It's been a fab day almost European, in fact just about as good a day that Scotland can offer at this time of year. A group from the Dunfermline Cycling Club are mid way through an 8 day 100 mile per day training session. I know in advance of the report of today's ride it will have been a classic, climbing up through the Perthshire hills to Dunkeld and home - I would have enjoyed the route myself if it wasn't for that pesky work!
I was up at the usual early hour and took the Scruff bag out for a walk - it was cold but even at 6.30 you could feel the heat in the sun and it felt good. I dropped the dog back into the house and dragged on my bike kit, waved Danielle goodbye on her way into the office and set off up to Saline. I had decided that I would do the route of the Carnock Epic, our homespun time trial race, and immediately felt the sun burning on my back. It was wonderful.
When we were in Cape Town a few years ago I watched the runners and bikers out early training in the morning sun before the heat of the day built. I often wonder if Scotland had the same climate would more people be out running or biking before work making the most of the warm mornings - well maybe not but we can dream. The run through Saline to Forestmill was just brilliant although I could feel the start of what I guessed would be a stronger wind later in the day.
Forestmill is the site of one of life's enigma cafe's - every time I've been in there for a coffee I have felt deeply unwelcome and have been given the impression that I am most definitely not the sort of person they are encouraging to frequent the cafe. The coffee is ok, the cakes are good and for this reason plus my desire to check if it was just a bad day I sometimes go back. I think it might just be me but I don't think the owners are keen on Lycra clad bikers or maybe I just need a blue rinse to fit in with the regulars!
Anyway from Forestmill I ploughed on down towards the end of the cycle path about half way round the Epic course. It was at this moment I had a late change of plans and carried on to Clackmannan, up to Kincardine and then through Culross and home - 25 miles done before breakfast!
I had considered running last night but the wind drove me inside and I did a 30 minute interval set - not a huge amount of fun but added to my circuit session in the morning it made for a reasonable days work out.
Circuit session planned for the morning before a ride out lunch time as i'm marshalling at the TT race tomorrow night. I think the weather is set to get worse later in the week which will be pool time.
Off to meet the awesome Father Jack, to rock away the stress of the day! Hard to beat.
Tuesday 30 April 2013
Sunday 28 April 2013
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.....
I went out for a run today and to be honest was procrastinating about it as I didn't really feel like running today. But needs must so after gathering all of my technology, my heart rate monitor and iPhone I set off unsure of my route and how far I was going to run.
It was a pretty mixed bag weather wise with a gusty breeze from the west and the occasional wintry feeling shower. So as I set off I just went off in the direction I fancied and headed up the hill and over to Cairneyhill. I was breathing pretty heavily when I bumped into our wonderful neighbours, Les and Anna, out walking their dog and a few other folk from the village doing a sponsored charity cycle to raise money for the local summer Gala.
So realising there was going to be loads of bikes on the cycle path I carried on to Cairneyhill and then down to the coast. It was a bit more gusty down on the shore front and as I looked at my garmin to check speed and distance it run out of battery. One of my mates described me as having a wide frame that acted like a sail in the wind and it sure felt like that today running into the south westerly. With no watch to guide my speed I felt strangely released and ran without a care in my head. Well apart from my iPhone selecting Christmas songs. I had set it on shuffle but every other song it played had a Christmas scheme and after the 3rd or 4th song came on I was beginning to feel a lot like switching it off rather than Christmas!!!
The run through Newmills forest was pleasantly sheltered from the wind and the tracks full of older walkers with backpacks and benches with much tea being drunk from flasks. I was offed a cup of tea as I suspect I looked like I needed one!
As I emerged back onto the bike track I noticed a couple of runners about 300 metres up the track. Deep down, lurking under the non competitor I am there must be some sort of competitive spirit as I picked up my speed and went after them. I had about 2 miles left on the track and started making progress on the target. I noticed that the right hand runner started to turn round to check where I was and when I was within 20 metres he started pulling away from the girl he was running with obviously demonstrating that he felt he could run quicker without his running partner.
As I drew up along side, the female runner picked up her speed and ran along side. What was I to do? I picked up my speed and broke free and by this time I was moving along at a fair old lick! I started to question my decision to pass the couple as I didn't want the ignominy of being overtaken having passed them so I had to keep my pace up.
I suspect that miles 10 to 12 were the fastest that I ran in my entire run. As I turned off the track I looked behind and they were no-where in sight. They had probably stopped to have a good laugh at the old bloke pegging along trying to keep ahead of them!
So I think I did between 12 and 13 miles. It went ok - need to ramp the training up not only of I'm to do an ironman distance race this year but to keep up with the Stalleys who are running the Dublin marathon with me later in the year, 4 days after I turn 50!
It was a pretty mixed bag weather wise with a gusty breeze from the west and the occasional wintry feeling shower. So as I set off I just went off in the direction I fancied and headed up the hill and over to Cairneyhill. I was breathing pretty heavily when I bumped into our wonderful neighbours, Les and Anna, out walking their dog and a few other folk from the village doing a sponsored charity cycle to raise money for the local summer Gala.
So realising there was going to be loads of bikes on the cycle path I carried on to Cairneyhill and then down to the coast. It was a bit more gusty down on the shore front and as I looked at my garmin to check speed and distance it run out of battery. One of my mates described me as having a wide frame that acted like a sail in the wind and it sure felt like that today running into the south westerly. With no watch to guide my speed I felt strangely released and ran without a care in my head. Well apart from my iPhone selecting Christmas songs. I had set it on shuffle but every other song it played had a Christmas scheme and after the 3rd or 4th song came on I was beginning to feel a lot like switching it off rather than Christmas!!!
The run through Newmills forest was pleasantly sheltered from the wind and the tracks full of older walkers with backpacks and benches with much tea being drunk from flasks. I was offed a cup of tea as I suspect I looked like I needed one!
As I emerged back onto the bike track I noticed a couple of runners about 300 metres up the track. Deep down, lurking under the non competitor I am there must be some sort of competitive spirit as I picked up my speed and went after them. I had about 2 miles left on the track and started making progress on the target. I noticed that the right hand runner started to turn round to check where I was and when I was within 20 metres he started pulling away from the girl he was running with obviously demonstrating that he felt he could run quicker without his running partner.
As I drew up along side, the female runner picked up her speed and ran along side. What was I to do? I picked up my speed and broke free and by this time I was moving along at a fair old lick! I started to question my decision to pass the couple as I didn't want the ignominy of being overtaken having passed them so I had to keep my pace up.
I suspect that miles 10 to 12 were the fastest that I ran in my entire run. As I turned off the track I looked behind and they were no-where in sight. They had probably stopped to have a good laugh at the old bloke pegging along trying to keep ahead of them!
So I think I did between 12 and 13 miles. It went ok - need to ramp the training up not only of I'm to do an ironman distance race this year but to keep up with the Stalleys who are running the Dublin marathon with me later in the year, 4 days after I turn 50!
Saturday 27 April 2013
What a week....
I've had a brilliant week. The early part of the week on Sunday to Tuesday was blighted with my sinuses all blown up and me completely bunged up. On Tuesday I thought that the Wednesday's race was out of the question the following morning I woke up feeling much better and pretty clear.
I'd ridden into meetings in town on Monday which was pretty unpleasant. The wind was howling and feeling bunged up I struggled to breath properly. My legs didn't get going and seemed never to warm up. It was a struggle from start to finish. I blaming my sinuses but maybe my lack of bike time was more of an issue.
