Thursday, July 30, 2009
Back On Track???
Thought it was high time I updated- I was going to do it Wednesday, honest I was, then we had a power cut- that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
I had a lovely weekend in Blackpool. Saturday was actually nice- it was a novelty to have a day without any of the wet stuff, in fact it was pretty warm, so me and my sis took a walk round Nicky Nook, in the Trough of Bowland area. It's not a long walk but it's quite scenic.
We were walking down the road to the footpath when we saw a roe deer buck in a field;
Roe Deer
I only got a blurry photo as he jumped a wire fence and high tailed it into the woods.
We followed a track through woods to the reservoir;
Grizedale Reservoir
There was a huge slab of stone by the path so we sat and chatted for a time, which was great as we don't often get the chance to do that. There was a short steepish ascent to the trig point on Nicky Nook, and we had a great clear view right over to the jagged skyline of the Lakes.
The Lakes And M6 Motorway
Me On Nicky Nook
After the walk we had a deserved cinamon scone in Scorton.
Sunday I went to see Shayla, the pony my sis is part loaning. We took her into the indoor school and I had a walk and trot- I wasn't on her for that long but could feel my legs for a few days afterwards!
Two cute kittens live in the house opposite my sis, and think her garden belongs to them (her own two cats aren't terribly amused!) It was fun to watch their antics;
Adopted Cat!
I didn't do much Monday night, and went to see Lucky Tuesday. I felt so bad about my lack of training and crap eating that I stopped the car on the way home, got out and jogged for 30 minutes in my work clothes and trainers!
Wednesday I hauled myself back to my Total Tone class (ooh that hurt!) and last night I went out for a walk/ run which turned out to be more of a walk as I was chatting on the phone at the same time...
I think I'm back on track- or getting there... I will feel better after the Dipper on Sunday!
I had a lovely weekend in Blackpool. Saturday was actually nice- it was a novelty to have a day without any of the wet stuff, in fact it was pretty warm, so me and my sis took a walk round Nicky Nook, in the Trough of Bowland area. It's not a long walk but it's quite scenic.
We were walking down the road to the footpath when we saw a roe deer buck in a field;
Roe Deer
I only got a blurry photo as he jumped a wire fence and high tailed it into the woods.
We followed a track through woods to the reservoir;
Grizedale Reservoir
There was a huge slab of stone by the path so we sat and chatted for a time, which was great as we don't often get the chance to do that. There was a short steepish ascent to the trig point on Nicky Nook, and we had a great clear view right over to the jagged skyline of the Lakes.
The Lakes And M6 Motorway
Me On Nicky Nook
After the walk we had a deserved cinamon scone in Scorton.
Sunday I went to see Shayla, the pony my sis is part loaning. We took her into the indoor school and I had a walk and trot- I wasn't on her for that long but could feel my legs for a few days afterwards!
Two cute kittens live in the house opposite my sis, and think her garden belongs to them (her own two cats aren't terribly amused!) It was fun to watch their antics;
Adopted Cat!
I didn't do much Monday night, and went to see Lucky Tuesday. I felt so bad about my lack of training and crap eating that I stopped the car on the way home, got out and jogged for 30 minutes in my work clothes and trainers!
Wednesday I hauled myself back to my Total Tone class (ooh that hurt!) and last night I went out for a walk/ run which turned out to be more of a walk as I was chatting on the phone at the same time...
I think I'm back on track- or getting there... I will feel better after the Dipper on Sunday!
Labels: Blackpool, Dovedale Dipper, Trough Of Bowland
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Not Much Better...
This week hasn't exactly set the world of training on fire either! I have been out for a couple of runs... but that's been it. I have also seen the inside of far too many chocolate bar wrappers!
I am off to Blackpool tomorrow for the weekend to see my sister, so here's hoping for a shot of motivation when I get back!
I am off to Blackpool tomorrow for the weekend to see my sister, so here's hoping for a shot of motivation when I get back!
Labels: Blackpool, motivation
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Not A Great Week...
It's not been a good week. In fact it has been a totally unproductive week during which time I've done bu**er all apart from stuff vast quantities of chocolate, ice cream, toffees and pizza... I don't know why- it's not even THAT time of the month, so I have no excuse!
I would love to know how come some weeks this whole fitness thingy seems effortless- we are so motivated, so hyped, and can't wait to get out there or into the gym and do our stuff. We eat nothing but good stuff- wholemeal rice, pasta and bread, tons of fresh fruit and salad, and refuse to allow so much as a rich tea to pass out lips. We look in the mirror and admire our soon-to-be-toned bodies and smile with pity when colleagues moan about being breathless walking up the stairs...
... and then the next week, we can't face going to the gym, have to force ourselves out the door by the scruff of our running t-shirts, run down the road feeling bloated and feeling our whole body protest,and eat practically everything sweet that's not nailed down!
There's no justice! True, I haven't felt too well and have been very tired, but it's no excuse really! I think I need a motivation shot...
I did haul my flabby body out for a 7/ 8 mile walk yesterday and forced myself to the gym today, although I had to compromise by promising the body a reduced workout or I would have had a mutiny on my hands- but the Robin Hood Marathon is only 7 weeks away!!! How on earth did that happen!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jo Kilkenny made an absolutely marvellous attempt on the Arch 2 Arc challenge, but sadly had to be pulled out of the water several hours into the swim with exhaustion- the conditions were such that she wasn't managing to make headway. Even as she was being pulled into the boat, Jo was making plans to attemp the A2A again in 2011 and she went on to complete the 180 mile bike leg- I don't think I could have done that. Jo is a true endurance athlete and I've no doubt that she will succeed on 2011!
