HNY 2008

I like making New Years resolutions – and sometimes I keep them! 2007’s was to try new stuff – which I think I achieved – skating, sailing, sea kayaking (OK – that was more of a revisit).

Some of my 2008 resolutions:

• Stop picking up plastic bags at supermarkets
• Run a 10K in sub 55 minutes
• Nail the elusive 3 turn at skating
• Continue to try new stuff

That’ll do for now! I've resisted the temptation to add in any weight/diet related objectives, but I'm now in the position where I really can't afford the new wardrobe that gaining fat would require.

Another popular activity for Jan is to think about holidays. We’ve been horribly organised with our holidays for ‘08 – and have 3 booked plus a mini break. Austria in June (mountain biking & rafting), Scotland in July (mountain biking & trying out our inflatable kayak) and Croatia in September (sailing and even more mountain biking). Mini break is a very unjustifiable weekend in Cornwall to celebrate our wedding anniversary in August.

Sometimes it's bad

Sometimes it's good
Sometimes it's bad
Living with a cold - it's driving me mad

Ran today - well, I tried to. At 3.4K, had pain in my chest so walked. Desultory 34mins to do 5.3K. Chest pain when I got home - and back pain - and a strong desire to sleep.

So I guess I'm not over my cold yet!

Festive Offsetting

That's offsetting overindulgence in food & booze as opposed to offsetting our considerable carbon emmisions this year....

We headed off to the Welsh borders on Thursday 21st to see Brother-in-Law & family. Had a wander on Friday around the Hoffman Kiln at Llanymynech - an amazing 150' long cloister like structure built in 1898 to extract lime from the local rocks. I ran mini races with our nephews J & B - I have to exert a little effort now to keep up with 7 year old J. His throwing & catching is already way ahead of my abilities!

Headed up to Corbridge later that day to my parents'. Short 3 mile walk on Saturday afternoon with Husband that finished in the dark following the line of Hadrian's Wall.

On Sunday, we did a mountain bike route on Blanchland Moor - 26.6K with challenging singletrack sections, a killer hill and lots of ice. It added different dimensions to our riding to decide whether to ride over sheet ice (would it take the weight, short enough to keep at least 1 tyre clear etc). I managed to fall over rather than off - slipped whilst gingerly carrying my bike down a steep slope covered in ice - I have a big bruise on my arm to show for that! Loved the challenge of the ride but I'd like to try it again in the summer.

Short walk with Dad, Husband and Baby Sister's family on Christmas Eve. Dad's walking has been hampered badly this year by knee problems and a hernia so it was just a short on road wander. 2 year old nephew J was fascinated by the inquisitive goats we saw.

I went running with Middle Sister later - 4.4K around the village - good natter as well as a much needed breath of air.

Road ride on Christmas Morning with Middle BIL and Husband - Hexham/Acomb/Fawcet Hill - great start to the day with views up the valley. When we got back, I went running with Middle Sister again - 4K this time along the Tyne where we saw a sparrowhawk. I was feeling very sniffy afterwards & this has now morphed into a head cold. I think my nephew D had the same thing but he was much more poorly with scarily high temperatures.

And all this has probably done very little to offset the vast quantities I ate/drank!

Rode to work today - not sure I'm going to make the gym later on as I've been sneezing & producing snot in vast quantities....

Last BC of 2007

Only 9 of us at Body Combat - lots of space, but we made much less noise than usual. We did the full new routine - more kicking than before which is good.

Gym & Commuting

Gym was horribly hard work last night - I think I'm paying the price of overeating over the last week! Husband has gained 2lbs and I'm too chicken to get on the scales - so will be reverting to healthy eating post Xmas. Stepper, treadmill and 3 weights machines (rower, incline chest press and leg press).
Have cycled to work every day this week, so I guess it could be worse....

So behind

I've been neglecting both my blog and exercise of late - so here's some of the stuff I've been up to and an early resolution to not let it slip again!

• Skating - lots of! Failed level 6 again on the three turn. Skated in a paddling pool at Winchester. Skated with Baby Sister and fabulously slidy Nephew at Marwell - both did really well although Husband rescued Nephew from the ice after a few chaotic circuits.


• Running - none except on the treadmill a couple of times


• Body Combat - Instructor fell off the back of the stage but heroically carried on with a bashed knee.

• Cycling to work - some - pleased coz I've been getting into work for 8 which means leaving home in the dark. Husband has been heroically keeping the bike roadworthy - I didn't realised my rear brakes had seized....


• New Forest bike ride with Husband & M for his first post hand op ride (he'd damaged his hands saving orphans from a burning building - at least that was what he was saying down the pub). Vale Views - M came off and I rode down all the scary bits for the first time. Very cold day.


• Pseudo exercise - oodles! Boogying at the office party [incurring weird scratches on my arms courtesy of my short sleeved sequin encrusted dress], walking from Oxford Street to Covent Garden & back again laden with Christmas shopping, housework - getting home straight enough for guests on Saturday night.

Birds on the Exe

We did get to Torquay eventually!

• Pleasant walk with Husband & Mum-ish on the beach on Saturday (24th), but it's not good that Husband's Dad's fishing sessions down there may be threatened as the carpark, pub & lots of land has been bough by a developer. He thinks the pier where he fishes may be unaffected but not being able to park close may make things more difficult.
• Ran to the beach hut on Sunday - glorious weather!
• In the afternoon, we went on a boat trip up the Exe. It was a bird watching trip with a local expert telling us what to look out for and info about the birds, many winter migratory visitors. Saw lots of avocets as well as brent geese, godwits, egrets, shags, lapwings, curlew, greenshanks and redshanks.

Summary of this week -

• Skating on Monday with G
• Cycled on Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
• Body Combat on Wed
  

Bike ride with Husband yesterday in the Forest. I increased the length of a loop we've done before from the Portuguese Fireplace near Emery Down to 30K. Fast & I was pleased to actually cycle through the ford at Rhinefield that's always been too scary before (the water was above my waterproof socks' cuffs so I did get wet feet). We timed it well as the rain started as we were driving home afterwards. No punctures - for a change!

