......in eighty days......
Well.....London at least!
Tired boy today; long drive back from work and time for an early night. No exercise, just the knee trembling excitement of four hours in the car followed by a bit of dinner, followed by an early night.....well, early-ish anyway.
The big weigh in tomorrow; so help me if I haven't lost any, or worse.......
Thursday 31 January 2013
Wednesday 30 January 2013
I'm the STAT MAN (skibidibidibidoh-doh-doh-doh)!
........81 days to go.......
Feeling so virtuous this evening. This big challenge is full of lots of smaller ones (challengitos?), and one of the biggest is something we call experience, and often fall victim to. You know what I mean; you have something to do, somewhere to go, but before you do and go, you just have enough time to go home, make yourself a cup of tea, and get snuggly a comfy in front of the telly.
Yes, it's all very good saying that once you get up and get going it's all worthwhile; but in order to say it you still have to actually GET UP AND GET GOING!!! It is a this juncture that the seat of your sofa - or in my case the mattress of you hotel room bed becomes mighty sticky. Nevertheless, up I got, and going I went; and yes it is most definitely worthwhile. Six miles on a solo run tonight with naught but the mp3 player for company (on the subject of which, never buy cheap on these things; it keeps on missing out the intro of all the songs!!). I can't believe I am going to say this, but it was comfortable!! I seem to have found a pace that I can maintain. Okay it may be more mower than Mo Farah, but if it gets me 'there'; who cares?!!
This brings me onto something else which seems to have slipped through little bloggy cracks over the last few months.....AND no one else noticed (big cross against your names for observation)...what has happened to the milometer??
OOPS! I started with forgetting, then getting out of the habit of keeping track; plus there was a time there where the miles weren't going up at all, and no one wants to make a big play of how much running they are NOT doing. However, the good news is that the training plan has kept track of all the mileage, so it's a simple case of adding them all up.
And what is the current total at my friends? Well, the last figure was on 11th September 2012 (not long before the Great North) and stood at 341 miles. Here, on Wednesday 30th January, I can confirm that total training distance is now at........
......drum roll please.......
......eeee it's like the Blue Peter charity Christmas totaliser i'nt it?!!
509 miles!!
Yes that's right; the half grand has been broken! Not only that; if I stick to the training program, I already know that the 26th mile of the London Marathon will add up to........well.....that would be telling now? You'll just have to stay tuned wontcha?!
As always, I'll do it one mile, and one step at a time!!
Feeling so virtuous this evening. This big challenge is full of lots of smaller ones (challengitos?), and one of the biggest is something we call experience, and often fall victim to. You know what I mean; you have something to do, somewhere to go, but before you do and go, you just have enough time to go home, make yourself a cup of tea, and get snuggly a comfy in front of the telly.
Yes, it's all very good saying that once you get up and get going it's all worthwhile; but in order to say it you still have to actually GET UP AND GET GOING!!! It is a this juncture that the seat of your sofa - or in my case the mattress of you hotel room bed becomes mighty sticky. Nevertheless, up I got, and going I went; and yes it is most definitely worthwhile. Six miles on a solo run tonight with naught but the mp3 player for company (on the subject of which, never buy cheap on these things; it keeps on missing out the intro of all the songs!!). I can't believe I am going to say this, but it was comfortable!! I seem to have found a pace that I can maintain. Okay it may be more mower than Mo Farah, but if it gets me 'there'; who cares?!!
This brings me onto something else which seems to have slipped through little bloggy cracks over the last few months.....AND no one else noticed (big cross against your names for observation)...what has happened to the milometer??
OOPS! I started with forgetting, then getting out of the habit of keeping track; plus there was a time there where the miles weren't going up at all, and no one wants to make a big play of how much running they are NOT doing. However, the good news is that the training plan has kept track of all the mileage, so it's a simple case of adding them all up.
And what is the current total at my friends? Well, the last figure was on 11th September 2012 (not long before the Great North) and stood at 341 miles. Here, on Wednesday 30th January, I can confirm that total training distance is now at........
......drum roll please.......
......eeee it's like the Blue Peter charity Christmas totaliser i'nt it?!!
509 miles!!
Yes that's right; the half grand has been broken! Not only that; if I stick to the training program, I already know that the 26th mile of the London Marathon will add up to........well.....that would be telling now? You'll just have to stay tuned wontcha?!
