My Strava Rapha Festive500 Journey

4 years, 4 x #festive500 . This year was bigger not because of the challenge itself but because I revised my annual goal to 7000Km earlier this month and needed just under 700Km to reach that goal (some of it was done before the #festive500 started).

I have pushed myself this last 8 days to get there and right now every part of my body is feeling it. 2x100 Milers formed the bulk of the distance, another 100Km and a couple of sub 100 rides and on top of that much of it was done in pouring rain, at least 2 heavy thunderstorms that soaked to the skin. The blessing of the rain being that the temperatures were lower.

As a summary here are the distances for each day:

• Day #1 : 161Km
• Day #2 : 35Km
• Day #3 : 109Km
• Day #4 : 26Km
• Day #5 : 162Km
• Day #6 : 15Km
• Day #7 : 62Km
• Day #8 : 55Km

You can see a bit more in the video I made of the journey.

This year has definitely not been the greatest for me in the few years I've been riding (actually the last 2 years have been a bit of a battle) but at least I think I have gotten to the bottom of the physical issue dragging me down, basically boils down to doing too much without a proper plan, resulting in overtraining and depletion of iron reserves. (yes I know one or two birdies have been telling me this for a while). Anyhow iron supplements in hand, a better training plan and a rather ridiculous target to achieve (not distance), hopefully, I can improve in the coming year.

Through all this, there are two lessons that can be taken which at first seem paradoxical but nevertheless true. (I'm sure there are more lessons but 2 will do)
1. We are capable of more than we think
2. We have limits

In other words, don't talk yourself into doing too little but watch for the signs that you are doing too much, don't just take your own thinking and feelings into consideration, seek advice and listen to those around you, they might be wrong but at least worth considering.

Set yourself goals that seem somewhat (but not too much) more than achievable, and then set smaller targets along the way to achieve said goal, if things happen along the way that make the goal completely unachievable, don't be afraid to reconsider, recalculate, and revise if necessary but don't let your heart be broken and don't give up.

Thanks to all those that support this nutcase, and to those whose achievements provide inspiration.

Finally have yourselves a blessed and prosperous 2017 (in one way or another, money and things aren't everything). God Bless.

CHOC Cows 2017 Post #1

Huh... 2017 we still in 2016 you might ask, and in my last post I said 'till next year' ??? 

Well that was my intention but then this......

happened!!!!

Yes you saw right (well if you watched the video through), being the 10th year of the cows doing crazy things to raise funds for CHOC, we did another crazy thing, we couldn't get the 10 figure out of our heads so in an incredibly COW fashion we set our target for next year to 10 MILLION Rand.

In case you're wondering in the 9 years of existence the cows have managed to raise over 27m in 2016 we have managed to hit the 3m mark, so given that information you will realize what a challenge we have set for ourselves.

To achieve this we will need your help, think about it this is only about 20c per person in South Africa, somehow we will be able to do this, spread the word get together with some friends and collect a few rand, put a can in your shop or business foyer if you have one, it isn't an impossible dream it CAN be done.

If you have any questions or suggestions speak to a cow you know, or ask daisy at thecows.co.za.

Whatever you do I ask that if you haven't helped before you consider helping next year. These funds go to a great cause, if you want to know more just go read on what CHOC ( www.choc.org.za ) does for children and their families as they suffer through this terrible family of diseases and the horrible treatment they have to endure.

CHOC Cows 2016 Post #5

Another year has gone by and I've recovered enough to write the Post 947 Challenge(s) update.

I took off a week from work but it wasn't a rest by any means.

Saturday 12th 947 Kiddies Races, It might have been that I was less fit, although we also realized afterwards that we also swept the kiddies races this year when last year we just did lead out, at any rate it was a few sprints punctuated by a brief rest and off again.

The positioning of our Cowzebo was also much better this year and the 'snow' machine (soap bubbles) was a huge hit with the kids.

Here is some of the team that assisted (2 were missing Hendri was riding around with a tin and Cliff was just on time for the start):

Thanks guys and gals next year we need to rope in some more volunteers.

