Phoenix Trading gives me ultimate flexibilty to train

I'm in the US this week, travelling through California, working with our team of Phoenix Traders here. I'm in Los Angeles today, having been in San Francisco and Sacramento over the last few days and I'm off to San Diego tomorrow. Last week I was working with our leadership team all round the UK.

I travel away from home about 100 days per year on business and because of the flying, driving and timing of all the meetings I attend, I find myself working-out at odd times. That really works for me though. It's so flexible. One day it's 11pm, then it will be at 5 o'clock in the morning and today it was at 1.30 in the afternoon. There is never anyone else in the gym in these hotels when I'm there. I wonder why that is?

The exercise really does just fit around the business. I don't operate a fixed schedule so I've got the freedom to do it when it suits me and I try to get in the gym every other day when I'm away. Phoenix is the ultimate in flexible businesses. That's true for our Traders as it's true for me . Speak to the Trader you already know or visit our website at http://www.phoenixtrading.com/ and select the flag of the country you live in.

Take care and have a good weekend!

Mike

Now I know what saddle sores are!

When I woke up this morning I had two small, round bruises, one on each cheek. My new bike has a saddle which is like sitting on a small stick and I wonder if this is anything to do with it? I had knock knees as a child and couldn't stop them banging together as I walked and now I can't get them within a foot of each other!

I've got a new hobby!

I've got a new hobby - bike collecting! They're like buses. You don't see one for 30 years and then 2 come along at once! My wife bought me this one for Valentines day. What is she trying to tell me?

Anyway, it's a Specialized Secteur and I've been out on it a couple of times over the weekend. I thought it would be so much easier cycling on a road bike, but, Michael, think again!

Did 23 miles yesterday (new personal record) and 33 miles today (new personal record). Can't believe how hard it was. 90 miles on the Big Boss Bike Ride looks pretty daunting from here!

Please don't forget why I'm doing this bike ride. It's not to get me fit, although that's a good reason. It's not because I want a blog, although that's proving to be a bit of fun. It's to raise money for a very important cause - Children's Hospices UK. Please visit my JustGiving website and give as much as you can: http://www.justgiving.com/phoenixbikeride

Thanks!

On holiday but still training!

I'm on holiday this week on a beautiful tropical island in the Maldives. Despite the distractions of snorkeling, lounging about on a white sandy beach or by the pool, or just eating fabulous food, I've managed to workout three of the six days we've been away. It has been very hot and humid, so I haven't worked too hard - forty minutes on the treadmill or cross trainer doing relatively gentle exercise.

Me and my bike

This is my mountain bike. The one I have been doing all my training on so far. I got it for Christmas two years ago from my wife. Prior to that, I hadn't ridden a bike for more than 30 years!

I try to go out twice a week, mostly at the weekends. Even this has been difficult in the snowy weather over Christmas and in January.

I generally do between 10 and 15 miles each time I go out. As I've said before, the furthest I've ever ridden is 21 miles and that was on this bike in the middle of last year. I know I'm going to need to significantly increase the frequency and distance I'm doing as we get nearer to the 21st May! As the weather gets better I will be able to do more in the evenings after work and then much longer rides on Saturdays and Sundays.

When I took the bike to the shop to get it serviced and told the guy I was doing a 90 mile ride for charity he couldn't believe it. He said that riding a mountain bike, with big fat wheels like mine, on the roads, was like driving a tractor versus a car! I know what he means!

Children's Hospices UK Big Boss Bike Ride

Welcome to my new blog where I will be recording my training programme and other interesting things leading up to a charity bike ride I am doing in May this year.

Phoenix Trading, the direct selling greeting card company, has always given money to charitable causes. This money has been raised through the sale of Christmas cards and other targeted fundraising initiatives. Two years ago Phoenix Trading launched a new, independent charity, The Phoenix International Charity, with the goal of raising significant funds to donate to charities in the countries in which Phoenix Trading operate (UK, Australia, New Zealand, France and the USA). To date Phoenix Trading and The Phoenix International Charity have raised over £800,000 for good causes.

The CEO of Children’s Hospices UK, Barbara Gelb, has personally challenged all the senior managers of their corporate partners to cycle 90 miles with her to raise money for this fantastic charity. Barbara has called it ‘The Big Boss Bike Ride’ and I’m going to be riding on behalf of the Phoenix International Charity, the charity arm of Phoenix Trading.

The ride is over 2 days and is from the UK’s oldest children’s hospice (and the world’s first), to the newest. We begin in Oxford at Helen and Douglas House on Friday 21st May 2010 and finish at Demelza House, in Eltham, South East London the following afternoon.

The furthest I have ever ridden a bike before is 21 miles and so this is a big personal challenge for me! I have already started my training programme; a bit later than intended having been delayed by the snow in December and January.

Children’s Hospices UK supports 41 regional hospices whose purpose is to support life limited children and their families through, what must be, the most traumatic and heart breaking period of their lives. As many as 20,000 children are affected and you may well know a family that has needed this support.

Please help me to achieve my personal target of raising £10,000 for Children’s Hospices UK by going to my JustGiving website at http://www.justgiving.com/phoenixbikeride.

Thank you for sponsoring me for this great event. It is quick and easy and totally secure so please donate whatever you can to help me to reach my target. Every pound you donate really does make a difference – so please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support

Mike