Another week down

So the last week has gone and hasn't been a great one mileage wise. But there have been positives in that I passed my SMBLA Trail Leader assessment.

Plans for the week were:
2 x singlespeed rides
2 x running
1x longish road ride

So what did I do?
I went running once,
did one singlespeed ride
and one road ride.

I haven't been with it since Thursday really, I found Wednesday so tiring, no idea if it was having to conccentrate for a period of time or the driving. I don't drive much anymore now Ali seems to do more of it. Thursday was a write-off I can't remember the day but I'm sure I did nothing. Onto Friday and I made sure I did my errands. Saturday was nice with the tree. But sunday i felt rubbish, stomach was unsettled, then I went to bed, wish I could have stayed there all day but Ali sensibly ensured I got up.

Anyway its a new week and although I'm still not with it, I'm hoping things improve, get through today and back to normal service I think.

So plans for the week I'm unsure, I would like to get out singlespeeding and one long road ride as it keeps the miles up nicely. Also get out running a couple of times, I'm sure Ali needs to go running so maybe we'll run together.

Trail Leader Award Assessment

Back in April I did the training course for the SMBLA Trail Leader Award. Today I was back up in the lakes for the Assessment. Arriving early it turned out all of us were early - three doing the assessment. So after some route planning we headed out. I had to start us off and after that we took turns leading, did some coaching of skills and some discussion on map work. Back to base and we each had a debrief, we'd all passed!

Thanks to Jon and Ali I'd have never got there without the two of you!

REC Emergence Course

The weekend just gone I was down in Wales to do a first aid course, I need it so I can do the assessment for my SMBLA Trail leader award.

Day 1 started with a good breakfast. Then the rest of the day was spent doing a little bit of work in the classroom with lots of practical experience outside. We covered CPR and bandaging and I had officially the lowest pain threshold of the group. Most of the people on the course were teachers, we get everywhere!

Day 2 dawned sunny and very hot. It was nice to see the blue sky and it seemed less humid. We started the day with all sorts of weird and wonderful scenarios, from drowning to sledging down the dry ski slope on a picnic bench. I even got the promise of a bottle of champagne from one of the lads, but he never paid up. We ended the day talking about hypothermia in the middle of a thunderstorm.

The course was brilliant and the fact we got outside so often and so much of it was practical meant I didn't feel like I was on a course. The location was stunning and I definetly want to go back and do some mountain biking in the area.

Trail leader award course

Well I'm back home now knowing what I need to work on and that I'll be ready for my assessment when it comes round. So my maintaince was fine, which I was pleasantly suprised with. I obviously know more than I realise. I can do all the skills and the navigation and so in the next month I just need to practise my navigation so it is more intutative - since I tend to ride local trails I just know where to go - and practise the skills as I can do them all but I now want to be able to do them really well.

It was definetly a lovely area of the lakes and reminded me how much I love the lake district. I must make plans to go up there again - I could practice my navigation while I'm there.

Day 2

Lunch stop. Another good day. Headed out on the bikes today. We had wind and hail to start but sun to finish.

TLA day 1

Well day 1 is finished and it's been fun. I won the fix a puncture competition. Now it's back to the hostel and homework time.

SMBLA

Well Ali suggested to me ages ago that I should have a go at this (Scottish Mountain Bike Leader Award) I really wasn't sure I was/am a good enough rider. But after some discussion and looking at the information on the web I'm going to give it a go and have booked on the Trail Leader Award up in the lakes. Have already filled in my logbook, only needed 20rides so that bit was easy, now need to do some route cards.

I'm very very nervous!