Shock shock horror horror pink pink

Rain, rain, rain is how this week started. The foul weather pixies stopped me playing out on my bicycle and prevented me from cycling the Tour of the Black Country. Was really looking forward to cycling them cobbled roads and I still plan to do so - just have to wait for the nice weather pixies to come out. In view of the fact I hadn't done any exercise for 2 weeks I pushed myself out the door and ran a 5k route following the Studley Triangle. My back continued to ache from the pulled muscle and my right leg was giving me trouble too. Maybe I'm just getting old? Perhaps it was best I avoided them cobbles?

Started a new job on Tuesday - working as a nurse in a crisis intervention / home treatment team. Same day, got offered a job working in a maximum security prison. What to do? - I think I know. Cycled the reed route in the evening with Ron and he helped me consider my options.

Wednesday was a relatively naff day. Only been at my new job for 2 days but not enjoying it thus far. Today the weather was pants and flooded parts of Birmingham which resulted in my journey home (car) taking 2 and a half hours. I'd like to cycle to work but have not been able to find either a locker or a place to get changed. Once home, could see that a big box had arrived for me - inside was my new frame (and it really is a shocking pink)!

Thursday and Friday were days where nothing much happened.

Saturday and Sunday fared better! On both of these days I ran around my village (Studley). Not long or far, but over 5k on each occasion.

Less work and more of this would be nice.

Fuzzless

My trusty coaster lasted me nearly a whole year at BTP. Sorry I had to leave you behind...

Don't feel like I should really be posting to this blog this week, as I have done no exercise at all. Nothing. Nowt. Diddly squat.

So what have I done? Well, I have ceased to work as a nurse manager with the suicide prevention team supporting the fuzz. I had an interview for a job within a maximum security prison which went really well. And, I ate a lot! Oh, I sold Kay-O, my Iron Man bike too.

Leaving work bought a few surprises. I got some great gifts from Dashi and Richard. These gifts included an Iron Man cup, a voucher to spend on cycle gear and a spork (plus cards too). Maybe, am pretty sure, these gifts will inspire me to continue my adventures in the great outdoors. I will miss these folk. I will, however, not miss the fuzz and old lego head...

So long, farewell...

Falls, aches, pains, sickness, pants...

Monday was a cold, cold day. No major worries, I had taken precautions ready for my work cycle commute. My feet were kitted out in thick woolly socks and I was wearing my neoprene winter gloves for the first time. Some say '13 is an un-lucky number', well, I'm not superstitious but after 13k I hit a patch of ice and crash, bang, wallop - I came of my bike. Obviously didn't take precautions enough! My usual mantra is 'clocks change, change tyres'. I hadn't changed my bike tyres over despite it being on my list of things to do. My winter tyres would have prevented this for sure. No real damage was suffered, just some more scuffing to my bar tape. I cycled slower from here on and my toes were a little chilly. Maybe my shoes needed some covers?! Oh, the neoprene gloves kept my hands warm enough but they were sweaty once I had taken them off. Neoprene gloves may be a menace on an audax type ride where they are put on and off a number of times.

As menace as Monday was, that was the last of my training for the week. No running, no cycling and no much looked forward to wild camping. My daughter Lunar got sick (was sick) and then passed the bugs to me and the rest of my family. Add to this cold and flu symptoms (despite having flu jab) and then a pulled back muscle and you get a rather pathetic week.

Twenty 1

Hippy Halloween

Terrifying start to the day! It was Halloween and Lunar greeted me dressed up as a werewolf with a big spider on her head. She reminded me of Max from 'Where the wild things are'. Wow, she looked just great!

Lunar the werewolf

With all the spookiness around, it was easier to run with bouts of increased speed. Monday was certainly the day to run interval style on my work commute! The towpath and train car park were bothy fully open so a good 10k run it was. I warmed up and cooled down either side of my intervals which consisted of 4 x 3 min run with 3 min rest. Spooky!

Melody the scary princess?!

Tuesday was a kinda duathlon day. I started with a run commute into work following the no.5 route. My day ended with a bike (with hike-a-bike sections) adventure with Ron. We went looking for my Garmin but it was nowhere to be seen.

Wednesday was a day of gluttony. SJ and I converted Tesco points into Prezzo meal vouchers. We, plus our kids, ate in style. I ate too much and have become muchus porkus.

Thursday was a day for adventure. This day was spent with Roger on his tandem. 'The Beast' had been equipped with a new chain following a recent service (£250!) and looked all sparkly and new. We cycled a trip to Whitlenge Tea Rooms and back. I loved this café and we had our usual breakfasts here - most delicious. Despite this day being very cold (was frosty at start of day), a whole bunch of cyclists had cycled to this café (not as many as at the Snowdrop/Sunrise audax though) too. What's more, a number of these cyclists knew or were acquainted with Roger. He really is a legend you know! I might have been feeling the cold a little today as I was still cycling in my sandals! Our route back from the café was a little hillier and helped to keep us warm.

Friday was another 'do nothing but work' day. Everyday, it seems, I like my current job less and less. Hey Ho, I'm leaving - no stress!

I would have liked to have ran a Parkrun on Saturday but no such fun because I was at work again. No real bother, I ran 5k or so before work. My feet took me around Canon Hill Park ... and then my car took me to Maccy D's for breakfast.

Would you wild camp here?

On Sunday, Ron and I went for a short walk. This walk was really a recce to check out our potential camping spot for next week. We made our way to the Lost World but it wasn't a viable camping spot. The ground was most uneven and it was the kingdom of the badgers. The area contained much bramble and nettles too. The donkey effigy was sign enough that this was not the place to be. Not to worry, another camping spot is in my mind.