The weeks after the MF1200

The day after the mf1200 I was still feeling pretty rough. We decided to make a bit of a family holiday out of it so my wife drove down to Kerry with the kids that Wednesday. I got the rented house ready for their arrival and had another nap which was exactly what I need.

It was a good job the house was a bungalow as stairs were a real challenge for my sore legs. I knew I couldn’t let on to my wife how much pain I was in. She wouldn’t have much sympathy for me anyway.

Thankfully, when I woke Thursday, I felt a lot better. By the weekend I was back to normal but still just generally tired.

So we got back home Sunday evening. I still had another week booked off work but I was so busy doing things with the kids and around the house that I didn’t have a spare second for the bike.

It was the next Sunday when I got out on my bike, nearly two weeks after finishing the mf1200. I decided to take the mtb as I has been so long since i was out on it. I didn’t know how my legs would behave but to my surprise they felt strong and I was able to power up the hills.

Some pics of that morning.

So what’s next?

After completing a big event I always have a sence of loss. I have been focused on the event for over six months now and all of a sudden it is gone.

I still have my RRTY challenge to keep me going although I must admit, the few days after the mf1200 I didn’t feel like continuing the challenge. I’m feeling good again and I’m looking forward to the next one.

I’m going to do 200km audax permanent spins for the next two months. They take up less time and I don’t want the abuse my wife patience any more than I need to. Having looked for races to do I couldn’t really find any short enough and that are within a 1 hr drive away. There are a lot of 300+ events this time of year.

So I looked through the permanent list I found a newly entered “North Leinster Riviera 200”. It starts in Dublin and follows the coast north as far as Annagassan and then back again. I’ve contacted the organiser and I’m able to do it in reverse. This is great as Annagassan is only 30min drive from me.

Looking further ahead

As for next years big event? I’m thinking of doing maybe two single day events. I’m mindful of the fact that it’s hard to look after 3 young kids so I don’t want to leave my wife with them for a multi day event two years in a row.

I’ll have a look through my bucket list over the next few weeks to find a race or two that I will do.

Until then I have the RRTY to keep me busy.