A big one!!!

So a saturday night out with some friends, and one son who decided not to sleep, then up at 5.30am. Today was the day to see how 50 miles felt!!

I met Christian and Stefan at 6.15 and we set out for a ride on a beautiful morning. The sun was out and perfect weather conditions. I had plenty of energy food and drink, but the down side to not having a decent cycling top to carry things in meant I wore a thin base layer and my waterproof with the rear pocket, carrying energy bar and extra drink. After a few miles it became apparent that it was too hot for the waterproof but as it was carrying my extra drink i could only unzip it.

Stefan set a good pace, and I suddenly realised my fitness was not brilliant yet. He is like a "Fell Runner" as another friend once described him! I struggled to keep up with his cadence up hills, Christian seemed to manage ok. I hope that part of my excuses for not being able to keep up were... bad cough, a night out, and a waterproof jacket in heat! hopefully they work as a good excuse....well they do for me, Stefan and Christian may just say I was slow full stop.

I felt really fine for about 2 hours, so about 25 miles, but then I moved into new fitness territory and distance which was unknown to me. I think the initial pace made me suffer, but some of the scenerey is really beautiful and it takes your mind off the tiredness. Then for the last hour and a half I really needed to go for the old No.2, but thought it wise to hold on until I got home instead of using a convenient field!.....this just meant stomach cramps for the last hour, which was not a wise  move. Then I began to get cramp in my right leg / knee so I started to think...."am I going to make 100 miles in two weeks??

By the time I got home after 4 hours and 53 miles I was totally 'done', and glad to find the toilet!!I sat in the hot tub afterwards and hoped this would help me recover, but for most of the day I felt exhausted, and going for a walk with my family, then digging in the garden was such an effort. But the experience was an eye opener and made me understand in more reality what a challenge I have set myself for next year, never mind the Norwich 100 miles in 2 weeks. I understand now how serious I need to be in my training on the bike and putting the hours in on the saddle, also my diet, i.e. cutting out junk food and sweets, and my alcohol consumption.....these all need to be reviewed if I am going to make 500 miles in 5 days, not forgetting the 3 peaks!!!