PoppyScotland Sportive

A very early 6.15 alarm call to get to Prestonpans and ready to ride by 8 am. The day started well with temperatures relatively pleasant and partially clouded skies but enough light to make the East Lothian coastline look fantastic. The ride out to North Berwick was flat and easy without pushing too hard. After North Berwick it was inland towards East Linton for the first food station. After a short break for a giant flapjack it was on to the hilly section with a long hard climb into the Lammermuirs. Pleased to stay on the bike the whole way as there were quite a few riders hoping off to walk the steep bits.

The second stop was in Gifford. Food choice wasn't great - would really have killed for a coffee and a cheese sandwich but it was really just sugary flapjacks on offer.

The last 22 miles was surprisingly hilly. Out to Humbie before homeward bound via Cousland and any other high spot the route planner could find. I didn't feel on great form. Legs possibly a bit stiff from Body Pump two days before and it was also a big longer and hillier than anything I've done in a while.

68 miles, 1500 m of climb in just over 5 hours moving time on the bike. A good Sunday morning.

SOSOL at Cademuir

First non-urban orienteering in ages at Cademuir in Peebles. Generally feeling pretty solid with new HOKA shoes with maximum cushioning to help reduce any aches and pain in the legs. For the most part it was decent navigation on a fairy easy course but I managed to ignore control 6 and go straight to 7 then 8 before finally remembering to do 6 (and then 7 and 8 again). About an hour running on the Green course.

Peebles Duathlon

Very early start leaving the house and heading for Peebles at 7.20 am arriving at 8 am. Registered and then set up my bike in the transition area.

3 mile run was a pleasant 2 loops of a park running close to the Tweed. Lots of ups and downs and steps making it a little more challenging. Tried to keep a nice steady pace and heart race - no point pushing too early in what would be a long morning. Finished the first section in 28 mins 23 secs.

Transition to bike went fairly smoothly. There was a fair distance of pushing the bike in the road shoes which wasn't ideal.

The bike felt almost like a rest compared to the running. It was a pretty familiar stretch of road between Peebles and Traquair with some climbs but nothing too series. Completed the 12 miles in 42 mins 51 secs and an average speed of around 17 mph. 

Transition to run was slow but fine although brain was barely functioning at this stage so pleased to have left with everything I needed. Downed 2 gels at this point. Had only just taken in enough water on the cycle and there were no drinks on offer on the final run.

The second run leg was pretty tough at first. The cycle does something to your legs that makes the run feel very strange. Needed to just focus on a slow steady jog to get back into the running zone again which I finally did by halfway through the second lap with about a mile to go. Was able to push on quite well at the point and finish fairly strongly.

Medal, water and snacks provided at the finished. Very pleased with the outing which went very well.

Meadows 5K

First road race in quite a while. Paid my £2 for the Sri Chinmoy 5k route the Meadows. Locked into sync with Kenny and helped push each other along for most of the second half of the race. Finish time was a reasonable 24 mins 17 secs.

Lets Ride - Tour of Britain

The Tour of Britain cycle race was starting in Edinburgh today. Went down to the Meadows to watch the cyclists go speeding by (twice). The cyclists are past in a flash. The motorbikes and team cars with bikes on top and probably more interesting to watch.

 

Afterwards Cherry and I went out for a 4.5 km closed road loop around the centre of edinburgh. A good crowd of people out and a pleasant easy paced ride. First time Cherry has been on the bike in quite a while.

Dinner with Max & Cherry in the evening at Pizza Express. Hannah is in Disneyland Paris with her Birmingham friends.

Eliburn Orienteering

I was the planner at the Interlopers Come and Try It event at Eliburn Park Livingstone. A busy day spent putting out and taking in the controls and wandering round deterring anyone from stealing them.

The courses seemed to go down well and it was a nice afternoon.