Set off at 8, and driving there it appeared to get heaver. Along with my heart. I hate cycling in the rain. Don't mind walking, running, whatever, but cycling, no. Within seconds you are drenched through. I don't have mudguards either. Ugh. Arrived to find everyone getting ready, (one person in SHORTS??!!) although it was a much smaller group than usual. (some people have sense) The person I was meant to meet earlier had indeed gone at 7.30, and done an extra hour and a half. (he obviously isn't one of those people) It was his birthday too, and what a way to spend it!!! Let's get up really early and go cycling in the rain for 4 hours. Bizarre.
I was hoping it'd suddenly become a storm, then at least I could refuse to go. -Open countryside riding a piece of metal? Recipe for lightening to strike, much too dangerous- but unfortunately no. it just poured with rain. I began to feel stroppy again. Someone else suggested the turbo, but one of the hardcore people in the group wasn't impressed with that idea.
'It may be like this in the race, you have to get used to all weathers''
Quick as a flash she replied-
''No it won't, the race is in Majorca''.
She had a point. 70.3 is in Majorca, and Outlaw is in July. I know our weather is awful, but not that awful. And even if it was, it'd be warm anyway. And you'd be already wet from swimming so you wouldn't care.
Anyway, as reasonable (and sensible, in my opinion) as these arguments were, we were going, and that was that.
Unwillingly set off, and within a few minutes I was soaked. And that wasn't an exaggeration. The water splatted up and went straight up my back and through my trousers, the spray from the road soaked my shoes and legs, and my face got a good wash from the person in front spraying mud and water everywhere. Once again I asked myself what the hell I was doing. There must be other hobbies one can do on a Sunday morning that involve less discomfort?
As we descended down a slope on a main road, I couldn't see a thing. I was blinded by the person in front, the rain pelting and stinging my eyes, and to top it off a lorry came past and gave me an extra shower in case I wasn't sodden enough. I took comfort in knowing I was at least hydrated, because most of the spray on the whole stretch of road went into my mouth.
Then there was a shout to stop, apparently we had lost two, Birthday Boy and Shorts Man. After waiting around for about 10 minutes and seeing who could squeeze the most water from their gloves, -note to Endura- do not put ''waterproof'' on the outside of your gloves when they clearly are not. I could squeeze a full pint of water out of them- we began to get cold, so had to carry on.
Altogether we did about 1 hour 50 minutes, much less than what was on my plan, but I wasn't bothered, I just wanted to get home and dry. My legs began to feel really heavy and cold, my neck was wet and dripping, and my feet were swimming! The last few miles were a struggle.
Getting back it was straight in the shower, the clothes weighed a ton, no wonder it was hard work!! Once in the shower with the hot water on, my legs went bright red and began to itch, so there you have it- I am obviously allergic to rain and mustn't cycle in it ever again.
Once four of us were warm and dry and sat in the kitchen, we began to feel quite concerned that Birthday Boy and Shorts Man still weren't back. Obviously it was cold, one had been out since 7.30am, and the other had hardly anything on, so we were wondering if they were alright. After several calls to the mobile and no answer, it was decided to take the car and go and find them.
20 minutes later we were informed that while we had been worrying about crashes, hypothermia, going to A&E and tidal waves, Birthday Boy and Shorts Man were still happily cycling along, oblivious to all the drama they were causing. It turned out that first a pedal had come off, (with foot still attached) then they had a puncture, which was why they had been delayed. Happy Birthday indeed!!
We did have a great end to the day, a birthday celebration, and for a future Outlaw who DEFINITELY deserved some cake (and some respect, for doing 4 hours in that weather, and fixing a pedal and puncture) I had ordered him these fantastic cakes-
And they were just as nice as they look!
A really lovely end to the day. A few of us agreed that the monsoon had not been anywhere near as bad as the arctic conditions we had a while back anyway. Oh how we suffer for our sport!! ;)
On Monday I went to a running shop that had been recommended. I want to make sure that when I do start running again that I have the right shoes to do so, and I'm comfortable. The ones I had before are definitely not right, I have scars where they blistered my feet.
I had to try some on the treadmill, only for a minute or so, and at a very slow jog pace, but still I could feel quite sharp pain in my legs towards the end. I realised then that I really have done some quite significant
damage. This thought makes me feel quite downhearted, because I think I'm realising that it's a very real possibility I may not make it to the start line. I'm trying not to think about that scenario, but maybe I'm going to have to.
For now I have an aqua belt, so will be trying water jogging, and my physio exercises have arrived this morning too. Now i just need some luck, hope, and to keep my motivation, which appears to have slipped slightly. I just feel a bit 'what's the point'. I know what the point is, and I know what I have to do, maybe my mind is just trying to prepare me for disappointment. It's quite a test of my mental attitude.
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