How Jenny lost three stone in less than three months by changing her 'story' about herself and food..

(Training period - October 1st 2011 to December 28th 2011) 

“As a mother of seven kids I didn’t think I had time to think of myself.  My self image was at rock bottom and I treated myself like a dust-bin.  I felt guilty constantly.  I felt like an onlooker in my own life.  After years and years of yo-yo dieting I had achieved my target weight 3 times but then life kicked in and I would put the weight back on again.  I knew I could lose weight but I hesitated because I though I would end up putting it back on again because that is what I always did.  I kept thinking that if I lost the weight again - it would be like a house of cards that would inevitably fall down.

 

Everyone has their own personal inner pain and brokenness.  But for overweight people their brokenness is on display.  They have to wear the evidence of it like a shameful sign around their necks.  Many people hide their problems with anger or substance abuse but overweight people walk around with theirs on display all day long like a sign around their necks that says ‘I’m broken and I’m not worth it.’

 

During my mentoring with The Energy Coach I shared my story about food and self image for the fist time.  It was like I confessed everything! Seeing it on paper helped - I had never really seen it in the light of day.  I got annoyed about my old story about why I couldn’t lose weight.  I knew that I had to surrender now or keep going with the same behavior so I said ‘STOP!  I’ve had enough of this!’  The process of telling my story out loud made me feel that I am in control of my own destiny, more empowered. 

 

I changed the metaphors I had used to describe my life.  I felt that I had been treating my body like a bin.  I decided to ask ‘How would I treat myself if I felt like a princess!’  I decided  to focus on that fact that I am focusing on the real root causes of my weight issues.  Therefore this time I am building a house of bricks rather than a house of cards.

 

For the first time I really looked at the roots of my unhealthy eating.  I found out why I used food as a crutch.  I looked at my self image - Why I was doing that to myself?  Why was I feeling so disempowered?  

 

I was by no means starving during the three months I lost 42 pounds.  I ate lots of live healthy foods but I wasn’t perfect!  I did a couple of days drinking smoothies only when my weight loss slowed down because I wanted to hit my target quickly.  I didn’t stick to a specific regime/program.

During the hard moments I had to remember that I was worth it.  At times I didn’t feel like continuing.  People expected me to eat unhealthy foods and sometimes dropped in junk food as a gift which was tempting.  I remembered that feeding an emotion wasn’t going to heal the emotion - that helped me to avoid eating some donuts - that was a real breakthrough moment for me.  To get through a few tough times I thought about what cost would it have on my daughter if I treat myself disrespectfully again - she looks up to me and kids copy what they see! 

 

I recommend working with Michael & The Energy Coach because it was a safe place for me to tell my story.  He understood what it was like because he has been through the process himself.  He helped me to focus on the roots of the problem rather than just telling me what I need to do.  I felt that I had someone rooting for me.  The process was empowering.  It gave me the courage to go forward and the levels of follow up and accountability were exceptional.  It has helped my relationships and feeling more confident has helped me to go back to learning and focus on my career for the first time in years.”

 

Jenny, 

Dublin.

(Name changed to protect Jenny's privacy)

MarathonFlyer.pdf Download this file

 

Posted via email from The Energy Coach Blog

How do I give myself treats and rewards as I lose weight? How do I do it without feeling like I'm hanging on by my finger-nails?

Many people’s ‘reward’ themselves at the end of a hard day by self harming.  A cigarette, too much alcohol, a chocolate binge or a combination of all three.  This may emotionally feel rewarding momentarily but it is not rewarding your body - it is abusing yourself.  Like all addictive behavior’s the after effects mentally and emotionally are probably more destructive than the actual 'acting out'.

(5 ideas for healthy rewards at the bottom of the page)

[[posterous-content:pid___0]](Above - lunch in Cornucopia today - my treat for updating The Energy Coach Website and hitting my target weight before Ironman in 2.5 weeks)

 

Learning to treat yourself with dignity and respect takes time.  In my opinion regaining ones self-respect is the most fulfilling, dignifying and rewarding part of the weight loss process.  For both men and women, feeling like you are worth it and treating yourself accordingly, feeling worthy of respect and treating yourself according is an infinitely more enjoyable outcome than just being three stone lighter.