As always, I'll do it one mile, and one step at a time!!
Tuesday 29 January 2013
On the 214th post......he rested.....
.......82 days to go........
Day off from running today. I tell you one thing about training for a marathon, it really makes you appreciate rest days. It is absolute sheer unbridled bliss to have the entire evening to yourself, as opposed to the quickfire routine of workgetchangedgoforarundinnerbed which is much more typical.
So it's a bit of Weightwatchers tuna with instant mash (not perfect I know, but surprisingly low in fat), a bit of blogging, a bit of telly, a bit more blogging and thennnnnnn aaaaaa bit ooofffffffffff........zzzzzzzz. Tired boy tonight I can tell you; good thing, sign of an active life; or maybe just a sign that I am completely knackered.
Starting to really enjoy my morning porridge; I am still taking a break and fasting from full English breakfasting (see what I did there?!!!). Don't get me wrong, I eat well in the morning. Toast, cereal, porridge, coffee (all in the same bowl!!); but considering it's only a cup-a-soup at lunchtime I think this works pretty well. Anyway, the proof will be in Friday's weigh in.
For now my friends....night night and sleep tight!!
Day off from running today. I tell you one thing about training for a marathon, it really makes you appreciate rest days. It is absolute sheer unbridled bliss to have the entire evening to yourself, as opposed to the quickfire routine of workgetchangedgoforarundinnerbed which is much more typical.
So it's a bit of Weightwatchers tuna with instant mash (not perfect I know, but surprisingly low in fat), a bit of blogging, a bit of telly, a bit more blogging and thennnnnnn aaaaaa bit ooofffffffffff........zzzzzzzz. Tired boy tonight I can tell you; good thing, sign of an active life; or maybe just a sign that I am completely knackered.
Starting to really enjoy my morning porridge; I am still taking a break and fasting from full English breakfasting (see what I did there?!!!). Don't get me wrong, I eat well in the morning. Toast, cereal, porridge, coffee (all in the same bowl!!); but considering it's only a cup-a-soup at lunchtime I think this works pretty well. Anyway, the proof will be in Friday's weigh in.
For now my friends....night night and sleep tight!!
Monday 28 January 2013
Thank You For The Music - The Rusby and The Taylor!!! (part two)
....83 days to go......
A quick 3 miles with the Spartans today; gave it a bit of welly and it felt pretty good; even managed to negotiate what must have been a mile long uphill (probably only 100 yards) stretch without giving up the ghost and walking. Very nice to see all the newbies with their newbie year resolutions to get fit. Not for a second am I patronising them - quite the opposite - but I fear the numbers will dwindle over the coming weeks as the post-January malaise inevitably re-asserts itself. Hats off to some of the more rotund participants (of which I am not quite as much of a member as I used to be); I really hope they stick with it!
Soooooo, sooooo very guilty. I really didn't want to do it to her, but there it is; it happened despite my best intentions. After waxing lyrical - literally - about James Taylor; Kate Rusby has been metaphorically locked up in a cupboard for the last fortnight. Wherever she may be (besides inside the aforementioned furniture); my sincerest apologies to her.
The biggest compliment I can proffer about Kate is that 'she is who she is'. Putting to one side the heavenly voice and fantastic song-writing for a moment (don't worry; we'll get to that), she is the perfect example of someone who is comfortable in her own skin; something which don't we all strive for? It is this quality which endears her to her fans. Her personality is so natural, so funny, so positive. I know that many people fantasise about finding themselves by happenstance in a one-on-one situation with their idols, however if the situation actually occurred they might well find themselves disappointed by perhaps a lack of personality, or a predominance of big-headedness; illusions of the hero/heroine shattered. With Kate Rusby however, what you see is most definitely what you get.
For myself, as well as the above, there is so much more to admire in the woman. What I like the most is that rather than accept one of the many recording contracts aimed at her with guarantees of superstar status, she has chosen to do it her way (again I say, something which surely we all should aspire to). She writes, she sings, she performs, she records and she sells her cd's. Simples! Yes, she could sell a whole lot more if she 'sold out' and went heavily commercial; but instead she stays true to her music, enjoys what she does, and boy does it show. This choice she has made - the choice to live her life and not go with convention - makes her music all the more unique, and not only that, it makes her fans an exclusive group because of it. Me likey this a lot!!
