Tuesday, September 25, 2007
(Very) Cross Training...
There is a duathlon fairly nearby on October (some kind soul clipped the details under my wipers whilst I was running through fields on Sunday) which I'd quite like to do...
Also I am thinking of the benefits of cross training, so had carefully planned a 1 hour bike ride into my schedule for this evening... I had a later finish at work so resolve to get home, grab the bike from the understairs cupboard, pump up the tyres and go...
Ok, here's what really happened...
Get home
Grab bike out from cupboard
Feel tyres. Too soft. Grab bike pump
Pump front tyre
Pump back tyre. It is now slightly less soft but not much
Try to get more air in. Fail
Head out anyway
Realise back tyre is actually far too soft
Head back home and grab pump
Connect pump to valve and manage to let out all remaining air in the tyre
Swear loudly
Try again. The tyre refuses to accept any air whatsoever
Chuck bike on floor
Try again. Same result
Chuck bike on the floor
Realise pump is broken
Chuck pump on the floor
Throw bike into house, walk to Mum's and borrow her bike
Ride for an hour! Schedule completed...
Also I am thinking of the benefits of cross training, so had carefully planned a 1 hour bike ride into my schedule for this evening... I had a later finish at work so resolve to get home, grab the bike from the understairs cupboard, pump up the tyres and go...
Ok, here's what really happened...
Get home
Grab bike out from cupboard
Feel tyres. Too soft. Grab bike pump
Pump front tyre
Pump back tyre. It is now slightly less soft but not much
Try to get more air in. Fail
Head out anyway
Realise back tyre is actually far too soft
Head back home and grab pump
Connect pump to valve and manage to let out all remaining air in the tyre
Swear loudly
Try again. The tyre refuses to accept any air whatsoever
Chuck bike on floor
Try again. Same result
Chuck bike on the floor
Realise pump is broken
Chuck pump on the floor
Throw bike into house, walk to Mum's and borrow her bike
Ride for an hour! Schedule completed...
Labels: Cross training, cycling
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Feeling Tired...
I have felt so tired this week, and slightly run down... unfortunately I live over the shops in my village (well, for 'village', read 'estate'- it's a modern 'village' built in the 60's so doesn't exactly have traditional village like charms... read more about lovely East Goscote here... if you're incredibly bored or have an awful lot of time on your hands!)
Anyway, given that I live over the shops and near the only pub in the village, it can be very noisy late at night as passers by obviously don't think we are mere mortals who need sleep... I have become very good at sleeping wearing my ear plugs!
Had a good workout Sunday; 30 minutes on the treadmill, doing quite a lot of work at 6.3 mph and above, covering 3 miles. Then the usual ellipticals, stepper, rower, weights (increasing a few of the reps on the weights). After that I did some inclination work on the treadmill and resistance work on the ellipticals. I felt quite tired after, and came home and washed the car! (that made it rain!!)
I am giving a friend a driving lesson tonight, she has her test next month; her husband is teaching her too but they keep falling out! Quite funny really- last time it happened, they made up but she would only let him take her within walking distance of their house- in case they had a row and she felt the need to get out the car and stomp home!!
I am going to bike there, might as well get some exercise and kill two birds with one stone! Although it looks as though I am going to get wet...
Anyway, given that I live over the shops and near the only pub in the village, it can be very noisy late at night as passers by obviously don't think we are mere mortals who need sleep... I have become very good at sleeping wearing my ear plugs!
Had a good workout Sunday; 30 minutes on the treadmill, doing quite a lot of work at 6.3 mph and above, covering 3 miles. Then the usual ellipticals, stepper, rower, weights (increasing a few of the reps on the weights). After that I did some inclination work on the treadmill and resistance work on the ellipticals. I felt quite tired after, and came home and washed the car! (that made it rain!!)
I am giving a friend a driving lesson tonight, she has her test next month; her husband is teaching her too but they keep falling out! Quite funny really- last time it happened, they made up but she would only let him take her within walking distance of their house- in case they had a row and she felt the need to get out the car and stomp home!!
I am going to bike there, might as well get some exercise and kill two birds with one stone! Although it looks as though I am going to get wet...
Labels: cycling, East Goscote
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Phew- Knackered!!
Phew! Decided to bike to Melton Mowbray today, as I had a routine contact lens check. I had originally intended to buy some new bike tyres, but when I contacted Halfords I was informed that they won't fit then for you at weekends, which isn't handy.
I didn't go the main road way, as it's very busy, instead I cut through the villages of Rearsby, Thrussington, Hoby and Asfordby. Going it was fine- the only real tough bit came just outside Asfordby; after passing the area known as Asfordby Valley, there is a real, humungous hill up to the aptly named Asfordby Hill. God, it was a monster! I was determined not too walk at all, though, and although my legs were burning, I made it!
