189. Leading from the back

Well, it had to happen eventually - today, I finished dead last in a sportive.

I was still within the time limit, but I was really very slow... In my defence, I was 164th of 164 finishers - not a huge pool to finish behind. Still, behind I most definitely was.

This was partly due to my becoming fed up during a long stage of repetitive climbs, and walking the last few. I don't mind a few steep climbs, but relentless steep climb, short descent, steep climb, short descent, steep climb... Dull. It has to be said also that perhaps 2 sportives in one month might have been a bit much.

Still, I did get to the end, escorted by marshals (who were at the back to make sure everyone finished) and greeted on the finish line by name by everyone. Between being identified as firmly last and finishing, my details (name, the fact that I was doing this as part of the Proclaimers Challenge, the fact that once I had finished I would only have 13.1 miles to go to get to the 500 miles target) had been shared with all of the organisers. Finishing last therefore became rather more like me being the Queen sweeping in for a fleeting visit. Arrive, be acclaimed by all by name, be escorted around and given free food and drink, depart.

As ever, I did feel quite lucky to get to the finish. Not, this time, due to distance and time constraints (hey, if I can do 110+ miles then just under 70 should be a doddle... Surely...). More to do with sheep (do not trust sheep, they are cunning and evil and lurk around blind corners on fast descents to freak you out) and tractors (I shan't discuss that - beyond saying that I really do need to improve my descending skills just in case there are any other tractors lurking round corners on very steep descents) and descents (a 17% incline just is not safe on a bike. It just isn't. Boris gets carried away and "braking" is a very relative term...). Still, got there in the end.

Onward (just a little bit more)!!

:o)

Today's stats:
Cycling - 110 km, 7 hours 24 mins 41 secs [includes stopping at feed stations...]

Yesterday's stats:
Bodybalance - 1 hour [wobble and stretch]

16th September's stats:
RPM - 45 mins [still training for those hills]

14th September's stats:
RPM - 45 mins [there have to be better things to do at 7am...]

12th September's stats:
Bodybalance - 1 hour [ohm...]
Walking - 2.24 miles, 37 mins [there...]
Walking - 1.09 miles, 18 mins [back again, via the cinema...]
Walking - 1.09 miles, 18 mins [cinema to home!]

188. Good Grief...

Well, thanks to the kind people who organised the "Pedal for Scotland" Big Belter I did finish today's 110-mile sportive. Much to my surprise - I expected to be swept up, but I was obviously close enough to the "must finish by" time to be allowed to continue - at least until I reached Edinburgh and discovered that they had removed the signs directing you to the finish and so took a little added-extra detour... Just what you want after 10 - 11 hours in the saddle.

I'm going with the official time (below) not least as my Garmin lost all power at the 87 mile point (yet another major event without data - I'm cursed to never know exactly how I did in the main events!!). Although as the timing mat was about 5 miles from the start line, and the second one either 5 or 8 miles from the finish at Murrayfield (depending on who you believe), and given I went a bit "off route" right at the end... I have no idea how many miles I did in the time below or in total. Lots, though. Lots and lots.

At about the 40 mile mark I'd had enough - there were lots of hills, and when there weren't I kept trying to fall asleep - and I suspected I was slow enough that I might get swept up, which would have made me happy. Ditto at the 50 mile mark - although I was rather offended when the woman at lunch (just after that) introduced myself and my fellow back-markers to the driver of the broom wagon! Was expecting (and hoping) to be swept up at the 60 and 70n mile marks... By the time I'd slogged my way to 80 miles, I figured that the sweeping would not be happening and the Proclaimers Challenge was back on! Underscored by the fact that the final feed station was still open (it was supposed to close at 4pm and I must have been later than that - but can't tell as that was when the Garmin switched off....). Thereafter it was the usual slog, slog, slog until someone says stop.

Better cyclists than I took advantage of the broom wagon (they were much faster on the straights) - better cyclists than I gave up due to the hills (lot so walking spotted). I only walked uphill once - it was a horrid hill, and I sort of came to a stop half-way up. Man driving past consoled me with "It really is a nasty climb" - yessiree, and not my first or last today...

More later - desperately need some sleep. 4am wake-up call was not fun. And given I left the "start" line at around 7am, and reached the "finish" line at around 6:45pm... Today has been loooooooong.

Still, over 400 miles completed now - nearly there!!

;oD

Today's stats:
Cycling - 110 miles, 10 hours 23 mins 55 secs [includes stopping at feed stations...]

187. The power of pasta

I ate a rather large amount of pasta today. Which sadly is now sitting in a rather large lump in my stomach... But that's some carbs duly loaded. What more could I possibly need before I go off ascending hills on a bike...?

Am off to bed in preparation for the ridiculously early start tomorrow. And for the ridiculously long and hilly ride thereafter. This time tomorrow I shall be a shattered wreck (always good to have something to look forward to!), but whether I will be shattered and happy, or shattered and distraught remains to be seen...

Well, distraught might be a bit strong. Disappointed, but at the same time relieved that it's all over and earlier than expected might be closer to the mark... Still, I shall aim for happy. Generally in that direction at least...

:o)

Today's stats:
Bodybalance - 1 hr [balance, balance, eeek!]

