Do the right thing?

Skating on Monday - started the level 5 moves which include our first spin and cross overs. It's seeming scary but I think achievable atm.

Good run with A yesterday - 45:34 to do the 5.68km which compares to 46:19 on the 20th - definitely progress.

I'm struggling today - I was given a cadburys flake easter egg by a printer and I'm failing to do the right thing - which is to give it away! It has 2 flakes - which are 178.5 cals each....... and I should be saving my cals as it's Husband's turn to cook tonight and I hate saying "please can you make this low cal?"..... but I am planning on going to Body Combat later.......conscience, arrrrrggghhhhhh...

Not a lazy weekend...

Jogging with A on Friday evening – we didn’t get anything like as wet as I thought we would, given that it was raining en route to A’s. I’m now in non-thermal tights as the weather is gradually improving. A’s waterproof is looking huge on her now – she’s definitely starting to look more svelte and trim.

Digging on Saturday – planting potatoes at the allotment. We’re doing charlotte for the 3rd year, but are experimenting with pink fir apple as a maincrop. None of us eat masses of spuds and M has an aversion to floury potatoes – so having 2 lots of salad varieties will probably suit us better. Good to see D down there – who was the beneficiary of all the spare chitted seed potatoes.

And boogying too on Sat – saw a Guns’n’Roses tribute band at the Brook then went to the Dungeon. I danced lots (well, bounced around lots) and was sporadically joined by J, S&X. Very grateful to S for the lift home.

31.7 km mountain biking route from the house on Sunday morning. A wasn’t feeling good so M&A headed back around the halfway point – which was a shame as the 2nd half was so much easier than the first. I’m starting to think that getting all who set out to complete the route is turning into a new major objective! I’m enjoying the routes from the house – so good not to have to mess about with roofracks & to spend time driving to the start. It’s a good reminder about how much countryside we have on our doorstep.

Sunscreen – must start using it again! Didn’t this weekend but looking at the area on my face that was most mushed in my accident, it’s now discolouring, giving me white patches. Discounting leprosy, I figure that it’s worth re-discovering my factor 40 as something I don’t leave the house without applying…..

Shallow

Walked down the hill last night for a meal with a former colleague J & her flatmate K - although I'm not sure that 30mins walking completely justified a fab plate of tagliatelle, cream and mushrooms... bad indigestion followed & I couldn't sleep.

So I read instead - Louise Kean's "The Perfect 10" - which despite being a light chicklit novel has well observed description of what it's like to lose lots of fat & how it impacts your head. Now thinking about "what's it all for?" is making me think - I'm not down as such, but definitely not overcome with the joys of spring. The main character stating how she's become more vain definitely hit home! Feeling shallow about being so focussed on my weight, my appearance and my own fitness level.

31:04 - getting there

Went for a run last night from the house - 31:04 - so I'm getting there! Convinced that I lost a few seconds by messing about by the headphones/specs/buff interface on my left ear way too much. Fat Boy Slim may be getting erased from my playlist as his track has a getting slower & slower bit - not great for timing.

We passsed!

G and I both passed level 4 ice skating tonight - we both felt we'd been judged a bit generously - but the tester did point out that she's looking for us making roughly the right moves, getting the gist of it - not making perfect moves.

Having said that, I was so not convinced that I'd done enough to satisfy one bit (turning from backwards to forwards) that even after she said that I'd passed, I asked to be able to do it again [did it marginally better - but hey!].


Level 4 (in case you are interested) involved skating backwards into a 2 foot glide, going forwards & turning to backwards, going backwards & turning to forwards, one foot glides on the outside edges and forwards chasses.

Race For Life Target looks achievable...

Body Combat on Wed
4 tracks from the new routine, all the rest from the old. There’s a tricky bit that includes a jump sidekick and a flying forwards kick….

Gym Friday
Very pleased with myself as I did 5.01km in 30 minutes – phase 2 of achieving the 5K Race for Life in sub 30 minutes. Phase 3 will be to work further on speed and to add some incline into my treadmill work. I also need to ensure that I do at least 1 full speed 5K run per week – hoping that with the clocks going forward, I may be able to start doing more off road routes… Thanks to some very generous sponsors, my fundraising target is also looking achievable - as you can see from the ad on the right.

Swim Saturday
It’s a bit cheeky including this here as it was only 11 lengths – and that was only because our shower was out of action and we felt weird about going to the gym just to use theirs!

