Top 40 final report

Now I am 41, it's time to look at what I have & haven't managed to do this year! All failures are to be rolled over....

26 straight successes.

5 adapted successes.

Leaving 9 failures.

1. Get into size 12 jeans (defined as Uniqlo - brand makes a difference!) - miserable failure, so rolled over

Making things:
2. Follow a crochet pattern - done
3. Crochet something wearable that isn't a scarf - done
4. Make vanilla ice cream - nope, rolled over
5. Make some home made Christmas presents - done
6. Make something from foraged food - done
7. Bake soda bread - nope & changing to make some bread
8. Make a curry paste from scratch - nope, rolled over

Culture stuff:
9. Discover a piece of classical music that I don't already know - nope, rolled over - it was weirdly tricky to get started on. The Proms might help me this year.
10. Finish a George Elliot novel - done
11. Watch Citizen Kane - done

Fitness:
12. Go to a circuits class - swapping for swim in sea at New Year - done!
13. Do a press up (not boxed!) - done
14. Swim a mile of proper head in water breast stroke - done and will do more
15. Try pilates - done & liked it
16. Try a dance class - done
17. Use my wii fit - done
18. Use our canoe - no, but used my sister's!

Home & Green stuff:
19. Grow something new to eat - done
20. Plant a tree in the garden - done
21. Fit a water butt - done
22. Get a thermal mug to wean myself off disposables at work - done
23. Improve our loft insulation - nope, rolled over
24. Redecorate hall & landing - done
25. Redecorate living room - done

Bike stuff:
26. Fix a bike puncture all by myself - done
27. Get the hang of berms - done, just about (1 at Dalbeattie!)
28. Get the hang of my GPS - nope, rolled over
29. Do the South Downs Way - nope, rolled over
30. Try somewhere new for mountain biking - done (7 Stanes Dalbeattie)

Running stuff:
31. Do level 2 coaching training - not possible, but did do some more running training
32. Eastleigh 10K in sub 55 mins - changed to sub 58 & done!
33. Great South Run - done
34. Half Marathon - done
35. Organise a WRN non-running event - done

Travel stuff:
36. Go somewhere new - done
37. Go to the Isle of Wight - nope, rolled over
38. Try a new spa or gym - done
39. Sleep in our tent - done
40. Organise a work social event - nope, but swapped for Try sailing

So resolutions to complete by my 42nd birthday are:

1. Get into size 12 jeans (defined as Uniqlo - brand makes a difference!)

2. Make vanilla ice cream

3. Bake bread not using a bread maker or IKEA cheat premix
4. Make a curry paste from scratch

5. Discover a piece of classical music that I don't already know

6. Improve our loft insulation

7. Do the South Downs Way (3rd time lucky...)

8. Get the hang of my GPS

9. Use our canoe

10. Go to the Isle of Wight

There will be a few more added when I feel more inspired.

Kirkcudbright & Skye

More holiday blogging as I've got internet access again after a few days camping.
Tuesday in Cumbria was spent walking around Arnside Knott - one of Husband & I's favourite spots from way back when we were at Lancaster Uni. Clear blue skies meant that the Cumbrian hills were really visible (for once) from across the Kent estuary. We then drove over Hardknott Pass, stopping for a wander at the Roman fort.
Wednesday was spent with Middle Sister, C and MBIL along the easy going cycle path that now connects Caton with Glasson Dock through Lancaster - more old stomping grounds for us! C looked very contented on th back of MBIL's bike - managing to fall asleep on the way back.
Drove up to Borgue nr Kirkcudbright to glamp in a wigwam for 3 nights. This is a wooden hut type thing with electricity, mini fridge, microwave, kettle and sleeing platform with foam mattresses that can in theory sleep 4-5. Or me & Husband very comfortably! Loved the campsite too - and plan to return.
Rain meant we did sightseeing in Kirkcudbright on Thursday, with a gentle riverside amble.
Friday - we finally got the bikes to one of the 7stanes. Dalbeattie was one of the first to be built & its signature challenge is "The Slab" in the picture. Much too scary for me - it's a kind of vertical drop. As for Husband - well, cameras don't lie do they??
My technique was abysmal as per usual - although I did improve a little towards the end with my very own (patio) slab type drop off. And I've done my first berms! Very little - but hey, that's 2 Top 40s covered in one afternoon (other was mtb-ing somewhere new).
Very excited to see a red squirrel - and Husband saw a pine martin.
Dalbeattie doesn't exactly flow in many places, but it's certainly challenging and the views were fabulous. Again, a return is planned.
Saturday was spent mostly in the car, driving to Skye. We're in a cottage with the Fabulous In Laws for a week.
Weather today was abysmal - apart from a blue sky 40 minutes which we were able to take full flukey advantage of with a 3km walk to Talisker Bay in the picture before a tour of the Talisker Distillery.