The Portuguese Fireplace story - in WW1, Portuguese soldiers were stationed in the Forest, felling timber for the war effort. As a gesture of thanks, the fireplace from their cookhouse has been retained and restored as an unusual war memorial.

Jinxed

In October, we had to curtail our plans to cycle in the Peaks as Husband hurt his arm coming off his bike the weekend before.
We had booked tomorrow off to bike on Dartmoor, rolling the trip in with celebrating Mum-ish's birthday. But Husband has come down with what may be a major cold, so I'm going to work tomorrow morning, heading off to Torquay in the afternoon.

We are jinxed!

Dragged myself to the gym tonight - felt very unmotivated. I ran well on my new interval training regime & did 5K in 27:11. Also did 20mins on the X trainer. But I'm not feeling brilliant myself - not sure whether it's work exhausting me or if I'm also getting the cold.....

Good to know that my waterproof kit is

It was raining properly tonight - very pleased that crumpler bag and new jacket are both properly waterproof. I was grateful that the rain caught me on the way home rather than in the morning as it's tricky drying off wet kit during the day....

Email went round the office today about the Eastleigh 10K & I think I've persuaded a few others to at least think about joining me! In previous years, B&Q has matched sponsorship so I'm hoping that something similar operates this year. Just need to decide on which charity. Cancer Research seems to be the fave - but I'm tempted to focus on GOSH.

Entered Eastleigh 10K

Worked later than I planned so no gym tonight. I did commute by bike though so not feeling as guilty as yesterday. Used my bike to travel between sites for a course today as well.

Entered the B&Q Eastleigh 10K race tonight - it's not until March, but tends to be over subscribed. This was my first ever 10K which I struggled around with A a few years ago [nb - I was the only one to struggle - A acquitted herself with aplomb!] - hoping to beat my time from then (which I think was about 75 mins) - based on Beaulieu, this should be more than achievable! It's on road which my feet will hate but as it's pretty flat, I should be able to get some speed up. I won't be asking for sponsorship as I tend to focus my fundraising efforts on 1 event per year.

First Wimp Out

Awoke to the sound of rain hammering down & decided to drive to work. Which meant that it didn't rain during my journey & it turned into a reasonably dry day - which led to guilt!

Skating tonight with G who was looking great in her new red jeans, set off by a v.chic cap.

I've been thinking about the different ways I enjoy the different activities that I do:

• Skating - first half is focussed on technique, second half on whizzing around nattering with G. The fact I'm also burning calories is very secondary.
• Body Combat - appeals to my sense of the ridiculous (punching & kicking thin air for an hour to cheesey music) but also gives me an exercise junkie high.
• Running - very satisfying - I love it when I feel as if I'm speeding along. I also love the sense of digging in, focussing on every step. And it's another high sensation.
• Mountain Biking - love being out in the countryside, changing seasons, landscapes, nature stuff. I love the kick I get on feeling that I've done a tricky section well (an elusive sensation!). And it's another junkie high activity.
• Cycling to/from work - straightforward stress relief. I use the journey in to think through my plans today & the trip home to de-work my mind.

Soggy bottomed girl

No exercise on Friday apart from cycle to work.

We were thinking of doing Husband's "nemesis" ride on Saturday NE of Salisbury- which we'd attempted earlier in the year but were frustrated by Husband's chest infection and his bike breaking. But it remains the nemesis as we changed our minds:

• Raining - and the "nemesis" route is over chalk hills - so would be very slippy


• We had a lie in & didn't really have time to complete ride in daylight

M pulled out coz of his cold which meant we could consider New Forest routes (which M loathes) - so we did the high speed Burley/Brockenhurst circuit that uses the old railway line. 31.96k in 1 hour 43 mins of riding time. Husband had puncture but apart from that, nothing much to hold us up. We got drenched - more from puddles & spray than from the rain its self - and kit was completely coated in that fine Forest sandy grit that took 2 washes to remove from Husband's jacket! I feel a winter riding kit review coming on....

We're going to miss M for a few weeks now - he's having an operation on his hands this week to resolve his trigger fingers - better for riding in the long term, but he won't be on 2 wheels for a while. Which makes it more of a shame that he couldn't come out on Sat.

Gym today - 20 mins X trainer and a killer interval session on the treadmill - I'm up to 10kph/12kph for 30 mins now, passing 5K at 27:19 (but on the flat!). Have decided that Robin Hood is nearly as good as Hollyoaks for brainless gym TV.

Swimming - for a change

Went swimming tonight with Husband - for a change. My arms were still aching after Body Combat last night - I wasn't the only one as I discovered when chatting to another BC afficianado in the pool.
More successful swim for me than it was for Husband - who forgot his goggles but only realised this after he was changed. He then got in the pool where I let him know that the shop sells them and would still be open - so he had to get dried & changed, buy goggles & then get changed again... and as the aqua aerobics class takes the full pool from 8pm on Thursdays, not much time left for swimming!

Flying Kicks

Body combat - new routine is allegedly better at burning calories but I'd prefer a bit more kicking even though flying kicks are back on the agenda after a long-ish absence.

Cycling home was fun last night - left late & then managed to lose my specs in a pile of leaves in the semi lit bike shelter at work. Found them eventually though. Felt too washed out last night to do anything - which I think was partially due to working late on Monday night.

Trialled a new thermal top today that I bought at Tchibo - it's about the right level of warm atm when combined with my waterproof. And it coordinates....

Farley Mount & Test Way

Did the 26 mile Farley Mount ride from the Rough Ride Guide on Sunday - which we'd done before in the summer. Much harder this time as there was much more mud - and we kept a fairly good pace.

Test Way part was weird - it's a fairly flat stretch (an old railway line) but there were patches of sticky mud under the leaves that would suck your tyre in. Went with Husband, M and C & M.

Husband was proud of being equipped with his own sugar tabs - after weeks of scrounging them off M whenever he got tired - but it was C who remembered and bought them for Husband!

It rained a little - mostly when M was repairing his puncture - but this meant there was some dramatic light - stormy grey skies with bright autumn sunshine piercing through.

