Alun's Diary - Lockerbie

TUESDAY 23RD APRIL              06.21
I had a major problem yesterday morning, cold and with howling winds I began to struggle and was unable to make headway.  Rain was just becoming an additional problem.  I recognised that my core temp was beginning to drop, got to Lockerbie and jumped on a train to Edinburgh.  I recovered within an hour of getting into the warm waiting room and was able to cycle with energy when the train arrived at Haymarket.

My provisional plan is to try to book onto a train back to Lockerbie tomorrow morning and cycle on.  I will use today to accumulate cycling gear which is more appropriate for the conditions.  Yesterday had temps of about 3 deg and a massive wind chill and I was equipped for a daytime average above 10 deg.

On a positive note I now have access to a desktop and have a new Just Giving page, Alun-Clement-2013.  With Rhys’s help I have managed to put two basic illustrations and will add some text today.

TUESDAY 23RD APRIL              21.18
Plan B is now in action.  I take the train back to Lockerbie arriving at 11 am tomorrow and continue with the ride.  Eileen has offered to drive up to Scotland and support me through the highlands.  I now have cold weather cycling gear which I bought from Evans Cycling store in Edinburgh.

Encountered one additional problem after all bike shops had closed.  I have a rear wheel spoke breakage.  I have borrowed a rear wheel from Rhys, changed over the cassette in fading light and hope the tyre holds out as it doesn't have the level of puncture protection that my Gatorskins have.  It was getting late and swopping the tyre onto Rhys' wheel was a step too far.  I have a spare tyre and two inner tubes with me but I hope not to have to deal with a puncture in the cold and wet and with heavy panniers but if I have to I will.  If I can ride through the highlands bruised and in pain, as I did last time, I can put up with these irritations and smile.  I needed a challenge and now I've got one.

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Please help support Alun!

You can donate via Alun's Just Giving page - http://www.justgiving.com/Alun-clement 

Alun's Diary - Gretna to Carnwath

Getting set for today's ride.  I hope to get to Carnwath just north of Biggar.  From now on my days will be more heavily influenced by where there is an available hotel bed than how far I would like to ride.  It looks as though I may get wet once more.

You can donate via Alun's Just Giving page - http://www.justgiving.com/Alun-clement 

Alun's Diary

I had a tough day yesterday (Friday) against the wind and was looking for a reason to stop and rest.  I rode through Shrewsbury and stayed overnight in Whitchurch. Roger Thomas drove up to support me and we had an evening meal here together.

From Whitchurch, my ride today takes me through Warrington and Wigan and, if possible, I would like to exploit the fine weather and following wind, giving what looks like much better cycling conditions today, to get as far though the industrial belt as I can.  

You can donate via Alun's Just Giving page - http://www.justgiving.com/Alun-clement 

Alun's Route

I have a route plan for you: -  
 
LE to Exeter on A30
Exeter to Clevedon mainly on A38
Over Avon on M5 cycle track
Across second Severn bridge to Chepstow
Up Wye valley to Monmouth
Monmouth to Hereford on old Hereford Road
Hereford to Wigan on A49
A6 to Lancaster
Some debate about Cumbria; probably via Kirkby Lonsdale on small roads
Shap to Carlisle on A6
Gretna to Abington on road which parallels M74 

Try not to fall off at Abington (a repeat of last year! - ed.)

A71 to Biggar; minor road to Carnwath
Cross Forth Road Bridge
Minor road to Perth
A9 to Inverness via Aviemore
Inverness to JOG on A9 and A99

My stops are flexible at the moment depending on how well I feel.  

You can donate via Alun's Just Giving page - http://www.justgiving.com/Alun-clement 

LEJOG 2013

This morning TREAT Trust founders Mel and Mike had a phone call from their best man to say that he was 4 days into his cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats!

Alun Clement is a retired Orthopaedic Surgeon and top supporter of TREAT. He has completed this journey once before in 2010 & despite getting very wet, falling off his bike and spending a night in the hospital with concussion, he raised over £1300 for TREAT.

Mel & Mike knew that Alun was planning a repeat trip, but had no idea when. On his last trip, Alun's wife Eileen, provided support in a back-up vehicle. This time, at the age of 66, Alun has gone alone.

So, while we are a little bit behind, we will post updates of his jouney and ask that you donate what you can to support Alun on his journey & help him to beat his total in 2010.

You can donate via his Just Giving page - http://www.justgiving.com/Alun-clement

(You will notice this is a little out of date, so please bear with us as we get this rectified - it's a bit tough to carry out admin while on a bike! But PLEASE don't let this put you off.)

Not long!!!

The final countdown has begun to the massive task of running 26.2 miles.  Only 2 weeks left until the London Marathon, getting really nervous and praying that I do not pick up any injuries in the next couple of weeks.  No pressure no gain.

Had a bit of a relaxing week with only running 4 times as trying to slow down in the lead up to the big day.  The week before the marathon I will need to fill up with carbs and not run for a whole week which will be really hard as I know my endorphins will be creating havoc with my moods.  Endorphins are released during strenuous exercise. The chemicals make runners feel energized both during and after the exercise. This feeling is often referred to as a “runner’s high” and helps to motivate runners, so it is an absolute nightmare when you stop.

Anyway here's to the big countdown.  Keep showing your support guys it really means a lot.  www.justgiving.com/lesa-hitchings

Lesa x

Only 4 Weeks!!!

Well guys didn't manage to run the full 22 miles, only 20 miles but it was more than I have run before.  The weather was too warm to run and struggled to keep hydrated and YES I DID TAKE WATER WITH ME :-), also my hamstring started to pull so had to easy off so it didn't snap - so god help me for the full 26.2 miles.  Anyway had Monday off as a rest day, Tuesday ran 4 miles and Wednesday (tonight) another rest day.  Looking to run 6 miles tomorrow, 5 miles on Friday and 22 miles on Saturday - iI am not looking forward to that.

Anyway please support TREAT  Trust Wales who I am running the Marathon for, every penny will help to raise a state of the art rehabilitation centre next to Morrison Hospital in Swansea.  Visit www.justgiving.com/lesa-hitchings to show your support.

Running God please stay with me.

Lesa x