And then there are the songs..........
Yes, many of the tunes ('The Wishing Wife' - turning a naughty husband into a dog, (a dog???? yes...a dog!) 'The Good Man' - trusting husband to a straying wife, see, she keeps it fair!!) are daftly funny; but some of her lyrics are incredibly touching and effortlessly resonate with me......
You ever have a loved one/partner who goes away on holiday without you, and you miss them? Hoping they miss you?.......
'See the pyramids along the Nile,
See the sunrise from a tropic isle,
Just remember darling all the while,
You belong to me'
Coming home....wherever that home may be.....
'He's nearer every day,
He knows now, he is here to stay,
He cares not, why he want away so long
He's found where he belongs,
He knows it's been here all along,
He's smiling, as he joins his friends in song'
I think she leaves it up to us what is happening here......but I like to think it is about two people in love.......
'Take my hand, my dear
We know that the time, it is near
Be strong and be brave, my dear
Let me go now, let me go
How it came to this, it's not clear
Long and lonely nights now, I fear
Though I need your hand to hold, my dear
Let me go now, let me go'
......and on top of all this; she's a northern lass!!!
A quick 3 miles with the Spartans today; gave it a bit of welly and it felt pretty good; even managed to negotiate what must have been a mile long uphill (probably only 100 yards) stretch without giving up the ghost and walking. Very nice to see all the newbies with their newbie year resolutions to get fit. Not for a second am I patronising them - quite the opposite - but I fear the numbers will dwindle over the coming weeks as the post-January malaise inevitably re-asserts itself. Hats off to some of the more rotund participants (of which I am not quite as much of a member as I used to be); I really hope they stick with it!
Soooooo, sooooo very guilty. I really didn't want to do it to her, but there it is; it happened despite my best intentions. After waxing lyrical - literally - about James Taylor; Kate Rusby has been metaphorically locked up in a cupboard for the last fortnight. Wherever she may be (besides inside the aforementioned furniture); my sincerest apologies to her.
The biggest compliment I can proffer about Kate is that 'she is who she is'. Putting to one side the heavenly voice and fantastic song-writing for a moment (don't worry; we'll get to that), she is the perfect example of someone who is comfortable in her own skin; something which don't we all strive for? It is this quality which endears her to her fans. Her personality is so natural, so funny, so positive. I know that many people fantasise about finding themselves by happenstance in a one-on-one situation with their idols, however if the situation actually occurred they might well find themselves disappointed by perhaps a lack of personality, or a predominance of big-headedness; illusions of the hero/heroine shattered. With Kate Rusby however, what you see is most definitely what you get.
For myself, as well as the above, there is so much more to admire in the woman. What I like the most is that rather than accept one of the many recording contracts aimed at her with guarantees of superstar status, she has chosen to do it her way (again I say, something which surely we all should aspire to). She writes, she sings, she performs, she records and she sells her cd's. Simples! Yes, she could sell a whole lot more if she 'sold out' and went heavily commercial; but instead she stays true to her music, enjoys what she does, and boy does it show. This choice she has made - the choice to live her life and not go with convention - makes her music all the more unique, and not only that, it makes her fans an exclusive group because of it. Me likey this a lot!!
And then there are the songs..........
Yes, many of the tunes ('The Wishing Wife' - turning a naughty husband into a dog, (a dog???? yes...a dog!) 'The Good Man' - trusting husband to a straying wife, see, she keeps it fair!!) are daftly funny; but some of her lyrics are incredibly touching and effortlessly resonate with me......
You ever have a loved one/partner who goes away on holiday without you, and you miss them? Hoping they miss you?.......
'See the pyramids along the Nile,
See the sunrise from a tropic isle,
Just remember darling all the while,
You belong to me'
Coming home....wherever that home may be.....
'He's nearer every day,
He knows now, he is here to stay,
He cares not, why he want away so long
He's found where he belongs,
He knows it's been here all along,
He's smiling, as he joins his friends in song'
I think she leaves it up to us what is happening here......but I like to think it is about two people in love.......
'Take my hand, my dear
We know that the time, it is near
Be strong and be brave, my dear
Let me go now, let me go
How it came to this, it's not clear
Long and lonely nights now, I fear
Though I need your hand to hold, my dear
Let me go now, let me go'
......and on top of all this; she's a northern lass!!!
