Chris Gutowski - JOGLE (John O'Groats to Lands End) attempt 2010

WHY JOHN O'GROATS TO LANDS END?

Every year I'm looking for something new, something a bit more challenging than the previous year. In 2006 it was a big weight loss resulting in triathlons and the London to Brighton. 2008 saw the greatest achievement so far, the conquering of Mt Ventoux (but only on that occasion!).

2009 saw me achieve my Centurion status during Flat Out In The Fens.

I remember reading years ago, Miguel Indurain's comments when asked how he would eventually deal with his own demise as the best rider in the world.

"When I stop winning it will be a liberation which will put an end to my suffering" was his reply.

Well, Big Mig and I are at the opposite end of the same relationship with our bodies. His mind didn't let his body stop until there was nothing left. Me? I'll probably quit when I've had the best day I know I can possibly have.

So, although I'm using the attempt to raise money for a special charity (see column on left), this is also a journey of discovery and finding or developing the warrior athlete within me!

My ride will be completed unsupported over a period of, hopefully, no longer than 8 days in May. However if you'd like to see me 'en route', contact me for route details.

Wednesday, 11 February 2015

So, almost 5 years on, what did I learn? Would I do it again? Have I taken on any more challenges?

To answer the first question, although it's a bit of a cliche, I found a lot about myself. Lookin. Back it was a bit of a journey of discovery. I learned that when the chips are down, I can dig deep.I can be resourceful and most of all, I realised that my determination and will to win that I always thought I had was still intact. I learned that even when you think you can't do any more, you usually can. I realised that twice; on the first day not long aft setting off when I was just daunted by the whole thing and wanted to stop. The other time was when I cycled the heighest mileage I'd ever achieved at 129 miles.

Would I do it again! Certainly not. Once was enough and to be honest, standing at Lands End aft arrival there, wanting to throw the damned bike into the sea. Only a warning sign that to do so would cost me, literally, stopped me. To be honest, it's the biggest challenge I 've set out to do and I have no desire to take on anything else.

I haven't taken on any more challenges but have certainly had some!

In 2013 I slipped on ie and at first thought I had broken my wright wrist. Having had a plate inserted during surgery, it was only in the following weeks during physiotherapy that I realised ere was more damage which turns out to be torn hand ligaments. Further surgery followed and a warning from my urge on that any further injury may lead to him fusing the wrist hand angle, in effect 'welding' them. So I've hung up my inner tube and my Lycra pants and in fact on my 57th birthday tomorrow willbe dropping off a box of spares to my friend Daid Price.

2014 saw me being diagnosed with cancer. Completely out of the blue, e news came as a jolt but with a good attitude I'm back in good health and have returned to work.

So the challenges, at least the physical ones, are over for a while but in reali, probably forever.