For my first post of the year I thought I’d follow an old routine and put 2010 to bed before waking up 2011 with a bucket of cold water and a strong slap around the chops.

2010

So, how did I do?  Well, I registered one substantive Fail: the Great Manchester Run, which I didn’t do.  Running and me have decided that we don’t really get on, so we’ve parted company.  So I won’t be joining the triathletes among you.  Maybe I’ll do a duathlon one day if the swimming isn’t too bad (and if I get another bike).

On the plus side, there was much Win.  I completed the Manchester to Blackpool ride and was very happy with my (very mediocre) time.  This helped me to hit the 100 miles in that month’s challenge, which spurred me on to other months too.  Many of you joined me trying to amass 100 miles each month until the end of the year.  With your help (and I can’t say how much you helped me, you really did) I rode 628 miles last year.  My furthest ever, mostly to Littleborough and Hebden Bridge.

Raising £500 through the year for Springhill Hospice was fantastic.  To those of you who helped, I’m more grateful than you will ever know.  My Mum will be smiling on us from whichever afterlife you prefer to imagine – or if you don’t believe, then those who are spending time in that wonderful hospice will be grateful for the dignity and care that you’ve helped to support.

I’ve also made my life linger and happier with the fitness you’ve motivated me to maintain.  For this I am thankful, too.

2011

Once again, I’m keeping my goals SMART* this year.  I’m focusing on a small number of them, as I have difficulty concentrating on more than one thing at a time.  I am a man and I make no excuses.

This year I shall try to:

• Cycle 1,000 miles
• Raise another £500.00 for Springhill Hospice

If you can help me achieve either of these, then I love you. But not in that way.

You can definitely help by joining our January 100 Mile Challenge and simply getting on your bike.  I will keep the link always on the right of this blog, in the little brown box.

* SMART = Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed.

So What?

I realise that this post is mostly in the first person.  That’s because it’s about me.  But I hope you can identify with what’s happening, especially at this time of year.  Please join me on the challenges.  Please divert what money you can into a worthy charity for the sake of others.

Please have a fantastic year and lots of cheesy grins like this when you get home:

Chilly and Cheerful, 2011 The Year Of The Grin

I know: scary, but I’m having a great time.  Will you this year?