 

When people are trapped in addiction they feel like there is nowhere to go.  That they are ‘damned if they quit and damned if they don’t.’  One of our objectives in my Mentoring Groups is to  to establish a new way of thinking which is polar opposite to ‘damned if you quit and damned if you don’t.’  Our objective is that you feel that this process, the results, the speed of results, the steps themselves all feel; ‘too good to be true.’

 [[posterous-content:pid___1]]

(Above: Today's lunch which was a green juice, raw cold soup which sounds awful but tastes fantastic, salad, fruit salad, veggie pate with crackers. Total €11.95)

 

The key to sustainability is in finding ways to enjoy the new journey so that you wouldn’t dream of going back to your old behaviors.  We do this by ensuring the new way of living is fun.  What you initially anticipate as a painful activity (like exercise) may end up becoming the highlight of your day.  Beginners who start running but don’t know what they are doing can suffer initially (especially if they don’t have a mentor) but they cross the ‘pain barrier’ eventually.  One day they go out for their monotonous run and they get a ‘runner’s high’ and their mindset shifts forever - they love running!

 [[posterous-content:pid___2]]

If I’m totally honest I’m still learning healthy ways to reward myself. Let me know if you have some great ideas yourself!

5 things I use as a healthy reward are: 

• Time to chill out in the sauna and do some stretchs
• Expensive organic delicious herbal teas. We go to Les Palais Des Thes on Wicklow St and it is fantastic.
• A gorgeous meal in Cornucopia vegetarian restarurant which is also on Wicklow St
• Massage
• Damage control: If I'm desperately craving chocolate then I buy high quality dark chocolate like Butlers (Guess where there is a store?  -Wicklow St conveniently enough!). I find that I don't want to eat as much dark chocolate and it is a lot lower in sugar and dairy than milk chocolate.

 [[posterous-content:pid___3]]

Posted via email from The Energy Coach Blog

The 3 Free iPhone Apps I used daily to lose 3 stone (42 lbs) in 3 Months

There are three great iPhone apps which I’ve found excellent to help keep my clients (and myself) accountable, conscious and motivated around weight loss. I check my heart rate first thing in the morning (before getting out of bed is the optimal time to check), weight loss app before I eat anything and I check Mapmyfitness before breakfast so that I can plan my breakfast around my training that day.

 

 

1. Mapmyfitness 

One is Mapmyfitness which is also known as Mapmyrun, Mapmyride, Mapmywalk etc. You only need to download one of these apps and the basic versions are free as far as I know. On the laptop version of Mapmyfitness you can view your statistics in more detail which I find very useful. (See image below) 

 

The app works in your pocket as you exercise and tracks you using GPS. There are some cool features like playlists and the ability to save photos to workouts which I rarely use to be honest! 

• Target Weight by Tactio

Target weight is a very simple app which helps you to visually monitor your weight on charts etc. You update it every time you weigh in (I do so daily). A little red button shows up on the corner of the app on your home screen which tells you how many pounds or kilograms you still have to lose. 

 

This app is a little reminder to do the right thing - every time you use your iPhone. I love tracking my progress over the last week, 2 weeks, six months etc which is rewarding emotionally when you are working hard. 

 

• Instant Heart Rate by Azumio

 

I love this app for its ingenuity but most ingenious apps are useless - this one is fantastic. Your resting heart rate is the simplest way to monitor the strength of your heart (cardio-vascular fitness test). It uses the iPhone’s camera and light to take your pulse and it saves the result so that you can see your resting heart reduce as your fitness improves. On a very practical note, if my heart rate is elevated (like in the photo below) then I know that I’m tired or need to recovery time. If it is nice and low then I know I can do a good strong training session that day. 

 

Do you have any favourite marathon and/or weight loss apps? I’d love to hear from you if you do. 

