Biking, tea and swimming :)

Yesterday, Alistair and I had a rare day off together so as the sun was shining we decided to put the bikes on the roof of the car and head off for a nice bike ride together. We took the car down to a spot near Roslin and got on our bikes. I did have a bit of a giggle before we started because Alistair's bike computer had a great instruction on it that I totally wanted to follow!

We headed off down past Kilburn Woods.

Now I thought we were going for a nice road run but nooooooo Alistair had other ideas. Well he hasn't been on his bike off road like this for nearly two years so who was I to interfere with his fun! As he rode his bike effortlessly down farm tracks and up and down forrest trails, I was on and off my bike, with lots of swearing. (I am so not a mountain biker). But, I did manage it and I did actually enjoy myself.

Finally we finished with the off road stuff and turned onto the railway path to Loanhead. That was really nice. The sun was shining and it was quiet so we just trundled along for a bit chatting. Then I asked a stupid question "so, Alistair, how is it that Tracey can overtake me and then disappear off down the road so fast that I can hardly see her for dust?". "High Cadence" was his answer!!! This then resulted in him showing me how I should increase my cadence without getting out of breath. Ha, I get the principle, but I was still out of breath!!!! 

We cycled all the way down to Loanhead and then took a turn around Loanhead before coming back onto the railway back to Roslin. More cadence work - by this point I was bloomin' knackered! My legs were like jelly. But it was good fun and I was cycling a lot more smoothly than I had been at the beginning.

Eventually we were back in Roslin and stopped for a wee breather. The sun was shining and it was warm. Perfect for bike riding. What a brilliant day we were having. 

Not wanting to go home just yet, and we still had a bit of time before Rhona was due back in from school I suggested we head down to the chapel for a wee nosy! After a stop to look at the beautiful view Alistair suggested we stop for a cup of tea at the Stable Snack Bar. Best cup of tea ever!!! Being outside with great company and a nice cup of tea is a perfect way to spend a morning off. 

Then it was time to go home. What a great morning we had. It was so nice to see Alistair back on his bike enjoying himself. It has been a long time coming and I think he really felt great after it. Me on the other hand bloody knackered with wobbly legs. How come Alistair can be so strong after not being on his bike for 2 years and me, training all the time, still puggled! Oh well, had fun though.

Then to top it off I headed down to Beeslak swimming pool at 8pm to meet with Lynne, my fabulous swimming teacher, who totally transformed my technique and gave me lots to practice next time I get in the pool. 

Bed time, absolutely knick knacked! But happy :)

don't worry, be happy :)

A tale of two races

The first weekend in September saw us go through to Glasgow for the annual Glasgow running fest! Normally I would run the Half Marathon but this year I was pretty sure I wasn't really up for running 13 miles, what with having a dodgy tooth taken out three days before and a few months of having felt a bit wonky from said tooth abscess. So I swapped my half marathon number for a 10K one.

My mum was also taking part in the 10K. She had been training hard for this and was looking forward to it. So rather than pull out altogether I wanted to still go through and enjoy the best of running experiences that you always get in Glasgow.

We got started in George Square (or if you are a Still Game fan otherwise known as Georgie Square). The atmosphere as always was fantastic and the commentator was, Brian Burnett, I think he has been at every race I have run this year - we are becoming quite chummy! He has even cheered me on at the end of the Great Winter Run, Edinburgh Marathon and the Keswick Trail 10K - well he shouted "c'mon Fetchie"!

That's my Mum waving in the middle! Look at the smile :)

Once the countdown was over and the first three waves had gone it was our turn and off we went climbing up St Vincent Street, heading for the Kingston Bridge. I love this bit of the run because it is an amazing sight seeing all the runners stretch up the hill in front of you and then all the way over the Kingston Bridge. The Bridge has great views down the river and is just brilliant to run over.

Once we got over the bridge we headed on through our route. For the first 3 miles the route was the same as the Half Marathon, I did at this point start to feel a little bit nostalgic for my Half Marathon, but as we turned away from the half route and onto the 10K route I realised I was in for a different run altogether. Blinkin' heck it was hilly and not at all the easy option I had hoped for. But as always with Glasgow there was a lot of "oggy oggy oggying" as we passed under bridges. The route was totally different from the half marathon and I had a great time. I finished in 65 mins which reassured me that I had done the right thing not running the half marathon this year. I had a really good time. And my Mum was brilliant, she ran walked it and had a great time taking part.

My fabulous day out in Glasgow was complete when who should I see wandering across the Green but Margaret (the lovely Fetchie I chat to on Fetch). We had a lovely catch up before she headed off to chase down her Dad who was swiftly heading off in a different direction!).






So that was the first week in September. Now for the second weekend. In the glory of the Peebles Triathlon I stupidly entered the Haddington Triathlon. At the time it felt like I had forever to train for it and suddenly it was here. I really was not up for it at all. And despite the best efforts of all my lovely Fetchie Friends and Tracey doing their best to talk me into doing it, I was still trying to talk myself out of it right up to 6.30am in the morning. However, it was a gorgeous morning, the sun was shining and it was warm. I have no real explanation for why I felt like I didn't want to do it, a whole lot of things built up to me just not being up for it. But, I am made of sterner stuff and Alistair told me that "I was as strong as an ox and that I should just go and do it". He is right, I have been running a long, long time and can keep going no matter what. So up I got, had my shower, ate my banana and grabbed my enormous bag of stuff (you do need a lot of stuff for Triathlon).

