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 :)

Post Box Run

Having been inspired by an article which I read on Fetcheveryone

http://www.fetcheveryone.com/cms.php?id=3

I was inspired to go on a post box run. The idea was to run around Penicuik collecting Post Boxes. This meant that I was forced to run a different route from one of my many usual ones. To begin with it was a bit boring and I was only finding post boxes which are mounted on lamposts.

As I was running looking for the post boxes I started to think about the article. Fetch started his article by saying: 

"For every gold post box commemorating Olympic triumph, there are a thousand more like this one - tired, flaky paint, with a weed growing up the side. This is the one nearest my house, and although I’ll never be responsible for having it painted gold, I can remember a time when I probably couldn’t have run to it, and more tellingly, couldn’t imagine wanting to."

With this in mind I started to reflect on my own running career and worked out roughly that since I started running in 1986 I have probably run around 20000 miles. I know that compared to elite athletes that may not be that high for that amount of time. But for me, "joe bloggs" runner, it is pretty damn impressive! As Fetch said I may not be good enough to get a post box painted gold but I have, in 26 years, run past a lot of post boxes. When you look at all the races that go on over the world there are a lot of people like me, way more "joe bloggs" runners than elite runners. So I think we deserve a huge pat on the back, if not a post box painted a different colour. 

So on my run went, eventually I started to find more exciting post boxes. Real post boxes. 

Still reflecting, I started to think about how these post boxes could represent the races that I have done over the years. Some of them were a bit boring, some in quite pretty places, some quite hard routes, some nice easy routes, some in friendly places, some in not so friendly places, but on the whole they are always there! (well most of them). Then I got to thinking what races would be my gold post box. 

I think my most successful race ever was the St Andrews Half Marathon. Hazel will remember the anguish of waiting to see if I was going to win a t-shirt for being in the top 15 ladies. Yippee I was 15th!!! I still have that t-shirt somewhere in the loft - will never throw it out despite it not fitting at all anymore :) Not sure there were that many more than 15 ladies in the race but still 15th lady over the line is not bad at all!!!! 

Then my next success would probably be the Dublin Marathon. This was my first marathon and it took me forever to run it but it was my first marathon - 26 miles!!!! That is a bloomin' long way. I have now done 5 marathons but Dublin still holds a place in my heart as it was my first. And then my final ultimate success is probably the first Edinburgh Marathon I ran which I did in 5 hours. This represented a 1 hour improvement on my Dublin Marathon time which was amazing for me. Never quite got back there but maybe one day I will get that illusive 4 hours 59 mins that is my dream marathon time! (not very fast I know but just to have a 4 in the time is my goal).

So where did my post box run end today - where else but the Post Office! Has to be said all the wee old ladies waiting for their pension were looking at me a bit oddly as I took a picture of the post box but I just smiled and ran on - let them think I'm a bit mad - do I care? Not a jot!

So many post boxes, miles and races later I am still running and still enjoying it. And I ended up having a nice run on a totally random route that I had never done before. 

And the last words goes to Fetch:

"So why don’t you start by taking a run out to your local post box – and better still, take someone with you. And when they can run there, help them find the next one. You may never change the appearance of that post box – but you may change yourself in the process."

Nice one Fetch! Thanks for the inspiration :)

don't worry, be happy :)

Our Olympic Adventure - part 2

I know it has taken me a few days to get around to typing this but I was back to work this week and have been absolutely nick knacked after our quick trail around London.

So, where did I get to? Oh we were off to The Jersey Boys. Dinner was fab in the Soho Pizza place. Then we headed over to The Prince Edward Theatre. The show was going great until "pop" there was load bang like a light bulb bursting right in the middle of a song. The stage lighting went off and the main lights came on, the microphones were all gone and the actors just looked at each other and then calmly walked off! We all looked at each other and started saying "was that meant, is it the interval". Then a nice wee woman came out and started trying to shout at us that there had been a power cut and that the health and safety dudes wanted to check everything before they carried on. Fifteen minutes later and the cast came back on, picked up where they left off and the show went on. In the end an excellent show and highly recommended. The audience were rocking by the end. 

We then decided to take the tube back to The Tower and we walked miles. We wanted to take pics of the Olympic rings on the tower bridge with lights on. So from the Pier we were able to get right down under the bridge and take some fab photos. Then Alistair decided he wanted to walk over it. My feet were sore by this point, and having claimed this bridge in the VLM I knew it was a bit of hike. But off we set! It was stunning to see the Olympic rings from underneath.

 Then he decided, in his enthusiasm, that we should go right over and walk along the other side of the embankment to the next bridge and back again.

It was lovely, and we now have about a million pictures of the Olympic rings from both sides of the river. By the time we got back my feet were absolutely killing me and I was starting to NEED a cup of tea. Now, the thing about London, which I had never noticed before, was that there are no late night wee supermarkets - plenty of small Sainsburys but no late night openings. So having used all the milk and tea bags in our room I was well and truly stuck with no tea. Not a happy bunny. When we got back to our very posh hotel, we realised we could get tea at the very nice relaxing lounge. So settled in a comfy sofa, a bit tired, but very happy, we quietly sat and watched Mo Farah win his second goal (being repeated at regular intervals right up to 1am!). Time for bed, we've got a marathon in the morning.

