Personal Goals | Heart attack waiting to happen

In 4 months time I will embark on my Euro City Cycle challenge. As they say…

“It’s the journey, not the destination, that matters most.”

Even arriving in London to start the event will be a major milestone on my journey. When I signed up for the event in August last year it seemed like a huge challenge… more of a distant dream, in fact.

It was just 2 months after my Heart Attack and I was still in Phase 3 Cardiac Rehabilitation, being closely monitored throughout my 30 minute work-outs. I knew I needed to give myself something to work towards.

I was excited but very nervous at the same time… Was taking on too much? Would I physically be able to do it (ever even)? Was I being too ambitious? Foolhardy? At that stage I wasn’t even sure that the Doctor would allow me to participate.

The sun always shines on the Euro City Cycle!

Now, having got 6 months of structured exercise under my belt I’m feeling a bit more confident. According to the “Welcome Pack” I received for the event, as a Novice I should start my training today. I should begin by cycling 5 to 10 miles, 3 or 4 times a week, and slowly build up from there. I feel like I’m slightly ahead of the curve on this so for the time being I’ll focus on maintaining my routine throughout the worst the winter has to offer.

I can’t wait until the weather improves, the days lengthen and the temperature increases (to the extent it ever does in North East Scotland!) so I can safely get outside on my bike. For the time being I’ll get the miles in on the Turbo Trainer.

Over recent weeks I’ve connected with other people that are doing more ambitious challenges; Land’s End to John O’Groats (854 miles), Southern Spain to Northern Norway (~4,000 miles). To be honest I’m feeling a bit envious, but I am looking at this as a stepping stone.

Cycling from London to Amsterdam to Brussels in 4 days will be an accomplishment in it’s own right, particularly given I should complete it less than a year after the Heart Attack. However, I’m not counting my chickens… I need to keep my head down and do the work so I can really enjoy the London to Brussels leg of my journey!

Officially my most craved after meal. I eat lots of fish, but not like this!

Since I’ve been “being good”, people have asked me on a regular basis whether I enjoy my new regime. The best way I can describe it is that it is like moving overseas to live in a new country… it is new and exciting but there are aspects of my old life that I miss. This can take various forms but often revolves around food and drink; the passing smell of some fine, forbidden food, the craving for something salty, an indulgent dessert, a hit of caffeine, the crispy surface and fluffy centre of a well-cooked chip, or an ice cold beer on a hot sunny day.

The physical environment obviously has a major influence on my cravings, as do associations with the “old life”. Ice cold beer has tended to be a major feature of most of my foreign holidays; a pool-side treat to help pass the day, a pre-dinner tipple to start the evening off, or a refreshing late night pick-me-up. In fact, ice cold beer seems to feature quite highly in many of my holiday memories! Not this one!

I have now gone 122 days without alcohol passing my lips (not that I’m counting!). I suspect I had enough in the preceding 122 days for my average still to be on the high side of the healthy limit. My abstinence has definitely helped me to lose weight and get fit. While I appreciate there is medical evidence that supports the fact that drinking some alcohol is better for you than drinking none, I still don’t feel like I’m quite ready for moderation… yet. I’m still an “all or nothing” kind of guy, even in my new life.

The destination for today’s ride… a chapel famed for its fertility assistance. Enter at your peril!

I’ve been cycling regularly since we’ve been in Rhodes. There is a small group that gathers every morning for an organised Mountain Bike ride. The typical ride tends to head into the mountains to visit places of “interest”. We ride on a combination of road (tarmac) and off-road (dirt / rocks), and the terrain is generally flat with the occasional steep incline (tough on the way up, treacherous on the way down). It’s a bit different to the road biking back home!

Depending on the difficulty and duration of the route, the main group may splinter, creating a break-away group as we look for some more continuous cycling. Given it’s my main source of exercise each day, I’m keen to make the most of it so a longer, steady ride is just the ticket for me. There have been a couple of really good sessions that have been physically challenging (mostly within the limits my Heart Monitor allows!) and enjoyable.

Nothing fancy… just ice cold!

Refreshment is a key feature of these break-aways. Identifying a target destination with an appropriate watering hole is an essential part of each ride. For most of the party an ice cold beer is the beverage of choice. For me, I’ve been adventurous enough to have a Fanta Limon. I have to admit, the beers do look incredibly tempting.

I know there’s nothing really stopping me from having one (other than the distinct possibility that I wouldn’t be able to cycle any further!), but I really am trying to be good. Yes, I may be being too hard on myself, but I’m determined to stick to the regime.

I will however set myself a goal… when I cross the line having completed my London – Amsterdam – Brussels cycle next May I will have a beer. I will make sure it is ice cold, served in a glass straight from the freezer, and I will enjoy it. A lot!