Sunday 27 January 2013
Good day today!!
....84 days to go.......
Unbelievably there were actually people out this morning running on the snowy and icy pavements. How do they do it? I have enough trouble keeping my balance when I run on the dry concrete, let alone when skidding around like a Jamiroquai video (without the special effects).
Nevertheless I managed to get out to the gym and do ten miles on the FFG (treadmill for those uninitiated). I know what you're thinking.....'ten miles on the treadmill is not as hard as ten miles on the road'. That may be true, but trust me; it's plenty hard enough thank you very much! It's a weird feeling when you've been running in the gym for so long the treadmill kinda seems like it's still moving even when it's not. It's also a real challenge when you step off the thing trying to look cool and not make it look like your legs are made of rubber.
The true test will be when I transplant this performance back onto the road (quite possibly next Sunday), and see whether the distances I can do in the gym I can also do in the open air. If I can, then there is not only hope, there is almost - dare I say it - confidence!!
Unbelievably there were actually people out this morning running on the snowy and icy pavements. How do they do it? I have enough trouble keeping my balance when I run on the dry concrete, let alone when skidding around like a Jamiroquai video (without the special effects).
Nevertheless I managed to get out to the gym and do ten miles on the FFG (treadmill for those uninitiated). I know what you're thinking.....'ten miles on the treadmill is not as hard as ten miles on the road'. That may be true, but trust me; it's plenty hard enough thank you very much! It's a weird feeling when you've been running in the gym for so long the treadmill kinda seems like it's still moving even when it's not. It's also a real challenge when you step off the thing trying to look cool and not make it look like your legs are made of rubber.
The true test will be when I transplant this performance back onto the road (quite possibly next Sunday), and see whether the distances I can do in the gym I can also do in the open air. If I can, then there is not only hope, there is almost - dare I say it - confidence!!
Saturday 26 January 2013
Hotel Shenanigans!!
T-minus 85 days......why do they call it T-minus when the space shuttle is lifting off?? Time? Take-off? Well we all know what my 'T' stands for don't we??.......Terrified!!!
Missed out on my strength exercises on Thursday, so made up for it last night with a bit of a session on the old yoga mat. By the way don't get too excited about the phrase 'strength exercises'; I'm not pumping iron, lifting logs and throwing hgv tyres. It's just a few routines to help build up 'the core' muscles and get them ready for long-term punishment, as well as giving the legs and joints a bit of a work-out. Not sure if it's doing any good, but some of the exercises make my muscles wobble; and in my wealth of experience as personal trainer to the stars I decree that muscle wobbleness is a good thing.......it had better be as there is plenty of it to be had........!!
Anyway, while I'm here; the recent stays in the luxurious Abbington Hotel, Stevenage (they do a great full English............errr....so I can remember.......barely....it was so long ago I had one....) have put me in mind to tell you a story about one of my earlier working-from-hotel experiences. To me it was a sweet, not to mention funny few nights; plus a shining example of Liverpool humour!
I am not afraid - okay....perhaps slightly afraid! - to admit that nine times out of ten, when I stay in a hotel, I am not alone. I smuggle a guest in with me (don't tell the Abbington, they might charge double!). He is my furry companion, his name is Tedito Eduardo, and yes; he is a teddy bear (I am receiving therapy for this, but clearly it is not working; the therapist is actually pro-bear!). Precisely why I do it I'm not sure, but I guess it is a reminder of home which is nice to see in the middle of an alien room even the plushest of which is still not really mine. Plus it is amusing to be stuck in traffic on the way home (not moving I stress...safety first and all that), and popping his head up at the drivers-side windows when I see a bored little girl or boy looking out of another car.
One particular trip we took was my first week at a company based in Liverpool. Although I don't live too far away, it was induction week so there I needed to stay local for a few nights. Usually, in order to avoid funny looks and whispering amongst the staff, I secrete Tedito during the day in a - well-ventilated may I say before you get the RSPCB on to me - suitcase; but on my first morning I was running late so he ended up jumbled up in the middle of bedsheets and continental quilts. What would the woman who made up the room think of me? A grown man with a teddy bear!!!
