Baby, I Was BORN To Run !

Yet another great week, only this time, its not JUST cycling related.

Sure I did cycle 100 miles and around 50% of that was down a canal bank (A great work out) and boy was it bloody good fun.

Last week I lost 9 Lbs, a number so high that I have not seen since the early days, but that scared me, A LOT, So to avoid a low number this week I decided I had to kick into a higher gear yet again, Allow me to introduce you to “The 39 Stone RUNNER”

The 39 Stone Runner !!!!!

 

I ran a total of 23K This week, no super fast times, I did manage a 30 second sprint at 14 mph, boy did it hurt !!!! but boy it also felt great, I am now at my lowest EVER adult weight, wearing the smallest clothes ever as an adult, I’m Almost there.

With my weigh in looming on Monday morning, the early indications are that I have beaten what could have been a low number by taking up the running, the good thing is, I enjoyed it too, a good job really when you look at the fact I want to do a Triathlon next year.

On a Bike related front, the Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign wrote a GREAT article about myself that was published this weekend, the weight figures are a little bit dated now but I think its great read , but then, I would say that LOL.

Read it HERE , Adobe PDF Reader needed.

LiveSTRONG

Gaz

Oi Cavendish ! Watch Your Back – Gaz Is Here !

It Might be 4XL But I Cant Tell You How Proud I Am To Wear It !!!!!

FOUR !!!!!! Gaz Goes Shopping.

It’s not every day that you will see me in a sports shop, well truth was, 10 years or so ago I didnt shop anywhere else, since then, there has been no point at all, as NOTHNG ever came close to fitting me.

Of course, that has all changed now and I spent around 3 hours in one on my 30th Birthday (I know, I know, living it up)

I’ll start with a golf / Cycling picture.

The 39 Stone Golfer ???

The top I had on was a Karrimoor XL cycling top, the golf  club was a ermmmm. nop, no idea

I was like a “kid in a sweetshop” I tried on pretty much every single football shirt they had (Excluding Manchester City & Liverpool of course)

I still started with 3xl , until by the end, my mind was set that in 99% of stuff XL was more than fine, I even purchased a Large top too.It might just take me as long to get mentally used to my body changes as its taken me to make the changes.

In the end I got some cycling tops, Tshirts and a compression top.

After I left, I still had a fair bit of cash left, so I thought to myself, Why not order a Pro Team Kit and just SEE if it fits or not ???

Did it ?

Oh Sorry…….Gotta run…Maybe next time

My Original Goal List.

Below is my original, upto date Goal list. This is one of only a few of my updates that wont include some sort of picture, the list its self paints the only picture you need to see.

So, What have I not yet done and WHY ?

Ride a Harley - Reason – I don’t Have a drivers license – Before I chose cycling I purchased a helmet and leathers and was ready for my test, now While I still want to take a ride on a Harley, its just not important.

Learn to Box-Reason- I’m a lover not a fighter. Truth be told this seemed like something I wanted to do, but things change.

Ride a roller coaster again - Reason- A busy summer and lack of confidence has kept this one out of reach, NOW I am ready, however most parks are closed, I will wait for next summer, this one will have been 13 years in the making !!!

Fit in a size 34 pants – Reason – I’m almost there, come back in a month or so for this one.

Thats it, that’s ALL from my original list that I have not yet done, I cant start to tell you the sense of PRIDE I feel right now.

I am in the process of writin a new “intermediate” list to bridge the gap between the original, almost complete list and my new LONG Term goal list, Hopfully by the end of the year it will be finished, there are already a few suprizes in there

Thanks for all the support……The original list is below

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Ride a Harley

Learn to Box

Not be scared to sit in chairs fearing I won’t fit or that I will smash it – DONE!

Be able to fit into an airline seat comfortably with no ‘fat boy’ extender belt -DONE ! May 24 2010

Ride a roller coaster again-

Cardio and weights at least 4 times a week - DONE!

Be able to bend over and tie my shoes – DONE!

Fit comfortably in a theater seat – DONE!

Walk up the stairs at work without losing breath - DONE!

Be able to buy clothes in a ‘regular’ non-”big and tall” store – DONE!

Being able to walk into a room and not think that you are the biggest person in the room -DONE!

Be comfortable wearing a shirt tucked in- DONE!

Be comfortable wearing a belt – DONE!

Be able to wrap a bath towel around myself and be covered – DONE!

Weigh less than 400 pounds – DONE!

Weigh less than 350 pounds - DONE!

Weigh less than 300 pounds – DONE!

Weigh less than 250 pounds-DONE!

Reach goal weight of 235 pounds- DONE! – Oct 2010- Need to re-evaluate my Goal Weight now!!!

BMI of 49.9 – DONE!

BMI of 39.9 – DONE!

BMI of 35.0 – DONE!

BMI of 29.9 -DONE!

Walk 1 mile – DONE!