Bike Ride Sunday
Route from the house with Husband, C, M&A, S&X and J. C has her own SNB (shiny new bike) although it looked even better christened with a little mud!

14.3 mile route I cobbled together from Tracklog OS maps, going up through Owslebury and then over to Twyford Down. Water Lane is normally an entertaining climb – lots of tree roots – but will be avoiding it for a while as horse hooves have made it an un-rideable quagmire in places.

J headed back earlier – she was on Husband’s old bike and the seatpost was too high for off road for her. Loved it over Twyford Down – interesting tracks and good views. Good to see Husband back up to speed – and very good to see A up front! M did help with back markering – but I’ve warned Husband that he needs to take more turns with me when it’s a large-ish group.

Nice problem - but still a problem

Dressed up smart-ish for a meeting today - crisis 1 was not being able to find the only pair of smart black trousers that fit me atm. Crisis 2 was not having a jacket that goes with the only smart skirt that fits me atm. Crisis 3 (more of a mini crisis though) is that the only smart skirt is a tad loose - to a level where I will need to be careful to wear long-ish tops with it to avoid displaying underthings to the world - and I only bought it in Jan (tweedy Hobbs thing)....

Losing fat is costing me a small fortune in clothing - and I resent handing over dosh for smart work stuff I only wear once a month or so. And even more bras now need to be consigned to charity shop bags (now 36B - how depleted is that!).

Anyhow, skating went well on Mon although I suspect I won't be passing level 4 at next Monday's test unless I miraculously get better by then or unless the instructor is very very kind!

Last night - good run with A. 46:19 to do the 5.6km route with a good chat as a bonus! Planning on running with work buddies starting next month after work as part of Race for Life prep.

In Laws do Cycling

Went cycling on Saturday with Husband & his parents in the Forest – very very impressed with them both!

Mum-ish hadn’t been on a bike for approx 16 years and Dad-ish hadn’t done much more than that. We hired bikes for them both from Burley & found an empty coach park for them to practise before heading off. We’d chosen a route with loads of options to cut short or to take an easier route, but all not necessary. We did over 15 miles – mostly off road – including a ford and some changing of gears. Both said they were saddle sore afterwards. Even more impressive is that on Sunday, both of them were fine – no aches/pains/strains – which indicates that they are fit!


On Sunday, did some walking coz we went to London for Mum-ish’s Mothering Sunday day out – very pleasant wander across Hyde Park as we made our way from the Serpentine Gallery to the National Gallery.

Went to gym later on – 10mins X trainer, 26mins interval work on treadmill. Think I’m ready to push it up to 28mins next time.

Camouflage shorts and pink wellies

I was rubbish at skating on Monday - for some reason I just didn't feel very stable - ah well! Didn't help that Husband & I made big decisions about mortgages, homes & the future direction of our lives in about 15 mins before I left the house...

Tuesday - gym - 26mins of interval training on the treadmill with no ill effects - it's going well! Snuck in a very brief session on the rower weights machine and 1o mins on the x trainer too.

Body Combat on Wed - the most intense it's going to be for a while as Juliana starts to phase in the new routine next week. So I don't feel too guilty about arranging to go out with a former work buddy next Wed. Some new clothes arrived in the post - very pleased with some long-ish camouflage shorts that are going to look great with my pink wellies at the allotment this summer.

Tonight - proper rest day unless traipsing around the supermarket counts!

No Longer Obese Bird

Weighed myself today - 79 kilos which makes me un-obese! I'm not a big fan of BMI measurements as they don't differentiate between muscle mass & fatty mass - but I can't pretend that I'm not chuffed to fall into a different category.

Gym on Saturday evening, following a very pleasant day shopping with A in Bath. Stuck to x trainer and weights as my legs were still aching from Thursday.

Today should have been a stretching 20 mile route NE of Salisbury but it was soon apparent that Husband wasn't well - he wasn't delivering any power to his pedals and was looking scarlet faced & v.sweaty after just 1 climb. I failed to persuade him to turn back (he had his determined face on!) but we persuaded M&A to carry on ahead as it was going to be a long slow ride for us! The SNB then took charge & its chain then snapped, caused by a bent cog. So even Husband had to admit defeat! he did a quick repair job on the bike & we pedalled back to car. So just 6 miles!