Yesterday's stats:
RPM - 45 mins [zone-shaming, hill climbing, continue]

186. Training zombie style

Yesterday I had to get up at 5:40 am. Today I had to get up at 5:15 am. Since yesterday morning I have travelled north - south west - north west - east. I just about remembered what my house looked like as I whirled in this evening...

With enough time to escort Boris to the shop to be serviced (he's got a big weekend ahead of him, and how would I know if he's up for it?), before I dashed off to do a 5k run.

Noting that my warn-up for said run was a 2 mile up-hill slog to the start, followed by a 2 mile downhill meander home again. I'm not sure that this was an efficient energy-conservation strategy, but there are times when I just want to walk places as transport becomes a big issue (can I park? How do I get there? Is there a bus? How often? How long does it take? Would a train be faster? When does it leave? On and on and on...).

This week is actually not a great one for the non-morning person. I may possibly get a relatively long lie tomorrow (7 am start time!) but the rest of the week it's all early, early, early...

I will be very happy when next Monday appears - providing I have survived Sunday successfully, of course...

:o)

Today's stats:
Walking - 2.32 miles, 37 mins [hurry, hurry, places to be]
Walking - 2.28 miles, 38 mins [staggering back home again]

185. Panic, panic, panic

So the next event is cycling, and it's for 110 miles (plus a little warming up at the start and warming down at the end - why?? Why??!!) and there are hills. Many, many hills...

Given I found the 65 miles through the joys of Yorkshire somewhat hard work, and light conditions mean that I'm not able to really take Boris out for a spin during the week... I've been in head-down panic training for a while. Well, as panicked as my training ever gets.

Mostly this has involved a commitment to going to RPM at 7am of a morning. Over, and over again... Blooming hard work - but it's only 45 minutes and so I worry that I might now be able to climb one hill better than before, but still cannot do so repeatedly over 110 miles...

Panic, panic, stress, stress, eeek!

A sensible person would bemoan the half-hearted training to date (you can't drag yourself up to the proper levels of fitness at the last minute)... But mostly I just bemoan the need sportive organisers seem to feel to put hills in everywhere. I mean, cycling 110 miles is a bit of feat in itself - are the hills really necessary?? I say no. And I shall undoubtedly be saying that even more firmly in the very near future...

:o}

Today's stats:
RPM - 45 mins [zone-shaming, hill climbing, continue]

Saturday 29th stats:
Bodybalance - 1 hr [ohm... Erm, is this supposed to be quite this hard?!]

Friday 28th stats:
RPM - 45 mins [zone-shaming, hill climbing, continue]

Wednesday 26th stats:
RPM - 45 mins [zone-shaming, hill climbing, continue]

Saturday 22nd stats:
Bodybalance - 1 hr [blimey, that was hard work - that doesn't seem right...?!]

Friday 21st stats:
RPM - 45 mins [zone-shaming, hill climbing, continue]

184. Lights of shame

The desperate search for fitness has begun.

Triumphant return to RPM class to find that it is a new and improved RPM class. The room has been refurbished - nice new slogan "It never gets easier, you just get better" (ah, if only that were true!) - and there are new static bikes. Compared to the old ones... The bikes are no more comfortable to sit on (unfortunately). They can be adjusted in practically every direction so as to "fit" you perfectly - which means I now have no idea how to get a comfortable position out of them (do I adjust the seat height, the handlebars, the seat position or all 3? Or none? Or... Aaargh!): frankly, expecting me to be able to deal with complexity before 7am of a morning is unrealistic. And the resistance lever is now a resistance wheel which led to me routinely lowering resistance when I meant to turn it up, and vice versa.

But the bikes have one more shiny new feature. They have lights. You're supposed to use the bikes in conjunction with a heart rate monitor (which you can hire for a small fee.. Hmmm...), but you can set them up by entering some basic personal statistics. Then, as you cycle along, they change colour to show which "zone" you are working in. Not that I understand the "zones", but the colours are fairly easy to follow (there's a chart on the wall). I am sure that this sounds like a great idea, but... This basically means that the bike is providing a running commentary on how hard it thinks you're working - and it's very judgemental. Not only that, but this is not a private moment between you and the bike - oh, no. The entire room can see your colour.

I can only describe this as zone-shaming. Before, you could push yourself quietly in the corner to whatever degree of effort you decided to be pushing. Now, pushing effort is defined by the bike and everyone knows when you are not making the grade.

I may have to start wearing a mask to RPM classes in order to keep the shame to a minimum. Or cycle harder. So many choices, so little time.

:o)

Today's stats:
RPM - 50 mins [with emphasis on really hard hill climbing]

183. Livin' on a Prayer

We're half-way there! Just over 279 miles done and dusted! Woo-hoo!!

The latest effort was a rather sunny York 100. Which was rather hard work not least as (a) I had been busy "resting" my injured calf and thus had done no recent training, and (b) there were proper hills to be conquered. It was worthwhile (over half-way there), and the scenery was more interesting than other sportives I've done (there was a nice long downhill section through a valley which was stunning - shame about the horrific climb beforehand!). But it did destroy me utterly, and, all things considered, I'm really going to have to be able to cycle both longer and more importantly faster in short order (or there'll be trouble!). No idea how to do that really - but I'm sure that I'll come up with something eventually...

