The Guild Wheel

Today is Good Friday and it has been unusually sunny for a bank holiday!

My husband decided he wanted to go out on his bike, but as he's not a confident rider we decided to do The Guild Wheel as this is mainly on off-road tracks and paths and we have never done it before!

The Guild Wheel is a cycle track that circles Preston in Lancashire. The 21 mile route takes in Preston docks – the largest 19th Century dock in Europe, the Lancaster Canal, country lanes in Woodplumpton, Brockholes Nature Reserve, the River Ribble and the beautiful Fishwick Bottoms.

As my husband is a bit of a couch potato he struggles to keep up with me on a bike so he insisted that I went on my heavy mountain bike with thick tyres rather than my lightweight road bike with slick tyres!  He has a hybrid bike so had an advantage over me!

After loading the bikes into the car we set off from our home in Kendal at around 11am for the 40 mile journey to where we planned to start the ride. We got parked easily and were soon ready to go and the sun was still shining!  

We didn’t know the best or easiest direction to take, so we set off anti-clockwise from Broughton.  

Most of the route was on good tracks and trails but was very busy with other cyclists and walkers.  I suppose being a sunny Good Friday everyone else had the same idea to get out and enjoy the sun! 

The route was well signed for most of the way but there was one point at around our 4 mile mark where we did go slightly wrong but about half a mile further on we realised and turned back and got on the right track again!

At one point I was shaken up when we came across several teenagers speeding through the trails on motorbikes.  They didn't appear to have any control and none of them wore helmets! Luckily I was able to get out of their way, but with it being so busy it was an accident waiting to happen!

At about 9 miles we came to Preston Docks.  We had timed it very badly as the road bridge was just on its way up to allow boats to go through.  I thought this would be a fairly swift operation but I was wrong!  

There seemed to be a backlog of boats waiting and they didn't seem in any hurry to put their foot down to get through!  Once all the boats were passed it seemed to take an age for them to bring the bridge down again and for us to get the green light to go ahead! 


Once through this there was then quite a lot of busy roads to navigate.  

There was a cycle crossing at each set of traffic lights but this section was very stop/start and was my least favourite! 

Not long afterwards I was delighted to see a Ribble Steam Railway train puffing its way towards me as I cycled, with its passengers waving as they passed!

At around 11 miles we came through Aveham Park and decided it would make an ideal picnic spot for lunch!  It was very difficult to get back on the bikes after sunbathing and relaxing for a little too long!

The route then follows the general direction of the Ribble Way and is often by the river to reach the A59 Brockholes Brow.  Passing under the A59 road bridge the path then continues to the Brockholes Nature Reserve and onto red Scar woods where there is a very steep climb! This sign was at the top which just goes to show we went round in the wrong direction! If we had gone clockwise I could have whizzed down it instead of huffing up it!

The only part of the route that I found difficult! 

After feeling exhausted after battling with this climb we coincidentally came across Preston Crematorium  I'm not sure I felt very respectful cycling through the Crematorium but that's the way the route went!

We were soon back to the car after an enjoyable ride, although I don't think I would cycle it again!  We added an extra mile to the route with getting lost.

Once back home it was time to relax in the garden with a cider! 

You can view our route here!

Internal navigation system failure!

Another sunny day and it is still the Easter Holidays!  

I truly hope this little bit of sunshine isn't going to be our Summer!!!

After studying my racing calendar last night I was a little surprised to see that my first 10K TRAIL race is now just 6 and a half weeks away!  How did that come around so quickly?!

Considering that I have only ever done ONE off-road run I decided that I had best pull my finger out and do some trail training as I am not a natural mountain goat!

Inspired by the sunshine I set off in the car to a place I am familiar with as we often walk the dog in this area!

Feeling confident that I knew the way off I set, nervous initially about running off-road on uneven ground in case I injured myself!

Although I wore my Garmin I knew it was pointless worrying about pace as I was not going to be able to run my normal road pace off road so I just relaxed and enjoyed the scenery and listening to the welcoming bleating of the lambs!

After a while my nerves went and I had no problems navigating around rocks and tree stumps, I just left my ego behind and slowed when necessary! The only thing I felt uncomfortable with was coming down rocky hills!  I was frightened of just letting go in case I landed flat on my face!  I dare say with practice my confidence will grow!