I was still feeling in need of some exercise so went for a run this afternoon but tried off road for the first time. Started off in woods close to the house & did a 5.2km route. Resorted to walking at one very muddy section - so I was amazed that I did 5km in 33:09! Beautiful day & it helped me to remember just how pleasant the area so close to the house is. And I acieved sweaty muddiness without a bike....

Then went to Hayling Island with Husband as it was just too good weather not to be outside - I took the photos here. Wandered along the beach & Husband got his sea fix - something to do with being born/brought up at the seaside apparently.

Just spotted that A has her Race for Life fundraising site up & running - click here to view & donate!

Jogging, Punching & Kicking

Tuesday - jogged with A. She's decided that I should talk more when we run to ensure that our rates are compatible - and she should talk more on the walk bits.... not sure I can cope with structured gossip! We swapped cookbooks afterwards - I'm into making soup atm (big batches which I freeze then take to work & nuke for lunch) so new ideas are needed.

Wednesday - Body Combat. Chatted with 2 of Husband's colleagues - one from another colleagues in the class and then with A from his office on the way out. Love the way the pink bits on my new trainers look in the mirror when I kick - yes, I know, I need to get out more!

Baby Sister D has resurrected her blog - the fab named Rah Lose Weight. Please have a look coz she's asking for encouragement. She's also sent me her soon-to-be-tweaked playlist which I've added to the Playlist blog. Have changed the comments settings as I didn't realise I had it set not to accept any!

Novel Exercise

Just been climbing over pallets of leaflets – very elegant & ladylike! Glad that I’m wearing jeans today & that I managed not to damage myself – mostly because filling out the accident report would have been embarrassing…

Anyhow, skating was good last night – still can’t get the forwards to backwards switch move – but I wasn’t alone. Working on improving my general technique as I tend to push off from the toe pick. Still loving my skates!

Black Eye and Raspberry Pink Insoles

Thursday – went to gym but only did a little CV work as I wanted to focus on weights. Used 4 machines (more than my usual 1) but I struggled to fill an hour. If I do this again, will ask Husband if he doesn’t mind a shorter swim.

Friday – gym again as Husband was feeling guilty about the bacon cheeseburger and chips he’d had for lunch! 20 mins Xtrainer, 22 mins interval jogging. It was a great opportunity to try out my beautiful new trainers – Brooks Addiction again with even more technical features in the spec of the 2007 version to deal with my extreme over pronation (I run like a penguin – but without the iceberg belly slides!). Sadly, I’m equally impressed with the raspberry pink insoles…

Saturday – shovelling s**t! Moved a heap of manure from a field in the Meon Valley to the allotment with Husband, M&A (with cars – that’d be a long long walk with a wheelbarrow!). Managed to get bitten by something just under my left eye – and thanks to my immune system’s over reaction, I now have a puffy black eye…
Great lunch afterwards courtesy of A.

Sunday – should have been cycling but cried off after looking at the forecast of heavy rain & wind. M&A still went – but for a shorter, less exposed route than the one we’d planned. Went to the gym instead. Very pleased as I was able to up my interval training session on the treadmill up to 24 mins at an average of 10kph! So long as I keep pushing up the times, 5K in 30 minutes by July looks eminently achievable.

Body Combat

Instructor came over half way through the class to ask me if I'd been dieting - and how had I lost so much weight - result!
She said that she really noticed tonight because I was wearing a fitted t-shirt - so I think it could be worth having a massive t-shirt & vest clear out soon - before spring arrives. Which ties neatly into a conversation I was having with Mrs Kitty Stitch last night.....

Class was great - even coped better with the push up section. I was slightly hampered though by my trousers deciding to loop over my trainers, causing my feet to slide mid push up!

Music

New label for a new project - playlists. A & I are collating ideas for great playlists to exercise to - the kind of music that actually gets you running faster, helps you forget how dull the treadmill is, makes you feel good about exercising.

I will be setting up a sub blog for these - but will duplicate here under the label of playlists.

So, some content!