Number 15 - Pilates

I have a pristine Darcy Bussel pilates DVD still in its cellophane wrap despite having been purchased about 2 years ago. It's lurking presence plus my occasional lower back & shoulder problems have created a nagging sense that pilates should be something I give a try. My only reasons not to are that I'm not big on exercise that doesn't involve charging around getting sweaty and that I didn't get on at all well with a previous attempt many years ago where there were about 30 people in one class.

I finally booked myself onto a class at the gym (so covered by gym membership) and was pleasantly surprised. The instructor was no nonsense & I could see what she was doing. There were only about 8 of us. And I realised that I had tried some of the exercises before without realising that they were pilates moves, thanks to a neat little "hotel room workout" in a Joanna Hall book that I used when spending most of my life in hotel rooms.

My tummy really knew that it had been worked for about 3 days afterwards!

So number 15 can be ticked off the list.

I have been to the class again - timing isn't great as it requires scarpering home on a Thursday very promptly - but I will go again when my calendar allows. Still haven't opened the DVD though!

Number 21

Number 21 complete - we finally fitted the water butt. I say "we" but
it was more Husband - although I did instigate it with the old trick
of starting to dig out tools, claiming I was going to fit it all by
myself. Especially as tools included the drill that I am not allowed
to use since destroying several bits on plastic plant pots.....
Great bike ride with G & Husband today along Bournemouth sea front,
admiring kite surfers. She is so much faster - despite not having
pedalled since September!

So much catching up to do

So much that I haven't written about recently! So much has happened - good stuff, bad stuff and I'm sure I can squeeze in ugly somehow.

In no particular order, I'll start with Top 40 progress - and with a picture taken yesterday of my first home grown strawberry (#19 - grow something new to eat). I shared it with Husband & fortunately (as many more are developing), liked it!

Next is #16 - do a dance class. I enjoyed a fabulous weekend with my sisters near Stratford which included lots of opportunities to try classes. All 3 of us did Street Dance - out done by many older ladies! Middle Sister & I also giggled our way through a Bravo Broadway class - jazz hands and a fantastically camp instructor. Yoga was also been revisited and I didn't hate it. Middle sister revisited body Combat for the first time in years with me. V.grateful to Baby Sister for inviting us - memorable and so much fun.

We haven't been cycling much recently - not since South Downs Way. My bike is now sporting new wheels as it was the hubs that had bust, not the bottom bracket - and that takes it's repair bill for 2010 to around £500 - maybe I should have bought a new bike instead at the start of the year. We we did a 20K route from the house on dry tracks yesterday, enjoying a long sunny evening.

I did my first parkrun last Saturday. This is a weekly times 5K that now takes place in parks around the country - and Eastleigh started just a few weeks ago. It's free to register, free to do & is very well organised. It's also a great time of day - 9am means that I still get most of Saturday for other stuff. My time was not my best (29:43), but plenty of room for improvement.

One of my original runners L tripped whilst running with me on Tuesday and was unlucky enough to break her leg - so I spent Tuesday evening in A&E with her. This meant cancelling the 8pm beginners group - but everyone was more focussed on L's injury.

So it's been a mix these last few weeks. Hoping that L recovers soon.

Big Run

I did number 34 - Half marathon - on Sunday of my top 40 list. 2 hours 16 minutes & felt OK afterwards. Couldn't walk very well on Monday, but hey, the WRN-ers didn't seem to mind me leading from a bicycle!

A general catch up on the top 40 list - 15 complete:

1. Not Yet - Get into size 12 jeans (defined as Uniqlo - brand makes a difference!)

Making things:
2. Yup - Follow a crochet pattern
3. Yup - Crochet something wearable that isn't a scarf

4. Not Yet - Make vanilla ice cream

5. Yup - Make some home made Christmas presents

6. Not Yet - Make something from foraged food

7. Not Yet - Bake soda bread

8. Not Yet - Make a curry paste from scratch

Culture stuff:
9. Not Yet - Discover a piece of classical music that I don't already know