It was quite a sight which greeted me after my first day at work. The room was - as you would expect - pristine with bathroom sparkling, tea, coffee and bikkies replaced, fresh towels waiting for me, new sheets on the freshly-made bed; and there, tucked up all comfy, with head on pillow, paws over the top of the quilt looking at me......was Tedito. It was hilarious!!! I sensed some mischievous fun in the air.....
The following morning, I left Tedito reading the morning paper. Yes you heard right.....he had the newspaper open in front of him on the bed, and was leaning down to find out what is happening in the world. By the time I got in that evening he was done with the paper as I found him tucked up in bed again; this time with 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' under his arm. I honestly never knew that he enjoyed reading so much; if it's not current affairs, it's young person's fiction!
As I left on the morning before the final night Tedito had electric toothbrush in one paw, and toothpaste in the other, sat by the bathroom sink. What I saw when I returned made me realise that I was up against the champion of teddy bear poses (you think they might ever make an Olympic sport out of it??). There was ted; propped up once more in bed; room service menu spread out in front of him, the phone in his paw. It was SO funny; not to mention SO clever. Whoever she was even had the forethought to pull the phone out of socket so having it off the hook didn't cause any problems! (Imagine my surprise when there was a knock at the door and the waiter was stood there with a tub of honey......kidding....kidding...)
Regretfully I never stayed in that hotel again; however before I left Tedito insisted on writing a note thanking the lady for looking after him. I even popped back a few days later to drop off a Tedito of her own! I never met her, but not only was she not judgemental; she proved to me that the best sort of fun that you can have, is innocent fun. The sort of fun where someone else doesn't have to be worse of for you to enjoy yourself, the sort of fun where everybody wins!
Missed out on my strength exercises on Thursday, so made up for it last night with a bit of a session on the old yoga mat. By the way don't get too excited about the phrase 'strength exercises'; I'm not pumping iron, lifting logs and throwing hgv tyres. It's just a few routines to help build up 'the core' muscles and get them ready for long-term punishment, as well as giving the legs and joints a bit of a work-out. Not sure if it's doing any good, but some of the exercises make my muscles wobble; and in my wealth of experience as personal trainer to the stars I decree that muscle wobbleness is a good thing.......it had better be as there is plenty of it to be had........!!
Anyway, while I'm here; the recent stays in the luxurious Abbington Hotel, Stevenage (they do a great full English............errr....so I can remember.......barely....it was so long ago I had one....) have put me in mind to tell you a story about one of my earlier working-from-hotel experiences. To me it was a sweet, not to mention funny few nights; plus a shining example of Liverpool humour!
I am not afraid - okay....perhaps slightly afraid! - to admit that nine times out of ten, when I stay in a hotel, I am not alone. I smuggle a guest in with me (don't tell the Abbington, they might charge double!). He is my furry companion, his name is Tedito Eduardo, and yes; he is a teddy bear (I am receiving therapy for this, but clearly it is not working; the therapist is actually pro-bear!). Precisely why I do it I'm not sure, but I guess it is a reminder of home which is nice to see in the middle of an alien room even the plushest of which is still not really mine. Plus it is amusing to be stuck in traffic on the way home (not moving I stress...safety first and all that), and popping his head up at the drivers-side windows when I see a bored little girl or boy looking out of another car.
One particular trip we took was my first week at a company based in Liverpool. Although I don't live too far away, it was induction week so there I needed to stay local for a few nights. Usually, in order to avoid funny looks and whispering amongst the staff, I secrete Tedito during the day in a - well-ventilated may I say before you get the RSPCB on to me - suitcase; but on my first morning I was running late so he ended up jumbled up in the middle of bedsheets and continental quilts. What would the woman who made up the room think of me? A grown man with a teddy bear!!!
It was quite a sight which greeted me after my first day at work. The room was - as you would expect - pristine with bathroom sparkling, tea, coffee and bikkies replaced, fresh towels waiting for me, new sheets on the freshly-made bed; and there, tucked up all comfy, with head on pillow, paws over the top of the quilt looking at me......was Tedito. It was hilarious!!! I sensed some mischievous fun in the air.....
The following morning, I left Tedito reading the morning paper. Yes you heard right.....he had the newspaper open in front of him on the bed, and was leaning down to find out what is happening in the world. By the time I got in that evening he was done with the paper as I found him tucked up in bed again; this time with 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' under his arm. I honestly never knew that he enjoyed reading so much; if it's not current affairs, it's young person's fiction!