 

Posted via email from michaelrossney's posterous

3 Weight Loss & Marathon Apps I use daily before breakfast on iPhone

There are three great iPhone apps which I’ve found excellent to help keep my clients (and myself) accountable, conscious and motivated around weight loss. I check my heart rate first thing in the morning (before getting out of bed is the optimal time to check), weight loss app before I eat anything and I check Mapmyfitness before breakfast so that I can plan my breakfast around my training that day. 

1. Mapmyfitness 

One is Mapmyfitness which is also known as Mapmyrun, Mapmyride, Mapmywalk etc. You only need to download one of these apps and the basic versions are free as far as I know. On the laptop version of Mapmyfitness you can view your statistics in more detail which I find very useful. (See image below) 

 

The app works in your pocket as you exercise and tracks you using GPS. There are some cool features like playlists and the ability to save photos to workouts which I rarely use to be honest! 

• Target Weight by Tactio

Target weight is a very simple app which helps you to visually monitor your weight on charts etc. You update it every time you weigh in (I do so daily). A little red button shows up on the corner of the app on your home screen which tells you how many pounds or kilograms you still have to lose. 

 

This app is a little reminder to do the right thing - every time you use your iPhone. I love tracking my progress over the last week, 2 weeks, six months etc which is rewarding emotionally when you are working hard. (Screenshot below)

• Instant Heart Rate by Azumio

I love this app for its ingenuity but most ingenious apps are useless - this one is fantastic. Your resting heart rate is the simplest way to monitor the strength of your heart (cardio-vascular fitness test). It uses the iPhone’s camera and light to take your pulse and it saves the result so that you can see your resting heart reduce as your fitness improves. On a very practical note, if my heart rate is elevated (like in the photo below) then I know that I’m tired or need to recovery time. If it is nice and low then I know I can do a good strong training session that day. 

 

Do you have any favourite marathon and/or weight loss apps? I’d love to hear from you if you do. 

Posted via email from michaelrossney's posterous

3 simple ways to lose weight and save a fortune as you do it!

 

 

• Save as you slim on parking & petrol: 

Almost all of us can find a free way to burn off some stored fat that fits into our current daily routine. I like to meet up with friends for a walk rather than in a pub. Others commute (walk or cycle slowly) to work. Some people commute home from work from time to time. Commuting is great for the environment, burns off stored fat and saves you on petrol and parking.

 

Perhaps you need the car for work but could walk instead of drive to the occasional appointment during the day. This is a great way of blowing off work related stress on  company time. When you commute to work on foot you can make phonecalls as you go which not only helps the environment and saves you money, it helps you to leverage your time more productively and is safter than making calls when driving. 

 

There is always a way to save on transport even if it is just how you get around at the weekend. Tip: To get started commuting you could park or take the bus a little less each day and walk a little more. 

 

• Consider becoming a part-time vegetarian/vegan: 

 

Eating veggie food is fantastic for the body and for the environment but where you’ll first notice the difference is in your wallet. Lean meat can cost a fortune. People often think that we need it for protein and calcium but this is simply not the case. Falafel (chickpea) burgers, which I can send recipes for, are high in protein, easy to prepare and typically cost €0.30 per burger to make.  This kind of cooking takes a bit more commitment and time but veggie meals are often more storable than meat/fish so you can freeze some, take some for lunch and it’ll last in the fridge for a few days. You can get more information on the health benefits of being a part-time veggie at (http://liten.be//6TtvX)

 

 

• Don’t join a gym until you’ve earned it!

I worked from mainstream gyms for almost a decade. Over 80% of members never attend the gym. Most of our clients would decide on implulse to get into great shape and then make a knee-jerk decision to join a gym as a kind of demonstration of intent. Instead of doing that, you could look at joining the gym as your reward for a month’s work. Why not give yourself a 28 day goal... If you either walk to work or take a walk at lunchtime or save money by eating veggie food every day for 28 days then you’ll probably have saved a substantial amount of your gym membership and be in the habit of exercising most days. You’ll have earned your membership and will start the process with momentum, more confidence and a base level of fitness.