So I rocked up on Wednesday night unsure about the wisdom of my decision to take part. It was a 10 mile Time Trial race which means that the riders start every 60 seconds and you do the 10 miles as fast as you can. The race started in Freuchie and Iain Taylor met me early so we could drive the course and get an understanding of where to put the effort in. The race was brilliantly well organised and we signed in. Being new to this type of race I was given an early start time and went off number 3 out of the 48 competitors. Iain gave me some tips and then set off for his warm up.
I unloaded the bike, checked the bits and tyres and then set off up to the start. I didn't really know what to do and ended up heading up past the start and just pottering around on the road near the start. It was bizarre and I felt out of my comfort zone. I know what happens at the start of a marathon, ironman or triathlon but this was new. So I pulled into a picnic area and stretched out trying to work out how long it was going to take me to do the 10 miles - I decided that between 30 and 32 minutes would be a great result for me.
I made my way to the start and waited in line. The first few riders were off and it was my turn. I decided not to get held up and stood with one shoe on the ground to push myself off. I had imagined that if I had fallen over at the start I would look an idiot thus my push start.
Five, four, three, two, one and I was off. The first mile is free in that it's downhill and fast. I got down onto the tri bars and wound up the speed. There were marshals at the first two junctions but the third, a quiet one, was unmanned. I glanced up and a lorry started to pull out. I slammed on the brakes and was fortunate to squeeze round the back and missed the back of the beast by inches. It felt like inches and in reality was probably feet but it was scary and shook me big time. I took a few seconds to gather myself and pulled hard on the pedals to put the power back down.
I saw a rider in the distance, which proved to be hugely motivational and I put my head down until I slipped past him. The course was pretty flat and I was going ok - I knew that I could push harder but was concerned that I would blow up and fall apart. I stood up on the turns but otherwise managed to stay down on the bars for the balance of the race.
As I neared the end I saw the first rider and the motivation pushed me on to catch them and passed them about a mile before the end. I crossed the line the finishing in 26.02 which turned out to be 33rd out of the 48 racers. Iain did a 23.50 which was awesome. It was a great night and I think I'll be back to take part again. I took the picture of him just after the end of the race - looked ready for another one!
Today was the Kinross Sportive. I missed out on an entry but pedalled up to Kinross just in time to take a picture of the DCC train about to start. I then went over to Milnathort, Path O Condie and home via a few more hills. I did 90km, half an ironman but I felt the hills in my legs by the end. Sometimes you just take a look around and realise what a fantastic place we live. The weather was sunny, if cold, today and the countryside just outstanding. I was lucky that the wildlife came out to play and kept the hard miles interesting. It was just brilliant!
The DCC train finished with James Bell and Andy Bruce leading the charge in a time of 4.46 which again given the hills and 100 mile course is absolutely awesome. I've got so much respect for the DCC squad - they are just great cyclists. One day maybe.....
I've spent some time in the gym but not enough time in the pool. WIth my sinuses clear I'm hoping to get stuck in this week.
I'd ridden into meetings in town on Monday which was pretty unpleasant. The wind was howling and feeling bunged up I struggled to breath properly. My legs didn't get going and seemed never to warm up. It was a struggle from start to finish. I blaming my sinuses but maybe my lack of bike time was more of an issue.
So I rocked up on Wednesday night unsure about the wisdom of my decision to take part. It was a 10 mile Time Trial race which means that the riders start every 60 seconds and you do the 10 miles as fast as you can. The race started in Freuchie and Iain Taylor met me early so we could drive the course and get an understanding of where to put the effort in. The race was brilliantly well organised and we signed in. Being new to this type of race I was given an early start time and went off number 3 out of the 48 competitors. Iain gave me some tips and then set off for his warm up.
I unloaded the bike, checked the bits and tyres and then set off up to the start. I didn't really know what to do and ended up heading up past the start and just pottering around on the road near the start. It was bizarre and I felt out of my comfort zone. I know what happens at the start of a marathon, ironman or triathlon but this was new. So I pulled into a picnic area and stretched out trying to work out how long it was going to take me to do the 10 miles - I decided that between 30 and 32 minutes would be a great result for me.
I made my way to the start and waited in line. The first few riders were off and it was my turn. I decided not to get held up and stood with one shoe on the ground to push myself off. I had imagined that if I had fallen over at the start I would look an idiot thus my push start.
Five, four, three, two, one and I was off. The first mile is free in that it's downhill and fast. I got down onto the tri bars and wound up the speed. There were marshals at the first two junctions but the third, a quiet one, was unmanned. I glanced up and a lorry started to pull out. I slammed on the brakes and was fortunate to squeeze round the back and missed the back of the beast by inches. It felt like inches and in reality was probably feet but it was scary and shook me big time. I took a few seconds to gather myself and pulled hard on the pedals to put the power back down.
I saw a rider in the distance, which proved to be hugely motivational and I put my head down until I slipped past him. The course was pretty flat and I was going ok - I knew that I could push harder but was concerned that I would blow up and fall apart. I stood up on the turns but otherwise managed to stay down on the bars for the balance of the race.
As I neared the end I saw the first rider and the motivation pushed me on to catch them and passed them about a mile before the end. I crossed the line the finishing in 26.02 which turned out to be 33rd out of the 48 racers. Iain did a 23.50 which was awesome. It was a great night and I think I'll be back to take part again. I took the picture of him just after the end of the race - looked ready for another one!
Today was the Kinross Sportive. I missed out on an entry but pedalled up to Kinross just in time to take a picture of the DCC train about to start. I then went over to Milnathort, Path O Condie and home via a few more hills. I did 90km, half an ironman but I felt the hills in my legs by the end. Sometimes you just take a look around and realise what a fantastic place we live. The weather was sunny, if cold, today and the countryside just outstanding. I was lucky that the wildlife came out to play and kept the hard miles interesting. It was just brilliant!
The DCC train finished with James Bell and Andy Bruce leading the charge in a time of 4.46 which again given the hills and 100 mile course is absolutely awesome. I've got so much respect for the DCC squad - they are just great cyclists. One day maybe.....
I've spent some time in the gym but not enough time in the pool. WIth my sinuses clear I'm hoping to get stuck in this week.
Sunday 21 April 2013
Back in Fife....
Well we made it home on Friday afternoon and after picking up a few bits and pieces from the supermarket we changed and headed out on the bikes.
It appeared that the same sun that shone on us in Venice was making a rare appearance in Carnock and the opportunity to get out for a few miles was too much. A quick text to our fantastic neighbours, Les and Anna, established they were up for coming out so we checked our tyres, oiled the chains and set off up the hill to the bike track. It was great to be out although the sun that shone here appeared to be a colder version of the orange ball that warmed the Venetian people in the overcoats and cycling leggings.
We pedalled off down the path swapping stories of the week that was and poor Les and Anna probably regretted coming out as we bored them with our expensive pizza and ridiculously priced diet cokes. I'm pretty sure Les was looking forward to a post work pint before we wrecked his planned trip to the local pub! The time passed quickly and as ever it was fab to catch up with two of life's great people. We ended up doing a very pleasant 20 miles as the sun began to set catching some of the best views that West Fife has to offer en route.
A Friday night barbecue made the day complete with the whole weekend ahead of us.
I was up early on Saturday to prepare my bike for the days ride. Tyres needed fitted and the bike needed cleaned up. I did the routine maintenance and decided to fit my new speedo - everything was going well until, inexplicably, I fed the tie wrap that was to hold the electronic gizmo to the front fork around a spoke on my bike. Forced to cut it off and with no tie wraps in the house I found an old one in the back of the car just long enough to do the job. My desire to go on Scrapheap Challenge is massive as I love bodging things up so when I don't have all the parts I need I'm in my element! I think this started when I bought my first car, an antique gold Austin Allegro ( that will get you looking on the internet! ), which regularly broke down in odd places. I quickly learned that to own an Austin Allegro you needed to be an innovative bodger and I became pretty good at getting the seemingly bodged Friday Austin back on the road after the frequent break downs!