Once I'd gone through about the 50 mile mark, I'd pretty much had enough. I was very tired, at which point everything is unutterably aggravating. Internal conversation going something like:

- Why is this road flat? I don't like flat - requires too much cycling. Why can't there at least be a slight decline?? Why??!!
- Why am I still on the bike? Why am I still cycling? This is painful. I really, really, don't want to be sitting down on this bike any more. 5 minutes peace - that's all I ask for!!
- Insects, why do you plague me so?? Get off! Get off! And stop falling down inside my sunglasses! Begone, pesky critters, begone!!!!
- Oh, look, big group of cyclist speeding past me. That's nice. Yes, yes, I'm very slow. Thanks for rubbing it in. No, no, don't wait around and let me draft behind you, on you go, disappear into the distance. Hmph.

Incidentally, on that note, I know that people are trying to be encouraging, but... When passing a really slow cyclist (on an ascent or anywhere else), you should please resist upbeat phrases like "Keep on pedalling!" and "Just go at your own pace." and "Not long now - keep going!". Deeply, deeply irritating. Am I pedalling valiantly onwards? Am I still on the bike? Am I heading in the right direction? Then I'm already pedalling on at my own pace and not looking like I'm about to stop, amn't I?!?!?! Gah! Oh, and "It's all downhill from here!" is only acceptable encouragement when it's 100% true - noting that towards the end of a sportive even a very small incline is very much not downhill. Which really should be obvious...

Anyway, yesterday was something of a hard-worked minor triumph and I'm off to find some Prosecco to celebrate (couldn't yesterday as had to go to bed early because, well, destroyed).

Onwards! (Faster!!)

:o)

Yesterday's stats:
Cycling - 65 miles, 7 hours 0 mins 37 secs [in my defence, this includes stopping at feed stations...]

182. Operations

What with one thing and another - malingering calf, general lack of training, fear of the mountain to cycle ahead - I am now abandoning plans for the Proclaimers Challenge.

Yes indeedy, no more plans for me.

After a certain number of plans, one starts to run out of letters of the alphabet (what am I on now, Plan F? Plan G? Plan AA?). A new way forward is called for.

And that way forward is Operations. Specifically, at the moment, Operation Get Off The Sofa. You see how simple that is? No need to keep track of how many Operations it takes to complete one relatively simple Challenge - just a nifty title and off you go.

Operation Get Off The Sofa is at an early stage and is thus necessarily concerned at this time with goals, motivation and visualisation. Yes, that's right, I have a goal to get off my rehab sofa, I have the motivation of another crackpot event taking place this weekend, and so I am visualising myself doing the exercise and training necessary to achieve this goal.

Any day now I'll move on from visualising the training and start actually doing said training...

But I don't want to rush things. Better safe than sorry. Achieving the overall mission objectives is far more important in the long run. At the end of the day. Going forward. And so forth.

:o)

Yesterday's stats:
Walking - 3.5 miles, 57 mins [starting out slowly to re-build some fitness... Very slowly...]

181. Thither and thon

Now where was I...?

If I remember correctly, I was languishing on the sofa with a damaged leg, not-entirely-seriously bemoaning my need to have a rest from training... Hmmm... Well, not much has changed. Except since then:

I've taken up irregular swimming (which I have even less talent for than any other sport tried to date).

I've walked a Race for Life 10k.

I've toured Dublin's fair city - well, at least 7 miles of it.

I've done another "run" and my left calf is once more in a mood.

I've found some chocolate in my fridge (my fridge is good that way) and am now contemplating how best to consume it (savour? Or consume? Decisions, decisions...).

Not a lot, really...

:o)

Saturday's stats:
Walking - 7.16 miles, 2 hrs 44 mins [Strolling around in the sunshine.]


Sunday 26th July's stats:
Walking - 10k, 1 hr 49 mins [In torrential rain. And a bit of wind. Fun!]

180. Hobbling along

Exercise is bad for you. Which is why I am currently loafing about "resting" a sports injury...

Said sports injury has turned Sunday's 10k from a run to a walk. Mostly because there's a time limit on the half-marathon the weekend after... The Proclaimers Challenge is endurance madness!

Luckily, the Tour de France is on, and so whilst trapped on the sofa (sobbing softly into my box of therapeutic chocolates) I at least have some mad sporting action to watch. I cannot quite understand the desire to go to the south of France in summer to cycle endlessly uphill (I'd be on a beach, frankly), but it's remarkably relaxing watching others do so.

Nothing much else happening. I should be unhappy about that, but really, this is more like my idea of a good time... Still, hopefully leg will get itself sorted sharpish, as there are 300 miles to go and they aren't the sort of miles one can do from the sofa. So to speak...

:o)

Today's stats:
Walking - 2 miles, 34 mins [Uphill...]
Walking - 2 miles, 33 mins [Downhill]

Friday's stats:
RPM - 50 mins [hard work - might need to make sure to extra stretches at end from now on]

179. An educational day by the sea

Managed to knock another 62 and change miles off the Proclaimers Challenge today. Things I've learnt...