I obtained the following from fellow WLR members:

• U Don't Know Me - Armand Van Helden (Featuring Duane Harden)
• Work It Out - Beyoncé
• When You`re Gone - Bryan Adams Feat. Melanie C
• Rio - Duran Duran
• Love It When You Call - The Feeling
• Clint Eastwood (Ed Case Mix) - Gorillaz
• Devil Inside - INXS
• Even Better Than The Real Thing - U2
• Open Up - Leftfield
• Rescue Me - Madonna
• True Faith - New Order
• Trouble - Pink
• Voodoo People - The Prodigy
• Jesus In A Camper Van - Robbie Williams
• Lil Star - Kelis featuring Cee-Lo

And also:

• Era - The Mass
• Nightwish - Dark Chest Of Wonders
• Nickleback - Another Hole In The Head
• Waterboys - Rags
• Acroma - Motive
• Shakespear's Sister - Can U Wait That Long?
• Drist - Stripped
• Nightwish - Nemo
• Suzanne Vega - Small Blue Thing

Powerwalk

We walked last night instead of running as A is still not 100% post cold. Really enjoyed it - good natter & we kept the pace going well.

Operational Lungs

G was having the same problem last night that A was experiencing on Sunday - phlegm occupying the bits of her lungs that should be devoted to absorbing oxygen. It's given her voice a Kathleen Turner edge though!

I finally nailed sculling backwards last night - even managed a mini backwards glide at the end (and by mini, I mean a glide that could be measured with a normal 30cm ruler!). Still can't handle the switching between forwards and backwards though.

Cross Training Sunday

I was so rubbish at biking yesterday! We (Husband, M&A) went to Bracknell Forest where I discovered that my confidence on single track has declined over winter to an even lower level. Gave up & joined A on forest tracks instead - she is still getting over a cold so her lungs weren't delivering enough for lengthy riding.

After lunch, headed home & went to the gym in the evening. I was feeling upset that I was so rubbish in the morning but attempted to turn this into energy on the treadmill! Sadly, the new Take That track seemed to help me to achieve this! 15 mins on the X trainer, 22 mins interval work on the treadmill.
Then joined Husband in the spa pool for a bit.

I saw my sister D on Saturday night - very enjoyable evening even though we lost the rugby. She put things in perspective for me - I'm very privileged to be able to devote as much time as I do to exercise. My niece can't be transported in the double buggy with her little brother anymore - which seriously curtails D's mobility and options - wheelchairs with buggy attachments for siblings don't seem to exist! She's trying to work out how to fit 1 session of exercise into her schedule atm though - hope she can!

Have Skates!

Bought Skates on Saturday - G and I went on a trip to Basingstoke & both bought John Wilson Mystiques. I also now have a lovely pink skate bag & raspberry pink blade holders.

I had a run of truly rubbish hire skates from Gosport where I felt I was balancing twice - once onto the skate as there was no support for my ankles and then again on the ice. And as for sharpness....
We spent about 45 mins skating with our new purchases - having sharp skates that fit me really does make a difference - I feel I can trust them more and I'm just baalncing on the ice! We both need to play around with the lacing though as G's toes went numb & I got pain in the arches of my feet which eased off when I loosened the laces.

31:50 to run 5K

I'm getting there!

Went to the gym on Tuesday with Husband - he couldn't swim as the pool was closed but suggested that I stay & exercise whilst he went shopping. Pushed up my 10kph treadmill stint to 22 mins successfully.

No Body Combat on Wed as I was driving back from Rickmansworth - really don't miss the joys of the M25 in rush hour.

Really good jog from the house tonight - 31:50 - which is excellent! I think the interval training is paying off and it was a good idea to do a timed jog the day after a rest day.

Size 14

Skating last night - really enjoyed the lesson as we ended up with more 1-1 time than usual with the instructor. We tried switching from forwards to backwards - with mixed success but were assured that we were "progressing"! Then worked on trying to speed up our backwards sculling so that we get enough momentum to finish in a glide.... definitely work in progress...

Anyhow, bought a wide denim belt today masquerading as a skirt from Next - size 14 and it fits! Need to consult with Husband to check that it suits me as we don't have a full length mirror in the house - but it fits. And it's size 14.

Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14 Size 14

Did I mention that IT FITS AND IT'S SIZE 14?!

ps Husband has seen the wide belt & it has passed.

The Chain

Body Combat on Wed - acquitted myself better than usual on the push ups - but they are still hard work!

Then went to the gym on Thursday whilst husband swam. Did my usual CV - with the 20 mins on the treadmill at target average of 10kph - but had enough time to hit 3 weights machines.



Saturday - I had a lovely day at Nirvana Spa which I kicked off with my first visit to their gym - enjoyed listening to my newly purchased Mika album.



