Saturday 29 May 2010: Broken chain ruins biking day out...

Mileages: 11.5 miles (10 miles in 67.30. Splits - 6.43, 7.00, 6.54, 6.45, 6.49, 6.38, 6.44, 6.41, 6.44, 6.33)

(Plus 30+ miles on the bike)

Today I was suppose to be cycling 60miles to St. Andrews with several of my running club pals, unfortunately a broken chain 4 miles outside of Dunfermline put an end to that. It was a real shame and I felt gutted on my long walk back to the train station, having left my pals to cycle on. At least I had a Kit Kat Chunk, courtesy of Garry, to cheer me up.

The day started by meeting Dan and we then cycled along Queensferry Road and joined up with Jo, Niamh and Garry at Crammond Brig. We set off heading over the Forth Road Bridge, something I'd never done before without a car, which was quite exciting. Once into the Kingdom of Fife we went through Rosyth and out on to the rural roads past Dunfermline. My legs had felt pretty good and I was strong on the bike. I was really enjoying the climbs as well, although they weren't too steep. It was on one of these hills that my chain buckled under the pressure and snapped. I knew as soon as it happened that it was terminal and despite managing to put it back together with a set of pliers it was all about getting back to the train station. I left the rest of the gang as they continued on their journey and tried to ease the bike back to Dunfermline. My repair job didn't last too long, as soon as I hit the next uphill section the chain snapped again. I had no choice, but to walk back to Dunfermline feeling pretty sorry for myself. 

I managed to catch the train just after 1pm and got back into Edinburgh before 2pm. I free wheeled the bike down to the bike shop, where the news wasn't great. Not only had the chain gone, but the rear gear cassette was worn out. I was told at first glance it looked like about £80 worth of repairs, the bike isn't worth that, so that could be the end of that. Bad day, indeed!!

I had really enjoyed the ride until the chain incident and I've already made a promise to myself that I will be making that trip again in the very near future and making it all the way to St. Andrews! Although, it will have to wait until after my holiday. 

When I got home I was in a bad mood, so I decided the only thing for it would be to change into my running kit and head out the door for a run. I set off with the aim of doing 10 miles and mid run I decided that I would call in at the gym for a session as well, so I did a 10 mile loop to the gym, taking in the cycle paths around Warriston and the footpaths along the Water of Leith, before finishing off on the cycle paths near Ferry Road. Again, as with yesterday, I was tired and heavy in the legs. The cycling had also taken a fair bit out of me, but once I got moving I started to feel good and I enjoyed the run.

I ran fairly consistently and quite quickly for an easy run, which improved my mood greatly. I am very happy with my level of endurance at the moment, and today showed that even after a lot of training this week and a 30+mile cycle in the morning, I can sill run at a good even pace. This bodes well for my marathon training when I start it next month. 

I finished the day off at The Taste of Edinburgh Festival with Gail, Stephen and a whole load of friends. The Festival, basically a giant food fayre, was okay, but I did enjoy working my way round all the stands sampling the free food, most of which was excellent. I did have to pay for some and bought an Italian flat bread with Parma Ham, rocket and sauce, as well as a roll with shredded pork and an Asian sauce, followed by a cheese burger. All good. Thankfully I was still hungry by the time we left the festival to go to dinner at the Pickled Green on Rose Street. A three course meal there, including a squid starter, a salmon main and a chocolate and peanut butter desert, and I was at last full! I was very tired by the time I crawled into bed just after midnight.