As I left on the morning before the final night Tedito had electric toothbrush in one paw, and toothpaste in the other, sat by the bathroom sink. What I saw when I returned made me realise that I was up against the champion of teddy bear poses (you think they might ever make an Olympic sport out of it??). There was ted; propped up once more in bed; room service menu spread out in front of him, the phone in his paw. It was SO funny; not to mention SO clever. Whoever she was even had the forethought to pull the phone out of socket so having it off the hook didn't cause any problems! (Imagine my surprise when there was a knock at the door and the waiter was stood there with a tub of honey......kidding....kidding...)
Regretfully I never stayed in that hotel again; however before I left Tedito insisted on writing a note thanking the lady for looking after him. I even popped back a few days later to drop off a Tedito of her own! I never met her, but not only was she not judgemental; she proved to me that the best sort of fun that you can have, is innocent fun. The sort of fun where someone else doesn't have to be worse of for you to enjoy yourself, the sort of fun where everybody wins!
Friday 25 January 2013
Weigh in (81)
.......86 days to go......
Okay, we have some good news and some bad news. You can guess the bad.....yes I am now 15 stone 12.6 pounds, rounding up to 13 pounds which - most definitely unlucky for me - is classed as one pound on. Looking at the facts this is obviously not good news. It has been some time since I lost last weight (??!), the routine-disrupting events of the last month have made exercising and healthy eating very difficult. It is never going to be a satisfactory excuse for putting on weight, but is nevertheless still a fact. The most devastating thing however has been the snow, curtailing any chances of running with the Spartans last week.
So why am I not worried?
Okay, maybe I am a little perturbed; but that's not the same thing! Firstly I am feeling pretty well, and the early morning commute on a Monday is still not taking too much toll (preparation is the key...packing the car the night before....not to mention going to bed at about 9pm Sunday night!). Apart from that, there is still plenty to be optimistic about. Yes it is still a weight gain, but taking into account that this has been a week where my only exercise was the 9 mile treadmill run on Sunday, and......ahem.....hushes to a whisper.......I had two Chinese takeaways (Friday and Sunday....I didn't tell you about the second one did I?....bad bad BAD Adrian for doing it, and you know I'm BAD, I'm BAD, you know it, for not telling you, oh, and BAD BAD Leroy Brown was a fantastic hit for Jim Croce......don't laugh...you'll thank me when you listen to it.....); to only put on 0.6 pounds means that I am doing something right. If I can get a couple more runs in during week ahead (and with the forecasted thaw this is very likely), and avoid the fried rice (can possibly even afford to have the one, just - note to self - not the two) then surely I should be in heavy (or should that be light?!) credit when it comes to weigh in 82?
It's the boost I need with the dwindling days before lift off. It will come as no surprise to you that it has proved to be a bit of a struggle to adapt to life around the new job (the new job itself has gone reeeeeeally well, and my boss is brilliant......but my boss' brother is quite incredible......hark at me; anyone would think I am just saying that because he reads my blog......), but if - with the 'new' routine - I can have a successful week, I know I will have hit the right formula. I won't repeat it exactly, but it can form the basis of the push needed to get down to fourteen stone, and get up to 26 miles....
.....at least, that's the plan........!!
Okay, we have some good news and some bad news. You can guess the bad.....yes I am now 15 stone 12.6 pounds, rounding up to 13 pounds which - most definitely unlucky for me - is classed as one pound on. Looking at the facts this is obviously not good news. It has been some time since I lost last weight (??!), the routine-disrupting events of the last month have made exercising and healthy eating very difficult. It is never going to be a satisfactory excuse for putting on weight, but is nevertheless still a fact. The most devastating thing however has been the snow, curtailing any chances of running with the Spartans last week.
So why am I not worried?