10. Yup - Finish a George Elliot novel

11. Not Yet - Watch Citizen Kane

Fitness:
12. Not Yet - Go to a circuits class

13. Not Yet - Do a press up (not boxed!)

14. Yup - Swim a mile of proper head in water breast stroke

15. Not Yet - Try pilates

16. Not Yet - Try a dance class

17. Yup - Use my wii fit

18. Not Yet - Use our canoe

Home & Green stuff:
19. WIP - Grow something new to eat
20. Not Yet - Plant a tree in the garden

21. WIP - Fit a water butt
22. Yup - Get a thermal mug to wean myself off disposables at work

23. Not Yet - Improve our loft insulation

24. WIP - Redecorate hall & landing
25. Yup - Redecorate living room

Bike stuff:
26. Yup - Fix a bike puncture all by myself

27. May not happen - Get the hang of berms - Might replace this with swimming in the sea at New Year.
28. Not Yet - Get the hang of my GPS
29. WIP - Do the South Downs Way

30. WIP - Try somewhere new for mountain biking

Running stuff:
31. No - parked to Sept & replaced by Land yachting - Do level 2 coaching training
32. Yup - Eastleigh 10K in sub 57 mins

33. Yup - Great South Run

34. Yup - Half Marathon

35. Yup - Organise a WRN non-running event

Travel stuff:
36. Not Yet - Go somewhere new

37. Not Yet - Go to the Isle of Wight

38. Yup - Try a new spa or gym
39. Yup - Sleep in our tent

40. Not Yet - Organise a work social event

Eastleigh 10K

My time this year is 56:53 - just 7 seconds under my target of 57 minutes. I did make an effort this year - I have been guilty of treating the event as another run as opposed to a great opportunity to see what I can do! KB, J & KL were fabulous running partners - especially at 4.5km when I hit a bit of a bad patch. I found a second wind at about 7km - shortly after this pic was taken, but was running out of energy at 9km. And KB kept me going.

So proud of the WRN runners today. 7 of us completed the course - 4 in less than 1 hour - no drop outs!

A big improvement was pedalling to the race. Parking is always frustrating and it provided a good low impact warm up/cool down.

Husband was fabulous. He looked after my bag which was bulging with WRN runners jackets as well as cheering us on. And he took some great photos - more of which I'll be sending around soon.

I've been avoiding hard exercise as part of my prep for this morning. Bit of gardening yesterday & pedalling to work most days last week. We went 10 pin bowling with Kitty & Goldfish tonight - which must count at least a little as exercise!

My Swimming Coach

Top 40 number 14 - swim a mile of "proper" head-in-water breaststroke - completed this evening with some great support from Husband. As usual, I was on length 35 when he completed his 50, and I was expecting him to adjourn to the spa pool to wait for me to do the 64 lengths that I needed to do for my challenge. But instead, he coached me - helped me to keep my pace going & ended up doing a total of 85 lengths himself! Very much appreciated.

I have swum a mile before - and it used to take me over an hour. This time, it was around 42 minutes - demonstrating how much better my technique is.

I was more aware of how warm the pool was than of getting tired at the end - but I can really feel my arm muscles now! Legs are fine, but they are more used to being punished.

We went straight out afterwards to meet M & C's beautiful new baby girl. We were definitely dehydrated from the warm pool as the first drinks kind of vanished! And Husband didn't recoil in horror when I mentioned that perhaps I could progress to front crawl next (can only do doggy paddle atm!).

And number 25 was also completed today. Front room is now complete with new flooring, stripey rug - and the attached pic is a print I've had for about 6 years that's finally been framed! 15th century Iranian tiger that I loved at an exhibition about the silk road....

Objective revision time!

I'm changing a few of my top 40 goals - some circumstances have changed and I'm having to apply a little realism!

31. Level 2 coaching - UK Athletics have revised their coaching qualifications and the new next level for me to do isn't available until September. And I'm 41 in August! If I did do the existing level 2, it would train me in coaching all types of athletics. Katharine from RiE apparently had to coach someone to do triple jump - having never done triple jump before. The big change with the new qualification is that it specialises in "Off track endurance" and specifically mentions mass participation running in the description. I think this will be more useful for me so I'm holding off. So I'm swapping objective 32 for "Swim in the sea on New Years Day" - which I did in Wales. So that's another done - yay me (with some fudging!).

32. Eastleigh 10K in sub 55 minutes - I'm changing this to sub 57 minutes - and that will still require some hard work between now and 28th March. I've found that coaching running 2 nights a week has done wonders for my endurance - but has not directly helped with speed!