Sunday 13th 947 MTB Challenge
After last years swimsuit competition (well the cowsuit was pretty wet) I decided to skip the suit this year, if I have to be honest I struggled most of the ride the legs just didn't want to cooperate, but I had fun and passing the poor strugglers walking up the hills through Steyn City let me know I'm not dead yet.

Thur-Sat 947 Expo
Ok so The Cows got squished into a smaller area this year and some of our antics were disallowed, 2 and a half days of standing and shaking cans drains one, but the rewards are in knowing we did something to help raise awareness and some funds to help CHOC.

Sunday 947 Cycle Challenge
Suit on, Bike Straddled, off we go, I hadn't been tethered to an ICB but hung back at the start and then attached to the ICB that Richard Laskey was Piloting, did some pushing and briefly switched to Mark Kordas' ICB and towed for a few minutes down M1 but switched back. Since I wasn't doing much towing this year I got to race ahead trying to clear the way for most of the ride and could have a little fun teasing some of the tired people making their way up Cedar, I didn't have the heart to let them know they still had a tough climb in Steyn city as well but I sprinted up a bit of the hill telling them it was easy.... HAH, then turned around to go back down to ICB and come back up again.



Surprising even myself I actually got on the stage in Steyn City, got called HOT?? (yes I was still wearing the Cow Suit) The shock in the eyes and voice when the MC felt the material of the suit was something else too, I think an appreciation of some of the self inflicted punishment we put ourselves through sank in.



We get asked so often why we do this, why not make a lighter Ice Cream Bike, or a cow suit that would be cooler, or why do two laps, and help tow and push that monster to the finish line, why why why.

The truth for most of us is that this little bit of suffering we put ourselves through is NOTHING compared to what children suffering cancer and the pain of the treatment they go through is, if we can look a little foolish and sweat a little more to bring a little more comfort and if we are really lucky a smile to their faces, we will continue to do it over and over and over again.

Image Courtesy CHOC

Thanks for all the support and donations in the year please keep it up, my GivenGain Project is open until the end of December so please do go and donate.

Also if you want a reminder of where the money goes take a look at the CHOC website.

Until next year.

CHOC Cows 2016 Post #4

A fellow cow just reminded me we have 39 days to 94.7, as most of you know by now we are raising funds for CHOC through The Cows by riding 94.7 (and other events) in cow coloured livery of various sorts, some will ride in normal cow print cycling kit, some will don cow suit onesies, and some will be wearing other suits of an as yet unpublicised nature and doing 2 laps of 94.7 the first under 3 hours.

I'll be in one of the first 2 groups, probably additionally assisting an ice cream bike again (I'm afraid I can't manage a sub 3hr 94.7) and it depends on YOU which it will be. If as per last year you would like to see me in a Cow Onesie sweating out in the heat of the day and gritting in the wind, suffering a bit more than in just the kit and providing more support for the children with cancer I need you to scratch the bottom of your piggy banks and scrape out the insides of your mattresses, go beg your boss or better half, or parents, take a second (or third) mortgage, sell some of your less useful earthly goods, whatever just find some pennies and PUSH/click this button. 

 

VS

For what it's worth I really would prefer the attire on the right hand side as it means more of the children with cancer will be assisted. If you don't know what CHOC are about please go to http://www.choc.org.za and find out about the work they do. These needy children really do need your help, every little helps to alleviate just a little of the suffering they go through in many cases every day.

If you want to know more about the cows see the 'new design' at http://www.thecows.co.za

If you can't or don't want to donate through GivenGain please feel free to donate directly to CHOC, just let Daisy Cow ( daisy@thecows.co.za ) know about the deposit and that you did it on my behalf so that allocation can take place.

Banking details are:
CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation
Bank: Standard Bank Killarney Branch  
Current Account Number: 20 027 806 1
Branch sort code: 00 72 05

You will be hearing from me again soon, next time I hope to let you know we've exceeded the R20,000 target and that I'll be suffering a little again for those that suffer much.

