Cheshire Cat 2012

The Cheshire Cat. First Sportive of the year for me. Did it last year, so back for more INCLUDING Mow Cop. Last year, I rode the short course. This year we (me and Andy) are doing the medium (75mile) course: weather has not been good for training so we are 'easing' our way into it!

Now, Mow Cop is a hill in Staffordshire. I know it well. It's near my Mum's house, so I've been up there many times. Words cannot do it justice apart from to say that you can easily burn your clutch out, it's that steep. Yes, really! It's f**king steep. The last 100 yards is approx 25% incline. The short video below is the nearest I've ever seen to showing its steepness.... and it's steeper.

So with The Cheshire Cat, a medal is awarded for any nutter that can cycle to the top without putting a foot down. The challenge was on.

A 5am start to drive over to Crewe (the clocks had gone forward so it was really 4am), park at my daughter's University digs, sort the bikes out and off we go. The organisation was superb. Last year's start was very poor but they definitely got it right this time and with fabulous weather (bit chilly but the sun was out!), it was looking like a great day.

En route and discussing the day, part of the conversation went like this...

Andy  "Feel a bit rough this morning- not bothered avin a shave..... well, apart from my legs."

Me      "Same!"

Both -   laughter from us and embarrassing groans from daughter in back seat!

As Phil Liggett once said (at least I think it was him)...

"what more could be nicer than a bunch of men with shaved legs going past. Absolutely perfect."

Mow Cop is 15 miles into the course and to be honest I was not looking forward to it. I enjoy hill climbs, but because I know this hill, I know what is coming... a whole lot of pain and my heart monitor going off the scale. It is the steepest hill I have ever climbed: Swiss mountains are a doddle in comparison as you wind your way up: In stoke you just go up in a straight line- no messing!!! There is a pub called the Cheshire View and it's near the top of the hill. It's at this point the 25% gradient kicks in for about 100 yards and it's here where marshals check if you have made it. Just before the pub a rather large chap wearing all black on a black Bianchi with il all over his right leg literally fell (almost rolled) in front of me. He made no attempt to warn me or other riders (the road is not wide!) That was it. Game over. My foot went down. I was gutted. I'd been waiting to do this hill for months for some fat sunday rider to roll in front of me. So I push my wheels to the top of the hill to attempt to find Andy... turns out similar happened to him! 2 riders went down in front of him too.... I must admit this made me fill a little bit better as we were both totally pissed off. 

this is the idiot...bib 10566 Dunno why he's grinning. Git.

Never mind- onto the descent and what a view- you can see for miles up there and IT WAS STUNNING!

Now, I've griped about Lincolnshire's roads in the past. They are rubbish. My village's road is particularly bad. Oh how we are spoiled! The roads on The Cat were actually worse making descents really tricky. Potholes everywhere and not a decent stretch of road to be seen for some time. 

There are 4 major hill climbs on this route including the famous Gun Hill (part of the Tour of Britain Stoke Stage) and they are all bloody steep. I'm glad to say I did not have to walk up the others: I rode them all with the aid of the occasional gel and, now I'm sat at my desk, they were fun. The final descent was brilliant. After last years accidents, I've been very wary on descents and if I don't know the road or it's wet, I won't go hell for leather but with this particular one, I could: decent bit of road (at last!), wide, straight, great visibility, spot on- this is what it's all about. This and riding in groups. Normally I end up out the back of a group as I'm a plodder when it comes to hills, so I get left behind, but on the flat, I can fly with the best of them and that is when it's really good. I'm not a club rider but I'm sensible and experienced enough to know the hand signals, think ahead and judge what is happening to be safe when riding in a bunch. On sportives such as these, alot of folk have never ridden as a group before and so I try to avoid these people as they are extremely unpredictable (like the chap on Mow Cop)

Once in a group (and I'm sure you have seen it on the telly) it is quite amazing. A bunch can begin small...3 or 4 riders and suddenly it will grow to 10 or maybe 20 cyclists....at times elongating to single file and then bunching to a pack that is 4 deep- constantly evolving and changing with riders moving position for good of the whole group: everyone acting as one for the good of the group, not the individual. To watch it is one thing. To experience it is always a joy. 

