Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Fun In The Snow!
Well, we got a proper dose of winter over the weekend... I was watching my sister swim in a tournament in Braunstone, Leicester, and as I drove over to mum's to pick them up, it had started to snow- little, hard flakes- and to settle a little. By the time we reached the swimming baths there was quite a covering on the ground and the flakes had become larger.
We were in for a shock when we emerged, three hours later... it had obviously been snowing hard all the time we had been in there, so there was a good three- four inches on the ground and the car. Driving back was awful... the roads were horrendous! It was a case of keep concentrating and try to keep to the wheel ruts of the cars in front... all the time the snow was coming down in bucket loads. I am not that experienced at driving in that weather and didn't greatly enjoy it! Then I had to drive back home... the A46 was dreadful. I saw several cars who appeared to be stuck, and one car sticking out of the ditch at a jaunty angle! (It was abandoned). I got home eventually but was so glad to be back!
Sunday morning I thought I'd take advantage of all the white stuff and go out and get some pics and exercise at the same time. Going out early was lovely as the snow was still thick on the trees- I decided on my Radcliffe- Shelford route, around 13 miles, although it felt much more in the snow.
Now, when I usually do this route I see hardly a soul between Radcliffe and Shelford and so I had rather hoped of being the first one to walk it and be able to take shots of paths covered with pristine snow... not so. Obviously everyone in Radcliffe and Shelford had set their alarm clocks so that they could get out and walk every inch of the paths they could find for miles around, or so it seemed! I did get a few shots though-
Around 11am the sun came out and I kept getting wet as the snow melted and dripped off the trees. I did manage a few shambling runs but felt like I was moving in slow motion.
Unfortunatly most of it has turned to slush, which has then frozen and left the pavements lethally covered so I think I will forego tonight's run and use the elliptical (which has unfortunately become very squeaky) whilst I watch the Biggest Loser...
We were in for a shock when we emerged, three hours later... it had obviously been snowing hard all the time we had been in there, so there was a good three- four inches on the ground and the car. Driving back was awful... the roads were horrendous! It was a case of keep concentrating and try to keep to the wheel ruts of the cars in front... all the time the snow was coming down in bucket loads. I am not that experienced at driving in that weather and didn't greatly enjoy it! Then I had to drive back home... the A46 was dreadful. I saw several cars who appeared to be stuck, and one car sticking out of the ditch at a jaunty angle! (It was abandoned). I got home eventually but was so glad to be back!
Sunday morning I thought I'd take advantage of all the white stuff and go out and get some pics and exercise at the same time. Going out early was lovely as the snow was still thick on the trees- I decided on my Radcliffe- Shelford route, around 13 miles, although it felt much more in the snow.
Now, when I usually do this route I see hardly a soul between Radcliffe and Shelford and so I had rather hoped of being the first one to walk it and be able to take shots of paths covered with pristine snow... not so. Obviously everyone in Radcliffe and Shelford had set their alarm clocks so that they could get out and walk every inch of the paths they could find for miles around, or so it seemed! I did get a few shots though-
Unfortunatly most of it has turned to slush, which has then frozen and left the pavements lethally covered so I think I will forego tonight's run and use the elliptical (which has unfortunately become very squeaky) whilst I watch the Biggest Loser...
Labels: snow
Monday, December 06, 2010
Snow!!
Well, since my last post we have had a good few inches- not as much as other parts of Britain but enough to cause considerable disruption! Most of last week I left the car at home and walked to work, there's something quite satisfying about crunching through fresh snow.
We had had a covering Friday night and then quite a lot more fell throughout the week. The only thing is, it's really hampered my training as I am a wimp on all but the easiest terrain the best of times, but I am so frightened of skidding over and breaking a leg or something! A friend wanted to start going for walks, so a couple of times last week I walked to her house, walked a couple of miles with her and then carried on with my circuit, crunching for about 5-6 miles.