I've been feeling a bit under the weather this week which may have resulted in me feeling like I was about to die at 6.5km at 10.5kph in the gym on Friday - or I might just be rubbish! Pedalled on Thursday & Friday - and I'm proud of pedalling to the pharmacy & paper shop this morning.

On the way to another top 40

Feeling very pleased - started decorating at half 12 and finished at nearly midnight and the front room refurb phase 1 is complete. We got the ceiling, whitework (bar the skirting boards) and 2 coats of paint on the walls done. And it now has energy saving light bulbs thanks to Husband agreeing to ditch the dimmer switch. Phase 2 is to get T in to fit the flooring (this falls into the category of "yes we could do it ourselves, but life is short") & paint the skirting boards. Phase 3 is the only fun bit - shop for a big squishy rug & choose pictures. I'm very tempted to make N from WRN an offer on one of her beautiful abstracts.

I am a little bit sad as the room used to be a chalky, sunny orange - but Husband has never liked it & I have to concede that application of yet another shade of beige makes for a more grown up looking room.

So not exercise (technically) - but my aching arms are telling me otherwise. And another top 40 is on the way to being achieved!

Another Top 40 done - thanks boss!

No ordinary paper cup, but a porcelain mug with silicone prevent-hand-burning wrap & silicone prevent spillages when taking drink upstairs lid.

Very pleased with my Christmas present from my boss - it's been used and it knocks number 22 off my Top 40 project!

Snow prevented exercise yesterday bar a thoroughly good walk in the woods with Husband - we went up to our wedding wood at Crowdhill Copse. And a bit of wii fit later on - I am determined to master skateboarding.

Less fun walking today to work & back - especially when I slipped, landing square on my backside on the way home.

Top 40 update

Done:
2. Follow a crochet pattern - done with R's booties (very easy one though)
3. Crochet something wearable that isn't a scarf - done with R's booties
5. Make some homemade Christmas presents - done! Pity my female relatives!
10. Finished a George Elliot Novel - finished Mill on the Floss
17. Used my wii fit lots
26. Fixed a puncture all on my own (almost!)
33. Great South Run - done
35. A non-running WRN event - as the Mince Pie Run was more of a ginger balance/walk - and was much more about the mulled wine & mince pies, I figure it counts!
39. Slept in our tent

Failed:
6. Make something from foraged food - my sloe cheese was a disaster - so back to the drawing board

WIP
21. I've bought a water butt - haven't fitted it yet though
22. Loft insulation- you wouldn't believe how long clearing it out is taking!
25. Bought the paint for redecorating living room

9/40 - hmmm, plenty to be getting on with! I guess I won't need any more resolutions this year!

My first puncture repair

Heavy rain through the week meant that choice of bike ride this weekend was restricted to Forest tracks - unless we wanted to spend hours ploughing through bog. Chose a route we haven't done for a while - another Kitty creation which combines classic forest fire tracks with a stretch of "proper" bridle way just south of Brockenhurst. The river you can see in the pic is normally a Husband-ridable-ford - even he didn't fancy it today. Several mushy bits but as it was New Forest silt as opposed to central Hamphire clay, it wasn't too claggy.
Big news is that I fixed my first puncture, with a little supervision. And it was a back wheel one. And I patched it rather than just swap the inner tube. Another Top 40 thing to tick off my list.
No deer, but some pretty birds at the beginning - loads of bluetits and a couple of nuthatches, and a v.handsome fox in the carpark at the end.

Other exercise this week - I tried tempo running with J on Monday. This consists of running faster than's comfortable. The benchmark is speech - normal steady runs have normal steady conversation. Tempo running means mono syllables - but not as fast as sprinting. We did it as a pyramid - after warming up & a steady paced start, we did 1 min at tempo followed by 1 min at steady pace. Then 2 mins at tempo, then 3. Decided that would do for now, so repeated 3, then did 2, finally 1. It went OK & we did the 5km in under 30 mins.
Cycled to work Mon-Thurs, but had a day off on Friday so heaved around 60L boxes of books instead.

Why haven't I been to Bristol before?

Liked Bristol lots. Bit like Vancouver, Istanbul & Auckland (stay with me...) it's got water breaking it up at different angles and like 2 of the 3, has had lots of harbourside re-development. We had 2 objectives for the weekend - catch up with J who's in Bristol & try out the Thermae Spa in Bath. Hotel prices led to us staying in Bristol - and to be honest, I preferred it to Bath.
Lots of rain on Saturday. We got drenched waiting for ferries - but still enjoyed getting our bearings on the water.
Bit of a Brunel theme started - SS Great Britain was much more interesting than I expected. Husband told me about his Grandad being on HMS Exeter in WW2 when it was shot almost to bits, limped into Port Stanley & cannibilised metal from SS Great Britain's scuppered hulk to become seaworthy again.