At the second feed station we got split from the peleton. A large train shot passed and Andy dive into the middle. Me? I was clinging onto the back for dear life. Chugging along at about 28mph we reached a junction and the bunch got split due to traffic so Andy carried on without me with about 20 miles to go. The small group that was left continued at a decent pace with most splitting off at the 'long route' marker whereas us medium routers carried on along the road. I was in a little group with 2 others: the guy in front was very obviously carrying the woman behind him along and his pace was dropping. She wasn't moving up for a stint at the front so I had to (well, it's only polite!)- the relief on his face! lol And so we charged into Nantwich and then on to Crewe and the finish line at Alexandra Stadium. Official time at 5hr 10m and 43 secs. Surprisingly (and I was BLOODY surprised) Andy came in after me- turned out he'd ended up on the long route  for a mile or so, and had to double back. Ah well, we were both cream crackered but a fab day and with weather like that, the best place to appreciate it is on a bike.

Well, that wasn't expected!

Way way back in August last year Lynn, a lovely friend of mine (used to be the number cruncher for the Drill Hall) decided to nominate me to be an Olympic torchbearer.


Me? Why? Well apparently I'm inspirational. Personally I couldn't see it and still can't but I was chuffed to be asked so I said yes and left her to it. I think she needed the usual DoB, address etc.


Bugger me, I got through and an email turns up telling me I've been nominated and given a conditional offer. With an average of 14 valid nominations for every one place available, that is actually, quite a thing!


Quoting from their website:


"The 12 selection panels will be made up of representatives from the local culture, sport, voluntary, education, youth and local government sectors, and will review the nominations between 3 – 14 October 2011.

Successful nominees will be contacted with a conditional offer in December, with Torchbearer places confirmed in February 2012.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: ‘We are thrilled with the response we have had to the LOCOG Torchbearer nomination programme and would like to thank everyone who took the time to put friends, colleagues or family members forward for consideration for one of the 2,012 Torchbearer places on offer.

‘With the selection panels set to review an average of 14 nominations for every one available LOCOG Torchbearer place, difficult decisions will need to be taken. However, we should be proud so many inspiring people have been put forward to carry the Olympic Flame next summer and receive recognition for their achievements.’"

During this time, I've not been allowed to tell anyone. (well, I said to a couple of trusted people like you do!) until now. I've had to do security questionnaires and fill out forms for 'uniforms' and allsorts. In fact, the only thing I'm worried about is the uniform. You see I have a bloody big ribcage and skinny legs, so I've had to order XL to fit my top half but I only need M/L for trousers! Knowing my luck they will fall down whilst running! I'm gonna have to contact LOCOG and sort it!!

Anyway my confirmation letter came and my slot- for whatever reason- is in..... Immingham! Don't ask, I have no idea why Immingham but there you go: there are a number of people carrying the torch who's hometown is Lincoln and yet they are carrying in different areas. The Immingham relay consists of only 7 runners and none are from Immingham! (2 Lincoln, 2 Gainsborough, 1 Horley, 1 Cleethorpes and 1 from Newcastle Upon Tyne!!!) Date is 26 June with an approximate time of 1641. It's funny, cos the email says get friends and family to line the streets... who the f**k wants to go to Immingham! hahahaha looks like I'll be billy-no-mates on this one. Not to worry eh- not many people can say they have carried the Olympic flame.

Proud... you bet!

It bugs me though. I don't really know what I have done to deserve this. I've seen other torch nominees and they have achieved some amazing things. Me? I'm honestly not being awkward but I really have no idea why. If it is to do with me being ill and getting back on my bike raising money for ICU then, actually, I still don't get it. I did all that because I needed to. For me. To help me get over everything that happened. I still need to run and ride. It really is now part of me and a part of me I like and enjoy in the same way I love and enjoy my family and friends. Priorities I reckon. It's all about priorities.

