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!