5 Ferry Challenge

All the gear, no idea - racking up the bike on the ferry

The weather couldn't have been better for our 72 mile bike ride yesterday.  A far cry from what it was last year on our 5 ferry challenge of wind and torrential rain. Instead it was beautifully sunny and still. The scenery around Argyll, Ayrshire and Arran was simply stunning.

15 of us set off from Campbeltown bright and early at 6 am, meeting at Kennacraig but not to board for Islay...

Well deserved drink break at Ardrossan

-Cycle to Tarbert (pick up a tea en-route) - 6 miles
-Ferry to Portavadie
-Cycle to Colintraive (hard, hilly - 20 miles in 90 minutes to make 10am ferry, woo!)
-Ferry to Bute
-Cycle to Rothesay - 8 miles
-Ferry to Wemyss Bay (Cereal bar energy food time - peanut nature valley, yum!)
-Cycle to Ardrossan (20 flat, busy miles then mojito time!)
-Ferry to Brodick, Arran
-Cycle to Lochranza via Malt and Music festival - 14 miles, mostly flat but one HUGE hill at the end followed by a crazy fast windy descent into Lochranza (amazing smoked whisky coffee and picked up a bottle of Arran Gold)
-Ferry to Cloanig
-Cycle to Kennacraig (7 miles)

-Drive back to Campbeltown, full of smiles, making it home an hour earlier than last year

Enjoying Arran Malt and Music Festival before ferry

Ferry fun

My summer home

We all celebrated, of course, with a slap-up meal at the Harbourview Grille restaurant - yum!

Fantastic day out with some great people, awesome banter and memories.  Despite it being the last week of term in school this week I've had a busy, disappointing week leaving me in a bit of a low mood but this was the perfect remedy.  Time for summer holidays :-)

I TRIed!

Well, I ticked another thing off 'my list' - a standard distance triathlon!  After a week-long rotten cold and almost zero training (no open water) my new wetsuit got a surprise outing at the Ardgartan Triathlon Festival yesterday. I'd resigned not to go but spontaneously on Saturday morning at 5am I decided to get up, pack the car and just do it! 

Loch Long - our swim part of the tri

This decision was almost instantly regretted when I arrived at Ardgartan and realised I was just 1 of about a dozen competitors with no sign of the organisers, marshals or signs anywhere and the midges swarmed round me making me looking like I was wearing a black onesie.  It became obvious that this wasn't the best organised race and safety concerns at the race briefing when they announced the bhoys hadn't been put in the water yet as the safety boat wasn't working....  Suggestions of it changing to a duathlon (10k run, 40k bike, 10k run) was met by the other competitors up in arms (they were all super friendly and up for a challenge) and starting a discussion into disclaimers, waivers and how they could get a swim anyway - this was not helping my fear of the open water swim at all but I'd made the journey now and I was in my wetsuit, I might as well try a swim.  Just as I was getting my head round this plan, the organisers came back to say they were going to row out to put the markers in the water and the full race was back on!  An hour later than planned, we were off!  

This was no ordinary triathlon - what a magnificent setting in Ardgartan but that was really the only positive I could see.  The water was freezing but it was clear, and as I struggled to swim in a straight line round the triangular course twice, as I looked up I couldn't help admire the fantastic views and Argyll scenery.  As I scrambled, slowly, out the water after an OK swim (just pleased that I had completed it) I climbed upon my bike and set off.  The wrong way.  There wasn't any markers or marshals so I added on an extra mile getting out the hotel grounds but that was a drop in the ocean of a challenge compared to climbing up the Rest and Be Thankful on the bike.  Twice.  Up and Down.  Did I say twice?!!  I got no rest and I was not thankful!  It was a lonely journey in a way, barely seeing any of the other competitors but a few friendly words of encouragement were shouted as we cycled past each other - the rest of the time it was only whizzing cars and lorries for company.  Barely getting any speed as it was hill, hill, hill all the way and even the downhill at other side had the breaks on with the turn at the other side so you had to slow, wait for traffic and turn back.  Then back on to the hill with all momentum broken.

My poor bike took a beating on the Rest

I was so pleased to finally get off the bike and start the run.  I found that my legs could barely move - they felt like lead weights and I could feel blisters on my bum!  As I started on the out and back 5k route (or so I was told but it actually ended up being 6.5k) I was met by another competitor "take it easy, it's VERY hilly".  Oh joy!  And so it was - resembling a combination of the Gobagrennan Road and Carradale Road - some wonderful scenery but tough tough hills.  And virtually not a soul in sight.  As I turned to do it all again I grabbed an energy gel - it was 3 hours by this point and I was getting low on energy and I just wanted it over!!!  It was a total plod finish but was just ecstatic to have it finished.  Albeit in LAST PLACE!  Out of 12 people, all triathletes, only 1 female, I wasn't disappointed in anyway.  Well actually I was 2nd lady too!!  Weirdly I got a buzz from it - I did it!!  Quick change and a sandwich later and was back on the road, bum blisters and all!

At the end and still smiling.  My shorts are white with sweat/salt and my face is COVERED in midges.  Nice.

Lessons to learn:

-Don't wear your trisuit the day before if there is a slightest chance you will compete

-Banana soreen slice isn't good enough breakfast for a 3 hour + endurance event

-Vaseline isn't just for getting your wetsuit off quicker

-Do not spit in a headwind!!

Will I do it again?  Probably. A standard distance yes, not that one again and definitely not one that's organised by NRG Events!