A New Link

There are a number of websites and support groups that are there for people who have come into contact with sepsis. This, I guess is the nearest to a 'simple' explanation you can get for the majority of what I went through.
"what happened to you?"
"I had a gall bladder operation and it went wrong." -not technically true but if I say I had an ERCP it causes an even longer answer so the former is the easy option!
"Blimey mate what happened?"
"I got sepsis, nearly died and ended up in intensive care for 6 weeks, 4 operations and another 4 weeks on a ward. I'm not too bad now."
"F**k." - at this point the conversation either comes to a halt as people are embarrassed or they want the full works. It's the easiest way of describing it. Occasionally I'll lay it on with a trowel just to see a reaction (but only if I'm feeling mean!!)
So I joined a few sepsis groups as there aren't any pancreatitis or "my gall bladder/ERCP op went wrong" groups. Some good info out there. Interesting, not very much in the UK.
Sepsis Alliance is quite a good one with some great people and solid info. The most interesting part is reading other people's stories. Some great boys and girls out there willing to spread the word. Go and have a look. Marijke Vroomen Durning is one of the people looking after the site. Great job you guys and thanks for including my story on there. I'm humbled to be included amongst such fabulous individuals and families.
If there are any sites out there that want links, contact me and I'll write you into my blog

Silverstone Half Marathon

What can I say about running for 13.1 miles. It's stupid. It hurts. I've done it before. I didn't enjoy it then, so why am I going? Well, for a few reasons. Firstly, the mind plays tricks on you: it tells you that actually it was good; there was a massive sense of achievement and it was a great day out. What it doesn't remember is the pain. PLUS I was going to do it last year (you see this is what happens- you complete one... feel a bit smug with yourself and stupidly and immediately scour the web for another one and book on straight away!)- booked my place and all but couldn't do it because of all the hospital shenanigans and, obviously hardly any training.
So Sunday 11 March arrives and 0815 Neil and Nigel do too. Off we go to Silverstone with conversations revolving around having a 'nervous poo' and the state of what comes out... for those who need detail at this point, Neil was 5 poos and clay-like; Nige was 4 poos and runny as: meanwhile I couldn't push anything out and was getting worried! (one needs a good evacuation before such an event- trust me!)
The event was well organised and got there in plenty of time. It's  organised by the same team who are responsible for the Virgin London Marathon. It is a popular race, run round the Silverstone racetrack and many runners also use it as a training race prior to the London Marathon. Not sure how many people run this. In the region of 6-8,000? 

baggage area before the start

Anyway we dumped out stuff in the bag area and headed out to the start line. At this point I should mention the weather. After last weeks washout, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It was like a summers day. A bit breezy but in a good way.

waiting for the start

We got to our time zones ready to begin: Neil headed to the sub 2hr area (show off!) whilst me and Nige were in the 2-2:30hr zone. In fact we were stood next to a pace setter for running at 9 minute miles which would have brought us in at just under 2 hrs (nice idea Nige, but I don't think so!)

And so the race began. As usual with such a large event, it takes a while for everyone to spread out, find a pace and not be tripping over each other. I felt good during the first few miles and the view of Silverstone from the track is pretty special. It works well as a half marathon as the roads are wide (most of the time) so everyone can get a pace. At some point during the first 5 miles, Nige twisted something in his ankle. We are quite well matched for pace but at this point we'd got separated a bit. We managed find each other and carried on. By 10 kilometers (just over 6 miles) I'd run my fastest 10k at 56 mins and was still feeling the love (you see, the brain... it's telling me I was enjoying it!!!)
By mile 8 I was in need of a poo...Sorry but I have to mention it as it was a big deal at the time! Do I stop and go...do I carry on... it was all I could think about until we ran through a section with a load of spectators cheering. That eventually took my mind off it and so I carried on.

