Commuting

As I still have no car I decided to cycle to work today rather than run, Jez needed his car and was going to be away overnight anyway. The ride in was mostly in daylight, hurrah! I had to carry my laptop as well as my usual stuff so I had both panniers on, the extra weight was noticeable, particularly trying to lumber away from traffic lights etc. I intended leaving the laptop at work.

There was a stiff headwind from Warton to Lytham , I could see by the flags at the side of the road that I was riding straight into it. I passed a coal lorry and did look behind me to see if they had chucked a couple of sacks on coal onto the bike such was the reduction in speed!

It took 1:17 to get to work today, I thought it was slower. I was starving too, so I downed the bottle of energy drink that I now always carry with me in the morning (as I can't face breakfast before setting off) when getting showered and changed then had a large bowl of porridge.

A call to the garage after lunch and they still haven't managed to get the correct seal for the injector!!!! So unlikely the car will be finished today, that puts me in a bit of a quandary as I can't use Jez's car tomorrow. I end up deciding to take the laptop home and I arrange to work at home tomorrow.

I need to pick some bike bits up from Merlin, which wasn't a big deal until I remembered they are no longer in Leyland (2 miles away) but Buckshaw Village (6.5 miles away). I'll have to go by bike.

Ride home was brill, the wind was behind me all the way and I made good speed with not masses of effort. It took 1:10 to get home, which is reasonably quick. A quick pitstop, dump uneccessary baggage, pick up a lock, pick up some biscuits, feed the cat then back out. The cat was very miffed at this!

I rode through Cuerden Park, best time to ride it is at night as there is nobody there then up the A6 and into Buckshaw Village. Into Merlin, pick up the bits then I decide to ride home on the A49 as traffic will have calmed a bit. At some point on the ride home I did the maths....35.5 round trip commute, 10 miles so far in my Merlin run, only another 4.5 or so to get 50.

Why did I do that? I nipped into Sainsburys to get some odds and sods (chocolate) and then had to find two miles so rode down into Bamber Bridge a bit then home. 50.4 milesish of bimbling about on the tank.

I hope I haven't killed my legs for tomorrow's run.

Bike bimbling

Legs were tired today so spent the day trying to catch up on some chores and picked up some shopping on the bike. I decided to go to Booths and take the slightly more scenic route to get 10 miles or so. Legs seemed to perk up after a few miles of cycling which was good.

Loads of people out and about on the tramway meant lots of dodging. A quick wander round Booths then heading back home. Its been a while since I've had fully laden panniers on the bike, I forgot about the extra weight and nearly dropped the bike when I stopped at the traffic lights. It does make for some interesting effects on the handling.

Home, 10.98 miles (CBA getting the last 0.02!). Unpacked the panniers to find that the cream had opened. The carton only had a foil lid, which had been pierced by something and about a quarter of the, thankfully small, carton had leaked. Lovely, serve me right for just chucking it in though.

I cleaned the cream covered food off and ended up pouring a load of hot water into the pannier, a good test of waterproofness, swirling it round and pouring it all back out to remove the cream.

I stretched my quads out a lot today, found a couple of large knots in the Rec Fem muscle on either leg and rollered them so hopefully they will be good to go tomorrow.

Running and a little cycling.

Due to car shenanigans I'm working from home today which disrupted plans slightly, but not too much. The plan today was to do a 7 mile run at lunchtime along the seafront. I still got out for a run but had to run around the Ribble area, which was actually really pleasant.


I took the car to the Preston Ford garage this morning (earlier than planned but the builders were drilling and giving me a headache) as I didn't fancy driving it all the way to my usual garage in Blackpool, which turned out to be a sensible plan as it broke down once on the way there. It happened as I was driving down a hill so I was able to roll the car off the road, I waited 10 minutes and it started up again. It was obviously not happy but I made it to the garage without further incident. I must say the Preston Ford garage seems a bit more efficient than Blackpool as I was booked in quickly and on my way.


I nipped to Morrisons on the docks in Preston which is my least favourite supermarket to shop in, anywhere, ever. I had to cycle all the way to the opposite end of the store to find proper bike parking, not pointless stuff that you can only lock the wheel to (which with QR wheels is not at all secure!). It was full of OAPs which shouldn't be surprising given it was about 10am on a working day but it was amazingly busy. I seemed to be getting a few funny looks then I realised my basket only contained a 1.5 litre bottle of vodka, soup and a loaf of bread! The vodka is to get cracking on the cranberry vodka I make for Chistmas presents (it wasn't for me, honest), it needs a few weeks to mature properly so now is the time to get on with it - the first batch is already maturing.