Up early, had a bit of a lie in as we had already decided that the £21 per person breakfast in the hotel was not really for us and had found a Weatherspoons doing a full English for £4.99. Not that we are skinflints but it is only bacon, egg and toast!!! At 9am the crowd was slowly beginning to build but we were right at the turn around point at the Tower so we were confident that we could get out in time to get a ring side seat. It was still touch and go though, we sort of forgot about the fact we had to run along to the nearest open underpass to get to the other side of the road! aagghh! We hurried and got ourselves a nice spot, under trees at All Hallows church right at the railing. We met a lovely lady from Hong Kong who offered us a Union Jack to put on the railing next to her flag. We tied the two together and put them on the railing. We had our own wee flags to wave.

 Alistair decided at 9.30am that he was bored already (only 2 hours to go Ali!) and was heading for a paper. So I had to try and keep his space which was not easy with spaces at the railing at a premium. He was on his way back and this man jumped into the space. I mumbled that I was keeping the space and he said that was fine but was there room for him to squeeze in? We decided there was and he introduced himself as Michael. He was an interesting sort! He had theeee most colourful tight lycra vest and equally tight colourful patterned lycra shorts.

 He had a little teddy bear with him which was being sent around the world to different events to different events to promote a campaign against hate crime. He had a unique ankle bracelet, oh wait, I think you call it a tag!!!!! We had great fun later on trying to guess what he got that for! My guess, campaigning against gay rights and it going wrong. He did say he had been on a World Pride march in America and had marched in Britain at Gay Pride marches. Anyway, what a laugh we had with him. He then spotted someone he knew and hot footed it after him. In his space came a lovely girl from Croydon, called Emma, who we had a great laugh with all through the race. 

11.30am and the helicopters appeared in the sky and the Samba band along from us struck up their rhythm. Within seconds the lead runners appeared. Talk about graceful. They just looked like they were floating along rather than running. The cheers were huge. After a bit the first Team GB runner came past - Scott Overall. 

The cheering went up a notch at that point and if there had been a roof it would have truly have blown off. Shortly after Lee Merrian passed and he was duly given the same honours.

 At this point they all looked like they were doing okay. There was only two groups on the first lap. So they were passed quite quickly. By the second lap they were beginning to string out and Kiprotich was leading. 



The cheering went up a notch at that point and if there had been a roof it would have truly have blown off. Shortly after Lee Merrian passed and he was duly given the same honours. At this point they all looked like they were doing okay. There was only two groups on the first lap. So they were passed quite quickly. By the second lap they were beginning to string out and Kiprotich was leading. 

Scott at this point was still ahead of Lee but was beginning to look weary. Lee appeared quite quickly behind. The crowd were keeping up their side, the cheering went on the whole time there were runners on the road. And in between time there were plenty of mexican waves and the Vounteers were keeping us entertained by having Usain Bolt stylee races, with the obligatory lightening bolts by the winner. By the final lap the field was quite strung out and a different Kiprotich was leading. 


Very exciting. Then Lee Merrian appeared! Where was Scott? He came past quite a bit later looking absolutely knackered, but he smiled and waved as the wall of noise followed him around the turning point. It took quite a while for all the runners to pass. The runner from Lichtenstein was really enjoying himself and showboating to the crowd. The loudest cheer of the day was reserved for the final runner from Lesoto. He was smiling all the way. I saw him at the finish line on the recording when I got home, and I do believe he probably had that wall of sound his whole way back! He was a true hero. He looked slow compared to the last runners but still pulled out a well below 3 hour marathon (amazing! inspiring!). 

We had been in touch with Garfield during the race but we were just separated by too many people and too big a distance to be able to actually meet up. There were also Fetchies at Leadenhall but once we got those spaces next to the railing we were not leaving it for anything. 

We had a lovely lunch sitting on the steps at The Tower of London and soaked up the different nationalities. It was a brilliant atmosphere. Then we went back to our hotel picked up our bags and headed back to the centre to go to see Big Ben, London Eye etc. We wandered around for ages, had a seat at the Jubilee Park at County Hall, had ice cream and then had a walk around St James Park towards Buckingham Palace. 

We saw the end of the Changing of the Guard. At that point we had to head back to Victoria Station to catch the Gatwick Express back to Gatwick.

Absolutely knackered but happy, we had our tea at the airport. By the time the plane was ready for boarding I was about sleeping. Just as I was about to have a wee dose, this nice lady sat beside me and said "have you been to the Olympics?" well that was my nap! She had been to watch the Ladies Pentathlon (her daughter had just missed out on being picked for the team) and the girl who came second was her daughter's training partner and pal!). She gabbed the whole way home. She was very nice.

So that was that. Our Olympic Adventure! And I loved every minute of it. 


don't worry, be happy