A long run

Today's run was serendipity on a full scale. I set out in fleece leggings, really not wanting to get too cold after last night.  I carried a spare lycra pair to change to when I got too hot. I 're-traced our Christmas day ride up the Rivelin (fine running) then up onto the top road.

Snow line

The sun came up as I entered the snow line and for a moment it all felt very spring Alpine. Spin drift blew off the field and flurried in the road. It looked pretty but I knew it was going to hurt. It stung the side of my face as I was forced to walk past because of the verglass forming on the broken tarmac.

Despite the return of the sun, the top path was slithery, a real slog to run.  I'd done 8km by the time I got there. Bang on target. Time to head home but after the struggle, I was glad to drop back down to the A57 and onto the Rivelin /Redmires Dam trail. I forgot myself and headed for the farthest reservoir to home leaving me a long slog back. My decision making sloshed between "direct and easy" and "the path less trodden".

It's not surprising I'll never beat any of my friends' half marathon times with route-planning like this.

I had a major sense of humour fail after the second time following foot prints down a dead end route. When I got back on track I considered phoning TSK for a pick-up but the brain resisted, figuring I could always walk the last 4k.

My plan had been to put on the fleece leggings I set out in. I didn't factor a complete inability to untie my shoelaces.

So after my 10 miles session was complete, I walk /ran the last 4k through more snow and mud thinking how enjoyable it can be to go beyond limits and how great it is to complain about it. I can't say I loved every minute and I am far too knackered to swim tonight now but I managed the downhill to my door, took pride in the house that we don't yet own (on my way past) and really do feel better for having gone out with a rucksack and needed every item of clothing in it.

Epic weekend

This may lead to some discomfort!

It has been a long time since I've come in from a Saturday "night" "out" to the sound of the heating coming on.  Back then it was for very different reasons.  Last night I drove home from Oxford, setting out at midnight.  We stopped every hour or so for me to sleep for 2 hours before pressing on. TSK drove the last leg as I just couldn't wake up.

Still, after a lie-in till 11am, I'm ready for today's 10 mile run and possibly the swim that follows.

I'm not sure I am ready for the epic pile of yesterday's stinking laundry.

In other news, on reflecting the last two weeks efforts, I am proud that in a week when I contracted salmonella I still manged 48% of my Ironman training plan.  I'm not sure that bimbling about town on my touring bike doing shopping counts but I am claiming it regardless.  FTW.

Forestman Bike Recce

Thngs that went wrong

• Got up too late
• Decided it was a good idea to true my wheels in the hotel
• Decided it was a good idea to write out the instructions in Audax language, not realising they would still be unintelligible on the road
• One nipple crumbled to dust
• Long drive to Fordingbridge
• Didn't bring a map and had to buy one
• Ate half my lunch and forgot to carry any food.
• Looked at the sky and thought "it will just be the odd spot of rain"
• Light weight waterproof and No mudguards.
• Got too wet to stop and make use of the heavy lock I packed Eg. Tea stop, beer, pub dinner, cry into pint
• Following the instructions. Not following the instructions
• Leaving my Garmin balanced on the bike rack whilst I drove up to Oxford (considering the state of Britain's roads, it's a miracle it stayed put to be rescued 2 hours later)

Things that went right

• County lanes
• Trepid-friendly technical course                                        
• Ponies every where
• Herd of donkeys
• Retired policeman who rode and chatted with me when I most needed it - when I was soaking, cold, unable to read the soggy toilet paper that was my directions and ready to give up and go home
• The misty sunset over the New Forest national park

• Still finding the motivation to ride 100m up the road to trip the distance over to 80km
• Having a Vanu to change and get warm in
• Getting to know the area and the terrain, even if I wasn't on the right roads.
• Finding Sandy Balls unusually pleasant for a family holiday resort and looking forward to returning

The Beast and Friends

"I love the beast. I actually look forward to the beast showing up because every time he does, I handle him better. I get him more under control." Lisa Smith-Batchen on fatigue.

I woke up. I stared at the wall. I still felt sleepy but no matter what I did, I couldn't go back to sleep. My tummy rumbled. The clock said 3.45. If I got up to eat there would be little point in returning to bed. I had to leave for Norfolk at 5am.  I tried to pretend I wasn't hungry.

I pretended to snooze. My brain started to think about work so I thought of something nice. Running. I got excited. I thought about my favourite bits of my favourite book and those words went through my head.

"The only way to truly conquer something is to love it."

I swung my feet out of the bed.  To hell with sleep.

I was going in search of the beast.  