 

 

Posted via email from michaelrossney's posterous

The solution to the biggest problem with keeping a food diary - dodge the drudgery!

 

They say that; ‘what is measured will improve’ and in my 15 years of experience as a personal fitness coach that is true about monitoring food for weight loss. Every good personal fitness trainer that I know of, every dietitian and many other types of therapists insist that their clients use a food diary. Theoretically we are right to do so but in practice very few people actually bother to fill one out unless they are already highly motivated because it takes time and can be awkward initially. 

I’ve been asking my clients to fill out food diaries years but it is like getting blood from a stone! Let’s face it, who wants to stop after every meal and find the document and write it all down? It is boring, repetitive and feels fruitless.. and yet we all know that if we just did it that the weight would improve, the quality of food would improve, the quantity of food would probably lessen due to the accountability aspect and the increased awareness. 

So here is the solution that I ask my clients to use. They take a photograph of every single meal they eat and send it to me and to their accountability team. This way is so faster it is almost instant so it saves you time, it saves on paper, the accountability is even higher because the quantities are obvious to see in the image and it strengthens those vital relationships between coach and client and between them and their peer group. 

 

 

Posted via email from michaelrossney's posterous

The biggest obstacle to weight loss and how you can solve it in 10 seconds!

They say that; ‘what is measured will improve’ and in almost 15 years of experience as a personal fitness coach that is true about monitoring food intake for weight loss.  I also ask my clients to measure their BMI, weight and Heart Rate daily, but food intake is the most important performance indicator by far.  I use a system where my clients information is captured instantly by camera rather than poring over food diaries for hours trying to remember what they ate for breakfast last weekend!

(Above: Watermelon - I need to drop 12 lbs in the next 3 weeks in preparation for the Ironman triathlon Austria so I'm taking in lots of fruit and water)

As soon as we start to strictly monitor what we eat then weight loss becomes rapid which starts the vital positive feel good cycle.  Clarity on the specific quantities and quality of what we eat helps us to be in reality rather than in denial.  The challenge is how long it takes to monitor our dietary intake in a traditional pen and paper or even using a digital document.

Why is monitoring my food intake is the most imporatnt motivator and performance indicator in losing weight?

The weight loss process is a bit like when someone needs to get out of trouble financially.  Both problems usually only happen if we've been eathing too much or spending too much consistently (barring unusual circumstances). We eventually realise we're in trouble. Despite the warning signs it can end up feeling like like someone jumped off the other side of our see-saw and we hit rock bottom. How did I get to this place? (A bit like the Irish economy!!)

(Above: Mint, avocado, apple and carrot smoothie that Cara and I had on Tuesday. It was gorgeous by the way!)

Both problems are caused by being a little bit careless and/or unconscious about our eating or spending.  If you've ever been in debt then you'll know that the thing that needs to be monitored is your daily financial expenses. To get out of weight trouble the important performance indicator is your daily intake of food and fluids.

With finances, when we spend a bit less than we earn eventually things improve and we get out of detb.  Weight loss is just like that - it is science! If you eat a bit less food than what your body burns off today then your body will find the extra energy it needs in your fat reserves. Fat is actually a much more efficent fuel source. When you train your body to use fat as a fuel source you get more energy as a byproduct. As an endurance athlete I try to train my body to burn fat rather than sugar. 

(Above: When I'm dropping weight quickly I eat lots of oranges - probably too many if that is possible!)

Clarity on exactly what you are eating means that your coach or dietitian can be employed to serve you even more efficiently.  We can adress the real issues rather than trying to guess if food is the cause of the problem.  Food almost always is the cause of the problem.  Reducing quantity of empty foods while improving quality of food in 95% of my clients is the fastest way to shed weight!

(Green salad with dressing and Avocado and bean Salad - Lunch during the week)

The problem with keeping a traditional food diary is that the theory is great but the practical application is hard. Everyone should keep a food diary until they hit their ideal BMI range - right?  

But the practice is another thing - who remembers and bothers to actually fill in how much water they drink every day?  And if you backdate your food diary for last week then let's face it you forget half of what you ate! It is human nature to forget the sneaky secret treats too!