All was fine with my eyes, but had to take my contacts out and ride back in my glasses. It seemed much harder coming back, mind you the wind was quite strong, and was against me all the way back. And when I got to Hoby, the heavens opened! And the wind- it suddenly turned into a gale- or felt like it!
I finished the ride totally soaked, uncomfortable, half blind (rain and glasses are not a good combination!) and in dire need of a caffeine fix.
I've no idea how far it was, took me about an hour each way, not too bad as it's only the third time I've been out on the bike in the last 8 months!
I didn't go the main road way, as it's very busy, instead I cut through the villages of Rearsby, Thrussington, Hoby and Asfordby. Going it was fine- the only real tough bit came just outside Asfordby; after passing the area known as Asfordby Valley, there is a real, humungous hill up to the aptly named Asfordby Hill. God, it was a monster! I was determined not too walk at all, though, and although my legs were burning, I made it!
All was fine with my eyes, but had to take my contacts out and ride back in my glasses. It seemed much harder coming back, mind you the wind was quite strong, and was against me all the way back. And when I got to Hoby, the heavens opened! And the wind- it suddenly turned into a gale- or felt like it!
I finished the ride totally soaked, uncomfortable, half blind (rain and glasses are not a good combination!) and in dire need of a caffeine fix.
I've no idea how far it was, took me about an hour each way, not too bad as it's only the third time I've been out on the bike in the last 8 months!
Labels: cycling, Melton Mowbray
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Mid Week Blues
Ohh, I wish it was the weekend! That's the trouble with Bank Holidays- that extra day off makes it so much harder to go back to work!
Went to Sherwood Forest on Monday with my mate, we had a bit of a bike around and saw the Major Oak, supposedly where Robin Hood hid... you can't get near it now, but when I was a kid I remember queuing up and actually standing inside it- it has a hollowed out trunk.
I went to another mate's last night- she is learning to drive, so I am doing the sitting-and-supervising bit whilst she gets some practice. I decided to bike there as it only takes around 25 minutes. Really back into biking, but must get some new tyres or else I'll be walking...
Physio tomorrow, that should be interesting; I may be able to start running again!!
Must go- there's a bag of chips calling my name...
Went to Sherwood Forest on Monday with my mate, we had a bit of a bike around and saw the Major Oak, supposedly where Robin Hood hid... you can't get near it now, but when I was a kid I remember queuing up and actually standing inside it- it has a hollowed out trunk.
I went to another mate's last night- she is learning to drive, so I am doing the sitting-and-supervising bit whilst she gets some practice. I decided to bike there as it only takes around 25 minutes. Really back into biking, but must get some new tyres or else I'll be walking...
Physio tomorrow, that should be interesting; I may be able to start running again!!
Must go- there's a bag of chips calling my name...
Labels: chips, cycling, major oak
Monday, May 07, 2007
I Love Bank Holidays...
Every weekend should have one!! Trouble is, that extra day of just seems to make it harder to go back to work!
Right... let's get organised here (for a change)... exercise totals for this week just gone.
Running
None. But I've got a sick note!
Walking
5 1/2 miles cross country with ruck sack
5 miles brisk
Total 20 minutes inclination work on treadmill
Other
40 minutes elliptical trainer easy
38 minutes elliptical trainer (hard- increased resistance)
20 minutes bike
40 minutes stepper
8 minutes rower
(all over two gym visits)
Strength training
50 minutes on home mini stepper
Not that great, I'll admit, but hopefully after my next visit to the physio I'll be able to push things on a bit. Achilles has been ok, slightly creaky after the gym yesterday but I iced it.
I am going on a bike ride with my mate today, I don't think we will be going that far, probably to the nearest pub for a pub lunch!! Perhaps just as well, my bike tyres are so bald they are down to the canvas in places...
Right... let's get organised here (for a change)... exercise totals for this week just gone.
Running
None. But I've got a sick note!
Walking
5 1/2 miles cross country with ruck sack
5 miles brisk
Total 20 minutes inclination work on treadmill
Other
40 minutes elliptical trainer easy
38 minutes elliptical trainer (hard- increased resistance)
20 minutes bike
40 minutes stepper
8 minutes rower
(all over two gym visits)
Strength training
50 minutes on home mini stepper
Not that great, I'll admit, but hopefully after my next visit to the physio I'll be able to push things on a bit. Achilles has been ok, slightly creaky after the gym yesterday but I iced it.
I am going on a bike ride with my mate today, I don't think we will be going that far, probably to the nearest pub for a pub lunch!! Perhaps just as well, my bike tyres are so bald they are down to the canvas in places...
Labels: cycling, gym, walking, workout
