Friday 6th June
Since my
last blog post the focus has been on Bikeability leaving little time for
‘retirement’ activities, the weather has been poor as well, lots of heavy
showers and quite chilly. I am still managing to get 2 runs in a week [despite
my laziness and lack of motivation], be it round the town but they are 5.5 mile
runs, I have been trying a new strategy of using my heart rate monitor and
keeping the rate at approximately 135 -140 bpm with a rise to 150 -155 bpm on
the steep hills, well below my maximum heart rate, but still making me work
hard. This is resulting at the moment of approximately 10.10 minute miles but
is supposed to be ‘fat burning’ and I do find I ache less the next day and feel
I can run further, keeping my options to run longer events, even though I am
running less, but regular[I hope this all makes sense]. If I decide to resume
my ‘fell running’ race entry this will be helpful. I am looking to the 8 mile
‘Charmouth Challenge’ the ‘most southerly fell run’ in July and the ‘Minehead 17’ at the end of July, at
least it gives me something to train for, although there are a couple of Audax
events as well – seeing as I should have my new bike on the road by the end of
next week. Andy has finally built my wheels – lovely ‘Hope’ hubs!
We did
manage a good day out in the van last Saturday [31st May] with a
trip to Exmouth, lunch on the front in the sunshine.
Sunday was
a cycle ride to West
Bay
Van has
been serviced ready for a trip to France
soon down to the Vendee – I am looking forward to driving on the French roads,
much quieter than UK
Collected
new wheels and put on the tyres – very nice lightweight wheels.
Another 5.5
mile run last night keeping the heart rate down, still felt ok, but! Not sure
if ‘niggly knee’ was returning as several twinges?? Fingers crossed it hasn’t.
Saturday 7th
June
Great day
after scary thunderstorms and torrential rain at 4:30 this morning.
Beautiful
sunshine [but blustery] after lunch and warm temps enticed me out on my bike –
first time in shorts! Headed out over Hatch Beauchamp, then across the levels
round to Westport, the road to Barrington very flooded, half pedals to avoid
wet feet, Barrington ‘National Trust’ village seemed to have a children’s fun
day in the play park, a theme that appeared later in the ride. More flooded
roads over to Dowlish Wake where they
had a Duck race in progress, so people in the road were a hazard, not to
mention plastic ducks. A climb up to Cricket Malherbie before a steep descent
down to Chaffcombe and home. – it was a ‘Tour of villages with nice names’
today and 29.5 miles covered. A nice ride. And tan lines to show for it!
Sunday 8th
June
Mike and
Jason riding partners today, along for my 50 mile ride over Slough Green, Ham,
North Curry, Athelney, Langport, Muchelney, Hambridge, Curry Mallett, Hatch
Beauchamp, and back over Bickenhall, Horton, Crock St etc. Lots of riders out
today, and the café was very busy with both bikers and cyclists. Roads were
mostly dry, with good views at the high spots on the ride, there was evidence
at Athelney that dredging is taking place to help avoid flooding next year, I
think its wishful thinking! When you look at what they are removing!
We set a
brisk pace at times with Jason showing us his ‘weightloss speed’ by sprinting
up every hill and leaving Mike and I in his wake!
The
highlight of the ride was the enormous piece of cake [see picture] at the ‘Riverside Café in Langport and pot of
tea
Cake at the
Riverside Café, Langport
A great
ride, and what seemed like the first ride of the summer as I had short sleeve
jersey and shorts, rather than every thing long and still cold! Just after I
arrived home there were spots of rain on the window – hey ho! Short summer, but
we didn’t get wet this morning and had a good ride.
Not sure how much I will do this week coming as its 4 days of Bikeability 30 miles from home, so early starts and late finishes.
Not sure how much I will do this week coming as its 4 days of Bikeability 30 miles from home, so early starts and late finishes.