After about 3 miles I arrived somewhere but it wasn't the place I was heading!  I was confused!  I must have missed a turn-off somewhere!

Rather than risk getting lost further I opted to retrace my steps and go the same way back!  Not quite the circuit I had planned but enjoyable all the same!

The route was a good mix of terrain including track, muddy parts, rocky patches, open fields and hills so lots to keep me entertained!

I managed 5.85 miles and loved this new trail running experience even if I did get lost!  

What made me even happier was I didn't encounter any cows!  I hate cows!

 

Tonight I also went to Yoga, where we did a lot of twisting poses! I came out feeling very chilled and felt 6 foot taller!

Brought to an abrupt halt!

Today was such a gorgeous sunny day I decided to go for a "longish" bike ride!

I made some sandwiches, prepared some snacks, packed my drinks, pumped up my tyres, checked my bike etc and I was soon ready for the off and the sun was still shining!

I decided that to head into the lakes in the Easter Holidays wasn't a good idea so I headed towards Arnside instead, which doesn't attract the tourists the same.

I just wanted to enjoy the ride and scenery so wasn't interested in my pace or cadence or any other numbers my Garmin cared to flash at me.

I was out in the sun on my bike and that's all that mattered.

I had cycled about 19 miles when I started to think I was maybe slightly lost!  

This was confirmed to me when the road I was on came to a dead end! 

I wasn't too perplexed and turned around and headed back up the hill I had just enjoyed coming down! 

However, my bike started making a funny scraping sound.  I thought perhaps the brakes had "stuck-on" after I had been frantically pulling on them during my descent so I stopped to give my bike the once over!  The brake pads were OK but then I casually squeezed my back tyre and was dismayed that it was as flat as a pancake.

Being a right girl I don't carry a spare inner tube or a puncture repair kit because basically I wouldn't have a clue what to do with them!  I've always felt fairly confident that I wouldn't get a puncture as my tyres have slime in them which is supposed to plug any holes that develop!  Evidentally NOT!  Unless it has so many holes that the slime has run out ... who knows!

Anyhow I did a recce of my immediate surroundings - if I had any hope of being rescued I would need to give my location and at this point I had absolutely no idea where I was!

Thankfully there was a sign by a gate with "Ridgway Park School" on.  At least I could give some indication of where I was even if I didn't know where that was!

The next thing was to get my mobile out and ring my husband!  I prayed that: 

a) I had a signal in such a remote place.

b) He answered the phone.

c) He was able to down tools and come and get me.

d) He knew where Ridgway Park School was!

I was relieved to have a signal, but then was slightly stressed when my husband didn't answer the phone!  Luckily, he was just on another line and rang me back. Things were looking good when he said he would come for me but he had no idea where the school was!

"Selfie"  having lunch in the sun!

The remote road where my puncture happened!

Thankfully Google and Tom Tom together guided him to where I was enjoying my lunch in the sun!

The beautiful spot I found to picnic whilst I waited to be rescued!

When my knight in shining armour arrived, (which was very impressively within 30 minutes) I decided just to throw the bike in the back of the car and give up on finishing the ride!  

My husband didn't really want to start changing a tyre dressed in a suit and tie!

Prior to this little disaster I had done 19.45 very enjoyable miles and I feel somewhat cheated that I couldn't continue!

Note to self - 

Learn to repair a puncture and change a tyre or at the very least carry spares so I can flag down a helpful looking cyclist who would be willing to help a damsel in distress!

A run, lunch and a hot date with Gary!

What a busy day I have had today!

When I got up I decided to go for a quick run.  The sun was shining and I felt fairly energetic!

I opted for another circuit of the triathlon run route to get me used to it before the day, however with starting from home it was 1.5 miles further than the official route.

I didn't feel like I was flying today like I did when I did my brick session but neither did I feel sluggish!  I was pleased to see I had managed to maintain an average 8.42 minute mile pace, with my fastest mile being a 8:21 min/mile pace.

I was straight in the shower and dressed ready to meet my friend Lynsey for lunch.  We had a lovely catch-up and before I knew it it was time to head to Manchester to see Gary Barlow in concert at the MEN!  

However, we still had plenty time for dinner and cocktails at TGI's first!

Food was excellent, cocktails were wonderful, service was pants but Gary Barlow was phenomenal!  Much better than Robbie in concert!