1) Best to try (harder) to get to the start of events on time. Turning up later than scheduled (albeit with over an hour's drive completed) leads to rushing, panicking and starting the event 12 mins late and on one's own... Allowing absolutely no chance of drafting and setting one up for a long old slog.

2) If you take things with you, best to use them and/or remember them. Fix number to front of bike (makes using the feed stations easier!). Apply suncream to arms (even if it is raining because you did check the forecast and the sun will be appearing. Eventually...). Attach spare inner tubes and pump to bike rather than leaving them in the car - so much more useful that way...

3) Bike rack concept needs work. Mark (the car) was not a fan (Boris scratched him! The ignominy!). Boris was largely ambivalent, but he did shudder distractingly throughout. I did not find having to drive at no more than 65 mph all day much fun - particularly on the way home, when my 2.5 hour drive went on, and on, and on... Still, it did work, and was way less stressful than taking Boris apart and putting him in a box (nothing before or since has been that stressful): just need to work out how to protect Mark better...

4) Must do more training. Was scooped up in the latter half of the ride by a group of cycling club people who (strongly) encouraged me to join them and take advantage of the resultant drafting. I found the pace a bit high, but managed to keep with them to the end. Important thing to note here is that said cycling club is made up of (mainly) retirement-age cyclists - I was being outpaced by a group of people which included at least one septuagenarian! Must do more training...

5) People can be very lovely. Said group of cyclists not only shepherded me to the finish (a good thing, as they'd started removing the directional signs by the time we got to the end of the ride!), but one of them gave me money for the Proclaimers Challenge! Even though this was a charity event intended really to raise fund for another charity.

Well, I think that's enough learnt for one day. I'm off to eat more chocolate (can't be bothered eating healthily today - too much effort) and collapse into bed.

Onwardzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

:o)

Today's stats:
Cycling - 62.137 miles, 6 hrs [oof! A little wind goes a long way...]

178. Oh for a sense of direction

So I was out and about last week - lots of travelling, which should have included lots of cycling-in-gym training.... But didn't (oops!).

I did make up my mind and bought some cycling kit - rack for car so that Boris can be transported without bad-tempered shoving (at least that's the plan). I have already been warned that "simple to fit" is a relative terms.... Joy!

I decided to walk to pick up the rack. Should have been about 3 miles round trip. As it turns out, it was over 5 miles because someone (that would be me) has no sense of direction. Noting that this was from my home to a part of town I know relatively well, and then back again. Not that hard. Except it was...

I should be happy to have "gone the extra mile" but... Would really rather have sat at home with my feet up.

Satnav would be good - if you could guarantee a signal... Google maps almost always does not work with anything resembling speed when you really, really need it to. Or, alternatively, I could develop a sense of direction! Any time now would be good...

:o)

Saturday's stats:
Bodybalance - 1 hr [try to stretch everything out before Sunday...]
Friday's stats:
RPM - 50 mins [7am class, ridiculously hard work, start working day ready for bed]

Thursday's stats:
Walk - 5.64 miles, 1 hr 18 mins [7am class, ridiculously hard work, start working day ready for bed]
Monday's stats:
Walk - 3.04 miles, 50 mins [out for a wander by the sea]

177. Here comes the rain

This being summertime, we have now (just) passed through the period of high winds. Probably. And have moved quite firmly into the period of endless relentless rain (it appears). The forecast for the next 10 days is rain. That's it. The only variation was a brief forecast of hail for one day - that's right, it's late June, and the predominant weather forecast for one day was hail.

Awesome.

It does occur to me that when I am thinking on what my next challenge should be, I should just start with a list of things I hate and go with that. All previous challenges, including this one, have pretty much ticked quite a lot of said boxes.

Today I had to get up well before 7am (to start an exercise at 7am): hate that. Had to rush around this morning thereafter to get to work on time: hate that. In the very near future I will have to go outside to do some exercise at length while it is raining: hate that. My weekends are full of things to do within a constrained schedule rather than being empty with lots of time for sleep: hate that. Have to go places I don't know where I'll be surrounded by people I don't know and be stressed: hate that.

I mean, it doesn't cover all the things I hate... But it's not doing too badly, either.

:o)

Today's stats:
RPM - 50 mins [7am class, ridiculously hard work, start working day ready for bed]

176. Making the distance

Today I turned up for a 20km walk.

Now, to be clear up front, I was looking forward to this. Walking, thinks I, now that I can do.

It's not cycling, which seems to be all about hills: you're either ascending (Why. Am. I. Doing. This??) or descending (Aaarrgh! Aaargh! I'm going to die!), or transiting between hills.

It's not running, which is an awful lot of work and everyone else seems to enjoy it and I'm always the odd person out because I'm dragging myself around at back and broadly uncaring how fast I do so.

It's walking. OK, a bit dull if it goes on for any length... But I've got this. I'm a fast walker. This is my event!

It didn't start well. First announcement - 1km has been cut from the route because of some other event. Everyone else was probably thinking (inside) "oh, well, that's quite good, finish sooner". Me? Well, you can see the problem. I NEED 20km today, the plan does not allow for the odd km to drop off here and there.

