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!

Alberto Contador

Fascinating reading! Drug cheats should be banned. BUT circumstances need careful consideration and this case is not black and white. The guy passed a lie detector test ffs!

The report makes interesting reading. The 29-year-old Spaniard has been stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title and the 2011 Giro d'Italia . Contador will be free to race again from 6th August 2012.

Contador’s retroactive two-year suspension came barely 72 hours after Armstrong learned the U.S. government has dropped a criminal investigation into long-running allegations he used illegal drugs.

There is, of course, a difference between thinking and knowing - what is now established in Contador’s case is only suspected, and strongly refuted, in Armstrong’s.

Glad I'm not Andy Schleck being given the 'default' win for TdF'10 -possibly a more bitter taste in the mouth than a contaminated steak!

It seems Mr Contador has been made an example of.

Start Spreading the News...

Great new initiative launched by the Times: 

An 8-point manifesto calls for cities to be made fit for cyclists:

1. Trucks entering a city centre should be required by law to fit sensors, audible truck-turning alarms, extra mirrors and safety bars to stop cyclists being thrown under the wheels.
2. The 500 most dangerous road junctions must be identified, redesigned or fitted with priority traffic lights for cyclists and Trixi mirrors that allow lorry drivers to see cyclists on their near-side.
3. A national audit of cycling to find out how many people cycle in Britain and how cyclists are killed or injured should be held to underpin effective cycle safety.
4. Two per cent of the Highways Agency budget should be earmarked for next generation cycle routes, providing £100 million a year towards world-class cycling infrastructure. Each year cities should be graded on the quality of cycling provision.
5. The training of cyclists and drivers must improve and cycle safety should become a core part of the driving test.
6. 20mph should become the default speed limit in residential areas where there are no cycle lanes.
7. Businesses should be invited to sponsor cycleways and cycling super-highways, mirroring the Barclays-backed bicycle hire scheme in London.
8. Every city, even those without an elected mayor, should appoint a cycling commissioner to push home reforms.

Tweet your support and let's get this trending on Twitter- end your tweets with #cyclesafe

Shrinks, Gran Fondos and 2012

I'd drafted some notes back in October 2011. See below in italics...


I'm now back in counselling. Leanne thinks my PTSD is based in anxiety and not depression. DURRRRRR, no shit Sherlock! It really doesn't take alot to work that one out! Ok, ok so what you gonna do about it? She doesn't think CBT is for me but EMDR is the way forward. I've read a little and it all seems a bit... well..... ok, I will try and stay open minded... no more reading. Let's just do it. I've had 2 sessions with Leanne and we're going to start the EMDR tomorrow (Monday)- spent these last 2 sessions talking crap and crying... bloody sick of it!


Well, it's now nearly February and I've had my counselling. Been signed off as 'normal' (lol!!!!!) or back to a state she thinks I can cope with. Between you and me, I think the real reason I was signed off is because she went on maternity leave and it tied in very nicely for her. Me. A cynic? Never!


Anyway, I have still no real understanding of the EMDR process but it seems to have made a difference. At the moment, no flashbacks and feeling okay. There is still alot of resentment to the hospital. Until the legal wranglings have completed, there always will be. Am I still short tempered? Yes is the honest answer but I can control myself more. Deep breath, safe place and all that. It works for me. The thing that still works best is my bike and running, so let's leave all this BORING drearyness behind and think to the year ahead. Let's think of events, races, fun and the happiness and achievement it brings.

Gran Fondo

is an Italian term for a a single day cycling event. You'll also hear these types of events called cyclosportifs or sportive. Whatever you call it, these events are multiple distance rides on open (sometime closed) roads along with timing (split into age groups and M/F), snacks and a cracking atmosphere for every cyclist.

Gran fondo fever has taken the cycling world by storm and there events for every level of cyclist. Honest!  Its popularity is gathering a pace in the UK, especially with it being Olympic year and our strong team. Here are some of the popular European rides-

La Pinarello Gran Fondo 
This is one I really want to ride. PLUS, if anyone would like to buy me a Pinarello Dogma or Rokh bike, I'd be most grateful!!!
We met Andrea Pinarello at last year's Gran Fondo New York and sadly he passed away in August last year :( Best wishes to his family.

Gran Fondo Nove Colli

Gran Fondo Internazionale Girodana

Gran Fondo Maratona dles Domomites

Plus all the info on this site for many other Italian Gran Fondos!

Gran Fondo Eddie Merckx

Tour of Flanders Sportif

Paris-Roubaix Challenge

We’ve all heard about how difficult the pave sections are in Paris-Roubaix, but I want to experience it for myself one day. It’s only a 135kms route instead of the real 260kms, but to be honest, I’m not sure I really need to do the full route to get an appreciation for the cobbles!

La Marmotte

174km long and 5180 metres of climbing. A beast! The route goes up the Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier and finishes at the top of Alpe d’Huez. Enough said.

L’Etape du Tour

The website says: L'Etape du Tour, established in 1993 to allow amateur cyclists to test their legs on the route of one of the mountain stages in the Tour de France, has become the reference race for cyclosportive riders from all over the world.

Gran Fondo New York

This is its second year and I'm gutted I can't go. It's a brilliantly organised day. Great course and great party afterwards. I'll definitely be back to do this one again.

Le Gruyére Cycling Tour

Another great day out. If you get the chance to do this one, go for it! Dates not released yet. Hope it goes ahead.

Another good source for information is the UCI Golden Bike website. They have a list of UCI rides which are all worth checking out.

2012 events

So, what am I doing this year I hear you ask! Well, so far here's the (booked) itinerary:

March 4    Gainsborough 10k

March 11  Silverstone Half Marathon

March 25  Wiggle Cheshire Cat

May 12     Lincoln Grand Prix Sportive

July 8       London 10k

hoping to add Lincoln Triathlon, Woodhall Triathlon and hopefully the Wiggle Dragon Ride (which is ballot entry), will add in a section of the Tour of Britain and a couple more I imagine. I'd really like to get one in abroad but will have to wait and see. Got to get through these ones first!

Oh and by the way, keep an eye out over the next few weeks as there will be an exciting announcement.... hopefully!