Fabulous catching up with J & B that evening - and meeting their very cute son for the first time.

Got up a bit late on Sunday & walked over to Arnolfini to see a Climate Change art thing before breakfast in a cafe/bike shop. Then more Brunel - Clifton Suspension Bridge and a walk up to the Observatory for a better view.

Shopping in Bath was a bit disappointing, but the Spa was good. Busy, but apart from not having enough showers, it was well able to cope with the numbers. I loved looking out over the cityscape in the dimming light (and rain) from the rooftop pool - but goggles weren't needed. Very pleased that hugging Husband was socially acceptable in the pools - it was kind of romantic in an odd way. The water didn't smell bad - but didn't taste great - kind of old badoit! Steamrooms were very non-plastic and immaculate - although we couldn't tell which aroma was in each. The meal included with our package was better than we expected. I was surprised that we had to rush at the end in order to meet the 3 hour deadline - I'd expected to have exhausted its charms much sooner! My skin is now very soft and I almost relaxed. Not a cheap way to spend an evening - but enjoyed the experience - and it's another Top 40 objective ticked off.

De-Slugging

I think I made up a little for my sluggish week today. Husband decided we should make the most of the sunshine in the New Forest - and opted to start close to the Portuguese fireplace.

28ish km in 1 hour 41 - predictably fast going on the forest tracks. We did pause to gather some chestnuts - although the pig shown here was more interested in acorns. Lots of deer too.

Followed up with a swim. Husband was pleased with his time, I was just pleased to do 40 lengths - must start upping this if I'm to get to my Top 40 target.

Speaking of which, I have done a couple this week. I completed a crochet pattern - but I'm not showing the output for a couple of weeks as it's for a gift (so 2 goals ticked).

I also completed my first George Elliot novel - Mill on the Floss. Liked it but felt the ending was a cop out. Loved the way the characters developed and the descriptions of the landscapes. My problem is that when I get into a book, I treat it like a rollercoaster ride, and like to roll on to the end caught up in the plot. Which results in reading way too quickly which means that I miss depth/detail/subtle stuff. Pretty much a fault that I exhibit in other areas too!

Top 40 list progress

1. Get into size 12 jeans - hmm, gained 2lbs this week, so not so good so far!
2. Follow & execute a crochet pattern - will probably be baby bootees - thanks for the patterns K!
6. Inflict something homemade on all female relatives for Christmas - I have a commission from Mum for a green based necklace - and I feel inspired to attempt baby proof stuff for my sisters.
10. Finish a George Elliot novel - ordered Mill on the Floss today
13. Do a press up - vaguely tried tonight at Body Combat but reverted to boxed after just one failed half hearted attempt!
14. Swim a mile with proper breaststroke - getting better at swimming so may attempt this soon.
16. Use my wii fit - success, enjoying it!
29. South Downs Way - have signed up for this on a mountain bike in May
30. Try somewhere new for mountain biking - looks like this will be Portugal in May
31. Do level 2 coaching training - have attempted to sign up for a course at the end of Oct, but have bee thwarted by Run in England's web site!
33. Great South Run - feeling really confident about this now that I know I can do the distance.
34. Half marathon - this will probably be the WRN women only one at Castle Combe in April
36. Go somewhere new - Portugal planned for May - learning to sail
38. Try out a different spa or gym - plan is hatching to try the Bath one in November...
39. Sleep in our tent -yup, done!

So, two completed so far. Not amazing progress, but I'm not panicking yet. The goals I'm most concerned about are 1 (getting thinner), 13 (press up), 27 (berms) and given my lack of speediness, 32 (10k in under 55 mins).

Juliana was back as Body Combat instructor - good reminder of how good she is. Her control is so sharp and she motivated us really well. Had a spot of walking too as I had another London meeting.

Camping Revisited

Quite a few years ago, Husband declared himself "too old for camping" following a rather soggy experience where trenchfoot seemed a real risk. So I was surprised when he declared himself ready to try it again - but with conditions:

• Only in sunny weather
• Only one night at a time
• Adjourn to pub for eating

This weekend qualified on the weather front & I found a couple of appealing bike rides in Dorset that were a tad too far away for a day ride. Found a campsite at Osmington, rechecked forecast & packed the car with vast quantities of stuff.

