Choices and Consequences

I've had difficult choices to make around this coming weekend and, apart from not being sure I've made the right decision even, I know I've not gone about in the best way. It's caused a bit of grief all around and I'm left with a stodgy head from thinking about it too much. The upshot is, though, that I'm off tomorrow with No.2 son for a few days cycling in Wales, including the Devil Ride for me on the Sunday. I need to do some important documentation on the software so I'm having to take the laptop with me. My boy is taking his too, so we'll be mixing some time on the bikes with some time at the computer, me writing, him playing. He's really excited about going away and having me to himself. I feel rather ashamed that we've never done this before. But this is a good time. He seems really keen to get lots of miles and hills in - and also enthusiastic about planning a ride of his own while I'm doing the event. I have to admit that after missing the Ryedale Rumble and the Pendle Pedal these last two weekends I've been developing sportive withdrawal symptoms! I've chosen, to some extent, to put my needs first to do this event, and I've had to deal with the consequences of that today. It's not been easy and I'm still beating myself up over it. Once we get the maps out on the train tomorrow morning I'm hoping my head will clear and get filled with anticipation. I adore the hills of Central Wales and I think it's over 10 years since I was last there when I did the Autumn Polaris with my good friend MO (Note to myself that I really must find his number and catch up. It's been years). We enjoyed the scenery and the riding so much that we deliberately decided to extend the ride and so failed by a considerable margin to make the time limit- thereby losing all our points to penalties!

Reaching my limit with work, I finished up a couple of hours early and went out with both the boys to Burnsall and back this afternoon. No.1 son is really getting into the cycling now and he had no qualms about leaving the test match with new captain Pietersen on 84 not out in order to go out on the bike. It was a reasonably good-paced ride too. No.1 son is getting fit rather quickly! He seems definitely up for some longer rides now he knows that 25 miles is comfortable.

This was my last chance for a run for a few days so I took the opportunity to get out on the moor soon after returning from our bike ride. I ran up to the cairn via White Wells and enjoyed a circuitous return. Like Wednesday, I felt good, with a bit of zip in the legs, and I had to concentrate in order to stop myself from going quicker than I felt I should. It was great to be running at a healthy pace and still be having to rein myself in! I think I'd forgotten just how good it feels to run when your legs are fresh and free from niggles. The tightness felt on Wednesday evening has gone and I've felt nothing further tonight. I'm feeling more and more optimistic that I will be racing again soon.