Headed out for an easy ride on the bike today ... to make up for the (unexpected) excesses of last night. Even though I wasn't really motivated to go, I dragged myself out!
However, ended up about 10 miles from home and a broken front derailer cable. So, I couldn't change gears from one big ring to the next. That's fine if you don't have any hills ... however, where was I?!? Out on the Downs ... so it's ALL hills!!
Needless to say, I came down the hill to the coast road and limped homeward, with gears grinding! Went to three different bike shops and imagine when I found them closed. Of all things ... on new year's eve!!
So ... guess it will running for me for the next few days!! Well ... it is the Janathon and it is supposed to be running every day!!
Friday, 31 December 2010
Thursday, 30 December 2010
Dancing in the rain ...
OK, so not quite dancing, but I was running in that fine misty rain on Wednesday. It was a great 45-minute run and the music from AudioFuel kept me going. Funny how when I set out on a 45 minute run, at the end of the 45 minutes, I'm wanting to do more! However, knowing my tendencies of overdoing it, I stopped at the 45 minute mark! Being sensible ... which is a change from the holiday excesses!!
Today, going for a hike in Stanmer Park. It's my favorite place, locally, to walk in the woods and get away from the noise of the city. Off I go now ... hmmm!
Today, going for a hike in Stanmer Park. It's my favorite place, locally, to walk in the woods and get away from the noise of the city. Off I go now ... hmmm!
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
Snow, ice and mud ...
Well, got out on the bike yesterday to clear the cobwebs from the excess of food and drink on xmas day (and boxing day!). Wanted to go out for a gentle ride on the Downs, as I had not been on my bike for a month. Well ... gentle it was not!!
Started out with a strong headwind along the coast road heading from Brighton to Telescombe Cliffs, then, because I wanted to do at least one long hill, I started up the Cliffs. Of course ... rather than turning around and coming back after I'd done the hill, I carried on. Usually, the route I took takes me just over two hours. Well, yesterday ... it was more like 3.5hrs!!
I was surprised that there was still snow and ice which made for interesting riding to say the least! At one point, I was fish-tailing along a path expecting to skid off my bike. I did come off the bike more times that I care to admit and that was due mostly to the mud. At one point, my wheels were caked in so much mud that they were not even turning!! Oh what fun!
Actually, it was fun! I came home tired, covered in mud almost literally head to toe, yet pleased with myself for getting out there. Plus, I did feel much better for having gone out there and done something!
What to do today ... run or just stay in where it's nice and warm ... ?!?
Started out with a strong headwind along the coast road heading from Brighton to Telescombe Cliffs, then, because I wanted to do at least one long hill, I started up the Cliffs. Of course ... rather than turning around and coming back after I'd done the hill, I carried on. Usually, the route I took takes me just over two hours. Well, yesterday ... it was more like 3.5hrs!!
I was surprised that there was still snow and ice which made for interesting riding to say the least! At one point, I was fish-tailing along a path expecting to skid off my bike. I did come off the bike more times that I care to admit and that was due mostly to the mud. At one point, my wheels were caked in so much mud that they were not even turning!! Oh what fun!
Actually, it was fun! I came home tired, covered in mud almost literally head to toe, yet pleased with myself for getting out there. Plus, I did feel much better for having gone out there and done something!
What to do today ... run or just stay in where it's nice and warm ... ?!?
Monday, 27 December 2010
Catching up ...
Hmm ... since my last posting I really don't feel I've done much exercise other than lifting food or drink to my mouth!
I did however go for the traditional swim in the sea on Christmas Day. Even though I regularly swim in the sea (all year 'round), I haven't been in as regularly due to the cold. The duvet keeps me snuggly in bed and I don't want to venture out in the cold to get into the cold water! Duh ... I wonder why! However, it is a big tradition here in Brighton that family and friends come out and take a dip. Well, the sea temperature in the morning was ... wait for this one 3.3 C ... the coldest on record! Needless to say, I didn't stay in long but it was a great way to start the day before the debauchery of Christmas lunch was had!