I would definitely recommend if you get the opportunity to go! 

Thanks!!

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My first brick!

When I woke up this morning the sky was blue, the sun was shining and the birds were tweeting!  Life felt good!

I decided that since time is running out before my tri that I would try a bike to run brick session to experience for myself the much published jelly legs effect!

I decided to do the bike and run route of the Kendal Triathlon I have entered but with a slight variation at the beginning. I was starting from home rather than the local sports centre.

To be truly authentic I wore my tri suit for the first time, but wore a long sleeve cycling top on top, although it was sunny it was still a little nippy! 

I also decided to experiment with no socks!  I remember when I did my novice try-a-tri last year the hardest bit was getting socks on to damp feet!

So after checking my tyres etc, off I set for my first ride in months!  I was amazed to discover that I took to it as if I had just been out on it yesterday!

My main problem was avoiding the very many pot holes in the road!

If I had hit one I might have disappeared forever into a big black hole! 

It's very dangerous for the cyclist!  

My cycling shoes were fine with no socks but my feet did feel ever so slightly chilly, a small price to pay for more speed! Hopefully it won't be too cold on the day!

I thoroughly enjoyed the cycle and as I was approaching home I was tempted to keep cycling and forget about the running part.  I was having too much fun to stop but knew I had to get some brick training in if I was going to have any chance in successfully completing the triathlon!

After cycling 12.65 miles I arrived back home where I had set my running shoes, banana, drink and T shirt out in the garage.  

A quick change of shoes (still no socks), a hurriedly eaten banana, a few slurps of water and a change of top to a T shirt and I was off again for the run!  I thought it would feel like I was running in a nappy running in the tri suit but I actually forgot I was wearing it!

When I set off running rather than my legs feeling like jelly they seemed to have taken on a life of their own!  They were turning over much faster than they usually do when I am running. It felt almost like I was running full pelt down hill when in fact I was on the flat!  My Innov8 trainers were very comfy without socks too, so that's another problem sorted!

This new lease of life didn't leave me even when I had a hill to tackle!  I felt invincible and loved every second of my workout today! LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT! 

By the time I had got home I had run 3.87 miles and I was delighted with the pace I maintained despite having just cycled! 

Mile 1 was a 8:21 minute mile, mile 2 was a 8:39 minute mile , Mile 3 was a 8:07 minute mile which is actually faster than I usually run!

Perhaps I have found the answer to running faster!  

Cycle first!

The cycle in the triathlon is 18K (11.18 miles) and today's cycle was 12.65 miles, 1.47 miles further which I did in 56 minutes 49 seconds.  The run in the triathlon is 5K (3.10 miles) and todays run was 3.87 miles, 0.77 miles further which I did in about 29 minutes.  I took about 3 minutes in transition, which included time taken opening the garage door, eating a banana and changing tops!

All in all it took me 1:32:37 for the cycle, run and transition which I am delighted with!

Looks like I am on target for my goal time of 1 hour 40!

Next stop is to practice running with the bike!  

That could add many minutes to my time if I don't master it!  How do you get the bike to go straight whilst holding just the seat? I need to give it a go and find out - quickly!

Tri Training Commences

Today I started my Triathlon training since I only have 16 days left to prepare myself for it!

I decided that I would go swimming, since I have missed the last few weeks due to Marathon training.

The pool was amazingly quiet, considering it is the school holidays!  Obviously with only being day one of the holidays the kids aren't bored enough yet to venture to the pool!

I decided to do 500 metre sets, which is 20 lengths.  

The first 6 or 7 lengths felt like hard work and then I got into the flow and I actually enjoyed being back in the water. 

I managed 5 sets totalling 2500 metres or 1.55 miles.

I was fairly consistent with the pace too, except set 4 when an OAP decided to swim in my lane and totally got in my way! 

Very irritating especially when the rest of the pool was so quiet!

Set 1 was in 12:06 minutes

Set 2 was in 12:06 minutes

Set 3 was in 12.22 minutes

Set 4 was in 12.51 minutes

Set 5 was in 12.37 minutes

I was swimming 500 metre sets because I wrongly thought the Triathlon I have entered has a 500 metre swim but it is in fact just a 400 metre swim! 

Better that way than longer than I thought I suppose!  