I have a problem now though... it rained Saturday which washed away a fair bit of the snow, leaving the rest to freeze into a lethal covering of ice so I am dreading going out there now! I made the mistake of driving the back way to mum's house last night and doing a quite impressive, impromptu, out of control skid down a steep hill, mercifully coming to rest in a handily placed farm gateway. God knows what I'll be like on my feet!
I braved the gym Sunday and decided to buy an elliptical trainer from Argos- at least that's something I can do without falling over! I naively expected to walk in, pay for it and walk away with it- but sadly no...
Apparently it's for home delivery only as they don't stock it. When I paid, the girl at the till asked me whether I wanted to pay the £8.99 delivery charge. I asked if there was any other way of getting it. She said no- they don't stock it so it was home delivery or nothing... lot of choice there then... then she said it would be delivered 'within 28 days'. 28 days!! I want it NOW!! Apparently someone will call me before Christmas Eve to arrange delivery...
I did go for a 10 mile walk Saturday morning to take some snaps of the snow before most of it got washed away, so I will share a few;
Walking Down To The Watersports Centre
Looking Towards Holme Pierrepont
The Fishing Lakes
The Canal
We had had a covering Friday night and then quite a lot more fell throughout the week. The only thing is, it's really hampered my training as I am a wimp on all but the easiest terrain the best of times, but I am so frightened of skidding over and breaking a leg or something! A friend wanted to start going for walks, so a couple of times last week I walked to her house, walked a couple of miles with her and then carried on with my circuit, crunching for about 5-6 miles.
I have a problem now though... it rained Saturday which washed away a fair bit of the snow, leaving the rest to freeze into a lethal covering of ice so I am dreading going out there now! I made the mistake of driving the back way to mum's house last night and doing a quite impressive, impromptu, out of control skid down a steep hill, mercifully coming to rest in a handily placed farm gateway. God knows what I'll be like on my feet!
I braved the gym Sunday and decided to buy an elliptical trainer from Argos- at least that's something I can do without falling over! I naively expected to walk in, pay for it and walk away with it- but sadly no...
Apparently it's for home delivery only as they don't stock it. When I paid, the girl at the till asked me whether I wanted to pay the £8.99 delivery charge. I asked if there was any other way of getting it. She said no- they don't stock it so it was home delivery or nothing... lot of choice there then... then she said it would be delivered 'within 28 days'. 28 days!! I want it NOW!! Apparently someone will call me before Christmas Eve to arrange delivery...
I did go for a 10 mile walk Saturday morning to take some snaps of the snow before most of it got washed away, so I will share a few;
Labels: elliptical trainer, snow
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Getting A Bit Fed Up With It Now...
The weather that is. I mean, the snow is ok at first, it makes everywhere look pretty and is quite good fun to crunch through. But then it hangs around and freezes night after night, and turns the pavements and roads into a lethal ice rink.
It's so cold and frosty out my motivation for anything more strenuous than sitting watching telly and eating my own bodyweight in chocolate just goes out of the window.
I did venture out for a walk on Saturday- we had quite a lot of snow overnight Friday so I grabbed my camera and took a few pretty snowy pics on my usual 7 miler round Stoke Bardolph and the Lagoons;
Pretty Snow Pictures...
The Lake Had Almost Completely Frozen Over
We did have a bit of a thaw Tuesday night, as it was wet, most of the snow and ice had gone so I took the opportunity for a run, dodging the worst bits- I'm a bit of a wimp and not too good at keeping my feet on dodgy terrain! Unfortunately it froze overnight and was absolutely lethal yesterday, we had to stay in the office all day at work- then to add insult to injury it snowed again!
I think it's gone now though so I may even be able to walk to the gym without fracturing something...
I have entered the Belvoir Challenge, which is to be my first event of the year, so better get up to covering 26 miles in a day again! I have also entered the Grindleford Gallop, which is a fun one to do.