I'd arranged to meet Derek sharp at 9am at the junction of the road that offers the option to go over Cleish or Knockhill - we selected Cleish and set off with the intention of returning over Knockhill later. It soon became clear that Derek hadn't been feeling great most of the previous week and he was coughing up gunk despite which he lead us out at a cracking pace.
Derek is in great shape and is climbing very strongly so I trailed in his wake as we hammered the pedals up Cleish. The first time I did Cleish was many years ago on an Edinburgh to St Andrews charity bike ride. I hadn't been on a bike for years and dug out my hybrid touring bike for the day. It was a straight handlebar bike that had twist shift for gears changers which I hated and I had bought one day on the basis I needed it for going on bike trips. At the time I'm not sure what bike trips I was thinking about but I bought it anyway.
I started up Cleish not knowing anything about the hill other than the warning about the decent that was on the website of the charity organising the day. Fortunately the bike had many gears including 3 cogs at the front with a ridiculous granny gear that I'm sure some of the DCC boys could have climbed Everest using. For me, at the time it was all I could do to get up Cleish and that was the easy way up! There are fewer better hills for training although we did take a moment to remember the passing of the teacher beneath the icy waters of a loch at the top a few weeks ago.
After a fairly pedestrian decent we headed over to Kinross, Minathort and then over to Yetts. It was a funny day because the wind wasn't that bad but it was pretty persistent and the ride from Milnathort up to Carnbro felt pretty tough in spots. I was in determined mood and took the lead up this section keeping the bike between 24 and 27 kph for the entire climb. It was slightly disappointing that that we were not rewarded with a speedy decent because the wind seemed to nullify the hill making pedalling necessary the whole way down!
The DCC cafe run passed us as Derek nipped into the Co-op for a bottle of water and we quickly got back on the bikes and headed to Tillicoultry and then over to the cycle track to get us home. I am working with Derek on a community project that he is leading in the centre of Dunfermline and we slowed down and blethered about the next steps for the current grant applications. He has done a power of quality work and things are looking good for the planned centre near the bus station.
I needed to get home for 11.30 and we were back well before that giving me an extra few minutes to prepare for the Dunfermline v Cowdenbeath game that I'd been invited too. Back at my house we had biked 70km at a reasonable average with one record split for Derek once he had put his Garmin into his PC.
So back home and time for a bit more focus on the training and routine to be established - ironman is all about preparation, doing the hard graft of training and staying fit. I'm going to get more biking and swimming into the schedule and get myself back where I want to be.
Tomorrow I will do a strength session and a bike session if all goes to plan. I will report in due course......
It appeared that the same sun that shone on us in Venice was making a rare appearance in Carnock and the opportunity to get out for a few miles was too much. A quick text to our fantastic neighbours, Les and Anna, established they were up for coming out so we checked our tyres, oiled the chains and set off up the hill to the bike track. It was great to be out although the sun that shone here appeared to be a colder version of the orange ball that warmed the Venetian people in the overcoats and cycling leggings.
We pedalled off down the path swapping stories of the week that was and poor Les and Anna probably regretted coming out as we bored them with our expensive pizza and ridiculously priced diet cokes. I'm pretty sure Les was looking forward to a post work pint before we wrecked his planned trip to the local pub! The time passed quickly and as ever it was fab to catch up with two of life's great people. We ended up doing a very pleasant 20 miles as the sun began to set catching some of the best views that West Fife has to offer en route.
A Friday night barbecue made the day complete with the whole weekend ahead of us.
I was up early on Saturday to prepare my bike for the days ride. Tyres needed fitted and the bike needed cleaned up. I did the routine maintenance and decided to fit my new speedo - everything was going well until, inexplicably, I fed the tie wrap that was to hold the electronic gizmo to the front fork around a spoke on my bike. Forced to cut it off and with no tie wraps in the house I found an old one in the back of the car just long enough to do the job. My desire to go on Scrapheap Challenge is massive as I love bodging things up so when I don't have all the parts I need I'm in my element! I think this started when I bought my first car, an antique gold Austin Allegro ( that will get you looking on the internet! ), which regularly broke down in odd places. I quickly learned that to own an Austin Allegro you needed to be an innovative bodger and I became pretty good at getting the seemingly bodged Friday Austin back on the road after the frequent break downs!
I'd arranged to meet Derek sharp at 9am at the junction of the road that offers the option to go over Cleish or Knockhill - we selected Cleish and set off with the intention of returning over Knockhill later. It soon became clear that Derek hadn't been feeling great most of the previous week and he was coughing up gunk despite which he lead us out at a cracking pace.
Derek is in great shape and is climbing very strongly so I trailed in his wake as we hammered the pedals up Cleish. The first time I did Cleish was many years ago on an Edinburgh to St Andrews charity bike ride. I hadn't been on a bike for years and dug out my hybrid touring bike for the day. It was a straight handlebar bike that had twist shift for gears changers which I hated and I had bought one day on the basis I needed it for going on bike trips. At the time I'm not sure what bike trips I was thinking about but I bought it anyway.
I started up Cleish not knowing anything about the hill other than the warning about the decent that was on the website of the charity organising the day. Fortunately the bike had many gears including 3 cogs at the front with a ridiculous granny gear that I'm sure some of the DCC boys could have climbed Everest using. For me, at the time it was all I could do to get up Cleish and that was the easy way up! There are fewer better hills for training although we did take a moment to remember the passing of the teacher beneath the icy waters of a loch at the top a few weeks ago.
After a fairly pedestrian decent we headed over to Kinross, Minathort and then over to Yetts. It was a funny day because the wind wasn't that bad but it was pretty persistent and the ride from Milnathort up to Carnbro felt pretty tough in spots. I was in determined mood and took the lead up this section keeping the bike between 24 and 27 kph for the entire climb. It was slightly disappointing that that we were not rewarded with a speedy decent because the wind seemed to nullify the hill making pedalling necessary the whole way down!
The DCC cafe run passed us as Derek nipped into the Co-op for a bottle of water and we quickly got back on the bikes and headed to Tillicoultry and then over to the cycle track to get us home. I am working with Derek on a community project that he is leading in the centre of Dunfermline and we slowed down and blethered about the next steps for the current grant applications. He has done a power of quality work and things are looking good for the planned centre near the bus station.
I needed to get home for 11.30 and we were back well before that giving me an extra few minutes to prepare for the Dunfermline v Cowdenbeath game that I'd been invited too. Back at my house we had biked 70km at a reasonable average with one record split for Derek once he had put his Garmin into his PC.
So back home and time for a bit more focus on the training and routine to be established - ironman is all about preparation, doing the hard graft of training and staying fit. I'm going to get more biking and swimming into the schedule and get myself back where I want to be.
Tomorrow I will do a strength session and a bike session if all goes to plan. I will report in due course......
Thursday 18 April 2013
Running slowly under the Venetian sun.....
Our last full day in Ca Sabbioni has been yet another fantastic one. We are staying in a small hotel 30 minutes outside of Venice which has been without doubt one of the most friendly we have ever stayed in. The guys that work here can't do enough to help and nothing is too much. It's rare that you meet people that are so dedicated to making your holiday experience brilliant but the guys Relais Ca' Sabbioni have helped make our holiday one to remember.
Yesterday we borrowed bikes from the hotel and went out on a spin round the quiet roads that surround the area. The one big advantage (for Danielle) is that there are no hills in the area, not one, the one disadvantage (for me) is that there are no hills! I can't say that it was a hugely strenuous work out but most enjoyable in the morning sun.
