8; Total = 14, 11:36:54 
- Mark H S 3 / B 6 / R 2 ; Total = 11; 7:15: 

Count me in for the weight loss challenge. Weigh in this morning, 112.3kg

Thanks for the support guys

Kev

Congratulations Gabe and everyone else! 

I love the challenge and seeing everyone's workouts.  I think we should just continue to post the statistics, just not have one "winner".

Mitch, I'm not a big Lance Armstrong fan, however, I will be at the Texas IM cheering for our very own challenge winner, Gabe!  Woohoo.  I can't wait.  Just wanted to tell you how much you've improved since you joined this mentoring group.  It's good to have you here.  I remember when . . .

I have a lot of mixed feelings about Lance.  My wife really dislikes him (for leaving his first wife and kids) - I get that.  I try to separate the non-endurance aspects from his athletic accomplishments.  I think as an athletic specimen he is a freak of nature and I only wish at 41 (which I am - ) I could decide to reenter a sport I haven't competed in for years and be competitive with the top pros in the world.

also, thank you for the compliment.  Mentally and physically I was in a completely different place 12 months ago.  Its been great having this group to relate to and to learn from.  Truly enjoying the experience.  Can't wait to continue the journey.

If I've missed anyone out or got anyone wrong I apologise.  I've left some space if anyone wants to add themselves.

Yesterday Kevin and I went for a long bike ride.  A friend had suggested a trip out to Alston, which is on the edge of the Lake District (ish).  It's about an 80mile round trip, so we said we'd go, along with a few others.  And then everyone else wimped out (due to illness/other commitment/fatigue etc).  So then it was just the two of us.

I knew that it was going to be a lot of uphill to get there, because there is a ridge up the middle of the North of England (I'm not sure you can really call it mountains), and Alston is the other side of that ridge.  What we hadn't planned for was cycling into a 20mph headwind as we headed up.  It didn't feel like very much elevation gain, but the headwind was absolutely demoralising, and with about 7 miles to go our destination, after well over an hour of misery in the wind, we bailed.  We reached a local tourist attraction which had a cafe, stopped for lunch and then headed back.

What we realised on the way back was just how much hill and wind there had been.  We literally didn't need to pedal for miles at a time, and I managed to stay on my big chainring for over 20 miles from the turn around point!  The high point was actually above 1500ft, and we'd done quite a lot of up and down along the way.

Having realised that we'd bailed too soon, we decided to make up the rest of the distance, and took a major detour (up a steep hill) to add some miles on.  So in the end we did our 80 mile ride.  The plan is to take another shot at Alston next weekend, as we've got 4 days off over Easter, so it gives us a chance to pick the day with the best weather.

Aside from the wind, yesterday was a beautiful day, and I decided to take some pictures to try to show you guys what a beautiful part of the world we live in.  I haven't figured out how to embed pictures on here, so I've put them on facebook.  The link to the album is here . They're not great photos, and Kevin appears to be pulling a variety of funny faces, but you get the idea...

Great ride Rachel and Kevin! Imbedding pictures here is a bit complicated, first you have to upload them to BT album, then open it and click on its properties and copy the URL. Finally, click on the icon with the tree (next to the anchor, as you are composing the message) and paste the URL.

Your pictures reminded me of the Teletubby land...

Jackie, just saw your cool message here and I'm thrilled that I will get to finally meet you in person and count with your support for IM Texas in May - wooohooo!!!