15 mile bike ride today with Husband and M - M's fave New Forest route which starts from (but doesn't actually go into) Markham Woods. I walked down 1 scary slope - but that's 2 less than last time! No falls, no punctures, but Husband managed to destroy his chain - already placed the order for new one from Wiggle. He did consider stainless steel to enhance the SNB's shininess but has gone for the 9 gear equiv of mine.
Overcast day, not too cold. Saw a herd of deer hurtling towards the track. They did an impressive switchback when they realised that there was a small child on a bike on the track (v.scary, obviously!).

I enjoyed the ride particularly as we went in the morning for a change - definitely quieter & it makes better use of the day as when we go in the afternoon, we tend to have a lazy morning. I missed A - especially at the end as she is the only one of us organised enough to bring a flask of coffee!

Level 3 Ice Skating

We passed!

Level 1 was standing up from a sitting position, basic skating forwards, gliding and dipping, stepping around on the spot.

Level 2 was moving backwards, half snow plough stop, forward skating and 2 foot glide on a curve.

Level 3 was a forward one foot glide in a straight line, 2 foot jump skating forward, forward and backward sculling and one foot glide on a curve - inside edge.

G and I will now be buying ourselves skates as a reward!

Roll on level 4.....

Another Muddy Sunday

Very pleased with myself on Friday at the gym - I averaged 10kph for 20 minutes. This is a significant step towards achieving my goal of doing the 5K Race for life in 30 minutes (I hope!). Just need to work up the time now to 30 mins - which is definitely achievable as I didn't feel too tired after this session.


Just as important, Husband swam - his knee is still not 100% perfect, but it was brilliant that he managed to swim his 50 lengths.


On Sunday, did the HCC Farley Mount route with Husband and M. It's normally a reasonable ride - not too difficult - but not today! Ended up carrying my bike down the Clarendon Way section - the mud was clagging up the wheels so much that they wouldn't turn. And just 10 feet after scraping the mud off to free the wheel, it clagged up again! Deep joy. I had a bramble scratch my forehead so had an arty trickle of blood down my face towards the end! Husband's knee was playing up - he is loads faster than he was.


Gorgeous snowdrops on banks everywhere. And I can't beleive that it didn't rain on us given that it had been raining on and off all weekend.

On a completely unrelated topic, I was really chuffed when one of Husband's work acquaintances who we bumped into at the gym on Friday told me how impressed with his apparent loss of weight. He's actually lost fat though rather than weight - and is gaining loads of muscle - definitely a good thing!

Ireland, Skating, Gym

Jogging on Friday - which demonstrated that rest days are important as I took about 1 minute longer to complete the route than last time!

Fabulous weekend in Northern Ireland - courtesy of C & R's engagement party. Spent Saturday walking around the 60 acres that comprise the Ulster Folk Museum - lots of buildings form all over Ireland from churches to teeny tiny cottages that apparently accomodated families with 7 kids.

Boogying on Saturday night at the party - the highlight was Husband whisking me around to Mack the Knife.

More walking on Sunday - we went up to see Giant's Causeway. The coast was beautiful and it stayed dry! Also went to Bushmills (discovered that I do like whiskey despite hating scotch) and to Dunluce castle. Husband was suffering though - he had pain in his ankles and knees by the end of the afternoon.

Flew back on Monday. Skating with G - our last session before next week's test. A couldn't make jogging last night so I spent the evening cooking soup. Missed Body Combat tonight as I had a dentist appointment - dragged myself down the gym (seriously lacking motivation!).

Gym & Food

Gym tonight - Husband was to swim but Esporta decided to shut the pool - as he didn't have his gym kit, he heroically hit the supermarket whilst I exercised. We are getting less and less impressed as time goes on - for example, it's over a month since they promised to contact us to discuss our membership fees (we are being overcharged atm). The only thing keeping us from changing to David Lloyd is the Body Combat instructor and unpredictable congestion...
10 mins on X Trainer, 20 mins interval jogging and then some weights - lat pulldown and the leg press.

Watched Truth about Food on BBC2 tonight which was all about dieting. Some interesting stuff about soup and dairy. Soup fills you up for longer (apparently) than if you were to eat its ingredients in soid form washed down with water - all down to how your stomach processes water. Dairy - there's some indication that calcium may cause more fat to be egested. Rest of the programme covered food diary (tick), portion control (tick) and protein filling you up (tick).

Less Chocolate

Jogging with A on Tuesday - same time as our last outing which was good. The shorter run intervals definitely seem to deliver better times than just 2 long-ish runs.