By mile 11 I was buggered. Well, let's examine this: I wasn't out of breath, so what was the problem... my legs. My legs were SCREAMING for me to stop. If there was a heads-up display with warning alarms attached to parts of the body, every single red light was going mental in my legs. I slowed down and began to walk. It was all I could do. I'd manage to run a bit, walk a bit plus I'd not picked up a water bottle at the last water stop (at 10 miles I think) and this had made quite a difference. I might have managed to keep going if I had. By 12.5 miles, Nige had caught me up again (I think he'd walked a bit because of his ankle) and he tried to get me running again (by this point I am using the term running in its loosest possible sense) but I'd nothing left. By the time I saw the run in to the finish, I managed to pull it together for a final jog through the finish line (helped along by the crowds) to be met by hop-a-long Nige. Official time was 2hours 16minutes and 33 seconds (Nige beat my by 59 secs)

Marathonfoto.com VERY expensive £30 for one file is too much in this day and age
That is taking advantage of people. GFNY sold riders every picture for less and was a very fair deal. If they charged less, they would make more sales. It's not rocket science AND stop me and everyone else using proofs!

You see- look at that picture above. We'd only just finished and we both have stupid grins. We are both knackered and in pain. We both need food and a drink BUT the sense of achievement does this to you. It's not a bad thing but it shows how daft humans are. This is what life is about. Yes I had a good old moan about all this earlier but that's the logic. We are not logical. We are silly and we like to be silly. Some people get more for being boring in their 9-5 jobs. Some people turn running (and any other sport) into a career (which then begins to become way more serious) whereas others do a job so they can be silly for the rest of the time- in our case running (though I'm happier on a bike nowadays!)

Anyway, after we all met up, we hobbled back to the car and off to McDonalds for a healthy lunch! Now, look at that picture. Again, stupid delirious grins all round. You can also see it's a lovely sunny day. You cannot see, however, any sun cream. But we don't look burnt, we look okay I'd have said. Oops, maybe not...

Also, for those of you that care, I eventually got to the loo for a full evacuation. Nige asked today about it... all I could say was loose and alot of gas!

So, would I do that again? I doubt it. I've run 2 half marathons, so that is my marathon! I'm happiest running a 10k once in a while (the next being London with Scarlett) but 13.1 miles is a bit daft. It was a great day out (there I go again!) but I think I'm going to have another stab at sprint triathlons. Got to get back with my swimming, but I think shorter runs, tri's and cyclo sportives are the way to go. After all, everything in moderation!

Gainsborough 10K

Sunday saw the Gainsborough 10k run. Nicely placed to force me to run a decent distance ahead of the following Sunday which is the Silverstone Half Marathon- I was supposed to have run this last year but was not up to the challenge for obvious reasons!!
It rained. That is all. It was wet and to be honest pretty miserable :(
I was running with a mate- Neil. Well, when I say running with, I mean we set off together: Neil's way faster than me and he's training for the London Marathon at the moment, so whilst I'm way happier on my bike, he's slogging around Lincoln getting the miles in ready for later this year.
With the weather being as it was I couldn't really take my iPod as it would have got waterlogged... yes it was that bad!! And so I ran music-less... listening to the heavy breathing of Darth Vader nearby who sounded like he was going to collapse at any moment! At 3k a couple ran passed discussing the time lapsed so far- this annoyed me as I try to avoid looking at my watch as 'ignorance is bliss' on a 10k.. no I knew how far and how long it had taken... from that I reckoned it was going to take me 1hr 4min-ish. Bugger- another crap time AND it's bloody raining. Bugger :( I plodded on mumbling to myself never again and I'm not doing next week etc etc.
The course would have been lovely if it had been sunny or even just dry. The poor marshals did their best to cheer us on as did the sheep!
I got down to the final 500m and my shoelace decided to undo itself. There was no way I was stopping now so I ran on, quite probably in a very odd fashion in an attempt to dodge the dangling laces.
I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES when I saw the timer... 57mins! No way... really...well happy with that!
So my time was 57m40s which I think is a personal best. I collected my medal and a goody bag with THE best gift inside- a hat... in this weather it was an inspired idea and just what we all needed. So we headed back to the car and home.
Am I doing Silverstone next week... well, it would be rude not to!...but only if it's not pi**ing down!!

Just found this picture on the 'official' photographer's site. Normally I wouldn't 'borrow' someone else's images as it's his living but I'm making an exception for 4 reasons:

1. It shows how crap the weather was
2. He's getting a credit as you can see
3. His work isn't very good- this picture is way underexposed and grainy (even after I've adjusted it in Photoshop!)
4. I look about 90!