Snotty Cows....

On Monday morning we had a splendidly soggy run... Or cycle, in my case.  We stayed a bit on roads where Quick Ceri romped off ahead, with Beagle Nik matching her pace and Ice Cream Sian and me a bit further behind having a natter, while Wee Gill nursed her cold at home.  They seem to be collectively getting quicker and I am now seriously worried that when I start running again (beginning of June?) they will leave me far behind.  Obviously they can't leave me REALLY far behind as they never know where they're going, but you know what I mean...

We ran/cycled around Ruperra Castle - lovely hilly tracks, weirdly almost entirely uphill and very rarely downhill which is odd as we must go up and down the same amount to end up where we started, surely?  Anyway, it was up and down and up and down and up and down.... this would make a great training ground for Oblivion!  We thought for the future that we could drive to Ruperra, run round it for 10k then drive home. As it's 4.5k from the parlour, by the time we've got there and back we've already done 9k.  The idea catches hold especially when the proximity of the pub is mentioned... we could park at the PUB and run and then end up at the PUB!  Yay!

Guy and I had spent the weekend walking the tracks with the dogs (I know, even 'scared of twigs' New Running Dog - she's improving!) so I roughly knew where we were going.  And I did avoid 'Steep Hill' as it is SERIOUSLY steep - not being kind or anything, I just didn't fancy pushing the bike up it, or riding down it!

We did, however, run/cycle to the Motte... the original stone lookout tower.  It's brilliant.  And even more brilliant when the cloud is a bit higher so you can see more than 10 yards.  Hey ho.  I'll take a picture another day when it's visible...

On the way back the Cows ran along the river, through the wild garlic, along the broken path, across the fields and back by the other bit of the river.  And I cycled the whole way with them - without falling off this time - progress!  They helped me lift the bike over stiles, fences and a big drainage ditch thing.  Teamwork!  Which will be very necessary for Oblivion's big wall...  It did sort of stop raining although my J-Lo bottom stayed resolutely soggy on the bike.  Really must fit those mudguards...

And on Tuesday I had my birthday which came and went in a flash of icing, work, cakes, cake pops and general stickiness...

I sensed a bit of a theme going on...

And I'm particularly liking the price tag on the hat...  Yes, those are socks on my hands.  The cow snuggle blanket thing is clearly made for a six foot amazonian so if I'd put the socks on my feet you wouldn't see them.  See - sensible really.

We planned to run again on Friday but.... Wee Gill is still coughing like she has a 40-a-day habit, Beagle Nik has had the mild snots but thought she'd be ok really, Ice Cream Sian whizzed off for a hot shower after the last run because she thought she was coming down with something and still isn't terribly sure, Quick Ceri had her son's birthday to look after so couldn't be with us for long and then I wimped out under the pressure of work and just having Too Much To Do.  I knew I'd spend the whole run thinking I ought to get back to work, so I'd probably be yelling RUN FASTER at the rest of them - and they're getting good enough to do it.  

And then when I start running again I'll be even further behind.  

So best not to encourage them really, isn't it?