Monthly Archives: April 2015

Count the Counties Bike Sportive

Count the Counties was a new local Sportive for 2015 and how could we not enter when it started not far from my house 🙂

You had the choice of 30 55 and 92 miles,1 2 or 3 counties and we decided on the 92 or 3 counties route  which actually turned out to be 97 on the day.

I was really looking forward to this sportive as the route went out over the Fens, an area I really enjoy riding, on a Tuesday with the Tarmac Touring Guys.

DSC_0866A small group of us decided to meet and ride together on the day.

Due to the trains not running , Geoff had to bike 40 miles to get to my house on the Saturday, so unfortunately he started with tired legs and we soon lost him 🙁 but I was sure he would not mind me making the most of this ride as I had trained so hard for it.

First feed stop was in Welney, which was very well stocked with good energy food,and for me the best thing was being able to get a hot drink, we waited around for Geoff, hoping he would catch us up but finally decided to leave without him.

So off we went making very good time and enjoying the tail wind as we knew it would soon be a head wind! Then disaster struck and Justeene’s wheel clipped another wheel and she had a very nasty fall.

These things always scare me, luckily she was wearing a helmet and no bones were broken but she was very battered and bruised. She decided she wanted to carry on and then due to a puncture Geoff finally caught us up and stayed with us till we arrived back at Welney for the second feed stop.

Unfortunately, Justeene  had started to feel sick and get a headache just outside Welney so she decided to call it a day and called her daughter to come and rescue her, we sadly left her but she was adamant that we should carry on and not get cold.

Much to our delight the feed stop still had a good choice of food and another hot drink was more than enjoyed especially as we knew the last 23 miles was going to be into the head wind from hell!

At this point I left Geoff, again,  as I wanted to race back and get his photo as he finished, but it soon became clear that I was not going to be strong enough to keep up with the other 2 guys, they would have been happy to wait for me but I insisted they go… the route signage was good and I had my Garmin so was happy I would not get lost.P1000174

Then I remembered I had a gel so I used it, within minutes I got a second wind and was off to catch them, it took me 10 long hard miles into a fierce headwind  but I finally caught them up and we rode the last 8 miles back into LynnSport together.

An excellent well organised Sportive which had excellent feed stations with a very well signed route.

I was very disappointed not to see more riders from the local bike clubs support this new,and well organised sportive but I well impressed with Cycle Sportives uk who sent Justeene flowers and the finishers medal when then found out about her fall 🙂

I may well be tempted to enter another one of these sportives which is actually on my birthday and get a few of my friends to do it with me 🙂

Trowse 10k Road race

I entered this run because I wanted something fun to do over the Easter break. My friends Gina and Jayne also entered it so I knew it would be a fab day out

1-IMG_8285Then I panicked because it had a HILL in it and I usually avoid these when running but I was determined so I started doing some training runs at Sandringham where there is a hill.

It was an early start for us on race day because we had to travel from Cambridge to Norwich for a 9am start. I was feeling nervous about the hill everyone was talking about but my nerves soon turned to excitement once we met up with Gina, Jayne and all their lovely friendly running friends.

Much to my amazement I really enjoyed this run ,the route was scenic and varied, starting along Whitlingham broads then the long drawn out hill not once but twice and a lovely down hill stretch too.

My finishing time was 58.58,as usual I was very pleased with myself especially because of the hill which I found a challenge but secretly enjoyed.The goodie bag was excellent and included a cream egg and a fabulous medal.

The day was not over for us though as Gina Jayne Geoff and I then went out for a lovely lunch with lots of chat and laughter, a great recipe for the Best Easter ever 🙂

When I arrived home still full of enthusiasm and excitement I signed up for the Mike Groves 10 miler in June!!!

which I am sure will be another fab day 🙂

Lincoln 10k Road Race

After enjoying running the Lincoln 10k last year  I decided to enter it again this year.

Lincoln 10kThis would be my first real running event since my achilles injury.

What I didn’t expect was a stinking head cold on the day or Geoff to be home to drive me there cheer me on and take photo’s 🙂

Once again it was a fabulous day with well over 6000 runners, many  I knew from the Ryston Runners and  5 other Ladybirds. too.

The route was well supported , we had perfect weather conditions and some how I managed to get a P/B time of 56.14

Unfortunately I had told Geoff to expect me to finish in around an hour so he missed me at the finish line!

A Great start to this years running events 🙂