I have also booked to see a nutritionist- I figure that some professional advice on what I should be eating whilst exercising won't go amiss as I guess chocolate's not an ideal fuel! Although I have to keep a food diary before I go- and be honest...
It's so cold and frosty out my motivation for anything more strenuous than sitting watching telly and eating my own bodyweight in chocolate just goes out of the window.
I did venture out for a walk on Saturday- we had quite a lot of snow overnight Friday so I grabbed my camera and took a few pretty snowy pics on my usual 7 miler round Stoke Bardolph and the Lagoons;
Pretty Snow Pictures...
The Lake Had Almost Completely Frozen Over
We did have a bit of a thaw Tuesday night, as it was wet, most of the snow and ice had gone so I took the opportunity for a run, dodging the worst bits- I'm a bit of a wimp and not too good at keeping my feet on dodgy terrain! Unfortunately it froze overnight and was absolutely lethal yesterday, we had to stay in the office all day at work- then to add insult to injury it snowed again!
I think it's gone now though so I may even be able to walk to the gym without fracturing something...
I have entered the Belvoir Challenge, which is to be my first event of the year, so better get up to covering 26 miles in a day again! I have also entered the Grindleford Gallop, which is a fun one to do.
I have also booked to see a nutritionist- I figure that some professional advice on what I should be eating whilst exercising won't go amiss as I guess chocolate's not an ideal fuel! Although I have to keep a food diary before I go- and be honest...
Labels: Belvoir Challenge, Grindleford Gallop, nutritionist, snow
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Snow!
... and ice... we seem to have escaped the worst of the snow, but what we have had is hanging around and freezing night after night. I love walking in fresh snow (even if I do become a target for the gangs of local kids) but I really don't like walking, much less running, on ice, so it's well and truly b*ggered up my training routine for a bit!
Thank goodness for the Wii- I know it's not quite the same thing but at least it's training, and it's amazing how difficult it is to run on the spot for 20 minutes- quite knackers the calves!
I haven't had the courage to venture into the gym yet this week- I imagine it may well be packed to the rafters.
I'm hoping that I may get the chance to go for a walk this weekend as I haven't exactly set the world on fire yet with the new healthy eating and fitness regime! Hope everyone else is doing better...
Thank goodness for the Wii- I know it's not quite the same thing but at least it's training, and it's amazing how difficult it is to run on the spot for 20 minutes- quite knackers the calves!
I haven't had the courage to venture into the gym yet this week- I imagine it may well be packed to the rafters.
I'm hoping that I may get the chance to go for a walk this weekend as I haven't exactly set the world on fire yet with the new healthy eating and fitness regime! Hope everyone else is doing better...
Labels: snow
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
White Christmas!
Hope everybody had a fantastic Christmas- I did, it was lovely to see my dad and stepmum and spend Christmas with them and my sister's family.
And it was officially a White Christmas!! Ok, it didn't actually snow on Christmas Day, but there was so much of the white stuff around that we officially designated it a white Christmas...
It started snowing heavily late on the 23rd...
Yes- SNOW- In Blackpool!
... and there was still a good few inches around on Christmas Day- I went for a walk in it.
Proof!
It's very unusual as Blackpool doesn't usually get snow due to all the salt in the air.
Frosty!
I got the most fantastic present ever- a Wii console and Wii Fit Plus! So now I can workout without running outside in the cold... or will be able to once I set it all up!
I haven't actually been too bad over Christmas, and went out for a 4 miler last night in the pouring (icy) rain. Of course, things are on hold a wee bit over the New Year.
Happy New Year to everybody- I will be back very soon when I summon the motivation to set some goals for 2010.
And it was officially a White Christmas!! Ok, it didn't actually snow on Christmas Day, but there was so much of the white stuff around that we officially designated it a white Christmas...
It started snowing heavily late on the 23rd...
Yes- SNOW- In Blackpool!
... and there was still a good few inches around on Christmas Day- I went for a walk in it.
