busy busy (and close encounters of the woolly kind)

Back into it with something between a whimper and a bang. 

Tuesday evening went out for a night ride with the lads in the Duddon - up Walna Scar, and down towards Broughton Mills through the quarries, before climbing back round and over to Park Head road and back to the Newfield (9.5 miles). Turned out the weather was very kind to us and barring the odd sleety shower it was actually a good night to be out. Finished with a pint in the Newfield - a must whenever we're in the valley. 

Wednesday - the biking kit was just too wet and muddy to face riding in, so got out for a short run at lunchtime (3 miles) along the coast in hail and sleet showers...really stinging on the face. Had a shorter than normal session at the wall in the evening. Packed a lot in to the one and a half hours, but was totally powered out by the end.

Thursday - ride to work and back into a stiff headwind on the way in, but a nice push home. Saw another owl!

Saturday - a good day out on the mountain bike near Loweswater and Whinlatter (28 miles). The weather was kind again and we got a spin round the north loop at Whinlatter in the middle of the ride. The south loop still had a barrier across it. Forgot to eat in the first two hours, which meant the last two hours became a bit painful as my body was desperately trying to find the energy it needed. Also meant I paid for it today too! Also P (not me!) had a very close encounter of a woolly variety on the first main descent, as said sheep nearly had him off and down the hill by bursting through the bracken at high speed. It left a fantastic tuft of wool on his shoe as a momento!

Today - meant to be a big day out with a decent amount of ascent in the run, but my legs were just too heavy. Set off to do a Black Combe Triple - the majority of the Black Combe fell race to the top of the second climb, then down the north bridleway, back up to the summit and then down to Silecroft. But the legs were having none of it, couldn't run, didn't really take enough layers with me to cope with not moving fast enough to generate decent body heat, shoes rubbed for the first time and generally didn't feel up for it. So I got to the top in a snow shower and just bailed straight back down again. I'd forgotten what getting my food wrong does to me! Its a while since that's happened and I guess I've just got a bit slack.