We then set off for Treviso, a small university town that turned out to be stunning. As usual our trip into the town was eventful missing turn off and stopping in the wrong places. An attempted reversing manoeuvre drew the anger of a moped rider. I've got used to the shouting, horn pumping and gesticulating that comes with driving in this region and later in the day I got the time to practice some of my own as I was carved up by a BMW driver, well what did I expect!!
It's graduation time in Treviso and groups of students tour the village singing 'Doctore Doctore' at the top of their voices behind young guys and girls in fancy dress before heading to bars to celebrate their successful graduation - seemed good humoured and the local student hanging around the street corners took great delight in joining in.
On return to the hotel I set off for a short 4 mile run before we set off for yet another disappointing dinner in Venice. The best food so far has been in the hotel that we are staying in with people following the crowds to cardboard pizza shops that look a lot less tasty than the local Dunfermline Pizza's.
This morning the sun shone and I set off in my newly purchased Decathlon running kit, well I'd used all the stuff I brought and another tee shirt and shorts won't go unused! I ran just under 13km bring my total to just under 60km for the week which was ok I think. I was plodding along listening to some good country stuff when a runner heading towards me crossed the road, I followed him past me when out of the corner of my eye I saw the largest tractor, 4 wheels at the front bearing down on me from behind. There are no pavements so running on the road is obligatory but the sight of this monster just behind me almost brought on an involuntary episode of the runners trots! I jumped out of the way and waved him on his way!
Running here has been a joy and I'm going to miss not having to battle the elements ever time I'm out training.
So we head home in the morning. I'm looking forward to catching up with friends and family wit the quiz night in Carnock on Saturday night a particular highlight. Looking at the forecast I'll be digging out the longs and tops for the bike which I confess I'm looking forward to getting out on at the weekend. I've missed the bike and it will be good to be re-united with the Trek even if it's windy, cold and wet. You can't beat home!
Yesterday we borrowed bikes from the hotel and went out on a spin round the quiet roads that surround the area. The one big advantage (for Danielle) is that there are no hills in the area, not one, the one disadvantage (for me) is that there are no hills! I can't say that it was a hugely strenuous work out but most enjoyable in the morning sun.
We then set off for Treviso, a small university town that turned out to be stunning. As usual our trip into the town was eventful missing turn off and stopping in the wrong places. An attempted reversing manoeuvre drew the anger of a moped rider. I've got used to the shouting, horn pumping and gesticulating that comes with driving in this region and later in the day I got the time to practice some of my own as I was carved up by a BMW driver, well what did I expect!!
It's graduation time in Treviso and groups of students tour the village singing 'Doctore Doctore' at the top of their voices behind young guys and girls in fancy dress before heading to bars to celebrate their successful graduation - seemed good humoured and the local student hanging around the street corners took great delight in joining in.
On return to the hotel I set off for a short 4 mile run before we set off for yet another disappointing dinner in Venice. The best food so far has been in the hotel that we are staying in with people following the crowds to cardboard pizza shops that look a lot less tasty than the local Dunfermline Pizza's.
This morning the sun shone and I set off in my newly purchased Decathlon running kit, well I'd used all the stuff I brought and another tee shirt and shorts won't go unused! I ran just under 13km bring my total to just under 60km for the week which was ok I think. I was plodding along listening to some good country stuff when a runner heading towards me crossed the road, I followed him past me when out of the corner of my eye I saw the largest tractor, 4 wheels at the front bearing down on me from behind. There are no pavements so running on the road is obligatory but the sight of this monster just behind me almost brought on an involuntary episode of the runners trots! I jumped out of the way and waved him on his way!
Running here has been a joy and I'm going to miss not having to battle the elements ever time I'm out training.
So we head home in the morning. I'm looking forward to catching up with friends and family wit the quiz night in Carnock on Saturday night a particular highlight. Looking at the forecast I'll be digging out the longs and tops for the bike which I confess I'm looking forward to getting out on at the weekend. I've missed the bike and it will be good to be re-united with the Trek even if it's windy, cold and wet. You can't beat home!
Tuesday 16 April 2013
A wee 5 mile plod in the afternoon sun
The last couple of days have been awesome. The sun has shone and despite this and the climbing temperature guage the locals still appear out on their road bikes in full winter kit. They seem very confused about the seasons here retaining winter coats I guess until the weather is well into the 80's unlike Scotland where a glimpse of the sun has us rushing for our shorts and tee shirts.
I set off for a run this afternoon thinking about the injustice of the planet giving all of these people lovely warm weather but an inability to enjoy it in the belief that they are still in winter. I decided to loop around the outside of the village and enjoy the peace and quiet that the country roads offered. This was a far cry from the rest of the day with was spent in Padova. Padova, Danielle tells me is mentioned in a Shakespeare play and I suppose armed with this knowledge and little Shakespeare reading behind me, other than the mandatory McBeth, we set off to explore an historic town steeped in things to explore and see.
Padova is not the town that Shakespeare wrote about. It's a busy University town with bustling markets and angry drivers keen to explore their musical talents using the only instrument at hand, their horn. It tended to be used more particularly at daft foreign drivers looking for places to park in chaotic streets. I've learned to drive like an Italian over the last few days with indicators now not part of my driving regime, swapping lanes without warning and stopping without warning all new skills learned and practiced.
We parked up in an underground garage, another mistake, multiplied by the helpful chap standing waiting to park your car. This was going to be expensive but I was grateful to dump the car after a stressful 30 minutes drive into Shakespeare's city.
We wandered aimlessly looking at the markets and shops. They like their designers here and all of the shops are either designer or Primark look a likes with little in between. I reckon all we will take home is a few extra pounds from too many pizza's. Our wander eventually led to a Gelato distributor - today's one wasn't as good as few of the others but it did a job. Danielle has convinced me that Gelato is much lower fat than ice cream so I have embraced this knowledge with gusto and have enjoyed many low calorie treats!
Anyway back to the run. I love running in the sun, music blasting some great Love and Theft in my ears and me occasionally joining in whilst running - must of sounded like a wailing banshee to any poor passers by. After a mile or so I passed by a rare sight, a cyclist in shorts and a cycling tee. What was wrong with this poor chap I thought? Well as he stopped at the lights I noticed he was wearing a US Navy cycling shirt which made him proper hard!
I was moving ok - I seem to be slower these days so my usual stagger now only reaches a plod whereas in the past I think I could run - old age doesn't come alone! Everything was fine until I got the first twinge that is a pre-cursor of, and sorry to be crude, but the runners trots made famous by Paula in the London Marathon a few years ago. There is nothing worse than being caught short in the middle of nowhere......except maybe being caught short in the middle of a housing estate like today. I stopped, dealt withe stomach cramps and headed for home. Only problem was I didn't know where the hotel was. Thankfully google maps in hand I limped my way back to the hotel, grimacing at the lovely receptionist on the way past. Not pleasant!
So I have one set of sports kit left and am keen to do a long run so probably going to take the hotel bike out for a spin tomorrow and then run again on Thursday after a day at the lido - might get a swim in but if it's at the current sea temperature don't hold your breath.
We were thinking about another of Shakespeare's Italian towns Verona but I think will give it a miss. After today I don't think my heart will stand the strain!
I would be remiss not to mention the senseless bombing in Boston. Many on the DCC forum plus a few other friends are runners that are planning to run a marathon or have run marathons and I feel so much for all of those affected. The bomb as well as taking lives has robbed many of limbs which will change their lives forever. I don't get it or try to understand it. Violence is the cowards way out of making a point and it a point that is not well made. I hope that people that did this really struggle to live with what they have done and realise the pointlessness of the action that they have taken. It's a sad day for Boston, the families affected and the running community around the world.