Till next time. Moooo!!!!!

CHOC Cows 2016 Post #3

Hi all,

Last you heard from me (officially posting on the topic) I was planning to ride every day of Tour de France in the cow suit, well that was successfully completed; some days riding on the trainer in the kitchen, some days testing the drag coefficient (really bad btw) of the cow suit in strong winds, through bush or on the road, leaving and getting home in the dark commuting to work and back, not a single day was skipped even on the 'rest' days. Some drivers hooted as they passed one or two wound down their windows asking what it was about, many pointed and laughed (especially the kids). See more in the regular updates I posted on the GiveNGain page for my fund raising project... whilst there why not drop a small donation into the pot, even small ones are appreciated (For the record my total current stands at R3067 as there was a donation paid directly to CHOC). Thanks to all the donors, I'm never sure how much publicity to give to you all but it is greatly appreciated.

On Mon 18 July near the end of the challenge I rode on the trainer for 67 minutes with an avg heart rate of 67% of my max, an avg cadence of 67rpm, and if you look carefully you might see another 67 in the image of my Garmin below (some basic math skills will help)

CHOC Cow activities have been ongoing, we have swept quite a number of races this year being involved with Nissan Trailseeker, Dual X,and the Ashburton series we have assisted with a few crash victims, and a lot of broken bikes and punctures, often able to get people back on the go and complete what otherwise may have been a disappointing day out for them.

This week I have been helping with the funeral arrangements of a friend and mentor who has succumbed to this dreadful disease, and whilst it's hard to see anyone go through this it is especially hard for children and their families, which is why I do what I do, we suffer a little to help those who suffer a lot through the treatment of cancer.

Please help me support CHOC in the wonderful work they do in supporting those in need by   clicking here  to go do my donation page and make a contribution, big or small every bit helps. I'm aiming to raise R20,000 again and we still have quite a way to go.

73 days to go for the 94.7 MTB Challenge and 80 for the 94.7 Cycle Challenge, with quite a few races in the meantime I'm sure I will do another update or two, thanks for your time.

CHOC Cows 2016 Post #2

In case you haven't noticed my posts this year have been thinner and slower, not because I'm not busy but I've chosen not to bore you too much with all the details. This, after all, is not about me but about the Children of CHOC for whom we do all these crazy things in Cow Suits and kit, on and off our bikes.

@Hakahana DualX Photo courtesy of ZCMC

Since I missed out completing a bit of a personal challenge last year due to illness and it's that time of the year when Tour de France is on again, I'm even more determined to try and complete it again this year BUT with the Cow Suit on, the challenge is to ride every day of the Tour de France, not the same distance they do, nor the same amount of climbing; just to get on and ride.

Yes, you read right every day of TDF on my bike in a Cow Suit for the Kids

Some of the rides will be on the MTB like today I'm off to Northern Farms to ride with my club, some of the rides will be on the road, I might even commute to and from work in the suit, and some rides will be on the indoor trainer.

So if you spot this crazy cow somewhere give me a wave but more importantly we would really appreciate your help in raising much needed funds to help the programs of CHOC service the needs of Children with cancer and their families. Please click the red button and donate to this really worthy cause.

 Donate Now!!!  

Click for more details on what CHOC does

CHOC Cows 2016 Post #1

Hi everyone, It has been a while since my last post and for those who have been following and receiving my emails, perhaps a rest from me was welcome but I do hope at least some of you missed the updates.

 I never gave feedback after 94.7 last year; one of the reasons was that I was trying to find out what my final tally was, I haven't found out which isn't a train smash but I do know it was well over the R20,000 I had as a target.


From the small donors to the ones who gave very large amounts, funds came in through Give 'n Gain, direct payments to CHOC, donations given to me anonymously, donations given through race entries, not to mention all the people at 94.7 expo who tried to quiet a couple of annoying cows shaking tins, I thank you all, you made a difference that continues on in the projects the Cows fund through CHOC.

