Update 17/05/2013

Dear Team,
Happy Friday!

Good luck on Sunday to all those taking part in O2e’s Epping Forest Runs. Various distances and a wide age range taking part.
Many thanks to Dawn and Brett for organising another great event.

Great news Tania is on the mend!!!
Conor writes:

Hi Slatts,
Thanks for asking. She was transferred to the Queen Vic Hospital at East Grinstead on Wednesday last week, operated on Thursday where they cleaned out the cuts and abrasions and re positioned her front teeth. She got out of hospital of Friday and is making good progress – energy levels slowly returning - still on a soft food diet, antibiotics and painkillers. She will have her first physio today, but strength and muscle control continuing to improve. Basically on the road to recovery thank god. The treatment she got at both Darent Valley Hospital and Queen Victoria Hospital was tremendous – NHS showing it’s best side.
Regards
Conor

Big Kev's London to Paris Information Update

Rafe has been busy and has setup a Facebook Group for the ride, In his own words:

Idea is that people can chat, give support etc. Hopefully it will help build up some camaraderie before the event but also if people ask questions there, they might get answered by other riders saving Kev some work.

It can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/kevsbigbikeride

Also Rafe has written a brief guide on training for century rides for normal people not athletes, This may be of use to many of you not only Kev's peloton. It can be found at :

http://www.forgot.co.uk/cycling/100-miles-for-normal-people/

A few events coming up soon and as Alex Ferguson would say ‘it's getting to squeaky bum time‘
Good luck with final preparations

Thanks and best

Slatts

Update 08/05/2013

Dear Team,

Many thanks to Ginge and Beckenham RFC for a great day Sunday at the ‘ George Crowther 7’s
Thanks also to those of you who came along to support-great to see O2e shirts dotted around
See right our budding Page 3 beauties!!!

The Ledgendary Hoods In Team O2E Kit. 

 Tania had a very nasty accident at BRC’s Cyclo Park day at Gravesend on Sat and the latest update from Conor is:

Slatts,
Thanks - she's really overwhelmed by all the support she's getting. We are currently awaiting results of MRI Scan from earlier today and assuming all clear then she's being transferred to East Grinstead for dental and facial work - suspect she'll also need physio to get left side fully functioning. Getting stronger day by day. Name still down for Arch to Arc in Sept although think she'll need some initial encouragement to get back on the horse - but I've no doubt she will - she's a brave girl.
Thanks again
Conor
Tania, from everyone at O2e we wish you a full and speedy recovery xxx

Our numbers have grown over the years and YOU are taking on all sorts of crazy challenges, upping the bar with extra distance, faster times and more adventurous challenges. There is risk in what we do, we understand those risks.
Please everybody, take care in your training and events.
2013 is a HUGE year!! 

Many thanks for support as always,
Best
Slatts

O2E Member Spotlight Simon Jackson

Name: Simon JacksonDate: 24th April 2013

Q1. Which event are you training for?

Thames Path Ultra Marathon. 100km from Putney Bridge to Henley-on-Thames.

Q2. How are the preparations and training going?

It’s not until 13th September so we have little while yet. But having only ever run 16 miles before, I need to get the miles in. I did 27 miles off-road the other day so I was quite happy about that. The knees and back held up pretty good too. It’s more of a shuffle than a run though!

Q3. What is motivating you to;

A) train

I just enjoy the exercise to be honest. I run and cycle for the fun of it but always push myself. I have to be reserved when running as it can be a problem with my back.

B) do the event

I always thought I could do a marathon but decided to jump in at the deep end!

Q4. How did it come about that you're doing this event?

Someone in Connie’s (wife and fellow participant) running club sent us a link and we when we researched it we looked at each other and thought ‘why the hell not?!’ We are training together, starting the race together but will play it by ear if we stay together during the run.

Q5. Tell us more about your training.

I just stick with the cycling, really. I cycle to work daily then do a 60 miler every weekend. I do a 10km run twice a week too but am also soon adding in a long run on the weekends. At the end of May we’re doing one half of the race route so we can familiarize ourselves with the terrain, work out what shoes to wear, landmarks to look for etc. We’ll do the other half at the end of June so we’ll have covered the whole route prior the big day.

Q6. What is going to be the toughest part of doing this event for you?

Putting in the miles and the time we have to dedicate to training. 5-7 hour+ runs eat into your social life!

Q7. Confident for the big day?

Yes. I believe it’s more psychological than physical. I think if someone’s life depended on it, you could do it so it’s just case of getting in the right frame of mind and staying positive.

Q8. How have family and friends reacted to your doing this event?

Most of our friends know us fairly well so were not very surprised! As we’ve done some chunky things in the past, it is hard to remind people that we are putting lots of effort in and it doesn’t just come easily.

Q9. How much do you hope to raise?

Not too sure just yet. We find it hard to ask the same people for donations year in, year out and my mates see me coming a mile off! We’re setting up a charity page soon so will push that out to our friends and family.

Q10. How would like the donations from your efforts to make a difference?

We’ve always supported Demelza House in the past so it would be good to know how they spend and allocate the monies donated at the end of this year. However, all of O2e charities are the ‘right’ charities as I know O2e has strict prerequisites.

Q11. Do you have any fundraising ideas yet?

Right now, it’s early days. Primarily we’re doing it for personal achievement and if we can raise some money along the way for some great causes then it’s a bonus.

Q12. What is it about O2e that resonates with you?

What I love about O2e is the group of people who are involved. I love the type of events that are organized and it’s good to know that all the monies are donated to the nominated charities and not spent on marketing or wages like some other charities.

Q13. Finally, what advice do you have for any would-be O2eer?

Get your trainers on and get out there and do it!