Hawthorn berries have turned from scarlet to burgundy now. Spindle berries made the hedgerows shocking pink - the bushes were either leafless or covered with red leaves - must be 2 species/subspecies/varieties/whatever..... [later - just looked up spindle on Wikipedia & it only mentions 1 species - berries are poisonous containing terpene and alkaloids]


Skating last night - I was pleased that G came! Had to leave early though coz I worked later on.

Can't sleep. Again.

My ability to sleep is often akin to my ability to do anything vaguely mechanical - and for a summary of how great this ability is, read my last blog!

So it's 1:30am and I am very awake. Not good. Not even sure what's bugging me atm.
Anyway, I drove to work today as it was an off site awayday. I did go to the gym though as the venue was so close by. 30mins X trainer, 30mins interval treadmill & then the incline press. I upped the speeds on the treadmill to 10kph for jog and after 15mins, also upped the run speed to 12kph. Which meant that I did the 5K bit in 27:34 - I was pleased with that.

My niece is doing exercise as well this week - she has sessions at the Footsteps Rehabilitation Centre a few times a year. Getting her to/from the centre is very disruptive to Baby Sister - and Niece has been known to deeply dislike the therapy - but it really does seem to be helping her become more mobile.

Fat Bird Kit Part 5 - the only handpump I can use

I have a terrible history with regards to putting air into tyres. Husband had to come & rescue me when I attempted to check the tyre pressure of a car - and managed to completely deflate one tyre and drive away from the pump - which necessitated changing tyre just to sort out the whole sorry mess. Don't know how to change a car tyre & have no intention of learning. I'm no better with bike pumps and lament the passing of the big old style pumps that reassuringly screwed into position. Have spent many an unhappy hour swearing at pumps..... don't think I'm cut out to be a bike mechanic. One day, I may confess that I'm not really sure how bike gears work - but as this would result in a life shortening explaination from Husband or M, I think I'll keep that one quiet for now.

Anyway, rising to a challenge, Husband researched pumps as he was convinced that I could be trained to use one - and much to my surprise, he succeeded - it's a very compact little Blackburn.

The only downside is that I keep on forgetting to transfer it from weekend bike rucksack (which has a water reservoir but little storage space) to my weekday bag. So if I get a puncture to/from work, I'll be walking.

One unexpected bonus is that flushed with my mechanical prowess with the handpump, I seem to have mastered our footpump....

Hey - one day, I may be able to change an inner tube unaided..... yeah right!

Sheer Vanity

I was guilty of admiring my (almost) muscly arms in the studio mirror last night at body combat - sleeveless top was a good choice!

Tuesday

Left my bike unlocked so I was relieved to see it still there at the end of the day. Reasons are too dull to detail! It was in a locked bike shed though.
Husband took our mountain bikes to be serviced & got a lecture about overuse of the pressure washer on the rear hubs. Hopefully the irritating squeak won't materialise next time I use my bike.
Gym - 20mins x trainer and 30 mins satisfying interval work on treadmill. Finished with the lat pulldown - which I am rubbish at. Told Husband about how I struggle to use it at level 5 - then he told me the level he uses it at...... depressing!

Not the same without my skating buddy!

Missed G tonight at skating - she wasn't feeling well. Still had my fellow skaters to chat to - but it wasn't the same....

I was sent into a different group - the coach had me plus 2 women working to level 4 - which worked quite well as there are some compatible moves - for example, I was working on backwards chassis, they were working on forwards.

Got cross cycling today with cars occupying cycle lanes - a volvo driving in one this morning & cars parked in one this afternoon. But as I'm often cycling on the pavement/through pedestrianised zones/ignoring "cyclists dismount" signs/sneaking around traffic lights, I guess I can't justifiably complain.

Not November-ish!

Rode 33.8k from the house today with Husband, C & M. The other M was due to join us but is in the middle of DIY project atm. Much easier than last week even though the distance was similar. We did a stint on country lanes to start off, joining the Compton Down track close to Poles Lane. Over to Stanmore on a route which gets better closer to Winchester. Uphill past St Catherines Hill, up & over Twyford Down, Owslebury then Water Lane down to Marwell. Not too bad on the mud front.

The weather was incredibly good - warm & sunny - and the light had that great orangey autumn quality.

C & M stayed at ours for some soup afterwards.

Ran yesterday with Husband cycling alongside - just 5K but I was pleased with my time (28:43). And that included dodging around Electricity repair people's vans blocking the bridleway by Crowd Hill Copse.

Much less interesting to report was the gym on Friday. Husband was working & I'm pleased I managed to eject myself from the sofa! 30 mins x trainer, 30 mins interval work on treadmill & a stint on the rowing weights machine. It was lovely & quiet - I seemed to be in the minority in not having much else to do on a Friday night - I'm so middle aged!

Fat Bird Essential Kit Part 4 - Trainers

Husband fails to understand why women require more than 3 pairs of shoes - but I have 7 pairs of trainers atm - all loved and used and all with specific uses:

• 1 pair of trainers specifically for aerobics classes - I invested in these after turning my ankle in May & sulking for ages about being unable to run. These are better suited to random bouncing around than my running shoes.


• 2 pairs of Brooks Addiction trainers for running - these are an attempt to correct to my extremely over pronating feet (I run like a penguin) by encouraging my feet to face forwards. Seems to work - I no longer get blisters on the inside arches of my feet & my toes no longer go numb after 3 miles. Older pair are for outside, newer pair are for the gym.
  
• 1 pair of trail type trainers I bought in the States - useful for most of the walking I do these days and I use them for cycling to work (they are much less muddy normally than my "proper" cycling shoes).
  
• 1 pair of cycling shoes - not really trainers, but they are styled to look like skate shoes so i'm counting them here.
  
• 2 pairs of Converse for life beyond exercise (only the summer ones are shown here).

Later - Husband has pointed out that I have 8 pairs - I forgot my (as yet unused) heelies. He also wants to publicise that he swam 1.1km in 23 minutes 48 seconds tonight - first time he's swam his standard 50 lengths in sub 24 mins in a long time!

Body Combat - yay!