All in all the Cows raised R3.16 million in 2015's effort bringing the total raised over the years to R24.2 million to help CHOC with their services to children with cancer and helping their families. 

During 2015 I/we have been blessed to be thanked on a number of occasions for the work we do as cows for CHOC, I wish I could explain the thankfulness one hears in the voices and sees in the eyes of those who have been helped by CHOC, I'd love to pass it on because it is the donors who make it all possible, I'm just a conduit.

On to 2016...... The year has started and even before my first (this) post the fundraising has started with a bang with R2000 donation to CHOC to kick off my campaign. The Cows have found a different funding provider called ummm errr Different yep different.org my new fundraising profile is set up so you are welcome to start helping me raise the funds for this year CLICK HERE to reach my profile, different.org has a few different payment options and they do not take a cut of the funds received, tax certificates can be obtained right from the site, and you can remain anonymous if you wish.

So far this year I have already ridden 2 races in Cow Gear, the Berge en Dale and the Cape Town Cycle Tour (Argus for most of us). This year the finish was bittersweet, one of the ladies I finished last years race with, Delene Mulley was no longer with us in body, having beaten cancer once and for all. I had only known her for a little over a year but for those that knew her she has left a big gaping hole, challenging us to continue the fight against the disease.

Preview of finish photo (me in the middle at the back)

That's all from me for now, just some info on the projects the Cows will be supporting this year:

Accommodation – The CHOC Lodge, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban

The CHOC Lodge, situated on the grounds of the Albert Luthuli Hospital, has 26 beds that provide daily accommodation for children and their caregiver whilst undergoing treatment for childhood cancer. The Cows shall assist with the costs of running the Lodge by sponsoring two rooms.

Accommodation – CHOC House, Saxonwold and Diepkloof

CHOC House Saxonwold provides accommodation for children receiving out-patient treatment at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and CHOC house Diepkloof is used for patients from the Baragwanath paediatric oncology wards. Without these homes away from home many patients opt to abandon treatment because of the great distances they need to travel. The houses are an essential part of the CHOC programme and The Cows shall fund running costs for both these houses in Gauteng.

Psychosocial Support – Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Free State

Psychosocial support is imperative to the families and children affected by childhood cancer. CHOC currently employs five Social workers and two Social Auxillary workers, situated in the Paediatric Oncology treatment centers, who assist with all aspects of the illness from diagnoses onwards including palliative and bereavement support. Once again, The Cows will provide funding for the salaries of these professionals.

Programme Coordinator – Western Cape and Namakwa Region

Due to the vast geographical area of the region, the increase in the number of beneficiaries, and the small amount of staff members employed by CHOC in the Western Cape there is a requirement for an additional staff member to service the entire area. The Cows will provide funding for the salary and costs of a new Programme Coordinator for the region.

Programme vehicle – CHOC Kalahari

At the beginning of 2015, the position for a new programme office opened in the Kalahari covering the raising of awareness for Early Warning Signs of childhood cancer in the area and will ensure practical support such as the provision of food parcels for families travelling through Upington to Bloemfontein and Cape Town etc. The office requires a programme vehicle which The Cows will fund.

Essential maintenance to CHOC House – CHOC Pietermaritzburg

The CHOC House programme is an essential programme within CHOC and a tool that is used during the treatment journey for a family with a child fighting cancer or a life threatening blood disorder. The Cows will cover the costs of maintenance to the PMB House that includes: repairs to roof; painting of the house; repairs to driveway, fence and gate, and renovating bathrooms.

Essential maintenance and running costs to CHOC House – CHOC Pretoria

Situated in Gezina, Pretoria, the house is more than 60 years old and is in need of routine maintenance such as wiring and roof repairs. The Cows will fund the maintenance as well as the costs involved with running the house in 2016.

Essential maintenance to CHOC House – CHOC Port Elizabeth

The Cows will fund the costs involved in getting the roof repaired in Port Elizabeth.