Tout arrive en France!

What a fantastic week in France!  6 staff accompanied 46 pupils to Argeles Sur Mer in the South of France for a watersports trip.  The kids and the staff got stuck into it and enjoyed every minute.  I may have come back a few pounds heavier from a week of croissants, baguettes, cheese and chocolate but I don't really care - it was all part of the fun!  I kept a short diary of what we got up to each day - and of course managed to squeeze in some training too :-)

Breakfast al fresco at Bodega (and my oatcake delivery!)

Saturday 31st May - Beautiful sunny day in Campbeltown so fitted in a 12 mile run at Ballochgair and a 15 mile cycle on the Southend Road as wanted to exhaust myself in the hope that I would fall asleep on the impending midnight bus journey to Prestwick Airport.  Kicked off in the holiday spirit by eating breakfast al fresco on the decking.  We also picked up the generous sponsor cheque from the Kintyre Club towards MOKRUN to help us plan for 2015 races.  Stuart and I ended up having lunch at the Old Clubhouse whilst there - delicious!

 Kintyre Club presentation to MOKRUN

 

Sunday 1st June - We arrived at Taxo Les Pins, our home for the next week - a lovely campsite in Argeles with 3 swimming pools and comfortable caravans, we were happy.  We spent the afternoon at the poolside, the kids and staff enjoying the sunshine (and the flumes!)  

After dinner whilst the kids were at their planned activities, a few of us went a 6 mile run around the area to get our bearings and map out a 5k route for our 'race' on Tuesday.

We are definitely just big kids at heart!!

Watersports anyone?

Monday 2nd June - Got up early to run 5 miles before wakening the kids at 7.45am for breakfast.  We had hoped to find a park with outdoor fitness equipment but our bad French only lead us to an industrial estate!  Between the staff we challenged ourselves to a 'challenge' of 25 reps of press-ups, tricep dips, crunches etc every day too, anything to work off our breakfast of pan au chocolat or croissants.  We spent the day at a lovely sandy beach where we played volleyball, snorkeled and did some open water swimming. 

5k done.

Tuesday 3rd June - A day of white water rafting in the Pyrenees - super fun and tiring.  No time for naps as 4 of us ran a 5k time trial since CRC were doing this at home.  At 6pm it was still very hot so this was not easy despite being a flat course.  I unfortunately took a detour and lead poor Catriona the wrong way but we still turned at the 1.55 mile mark to take us back to the start for 3.1 miles in a relatively decent time.  We rewarded ourselves to about 2kg of milka chocolate!!!

Wednesday 4th June - 5 mile run in am before heading to the beach again.  This time we went to the main Argeles beach where the kids, and ourselves, took part in various watersport activities such as sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and windsurfing.  Swimming time before dinner, followed by a cheese and wine evening (for the staff!) from our tour reps. My only glass of wine on the trip was very much enjoyed but I loved all the cheese more, I just love food.  I could get used to this lifestyle!  The kids returned from their favourite activity  - capturing the flag, they loved this.  Will need to try to play this game during activities week at school.

Thursday 5th June - 6 mile run at 6am this morning, we were heading away early to Barcelona for the day!  After a 3 hour bus journey we visited Nou Camp Stadium, Sagrada Famillia and Las Ramblas.  The kids loved it and behaved so responsibly waiting in groups and being careful in such a built-up tourist area.  Most of them did end up going to McDonalds for dinner but some of them tried some tapas and paella too, as did we, along with more chocolate - I can't resist!

Canyoning was a scary highlight

Friday 6th June - 5 mile run at 7am, out a different route yet again, all flat.  Beautiful sunny start to the day followed by my new routine of yoghurt, fruit, croissant and green tea.  We all made our way to the man made canyoning park which was the highlight of the week for most of us.  We had to jump down waterfalls, ravines and abseil down rock faces.  A lot of people conquered their fears that day!  After our usual French lunch of baguette or salad and fruit (as well as a wee cappucino for us staff) we then went 'tree-topping' - climbing and zip-wiring our way through various 20 feet high obstacles - this certainly wasn't a trip for someone with vertigo!  As a treat for the pupils' excellent behaviour and their attitudes towards all the activities, we gave them extra swimming pool time when we returned 'home'.  It stayed sunny all evening so we spent the rest of the night splashing about in the pool with the kids before a prizegiving back at our caravans.  This is the life.

Saturday 7th June - one last 8 mile run at 6.30am, down to the beachfront and back, one last glimpse at the Mediterranean before our return home.  I think everyone was pretty sad to leave the resort to be honest but it always feels great to get back home, nothing beats it!

The weather improved back at home for our arrival

MOKRUN FEVER

The 9th MOKRUN took place last Sunday and the atmosphere in Campbeltown was amazing!  Along with the rest of the hard working committee it has been hectic organising but really satisfying! It was great to see  the streets lined with people cheering on runners and visiting local attractions and shops - even Clyde the commonwealth mascot made an appearance!

I am incredibly grateful and overwhelmed by all the locals who never fail to come forward to volunteer, marshal, sponsor, run, support and help make the event such a success for Kintyre. Thank you all - we couldn't do it without you. Well done everyone who took part too - some great racing and lots of charity running too. It's just amazing to see so many getting involved and having fun too.

The Songwriters festival entertained the crowds and everything from the expo, pasta party, junior races and main races were a success. Time to start planning 2015.....