Alternate Wednesday nights are Yorkshire cx summer league. These are a great chance to continue the development of race speed and catch up with racing buddies. Unfortunately the start time is a little tight for those of us who a) work b) have partners who work c) have kids. But I try to get to as many as I can.
Otley is probably the closest to me so I had a chance to warm up (I often rock up, pay and race immediately). Not gridded yet in this series I held my elbows out at the start as top riders were called forward. The start was good, I was making places already. First lap going well, the long slog along the bottom of the course which killed me last year was a doddle (training having some effect) and then it went a bit pear shaped. Quick releases do not usually come undone. I am pretty good (as a mountain biker) at doing them up but strangely I had to stop 4 times to retighten and reclose QRs. Still it was a great race and I finished smiling.
Next day I ordered some meaty QRs to replace the spindly weight savers I was running.
This week was half term week so I have had a few days off the bike whilst we visited family and went camping in Shropshire. I did take trainers and ran 10km for the first time in ages. Although I took it at steady pace (55mins) my quads really told me their opinion of the downhills.
I also squeezed a couple of shorter runs in whilst camping and took the strategy of running up the hills and walking down in order to appease my abused leg muscles.
This week I have entered the 3 Peaks once again. I say entered, but the process is not so simple. I have applied to enter. If I am seen as suitable or drawn out of a hat then I will be able to enter properly. I will be gutted beyond guttedness if I do not get a place this year following the disappointment of not getting a ride last year. Here's hoping.
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