I cycled back home into a cold headwind but I was wearing the waterproof trousers (not bad actually) so my legs didn't feel cold. I did some work before I couldn't stand the noise any longer and went out for a run. I headed in a roundabout way to the Ribble and had a really enjoyable, if hungry run. It turned out to be 6.7 miles so I wasn't that far off my planned run anyway. I started off a little too fast and finished slowly but I was quite hungry by the end. It was really nice to get out in the daylight, a cold wind but no rain.


I'm going to double check the forecast for tomorrow before making my decision on what to do, I'd like to cycle but if its stupidly windy then I may get a lift with Jez and take my running kit to work instead.....

Chuffing Car - Part Two

I didn't get to the Burnley XC race yesterday, I completely forgot my car had broken down on Thursday night. I didn't have to drive anywhere on Friday as I was working at home and I walked the couple of errands I had to do. I decided against cycling as they were both only a mile each way and I wanted to kick through all the fallen leaves like a five year old, twas fun.


I set off to the race a little later than planned anyway as we are in the process of redoing the lounge. I did feel a little guilty driving off leaving Jez to get on with painting the new plaster. Anyway, a couple of minutes after hitting the M65 the car starts to misbehave, hard to describe but feels like it wants to stall and at motorway speeds that isn't good. I turned around at Jct 3 and headed home while it still sputtered quite a few times. I managed to get home without it completely conking out. Jez had nipped out in his car so I resigned myself to getting my painting jeans on and getting stuck in.

I did ride to the farmshop later in the afternoon, I was glad I did as it was nice to get out for 10 easy miles but I only put my front light on as an afterthought, which is just as well as I really needed it on the way home.

I knew I wouldn't get much done today except housey stuff but I rode into Preston to do some shopping (start of my Christmas shopping too), it's only 6.5 miles round trip or so. I took a different exit out of Avenham park as I wanted to check out the bike parking at the station, it was just as steep as the other way I go but they've thoughfully put some speedbumps in made of cobbles which my tyres don't grip well if I'm stood up. The bike parking at the station is on a quiet covered platform and there were a few other bikes there and passengers milling about on the other platforms.

I felt happier leaving my bike there rather than in the middle of the street and faffed about in town for about an hour and a half. I was glad the platform was covered as it was throwing it down when I made my way back to the bike, it allowed me to pack up the pannier properly and sort myself out without getting wet. Thumbs up for parking in the station.

I got absolutely soaked on the way home, the rain was icy cold and I had a headwind which meant it was in my face for most of the way home. I had my waterproof jacket on top so I was ok there but I only had thin trousers on the bottom and they were dripping by the time I got home. My legs and fingers were freezing so it was another hot shower to the rescue. The mudguards do work really well but my feet still got wet from the water running down my legs.

I dug out a pair of waterproof trousers I bought when I first started MTBing, they are too warm for serious biking but should be ok for that kind of easy pedalling, I will chuck them in the bottom of the pannier from now on!

Cycling and Running - Brrrr!

Had to take my car in for a service today, the garage is in Blackpool and in the past I've always gotten a courtesy car as it is free. They are now charging 15 pounds for one and my Scottishness wouldn't allow me to pay that much for driving it 8 miles. I hadn't really appreciated it was only an 8 miles round trip from the garage to work as it seems to take ages due to traffic.

I have the Spesh kitted out with flippy pedals so I put it and a pannier stuffed mainly with my laptop and work papers but also lunch and work clothes in the boot of the car to cycle. I would change trousers and top only as would be bimbling along anyway. It was quite cold in the morning, glad I had my buff on my head under my helmet, also had the "boil-in-the-bag" flouro yellow jacket on so I was warm enough. I had a headwind all the way to work so thought I would have a nice tailwind on the way back....err wrong!

The wind changed direction to mainly northerly and it was really bloody cold riding into it. It was also depressingly dark at 5pm, I had walking style trousers on and they do have a little wind proofing but they are not warm as such, my quads felt really cold. I cranked the heating up in the car all the way home.

I had (quite sensibly of me) laid out all my kit to go running last night, I got in, put it all on and got out the door...and gasped. It was proper cold, the kind that really permeates, I was glad I decided to put the fleecy longs on my legs and the sleeves on my jacket. I had thought about doing 6 miles or so but it was too cold to run that far, I decided to do a shorter 3 mile run but have some fast efforts in the middle instead. I set off trying not to breathe in too hard, it takes a while for me to adjust to running in the cold air again.