I have set myself a goal time to hopefully finish this Tri in! 

My Goal time consists of a:

10 minute 400 Metre Swim

3 minute transition

54 minute 18K Cycle

3 minute transition

30 minute 5K run 

Goal Finish time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Fingers crossed I am not too far wrong!

Out on my bike tomorrow to get some miles in my legs!  

I haven't been on my bike since the 19th August 2013 some 7 months ago!  

I have some severe practising to do and quickly!!!

3 day post marathon!

I have been a little blue after a bad marathon on Sunday where I felt like I was trudging through treacle and I ended up counting down the seconds until it was over. 

Despite spending months training hard and focusing on a sub 4 goal it didn't come together on the day leaving me feeling disappointed, sad and a bit of a failure.

I have decided to spend some time analysing the marathon to see if I can pinpoint what went wrong so it doesn't happen again! 

I finished both my marathon's within 30 seconds of each other but my first one felt relatively easy and enjoyable, whilst this recent one felt like the hardest thing I have ever done and I hated every single moment.

So...

Did I train more for my first marathon?

No in actual fact I think I trained far harder for the second marathon, for which I followed a 20 week training plan. I ran 5 or 6 times a week as well as going swimming and doing yoga.  My long runs (over 13.1 miles) started off at 14.23 miles, building up to 15.15 miles, 17.01 miles, 17.41 miles, 18.78 miles, 20.00 miles and the longest long run was 22.04 miles making a total of 7 long runs. 

During this training I tried my best to make all my runs different and included speed intervals, hill reps, tempo runs and fartleks.  I started running with the Tri Club running group and this really helped me with my pace. During this training I entered 2 x 10K races, a 6 miler, 2 x half marathons and  a 20 miler. Prior to starting this training programme I was just starting to get my fitness levels back after 9 months of injury and was still not 100% confident with about the strength of my ankle and Achilles. 

During the 20 weeks I ran a total of 580.31 miles, 125.34 miles more than I did whilst training for my first marathon.

For my first marathon I followed a 18 week training plan but extended it over 20 weeks as I was on holiday for 2 weeks during weeks 10 and 11. I ran 3 or 4 times a week as well as doing Pilates, steps, cycling and going to the gym regularly.  My long runs (over 13.1 miles) started off at 14.09 miles, building up to 16.19 miles, 19.56 miles, 20.00 miles and the longest long run was 21.72 miles making a total of 5 long runs. During this training I was a one pace pony, and all my training runs tended to be slow plods whether they were 5 miles or 22 miles in length! I ran all my training runs alone. During this training I entered 2 x 10K races, 3 x half marathons as well as a cycling sportive. Prior to starting this training programme I had a solid fitness base as I had just trained and successfully completed (using a run/walk strategy) the Keswick to Barrow 40 mile challenge.  

During the 20 weeks I ran a total of 454.88 miles, 125.34 less than I did for my second marathon.

Race Day?

I fuelled the same for both marathons using high 5 gels every 5 miles.

However, I think I drank more water during my first marathon as it was served in bottles whilst in my second marathon it was served in hard to drink out of pouches.

The weather was fine on both days, although I think I overdressed during my second marathon by wearing a long sleeve base layer and a vest, whereas for my first I wore just a vest!

I had no expectations for my first, just to finish was the goal!  For my second I think I set myself up for failure by having too high expectations by aiming for a sub 4!  My pace was fairly consistent in my first but in my second I started off fast and ended up very slow at the end!

My first marathon was a much smaller affair with approx 3000 runners, whereas Manchester was extremely overcrowded with approx 6000 runners. There was a lot more "walking" runners at my second marathon which was hard on me mentally!  Surely if other people were walking I should be too?!

After writing down the facts in this blog it has made me see more clearly that I wasn't fit initially when I set out to train for my second marathon.  Although I didn't run as much whilst training for my first marathon I actually did more in the way of cross training  and had a much better base fitness!  The race I picked for my first marathon was much more scenic and a better choice although not as flat!   

I enjoyed training better for my second marathon which was during the winter opposed to the first where I trained during the Summer!

So ...

I have decided to stop beating myself up for not hitting a sub 4!  

Considering my injury history I did well to complete the training and marathon injury free!

I said on Sunday NEVER again BUT I think I want to give it another go and end my marathon career with positive memories!


