Julia

Hi , I'm Julia Bailey. Age 46 (47 on day 4 - Bridgwater to Symonds Yat!) Not from a cycling background but have run for about 10 years on and off (mainly off!) I have unfinished business with the London Marathon having run it in 2007 and 2009 - It got the better of me both times. Cycled occasionally with Martin when he went out for his long runs - couldn't keep up. He had to push me up the hills!!! Progressed to cycling together - me blood red in the face, Martin barely breaking a sweat. 
     Fast forward to last summer - we cycled C2C, took 3 days and ran the Sunderland 10km the fourth day. Really enjoyed it despite it raining for most of the route and it blowing a gale on Hartside Summit (in August!) First reaction to the suggestion of cycling LEJOG - I'll drive the support vehicle, think it's biting off more than I can chew. Then it felt like I was missing out on a bit of an adventure. Where's the fun in telling your grandkids you drove LEJOG?
     Been training seriously since January logged just over 1000 miles training 6 days a week. Longest ride so far are two 50 milers (on consecutive days). Spent a lot of time in the winter training on a Watt Bike - its wedged between the sofa and the wall in the lounge. The kids eat their tea while I pedal away like a demented hamster on a wheel!! 
     Have taken to reading all the ultra-endurance cycling books I can lay my hands on - Started with Mark Beaumont, then Rob Liliwall and then Anne Mustoe - just starting Che Guevara and the Mountain of Silver. Hoping it will soften the blow a bit!
     Cycling Lejog for Cancer Research UK. Why? It touches all our lives. - family, friends, colleagues. Dad's brother Bill died of lung cancer. Mum and Dad have both fought and won their own battles -24 years since Mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer, 5 years for Dad with Non-Hodgkinsons Lymphoma. Every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer. Cancer Research UK receives no government funding. More than 1 in 3 of us will get cancer at some time in our lives. If you are reading this blog please consider donating by clicking on the Donate page. 
Thanks for reading,
Julia