Backdating your food diary is better than nothing but it can give your coach/dietition the wrong information. The solution is so simple - photograph everything that you eat or drink with your mobile phone and store them for that appointment or else email them to your coach..

Every good personal fitness trainer that I know of, every dietitian and many other types of therapists insist that their clients use a food diary despite the obstacles because it is just so important but most people never fill it out.

I’ve been asking my clients to fill out food diaries years but it is like getting blood from a stone! Let’s face it, who wants to stop after every meal and find the document and write it all down? It is boring, repetitive and feels fruitless.. and yet we all know that if we just did it that the weight would improve, the quality of food would improve, the quantity of food would probably lessen due to the accountability aspect and the increased awareness. 

(Above: People are always asking me for weight loss tips - here is one: I ate this many oranges instead of sweet treats like dark chocolate in the last week and lost 5 lbs!)

So here is the solution that I ask my clients to use. They take a photograph of every single meal they eat and send it to me and to their private accountability team. This way is so faster it is almost instant so it saves you time, it saves on paper, the accountability is even higher because the quantities are obvious to see in the image and it strengthens those vital relationships between coach and client and between them and their peer group. 

Make sure that you 'like' The Energy Coach on Facebook & Follow me on Twitter because I post different some content on each platform! 

Posted via email from michaelrossney's posterous

Part 3/3: Mini marathon tips for tomorrow: Drag queens, underwear and a definitive answer to the shorts versus track-suit bottoms debate!

The simple rule for a comfortable and safe 10k (or any other fitness event) is to never try anything new on race day.  Race day should be an exact replica of your last few training sessions in terms of what you wear, drink, eat, how you stretch and how you exercise. 

One huge variable is the crowd.  It is hard to prepare for running in a group as big as the Dublin mini-marathon.  It’s easy to get caught behind a big group of people who are walking but who start off the race in the jogging section which is desperately frustrating.  

Dealing with the crowd: 

It is easy to start off too fast with the excitement of running in such a big group, the encouragement of the crowd, the music etc.  It really pays off if you can be disciplined and go at your normal pace.  It takes discipline to slow down if you are caught up in the excitement (which is very likely) and have some space in front of you to run (which is much less likely).  If you are planning to jog or run a personal best time then you’ll need to fight to get towards the front of the crowd to avoid getting caught behind thousands walkers who unfortunately often start in the wrong section and slow everyone behind them down.

Footwear:

Don’t get new footwear the day before the event. They will take a while to ‘break in’ to get your body used to wearing them.  If it is a rainy day then bring some blister treatment as runners are more likely to get blisters in the rain. I use liquid compede. 

If you are buying runners then get a pair of cross trainers. This just means that they have lateral support so they support the sides of your feet too. It’s always worth spending money on a good pair of runners if you can.

Socks:

I’ve always found it worthwhile to invest in a pair of socks that are designed for running.  They have extra support and padding in key areas.  Remember the golden rule though - don’t do anything new on race day.  If you’ve a choice between a brand new pair of socks that cost you €20 on race day and your old smelly reliable pair then go with the old reliables! 

Shorts Versus Tracksuit bottoms:

If humanly possible then avoid wearing tracksuit bottoms. This is the one area that I encourage people to break the ‘golden rule’ of not doing anything new on race day. Track suit bottoms are very heavy and when they get wet through rain, perspiration, water from water stations it’ll feel like you are trying to run through a swamp!  

If you’ve never done a 10k before then have a search on google images.  You’ll find that almost everyone wears shorts so there is nothing to be embarrassed about.  If you are self-conscious about wearing shorts then you could buy a pair of leggings.  Running specific leggings are breathable and don’t get heavy if they get wet as they let the moisture through them.  You can get a pair in in Dublin for no more than €15 or you could invest two or three times that amount in a pair from one of the ‘brand names’ which will probably cost twice that but will last ten times longer.

If you are planning to wear a new pair of shorts then try them out a few times first in case they chafe or don’t fit perfectly. Shorts that are designed for running tend to be small, light and gently lined to avoid chafing.  If you are concerned about chafing then put some vaseline in the affected area before the race. 