Hey hey you you I don't like your girlfriend [double right upper cut]
No way no way I think you need a new one [run & jump, yelling loudly]

Not sure if I actually like Avril Lavigne's selling out single (Gwen Stefani did cheerleader chant so much better), but it worked reasonably well as a bounce around Body Combat track. I haven't been for ages - mostly coz in order to make the 6:15pm start time I have to shoot out of work very promptly when cycling. But it was great - I should make the effort more often. Mad instructor who's good at boosting technique - nearly like her as much as Juliana....

It also meant that I avoided trick or treaters - as did Husband (but only coz he was home late) so it's now a case of pretending that ther aren't bags of sweets in the hall!

Congrats to G!

G executed some very neat 3 turns last night - and passed her level 6 skating with graceful aplomb. I passed on everything but.... the 3 turn. Tempted to look into a couple of private lessons to see if I can get the hang of it over the next 6 weeks.....

2 commutes and I'm discovering the joys of cycling home in the dark. I'm lit up like a Christmas tree - 2 front lights, 2 back lights, light on my bag & reflective armbands, bits on my jacket & bag.... It's slower in the dark as I have to brake more on the faster cycle path downhills to avoid any hazards under the leaves covering the ground. Fewer teenage boys to negotiate though!

Gym tonight - just had time for 10 mins on the X trainer & my standard 30mins interval work on the treadmill - I found the running much easier than on Sunday.

Eat my mud

22 miles on Saturday from near Alton - Rough Ride as opposed to HCC route - so definitely more challenging although only 500m of ascent! Many patches of sticky gloopy mud - M was pining for his mud tyres - C & I both had several walking breaks and the washing machine has been working hard afterwards to get our kit clean.. The photo here was taken by Lasham airfield where the helicopter lives with a number of other aged looking ex-aircraft. 2 punctures - M & me in roughly the same section of road.

Funniest moment was watching Husband sinking mid puddle into concealed swamp underneath & calling out "help I'm sinking" - and as he tried to get off his bike, his trousers ripped impressively on the saddle... C was relieved to see that he was wearing bike shorts underneath - so not entirely crotchless!

Boogy again on Saturday night with G & her buddy J at the Dungeon - brilliant evening even though I wasn't drinking (liver still recovering from Thursday). G looked fab in her anatomic/tattoo top & J had a fabulous black sparkly dress. Bounced around from 10ish to 1:20ish with a couple of breathers - so I don't feel (too) guilty about peanut butter on toast when I got home.

nb - Husband also had 2 punctures which he only discovered when we got back & suspects the spot where M & I were punctured - but managed to destroy an inner tube as he thought it was only 1. C also had one from this ride - that she discovered just before going out fo next ride.... so punctures all round!

Hungover

Yesterday was almost exercise free - team awayday at a hotel in S'oton. However, activities in the afternoon included performing a haka, line dancing, performing a swan lake routine and running 35m in full view of an aspiring Olympic hurdler - so not entirely exercise free. And I boogied in the evening.
Today, I hoped that pedalling to work would help to clear my hangover - but not entirely. Still feeling too delicate this evening to go to the gym - and I had chips for lunch (comfort eating- good gossip & catch up with a former colleague) - so not a virtuous 48 hours.....

Couple of days break from the bike

40mins of walking today - down the hill to my colleague G's who kindly gave me a lift to a meeting this morning in Southampton and home again after work. Not cycling tomorrow either as I have a team awayday - again, in Southampton.
Gym this evening - 15 mins X trainer, 33 mins interval work on the tread mill (5.34K in 30 mins) and a brief stint on the lat pulldown resistance machine.
I measured my body fat - only coz there was a machine handy & I was curious - 35% seems high but it demonstrates I've got plenty of work to do!

Fat Bird Essential Kit Part 3 - Commuting Bike Bag

Today is day 2 of using my new commuting bike bag - a messenger type satchel.




It's better than the one I was using as the strap goes tighter - so I can "wear" the strap across my chest, keeping the bag's bulk tight to my back. This means I'm not thrown off balance by my bag swinging around whenever I stop. It's also more comfortable as the weight's distributed over more of my torso.

Benefit over a rucksack is stuff-ability - it's easier to throw all the rubbish I take to work in & get at it easily when I get there.


Other nice-to-have features include:

• Waterproof.
• Single handed seatbelt type catch to loosen/tighten the front strap - operational with gloves on.
• Reflective strip.
• Looks cool, coordinates with my orange windproof top layer.

Downsides - yup, there are some:

• All the pockets are within the main bag. This means that all the contents are exposed whenever I get out my lock - including my clean clothes. The pockets also make it difficult to isolate my clothes from the lock/pump/shoes.
• Less incentive to pack light.
• Easier to lose my keys!

So new bag is now stuffed full of trainers/jeans/t-shirt/deodrant/hairbrush/socks/shower gel/mobile/purse and is adorned with its own flashing light.

Skating & Cycling

G's definitely getting close to nailing the 3 turn! Which is more than I am. Keep on reassuring myself that I'm making progress & that I will do it one day - but it feels like I've met my nemesis/waterloo whatever!

Oxdrove Ride

29k ride today - the Oxdrove Ride with Husband, X, S and M.

S & X did the official shortcut, bringing it to 15 miles. Husband, M & I created a new short cut (switching back at point 27).

Beautiful autumn day with bright sunshine. For no real reason, I felt very sluggish at the start & was contemplating not going - luckily Husband was unsympathetic & I'm glad I did go! I enjoyed going through some impressively deep puddles - I love my waterproof socks very much.

One of the reasons that we cut it short was that we also needed to squeeze in an allotment visit to harvest squashes (butternut & a variety that looks like a mini traditional pumpkin) and plant broad beans - both objectives were achieved. This entailed a little digging.

More Sloes

I was looking forward to a boogy on Friday at O'Neills in Bournemouth with G - but band were truly rubbish - we couldn't take the cover of teenage kicks! Nice evening though - good to natter with G.
Short bike ride with Husband today to pick sloes - for gin this time. Sloe cheese was not a great success. My legs were a bit achy so I just did 5K for my Saturday run - less than 30 mins. I did get a breather though at 4.5K - cows were ambling along the lane post milking & I seemed to be spooking one of 'em too much to be able to overtake without risking being kicked. I guess that's the downside of running a route that includes a dairy farm!
So just about enough done today to justify the beers I've been downing tonight - I'm very pleased the score wasn't 36-0!