I would love to know how come some weeks this whole fitness thingy seems effortless- we are so motivated, so hyped, and can't wait to get out there or into the gym and do our stuff. We eat nothing but good stuff- wholemeal rice, pasta and bread, tons of fresh fruit and salad, and refuse to allow so much as a rich tea to pass out lips. We look in the mirror and admire our soon-to-be-toned bodies and smile with pity when colleagues moan about being breathless walking up the stairs...
... and then the next week, we can't face going to the gym, have to force ourselves out the door by the scruff of our running t-shirts, run down the road feeling bloated and feeling our whole body protest,and eat practically everything sweet that's not nailed down!
There's no justice! True, I haven't felt too well and have been very tired, but it's no excuse really! I think I need a motivation shot...
I did haul my flabby body out for a 7/ 8 mile walk yesterday and forced myself to the gym today, although I had to compromise by promising the body a reduced workout or I would have had a mutiny on my hands- but the Robin Hood Marathon is only 7 weeks away!!! How on earth did that happen!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jo Kilkenny made an absolutely marvellous attempt on the Arch 2 Arc challenge, but sadly had to be pulled out of the water several hours into the swim with exhaustion- the conditions were such that she wasn't managing to make headway. Even as she was being pulled into the boat, Jo was making plans to attemp the A2A again in 2011 and she went on to complete the 180 mile bike leg- I don't think I could have done that. Jo is a true endurance athlete and I've no doubt that she will succeed on 2011!
Labels: Arch to Arc, motivation
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Arch to Arc Challenge!
Ultra runner Jo Kilkenny set off from London at 5:15pm today in her attempt to become the first female to complete the Enduroman Arch to Arc challenge...
For those who don't know, the A2A consists of a little 84 mile run from Marble Arch in London to Dover, a mere swim across the English Channel, and a wee 184 mile cycle ride from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris! I can't ever imagine myself doing anything as seriously hardcore as that, but Jo is an amazingly fit lady who has put a lot of preparation and training into this event so I have every confidence she will be successful.
You can catch up with Jo's progress and give her support on the live feed. Jo also has her own website.
My efforts lately have paled into insignificance in comparison- I was supposed to go for a run tonight but felt less than great so stayed in and ate lots of ice cream and chocolate!
For those who don't know, the A2A consists of a little 84 mile run from Marble Arch in London to Dover, a mere swim across the English Channel, and a wee 184 mile cycle ride from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris! I can't ever imagine myself doing anything as seriously hardcore as that, but Jo is an amazingly fit lady who has put a lot of preparation and training into this event so I have every confidence she will be successful.
You can catch up with Jo's progress and give her support on the live feed. Jo also has her own website.
My efforts lately have paled into insignificance in comparison- I was supposed to go for a run tonight but felt less than great so stayed in and ate lots of ice cream and chocolate!
Labels: Arch to Arc
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Decision Time Soon...
I may have to make a decision soon. As you know, I've gone and entered the Robin Hood Marathon in September- and was also considering tackling the Bullock Smithy, although it's the weekend before the Robin Hood.
But I've seen another Ultra I quite fancy the sound of... it's called the Druid's Challenge, and is a 3 day ultra event along the Ridgeway- the complete 85 mile length of the Ridgeway trail. It takes place in early November and food and accommodation (floor space!) are included... and I really want to do it!
I am wondering whether to go for this instead of the BS and stage my BS rematch next year? I am a bit skint so have to limit the amount I splash on races as it's a dear do... and of course there's the Beacons Ultra in December I need to enter very soon in case it sells out- decisions decisions...
But I've seen another Ultra I quite fancy the sound of... it's called the Druid's Challenge, and is a 3 day ultra event along the Ridgeway- the complete 85 mile length of the Ridgeway trail. It takes place in early November and food and accommodation (floor space!) are included... and I really want to do it!
I am wondering whether to go for this instead of the BS and stage my BS rematch next year? I am a bit skint so have to limit the amount I splash on races as it's a dear do... and of course there's the Beacons Ultra in December I need to enter very soon in case it sells out- decisions decisions...
Labels: Druids Challenge
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
An Overdue Update!
I haven't written for a while... I'm actually not at home at the moment! I'm house and cat sitting for a colleague. It's quite odd being in somebody else's house- although I do have use of the laptop.
The cat- a Ragdoll called Louby Lou- doesn't seem fazed though. She comes running to greet me and sleeps on the bed with me every night. Mind you, Ragdolls are not noted for their intelligence so she maybe just thinks her mum's dyed her hair and put on a couple of stone...
I have been keeping up the training though; 4 miles on the treadmill alternating between 4 minutes at 5.5 mph and 4 minutes at 6.5 mph, seems tough but I think it's getting easier!! I haven't done a lot of actuall running outside on pavements though so will need to make a start pretty soon as I will have to cover 26.2 miles in September...
I have started the 'bingo wings reduction' but haven't noticed any reduction yet, my arm flab still keeps moving for several minutes after my arms have stopped, mind you it's only been a week I suppose.
So tonight's the night- I am going to go out and cover 5- 6 miles!!
The cat- a Ragdoll called Louby Lou- doesn't seem fazed though. She comes running to greet me and sleeps on the bed with me every night. Mind you, Ragdolls are not noted for their intelligence so she maybe just thinks her mum's dyed her hair and put on a couple of stone...
I have been keeping up the training though; 4 miles on the treadmill alternating between 4 minutes at 5.5 mph and 4 minutes at 6.5 mph, seems tough but I think it's getting easier!! I haven't done a lot of actuall running outside on pavements though so will need to make a start pretty soon as I will have to cover 26.2 miles in September...
I have started the 'bingo wings reduction' but haven't noticed any reduction yet, my arm flab still keeps moving for several minutes after my arms have stopped, mind you it's only been a week I suppose.
So tonight's the night- I am going to go out and cover 5- 6 miles!!
Labels: bingo wings
