3 Blips in 1

Saturday was a crazy day. R n I had both done ParkRun. She smashed her Marple PB and finished 10th overall (1st lady). I had buried myself to pull off a very average time! She was excited and I was pissed off n feeling exhausted. The cycle home was a tough one.


After a quick bite to eat, we headed off to the swim, bike run show thingy. I had assumed it was in Manchester Central and we arrived to find no one there! Blahhhhhh...it was out at Trafford! A frantic bus journey across Manchester followed with me feeling quite silly!


We spent the rest of our day walking about, speaking to people and looking at cool equipment. I was really pleased with my Zoot trainers which were a) a bargain b) exactly what I wanted c) not an impulse buy. After the show we headed into town to Slice for pizza....hungry wasn't the word! Rosemary was impressed with the pizza from my fav place to grab ehhh.... a slice. 


Sunday was an early start for me as I had coaching stuff to do while R stayed in bed! We then headed out for a late morning run which was always going to be tough! Rosemary has really raised her game this season and is running like a machine. I don't mind being 'chicked'. I'm very proud, especially as she can chick most blokes! The start of the run, through the tracks around the village is hard going and technical. I was pleased when we got to Hollingworth, even though it signified a 4km ascent to the trig point.


R thought I was unhappy as strange noises were emanating from me as we climbed. A slight misjudgement as I was happy as a pig in poo! Yeah it was hard going but also steady, which I really enjoy. For the final few km I set a personal challenge to pass the mountain bikers ahead and beat them to the top of the climb! Feet could negotiate the wee rocks better than fat tyres and we won!


It was then a quick decent to the reservoirs and then back to Hollingworth. I pushed the pace a bit, with the path being a wee bit technical but fun too. Reaching the village, Rosemary offered 3 options to get home, a short, medium and long one. My legs were calling 'short' but we compromised on the medium one. Unfortunately, after another 1km I 'hit the wall' with every little rise resulting in discomfort.


"It's in the mind" I kept on saying to myself. Rosemary knew better than to speak with me. I upped the pace, imagining that it was the final 3km of our May trail 1/2 marathon. The more horrible it felt, the harder I pushed, pulling a bit away from Rosemary. She had more in the tank and pulled me back. Reaching the steep hill in the village, my legs buckled and I just managed to jog the final bit! Rosemary did another little loop so that she'd reach the 20km mark as I sat in a heap on the pavement.


It was more of the same on Monday! I did some stuff while R stayed in bed! Outside was damp, with fog enveloping the surrounding hills. It lifted by mid-day though and we set off to Glossop on the bikes with Chunal being the first climb of significance. I walked up the next one to the ridge of Rushop Edge! My mood blackened slightly at this stage!
For the next hour, I lost a bit of confidence, especially on the steep descents. However, I was soon back to being cheery as we left Edale and a fast winding road.  We had agreed that it was free-reign from Bamford to the top of Snake Pass……playing hang-on-if-you-can! I had initially decided to take it easy but changed my mind and jumped on the beloved’s wheel!


With draughting it was initially moderately comfortable. I focussed on the bum in front! Progressively it got harder and harder…..(the effort) until a point when the road kicked up a little and I popped! Rosemary pulled away rapidly……I nearly sat up but decided to focus and go as hard as I could to the top! The headwind was attritional and I was suffering.


The top of the 15km climb came into view but the gradient kicked up too! I felt sick but pushed it harder! Rosemary would be at the top by now! The road levelled slightly but wind speed increased….suffering continued! The summit was a welcome relief as was the 5km descent into Glossop! Rosemary had waited (numerous minutes) and we descended together, both being nearly wiped out by a lorry pashing close and creating crazy turbulence!


In Glossop I nearly fell sideways with exhaustion but somehow managed up the final hill and a big effort to Charlesworth! I am now considering trading my beloved in for a slower model!