Anyway, off we go. Follow the signs and don't get lost, says the man. All well and good but, as it turns out, it helps if you make sure that you've removed all the signs from the preceding 10km run first... A whole group of us went off on a big loop (ending up back at the start) before being sent back onto the right path ("oh, look, there's a big yellow sign pointing right - that wasn't there earlier"). People were quite annoyed, people on the 10km walk actually gave up rather than keep going with their extra mileage (the 10km route was unaffected by the "other event")... And I was thinking "oh, good, that'll have got me back up to 20km then".

Admittedly, I think our diversion was more than 1km. And I think that the reduction due to the other event was more than 1km. And not all of the route was perhaps as clear as I would have liked: what with the diversion and the very small starting group (maybe 50 people doing the 20km walk total) I did end up doing the vast majority of the route on my own, slightly concerned by the whole "going the wrong way" at the start...

But overall I enjoyed it. The weather was good (for walking 20km), the route was interesting (to me), and I was pretty consistently speedy.

Totally shattered now, mind, but still - the world needs more walking events!!

:o)

Today's stats:
Walking - 26 mins, 1.63 miles [to the walk]
Walking - 3 hr 21 mins, 12.427 miles [actually 13 miles, but better too many than too few!] 
Walking - 32 mins, 1.67 miles [and home again]

175. Night buses

So at 11pm on Friday off I set for my first night ride.

Now, I was quite nervous about this: 60 miles is a big step up from 30 miles, which was a traumatic horror only 2 weeks ago... But as it turns out, the impact of gale-force winds and fairly testing hills cannot be underestimated. This was 60 miles of fairly flat riding at a nice steady pace, with lots of stopping to catch the group up. And it seemed rather easy, all in all, which might mean that I've actually had my first experience of drafting - because, realistically, I can't be that much fitter than I was. Anyway, it was significantly less traumatic than I was expecting.

I can't say as I entirely see the point, mind. OK, if there's a fantastic dawn, maybe there's more of a point (it was cloudy), but still... You cycle through the countryside (yawn) in the dark and so can't even see the "views" that are apparently normally the point of cycling through the countryside. And I did find night cycling in the true dark (no street lights!) very disconcerting. You have to cycle within the limits of your lights (note to self: Boris needs bigger/brighter lights if we're doing any more night cycling) and that sounds OK until you realise that this means you lose all ability to anticipate what's coming. Going uphill or downhill? You can't tell until you're doing it! And then you're focused on the ground ahead of you and that's just disconcerting and nauseating and ultimately scary. I can't say I'm a fan - but if you're trying it, around the summer solstice is good, because there's not a lot of dark going on!

Nonetheless, that's another 60 miles down and I'm through the first 100 miles! Also, I was not the slowest or weakest cyclist this time (hard to believe, I know, but there you go) and that was a nice change. Boris seemed to have fun also - just as well given he had a mini-service and a brake change beforehand!

Speaking of Boris... Either he's incredibly fast, or I'm incredibly heavy, or I'm missing something. Coasting downhill, surrounded by people on proper professional-looking road bikes, and Boris is getting faster and faster while everyone else is kind of holding steady. This is most noticeable when riding in a group - I'm having to sit on the brakes to not cycle into the person in front, and they're not only not braking but spinning their wheels a bit to keep up speed! What's that about??!! Must learn the secret of holding a nice speed going downhill without braking, rather than my current reality of ever-increasing speed and frantic braking (see Boris's need for new read brakes). Or have a word with Boris about affecting a bit of ennui rather than boundless enthusiasm...

Oh, and buses? Well, there'll be another one along in a minute...

;oD

Friday's / Saturday's stats:
Cycling - 6 hours 30 mins, 60 miles [Friday Night Fever...]

174. The endless requirement for kit

The increase in cycling has led to the inevitable realisation that kit - more and more kit - can solve my problems.

Not sure how to ensure you follow the sportive route without getting lost? There's a Garmin for that.
Need to go night-cycling? There's a bewildering array of lights for that.
Trying to ensure that you have enough clean cycling clothes so that this is not one of the excuses that you use to not go cycling? Endless array of clothing out there which will apparently make you cycle like you're Lance Armstrong...
Need to transport your bike and tired of the trickiness of fitting it into the back of the car? There's a bike rack for that (several in fact - all of which look like scaffolding but which are apparently "easy to use"...).
Terrified of descending? There's some new brake pads for that.

Luckily, I am already skint and so am not actually able to solve all my problems by the means of kit... But it's all still there - just looking at me. Ready, willing and able to make all this cycling lark so very much easier...

:o)

Today's stats:
Nothing yet...

Wednesday's stats:
RPM - 50 mins [Good Lord but that was hard work! At 7am too!!]

Tuesday's stats:
Pilates (DVD1) - 35 mins [Bit of stretch and relax - which is also really quite hard work...]

Sunday's stats:
Walking - 1 hr 38 mins, 4.28 miles [post-10K wander... Completely unnecessary!]
Walking - 29 mins, 1.6 miles [x2 - to the 10K and home again!]

173. Off to work we go...

Much to my surprise, I did manage to convince myself to take Boris and cycle into the sunset, erm, cycle to work and back.