To blow away the cobwebs, I decided to take myself out for a short run on boxing day (yesterday). Did 30 minutes in the bight sunshine and could have continued for hours it was so nice out. It was good to get moving after being very inactive the day before! What is it about Christmas that it tends to be such a sedentary day ... sitting around, eating, drinking and have good times with friends ... but not moving!
Today ... although grey outside I'm going to get on my mountain bike and hit the trails ... just want to get moving!
I did however go for the traditional swim in the sea on Christmas Day. Even though I regularly swim in the sea (all year 'round), I haven't been in as regularly due to the cold. The duvet keeps me snuggly in bed and I don't want to venture out in the cold to get into the cold water! Duh ... I wonder why! However, it is a big tradition here in Brighton that family and friends come out and take a dip. Well, the sea temperature in the morning was ... wait for this one 3.3 C ... the coldest on record! Needless to say, I didn't stay in long but it was a great way to start the day before the debauchery of Christmas lunch was had!
To blow away the cobwebs, I decided to take myself out for a short run on boxing day (yesterday). Did 30 minutes in the bight sunshine and could have continued for hours it was so nice out. It was good to get moving after being very inactive the day before! What is it about Christmas that it tends to be such a sedentary day ... sitting around, eating, drinking and have good times with friends ... but not moving!
Today ... although grey outside I'm going to get on my mountain bike and hit the trails ... just want to get moving!
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Made it out today!
OK, so I didn't get out an exercise the last two days (unless you count painting / decorating as exercise!) so really needed to drag myself out to get back into the swing of things!
Intended to go for a 40-minute run when about 15 minutes into the run, I met a friend who I haven't seen in a few months. He was just heading into work at the Riptide Gym, so I continued on with my run and agreed to catch up with him on my way back. Did just over 30 minutes of running before stopping into his gym where we had a great catch up.
He reminded me of my free six-month membership at the gym (www.riptide.co.uk) that was still awaiting me to activate it. So, I will become a 'new year's resolutioner' and start back to the gym! Between the swimming in the sea (which I just do for the amusement of it!), the running and the gym ... I'm really jumping back into regular exercise with both feet!
Should be interesting ... so watch this space!
Intended to go for a 40-minute run when about 15 minutes into the run, I met a friend who I haven't seen in a few months. He was just heading into work at the Riptide Gym, so I continued on with my run and agreed to catch up with him on my way back. Did just over 30 minutes of running before stopping into his gym where we had a great catch up.
He reminded me of my free six-month membership at the gym (www.riptide.co.uk) that was still awaiting me to activate it. So, I will become a 'new year's resolutioner' and start back to the gym! Between the swimming in the sea (which I just do for the amusement of it!), the running and the gym ... I'm really jumping back into regular exercise with both feet!
Should be interesting ... so watch this space!
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Wow ... did an hour's run!
Well, after going for a dip in the sea for about 10 minutes in 4.7C temperatures (brrr!), I decided I needed to get more of an exercise fix so went out for a long run. Now, coming from a marathon background and not having done much running in the past two years due to a bad cycling accident, recently getting back into running has been fantastic!
I've been slowly building up the time on my feet and today I was going to hit my first 'milestone goal' of running continuously for an hour. And ... I did it!! I'm surprised that I was able to sustain a good steady pace, and that with the help of listening to music by AudioFuel (music put together specifically for runners for timed distances, such an an hour!)
Looking forward to more great runs to more great music!
I've been slowly building up the time on my feet and today I was going to hit my first 'milestone goal' of running continuously for an hour. And ... I did it!! I'm surprised that I was able to sustain a good steady pace, and that with the help of listening to music by AudioFuel (music put together specifically for runners for timed distances, such an an hour!)
Looking forward to more great runs to more great music!
Saturday, 18 December 2010
First blog post for musings
I'm new here to blogging so giving it a go! Just want to share thoughts on life, happenings and stuff.
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