Tuesday, June 10, 2008
She Passed!!
Katie passed her practical on Sunday!! I'm glad we practiced beforehand as I knew what to expect, but it was still pretty nerve wracking as I had to play my part... I said to her that it was like she was taling her driving test again... and I was the car...
It was a glorious day, and she wanted to pick me up at 8am to give us more chance to practice. Now, when Katie says 8am I know she won't be here until at least 8:15am but we were still there early. She works at the Hinckley Island Hotel, which has it's own swimming pool and gym. The gym is quite small but adequate; we practised and the other two guys taking their exams arrived with their 'cars'.
They had the theory exam first for 3/4 hour, so I made use of the gym- the treadmill and the ellipticals, and did quite a lot of resistance training. Katie had neglected to tell me that the examiner was quite cute, and I was looking rather less than my best by the time they came out!
Luckily Katie went first for the practical- the examiner followed us into the gym and observed, but I don't think he could have heard all of what we were saying. I had to pretend I a) didn't know Katie and b) hadn't been to a gym, as she talked me through stretches, using the treadmill, (another 10 minute run!) bike, elliptical and some of the weights. She was really nervous, bless her, but I threw in some questions for her answer and I think it impressed him.
Afterwards, he told us to meet him outside, and when we sat down he said that she had done really well! She won't get the results of her theory yet but will hopefully be a qualified gym instructor! She has started to give me training hints, such as the importance of varying work outs as the body quickly learns what to expect if you do the same thing every time, and will only put in the minimum effort, therefore not improving.
I still haven't done an awful lot... went on the stepper last night for about 1 hour 15 minutes catching up on 'My Name Is Earl' (very good program!) It is once again a glorious evening, but all the kids tend to stay out later.
This is going to sound very pathetic... I am getting sick and tired of finding field upon field of cows every time I go out...
...although I did have a nice surprise with my 7 miler route that was threatening to vecome impassable- I went out Saturday for 8 miles, with a 5.5kg pack and resigned myself to fighting my way through myriads of nettles. However, somebody had been along and completely cleared the path all the way along... thank heavens for some small mercies!!
It was a glorious day, and she wanted to pick me up at 8am to give us more chance to practice. Now, when Katie says 8am I know she won't be here until at least 8:15am but we were still there early. She works at the Hinckley Island Hotel, which has it's own swimming pool and gym. The gym is quite small but adequate; we practised and the other two guys taking their exams arrived with their 'cars'.
They had the theory exam first for 3/4 hour, so I made use of the gym- the treadmill and the ellipticals, and did quite a lot of resistance training. Katie had neglected to tell me that the examiner was quite cute, and I was looking rather less than my best by the time they came out!
Luckily Katie went first for the practical- the examiner followed us into the gym and observed, but I don't think he could have heard all of what we were saying. I had to pretend I a) didn't know Katie and b) hadn't been to a gym, as she talked me through stretches, using the treadmill, (another 10 minute run!) bike, elliptical and some of the weights. She was really nervous, bless her, but I threw in some questions for her answer and I think it impressed him.
Afterwards, he told us to meet him outside, and when we sat down he said that she had done really well! She won't get the results of her theory yet but will hopefully be a qualified gym instructor! She has started to give me training hints, such as the importance of varying work outs as the body quickly learns what to expect if you do the same thing every time, and will only put in the minimum effort, therefore not improving.
I still haven't done an awful lot... went on the stepper last night for about 1 hour 15 minutes catching up on 'My Name Is Earl' (very good program!) It is once again a glorious evening, but all the kids tend to stay out later.
This is going to sound very pathetic... I am getting sick and tired of finding field upon field of cows every time I go out...
...although I did have a nice surprise with my 7 miler route that was threatening to vecome impassable- I went out Saturday for 8 miles, with a 5.5kg pack and resigned myself to fighting my way through myriads of nettles. However, somebody had been along and completely cleared the path all the way along... thank heavens for some small mercies!!
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Exams...
It's Katie's exam tomorrow... we went to my gym, The Engine Room, to practice Thursday night, which was slightly embarrassing as she had to 'teach' me to do various stretches and use equipment, and I'm sure people recognise me there! She is picking me up at 8am... groan...
I am finding it really difficult to motivate myself at the minute... I feel quite tired, and it's hard to make myself get out there and walk/ run for hours on end, when I want to spend time with friends and family, or just potter around and tinker with my web site...
I suppose most people get training blues once in a while, it does take up an incredible amount of time. I have kept my mileage up, just haven't done any runs longer than 10 miles... I have been walking with a 5.5kg pack, and been to the gym. I have a 26 mile route in mind for next weekend, actually it's two walks which both start and finish in the same place, one 14 miles and one 12 miles, so they can be done in a kind of figure of eight...
I really ought to go to bed- I am really tired and have eaten chips and lots of chocolate- very bad!!
I am finding it really difficult to motivate myself at the minute... I feel quite tired, and it's hard to make myself get out there and walk/ run for hours on end, when I want to spend time with friends and family, or just potter around and tinker with my web site...
I suppose most people get training blues once in a while, it does take up an incredible amount of time. I have kept my mileage up, just haven't done any runs longer than 10 miles... I have been walking with a 5.5kg pack, and been to the gym. I have a 26 mile route in mind for next weekend, actually it's two walks which both start and finish in the same place, one 14 miles and one 12 miles, so they can be done in a kind of figure of eight...
I really ought to go to bed- I am really tired and have eaten chips and lots of chocolate- very bad!!
Labels: chips, chocolate, exam