This is a huge logistical operation: must make sure that I have everything with me that I need, and that when I get to work I can shower and change and actually do a day's work. Took several days to remember all the things I'd forgotten (shoes, towel, little things like that) but finally the day was here.

The Council have actually improved parts of the (long, long, uphill) route to work - miraculous widening of some paths, for example. Some bits they can't change (which is a shame, as there's nothing quite so terrifying as a long steep downhill into a blind left turn where the only cars the locals seem to drive are behemothic 4x4s). And, as usual, some bits they have decided to improve now - which means once more there are roadworks on my cycle route to work. *sigh* This time at least there is no diversion: on the other hand there is a steep descent into a pedestrian crossing (bad enough) which is not operational as the cars are down to one lane and 3-way lights (slow and confusing); cyclists have an alternate route, but cyclists have just been left to work out how to cross the road and climb the immediate hill without dying in the attempt. Good thing it's not a main cycle route in high usage, then, eh?!

Am completely shattered and rapidly going off pasta. Was proud of myself for making a big bowl (and eating it) last night - with enough left over for today! Ate two thirds of bowl today and then couldn't force myself to eat any more. Will be eating it again tomorrow for lunch. Carb-loading has its definite downsides!

Otherwise... The trip to work was OK (bit slow, but it's uphill and the route is tricky in places - signs for sudden right and left turns late or just missing!). The trip back was OK apart from missing a sign and setting off down a massive hill by mistake. Since apparently "No! Stop Boris!" doesn't work as a braking mechanism, I eventually managed to stop, get off Boris, and walk back up said hill. On the basis that cycling it would have destroyed me enough that I would have missed the signs for a second time and I didn't need to be giving myself extra work...

Posterior is wincing. Back right shoulder is throbbingly painful. I'm shattered. Exercise - it's bad for you - fact!!

/o)

Cycling - 1 hr 43 mins, 15.04 miles [To work!]
Cycling - 1 hr 51 mins, 16.05 miles [Home again!]

172. Ups and downs

OK, well, didn't actually cycle to work today. Note entirely sure why (I did keep remembering things that needed to be at work that I didn't want to carry with me, but...). Still, there's always tomorrow. God bless tomorrow!

On the other hand, Boris and I did take advantage of the suddenly summer-like weather to do an early evening tour of the area. Quick test of part of the route tomorrow - not least since I don't trust the Council not to have changed huge elements of it while I wasn't looking.

I did find the route back easier than the route out, and suspect that if I can get over that particular psychological block then things might go rather more smoothly. Or, at the very least, I might start consistently starting events and doing training as scheduled. I'll just add that to the list of things that I have to work on... *sigh*

The other side of sunny weather suddenly appearing is that everyone else throws themselves out of their houses to "enjoy" the local parks and "countryside". So it was busy out there, folks. Also, there was the heady scent of hurriedly organise barbecues in the air. This might possibly also be why I saw at least 2 fire engines rushing off purposely with lights and sirens going tonight... But possibly not. I did cycle past one barbecue which really looked more like a bin smouldering smokily (might have indeed been a bin whose contents were on fire) - slightly disturbed that there was no discernible distinction in smell between that and the proper barbecues.

I remain confused about the allure of barbecues (the flies! The smoke! The lengthy wait for food which then has to be eaten outside as the day cools down significantly!). Perhaps I merely don't understand the fascination with fire... Grr!

:o)

Cycling - 56 mins, 9.89 miles [Testing out a bit of the route to work.]

171. Self-sabotage

Mini update...

Was supposed to cycle the 15 miles or so to work (and then home again) today... But after much preparation of myself and Boris, I discovered that I had rather thoughtlessly brought my work laptop home with me (which was far to heavy to cycle with).

So - tomorrow.

On the good news front - bit of tidying today unearthed my gel seat! Woo-hoo!

Fingers crossed that helps...

:o)


Today's stats
Absolutely nothing... But did do some tidying - does housework count?

170. Reflect and stretch

Boris and I are hastily trying to recover from Saturday's exertions (the latest schedule for The Proclaimers Challenge allows for little weakness or time off).

For Boris, this requires.... Well, nothing, really. He's just hanging out in the hall, as per usual.

I, on the other hand, am taking seat gingerly, and trying to stretch my back out (right shoulder is convinced that I'm stabbing something into it). Which is really quite normal for ye olde cycling fun and games. Although I am adding into the mix my new secret weapon: eating more.

Yes indeedy. I cannot afford to have the week-long session of fatigue that I had after the RideLondon 100 (schedule, see above), and so food intake is being judiciously and deliberately increased (unless I fall off the training waggon again, at which point it'll need to be held steady). On Saturday, for example, I had breakfast (sawdust aka muesli - mmm, mm, mmmm), as much food as I could face at the mid-way feed point, post-event food (pie and cake!), pasta when I got home (that might have been lunch) and then dinner in the evening. Most of which food I really wasn't interested in eating, but the secret weapon does seem to be working.

Leading to me attending my first Bodybalance session in months. Rather reassuringly, my basic core strength seems OK (not that there's not work to do). Rather worryingly, and as suspected, my hips are not impressed by this exercise party and, in the wonderful words of the Evil Podiatrist, are "a bit stiff".

