Highs and Lows ......

I first of all want to say a massive thank you to everyone's well wishes and sponsorship for the up and coming ride. Its been incredible and has given me a real sense of support and motivation for what lays ahead.

I wite this blog with the title of Highs and Lows. The last two weeks has seen me suffer from a nasty viral infection that left me with ulcerated blisters in my mouth leaving me to only have liquids and struggle to even swallow. The last week I really was in agony and had to go to hosiptal to increase the medication in order to clear it. The medication has nearly run its course and already I feel back to my normal self. In the run up to catching this I had a really strong week on the bike, several 35milers during the week and one big 95mile ride to Bridlington and back. Work had ben extremelly busy and I am thinking I might have been burning the candle too much at both ends.......

Nevertheless, this has to go as a positve. Why? It has to be a learning curve for whats to come. I cant carry on as I have been giving 110% to work, family and trying to do this on the bike and training. You cant do everything can you and it has stretched me too far this time.............

Having this viral infection has allowed me re assess and re focus on whats important over the short time and what I need to do to achieve this goal of riding the JOGLE in 2010.

JOGLE 2010 now has to become my priority and I have to put this first. Im not moving out and going into a retreat for the next 7 weeks in prep for the ride but I have to do is get my head in focus to understand the folowing...........

• Use my time management more efficiently.

I need to have a cut off piont with work otherwise I will and do at times work from 7am till 9pm. Its the nature of the job, having my pc and there always been things to do can lead to working not effeciently and "wasting time on the pc". I dont have that luxury over the next 7 weeks if I want to complete this challenge. I need to work smarter and stick to it.

Target - Start work @ 8am and finish @ 5pm. No work on an evening fullstop.

Spend that quailty time with the kids till they go down to sleep then out on the bike.

This will prove challenging as I have been promoted at work to another Sales Manager role. I have slight knowledge of the chanel and role so hopefully work load shouldnt increase too much.

• Consistency

Critical is consistency on the bike and ensuring I never leave it any longer than 2 days for been out on the bike. I need as much time on the saddle as possible to get used to the longer rides.

Target - x3 35 mile rides during the week with one big ride at the weekend - 90+

In additon to this I will be looking at taking a half day holiday in the coming weeks on a Friday. I will get out for 8 hours and aim to do 120miles. The Saturday and Sunday I will aim to do the same so I get 3 back to back long rides (37.5% of what I will do on the JOGLE). I think this will give me a real indication of how the training is going and my level of fitness in the run up to the event.

I plan to do this in 3 weeks time (Friday 13th August).

• Diet
  

For me this area is critcal. I need to support the training I am doing and the calories I am burning but also I need to build my strength and stamina back to where it was and to another few levels. I have devised a diet plan which is so far going well and involves alot planning and preparing. I need to buy some more suplements for the before, during and after rides to ensure I ride to the best of my ability but recover as quickly as possibly ready for the next session.

I want to end this short blog with how I started it and thats by thanking everyon who has sent text messages of support, made donations on the justgiving site and given their words of encouragement on there. This is isnt a challenge I am taking likely and if I am totally honest I am in the very back of my mind wondering how I am going to it! Its an ambition of mine and I know I will do it, I have a plan to work towards to get me in the best shape possible, I am going to restructure the way I work and use this time to make it more beneficial for me and one of the key reasons is the Parkinsons Charity research which I am committed to doing everything possible to achieve the £1k goal........

Date for your diaries - Saturday 18th Sept 2010 - May Towers - Party & Auction to drive that fundraising....

Finally, I have put below the list of sponsors from the justgiving site. Only a couple of weeks old and already a healthy £390. Thanks again everyone, this really feels like something special and something I know I will look back on in years to come and think, "What was I thinking!"

Sunday 18th July......

Target: £1,000.00

Raised so far: £390.00

Hi Paul, what a great thing you are doing, good luck from the Tarrier's, we know you can do it. xx Donation by Pam Tarrier on 17/07/10
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

my friend did the lejog earlier this year but over 16 days- she was knackered!good luck and hope you enjoy, Donation by sally holmes on 17/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

A real challenge to take on, we wish you every success and you have the full support of the WELTONS Donation by Michael Welton on 17/07/10
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Hi Paul, all the best for the ride. We'll be supporting you all the way. Good luck. Nat and Dash x Donation by Darshan Inman on 16/07/10
£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

Good luck mate! Sounds like it will be a great challenge! Keep the Vaseline handy! Gareth Donation by Gareth Ropke on 15/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

GO DADDY! We know you can do it because your the best daddy in the world. We love you so much xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Donation by Nyah & Ciara - Daddys Girls May on 15/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck darling I am so proud of you and know how much this means. Ride baby ride!!!!!xxxx Donation by Nikki May on 15/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Go Paul! Go Paul! You can do it....Be thinking about you on the 5th September. Good luck. XXXX Donation by Val Jeffery on 13/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Grandad's are so precious Paul - so it's such a good cause. Rooting and hooting for yer! Good luck mate. Top supportive wife Nikki! Donation by David Jeffery on 13/07/10
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

All the best Paul, a good cause and will be thinking of you. Take Care x Donation by Jane McCarthy on 13/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

We've come along way since jogging around Kirkella with a rugby ball and ankle weights!. Enjoy the experience buddy. With you every step of the way. Donation by Ben Thurlow on 12/07/10
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Paul mate. Hope you get as much as you can and sort of enjoy the whole thing!!! Donation by James Chapman on 12/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Paul, I am sure you will do great! Donation by Sarah Curtis on 09/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck mate. As the current North region 200 metre time trial champion you should complete this in no time. Donation by Lee Evans on 08/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Enjoy this is a once in a lifetime challenge and not an easy one ! Donation by Leigh Hems on 08/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Hi Paul, Great Idea for training! Cycle to North East each day to do accomps, will help with the CRS agenda and get you fit & ready. Good Luck, Paul. Donation by Paul Jacobs on 07/07/10
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck Bro, don't get too saddle soar! xx Donation by Sarah May on 07/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

All the best Paul and good luck. Donation by David Harker on 06/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

All the very Best Paul Grandma & Grandad XX Donation by Chris May on 06/07/10
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid Donate now