Time to switch to winter mode

Got cold fingers & thumbs this morning on my ride - so it's time to dig out the winter gloves. I also need to review my layers - I think I will be wearing base layer t-shirt, thermal mid layer with windproof jacket on top tomorrow.....
10 mins X trainer, 30 mins interval work on the treadmill then devoted more time than usual to the resistance machines - rower, lat pull down, incline shoulder press and leg press.
Then blew any benefit on fish & chips on the way home!

Wednesday

Cycled. Again.
Also walked into town to meet up with J for an excellent gossip & catch up!

Damp tights

Cycled to work in the rain for the first time on Tue - I chose the wrong jacket (water resistant vs waterproof) and was a little damp by the time I got to work. Jacket dried up well during the day but my tights were still clammy damp even though they were hung up.
Gym in the evening - 10mins step machine, 30 mins interval work on treadmill then used 3 resistance machines (incline shoulder press, lat pull down and rower).

Fat Bird Essential Kit Part 2 - Buff

Just how charging over £10 for a tube of microfibre that probably costs less than $1 USD even allowing for shipping to the UK is accepted by consumers is beyond me - but I am dependent on my buff. A and S are both buff users too.

It's difficult to explain the usefulness of this tube to non-buff converts, but its uses include:

• Keeping hair off face whilst exercising. As a floppy fringed bird, I find this is the most satisfactory method of ensuring my mop doesn't drive me nuts when running/cycling/skating - no hair sticking to face and vision unimpared.


• Bike Helmet Liner - improves comfort esp as it's seam free.


• Shower Cap - makes quick showers when I don't want to wash my hair easier. It dries really quickly too.


• Preventing sunburn to scalp when I've forgotten a hat.


• Neckwarmer. And earwarmer - even nose warmer on occasion....


• Holding ipod ear phones in place.

Disadvantages - the price means that I don't feel comfortable adding buffs to my Christmas list - hence I have just 2 - not enough to co-ordinate with all other kit. And the bandana look is v.Axl Rose...

Anyway, exercise today comprised the cycle commute and skating. The latter wasn't as much fun as usual as there was a large group of boys in - all skating aggressively and incompetently - chaos on the rink!

X has a new bike

10K run on Saturday - from house with Husband acting as my personal trainer on his bike. He got many +ve comments from blokes we passed who seemed to think he had the better deal (bike v run).

Bike ride today from the house with Husband, M, S & X. 30.75k also from the house, ascent of 799m. We had to revise our plans at Morestead as red flags were flying, so a slightly shorter route than anticipated. We did a few trails today that we'd only ever tackled the other way. I fell off twice - trying to change rut and later coz I was too close to S who stopped. Scratches but no real damage.


I really enjoyed today's ride - good nattering, interesting light and a stretching route. And it was a good op to see X's shiny new bike in action!

Full week of commuting by bike

Bumped into B on the way home tonight who suggested a good way of avoiding the most dangerous bit of road on my route home - involves a walkway connecting the station with Lidl carpark. I was pleasantly surprised at how politely the boys who appeared to be paying the oldest looking one for booze/fags acquired in Lidl made way for me....
Anyway, not speedy today - 21:50 to work, 23:04 home again. Husband has replaced my front inner tube which should help my speed on Monday (and mean less pumping - twice today as my tyre was completely flat this morning and in the evening).

So many calories

Not exactly speedy cycling - 21:39 to get to work, 20:34 to get home. BTW, my forerunner autopauses when I've stopped - for traffic example - so only times when I'm moving.
Gym too tonight - 20 mins on the X trainer, 30 mins interval work on the treadmill and 3 sets of reps on the incline chest press.
So a huge 1100 calories burned!

More commuting

Realised why it took me so long to get home yesterday - front tyre was very squishy.
So faster today - got to work in 19:58, got home in 20:33.
Also got stranded at an off site meeting - I need to plan transport more carefully now I'm sans car at work...

Fat Bird Kit - Gadgets, Clothes and Stuff

Thought I should do some more targetted blogs in amongst the "cycled to work again" ones to keep it more reader friendly!

So, the new series is Fat Bird Kit. Things that make my activity/exercise objectives easier to achieve or more fun or less annoying.

And the first item is my Garmin Forerunner 305. Until a couple of weeks ago I didn't feel I should blog about it as I was still working for Garmin - but I am now otherwise employed!

It's a GPS enabled watch thing that also acts as a heart rate monitor. I know exactly how far I've run (within 12m accuracy), how fast I'm running, ascent, and timings. It was so useful when running the Beaulieu 10K as it meant I could pace myself properly - always tricky with a race. It's been great when running in different areas - e.g. on hols in Lefkas and in Torquay. I can look at my routes afterwards & see where I was fast/slow compared to the last time I ran that route. I can compare my training routes to race routes.

It also acts as a reasonable cycle computer and has settings for cycling (but no separate off road options).

Just worked out how to use some additonal web stuff to show my routes on Google Earth.

Plenty of downsides - it can take forever to find satellites - one trick is to switch on & leave by a window or on your car dashboard whilst you are driving to your starting point or getting changed. Calorie counting feature is not 100% as it doesn't seem to allow for efficiency differences (e.g. no setting for cycling off road vs on road). It's nearly useless for navigation. And it's pricey!

But I'm sufficiently addicted to have had trauma when I misplaced it for a few months. Garmin have just launched a new Forerunner - cheaper non GPS enabled - but I love being able to look at my routes so won't be switching. My Forerunner enables me to feel that I'm achieving something when I run or cycle - which keeps me motivated.

Commuting

Slower today - 23:20 to get to work, 22:04 to get home. Looking forward to better bag arriving if the post ever resumes post strike!

New Job, New Commute

Started as I mean to go on today - commuted by bike. Husband has converted his old mountain bike into a mean urban warrior (OK, he put on road tyres & fitted a repair kit and lights...) for me.
5.72km journey took 21:42 this morning & 22:08 to get home excluding stopping for traffic.

Only problem is my bag - strap won't adjust to go tight across my chest. So surfing for a new one atm.

Skating tonight with G - 3 turns are still elusive....

Beaulieu 10K

My time was 58:36 - which I am very very chuffed with!