On a positive note Italian TV is showing the replay of a race from 1958 in black and white filmed from the support vehicle which is fascinating watching for me if a little less gripping for Danielle!!
I set off for a run this afternoon thinking about the injustice of the planet giving all of these people lovely warm weather but an inability to enjoy it in the belief that they are still in winter. I decided to loop around the outside of the village and enjoy the peace and quiet that the country roads offered. This was a far cry from the rest of the day with was spent in Padova. Padova, Danielle tells me is mentioned in a Shakespeare play and I suppose armed with this knowledge and little Shakespeare reading behind me, other than the mandatory McBeth, we set off to explore an historic town steeped in things to explore and see.
Padova is not the town that Shakespeare wrote about. It's a busy University town with bustling markets and angry drivers keen to explore their musical talents using the only instrument at hand, their horn. It tended to be used more particularly at daft foreign drivers looking for places to park in chaotic streets. I've learned to drive like an Italian over the last few days with indicators now not part of my driving regime, swapping lanes without warning and stopping without warning all new skills learned and practiced.
We parked up in an underground garage, another mistake, multiplied by the helpful chap standing waiting to park your car. This was going to be expensive but I was grateful to dump the car after a stressful 30 minutes drive into Shakespeare's city.
We wandered aimlessly looking at the markets and shops. They like their designers here and all of the shops are either designer or Primark look a likes with little in between. I reckon all we will take home is a few extra pounds from too many pizza's. Our wander eventually led to a Gelato distributor - today's one wasn't as good as few of the others but it did a job. Danielle has convinced me that Gelato is much lower fat than ice cream so I have embraced this knowledge with gusto and have enjoyed many low calorie treats!
Anyway back to the run. I love running in the sun, music blasting some great Love and Theft in my ears and me occasionally joining in whilst running - must of sounded like a wailing banshee to any poor passers by. After a mile or so I passed by a rare sight, a cyclist in shorts and a cycling tee. What was wrong with this poor chap I thought? Well as he stopped at the lights I noticed he was wearing a US Navy cycling shirt which made him proper hard!
I was moving ok - I seem to be slower these days so my usual stagger now only reaches a plod whereas in the past I think I could run - old age doesn't come alone! Everything was fine until I got the first twinge that is a pre-cursor of, and sorry to be crude, but the runners trots made famous by Paula in the London Marathon a few years ago. There is nothing worse than being caught short in the middle of nowhere......except maybe being caught short in the middle of a housing estate like today. I stopped, dealt withe stomach cramps and headed for home. Only problem was I didn't know where the hotel was. Thankfully google maps in hand I limped my way back to the hotel, grimacing at the lovely receptionist on the way past. Not pleasant!
So I have one set of sports kit left and am keen to do a long run so probably going to take the hotel bike out for a spin tomorrow and then run again on Thursday after a day at the lido - might get a swim in but if it's at the current sea temperature don't hold your breath.
We were thinking about another of Shakespeare's Italian towns Verona but I think will give it a miss. After today I don't think my heart will stand the strain!
I would be remiss not to mention the senseless bombing in Boston. Many on the DCC forum plus a few other friends are runners that are planning to run a marathon or have run marathons and I feel so much for all of those affected. The bomb as well as taking lives has robbed many of limbs which will change their lives forever. I don't get it or try to understand it. Violence is the cowards way out of making a point and it a point that is not well made. I hope that people that did this really struggle to live with what they have done and realise the pointlessness of the action that they have taken. It's a sad day for Boston, the families affected and the running community around the world.
On a positive note Italian TV is showing the replay of a race from 1958 in black and white filmed from the support vehicle which is fascinating watching for me if a little less gripping for Danielle!!
Sunday 14 April 2013
They don't like it up em.....
The Venetian weather has been magnificent so far and we have basked in above average temperatures under sun kissed blue skies. Even better news is that the forecast is like this for the week ahead.
Yesterday I acquainted myself with the local roads running 12km in just on an hour which wasn't too bad for a fat lad like me. This morning I awoke to sunlit skies and headed out once more but this time in the opposite direction.
The Italians have kept there religious side and many were heading to Church when I went out for a run. It was great to see families all dressed up with 3 generations walking together to share their belief in the Spring sunshine.
I plodded off with no garmin to help me judge my speed as for some reason my GPS had switched off and it wasn't giving me any readings other than time. So today I decided to run out 40 minutes before turning to complete an 80 minute run. It was superb. I ran along the banks of the canal loving every second. I said Bonjourno to everyone I passed, they ignored me except for one other runner who I had said morning to instead of bonjourno and they responded probably more in surprise than anything else.
Apart from the fishing competitions and the number of large bike groups I saw the run was unremarkable but enjoyable. I always enjoy heading out and hoping that I'll find my way back!
We set off and went up to Mestre, the next largest town in the area. It was lovely and the town centre was full of earnest men having earnest conversations. This felt very appropriate as it was my brother in law, Earnest's, birthday - Happy Birthday Ernie! They are a serious nation and I love they way the town centre's are a kids playground with everyone very relaxed and seemingly at ease with other - didn't feel like Dunfermline town centre today!
So after a wander around the local town, I decided to borrow the hotel bike. It's no carbon, shimano clad dream machine more a basic sit up and beg type Captain Mannering run about. The seat was too low but I didn't want to ask for a spanner in case I caused huge offence so I set off.
It was a single speed, maroon ladies bike and despite the poor set up and riding position I wound it up to the fastest speed I could. I followed the route of this mornings run with my hands in the nest time trialling position I could muster. I was flying along and I loved it, I passed bike after bike, granted most were being ridden by elderly ladies who I whooshed past with apparent ease.
I'm sure when Lance said it's not about the bike it was these moments he craved - or maybe not! I was loving being out when I spied in the distance a road bike with a brightly clad lycra wearing biker ahead. That was all I needed, I was off like a tortoise chasing a sloth - i gained on the fully kitted out biker before flying past on the last bend before the lights. I was in heaven and I couldn't help but remember Corporal Jones shouting 'they don't like it up em' as I cruised to a halt at the lights. My day was complete - not only was I one of the few cyclists out in short sleeves and a tee shirt but the single speed was flying along overtaking fully loaded road bikes!
All too soon I turned for home and made it back to the hotel in one piece. To date the drivers have been very courteous and left plenty of room when I've been running or on the bike.
Danielle had spent the afternoon chilling out but I was ready for something else so I headed down to the rear garden of the hotel and did a circuit session for an hour. It was fab working out in the sunshine and I loved most of the workout but by the time I started it with a longish run and a TT bike in the bank I felt tired. But I planned to do a circuit session so that's what I did,
I must have looked a bit of a twit but I didn't care and just did it. One hour later, drenched in sweat I went off for a shower,
The holiday has been brilliant so far but I think I'll need the launderette soon as I'm running out of sport's kit!
Yesterday I acquainted myself with the local roads running 12km in just on an hour which wasn't too bad for a fat lad like me. This morning I awoke to sunlit skies and headed out once more but this time in the opposite direction.
The Italians have kept there religious side and many were heading to Church when I went out for a run. It was great to see families all dressed up with 3 generations walking together to share their belief in the Spring sunshine.
I plodded off with no garmin to help me judge my speed as for some reason my GPS had switched off and it wasn't giving me any readings other than time. So today I decided to run out 40 minutes before turning to complete an 80 minute run. It was superb. I ran along the banks of the canal loving every second. I said Bonjourno to everyone I passed, they ignored me except for one other runner who I had said morning to instead of bonjourno and they responded probably more in surprise than anything else.
Apart from the fishing competitions and the number of large bike groups I saw the run was unremarkable but enjoyable. I always enjoy heading out and hoping that I'll find my way back!
