The weatherman had promised bright sunshine for early Easter Sunday morning, so I wrapped up warm and hit the road at around 8.30am. I had a 40 mile route planned, taking in Doagh, Connor, Kells, the outskirts of Antrim, Muckamore and then back home via Templepatrick, but the cycling gods had other ideas today.
Making for Kells along (and up) the B59, around the 10 mile mark I began to realise that my legs were feeling more tired than they should be, considering the relatively short distance travelled so far. I thought about heeding the well worn training advice of “listen to your body” and turning back, but of course I didn’t and pressed on for Kells.
At 20 miles I wished I had turned back. Last week’s 50-plus mile marathon effort combined with a couple of extended commutes during the week and a hard day’s labour in the garden on Saturday had taken their toll I think and left me, frankly, knackered. I decided to abort the run and shortcut the route home, but unfortunately this decision was about 10 miles too late; I was now 20 miles from home and a shortcut was going to save me a few miles at best.
So I grind on along Steeple Road from Kells to Antrim. Very hilly, just what I needed, but at least it ended with a fun 40mph downhill section! A wrong turn in Antrim left me heading for the M2 motorway, which would probably have been the quickest route home as it happens, but I wisely turned back and used my Nokia 6210 Navigator GPS to get back on track towards Parkgate, Doagh and home.
Sunday 2009/04/12 Route
Sunday 2009/04/12 Speed and Altitude Map
37 miles on the clock, so just a few miles were saved by the shortcut as I predicted. Feel the burn? I couldn’t feel anything much … until later, when I felt every single one of those final 17 miles.
There’s little worse than overtraining so this coming week I’m going to rest and stay off the bike. Completely? Well, perhaps one day’s commute at an easy pace wouldn’t hurt. Thursday’s weather is looking good…
But for now, it’s easter eggs and Ibuprofen for me.
Just what I need after a tough ride!
Happy Easter!