Forerunner reckoned the course was 60m short - so I figure I might have been able to do a GPS 10K in under an hour as I had 1 min 24 secs to play with. Photo wwas taken just as I was getting my breath back afterwards.

G and Husband were brilliant - wonderful to have the support as I went around as they were waving & cheering at 1K, 8K and at the finish line. G was wearing a distinctive cream cap - nice to be able to spot my supporters! Also had good support from my former colleague from Garmin, L, who's been running with me after work.

The route was beautiful - fields and tracks around the Beaulieu estate going through the forest. Perfect weather - dry, no wind, not hot. And there was easy parking! And the route wasn't hard on my feet! So I think this may be a race I do again.

Lots of walking yesterday - hard on the feet but I'm not sure if we covered much distance - went to British Museum with Husband and A to see the Terracotta Warriors and Craftng Beauty - a beautiful exhibition on modern Japanese crafts. We kept the Far East theme going with a good lunch in Chinatown.

And more gentle exercise on Friday night - out to celebrate G's birthday & bounced around to a dodgy looking David Bowie tribute band. G looked amazing in her unique skeleton/sci fi top.

Long ride from home

The blogging rate will decline once I'm back at work - honest!


Did a 46K ride from home with Husband in the sunshine which took nearly 4 hours of riding time. 1044m total ascent - not too shabby. I tried to priorities roads we either haven't ridden before - or ones which we've only ever done one way. Some hits, some misses. Husband really has sped up on the hills - I will have to work now to stay ahead.


All good apart from the low sun making flint spotting challenging in places & the wonderful farmer who decided to plough up the bridleway by Park Hill Woods making it un-ridable. Husband is going to have to learn to love the alternative route home (uphill on a busy road from Fishers Pond) for a bit until horses pulverise the furrows into something we can pedal across.


It's been a brilliant break - even with having our plans adapted by Husband's wounded arm. Back to normal tomorrow though...

Mini Break in Peaks

Skating on Monday with G - glad I was able to go as Husband & I had mooted going away on Monday - but postponed due to his arm injury.

Alton Towers on Tue - loadsof walking between rides but I guess not many calories are burned whilst on them! My favourites were Air (where you feel as if you are flying - very clever), Rita (incredible accelleration) and Spinball Wizard (small rollercoaster cars that sin as you hurtle around). Husband loved Duel - a ghost trian with laser guns so he could shoot stuff.

Loved the pub where we stayed - fab bathroom, good food, Black Sheep beer, comfy bed.

We went to Dovedale on Wednesday - on a misty Wednesady in October, it was close to being quiet which was novel! Walked for 2 hours but very slowly as Husband's knee was still rubbish after Tuesday. Leaves were just starting to turn & I'd forgotten how attractive the area is - river, trees, spires of limestone. Watched a dipper for a while singing his heart out in the middle of the Dove.

And a bit more walking & bouncing around last night - saw Amy MacDonald in Portsmouth who was fab - she looked very nervous & young but her music was superb!

Surreal Cemetery Moment

Jogging from the house today - 10K as prep for Sunday's Beaulieu 10K. Did it in 62:20 which I'm quite pleased with. Made more of an effort to stretch afterwards as my legs were a bit achey & I'm full of stretch enthusiasm after last week's classes.
As I went past the little local cemetery at the end, walking to cool down, there were 3 chickens scratching about amongst the head stones - which looked odd. And at the other end, a deer was tucking into the numerous flowers! He gave me a look then carried on munching. If any Bishopstoke resident is reading this & is concerned about mysterious damage to the flowers left for your loved ones, it may not have been errant kids, just a hungry deer having its tea...

Back to Autumn

Bike ride with Husband, M and A today - did the Ellisfield loop we've done a few times which is always enjoyable - loads of off road, varied terrain. 19.8km done in 1:32 of riding time, ascent of 410m and apparently burned 901 calories. I love having a forerunner again! Husband was sliding around on his tyres - and came off, landing on his arm which is still painful. So tomorrow's planned Peak District ride is off.
Over 2 hours of weeding & digging in the alloment this afternoon.
My eating is still at holiday mega levels - must try & get back on the Big D tomorrow....

Lefaks - Friday (Last Day)

Had our final sail in the morning - Husband & I took a funboat out - wider and more stable than the dinghies but not exactly moueverable! Husband did tiller, I did the sail. I think if we do more sailing, we're both happier sharing a boat than being solo. R was hoping to come out but she hurt her back at Yoga in the morning (Iyenga - she normally does Hatha) so just had a brief sail with Husband later on.

Final bike ride in the afternoon - just a gentle road ride to a church on the headland opposite Nidri. We did get a tiny bit of off road on the path down to the church at the end. Good views from the church across to Nidri and also of Skorpos and Skorpini. It was about 25K.

Final swim on the beach - for longer than expected as our flight was delayed. Very grateful that Crystal chose to let us stay on the beach for longer rather than sending us to the airport for a long wait!

Good holiday!

Lefkas - Thursday

Up for Sunrise Yoga - saluted the sun even though it only deigned to come out from behind the clouds after we'd finished.
Boat trip in the morning to go snorkelling south of the resort at a point only accessible by boat. We started off going through a canyon, looking down on the chasm below. Then we went into a cave with bats roosting in the roof. One highlight was going from the dark into the light & seeing the sea colour switch fromnavy to bright turquoise.
Vegetated on the beach inthe afternoon watching the regatta - very entertaining watching collisions and chaos ensue!
When it got cooler, I went to the gym & did a quick but very sweaty 5K on the treadmill. Then over to the yoga hut for a stretch class - good to do it after running, but I felt a bit self conscious as I wsa literally dripping with sweat!

Lefkas - Wednesday

Our booked Gulet Cruise was cancelled as a storm was forecast so we hired a car instead to explore the island with R and T. Little bits of walking but more than outweighed by an excellent lunch at a little taverna in Athani where more & more food just kept on coming! Owner's sister's spinach pie , perfectly cooked fresh sea bream and decadent tasting greek yoghurt with herby honey to finish.

The storm arrived in the evening - torrential rain with thunder & lightning.

