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Our Penrith Accountant, Jaimi Wilson predominantly works with limited companies, preparing statutory and management accounts.  Jaimi has recently completed an ultra-distance cycling challenge, she explains further:

The Hell of the North West is a brutal 832km ultra cycling, self-supported race with over 50,000 feet of climbing around the (best part) of the North West of England taking on the most iconic climbs in the area.

I was delighted to complete the event before sunset on the third day with a finishing time of 58 hours and 25 minutes, coming in fourth place (first female).  50 people signed up for the event, 24 turned up to the start line and there were only five finishers!  The low success rate is testimony to a brutal route and the harsh weather we all had to endure even in the ‘summer’.

Having done lots of self supported challenges over the years, this was my first race and I loved it.  Despite no sleep and the hallucinations that come with it, the inevitable aches and pains and the saddle sores, I love challenging myself and the added element of going against other people brings out the best in you.

There are generally two approaches to training, the professional athlete way, which is lots of interval training, strength and conditioning sessions, mobility and a focus on good recovery and nutrition.  And then the other approach is just going out and doing as many miles as possible on the bike.  I tend to merge the two approaches doing more structured higher intensity sessions through the week, with some strength and conditioning sessions, juggling that with work and then longer slower rides at the weekend.  Generally, this adds up to around 20-30 hours of training per week, so the main factor is time and commitment!

The next event I have coming up is the GBDuro which is a mixed terrain 2,000 km mixed terrain race through the UK.  This is one of the biggest races in the UK and luckily bagging a late entry just last week doesn’t give me long to get prepped!