I  At 4.15 I said goodbye to TSK and set off to Norfolk.

For 2 hours I drove through fog listening to Sarah Cox et all ranting it was going to be warmer than Spain, Greece, barmy!

Eventually Mr Sun made his big red appearance.

Suddenly distracted and invigorated, it was a wonder that I even saw the Tawny Owl sweep across the road right before me and settle on a fence post.

We shared a look that said, "I won't tell anyone if you don't".

I had to get out there. I know, I was supposed to be working but  "I won't tell anyone if you don't".

I span out the drive as long as possible balancing temperature rise against the ever dwindling remnants of breakfast stored in my belly. Just as I started to skim Sat nav for a river to follow, I found signs for a wild flower garden.

I hope the pheasant wasn't embarrassed by my nudity as I dressed into running kit. There certainly weren't any dog walkers at 7.15.  Conveniently the paths were well marked.

I thought I was just on for an out and back along this pretty but smelly stream

I thought I was just in for an out and back along a smelly stream in the cold air but then it opened out in to a rewarding Ford (with foot bridge) and crossed the main road, still signed, where I fluffed the ears on a Bassetthound before continuing. That and the owl, together, could have made my day. 

The pigs feasting in the warming Sun, squealing and chasing each other, that made things so much funnier. 

This little piggy was alone in a field

The rolling trail, the woodpecker in the trees, blackbirds pimping their song, the deer I only just caught sight of because she saw me first.

The stately home estate which houses all that glory,...



...the March Hare that I saw first and who posed for a photo before running away...

The stately home estate which houses all that glory, the March Hare that I saw first and who posed for a photo before running away or the exhilaration of arriving back at the car, still fresh, turning around and doing it all again in the opposite direction... any of those things, combined with the tawny owl could have made it the most amazing day.



The Fact that I found a tower for TSK to enjoy.



The fact I found a tower for TSK is one thing...

but what really made my day was the wild boar that crashed out of the bushes RIGHT NEXT TO ME, skittered across my path and bolted into the woods opposite.  Its tail flashed through the trees. It looked back as it departed. It's little tusks were only as big as my own hooked finger but a hell of a lot sharper and tougher.  He probably looked back to make sure I wasn't in pursuit but I'd like to think it was more an expression of "I won't tell anyone if you don't".            



Upright snowdrops next to a slopey bridge



TSK Persuaded me it was OK to do this

oh shit

February 2013 Stats

Today's bimble into town on the granny gear doesn't really cut it (and anyway, it's March now).
Swim: 8.5km 2.4kph.  Compares to last month: 8.7km 2.3kph. Compares to 2010: 9.63 km, 2.3km/hr 
Bike: 164.18 mile, 11.9mph, 2770m el. . Compares to last month: 305.2 km 16.64 kmph, 3370 m.  Compares to 2010: 81.1km, 12km/hr, 1217m el.
Run: 33.73 miles, 5.5 mph, 637m el.  Compares to last month: 33.5 miles, 5.1 mph, 923m el.  Compares to 2010: 25.1mile, 5.25m/hr, 493m el 

Percentages complete: 55%
Week +1: 78%
Week +2: 56%
Week +3: 92%
Week +4: 21%

Time spent in aerobic: 1h 20min of measured 2:48 (47%)

Sofa-bound again.

It's really boring being ill.  After the immediate exhilaration and adrenaline rush of throwing up followed by the sleeping, the restless moments before the next throw-up, the day of waiting for the dehydration headache to go away then building up the courage to take a paracetamol to get rid of the residual caffeine deprivation headache, I am done with being ill.

Problem is, I'm not.  I am weak and pathetic and confined to my sofa.  For company I have a lazy cat and t'interweb

so I have been filling my time with looking at the Patagonia website and getting excited about doing stuff outdoorsy and adventurous again once I come out of this fug.

I have resolved to keep the blog up a bit more and post more pictures more timely.  It's all well and good when you're sofa bound.

Sofa-bound with the blogger

I have also motivated myself to look at some stuff.  TSK is off to Oxford soon to reccie the ride that he organises every year.  I have discovered it is only another 1.5 hours drive to the destination of the Forestman so I will probably pop down with him and tie up my day with some reccie rides and runs and potentially meeting up with some family.

Somehow being ill has given me enough downtime to figure out some important stuff and gain some perspective.  The boss told me to relax a little last week.  Perhaps I'll take him up on that in the meantime my relaxation takes the form of a little walk into town or maybe I'll take the bike to make it even easier.

Happy days.