Walk 2 miles – DONE!

Walk 3 miles – DONE!

Walk 4 miles - DONE!

Walk 5 miles – DONE!

Run 1/4 mile – DONE!

Run 1/2 mile – SKIPPED IT! Went Right To 2 Miles

Run 1 mile – SKIPPED IT!Went Right To 2 Miles

Run 2 miles – DONE!

Run 3 miles – DONE!

Run 4 miles -DONE!

Run 5 miles -DONE!

RUN not walk the Manchester Bupa Great Run (10k) -

Bench 225 pounds 8 times – DONE!

Bench 225 1 time – DONE!

Fit in a size 34 pants -

Fit in a size 36 pants -DONE!

Fit in a size 38 pants -DONE!

Fit in a size 40 pants – DONE!

Fit in a size 42 pants – DONE!

Fit in a size 44 pants – DONE!

Fit in a size 46 pants – DONE!

Fit in a size 48 pants – DONE!

Fit in a size 50 pants – DONE!

Fit in a size 52 pants - DONE!

Fit in a size 54 pants – DONE!

Fit in a size 56 pants - DONE!

Fit in a size 58 pants – DONE!

Fit in a size 60 pants - DONE!

Fit in a size 62 pants – DONE!

Fit in a size 64 pants – DONE!

Fit in a size 66 pants – DONE!

Be able to wear a size 7XL shirt – DONE!

Be able to wear a size 6XL shirt - DONE!

Be able to wear a size 5XL shirt – DONE!

Be able to wear a size 4XL shirt – DONE!

Be able to wear a size 3XL shirt – DONE!

Be able to wear a size 2XL shirt – DONE!

Be able to wear a size XL shirt -DONE!

Be able to wear a size L shirt -DONE!

Winter Is Here – 3rd Week Of Oct In Review-Radioshack Gaz ?

Last week I did over 100 miles.

Thats the goal, no matter what, 100 is the MINIMUM number, I have to say, it was close though, Wednesday, I was working in Manchester CC, So a longer ride YAY, however, there was frost everywhere, so I took my old MTB (Still waiting to be paid out for the Cube )great fun, held onto a roadie at 23mph for about a mile but damn it was cold, on the way home I took the canal, what should have been 5 miles was almost 11 EXCELLENT – but bugger me, those Geese are EVIL !!!!! and I was FULL of mud….

The rest of the week was either Windy or so wet that full waterproofs were needed and while I am over my hamstring issues , I have been stuck with a cold for a couple of weeks, by the end of the week, I just had nothing left in me at all

But after a couple of slow weeks of weight loss, this week was HUGE, the challenge now is to keep it up next week.

and finally, when working near Evans Cycles, I popped in at Lunch, I saw a XXL Radioshack Back “Last Day” top, I thought I would try it on, I knew it would be too tight, but it wasnt “Too” bad.ONE DAY, It will fit !!!!!

Back to 1999 ?

This shirt is from 1996-1998, the last time it fit me, was 1999, over 11 years in the making, here we are again.

 

Not worn in 11 years

 

Will Cycling “Team Kit” now fit me ?

 

Rubbish ! Or Is it ?

Here you can see around 3 bin liners full of shirts, jumpers etc  !

As most of you know by now, It was my 30th last week, I went out and purchased lots of new clothes, something i had not done in the way I did (further update to follow) As such I needed to throw a lot of the old stuff away to make room, I only bagged up what no longer fit, and the result was what you see in the picture.

I am now Large to Xlarge in pretty much everything I own and it feels great.

Someone suggested putting my old clothes on eBay, so there are plenty of barley worn Football and work shirts on there now :0), though I’m not sure there is any point TBH.

Fit For 30 ! Did I Do It ? Also Remember That “Large” Cycling Jersey ??

So Today I have turned the Big 30 !!!!!!

Scary …..Not because I feel old, but its scary because, if the truth be told,  didn’t actually think I would make it this far………..

A little over 2 year’s years ago, when I decided to choose to change,  I was a dead man “Waddling”….. Yup, I wasnt even “Walking”

By the way, its NEVER too late, I cant remember “Walking, Normally” , However a few colleagues have, recently, mentioned just how “normal” I’m now walking, Even after a loss of 18 stone, I still couldn’t stand up straight, due to the all the force that used to be on my back, that’s no longer the case, while my back is causing me a bit of pain right now, that’s actually due to being hit by a van, as opposed to my weight.

……….So, Back on topic, when I decided to chose change , A secondary goal I had in my mind was “Fit by 30″ Didnt really think I would achieve it TBH, but did I ?

Let’s look at some numbers first:

Could "THIS" Turn Fit For 30 ?????

When I set the Goal. At 28:                                                 Now Im 30:

Waist 68-72″                                                                                  Waist 38-40″

Weight 39Stone 13Lbs .                                                             16 Stone And A Few Pounds !!!