After a mile or so I try to do a fast minute or so to warm up even more but my legs weren't having it at all, they were quite tired from yesterday's run and my joints felt a little stiff from the tarmac so I kept it to a steady pace, enough to keep some heat in me and was glad I hadn't decided to go further. It was cold enough that I never uncovered my ears, or unzipped my jacket , or was tempted to take my gloves or sleeves off. Normally one of them happens on a run even in the cold.

I tried again to pick up the pace on the last stretch but only succeeded in making my legs feel even more battered so just plodded home. I always walk the last 50 or so metres back to the house to shake my legs out but it was too cold and I broke into a jog again. I spent ages in the shower warming up!

I wanted to cycle to work tomorrow but it looks like we will be moving all the stuff out of the lounge ready for the builders to start demolishing it on Wednesday. It will disrupt things for a couple of weeks and I think I may end up struggling to get some cycling in for a bit - I hate painting!

In the end it was 3.8 miles at just under 9mm mile pace which was longer than I intended to run and faster than I thought given that it felt like I was wading though treacle at times.

Errand Running - Literally

I got out after work and ran to Leyland library and back. The wind was still strong but not as bad as it was in St Annes, just walking across the car park was an ordeal, never mind trying to run.

I had to take a book back as well as pick up a reservation so I decided to take my little running rucksack. The book needed some persuasion to go in and I hoped the one I was going to pick up wasn't any bigger else I'd have to carry it in my hands.

I was setting off into the wind so again ran for effort not pace, as it was basically out and back I would get the wind behind me on the way home. Into the wind it was chilly and I had my jacket sleeves on and gloves though in any sheltered area it was obvious it wasn't really that cold. My lower legs are still feeling it a littl so I took my time to make sure I was well warmed up.

I got to the library in what seemed like no time and picked up a smaller book thankfully. I took my jacket sleeves off for the run home as the wind would be behind. I soon took the gloves off too as it was quite warm without the wind in my face. I took advantage of the tail wind and pushed my heart rate up around the 170 mark for the last couple of miles. It was 5.8 miles in total and a nice length for an evening run.

A nice run with a purpose, made all the difference on a dark windy night.

I'm working at home tomorrow as I will be waiting in for the blokes coming to stuff our cavity walls with insulation, not sure what I'm going to do but if I run it will be a short one.

Bloody Wind

Brought my running kit to work today but the wind is so strong I can't be bothered going out to run my planned 6 miles. The only good thing about running in St Annes is the beach/prom but it'll be too windy today and I'll end up with a face full of stinging sand assuming I can actually run along it, been beaten off it by the wind before. I can run round boring streets anywhere.

I've seem to have a lot on this week and am not sure I'll be able to cycle to work as will be working from home a couple of days at least.

My plan to get myself out running this evening is to run to Leyland Library, take one book back and pick up another. It will be a 6 mile or so round trip on streets I've never run before and will have a purpose rather than just a run. Hopefully that will motivate me to get out when I get home, I like running routes I've never done before even if they are along main roads.

Getting Soaked on Errands

Went to Sainsburys this afternoon after my run, its only just over a mile but would spin my legs out a little.

The new forks do make a difference but I need to adjust the saddle as they are a little higher than the previous forks and the saddle seemed tilted back. It was windy and grey when I went into the store, by the time I got to the checkout it was throwing it down.

It eased off a little before I got to the bike but it didn't really matter, having no mudguard on the front wheel meant I was drenched immediately from the surface water. It was also difficult to see as the wind was flinging the rain into my eyes, my lower legs were very, very cold when I got home.

I do need to sort out a mudguard of some sort soon.

Bimbling about

It was such a lovely day today, a total contrast to yesterday anyway! I had a long list of jobs that I needed to do and have been putting off but as it was such a nice day I did all the shopping I needed to do by bike and wasted lots of time doing that instead as I tried to take the long way round everywhere. My calves in particular were feeling it from yesterday but a bit of a spin out seemed to do them good. I did 19 miles in the end which was enough task avoidance!

The Ribble was pretty high and fast flowing, not surprisingly I suppose...I didn't actually need to go near the Ribble but thought it would be nice along there, with it being such a sunny day and all:

That tree isn't normally in the river!

I have/am about to enforce a couple of "No Computer" days on myself to make sure I make a dent in the list! I can spend hours on the PC in task avoidance - bit like work really!

Cycling Miles 292 for September

I have been doing lots of errand running by bike this month as well as cycle commuting to work at least once a week. I hadn't been keeping too close a check on the totals but I knew it was over 200 miles or so. It is in fact 292 If I'd been paying attention I would've done the 8 miles required to get over the 300 mark.

Out of those miles only about 60 are "going out for a ride" miles. The rest are all from commuting or errand running. So that's 230 miles or so I haven't used my car for.