Saturday's ride was 14.5miles, starting from Maiden Castle south of Dorchester with 490m of ascent. Real mix of terrain & scenery - loved a stretch along a chalk ridge at the beginning with sweeping views of the coast - and then Hardy's monument (that's kiss me not far from the madding crowd Hardy). Foresty bit, heathland and some fields, finishing up with a strtch of tarmac. It was surreal at the end seeing HRH's toytown of Poundbury on the left and the giant earthwork of Maiden Castle on the right.

We got the tent up fine, showered and headed for the beach where we watched the sunset. Pub - which did my favourite Badger ales - and Husband discovered their cider. As we walked back to the tent, we had one of our occaisional "wouldn't it be great to live somewhere where we could see the stars instead of an orange glow" conversations - kicked off by seeing the milky way.

Later, we discovered that we hadn't chosen the best orientation for the tent - our feet were above our heads and Husband got cramp. But apart from swivelling airbeds at midnight, a reasonable night's sleep. Bacon rolls for breakfast & successfully tried out my new expresso maker - thanks C & M!

This may be our only camping this year as I was struggling on the warmth front - duvet thing that's with my air bed, sleeping bag, fleece blanket & PJs and I was just about warm enough. But it's my first Top 40 big tick.

Sunday's ride was a bit longer (22 miles) and a bit higher (730m) starting from Ringstead. Loved the coastal views - and again, there was a real mix of tracks. We did have a few navigational glitches - guess where the bridleway moments across fields, and we managed to do a stretch of footpath by mistake. Guilty pleasure as it was good singletrack.

Back to car for malt loaf & the drive home.

Longer than usual commute today as it included a store visit. Running was good tonight - but my legs are feeling a little spent still after the 10 miler last week.

40 things for 40 project - the list

This is my project to complete by 12th August 2010 - i.e. all to do whilst I'm 40!

1. Get into size 12 jeans (defined as Uniqlo - brand makes a difference!)

Making things:
2. Follow a crochet pattern
3. Crochet something wearable that isn't a scarf
4. Make vanilla ice cream
5. Make some home made Christmas presents
6. Make something from foraged food
7. Bake soda bread
8. Make a curry paste from scratch

Culture stuff:
9. Discover a piece of classical music that I don't already know
10. Finish a George Elliot novel
11. Watch Citizen Kane

Fitness:
12. Go to a circuits class
13. Do a press up (not boxed!)
14. Swim a mile of proper head in water breast stroke
15. Try pilates
16. Try a dance class
17. Use my wii fit
18. Use our canoe

Home & Green stuff:
19. Grow something new to eat
20. Plant a tree in the garden
21. Fit a water butt
22. Get a thermal mug to wean myself off disposables at work
23. Improve our loft insulation
24. Redecorate hall & landing
25. Redecorate living room

Bike stuff:
26. Fix a bike puncture all by myself
27. Get the hang of berms
28. Get the hang of my GPS
29. Do the South Downs Way
30. Try somewhere new for mountain biking

Running stuff:
31. Do level 2 coaching training
32. Eastleigh 10K in sub 55 mins
33. Great South Run
34. Half Marathon
35. Organise a WRN non-running event

Travel stuff:
36. Go somewhere new
37. Go to the Isle of Wight
38. Try a new spa or gym
39. Sleep in our tent
40. Organise a work social event

Hurdled the rubbish excuses

Friday:
Big D: Good!
Exercise: Cycle commute & gym
Saturday:
Big D: Not bad but have eaten all my exercise calories
Exercise: Walk & gym

There is a universally acknowledged truth that when faced with "there's no need to drive on trips of less than a mile or so" in theory, most of us would agree. However, when faced with the "do I drive to the paper shop/friend's house/post office?" conundrum, I almost always find a great reason to take the Panda. So although a 15 minute walk to the beautician this morning doesn't sound like much, I need to feel smug & celebratory that I got over the rubbish excuses (might rain, want to pick up a paper and they are so heavy on Saturdays...). And the 15 minute return journey was uphill!

I am now working on preparing my 40th birthday project. I've drawn on a number of sources including My Name is Earl and "Sleeping Naked is Green" by Vanessa Farquharson. Before I reach 41, I will work through a list of 40 things covering big goals like the Great South Run, stuff I should be able to do but never have like fixing a puncture and a few green enhancements to my life - a Top 40. Ideas welcome!