The last time that I rode a bike out on the road was 21st September last year. That is five months ago. Regular visitors to this blog will know the reasons why I have been confined to an indoor trainer for all this time-well last week I had the go ahead from the hospital to get back on a bike out on the open road. All is not perfect yet as I still have 8 to 12 weeks of radiotherapy to get through but having said that- today was a special day.
I woke up this morning to bright sunshine and decided that today would be my first outing on a bike for five months. I must admit that I was a little nervous after such a long lay-off and the plan was to only venture out on my hybrid as it is probably the easiest of my bikes to ride.
The ride seemed to go well. Not a great distance for this first trip (15miles) and I kept my speed down to an average of just 13.75mph and a top speed of just 23mph as I was paranoid about potholes and wasn't disappointed as they seemed to be everywhere. The local roads have really deteriorated since last summer. As it was a pothole that caused my crash at the end of the ACCR last June I had no wish to repeat the experience hence the paranoia.
I tackled a couple of the local hills and was pleasantly suprised that I managed them in a smaller rear cog than I managed last year-must be all those hours spent on the trainer plus my reducing weight. About mid December last year I had a wake up call on my weight. All those weeks of sitting around following the crash and subsequent medical problems had caused my weight to increase to 15 stone-the highest it has ever been. I embarked on a strict weight loss programme of my own devising and have been losing a steady 2 pounds a week since then. By 31st March I will have hit my first target of 12 stone 7 pounds and by the Duncton Sportive on 5th May I will be 11 stone 11 pounds which is my final target weight.
So there you have it- I have 11 weeks to continue to get fit enough -light enough and confident enough on the bike in order to beat last years bronze banding at Duncton at the same time as starting the treatment on a 5 days a week basis. But hey- I can only function if I have a challenge.
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5 comments:
Whew, I didnt know, but congratulations on getting back on.....
15 miles first time out is amazing you have obviously been working hard on that trainer. After my operation I started with 3 mile walks and gradually increased it a mile a day. Good luck with the rest of your treatment.
It's great to hear that you are doing so well - you must tell me how you are managing the incredible feat of 2 lbs a week!
I am failing miserably on the weight loss - but our target weights do seem to be very similar!
Thanks guys for the words of support.
Alan/ The diet is based on a calorie deficit of 7000 a week. This is achieved by at LEAST 500 calories a day less intake with the balance made up of EXTRA exercise. Just walking isn't strenuous enough. I am doing between 100/150 virtual miles a week on my indoor trainer some of this is intense workout level.I count EVERY calorie in and burned! The emphasis is on the word STRICT. NO Alcohol-NO chocolate and a fully balanced diet consisting of 3 small main meals and 3 smaller other meals with about 3 hours between each one. If your diet is failing then it means you are taking on board more calories than you are burning. You need to reduce calories and /or exercise more. Remmber 500 calories less a day equates to 1 pound lost a week.I suppose it all depends how desperate you are to lose the weight. Best of luck buddy.
It's immense to listen that you are performing so well - you must tell me how you are organization the incredible feat of 2 lbs a week!
I am failing miserably on the weight loss - but our target weights do seem to be very similar!
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