The warm up - #Juneathon day 26

I um'd and ah'd about what to do exercise-wise today. I didn't want to go to the gym as I did that yesterday and I wasn't in the mood for running. Tomorrow, I'm planning on cycling to and from work, so I decided I'd have a relatively light session on the bike.

I picked up the Old Main Line canal near Dudley Port and headed towards Oldbury. This went right past the estate we used to live on, which brought back some happy memories of our first house together. The towpath along the Old Main Line was slightly more overgrown than the Main Line and there was a couple of occasions I needed to dismount as I wasn't convinced I would have stayed on if I'd have tried to ride straight through. (As a West Wing fan, this springs to mind...)

I was interested to see what happened to the Main Line and Old Main Line when they flowed around Oldbury as it's not something I'd got my head around previously. The Old Main Line goes under the M5 motorway for some of its stretch at which point the towpath surface is horrible. Whilst I was there, I was surprised to find the canal junction for the Titford canal. It just seems strange to have a two canals and the slow pace of life that suggests meeting under a motorway with thr thunder of HGVs and other traffic overhead.

Continuing along the towpath, I was relieved to find a grassy section of towpath. I was less happy to run into another cluster of tetchy geese - To be fair they did seem to have young with them, but even when they don't I hate having to go past them. It's a bit better on a bike though - when I'm running, I'm always concerned at the geese that not only hiss at you but run towards you to chase you off.

Warning geese - the original angry birds!

After crossing over the canal, the towpath surface went bad again, at which point my amazing reclining seat problem started to reoccur. Although I did have a spanner with me, I didn't want to break my rhythm. It then became time for a little over under. Under the West Coast Rail Main Line. Over the Canal Main Line. Under another main road.

It was time to turn around and come back again, so I cycled a short way down the Spon Lane as I knew both canals had access points off it. Transferring to the Main Line, I was comfortable in my cycling style and I came back via the Wednesbury Old Canal down Eight Locks (that's quite fun to do when you're on a bike) before arriving back at home.

So, I've packed my rucksack for the morning - change of clothes, towel, toiletries and work ID. The rest of my gear is ready to be worn. My only challenge now is to be up and out the house by 7am so I can be at work on time!

Cycling: 8.12 miles in 58m 09

Juneathon totals:

Running:
Distance - 26.88 miles
Time - 3h 54m 02
 
Swimming:
Distance - 5.27 miles
Time - 3h 50m 38

Cycling:
Distance - 110.80 miles
Time - 7h 13m 42

Walking:
Distance - 17.98 miles
Time - 4h 37m 18

Cross Trainer:
Distance - 10.32 miles
Time - 1h 31m 51

Rowing Machine:
Distance - 1.24 miles
Time - 09m 07

Total Distance - 173.67 miles
Total Time - 21h 16m 38