We set off and went up to Mestre, the next largest town in the area. It was lovely and the town centre was full of earnest men having earnest conversations. This felt very appropriate as it was my brother in law, Earnest's, birthday - Happy Birthday Ernie! They are a serious nation and I love they way the town centre's are a kids playground with everyone very relaxed and seemingly at ease with other - didn't feel like Dunfermline town centre today!
So after a wander around the local town, I decided to borrow the hotel bike. It's no carbon, shimano clad dream machine more a basic sit up and beg type Captain Mannering run about. The seat was too low but I didn't want to ask for a spanner in case I caused huge offence so I set off.
It was a single speed, maroon ladies bike and despite the poor set up and riding position I wound it up to the fastest speed I could. I followed the route of this mornings run with my hands in the nest time trialling position I could muster. I was flying along and I loved it, I passed bike after bike, granted most were being ridden by elderly ladies who I whooshed past with apparent ease.
I'm sure when Lance said it's not about the bike it was these moments he craved - or maybe not! I was loving being out when I spied in the distance a road bike with a brightly clad lycra wearing biker ahead. That was all I needed, I was off like a tortoise chasing a sloth - i gained on the fully kitted out biker before flying past on the last bend before the lights. I was in heaven and I couldn't help but remember Corporal Jones shouting 'they don't like it up em' as I cruised to a halt at the lights. My day was complete - not only was I one of the few cyclists out in short sleeves and a tee shirt but the single speed was flying along overtaking fully loaded road bikes!
All too soon I turned for home and made it back to the hotel in one piece. To date the drivers have been very courteous and left plenty of room when I've been running or on the bike.
Danielle had spent the afternoon chilling out but I was ready for something else so I headed down to the rear garden of the hotel and did a circuit session for an hour. It was fab working out in the sunshine and I loved most of the workout but by the time I started it with a longish run and a TT bike in the bank I felt tired. But I planned to do a circuit session so that's what I did,
I must have looked a bit of a twit but I didn't care and just did it. One hour later, drenched in sweat I went off for a shower,
The holiday has been brilliant so far but I think I'll need the launderette soon as I'm running out of sport's kit!
Friday 12 April 2013
A week lost.....
To continue the lost theme of the last few weeks, work has been really busy and I seem to have lost a weeks training. Since the race last weekend I have managed a 6 mile walk and a very short pedal which is not the training of champions. I felt pretty tired after last week's adventure race and I think it was wise to recover from that. In addition the week has been manic with a project handover completing a complex fit out yesterday before a dinner that was being hosted in the space last night.
I recently sat down with Iain Taylor and we decided against the Ireman. A number of reasons behind the decision but as I feel behind with my bike training I confess feeling a little relieved at the decision. We are more than likely going to enter the Scottish Long Distance Championships in Kenmore which co-incidentally takes place on the same weekend as the Ireman. This is a half distance event including a mind numbingly cold swim in a dark Scottish loch, a 90km bike course that takes you over Schehallion twice and a very pleasant half marathon to finish off. I have done it once before and Iain had a successful outing there a couple of years ago running the final leg for Perth Triathlon.
So what to do instead? Do I save myself for Ironman Kalmar in 2014 or just go for one of the later Challenge events in September or October. My 50th birthday is in October and I'm planning to run the Dublin marathon 4 days after the big day with my friend, Fiona Stalley. She has been beating herself on the insanity DVD that Danielle, my wife, has just completed and I know will be in fantastic shape for the marathon later in the year.
This should be the year that as an age grouper I should be racing seriously within my age category as I'll be in the young 50 to 55 age group! However, I'm not a racer against others and have always raced myself so the fifty something me is hoping to be able to beat the best the forty something me could do in the past. I guess we are all like that as we strive to beat our previous personal bests in whatever the race or even on a Saturday bike ride looking at the clock and Strava!
The plan at the start of the year was to beat my best Ironman time of 14:15 and to this end I have been looking at the flatter races that are still available. So at the moment I think I can still get into most of the Challenge series races that are being held around Europe with a choice of Vichy in France, Almere in Holland or Barcelona. They are exactly the same as the Ironman distance just a different brand that offers a similar experience. Almere and Vichy are in mid September with Barcelona at the start of October.
Travelling to Vichy looks a nightmare and flying to Barcelona direct seems a challenge as we'll since the demise of Globespan so I thinking might pack the bike into the car and take the ferry to Amsterdam and try Challenge Almere. The bike course is going to be flat with the main potential test being the wind, the swim is in the harbour area which looks pretty unappealing but assuming I avoid vials disease should be fine and the run loops around the harbour area.
The race looks fast and is apparently on of the oldest triathlons in Europe which I assume has been bought by the Challenge group as part of their 'family' of long distance races. I've not ventured away from Ironman yet so it will be interesting to see how the races differ from the original. Ironman do the events brilliantly and I love the whole hoopla around the events that starts a few days before each race. They are brilliantly organised with good race villages tempting you to spend on the latest kit and must have accessories. I remember sitting outside having lunch the day before Ironman Austria beside a Spanish racer also completing his first Ironman. We got chatting, in English of course, and shared each others worries and nerves. He looked fit, tanned and ready to race but was nervous about the swim and how he was going to feel on the run. I think our shared lack of confidence somehow helped us both as we realised that we weren't alone feeling uncertain of the journey that lay ahead. I bumped into him about 30km into the run, he was just ahead of me and struggling. We stopped as we crossed on the out and back course and I offered a bit of encouragement as he did with me and it the little things that give you the extra shuffle to get you home. I didn't see him at the end but I checked and he finished a few minutes ahead of me.
Ironman is a great place to meet people and I know that I have made friends at races that I will stay in touch with for ever. I know that Iain T had the same experience in Wales a couple of years ago and still shares contact with people from around the globe who raced and commented on the race that day. I hope that the Challenge series builds the same camaraderie but I suppose I will need to wait and see.
Danielle is happy to come over and it's always good to have her around post race to pick up the pieces. She assures me that spectating is harder than competing an ironman and she will be more exhausted than me at the end of the day. I think I agree as it must be difficult watching someone you love push themselves to the max for 14 hours. Danielle is always encouraging and seems to know exactly what to say when I'm trailing my heels after 30km of the marathon!
I suppose I should change the name of the blog to something else as the up for down reference was up for County Down where the race was being held. If I go to Almere it is close to Amsterdam so there are a few opportunities around that as I do like 'swimming below the sea (level)' or 'just another (al) mere ironman!' but I guess I leave it as it is.
I have the next week off and whilst I'm off I'm planning a few bike rides and some runs. I might do some swims as well but have decided to focus on the other disciplines this week to try and start to get myself back on track. My weight is going well with me back into the 13's again having now shifted around one and a half stone.
There is a glimmer of hope that Spring might leap into action with some giddy double digit temperatures forecast but I'm not packing away the winter kit just yet.
Tickets for the event on 11 May have sold like hot cakes with only about 20 left so if you are interested you will need to move fast. The band has been working on some writing related covers for the night such as 'Saturday Nights All Right for Writing' and 'All Write Now' - should be a blast with the race night as well.
I recently sat down with Iain Taylor and we decided against the Ireman. A number of reasons behind the decision but as I feel behind with my bike training I confess feeling a little relieved at the decision. We are more than likely going to enter the Scottish Long Distance Championships in Kenmore which co-incidentally takes place on the same weekend as the Ireman. This is a half distance event including a mind numbingly cold swim in a dark Scottish loch, a 90km bike course that takes you over Schehallion twice and a very pleasant half marathon to finish off. I have done it once before and Iain had a successful outing there a couple of years ago running the final leg for Perth Triathlon.