Anyway, got to Haddington and there was a real buzz about the place. Parked my bike in transition.

I got all my stuff sorted in the wee box and turned around and there at the back of me was Lesley and Michelle from Fetch. After regulation hugs I turned around again and there was Tracey and her gang. There seemed to be loads of them. One Tracey and Stephen had organised their transition spot and Eilidh's Dad Allister had checked my front wheel for me (I was a wee bit worried I had put it on wrong and it would fall off - but it was fine) we headed inside to register and listen to the race briefing. Before long we were in the water and ready for the off. I was happy that I had Tracey in my lane, that meant that there was at least one person in the lane who would not drown me. I had planned to try and swim the way that Lynne had taught me and I had been practising, however there was a man in our lane who kept swimming really fast and hassling me. So I just got back into my stride and got on with it the way I did in Peebles. Finally, I was done with my 30 lengths and got out of the pool. I wobbled my way out of the building (can't quite get used to this running thing). As I ran out the building I heard my name, it was Alistair and Rhona, they had whizzed down on the motorbike to see me. It was so lovely to see them both there.

Is it this way?

got to remember my helmet.

right that's me off!

Once out on the bike I was quite happy cycling along. The route was absolutely gorgeous and the weather was just so nice. Before long Tracey whizzed pass me, she is awesome on the bike! After quite a long climb up we eventually turned left, and it felt like we were heading back to Haddington. On one of the last climbs I was finding it a bit tough, and in the distance I could see a blue motorbike coming, it was Alistair and Rhona again. I mumbled something about it being really hard and then waved them on. Finally, I turned left again and I was on my way back. At one point I passed Lesley's husband and scared him half to death shouting out "Are you Bob?". He has taken some of the most amazing photographs of the triathletes, even managed to make me look okay!

So got myself back to transition again for the run leg of the triathlon. Now this is the bit I am supposed to be good at but the wheels all came of my wagon and it was not fun! I got my bike racked in it's wee spot and then put my trainers on (no socks and everything - hardcore triathlete me!). The pain in my legs was horrible. Not a sore pain, just a weird pain. I hobbled onto the run route and eventually had to stop to introduce my legs back to my body. Finally got going and then climbed up over a nice wee bridge which took us onto a path that ran alongside fields. As I got to the top of the path I spotted the combine harvester spitting dust out from whatever crops it was cutting. "Pants" is all I could think. This is not going to be pretty. I could feel it settling on my asthmatic lungs and the wheezing started. I had to walk alongside the path as my chest just tightened and when I get like that the energy goes right out of my legs. I guess that is a lack of oxygen, but not that scientifically minded to really understand. Anyway, I walked a bit and ran a bit, finally getting into some woods and away from the fields. My breathing settled a bit and I was able to start running again a bit. There was another wee bridge we had to run over and I passed the lovely lady I had met at the Peebles Triathlon, Liz, and who I found out lives in Penicuik too!!! We run the same route in training just the opposite way around, we have probably been passing each other all the time for ages!

Liz was lovely and encouraged me to keep going so I did. Not long after that I spotted a familiar face and heard the "whoo hoo, hiya Jane" and then as I passed her, Tracey was telling me about a magic log. 

I had no idea what she was talking about because at that point I hardly knew which way was up. I got a lovely cold drink of water which helped, touched the magic log!! Now I get you Tracey, and headed back along the path. Passed Bob again, with his magic camera - how do I look so good Bob when I really wasn't. You are an amazing photographer Bob!!

I just got slower and slower as I had to pass the field with the combine harvester again and the breathing problems all started up again. However, I am a bit stubborn and unless I was literally dropping I would get myself to the end. Finally, got back to the bridge at the bottom and knew I was nearly there. Over the line in one piece, if a little knackered. Eilidh even managed to get me looking okay as I crossed the line. 

Tracey was there screaming at me as I finished which was so nice. We had a lovely time afterwards taking lots of nice pics. Met up with Lesley and Michelle as well, it was so nice to spend time with them too.

Fetchie legs

Glam Fetchie ladies

The triathlon was probably not my finest few hours, but on reflection a day later I did actually enjoy the triathlon. I am still a bit wheezy so it may be that I have an underlying cold or maybe even still a residue problem from my tooth abscess. I really enjoyed the challenge of the triathlon and in particular the swimming. So I will be spending the winter months working on my swimming and my running. The bike bit is my weakest so the spring time will be spent building the miles up. 

But which of the two races was my favourite? Sorry, triathletes, running in Glasgow gets my vote!!

One more race to go (Edinburgh 10K) and then that is me for the year, will just slip into a few months of running for running's sake. I think I need a wee rest from racing now.

Thanks for reading,

don't worry, be happy :)