Watching, not cycling

Stats of the week: run 10 km, cycled 62 km, gym 4.5 h

The neurologist I consulted maintains that the nerve is still healing. "You might not notice it, but the healing process is still ongoing," he said. I very much hope that one day I will notice the difference.

The area on the inside of my knee remains numb and feels tight. However, running feels better than anything else, and I spontaneously took part in the local parkrun, which was celebrating its 200th event.

I set off a little too quickly, with the third kilometre turning out to be my fastest, and paid the price later by having to slow down. Even so, I was pleased to finish in exactly 28:00.

The parkrun results gave me an age grading of 65.4%. I was surprised to see that C.'s time of 33:05 corresponded to an age grading of 69.5% – considerably better than mine!

The Tour de France Femmes got underway on Saturday, and I have been watching it on television with a touch of sadness. My decision is final. I will not be driving down to the south of France, nor will I be taking part in Thursday's L'Étape.

Deep down, I know I wouldn't make it to the finish. With temperatures of around 35°C forecast, the challenge would be even greater.

Dream Country

stats of the week: run 11 km, hiked 20 km, gym 1.5 h
stats of the previous week: hiked 70 km
stats of the week before: run 13 km, hiked 30 km

We had glorious days with brilliant weather in my beloved Scotland. Highlights were the boat trips to the Isle of May, Bass Rock and Staffa as well as our stay on the small island of Canna. As we did quite a lot of walking - with an ascent of Goatfell on the Isle of Arran - running was not the focus. I enjoyed day after day, it was a great pleasure to be back to the country I love most.

The birds were most exciting. Gannets on Bass Rock

Gull chicks on the Isle of May

Isle of May Puffins

I now decided not to take part in the L'etape du Tour Femmes. I don't feel capable to manage 3,000 meters of ascent, even more so seeing the weather forecast of temperatures higher than 35°c. This will let me concentrate on running now what is necessary with only 8 weeks to Copenhague Half Marathon. 

A dream comes true

stats of the week: run 17 km, cycled 145 km, gym 1.5 h

All my thoughts are now turning to next Friday. It will be the day that one of my lifelong dreams finally comes true: visiting Bass Rock.

This small rocky island, just off the coast near Edinburgh, is home to the world's largest colony of northern gannets. Around 150,000 birds nest there, and we will have the rare privilege of walking carefully among them in their remarkable world.

The landing trip is organised by the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick. There is only one trip each day, and the number of visitors is strictly limited. At 200 pounds per person, it is certainly expensive. However, this is a once in a lifetime experience, and I prefer to think of the cost as a contribution to the protection of these magnificent birds.

Temperatures in Scotland look pleasantly comfortable, with no sign of a heatwave. Looking at Mollans, where temperatures are consistently above 35°C, we are very glad that we left Provence in time.

Photo wikipedia: Bass Rock

wikipedia by Andreas Trepte: Northern Gannet

Suffering the heat

stats of the week: run 5 km, cycled 104 km

It was a lazy week, mainly because of the exceptional heatwave that brought record temperatures to Germany. Back home, the heat is even less bearable than it was in Provence. There are younger runners who still go out when the temperature rises above 30°C, but at 73 I no longer feel able to cope with those conditions. Unfortunately, our gym membership has been temporarily suspended until the end of June, so that was not an option either.

At least I managed to get out for two easy rides on flat roads this week, which did more for my spirits than for my fitness. I was delighted to meet Günter on the route, a running legend from the neighbouring town of Bochum. He has been running for more than 50 years and, at his peak, completed marathons comfortably under three hours. Now, at 78, he is still out there on the roads. A true role model.

Ventoux #19

stats of the week: run 14 km, cycled 153 km, gym 3 h

Summer has arrived in France with increasing temperatures, rising up to 37°c in our area. Before leaving for Germany it was time to tackle Mont Ventoux. And this time from Bédoin, regarded as the toughest of the 3 routes. No question, this is also the route of the Tour de France Femmes on 6th of August. And also of the l'etape on 5th of  August that I have entered.

We chose Thursday to tackle it. Coincidently it was also the day of a big Dutch charity event, the Tour du ALS. At this event you can either walk, run or cycle up to the summit of Mt Ventoux. For the cyclists there are even three options: to climb Ventoux once, twice or three times! It is a big party with thousands of participants, all starting at Malaucène.

Luckily we met the masses only at the summit where they finished on the Malaucène route from the north. Our Bédoin route turned out to be quite calm with very few traffic. I was not sure if I was able to do it. It was tough, especially in the heat, we took two short breaks and a third one at Chalet Reynard. Finally we arrived in good shape, me only 8 minutes slower than 3 years before, C with just 35% power used of her race ebike. It was my 19th climb by bike and the 6th on the Bédoin Route.

Photos: On the final stretch

in good mood

Done

To make it a round trip, we passed the Gorges de la Nesque on the way back

Increasing Performance

stats of the week: run 19 km, cycled 157 km, gym 3 h

The good news is that I am now capable to climb 1,000 meters of ascent on the bike without too much exhaustion. The weather is going to be hot meanwhile, cycling in the late afternoon is no longer possible with degrees well over 30°c. We still have one week in Mollans, with a prospect of nearly 40°c, luckily when we will be leaving for less hot Germany. Plans for our last week are now to try the ascent of Mont Ventoux from Bédoin which is the classic and toughest route and will be the route for the Tour de France Femmes in August.

Photos: The view downhill from Col d'Ey in direction of Buis les Baronnies

Mirabel-aux-Baronnies is a nice little village with all kind of shops

The 500-year-old bridge of Les Pilles was destroyed before end of World War II

The view from Col de Propiac is always a reward.

Cycling against the doubts

stats of the week: run 7 km, cycled 201 km (2,900 m ascent)

The focus is still on cycling, and I would consider this week a respectable one for a 73 year old. However, so far I have gained the impression that I am not yet capable of completing a bike tour involving 3,000 metres of climbing.

This week, I rode around Mont Ventoux, covering 105 kilometres and accumulating 1,300 metres of ascent. By the end, I was completely exhausted. There was no chance of attempting the climb up Ventoux, particularly from Bédoin, after such a warm up.

On the running side, I am pleased to be able to complete my 7 km loop without having to take a walking break. On the other hand, it is not particularly encouraging that the damaged nerve appears to tolerate running better than cycling, given that cycling remains my primary focus.

Photos: Cols de la Chaine and Suzette will be part of the Tour de France Femmes. With great views of the Dentelles de Montmirail.