Christmas Day Duathlon 25/12/07
or How to Eat a Huge Christmas Dinner and Not Put on (Too Much) Weight
The moon over the New Town on Christmas MorningThe last few years my sister has kindly entertained the family for Christmas. To offset the calorific intake of the dinner I have cycled to her home down the A68 to near Lauder. However this year Christmas morning began slightly earlier than usual when Ben K asked if I wanted to run with him up Arthur's Seat first thing. As his nephew was staying at his house over Christmas he was under orders to be back as early as possible so first thing meant meeting Ben at 7am at the end of my road.
3 minutes to 7; I was just sleepily pulling on my shoes when there was a tapping at the door and it wasn't Santa. Ben was enthusiastic to get going and although we chatted while making our way up Easter Road I noticed the pace was pretty brisk. It was a spectacularly nice morning. Well night, still, as the sun only came up about 7.45. We ran into Holyrood and over the crags, then round the shoulder above Hunters Bog and above the Dry Dam to the summit. I was surprised, when we got to the top, to meet a handful of students skulking in the gloom there, trying to look enthusiastic about drinking from cans. I asked if they were finishing or starting a session and they said halfway through. I don't think they were having as fine a morning as Ben and I but I could be wrong. They were probably wondering why 2 guys in tights were taking photos of each other - and didn't even appear to have been drinking.
The sky was just beginning to brighten over the Portobello side of the city but the new town was still asleep. I took some photos resting the camera on the trig point to keep it steady, then we left the summit as more were arriving. On the way down Ben slipped and fell on the icy ground and had to take a couple of seconds to recover. Ask him to show you his bruises. I hope he didn't get into too much trouble from family as it must have been 8.20 by the time he got home.
After the first shower of the day I had a hearty breakfast and set off on the bike for Anne's place. Its 28 miles with 4 big ascents and in such frosty weather shouldn't be taken lightly. Its usually my feet suffer most and although I wore 2 pairs of warm socks they were still like lumps of ice when I finally arrived. Portobello Prom was covered in frost and looking very pretty in the sunshine - just an occasional dog-walker and jogger out and about. The first big hill starts just outside Musselburgh and finishes past Cousland as you meet the A68. The second is Pathhead.
Next is Soutra and finally when I pull off the Lauder road there is a ten minute climb to my sister's place which is right on top of a hill. Second shower of the day before a glorious Christmas dinner. I try not to let the thought of the cycle home spoil the afternoon, but eventually about 6.30pm I change back into my bike gear and head down the road, which is now pitch black, to the A68 and the big climb back over Soutra. However the wind is behind me and I feel as if a giant hand is pushing me up the hill. (Not the giant hand of drink.) The return trip is usually a slow business but I cover the distance in just over 2hrs - ten minutes quicker than the way down the road. It would have been well under the 2hrs but for the wind changing to the west and making the last few miles from Musselburgh a real slog. The rain lashed down a couple of times also which took some of the fun out of it.
The road up to Anne and Bob's.So there we are - huge amounts of rich food consumed (many thanks Anne and Bob) and a great way to spend the day without paying too heavy a price. I was feeling pretty smug until boxing day when I thought I was perhaps a little more hungover than I should be. Then on the 27th I realised I had picked up some flu bugs along the way and had to spend the day in bed, head swimming, body aching. With a bit of luck I will be fit again for the Promathon on the first. Let that be a warning. Happy New Year!
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Photos Peter and Ben
