Some more rough weather for an easy Sunday run in the Pentlands. A group of 15 gathered at Craigdon for a slow trot to Caerketton, Allermuir, Woodhouse Lee and return to Craigdon. It was wet and it was windy but really nice to be on my feet in the hills. Rain eased a bit at the end as we found a way through the cows and their pats. Around 6 miles in 2 hrs with around 500m climb.
A welcome return to running with my first race of the year at the Holyrood Park parkrun. Not very fast with bike fitness not really helping running speed. Nice to be racing again though.
Final serious bike ride before switching my focus back to running and orienteering. Not aiming to be competitive at this after the hard effort yesterday - just looking for a nice enjoyable ride to finish my cycle season. Unfortunately the weather was pretty terrible - continuous heavy rain and strong winds. I was well wrapped up for the conditions so coped pretty well. Took it very easy at the start, worked hard up the very steep Druidsdale climb, pushed on to keep warm on the mountain top and the return to Ramsey. Not a lot of fun while doing it but satisifed to get round feeling reasonable strong at the end.
My big athletic goal of the year was to qualify for the Gran Fondo Time Trial World Championships in Glasgow. I never really had an expectation of qualifying other than perhaps by accident if I found an event with few enough participants. The two UK qualifying events are Cambridge and IoM with the latter being much more hilly and hence favouring me as a lighter rider.
A drive down to Heysham for the IoM ferry across. Not at all impressed by the ferry company - seemed very disorganised and not a great boat for the longish journey. Nice hotel in Ramsey.
TT day saw OK weather with the threatened rain holding off for us. Some serious competitors and bikes on show. The check in guys had a laugh at me being the only competitor with a bell on the bike. Every gramme counts! It was a tough enough climb of about 10 km and 400 m ascent following IoM TT motorbike race mountain course. First 6km or so was typically around 7-8% with an easing to lower slopes near the top and then a short -1% km to the finish. Full on effort with HR above 160 all the way. Don't think I could have done any better. 152% of the winning time which I'm pretty pleased with. 61st of 73 competitors. 7th of 7 in the M55-60 category. The old guys are still very fit and fast with the winner in this category second overall.
Enjoyed the event and the experience of trying to perform on the bike.
A brief visit to Northern Ireland on 3 - 5 July with the main purpose to accompany Maxwell to the dentist to get a crown fitted. The dentist appointment was quick and easy. Travelled by air this time which was certainly quicker and easier than travel by car and boat with the only irritation being a long queue for the car hire. Took Maxwell for lunch at the golf club on Tuesday and went with Liz and Maxwell to RUYC on Wednesday. Got a few jobs done round the house and some tidying of the garden.