So what to do instead? Do I save myself for Ironman Kalmar in 2014 or just go for one of the later Challenge events in September or October. My 50th birthday is in October and I'm planning to run the Dublin marathon 4 days after the big day with my friend, Fiona Stalley. She has been beating herself on the insanity DVD that Danielle, my wife, has just completed and I know will be in fantastic shape for the marathon later in the year.
This should be the year that as an age grouper I should be racing seriously within my age category as I'll be in the young 50 to 55 age group! However, I'm not a racer against others and have always raced myself so the fifty something me is hoping to be able to beat the best the forty something me could do in the past. I guess we are all like that as we strive to beat our previous personal bests in whatever the race or even on a Saturday bike ride looking at the clock and Strava!
The plan at the start of the year was to beat my best Ironman time of 14:15 and to this end I have been looking at the flatter races that are still available. So at the moment I think I can still get into most of the Challenge series races that are being held around Europe with a choice of Vichy in France, Almere in Holland or Barcelona. They are exactly the same as the Ironman distance just a different brand that offers a similar experience. Almere and Vichy are in mid September with Barcelona at the start of October.
Travelling to Vichy looks a nightmare and flying to Barcelona direct seems a challenge as we'll since the demise of Globespan so I thinking might pack the bike into the car and take the ferry to Amsterdam and try Challenge Almere. The bike course is going to be flat with the main potential test being the wind, the swim is in the harbour area which looks pretty unappealing but assuming I avoid vials disease should be fine and the run loops around the harbour area.
The race looks fast and is apparently on of the oldest triathlons in Europe which I assume has been bought by the Challenge group as part of their 'family' of long distance races. I've not ventured away from Ironman yet so it will be interesting to see how the races differ from the original. Ironman do the events brilliantly and I love the whole hoopla around the events that starts a few days before each race. They are brilliantly organised with good race villages tempting you to spend on the latest kit and must have accessories. I remember sitting outside having lunch the day before Ironman Austria beside a Spanish racer also completing his first Ironman. We got chatting, in English of course, and shared each others worries and nerves. He looked fit, tanned and ready to race but was nervous about the swim and how he was going to feel on the run. I think our shared lack of confidence somehow helped us both as we realised that we weren't alone feeling uncertain of the journey that lay ahead. I bumped into him about 30km into the run, he was just ahead of me and struggling. We stopped as we crossed on the out and back course and I offered a bit of encouragement as he did with me and it the little things that give you the extra shuffle to get you home. I didn't see him at the end but I checked and he finished a few minutes ahead of me.
Ironman is a great place to meet people and I know that I have made friends at races that I will stay in touch with for ever. I know that Iain T had the same experience in Wales a couple of years ago and still shares contact with people from around the globe who raced and commented on the race that day. I hope that the Challenge series builds the same camaraderie but I suppose I will need to wait and see.
Danielle is happy to come over and it's always good to have her around post race to pick up the pieces. She assures me that spectating is harder than competing an ironman and she will be more exhausted than me at the end of the day. I think I agree as it must be difficult watching someone you love push themselves to the max for 14 hours. Danielle is always encouraging and seems to know exactly what to say when I'm trailing my heels after 30km of the marathon!
I suppose I should change the name of the blog to something else as the up for down reference was up for County Down where the race was being held. If I go to Almere it is close to Amsterdam so there are a few opportunities around that as I do like 'swimming below the sea (level)' or 'just another (al) mere ironman!' but I guess I leave it as it is.
I have the next week off and whilst I'm off I'm planning a few bike rides and some runs. I might do some swims as well but have decided to focus on the other disciplines this week to try and start to get myself back on track. My weight is going well with me back into the 13's again having now shifted around one and a half stone.
There is a glimmer of hope that Spring might leap into action with some giddy double digit temperatures forecast but I'm not packing away the winter kit just yet.
Tickets for the event on 11 May have sold like hot cakes with only about 20 left so if you are interested you will need to move fast. The band has been working on some writing related covers for the night such as 'Saturday Nights All Right for Writing' and 'All Write Now' - should be a blast with the race night as well.
Sunday 7 April 2013
Lost again - this week in the Lake District!
Well what an adventure that turned out to be!
I met Neil, my mate and racing partner, at the Abington Service Station. We decided coffee was the plan and headed in to grab a cup and pay for the overnight parking - Neil was appalled that every car going into the car park is photographed and recorded into the system. I wondered if we might appear on this week's Crimewatch after another criminal race performance!
The drive down to Keswick was uneventful and as we arrived in Thorntonwaite where the race was based we decided to drop our kit off at the B & B and have a drive around before an early supper.
Our B & B was slightly out of the village but with 350 other racers we figured it would be busy with other teams - worryingly they were no other cars in the car park. The house looked like something out of Bleak House or Wuthering Heights and when the door creaked open we were welcomed by someone who looked very similar to the Kathy Bates character in Misery. She limped into the damp smelling corridor and asked us to go up the stairs ahead of her. I was half expecting the shotgun to come out and our imprisonment to start - suddenly I thought back to the Service Station when video would be rolled out as the last sighting of the boys heading for the race!!
She showed us our overpriced accommodation. The room was baltic and as the temperature was dropping outside I looked at the radiators longingly hoping that Kathy was going to switch on the heating. She recommended a couple of restaurants as we flew out the door! Map in hand we drove the likely area's the race would be run - we always do this with little impact but traditions need to be maintained. You can see from the photo that the weather was pretty outstanding, 10 degrees and sun splitting the sky! Just awesome.
We had booked a local hotel and after tinkering with my bike to get the front gears working a bit better we headed for dinner. The food was pretty good polished off with rice pudding, the food of champions. Then it was back to Kathy's - the place was in darkness and as the sun at set our guest house looked even more foreboding! Neil suggested a bit of telly so we moved into the communal lounge and watched NCIS to kill a little time. No sign of Kathy so we sat listening for the creak of floorboards that might signal Kathy's presence!
So bed was early and with no internet in Bleak House, a baltic room I decided that climbing into bed for an early night was the only option. I actually slept pretty well.....
So today was an early start followed by a scalding shower. Neil's shower was too hot and didn't appear to have a cold tap so he came through and burnt himself on my shower! Breakfast was porridge, banana and eggs and Kathy came up trumps especially as it didn't seem to contain any sleep inducing stuff and we left alive and not tied to the bed!
The Open Adventure 5 series races are brilliant - 5 hours to pick up as many points as possible using mountain bike and trail running. You get a map and then when you cross the start line you get given the points for each of the dibbing stations. Having messed up last week we took more time to make sure our route was sorted. Of course we changed it immediately after starting! Fortunately our decisions we a bit better this week and our route seemed to be a good choice.
Anyway we reached the first junction and unbelievably made a mistake and went the wrong way. After that we decided not to worry and were faced with the first major climb of the day and despite the steep climb we were moving pretty quickly. We decided to carry on round the perimeter of the route and the views were stunning - once we reached the second half of the course we had another big decision to make and we made another mistake missing out on some more big value points. I think we thought the course was bigger than it was and we could easily have picked up all of the points on the bike before heading on to the run.
The bike course included some classic single track, fire tracks and single track roads and it was magical. There are times that the race goes out of the window and you just marvel in the stunning location. Today I felt lucky to be alive (especially after our visit to Kathy!) until I had my Basil Fawlty moment shouting at my bike. The chain kept on getting stuck between the back wheel and rear cog. After the 10th time I stopped the bike and having shouted at it, there were no branches to thrash it with, tweaked the rear derailleur. Eventually after a few attempted it stopped flicking over the cogs but then would not go into the biggest of the rear cogs - I felt frustrated by the bike today. The front forks were banging on the bumps (not sure why), my brakes didn't seem to bind as they normally do and I nearly wiped out Neil when he stopped at a turn and my gears were a nightmare. The front derailleur was difficult to shift with the levers very stiff and the rear gears jumped about all day - made riding any gradient a real nightmare! Need to get it sorted!
