Bike - Mountain race 3:28:12 55.08 km (3:47 / km) +1211m3:24 / km ahr:144 max:242
Briitsh Mountain Bike Orienteering, Trellech, 3.5 hour Score.
How that this sort of thing be called orienteering? O is about being able to navigate accurately with at map, on a poorly photocopied OS 1:25k map that is not possible - it often wasn't even possible to decipher the difference between a footpath and a bridleway.
Wasn't sure that this was going to be a good idea (especially when I fixed a puncture last night only to discover the patch had a hole it in, changed that and another patch came off, ended up changing tubes so had no spare to take with me). A bird also crapped on my bike when I was getting ready...
However, it was enjoyable, there was some lovely riding to be had and the weather was amazing. I also felt quite reasonable cycling and didn't have too much tiredness in my legs from the past week.
Other frustrations included trying to find the hidden SI boxes (I know why this is done but it does make it a bit of a lottery at times), cycling through a very nice and helpful ladies garden when the path disappeared (thought it was a bridleway, but was only a footpath), loosing 3.5 minutes looking for #17 (which my GPS says was 250m from where it should have been) and not knowing if you were allowed to use non bridleways tracks (I didn't but others did).
Skipped one 30 pointer near the start not having a clue how far round I was likely to get, tuned out that I (just) managed to get the rest and get back in time. Good training, nice ride but I think it should be branded as something often than O when it doesn't have a designated map (not cheap either at £18).
Run - Trail 2:37:23 25.74 km (6:07 / km) +803m5:17 / km ahr:134 max:170 shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (4)
Went exploring around Abertillery and Ebbw Vale, pretty wild mountains for the area, a lot less used than further west but some lovely wood right at the end. No zip in the body today, was pretty much just plodding and was disappointed at how tired I felt for the last hour. Great to see a bit of the valleys that I haven't seen before though.
Bike - Road29:01 [3] 13.02 km (2:14 / km) +38m2:12 / km
IW. Nip in the air. Definitely autumn. Pretty speedy this morning (trying to keep warm).
5 PM
Bike - Road30:12 [3] 12.81 km (2:21 / km) +57m2:18 / km
HFW. Busy, past a few lads separately who were cruising, booth jump on my tail, the first passed me and immediately tuned off and then the second went past wanting a race. Wasn't wanting that so let him go, which was just as well as my chain then came off. Meanwhile your man disappeared up the road, only I was just about to catch him later when his saddle bag fell off, retrieved it and had to then catch him! Disappointed not to be under 30 minutes but not too back with the distractions.
6 PM
Run - Terrain1:04:36 8.84 km (7:18 / km) +346m6:07 / km ahr:121 max:159 shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (4)
MDC run from Cwm Darran, amazing evening, so clear and crisp, on the other hand my body was a bit knackered and I was a bit ill from the trip up, so didn't enjoy the running as much. Having said that, I was quite pleased with my strength considering how I was feeling. Nice route.
Run - Terrain2:25:00 [2] 21.9 km (6:37 / km) +1000m5:23 / km shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (4)
Evening run in the black Mountain with Chris. Legs were tired from the bike but very unusually Chris was feeling more tired than me and I had no problem keeping up! Was a right numpty and remembered to put my HRM strap on but forgot to bring my watch - its feels so strange running without one! Lovely evening and great to be out - only ruined by Pepper taking off after Sheep (twice) and a fox. Definitely burning fat at the end, body was well tired.