Running Up That Road, Running Up That Hill... by tinabee

This weekend sees the start of my silly season!  But I am getting ahead of myself.  What’s been happening since my last blog?

Tuesday is usually cycle training night but with two of the usual gang resting after their Iron Man exploits and the others working or on holiday that only left me and I just didn’t fancy pootling around the country lanes on me Jack Jones so I took the evening off!  Slacker!  I had been swimming at lunchtime but later on that evening I really wished I had made the effort and gone out!  Typical!

I did take myself out for a run at lunchtime the next day – it was very warm and sunny and I loved it.  The track I run down used to be a railway line many moons ago and it is narrow with hedgerows either side.  About half way down I was confronted by a mass of colour as the wet and humid conditions followed by sunshine had bought all the wild flowers out.  It looked fabulous and suddenly a routine lunchtime run became a ‘good to be alive’ run!

Wednesday evenings are swim sessions but again the guys were either resting or open water swimming so it was just Alex and me – we had the whole pool to ourselves.  I decided to see how I got on swimming 1000m and Alex spent most of the time chatting to the pool staff!  I lost count somewhere along the line but finished when I thought I had done 40 lengths.  Alex and I then stood and chatted for about 10mins, did another couple of lengths and then called it a night!  Turns out I actually did 42 lengths plus the other 2 lengths so it was a good session overall.

Thursday saw Week 2 of the four week running session with Coach Carol.  An easy 3km warm up run down by the river and then 6 x 3mins hard run with a minute and a half recovery, a minute of which was regrouping and walking and 30 seconds easy jog.  Finally a 2.5km cool down jog back to the gym.  I covered close to 9km in the session.  It was really humid and I was flagging somewhat towards the end.

Scott had watched the Tour de France with me during July and has re-found his enthusiasm for cycling being inspired by Mark Cavendish and was itching to come out and train with us.  He was disappointed when the Tuesday session was cancelled and I said he could always get up and come on Saturday morning.  He wrinkled his nose up at that thought.  So imagine my surprise when he said that he wanted me to wake him up so that he could come!  And he did although he was a bit like a bear with a sore head through breakfast and the drive to Fauldhouse.

IM Robert was flexing his legs for the first time since Outlaw, Alex, James and Richard were all there so there was a good crowd of us.  We decided on a new route and it was a great morning.  Warm and sunny apart from when we went up Climpy Hill when we were surrounded by low cloud – quite spooky.  But the rest of the cycle was done in sunshine.  Scott was only behind me for about 2km and then he found his confidence and rode up with the fast guys.  I was so proud of him.  He is a natural – he looks strong and athletic on his bike.  Apart from the fact that his bike is now too small for him!  When we bought it he was only about 5’4.  He is now 5’10!  The good news is that someone is very interested in buying his bike and as it is in near perfect condition I should get a very good price for it which will go a long way towards getting Scott a bike that fits!  It is his birthday next month too so that will be him sorted! 

So we covered 45km on his first ride out.  He was buzzing all day and couldn’t wait to go out again.

On Sunday I really needed to do a long run as I hadn’t done one for weeks.  I struggled with motivation to get going but I got a verbal push in the form of a text from Alison (KraftyKat) so around 1.30 I shoved my trainers on and headed out with the thought of doing about 12km.  It was very warm out, stuffy and humid but once I got going I really enjoyed it.  I kind of followed my nose and had a rough idea of the route I would take.  My legs were flagging a bit towards the end but I made myself do the extra loop around the housing estate and was pleased to see 15.5km on the old Garmin!  Not a particularly fast paced run as it took me an hour and 27 mins but it was good enough considering the cycle the day before and the humidity.

Monday was a rest day and yesterday me, the team and Scott repeated the cycle route from Saturday.  Weather conditions were a bit different mind you.  Wet, very wet.  Especially when a mean driver forced his way past me on a narrow road and absolutely soaked me when he went through a large puddle.  It was like a tidal wave.  The things I shouted at the retreating tail lights would have made a navvy blush!

I felt like I was cycling through treacle towards the end but the time was about the same as Saturday so obviously I wasn’t going that slowly.  Just a lot slower than the rest of them!

So that brings us full circle – swimming tonight and this time it was just myself and IM Colin. First time I had seen him since the Outlaw.  He had suffered with four punctures on the cycle part which set him back around 2hrs overall.  He also had a huge blister which made his run 6 hrs long.  He is still not a happy bunny about the experience and has sworn he will never do another one!  Mind you, he said that last year too!  I think he is a hero for completing it and not giving in.  Not sure I would have such steel.

This Sunday I am in Kelso taking part in the Borders Series Sprint Triathlon.  I hope it goes as well as the last one.  Don’t think the weather will be as good mind you.  So I doubt I will be reporting sun burned shoulders next week!