A little Sunday run !

 

Well for all those Carbonauts followers 3 of the team for Ireland had our last training run with a little trip out to Portmahomack.

I cycled form Avoch and The Doc from Kirkhill and we met up with Hindo at the Muir. Set off just after 09:30 and went up through Dingwall then on the back road to Evanton.

 

Tried to get a cuppa at Jolly's house but he pretended he wasn't in son on we went and arrived at our destination at 12:59, which was not bad as The Doc said we would get there at 13:00.

 

After a wonderful lunch, a mixture of homemade and Co-op supplied we started the return and in keeping with Carbonauts strategy it was not long before we had to stop for a hedge watering, a ploy instigated by Chris.

 

A nice ride back, stopping at Alness for the annual Carbonauts ice cream and back through Dingwall where I made the foolish judgment of leaving my chums and heading home via Everest - at least that it was it felt like going up from Maryburgh over the top and down to Tore.

 

Varying distances due to starting points but we think Hindo managed 78 miles, The Doc 90.3 and myself ended the day with 102.

 

Five days before we leave for LeJig, need to put the cycles away now and concentrate on Guinness.

 

This years new editions is James Wheeler in for IT Johnny and Tony Kelly in for Felipe Filop. We will miss the guys but I am sure they replacements are more than capable of stepping up to the plate.........just trying to find out if there is anywhere in Ireland twinned with Lancaster !!!!

 

Bob

Brick Run

Saturday 24th March.

 

Lovely and planned a bike ride and run as a good warm up.

 

After running to work Friday and cycling to work Wednesday and Thursday, I thought it would be a good time to start conditioning the legs to this format.

 

Cycle was good, 16 miles (8 miles out and back) towards Aigas. Initially legs felt a bit iffy, but by the 6 mile mark felt good and pace was picking up. Turned the 8 mile and then felt real good. Pace picked up again and a good average. The final section of the Aigas road back to Lovat bridge I was a steady 22 - 23 mph. Same pace back into Beauly and Muir of Ord.  Arrived home at ave 17.4 mph and a total 56 mins.  So it was off the bike and ino running shoes.

 

Run was along the old railway line to Mulbuie Road and then right and back round to Home. A total of 2.8 miles. As I hadn't really had a high cadence on the bike (ave 80 rpm) legs were heavy and getting into a pace was hard. Legs felt heavy. But it is all about conditioning. The run was hard going, probably as I had too many layers. Stopped around the 1/2 way mark to remove cycling top down to base layer. Also odd running in thick padded shorts and leggings. Know next time to strip off.

 

Still not bad in 26 minutes, but need to reduce the stop frequency and up the pace.

 

Good overall. Race pace would equal bike section over 25 miles at 1 hr 18 mins. Similar terrain.  Run section equates to 58 minutes. On target so early, but could be quicker with fewer stops. Yesterday about 10 as I was overheating and legs not working proper.

 

Keep going.

Out on my own....

As founding father of "The Carbonauts" I decided that road work is a must despite the following:

 

Hindo: Sunning himself in Egypt (which has been twinned with Chorley - Chorley) while "Bianca" waits patiently in his garage

IT Johnny: Feeling his current weight is too much for "David" to bear and is using "Tahlulua" until he decreases in size

The Doc: Hurt his back whilst sitting down for his tea (that's what he told us) and suffered excruciating agony for several days and is now in recovery mode whilst "Marjorie" awaits her next challenge

New boy James: He has christened his mount "Aubrey" but was on shift last week-end so unable to join me

Ian: Probably in the Rocpool yet again!

 

So, oft I went for a little 40 mile road trip on my own with "Menstrual" and I must admit found it pretty boring and lonely without the troops. With the Irish cycle only 9 weeks away thought it better to get out alone rather than sit in doors thinking about it.

 

Feeling pretty good and will start to build up the miles over the next few weeks. Hope to get out with some of the team soon........

 

Bob

Carbonauts in Cromarty!

Carbonauts (minus Chorley) on a training run Avoch to Cromarty. IT Johnny in attendance!
------------------

First Ride Out........and Off!

With the end of January nearly here and just over 3 months to go before LeJig starts I thought it was time Marjorie and I had our first run out of the year. The turbo is ok but it doesn't beat freezing your toes and ears off. 

 

With a day off work there was no excuse so I dusted Marjorie off, gave her some lubrication, checked her tyres and brakes and set off into the bright winter sunshine. The plan was to trundle up Strathglass to Struy, cross the river and return along the back road to Kiltarlity. The pace was geriatric (my fault, not Marjories) but it was good to be out again. However I was just heading back after crossing the bridge when I came upon a stretch of road totally covered in ice. So having failed to register in the horizontal cycling league in the whole of 2011 I currently have a 100% record!

 

 

I picked myself up, bruised but not broken, turned round and went home the way I'd come - couple of hours to do 26 odd miles! Very slow but at least its a start. Back to the turbo tonight.........

 

Grant

First Brick Run

Well, after commiting, decidd would try a back to back cycle then run.

 

As the weather is not permitting road bike, decided to take the old MTB up around some usual tracks around Spittal Wood. Took a similar route as yesterday afternoon where I found out it is as muddy as hell. What I remember from the back end of summer as being pleasany to ride as it was dry is now a complete nightmare. Makes uphill treks a complete nightmare as back end spinning but a good leg workout. Only 6 miles but enough at this point in time.

 

Got home from the bike leg after 42 minutes. Transition involves park bike in garage and reclose. Into hallway, remove cycling trainers, running shoes on, neck remainder of energy drink, change from cycle jacket to running jacket and leave. Time in transition - 4 minutes.

 

Set out on run and to my surprise was moving well. Ran along old railway line and onto the Mulbuie road. Turned right and headed towards Muir of Ord. At the junction turned right again and back to Tarradale Hotel. Turned right again and back up the hill at Balvaird road and back home. Final time at top of drive at 1 Hr, 10 mins.  Run section for the 2.7 miles 26 minutes.  Not a flat route as quite a bit of climbing.

 

Still, got plenty of time to perfect these times. Run should be easier after a road section as legs wont be  as heavy hit. (Hopefully).

 

The sad loss of Carbonauts Johnny

It is with great regret and sadness that we have to report the departure from the Carbonauts Team of IT Johnny, one of the founder members and integral part of the Lejog 2011 team.

 

IT Johnny has finally succumbed to relentless pressure for Mrs Johnny over a "pleasure trip" to Disneyland and will not be taking part in the "Carbonauts II - rejigged" Ireland 2012 tour. A replacement will be sought for this position, although I hasten to add it will be difficult to fill the saddle of one so natural and adept to the rigors of the open road.

 

Our guest from last year, the Iron Man of Bushey - Chris Ring, will again join our ranks but is also saddened by the loss of our friend and comrade, Johnny boy.

 

I personally feel a void in my short but fruitful cycling career, to see a man like Johnny cut down in the prime of his cycling life and forced to humble himself in front of Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy is something that a man with a bike should not have to endure.

 

So, from being a "Carbonauts" to now a "carbon-not" we say adieu to our friend...goodbye IT Johnny, we will miss you but the Carbonauts legend will still go on !!!

 

Bob, Grant & Keith