Keep Moving - Week 7

Started the week with a walk out with Julie, Marissa and Spider.  The sun was shining on Monday so I clocked off early and went to hack, suspiciously despite having new hay bales the ponies were nowhere to be seen, not learning from the hedge cutting debacle of the other week I go and get Spider from the furthest reaches of the field.  As we walk back down the steep hill the rest of the gang do a fly by, Spider bounces and half heartedly tries to leg it, except that the mud is like an oil spill, I have no traction and I'm gaining speed as I ski down the slope.  I let go, because obviously they will just stop at the hay.  They hit the bottom of the valley, do a token loop of the bales and all head off to the other end of the field.  I remind myself we are both too portly and trek back up the hill and gather the pony, he tries to go again but luckily I'm on the flat this time and we make it down to his tack.  My brushing was definitely a three out of ten at this point and would have won no awards for horsemanship but out we go.  There are Moto-X bikes everywhere, the riders are brilliant if they see you, stop immediately, turn of engines and wait until you are well clear before they restart but Spider isn't thrilled that they are about.  I decide to hack home via the village, away from the bikes, not sure we were suitable for public view, we looked like we'd been mud wrestling pigs. 

A day in the office on Tuesday and as it is a glorious day a few of us climb "the small Eildon" (Eildon Wester Hill) in our lunch break.  Julie and I had been talking about Parkrun on Sunday, now I can't run, at all, so I've never considered it.  However I did a 5 mile walk on Wednesday and added a few jogs to the initial "5km" (parkrun distance) - I did put trainers on but was otherwise massively over dressed, I think it was also all up hill...!  So first measured 5km in just short of 48 mins, can confirm this would have me in the last handful of finishers in every local park run.  It did get my heat rate up though.  Room for improvement.  Just when you think Spider has reached peak filth he surprises you but we had the arena booked on Thursday so we walked up and Marissa practiced steering, stopping and trotting, Spider was positively saintly.  Friday I did a few miles around Lauder at work then hacked out small fluff (the nights are fair drawing out!)

Finished the week with Spider's first trip in the new trailer, we went to the end of the railway line and rode home.  He was thrilled to meet his favourite treat dispenser at the totem poles and trotted along behind the bike.  Craig has dredged the burn so it is now considerably less wide and deep.  We also had a small stroll at Dalkieth park before the rain came on.  Not much Cactus activity this week but his new saddle has been dispatched so his time will come!