Also 192 of those miles have been done on the Specialized, poor thing doesn't know what's hit it! It thought it was in retirement, forever to be hung up in the garage.

Running miles weren't brilliant due to injury but I'm not far off 500 for the year, my goal this year is 600 miles so getting close.

Tired

Felt very tired today, very weary indeed. I know some of it is down to a late night last night, I didn't get to bed until 1am this morning due to attending a leaving do for someone who is departing the country next week. I was driving and not drinking but I still had a late one and I need my sleep at the best of times.


I was also a grumpy sod all day which means my blood sugar is low and I need food. I need to be careful with this as I can underfuel myself and run myself down. It tends to be cumulative over the course of a week olr soand I think Thursday's run really took it out of me.

I decided not to do my planned hilly off road run and have an extra rest day, well apart from some shopping on the bike. I did about 13.5 miles in total at an ambling pace. I did a quick trip to the supermarket first and it was obvious I was tired, I perked up on the bike though. I had a massive craving for biscuits on the way round the store and left with my shopping and a triple pack of jaffa cakes (well they were on offer).


I had about 5 when I got home then cycled out to the farm shop for the fruit and veg. It was a lovely day for bimbling along and I noticed a lane called Hugh Lane. I had cycled on a Hugh Lane about a mile back and I thought there was a good chance this was part of the same road, though it would be split by the bypass. I decided to have a look on the way home.

After riding the road bike on Thursday with the lovely carbon forks the Spesh felt very harsh, I hit a small pothole and I thought the jarring was going to break my neck. I need to look at getting some carbon forks or some maxlight ones or something on it as the £10 Ebay specials I have on at the minute are so harsh.

I got my veg shopping and bought some more biscuits, I'd forgotten I had already had jaffa cakes. It was an indication that I was low on energy reserves I don't usually crave that much sweet stuff. I trundled back and took the other part of Hugh Lane and sure enough it ended at the bypass and annoyingly they had a stile rather than a gate.

I took the panniers off and lifted the bike over as I couldn't be bothered going back, lifted panniers over and put them back on and rolled across the road then repeated the shenanigans for the stile on the other side. THe second stile was more awkward than the first as it had steps I then continued on my way....I haven't mastered the art of packing the panniers well yet, as can be seen below.



I still haven't found the Garmin unit yet, I remember taking it off the road bike then its all a blank after that, though on the plus side it I hadn't left it in my jacket an put it through the washing machine. It's probably ran away to join my remote car key as I still haven't found that yet either!

Off Road Run - At Last

Got out for a run offroad this afternoon and it was really hot! My poor body didn't know what was happening to it: running, hills and heat. I knew with it being such a nice day that the Ryal Fold car park would be full so I parked in the car park just off the Belmont road, opposite Great Hill.

I ran from there, over the top of the moor to the tower, then back down and then back to the car. It was a new loop but I left myself a couple of climbs at the end which wasn't the most cunning plan. I didn't take my Camelbak to stop me from being tempted to stay out too long but I regretted not having any water with me, I felt like mugging one of the many walkers around today for their water bottle. I had 500ml of water in the car and drank the lot when I got back to it. I'm glad I had my cap with me, stop my head totally boiling.

Trail conditions were good, some soft going in places but lots of firm and dry stuff too. I also saw three other runners around the top of the moor, really unusual felt like telling them to get lost, its MY moor!

I did just under 6 miles at less that 10 minute mile, which is quite quick going for me on hilly offroad. My legs felt quite heavy at the start but when I got home I realised I'd already done over 20 miles of cycling errands so they weren't really as fresh as I thought they were. The tightness is easing so hopefully time to build the distance back up to the 10 - 12 mile mark.

Rest Day (ish)

Had a half hour session with Alan last night where he attacked my psoas, it was feeling better by the end but it feels quite tender today due to the trigger point work. Depending on what gets done I often have to take it quite easy the day after a massage session to let the muscles return to normal so that's what I'm doing today. It also helps I don't really have a working MTB at the minute and no-one else is available to ride tonight so the temptation has been removed.

My plan is to ride to Leyland Library at a leisurely pace to pick up the book I requested, bimble back and so some core work (shudder, I hate doing core work) as I really do need to do some then 20 minutes or so of yoga stretches.

I did my morning stretch routine today and need to get back into that habit as it used to keep lots of lower limb problems away when running a lot.

I had a quick look around the centre of Buckshaw Village last night when attending my massage session but I couldn't see anywhere I'd be happy to leave my bike for an hour or so, no bike parking at all outside the few shops which is surprising considering all the paths are cycle paths. I should be taking it easy after a massage anyway so I will continue using my car for it for now.