Body Combat last night - I managed some of the push up exercises but still don't feel I've mastered them!

Weighed myself this morning - not somethig I do often - and I was 5kg lighter than at beginning of November - not bad considering that Christmas happened during the gap! Trouble is, this means that my calorie allowance goes down - by 2 chunks of chocolate a day. How will I cope??

Week 4 of Skating Lessons

We did one leg gliding, slaloms and chassis last night. The only way I could do the latter was to keep on saying (out loud of course!) "Push, Together, Lift".
G was a natural at the slaloms - and no falling over this week.
Getting sorely tempted to buy skates - everybody seemed to have nice shiny new ones last night from the hire place except me...

Dirty Weekend

Literally. Took Husband away for a muddy weekend to celebrate his birthday:

Centre Parcs on Saturday – included a mud skin thingy for us both – covered each other in the stuff & were then steamed. Spent the afternoon cycling a whole 2.5 miles around the site & in the swimming area playing in the rapids & on the chutes – great fun! It did bring it home to me how much more confident I am in the water compared to a few years ago. Husband loved this bit! I’m sure he was something aquatic in a former life (fur seal or sea otter perhaps).
Back to the spa to use the Turkish steam room, Balinese steam room, Indian steam room, Japanese salt bath (actually, it’s another steam room) and Greek herb bath (still steamy).
It’s good value for a spa thingy – about the same for the 2 of us as it would be for one of us as a one off at Nirvana. Food and drinks were fine – fab carrot cake! However, it was much more crowded and Husband was pining for the Ocean room at Nirvana as the equivalent at Centre Parcs was a bit rubbish – although it was good being able to lie on my back looking up at the moon in the evening!

Spent Saturday night in a hotel about 15 miles from Longleat – lovely room with the rare distinction of having a bed as comfortable as our bed at home.

Sunday – Biking, trying out one from our new Rough Rides book. 15 miles of hard work – total ascent was double what we’ve done recently in the New Forest and progress was slow. Mud levels in places meant that wheels wouldn’t purchase when going up hill and ground us to a halt even on the flat! It was demanding enough for me not to feel guilty about having eggs & bacon for breakfast. Ride was well put together though with a minimum level of tarmac and very varied – woodland, chalk upland, some single track. It was useful to remind ourselves what non-New Forest riding is like – not so fast & requiring more brain work.

Gym on Friday

20 mins on the X trainer & 20 mins interval jogging:

0-2 8.5kph
2-4 10kph
4-6 8.5kph
6-8 10kph
8-10 8.5kph
10-12 10.5kph
12-14 9.0kph
14-16 11kph
16-18 9.0kph
18-19 11kph
19-20 12kph

Did 3 weights machines – hampered a little on the shoulder press by my hand hurting (still!).
I’m conscious that as I’ve temporarily swapped 1 gym session per week for skating, I’m only doing 1 stint of weights which is a bit low. I think I need to make more of an effort when I do go to gym to do weights properly – and perhaps to build in a second visit that’s virtually no CV but more about weights….

My Littlest Sister D

I'm going to write some more focussed blog postings as I'd like to talk about people who've inspired me to become more active. Starting off with:

My Littlest Sister D
D is 6 years younger than me & is Mum to 2 young children, my fabulous niece A and nephew J. She juggles some especially demanding childcare challenges with a new role working as a youth worker, supporting her husband S with the family business and giving over time to her friends and her faith. She has an amazingly "now" approach to life that I love. A few months ago, she discovered the Bad Mothers Club & started a brilliant blog charting her progress in getting into a beautiful dress for our Middle Sister's wedding - which she achieved with aplomb.
D's blog made me realise that blogging could work for me in terms of tracking progress.
That she was able to find the time and energy to fit exercise into her routine made me realise that my excuses were miniscule by comparison!
D's always acted quickly on her ideas which seems to make them more likely to happen - something I've tried to learn from. I also love the way that she throws enthusiasm into everything - even bad days on her blog are written up with her distinctive sense of humour - much use of boooooo and rah.

Body Combat

Push Up aspirations were inhibited by my wrist being randomly painful at exactly the wrong time last night! No idea why - maybe it's expressing sympathy for G's hand that got bashed on Monday.
Still, it was a good routine - even the flying kicks bit that I've found tricky because it doesn't seem to fit with the music went well (Rock Me Amadeus).
I downloaded the Warp Brothers mix of Smells Like Teen Spirit last night to add to ipod exercise mixes!