Lefkas - Tuesday

We set off with 4 others today for a ride inland - 32K but with total ascent of 985m. We took our time due to the gradient and the heat. Really enjoyed the ride - views, a bit of independence and really good company. J and T do triathlons - J has done the London Marathon but is now focussing on triathlons - and is from Torquay! M is a downhill mountain biker and C is just starting to get into cycling. Lunch in Karya - leafy, pleasant square. We got lost - probably as I was navigating - but ended up on a spectacular lane coming back down fromthe interior to the coast - quiet, many hairpins and the herby scent of the vegetation.

Jumped in the sea when we got back to cool off.

Lefkas - Monday

Having not really sussed this sail thing on Saturday, Husband and I both signed up for Dinghy 1 for a second time this morning. So much better! No spillages & we both felt we were tacking better and had more control of our respective dinghies.

Went out with Mum-ish and Dad-ish on the kayaks - didn't go as far as on Sunday as we stuck to what R & T felt confident doing. They were really good - very co-ordinated - but R got a blister on her hand.

Lazy afternoon with some snorkelling from the little beach.

I had 2 classes at 5 - Abs and Stretching - both areas I tend to neglect so it was good to get some new ideas. Both were in the very picturesque Yoga Hut with views of the bay.

Then did a very very slow run- just 20 mins on the main road.

Lefkas - Sunday

Kayaking in the morning - south from the resort to a little cafe. Husband & I have some work to do on our new inflatable kayak as our teamwork was sadly lacking! The kayak was also lacking a skeg & rudder - which also didn't help - but I think it was more down to Husband & I that we zigzagged around so much.

26K ride in the afternoon - this time on Specialized Hardrock Pro bikes. Mostly tarmac but a good section of off road as we approached Half Moon Bay. The bikes were fine if not exactly new - apprently they started their lives at Crystal's mountain resorts doing proper downhill stuff, then got sent to Lefkas for retirement! I had a brief dip at the bay - very proud of wriggling in and out of bikini without flashing anyone.

30 mins on the X trainer and then used the chest press.

Lefkas Holiday Saturday

Mad dash to book up activities for the week after breakfast then immeadiately into our first sailing lesson on little Pico dinghies. I didn't really get into it - not helped by getting thwacked on the head before we started - not by the boom but by somebody else's dinghy's mast as it capsized! Felt a bit woozy but carried on. And capsized twice! At least I was able to practise getting the right way up again - nowhere near as scary as I thought it would be.

Husband also capsized twice.

Onto more familiar ground in the afternoon - gentle road ride to see the waterfalls near Nidri. Very pretty gorge walk at the end, but it looked as if the waterfall had dried up. Back via the harbout at Nidri. There seems to be high demand for the bikes - we had hybrids this afternoon.

Lefkas Holiday Friday

I'm typing this up post hols - typing up bits from my holiday diary, focussing on activity & exercise - as usual!

Just got back from 1 week's holiday on Lefkas - an Ionian island in between Corfu and Kefalonia - with "Crystal Active" - a ski tour operator who have diversified into other activity holidays. We stayed at their beach resort at Porto Gallini.

Room was so much better than we expected - more of a mini villa. Bedroom on groundfloor, sitting room upstairs, 2 balconies - both with sea views - 2 bathrooms.

Does traipsing around Gatwick (inlcuding last minute power walk from Gate to shops and back as I had a splitting headache) and lugging suitcases around count as exercise?!

Moving on

Skating on Mon - neith G or I made it through level 6 - no surprise for me as I'm so not up to the 3 turn yet. G is much closer though. It was a good skate though - still feel we are making progress.

Ran with V on Tuesday - my last ever apres Garmin jog in the forest. Blue sky, good natter, scenery - what's not to like?! I fully intend to meet up with V and L for some more running in the future though. L's doing the Beaulieu 10K so I will see her there.

I'm looking forward to an active week's holiday now in Lefkas - more to follow....

25 sloe miles from Sparsholt

That's sloe not slow as we weren't exactly hanging around today. 25 miles from Crab Wood with C, Husband, M, S & X. I chose the route as a kind of benchmark as I remembered it being tiring last time about a year ago - definitely felt fresher at the end than before.

We picked sloes en route, storing them in empty water bottles, which I'm currently attempting to turn into cheese! But the photo is of hawthorn.
Brilliant sunshine for today's ride.

Boat Show

Body Combat on Wed - good fun esp as current instructor believes that we burn more cals if we yell a lot! I'm missing the rock cheese though.

Gym on Friday - my new interval regime is tiring, but I guess it's good I'm pushing myself.

Southampton Boat Show today - 4 hours on our feet and walking around it - which must count for something! They had the ship that was used in the film Mutiny on the Bounty and Pirates of the Carribbean - hence the photo. We did buy a boat - but only a double inflatable kayak - not really a sunseeker level purchase. So there may be more paddling appearing here.

No running today as my ankle felt a bit achey ambling around earlier but I may walk to B & J's bbq later on.

Speedy recovery for legs!

I was pleasantly surprised by skating last night - legs weren't hurting at all & apart from the 3 turn seeming ever elusive, did OK.
Ran tonight with L & V in the Forest - possibly the last time with L as she can't make next week & after that, I'll be working elsewhere - still we will see eachother at the Beaulieu 10K.

Legs are tired out!

Increased the interval speeds on Friday at the gym - now doing 30 mins at 9.5/11.5 kph. Tiring, but did it! Also did 20 mins on X trainer and 2 weights machines.

Ran on Saturday afternoon - 10K for the first time in over a year! Husband was my coach - cycling alongside giving me feedback on my speed - it made a real difference and he seemed to enjoy it even though it meant he was cycling very very slowly! I did it in about 65 mins. So I now feel much more confident about the Bealieu 10K I've signed up for on 7th Oct. I felt a bit achey afterwards so we walked to the pub to keep the muscles moving.

Cycling today - with Husband, M & M. We did the full 24 mile Danebury HCC route for the first time. Some great views from Broughton Down - reached after a tough climb to get on top of the hill! Husband had 2 punctures - fortunately, the 2nd was only found after the ride when he was unloading the bikes.