Shirts 26″ Collar or 8XL                                                            17″ Collar or XL or even Large

BMI over 70                                                                                 BMI Under 29

Resting Hear Rate OVER 130Bmp                                       Resting Heart Rate 41BPM

Miles Cycled ZERO                                                                  Cycled over 12.000 Miles

I checked my weight loss by wrapping                             I now check my weight with scales

my fingers round my wrists….

Medical Issues:

Tpye 2 Diabeties

High Blood Pressure                                                                Medical Issues Now: NONE !!!!!

Sleep Apnia

Sooooo, Yes I am still “Overweight” …..

WOW ….. That feels so good to write, I have gone from , Super morbidly Obese to morbidly Obese down to  clinically Obese followed by Obese and now I am “Just” overweight ….AMAZING !!!!!!

Thought-out all this I have learned so much, but I feel a great comment to remember, by the GREAT, Bernhard Eisel of HTC,  is that “Cycling is about suffering” Its true, I suffer now, just as much as I did on day one, but now it’s because I can go much faster, for further and longer and that’s why I suffer, I actually enjoy the pain of the “Burn” of Lactic Acid, it reminds me I am still alive….I LOVE CYCLING !!!

Sorry back on track, yes I am overweight but look at the above table, I cycle at least 100 miles a week, I have beaten my medical issues into a pulp, so have I achieve the goal of Fit for 30 ???????

Its not a question I am going to answer……I am going to leave it upto you !!!!!

Now, About that “Large” Cycling Jersey, Did it fit ? ?

From 8XL (XXXXXXXXL) In Normal Shirts, To A “Large” Cycling Jersey

I find it pretty telling that my Before Picture was in a red/pink shirt (8XL) and today the Current picture, in the smallest shirt I own is also a red one, It’s something that’s only just occurred to me TBH.

and before I go off, to enjoy the day, I will leave you with this video, I know, I posted it not long ago, but I watched it the other day and it amazed me, just how big I was.

I am PROOF that second chances DO exist and if I got mine, Anyone can get theres !!!!!!!!!

LIVESTRONG !!!!!!!

Cycling Action Pictures. & A VERY Important Announcement !!!

First Of, PLEASE Ensure you come back on Friday, there will be a post with HUGE Significance , It’s almost as HUGE as I used to be !!!!!!! The post is wrote and due to be published at around 11am UK Time.

Last week a colleague and friend kindly  took the following pictures. I think he’s done a great job with them…..

 

Givin' It Leg's

 

 

Wow, Faster Than A Speeding Bullet.

 

 

Yes, It Was Cold !

 

 

Track Stand Baby

 

Now, There is this “Large” Cycling Jersey, Next to my 5XL one, Looks too small for me TBH…..

Hamstring Woes, A Week Of Pain.& Some Good Pictures Too !

I enjoy cycling, It doesnt matter, if its in a monsoon, a heatwave, snow, ice, I just LOVE IT, This Week however test that love, TO THE LIMIT.

The week started out normally, decent milage, then on Monday night, after the commute, I had a football kick around, it only lasted for 45-60 mins, there was a couple of balls I went for that were too far infront of me, this rsulted in me waking up on Tuesday with 2 pulled hamstrings, OUCH.

Wednesday, I was of course still struggling with the pain, but putting in decent miles, having done 50 miles by Wednesday morning, I was gonna back it off a little and just do 10, great plan, was raining and pretty cold, but pace wise I was nice and relaxed and trying to keep a high cadence, then after 6 miles I head a huge BANG, for a second I thought I’d been shot, that, however wasn’t the case, it was just my inner tube, no problems I though, got it changed pretty quick, and had it inflated, as I turned back to my bike BANG again……….Hummm, Checked the tyre only to find a huge cash in the side of it, it was a little after 8am, nowhere was open, and I was near nowhere, so I walked the 4 miles to work.

 

After 8000 Miles This Tyre Has Given Up On Life !

 

Thursday night, with my legs worse than ever, and the head wind from HELL,  I saw Tommo , now he was clearly hurt by the beating I had handed out to him over the last few weeks, for as soon as he knew I was hurting, he put the hammer down and left me for dead, I closed the gap by the time I got to Devils Hill in Hyde, but I was out, in too much pain, and too tired, I let him go, but I did send him a SMS, warning , that next time, revenge WILL be mine :0)

Friday was pretty relaxed, still put in 20 miles for the day, but low average speeds and high cadence meant that by Saturday morning my hamstrings were STARTING to feel a little more normal again.

and FINALLY….

A picture of me wearing a XL Retro Cycling Jersey !

 

Reto XL Cycling Jersey

 

Friday Night, Went to Asda, Tried on some XL tops, The Results are below.

 

From 8XL to XL

 

 

XL

Again 8XL to XL

 

and Finally

 

XL Just Lar'kin Around