Yay us!

Jogging with A tonight:

• This week: 46:35
• 2 weeks ago: 48:57
• 3 weeks ago: 47:39

We took a different approach tonight - lots of shorter jogs as opposed to 2 big jogs - motivated by the cold weather (it actually feels like January today!), but given these times, I'd say it was an experiment worthy of repeating.

Old Winchester Hill

Saw Mum & Dad on Sunday in between the end of their first cruise as staff & their return flight to Newcastle. Went up the Spinnaker Tower - which doesn't count as exercise apart from some steps to get to the Crows Nest.


On the way back to the house, we detoured North & had a very pleasant wander on Old Winchester Hill - unresolved debate about what breed the sheep up there are! Mum & Dad walked the South Downs Way a couple of years ago and I know that they've also been to the hill with us before, but they still seemed to enjoy the views.




Skating tonight - I thought G had damaged her hand badly at one point - she fell really hard on it. She recovered her composure so well - most impressive! We did (more) sculling, gliding on one leg (easy!) and jumping (less easy). Tried to convince the instructor that we were rabbits on ice but she seemed to prefer a frog metaphor - no accounting for taste.

It is Husband's birthday today. He very generously insisted that I go skating tonight - don't think I would have been so understanding if roles were reversed! Very grateful as I was keen not to miss a lesson.

Currently making marmalade - lots of stirring but even I would struggle to justify calculating calories expended! Seems to be taking ages to get to setting point - don't think I have the patience to become a true domestic goddess.

Not quite to plan...

Cycled 20km today - and walked 3.1km - what my Forerunner describes as a "multisport" session.
Husband came cycling with us today - yay! We did the Portuguese Fireplace loop again.
He had a slow start, but after 6miles or so, his lungs started behaving & his speed wasn't bad at all.
But he had a puncture - boo!
Took ages to sort out - gave up in the end & got through way too many inner tubes - couldn't work out what the problem was. Thought it might have been the pumps (even though we tried 3!) so Husband applied our ultra reliable footpump when we got home - and also failed to inflate tyre. So it looks as if there is a problem with the wheel & that we really have destroyed about 4 inner tubes!

Fastest 5K so far - but I felt it!

33:13 last night to do my usual Friday night jog! It was drizzling a little - but not enough to cause me concern about ipod getting wet.
I had a new soundtrack which made things more interesting - I included many guilty pleasures - stuff that I've heard at the gym that falls into categories I don't normally like much but due to over exposure, they seem to be in my head!
These include:

• Nelly Furtado - Maneater
• Madonna - Hung Up
• Horny as a Dandy
• Chistina Aguilera - Ain't no other man

I think I'm going to put together 34 minute playlists for jogging..... music makes a huge difference to my boredom levels.

One Day I Will Do a Push Up.....

But not today! Tried tonight but I still don't have the strength in my arms....

3 days, 3 different activities

Cycling on Sunday - 15 miles in the Forest with SF and M. I was pleased with my speed - kept up with the boys OK - but I was a real chicken with some steepish downhill bits. Both SF and M fell of - SF heroically following a v.impressive run down a slope & M because he was attempting to unwrap a chocolate bar without stopping! Both OK. Puncture again - grateful to M for sorting it out for me so slickly.
No beautiful sunset to show here though coz my camera's battery was flat & my mobile phone's camera button has stopped working. Not sure I can be bothered to sort that out as I intend to change provider in April. It was a gorgeous day and a fab sunset - take my word for it!

Skating yesterday - G was really good at sculling & was invaluable in helping me to get the hang of it. She looks so cool when skating around - makes it look easy. Sculling was hard work for my inner thighs - no bad thing. I'm fighting the urge to buy skates as my hire pair were truly rubbish... we both ditched jeans in favour of leggings (I wore thermal running tights) which made it more comfortable.

Gym tonight - just some X trainer & interval running:
0-2 mins 8kph, 2-4 mins 10kph, 4-6 8.5kph, 6-8 10kph, 8-10 8.5kph, 10-12 10kph, 12-14 8.5kph, 14-16 10.5kph, 16-18 8.5kph, 18-19 10.5kph, 19-20 12kph.
Fascinating huh?

26 seconds to tie my shoelace?