It is time to pick myself up and get back on with training for my next challenge!  

 - A sprint triathlon in just 17 days!

Tonight I went to yoga and had a good stretch and relaxation session which I really enjoyed.

I broke up for the Easter Holidays today after a very sad week saying good-bye to both our Head Teacher and my Class teacher who are both retiring.  

Big Changes ahead!

My dreams didn't come true!

On Sunday after 20 weeks of hard training I ran in The Manchester Marathon.

It can only be described as the worst run in my life!

You can read about my ordeal Here!

Splish, splash, splosh then I lost some dosh!

I am trying to stay calm whilst sitting here with my feet up attempting to preserve energy for tomorrow!  

As part of my relaxation regime I put some money on the Grand National and settled down to see whether my chosen horse "Long Run" would be a good omen or not!  Unfortunately, after leading for some time, he fell!!!  As long as this isn't me tomorrow!

It's raining cats and dogs here at the moment and the forecast for tomorrow is even worse so I am not sure just how calm I can stay!

My one dread was running 26.2 miles in the rain!

I'm feeling a little disappointed with the Great British weather.  

I have worked my socks off to get as fit as I possibly can in order to nail a PB and then the weather conspires against me!

My feet will feel heavy enough without being waterlogged too!

I'm feeling unfit, tetchy, achy, bloated, irrational, cranky, moody and like a tightly coiled spring!  

NEVER let me put myself through this again!

Here's hoping when the starters pistol is fired in the morning I will turn into wonder woman and nail it!

Last Run Done!

Last night I went to see my sports physio for a final pre-race massage to get my legs in tip top condition for Sunday! 

Tonight I did my last run before the big one on Sunday!    
Only 2 more sleeps until THE Manchester Marathon (Or should I say one more sleep and one night of tossing and turning!).

The plan for today said a 20 minute easy run with 8 x 15 seconds of strides, fast but not flat out!

I was feeling nervous about this final run!  I really didn't want to do anything stupid and get injured!

I tried to incorporate some fast blasts into my run and was pleased when I made it home without any niggles manifesting themselves!

I ran 2.37 miles in 21.07 minutes.

During the 20 weeks I have been training for this marathon I have done 555 miles in 82 runs taking 90 hours 45 minutes out of my life! 

Out of the 82 runs,  5 were races, including 2 x half marathons, 1 x 20 miler, 1 x 6 miler and a 10K. I achieved a PB in 4 out of 5 of these!

I hope that stands me in good stead for Sunday!

The weather still looks horrendous but at least I have had plenty of practice running in the rain!  I bet at least 50 out of my 82 runs have been in the rain!

Bring it on!

Penultimate Marathon Training Run!

It's been a strange week this week with tapering, I feel like I have had many hours on my hands!

Last night I sat with my feet up trying not to Google anything to do with running!

Tonight, the plan stipulated a 30 minutes easy run.  After feeling lethargic for the last few days I wasn't particularly looking forward to it but forced myself out the door as soon as I got home!

It was a much cooler evening than on Monday but I soon warmed up.  Once I got going I felt 100% better than I did on Monday and thankfully didn't have the aches and pains either! I think perhaps the pain was psychosomatic brought on by stress!  

I have been reliably informed that sometimes at this stage our legs begin to feel sluggish and heavy, but it's nothing to worry about as its only the glycogen being stored for the big day!  They certainly felt heavy on Monday but thankfully felt better tonight!

Anyhow, I had a fairly enjoyable run and covered 3.02 miles in 26 minutes 33 seconds!  Slightly less than I had planned but I am sure at this point in the game 4 minutes less training isn't going to make or break my goal!

After a short rest it was time for Yoga.  I went with the intention of using it to stretch well and wasn't going put too much effort into any dynamic poses that might have stressed my legs.  Luckily it was a very "easy" class and most of the work was on the upper body, light stretching and relaxation!

One more 20 minute run on Friday and then ...

Yikes!

I am still in a quandary about what to wear as the weather still looks like rain!  I don't want to wear too many layers and be too hot but nor do I want to freeze!

I have a vest top that I have added an iron-on transfer to and I would ideally like to wear this so that I have Haddies support spurring me on when the going gets tough!  If its cold I might wear it with a long sleeve base layer under it!  

Oh decisions decisions!