You should probably prepare yourself for lots of updates on my progress in trying to shimmy my hips into shape. Something to look forward to there...

:o)

Sunday's stats
Bodybalance - 1 hr, 0 miles [Balance a bit wobbly, hips creaking most definitively.]

169. Blown away

We've got to the point in The Proclaimers Challenge where I really do have to attend and finish each event in the plan. Due to a certain lack of application to date... There's a lot to do in not a lot of time and it has to be done in such a way that it does not utterly destroy me....

I make this point up front so that you understand that today's efforts were little more than grim, dogged determination. Today I had to cycle 30 miles in a nice little sportive: challenging (particularly given the dearth of training to date) but not excessively so. 30 minutes into the ride I was seriously considering stopping: which would naturally have led to the end of this year's Challenge (so much failure, so little time).

It wasn't the rain that made me want to stop (although that was unhelpful). It wasn't the fact that my posterior was not on board with the whole cycling activity (must find gel seat). It wasn't even that I probably wasn't quite fit enough and the start of the course was largely uphill (on, and on, and on, up, and up, and up).

It was the wind. Today was forecast as being very windy, with gusts around 50 mph. But... That doesn't sound too bad until you've tried it. Tried cycling up a gentle slope with the wind in your face, in the lowest gear you have, feeling the bike slowly dying under you as your legs cannot generate enough power to overcome the pressure of the wind. Tried cycling down a steep incline with the wind in your face, startled to discover that you have to pedal as if you don't you'll stop moving (and fall off). Tried cycling in a straight line as the wind batters at you from the side (wobble, wobble) and cars drive past you (damn them!). Basically, today was not good weather for cyclists.

I learnt a lot today on various points, but the main thing I took from today was, unusually, a sense of pride. Normally, I am happy to finish an event but don't really see it as that big a deal (I'm so slooooow). Today - the fact that I started (over 100 people didn't bother turning up), cycled the whole route on my own (no drafting for me! Again!), and quite literally forced myself to the finish line - today, I'm quite impressed with myself.

Despite having finished 30 miles in a ridiculously slow time.

:o)

Today's stats
Cycling - 3 hrs 49 mins 28 secs, 30 miles [Note to self - avoid gale-force winds in future...]

168. It's just like riding a bike...

Boris is back!!

And, quite possibly, not a moment too soon... As someone (that would be me) is supposed to get up early tomorrow and set off on a perky 30-mile sportive. In what is forecast to be some interesting wind conditions. On open roads. Over in all probability an unnecessary number of hills....

Still, Boris is back!

I have to say, I have been really struggling for motivation. I'm not entirely sure that tonight's cycle will have cured that, but having quite literally forced myself to leave the house to check that I could still work out how to cycle (mostly the gears thing. Again.), I am a lot calmer. I can still use gears (OK, it took me a while to work out which way was up and which way was down... But not nearly as long as it took me originally!). I didn't fall over. I cycled 10 miles without collapsing at the end (although I really do need to do more training)... All good, really.

Of course, the Council (who hate me) have been out again. I meant to cycle to a really obvious junction, turn round and cycle home (this would have been faster and shorter). Except they've "improved" the junction, and so I didn't recognise it (improving it involved more signage but not better signage)! It has proper give way lines now. On a shared pedestrian-/cycle-path. Just... They did this on purpose, you know.

And since I went the wrong way, I ended up at completely the other end of town (in fairly short order, it has to be said) and suddenly found myself on an unexpected steep down-ramp leading to some trains (and/or trams). Which was really confusing as that path did not use to go there! All very exciting and exploratory... But a slightly shorter route would have been the more sensible and pragmatic choice.

Nonetheless... Boris is back!

:o)

Today's stats
Cycling - 59 mins, 10.29 miles [Outside! In a very confused fashion, but... Outside!]

167. So what's Challenge 6, then?

I am a bad blogger. A bad, bad blogger...

But enough about me - what's Challenge 6 all about then?!

Well, I'm glad you asked. Challenge 6 - the Challenge for 2015 - is...

The Proclaimer's Challenge!

No, it has nothing to do with making the sun shine on Leith or writing letters to America (note to self - consider letter-writing for next year's Challenge). No, it's about 500 miles. Specifically, it involves completing 500 miles by “running”, walking or cycling before the end of 2015, with all miles having to be completed in official events. With monies as ever being raised for charity (mostly as a sort of bribe to get me to bother, if I'm honest... Oh, yes, and for all the good work, etc, etc).

It sounds quite achievable when I write it like that. Sadly, due to a combination of apathy (I don't like training), aversion (I hate running) and fear (I can't possibly attend that event - I haven't done enough training!)... It's all looking like a (very) long uphill slog at the moment.

On the plus side, I actually did some training today (the wrong type, but anyway) and so, well, the only way is up!

:o)

Today's stats
Walking - 1 hr 27 mins, 5.57 miles [really, really should have been a run...]

May 21st's stats
Cycling (in gym) - 45 mins, 9 miles [Level 5, should really be taking Boris out for a spin...]