Underwear: 

This is probably the most important item on race day as the wrong choice can result in a lot of pain and chafing.  Make sure you are wearing underwear that is designed for sport. Cotton tends to get wet and chafe.  The wrong material can cause a lot of pain over an hour.  If you’ve ever experienced ‘joggers nipple’ then you’ll know what I’m talking about. - ouch!  Vaseline will only protect for so long so just buy proper underwear but like everything else it would be ideal do at least one dress rehearsal before the big day.  

PS If you are running in drag as hundreds of men do in the mini-marathon every year then you’ll probably want to avoid doing dress rehearsals (if you’ll pardon the pun!)  Make sure you bring some vaseline as costumes can chafe!!!  If you are wearing a wig and a heavy costume then make sure to read my previous blog on hydration...

Posted via email from michaelrossney's posterous

Part 3/3: Mini marathon tips for tomorrow: Drag queens, underwear and a definitive answer to the shorts versus track-suit bottoms debate!

The simple rule for a comfortable and safe 10k (or any other fitness event) is to never try anything new on race day.  Race day should be an exact replica of your last few training sessions in terms of what you wear, drink, eat, how you stretch and how you exercise. 

One huge variable is the crowd.  It is hard to prepare for running in a group as big as the Dublin mini-marathon.  It’s easy to get caught behind a big group of people who are walking but who start off the race in the jogging section which is desperately frustrating.  

Dealing with the crowd: 

It is easy to start off too fast with the excitement of running in such a big group, the encouragement of the crowd, the music etc.  It really pays off if you can be disciplined and go at your normal pace.  It takes discipline to slow down if you are caught up in the excitement (which is very likely) and have some space in front of you to run (which is much less likely).  If you are planning to jog or run a personal best time then you’ll need to fight to get towards the front of the crowd to avoid getting caught behind thousands walkers who unfortunately often start in the wrong section and slow everyone behind them down.

Footwear:

Don’t get new footwear the day before the event. They will take a while to ‘break in’ to get your body used to wearing them.  If it is a rainy day then bring some blister treatment as runners are more likely to get blisters in the rain. I use liquid compede. 

If you are buying runners then get a pair of cross trainers. This just means that they have lateral support so they support the sides of your feet too. It’s always worth spending money on a good pair of runners if you can.

Socks:

I’ve always found it worthwhile to invest in a pair of socks that are designed for running.  They have extra support and padding in key areas.  Remember the golden rule though - don’t do anything new on race day.  If you’ve a choice between a brand new pair of socks that cost you €20 on race day and your old smelly reliable pair then go with the old reliables! 

Shorts Versus Tracksuit bottoms:

If humanly possible then avoid wearing tracksuit bottoms. This is the one area that I encourage people to break the ‘golden rule’ of not doing anything new on race day. Track suit bottoms are very heavy and when they get wet through rain, perspiration, water from water stations it’ll feel like you are trying to run through a swamp!  

If you’ve never done a 10k before then have a search on google images.  You’ll find that almost everyone wears shorts so there is nothing to be embarrassed about.  If you are self-conscious about wearing shorts then you could buy a pair of leggings.  Running specific leggings are breathable and don’t get heavy if they get wet as they let the moisture through them.  You can get a pair in in Dublin for no more than €15 or you could invest two or three times that amount in a pair from one of the ‘brand names’ which will probably cost twice that but will last ten times longer.

If you are planning to wear a new pair of shorts then try them out a few times first in case they chafe or don’t fit perfectly. Shorts that are designed for running tend to be small, light and gently lined to avoid chafing.  If you are concerned about chafing then put some vaseline in the affected area before the race. 

Underwear: 

This is probably the most important item on race day as the wrong choice can result in a lot of pain and chafing.  Make sure you are wearing underwear that is designed for sport. Cotton tends to get wet and chafe.  The wrong material can cause a lot of pain over an hour.  If you’ve ever experienced ‘joggers nipple’ then you’ll know what I’m talking about. - ouch!  Vaseline will only protect for so long so just buy proper underwear but like everything else it would be ideal do at least one dress rehearsal before the big day.  