Proof!
It's very unusual as Blackpool doesn't usually get snow due to all the salt in the air.
Frosty!
I got the most fantastic present ever- a Wii console and Wii Fit Plus! So now I can workout without running outside in the cold... or will be able to once I set it all up!
I haven't actually been too bad over Christmas, and went out for a 4 miler last night in the pouring (icy) rain. Of course, things are on hold a wee bit over the New Year.
Happy New Year to everybody- I will be back very soon when I summon the motivation to set some goals for 2010.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Happy Christmas!!!
I'm not sure I will get the chance to post before Christmas- off to pick up presents from mum tomorrow and then I'm off to sunny Blackpool for Christmas to spend it with my sis and her family, plus Dad and stepmum who have flown over from Spain (bet they're freezing!)
Had a good gym session Sunday, with some interval work on the treadmill, but the hardest part was walking down there- we had had a thin covering of snow, which had frozen to ice rink like consistency, and I discovered that running shoes do not grip ice at all well!
When I came out I popped into Morrisons (along with the rest of Nottingham) and walked out into blizzard conditions! Well not quite, but it was certainly coming down thick and fast- I was even feeling a little festive! Unfortunately the next thin covering we had also froze, and the pavements still resemble an ice rink, so the walk I planned to do tonight has been postponed (although I did walk to the chip shop...)
I am actually worrying about spending four days with no exercise- maybe I am becoming a bit obsessed!!
Anyway- hope you all have a fantastic Christmas!
Had a good gym session Sunday, with some interval work on the treadmill, but the hardest part was walking down there- we had had a thin covering of snow, which had frozen to ice rink like consistency, and I discovered that running shoes do not grip ice at all well!
When I came out I popped into Morrisons (along with the rest of Nottingham) and walked out into blizzard conditions! Well not quite, but it was certainly coming down thick and fast- I was even feeling a little festive! Unfortunately the next thin covering we had also froze, and the pavements still resemble an ice rink, so the walk I planned to do tonight has been postponed (although I did walk to the chip shop...)
I am actually worrying about spending four days with no exercise- maybe I am becoming a bit obsessed!!
Anyway- hope you all have a fantastic Christmas!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Big Freeze...
Great. It's snowing. Again!! How on earth am I going to do tonight's hill run without breaking something, probably my neck!
I am so knackered at the moment... there are now only around three weeks of good quality training left before I need to start to taper... where the f*ck did those last two years go!!?!? So far, since last Thursday, I have done;
Nothing last Friday as it was little sis's engagement party (unless preparing mountains of food, tying balloons and dancing count!)
Saturday I strapped on the pack and did a 7 mile walk with a bit of jogging thrown in for good measure. And discovered that there are toilets in Colwick Park!! Then I went into the gym and did my new weights/ core regime plus 40 minutes run/ walking on 5% and 10% inclines on the treadmill, and 20 minutes on the stepper. This is a weird machine. It consist of a track which folds into steps, and you have to keep stepping onto the newly formed step, once you've managed to mount the thing! I daren't take my eyes off it or I'd fall off!!
Sunday I cobbled together an 18 mile route- from near Cotgrave along the canal to Kinoulton. There was loads of snow around, and I cursed myself for not taking my camera. The path along the canal was packed snow- not too difficult to walk on but not suitable for running. When I reached Kinoulton, I carried along the canal to Hickling and back to add in three more miles. I returned through Cotgrave Forest but got a little lost! The snow was quite thick here, but good practice for the dunes! Hopefully...
Monday saw me back in the gym- again- usual weights/ core stuff plus a tough 30 minutes on the ellipticals (up to resistance level 18).
Tuesday- 8 mile run... tried to push the pace a bit as I wasn't wearing a pack, and had some short faster bursts a la Fartlek.
Last night- gym again- weights, core and 3 mile run at 2% incline- my least favourite as it's so-o-o boring!! I went on the other stepper machine for 20 minutes and set the resistance quite high...