May 16th's stats
Walking - 1 hr 11 mins, 4.15 miles [really do need to start doing some running...]

May 15th's stats
Walking - 1 hr, 3.6 miles [definitely should have been running...]


May 14th's stats
Cycling (in gym) - 45 mins, 9 miles [Level 5, desperately making up miles...]

May 13th's stats
Walking - 50 mins, 3.14 miles [probably should have been running...]

May 12th's stats
Walking - 58 mins, 3.44 miles [probably should have been running...]


May 9th's stats
Walking - 1 hr, 3.37 miles [must do 5km per day - slowly, apparently...]
 
May 8th's stats
Walking - 55 mins, 3.47 miles [must do 5km per day...]

May 7th's stats
Walking - 55 mins, 3.27 miles [must do 5km per day...]

166. The most important thing is one's health

So I wake up last Friday with a pain in my upper right chest. "I've pulled a muscle," thinks I. "How irritating."

And it was irritating. And every time I experienced pain... I wondered, "How did that happen?". Because a bit of gym cycling and walking should not lead to pulling a muscle in my chest. So then I start to think, "Maybe it's not a pulled muscle?"

Continuing on this path, by mid-afternoon I had mentally gone through all the other things that it could be, up to and including various heart-related issues.

Giving some serious thought as to whether I should relax my dislike of doctors sufficiently to actually book an appointment to have my (possible) angina diagnosed, I lifted my ridiculously heavy work laptop bag with my right hand and swung it onto my right shoulder... And then it occurred to me that there might very well be another cause for my having pulled a muscle in my upper right chest...

So there you are. Exercise is bad for you (fact). But apparently not as bad for you as work.

And that's all the wisdom that I have to share with you today...

:o)  

Today's stats
Cycling (in gym) - 35 mins, 7 miles [Level 5, not too bad...]

Saturday's stats
Walking - 1 hr 05 mins, 4.03 miles [here, there and back again]

Thursday's stats
Walking - 1 hr 09 mins, 3.97 miles [this was 4 miles on my Garmin! Bah!!]

165. The importance of regular blogging

So, off I went on holiday, walking miles and miles and yet more miles for the 5x50 Challenge and as "training" for Challenge 6 and... Did not do a single blog post!

The shame! The shame! Not to mention the week or so I've just taken off to recover from jetlag and the horror of returning to work...

But now I'm back. And have access to a gym again (and so - thank God! - can do things other than walking or running for a very nice change!).

And... No, that's it. Nothing else to say really. I'm sure that inspiration will suddenly hit tomorrow - maybe even a description of Challenge 6. Who knows?!

The future's bright, the future's months and months of unrelenting training and associated misery. Something for us all to look forward to!

:o)

Today's stats
Cycling (in gym) - 36 mins, 7 miles [Level 5, back quite literally in the saddle.]

24th April's stats
Walking - 1 hr 14 mins, 4.34 miles [car in for a service, little stroll back and there]

18th April's stats
Walking - 1 hr 02 mins, 3.2 miles [a victorious return lap of LHR]

17th April's stats
Walking - 2 hrs 16 mins, 6.85 miles [another wander in Denver]

15th April's stats
Walking - 2 hrs 49 mins, 9.2 miles [wandering Cheyenne through the sun, wind, snow...]

13th April's stats
Walking - 51 mins, 3.28 miles [quick leg-stretch in Denver]

11th April's stats
Walking - 51 mins, 2.58 miles [post-10K stroll around LA]

9th April's stats
Walking - 3 hrs 16 mins, 7.68 miles [wandering Seattle]

8th April's stats
Walking - 3 hrs 51 mins, 10.49 miles [wandering Vancouver some more]

7th April's stats
Walking - 1 hr 28 mins, 4.44 miles [wandering Vancouver]


6th April's stats
Walking - 45 mins, 2.35 miles [one-way to Victoria]


5th April's stats
Walking - 1 hr 27 mins, 4.47 miles [wandering Victoria determinedly]
Walking - 53 mins, 1.89 miles [uphill, and back down again]

2nd April's stats
Walking - 56 mins, 3.35 miles [LHR tour]

Walking - 40 mins, 2.08 miles [YVR tour]

164. Another year, ever-increasing signs of madness

Avast me hearties!

After a year of enjoyment, fun and really very little exercise... I'm back!

Starting with another year of the 5x50 Challenge, this year is going to be the maddest yet... Because Challenge 6 is quite mental and possibly beyond me... Also just plain silly. Still, that's what makes it Challenge 6 - and, sadly, all my own idea.

Trying not to get too carried away (ha!) I started of this year's 5x50 Challenge with a nice gentle walk. Uphill. Into a driving gale. Ah, spring, welcome back!

Even the 5x50 Challenge is a bit random, as I successfully (scientifically and empirically) proved last year that the whole "do physical exercise for x days and you'll change your habits for a lifetime" thing is just tosh. Still, this year might be different. You just never know...

:o)

Today's stats
Walking - 52 mins, 3.32 miles [Day 1, 5x50, check!]

Saturday's stats
Walking - 34 mins, 2 miles [uphill]

Walking - 35 mins, 2.13 miles [downhill - and strangely longer...]