Matt update-Healthy heart gives Matt extra ticket in mammoth ride
By Tim O’Connell
tim@pcn.co.nz
After struggling to pedal 10 kilometres nine months ago, Matt Oliver tested his limits in the Taranaki Cycle challenge.
Now a battled hardened cyclist, Matt was convinced to enter the 154km event in late January by his boss, a regular iron man competitor.
Months of dedicated training made him confident of completing the race but the hours before the event were nerve wracking.
“I had to force every spoonful of cereal into my mouth thinking that each time I did I was going to throw up.
“Here I was on the start line in New Plymouth wondering what the heck I’d got myself into.”
The apprehension proved to be temporary, as he powered through the barriers of heat and fatigue to cross the finish line in 6 hours 18 seconds.
With his major goal of the Taupo cycle challenge 10 months away, things are on track to go beyond Matt’s initial cycling objectives.
Health wise, things are also ticking along nicely.
The difference is clearly visible on the outside, as seen in the photos on this page.
Having passed the 100kg mark late last year, Matt is now focussed on getting down to 93kg with his long term goal of 80kg looking like an easily achievable target by November.
Matt’s hard work has begun to pay dividends on the inside too with his cholesterol levels dropping.
With so much achieved since his athletic rebirth in July Matt will reduce his training schedule to focus on another big challenge-working on the house..