PS If you are running in drag as hundreds of men do in the mini-marathon every year then you’ll probably want to avoid doing dress rehearsals (if you’ll pardon the pun!)  Make sure you bring some vaseline as costumes can chafe!!!  If you are wearing a wig and a heavy costume then make sure to read my previous blog on hydration...

Posted via email from michaelrossney's posterous

Day 6: The most Northerly point in Ireland. 10 years later the dream becomes a reality!

Day 6: Saturday April 2012 Donegal town - Malin Head    Approx 127k

 

If I were advising someone who was cycling Mizen to Malin I’d recommend doing the whole event the way we did day six.  We met for breakfast at quarter past seven and were on the road at half eight. We were able to relax, chat and enjoy the experience on the bikes because being on the road so early meant that there was no real time pressure. The first half of the day's cycling felt like a warm up pace - we could have stepped the pace up but we never did. I was reluctant to crank up the pace and then burn myself out when I was so close to completing the mission!

 

I tried to supress my excitement for most of the day at being so close to relalisiing this long term dream that was rapidly becoming reality. 

 

We had a few short stops along the way and stopped for a long lunch break in a warm hotel bar at the halfway point. The second half of the day was a bit wetter but our spirits were soaring because we knew that we just had to keep going doing what we were doing. 

 

The closer we got to Malin the narrower and more interesting the roads became.  I expected the most Northerly peninsula in Ireland to be quiet and sparsely populated but the roads were busy and there were plenty of modern houses as well as the farms and older homes which were more what I expected. We saw the sea as we passed Buncrana and had some other glimpses of the sea along the way which are always a refreshing break from looking at the rear wheel of the cyclist in front.

 

The final twenty kilometres were misty and on narrow roads with traffic coming in both directions. We were glad to have reflective clothing and a few lights on the bikes. 

 

When we entered the final ten kilometres the conversation turned to whether we would race the last section of the trip. Two of the guys tore ahead to race the final leg with two or three kilometres of torturous winding hills left. I have no idea where they got the energy from as they had covered almost five hundred kilometres between them in the previous 48 hours! 

 

The final ascent was one of those climbs that is so steep that you just have to take it quickly - the alternative is agonizing, wobbly and dangerously slow.  I was glad of the final effort though as it felt like a reminder of all we had overcome in the previous six days. We got some photos and took a few minutes to appreciate the rugged beauty of the most Northerly point in Ireland with white water crashing over rocks and the wind howling.  

 

 

The cold was a great incentive to get on the road home quickly. Before I knew it we were changed, packed up, fed and on the road home. The sense of accomplishment is great but I’ve been waiting to realise this goal for the best part of a decade so I imagine it will take a bit longer to sink in fully. The real rewards of the trip were; the cameraderie and fellowship of a team on an a shared adventure, the sense of inspiration and high spirits that always accompany beauty and a feeling that anything is possible. 

 

If you are thinking of doing this trip then I recommend it. There is an option to do it as a fundraiser with a large team from Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. The larger the team involved, the more options for different paces there will be. Cycling with a group suited to your pace is a lot more enjoyable than trying to cater for a mixed group. If you are doing it then; invest money in high quality cycling clothes, get out early in the mornings, take short breaks and use every stop as an opportunity to fuel up, stretch and hydrate. 

 

My next challenge is the Ironman Austria Triathlon on 1^st July which I’m doing as a fundraiser for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Remember to subscribe to this blog to make sure you don't miss updates on that event and others.  My target is to raise a minimum of €2,500 for the chairty in 2012. If you’d like to sponsor me for Ironman and/or Mizen to Malin then that would be very welcome - Live link to follow shortly! Thanks for sharing the experience with me, thanks especially to the encouragers along the way (with both cycling and blogging!) especially to my beautiful wife Cara who is my greatest encourager, funniest friend and the most perfect woman I've ever met xxxx.   

Posted via email from michaelrossney's posterous