Hawthorn berries - loads this year. One bit of bridleway had red walls - created by the berries! Lots of sloes too - tempted to do sloe gin again this year. Less pleasant was Husband having to dispatch a bunny in the last stages of mixy - I'm really proud that he can't bring himself to just leave a rabbit in that condition to suffer.

Anyway, thoroughly good ride - first we've done with M for a while as he's had major hand problems. Good to see M too - just got back from a very peasant late lunch at C & M's new house.

My legs are really aching now!

The long awaited beach ride

We've tried about 4 times to do the ride along the coast from Boscombe to Hengistbury Head - but the weather has conspired against us. And when it was OK-ish, the complex beach rules didn't allow us to cycle the route. But finally, on Sunday, G, Husband & I got to do it!

And it was worth the wait - views out to sea, no traffic, no rain, excellent company - even lunch was good. 16 not-too-difficult miles. G looks really confident on the bike now - huge transformation from just a few months ago - and has sped up considerably. Loved spending time with her. Husband took a great photo of G & me - but this is only on Facebook for buddies to view, following my "no obvious faces in blog photos without subject's permission" rule.

No skating last night and eye strain led to a killer headache so I skipped the gym.

Ran with V & L after work tonight - clear blue sky, no wind & not hot - perfect running weather! I'm going to miss the post work runs.

Last Street Dance

Went running with V on Tuesday - we were able to include the ultra muddy path again we'd started to avoid as it's now dried out.

Body Combat on Wed - loved the mad & ultra energetic new instructor but was a bit disappointed that she eliminated some of the rock cheese tracks I enjoy - still, got to keep Alice Cooper.

Street Dancing on Thursday with V - I enjoyed it more than the 1st time but struggled to keep up on one section on the floor (slide forwards on on kne, swap knees, spin around on bum then step up, turning around). This will be the last one for a while as V's regular Thursday dance classes start again next week.

I ran this morning from the house which was the fab off road route. I need to start doubling the training distance next week really in prep for the Beaulieu 10K on 7th Oct.

Little bit of exercise this evening - hit the beach with husband, M & A where, as well as consuming food & alcohol, paddled in the sea & played pseudo rounders. Top evening!

Quantocks Mini Mini Break

Just got back from 2 days in the Quantocks - the outcrop of sandstone we've only ever whizzed by in the past en route to Exmoor.

We were missing out - not too many people, given that it was bank holiday weekend and sunny, very attractive woodland on the lower slopes, pretty villages and a heather topping to the moors on the summit.

The ride on Sunday was glorious - 13.4 miles - challenging in places - loose rock on both steep up and downhill sections - lots of streams to ride through. It started off from Holford through woods that remided me of Exmoor and Dartmoor landscape - twisty oak and beech with streams. We climbed around to the south slopes then up to the summit - views across to the Bristol Channel. Finished up with a long long satisfying descent taking us back through the woods.

YHA on Saturday night - we escaped our teeny tiny room for the pub in Kilve - really enjoyed our meal and Husband loved the proper cider. I slept really well but Husband was woken by crying baby in next room several times.

We're not very enamoured with the changes to YHA's - assuming our one night in one was typical. Appealing to families makes it less friendly in a way - less likely to get chatting in the kitchen as family members seemed only to talk to each other.

Brief visit to Watchet on the coast on Monday morning - good to see the sea.

Monday's ride was from Hawkridge Reservoir - just south of the Quantocks. 11.6 miles took us 4 hours! Very up/down route with some fun bits that (again) challenged my lack of technical skills. Muddy & churned in quite a few places also meant a lots of walking.

Flopped out on the shores of the reservoir afterwards for pasties and ice cream.

Good break!

Swimming is like buses

I don't do any for ages - then it's 2 days running! Little bit of swimming in the sea this evening as we were at the beach at Highcliffe - excellent evening organised by M & A. It's difficult to beat:

• Summer evening
• Beach
• Swim - enough to be able to say that I've been in the sea in the UK once this year!
• Barbecue - but kept simple
• Good company
• A few beers (but not for me as I was driving)
• Sunset, moonrise, waves lapping the sand....

Splash

Just when I thought the label "Swimming" was to be outdone by more exotic activities like street dancing and paddling....

Did 40 lengths tonight with Husband.

Anger Management

It's not been an easy week - but as I've been finding over the last year, exercise has been helping me keep at least a little sanity going!

Skating with G on Monday - still loving it! The ice had just been cut and was so fast - even my slaloms weren't grinding to a halt. And I reckon G is getting so close to executing the seemingly impossible 3 turn...

Body Combat on Wed gave me a much needed opportunity to punch and kick. Hard. I got changed en route to the gym as I was late out of work and the M27 was solid - almost impressed myself with my ability to change into gym gear, hardly flashing anybody in the process!

We were going to have a wander in the woods tonight but Husband's ankle was playing up. He made tea whilst I ran instead - very mood enhancing seeing the fields, the sunset and a couple of deer. I ran well (I think - wasn't timing) and felt that my stride has lengthened, my speed's increased and my stamina is good. I shouldn't let myself get so cross with stuff - I can go running from my home & see beautiful landscape, get home to Husband - what more do I need?

Sea and Mud

Ran 3 miles to In Laws' beach hut this morning - I love this route as I get to see the sea at several points, traffic's light and the hills are challenging. And I get to finish up with a fried breakfast overlooking Meadfoot Bay, watching the Tall Ships. I jogged along to Muse - which felt appropriate as it's their part of the world.

Did a bike ride with Husband in the afternoon - 12 miles from Labrador Bay car park. Some technical downhills that he loved (and I hated/walked) and lots of sharp uphills that I loved (and he hated) - so democratic! Good views of the Teign Estuary towards the end. I seem to have got over my irrational fear of pedalling through big puddles. The mud was so different to that at home - no clay so much less claggy, tyre sticking going on.

Little bit of walking yesterday - dodging showers around the garden at Coleton Fishacre (NT 1930s property built for the D'Oyly Carte family http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-coletonfishacrehouseandgarden/ ), around Torquay harbour (which somehow included buying a t-shirt in a little boutique) and then along the river & up a hill to get to a restaurant in Dawlish. Very good meal and lots of booze - so any calorific output more than obliterated by calories in.