And tonight was supposed to be hill running... it appears to have stopped snowing but has settled and is no doubt turning slushy and slippy as we speak (or rather, I write and you read...) I feel as though all I do at the moment is go to work, eat tea, train and go to bed! I know it's the last push and won't be for too long, but it's taking its toll!
I am going back to Wales next weekend with some of the 2009 MdS'ers, the aim is to get a couple of decent back to back walks/ runs in. I am thinking of going to stay with my big sis the week after (I'm off work) and doing some good walking in the Lakes! I feel I need a bit of serious mountain stuff...
I am so knackered at the moment... there are now only around three weeks of good quality training left before I need to start to taper... where the f*ck did those last two years go!!?!? So far, since last Thursday, I have done;
Nothing last Friday as it was little sis's engagement party (unless preparing mountains of food, tying balloons and dancing count!)
Saturday I strapped on the pack and did a 7 mile walk with a bit of jogging thrown in for good measure. And discovered that there are toilets in Colwick Park!! Then I went into the gym and did my new weights/ core regime plus 40 minutes run/ walking on 5% and 10% inclines on the treadmill, and 20 minutes on the stepper. This is a weird machine. It consist of a track which folds into steps, and you have to keep stepping onto the newly formed step, once you've managed to mount the thing! I daren't take my eyes off it or I'd fall off!!
Sunday I cobbled together an 18 mile route- from near Cotgrave along the canal to Kinoulton. There was loads of snow around, and I cursed myself for not taking my camera. The path along the canal was packed snow- not too difficult to walk on but not suitable for running. When I reached Kinoulton, I carried along the canal to Hickling and back to add in three more miles. I returned through Cotgrave Forest but got a little lost! The snow was quite thick here, but good practice for the dunes! Hopefully...
Monday saw me back in the gym- again- usual weights/ core stuff plus a tough 30 minutes on the ellipticals (up to resistance level 18).
Tuesday- 8 mile run... tried to push the pace a bit as I wasn't wearing a pack, and had some short faster bursts a la Fartlek.
Last night- gym again- weights, core and 3 mile run at 2% incline- my least favourite as it's so-o-o boring!! I went on the other stepper machine for 20 minutes and set the resistance quite high...
And tonight was supposed to be hill running... it appears to have stopped snowing but has settled and is no doubt turning slushy and slippy as we speak (or rather, I write and you read...) I feel as though all I do at the moment is go to work, eat tea, train and go to bed! I know it's the last push and won't be for too long, but it's taking its toll!
I am going back to Wales next weekend with some of the 2009 MdS'ers, the aim is to get a couple of decent back to back walks/ runs in. I am thinking of going to stay with my big sis the week after (I'm off work) and doing some good walking in the Lakes! I feel I need a bit of serious mountain stuff...
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Feeling Better... Weather Shite...
Well. I finally got rid of the lurgy and we end up with about three winters worth of snow in just under a week! It's the kind that quickly turns to slush and then decides to freeze, so less than ideal running conditions. I have been out for a slow march with my pack instead of the hill run I had planned... daren't even walk up hill... if I break a leg or something at this stage, it's game over...
... Seven weeks to go before we fly to Ouazazate!!
I have had my gym programme revised- she has changed the weights, and made them much more serious. I now have to squat with a 20 kg bar on my back, do lunges holding 5 kg weights and do deadlifts. I also have upper body stuff, in the form of circuits. She has promised me it'll change my body shape!
Had a good walk Saturday- it was the Tring 2 Town. This was originally a 40 mile route along the canal from Tring in Herts to Brentford in London, until it was made into a two day event. We decided to do the first day, which was Town 2 Tring. Well, when I say decided, I hadn't actually entered it- Perks and Tricia, who is doing the MdS next year had, and suggested that me and Rach go along to walk and keep them company.