One of the key things about any endurance races is, not to put too fine a point on it, making sure that body is in harmony at the start of the race and all of the facilities have been used - if you know what I mean! Sadly my body had no harmony today and my stomach was playing tunes all day long. They weren't good tunes with the trouser trumpet leading the orchestra!! I felt pretty miserable by the run and slowed Neil down to trot.
Neil looked at me at me grimacing and kindly offered to call it a day. We could have raced up one hill and collected a few more points but Neil suggested that we revel in the scenery and enjoy the trot back to the finish. It was good of him and as a result we slipped a few spots closer to the bottom of the leader board.
If is not a word I turn to often but today there were many ifs. If we had not missed the first checkpoint, if we had gone to pick up the high points, if we had stuck top the route and picked up mark 10, if our running had been better - today we were close to doing well but mistakes are costly and once you make them hard to unpick in hilly and challenging environments. I love these sorts of races, win or lose, to me the taking part and being out in amazing countryside with fantastic views is what it's all about. It's so different from Ironman, you know the route, you know what you have to do and you know the distances. A road bike is a predictable beast that moves with you whereas a mountain bike feels like an alien that needs balance to ride and we were only on red runs today which are the moderate difficulty ones.
I think I need more mountain bike skills time to be a better rider - Neil is technically much better and has a grace about the way he moves the bike around the hill - I have the grace of an elephant on a mountain bike and find any single track massively challenging. In some respects this makes mountain bike riding more fun in that there are so many changing conditions. Tyre pressure, choice of route and speed are all elements that need careful consideration - I seem to get it wrong more than right as I usually pump my tyres too hard for the conditions but despite all of my incompetence and inability I love it!
So onwards with the training before our holiday. This week I'm planning some cross training, running and hopefully biking but that will be weather dependant!
I met Neil, my mate and racing partner, at the Abington Service Station. We decided coffee was the plan and headed in to grab a cup and pay for the overnight parking - Neil was appalled that every car going into the car park is photographed and recorded into the system. I wondered if we might appear on this week's Crimewatch after another criminal race performance!
The drive down to Keswick was uneventful and as we arrived in Thorntonwaite where the race was based we decided to drop our kit off at the B & B and have a drive around before an early supper.
Our B & B was slightly out of the village but with 350 other racers we figured it would be busy with other teams - worryingly they were no other cars in the car park. The house looked like something out of Bleak House or Wuthering Heights and when the door creaked open we were welcomed by someone who looked very similar to the Kathy Bates character in Misery. She limped into the damp smelling corridor and asked us to go up the stairs ahead of her. I was half expecting the shotgun to come out and our imprisonment to start - suddenly I thought back to the Service Station when video would be rolled out as the last sighting of the boys heading for the race!!
She showed us our overpriced accommodation. The room was baltic and as the temperature was dropping outside I looked at the radiators longingly hoping that Kathy was going to switch on the heating. She recommended a couple of restaurants as we flew out the door! Map in hand we drove the likely area's the race would be run - we always do this with little impact but traditions need to be maintained. You can see from the photo that the weather was pretty outstanding, 10 degrees and sun splitting the sky! Just awesome.
We had booked a local hotel and after tinkering with my bike to get the front gears working a bit better we headed for dinner. The food was pretty good polished off with rice pudding, the food of champions. Then it was back to Kathy's - the place was in darkness and as the sun at set our guest house looked even more foreboding! Neil suggested a bit of telly so we moved into the communal lounge and watched NCIS to kill a little time. No sign of Kathy so we sat listening for the creak of floorboards that might signal Kathy's presence!
So bed was early and with no internet in Bleak House, a baltic room I decided that climbing into bed for an early night was the only option. I actually slept pretty well.....
So today was an early start followed by a scalding shower. Neil's shower was too hot and didn't appear to have a cold tap so he came through and burnt himself on my shower! Breakfast was porridge, banana and eggs and Kathy came up trumps especially as it didn't seem to contain any sleep inducing stuff and we left alive and not tied to the bed!
The Open Adventure 5 series races are brilliant - 5 hours to pick up as many points as possible using mountain bike and trail running. You get a map and then when you cross the start line you get given the points for each of the dibbing stations. Having messed up last week we took more time to make sure our route was sorted. Of course we changed it immediately after starting! Fortunately our decisions we a bit better this week and our route seemed to be a good choice.
Anyway we reached the first junction and unbelievably made a mistake and went the wrong way. After that we decided not to worry and were faced with the first major climb of the day and despite the steep climb we were moving pretty quickly. We decided to carry on round the perimeter of the route and the views were stunning - once we reached the second half of the course we had another big decision to make and we made another mistake missing out on some more big value points. I think we thought the course was bigger than it was and we could easily have picked up all of the points on the bike before heading on to the run.
The bike course included some classic single track, fire tracks and single track roads and it was magical. There are times that the race goes out of the window and you just marvel in the stunning location. Today I felt lucky to be alive (especially after our visit to Kathy!) until I had my Basil Fawlty moment shouting at my bike. The chain kept on getting stuck between the back wheel and rear cog. After the 10th time I stopped the bike and having shouted at it, there were no branches to thrash it with, tweaked the rear derailleur. Eventually after a few attempted it stopped flicking over the cogs but then would not go into the biggest of the rear cogs - I felt frustrated by the bike today. The front forks were banging on the bumps (not sure why), my brakes didn't seem to bind as they normally do and I nearly wiped out Neil when he stopped at a turn and my gears were a nightmare. The front derailleur was difficult to shift with the levers very stiff and the rear gears jumped about all day - made riding any gradient a real nightmare! Need to get it sorted!
One of the key things about any endurance races is, not to put too fine a point on it, making sure that body is in harmony at the start of the race and all of the facilities have been used - if you know what I mean! Sadly my body had no harmony today and my stomach was playing tunes all day long. They weren't good tunes with the trouser trumpet leading the orchestra!! I felt pretty miserable by the run and slowed Neil down to trot.
Neil looked at me at me grimacing and kindly offered to call it a day. We could have raced up one hill and collected a few more points but Neil suggested that we revel in the scenery and enjoy the trot back to the finish. It was good of him and as a result we slipped a few spots closer to the bottom of the leader board.
If is not a word I turn to often but today there were many ifs. If we had not missed the first checkpoint, if we had gone to pick up the high points, if we had stuck top the route and picked up mark 10, if our running had been better - today we were close to doing well but mistakes are costly and once you make them hard to unpick in hilly and challenging environments. I love these sorts of races, win or lose, to me the taking part and being out in amazing countryside with fantastic views is what it's all about. It's so different from Ironman, you know the route, you know what you have to do and you know the distances. A road bike is a predictable beast that moves with you whereas a mountain bike feels like an alien that needs balance to ride and we were only on red runs today which are the moderate difficulty ones.
I think I need more mountain bike skills time to be a better rider - Neil is technically much better and has a grace about the way he moves the bike around the hill - I have the grace of an elephant on a mountain bike and find any single track massively challenging. In some respects this makes mountain bike riding more fun in that there are so many changing conditions. Tyre pressure, choice of route and speed are all elements that need careful consideration - I seem to get it wrong more than right as I usually pump my tyres too hard for the conditions but despite all of my incompetence and inability I love it!
So onwards with the training before our holiday. This week I'm planning some cross training, running and hopefully biking but that will be weather dependant!
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