Slower on Friday for my 5K jog - 34:30. Just looked at the forerunner data to work out where I was slow - and it looks as if tying my shoelace made all the difference! However, I'm convinced that my time wasn't helped by not squeezing in a gym sesh this week - will have to see what I can do this week.

Kill Bill in Paradise City

Most surreal moment in Body Combat tonight was being asked to imagine wielding a sword, as if we were starring in Kill Bill, to Guns & Roses' "Paradise City". I like this class!

We did the difficult bit....

... which was getting going on our jog/walk - windy night & A wasn't feeling too good.
So it's pretty impressive that we were only 90 seconds or so off last week's session - when we were both on good form.
Good chat, thoroughly enjoyable.

Return of the Sk8r Grls

Started a 6 week ice skating course in Gosport tonight - organised by G. We did penguin impressions, dipping and stopping - helped massively to get our confidence levels up. The instructor was hampered by a very sore sounding throat & not much voice, but she was still good at explaining what we were to do & helping us improve.
Then we spent half an hour whizzing around (comparatively!) - good chance to practise.
Definitely fun, definitely different, definitely looking forward to next week's lesson already!

Missing Husband

Bike ride in the forest today - good fun but would have been even better with Husband who is still very under the weather.

24.4 km route went up to 28.32 as we missed a turning. Classic forest scenery, going along the fast, well drained tracks that make the forest so good at this time of year. 2 fords - one huge one that everyone bar me cycled through and a more modest, faster flowing one that even I mustered the courage to go through! Went with C&M and M&A - should have been SF too but he was late & I had no mobile reception. He did his own thing then met us afterwards for black coffee that A was organised enough to bring!

New specs worked great - I now have peripheral vision....

Fastest Ever 5K. Again.

34:04 last night. That's better than last time & a few seconds towards my target...
The Forerunner is coming into its own - it's so useful being able to track speed/distance - for example, I know that excluding the mad/uncontrolled dash at the end, my first lap was the fastest so I now need to focus on either starting slower so I've got more to give later on or focus on pushing myself later to run at the same pace that I start with.
My heartrate was high - which I'm putting down to still feeling a little under the weather.
New ipod armband worked well.

And then I walked to the pub - just 25 mins but its all good stuff.

I think Husband has flu - can't believe he's had such lousy health over the last month.

Food

Had a very satisfactory meal last night - huge portion of mashed celeriac (made with a load of coarse grain mustard, bit of half-fat creme fraiche & titchy bit of butter) with griddled venison steaks. I love it when I have a big plate of food that I struggle to finish - and still know that I am not eating oodles of calories.... I must remember venison as a healthy, tasty steak alternative next time I'm shopping.
Husband is unwell - his 3 week cold has now morphed into a nasty bacterial chest infection, complete with fever. He can't go outside for a few days and can't exercise for a week or so - poor thing! Very grateful that this didn't happen to me as I'm not sure I could cope with the no exercise bit.

Gym

Nope, can't make this sound interesting! Same routine as Monday with the addition of leg press & rowing weights machines. Even TV was dull!
At least I made it off the sofa.....

The Walk/Jog is getting more Jog/Walk

Out with A tonight - feeling pleased coz we took just 47:39 to do the 5.66km route compared to 53:28 last time - jogging faster and for longer. Average speed was 7.1kph compared to 6.3kph last time. A's improving so well!
Got some homework to do though - A's providing some much-needed support in my image rethink project... trying to think who my style icons are as a starter.

Cliche - New Year = Back on the Big D

After a couple of weeks of (most enjoyable) over indulgence, back on the Big D today. Logging all food & booze onto WLR again along with my exercise calories.

Went for a very wet walk with Husband yesterday at Mudeford - lots of Ringed Plovers, Oystercatchers - and very dedicated windsurfers. After a drunken New Year's party at B&J's, walked up the hill rather than waiting for a taxi. About 90 mins walking in total.

Gym today - still feel that my cold is holding me back. 20 mins x trainer, 20 mins interval jogging (8 & 10 kph, 2 min intervals, pushed up to 8.5 & 11 for the last 4 mins). Husband swam - really chuffed as his cold has been so nasty & long lasting - said he found it hard, but I think he's pleased that he managed it.

So, the new year resolutions are to keep up the big D, run 5k in 30 mins and to ensure that I have fun achieving my objectives through doing loads of what I know I enjoy (e.g. mountain biking) and through trying new stuff like skating.