We left Perk's car at Tring and took mine to the Premier Inn at Brentford, where we met Rach and settled for the night- although I didn't sleep well. The start was a civilised 9am, and me and Rach hung back during the pre race briefing, trying to look inconspicuous. I saw a few faces I knew, including Jo, who has just completed the Lanzarote Ultra and is in training for the Arch to Arc- amazing lady! Most people there seemed to be running it, except us so me, Rach, Perks and Tricia stuck together. We managed to maintain a fast pace, around 4 mph, for most of the day as the cut off times for the first three checkpoints was quite tight.
Not much I can say about the scenery... flat, canal on the right, flat, canal on the left, dodge the dog sh*t and used syringe on the ground... I managed to choose two wee stops next to a busy train line... and we found ourselves on the wrong side of the canal at one point, and had to traverse a lock...
My legs started to ache at 20 miles, and really felt them for the next 10. Probably cos my pack was the heaviest I'd had it, around 5kg- 6kg. I felt much stronger after 30 miles though so the nurofen had probably started to kick in! It was Tricia's first Ultra, she felt the cold a few miles before the end but we helped her put another layer on and make it to the end. We all got a t- shirt and medal, plus soup- even me and Rach! Best event I've ever gate crashed!! We finished in around 10 hours and 40 minutes, so a PB for us all.
we got back and tested expedition meals and pot noodles... I had experimented by piercing a bag of crisps, squeezing all the air out, crushing the crisps, leaving it for a few days before stuffing it into my rucksack for the day. The result? Crisp and perfectly edible, so I think crisps are on the menu for the Sahara!
... Seven weeks to go before we fly to Ouazazate!!
I have had my gym programme revised- she has changed the weights, and made them much more serious. I now have to squat with a 20 kg bar on my back, do lunges holding 5 kg weights and do deadlifts. I also have upper body stuff, in the form of circuits. She has promised me it'll change my body shape!
Had a good walk Saturday- it was the Tring 2 Town. This was originally a 40 mile route along the canal from Tring in Herts to Brentford in London, until it was made into a two day event. We decided to do the first day, which was Town 2 Tring. Well, when I say decided, I hadn't actually entered it- Perks and Tricia, who is doing the MdS next year had, and suggested that me and Rach go along to walk and keep them company.
We left Perk's car at Tring and took mine to the Premier Inn at Brentford, where we met Rach and settled for the night- although I didn't sleep well. The start was a civilised 9am, and me and Rach hung back during the pre race briefing, trying to look inconspicuous. I saw a few faces I knew, including Jo, who has just completed the Lanzarote Ultra and is in training for the Arch to Arc- amazing lady! Most people there seemed to be running it, except us so me, Rach, Perks and Tricia stuck together. We managed to maintain a fast pace, around 4 mph, for most of the day as the cut off times for the first three checkpoints was quite tight.
Not much I can say about the scenery... flat, canal on the right, flat, canal on the left, dodge the dog sh*t and used syringe on the ground... I managed to choose two wee stops next to a busy train line... and we found ourselves on the wrong side of the canal at one point, and had to traverse a lock...
My legs started to ache at 20 miles, and really felt them for the next 10. Probably cos my pack was the heaviest I'd had it, around 5kg- 6kg. I felt much stronger after 30 miles though so the nurofen had probably started to kick in! It was Tricia's first Ultra, she felt the cold a few miles before the end but we helped her put another layer on and make it to the end. We all got a t- shirt and medal, plus soup- even me and Rach! Best event I've ever gate crashed!! We finished in around 10 hours and 40 minutes, so a PB for us all.
we got back and tested expedition meals and pot noodles... I had experimented by piercing a bag of crisps, squeezing all the air out, crushing the crisps, leaving it for a few days before stuffing it into my rucksack for the day. The result? Crisp and perfectly edible, so I think crisps are on the menu for the Sahara!
Labels: gym, snow, Tring 2 Town