Okay, maybe I am a little perturbed; but that's not the same thing! Firstly I am feeling pretty well, and the early morning commute on a Monday is still not taking too much toll (preparation is the key...packing the car the night before....not to mention going to bed at about 9pm Sunday night!). Apart from that, there is still plenty to be optimistic about. Yes it is still a weight gain, but taking into account that this has been a week where my only exercise was the 9 mile treadmill run on Sunday, and......ahem.....hushes to a whisper.......I had two Chinese takeaways (Friday and Sunday....I didn't tell you about the second one did I?....bad bad BAD Adrian for doing it, and you know I'm BAD, I'm BAD, you know it, for not telling you, oh, and BAD BAD Leroy Brown was a fantastic hit for Jim Croce......don't laugh...you'll thank me when you listen to it.....); to only put on 0.6 pounds means that I am doing something right. If I can get a couple more runs in during week ahead (and with the forecasted thaw this is very likely), and avoid the fried rice (can possibly even afford to have the one, just - note to self - not the two) then surely I should be in heavy (or should that be light?!) credit when it comes to weigh in 82?
It's the boost I need with the dwindling days before lift off. It will come as no surprise to you that it has proved to be a bit of a struggle to adapt to life around the new job (the new job itself has gone reeeeeeally well, and my boss is brilliant......but my boss' brother is quite incredible......hark at me; anyone would think I am just saying that because he reads my blog......), but if - with the 'new' routine - I can have a successful week, I know I will have hit the right formula. I won't repeat it exactly, but it can form the basis of the push needed to get down to fourteen stone, and get up to 26 miles....
.....at least, that's the plan........!!
Thursday 24 January 2013
Melanie
I make no secret of the fact that very often, I despair of people. Whilst not tarring people with the same brush - everyone is met with an open mind, and hope - the majority of them fall into the 'I'm going to talk about myself and whatever questions I ask you must be answered by the minimum of words......preferably that means just one, as it gets in the way of the aforementioned talking about myself.....and while I prattle on, you will listen.....oh yes.....you will listen to it aaaaaalllllll.....!!' category. Needless to say I do not feel like I belong with this group.
This realisation hit hard, but it was some time ago, and the acceptance phase has long since arrived. Depressing though I found it, finding someone who genuinely takes an interest in another person - a person who 'actively' listens and doesn't transparently feign it - becomes a rare and exciting occasion; and they do exist, even if you might need a pneumatic drill and night goggles to find them! I met just such a person today.
So what merits me devoting - and even titling - a blog post to Melanie? Well; extraordinary measures for an extraordinary woman.
Out of consideration for her confidentiality I cannot divulge how we met, but in an instant we were chatting; sharing life stories, sharing conversation which ranged from the inane childish giggling and outright laughter kind to the deeper serious kind. It was truly astonishing how it felt to talk to this person. Comfortable, easy, open, exciting. It was truly a mutual exchange. In a matter of seconds we had reached a level which some of my relationships have never and will never find. I got to know her so well in the brief time we had together, and had no qualms about letting her know me. It felt good; no, it felt great! I could have talked to her all day.
We even talked about the self-absorbed people of the world I mentioned above; an opinion we very much share. She is slightly behind me in the 'process' (realised, not yet acceptance) and whilst I am lucky enough to have a truly symbiotic (not parasitic) friendship; she - I think just as she was talking - realised that she did not have even one. For someone as lovely as this, that is monumentally sad.
In a fairytale world, this story would finish with me telling you that we exchanged phone numbers and agreed to meet up. I am sad to say that we didn't, and it is highly unlikely we will meet again. I can't elaborate on the reasons for not pursuing a relationship; nevertheless the reasons existed, and they were sound, mutual ones. Sorry to disappoint you dear reader!
To be honest, I was not disappointed. I am far too old to go loopy over someone during one conversation - too much sense for that these days - but I take comfort in who Melanie is, that I had the chance to meet her, and that I shared my story with someone who deserved, and really wanted to hear it.
And yes, it didn't do any harm that she was totally stunning on the outside aswell!!
She knows about this blog, and said that she might dip in and take a look at it. Who knows? She might be reading it right now?? If you are Mel; thank you, and this post is for you!
......87 days to go......
This realisation hit hard, but it was some time ago, and the acceptance phase has long since arrived. Depressing though I found it, finding someone who genuinely takes an interest in another person - a person who 'actively' listens and doesn't transparently feign it - becomes a rare and exciting occasion; and they do exist, even if you might need a pneumatic drill and night goggles to find them! I met just such a person today.
So what merits me devoting - and even titling - a blog post to Melanie? Well; extraordinary measures for an extraordinary woman.
Out of consideration for her confidentiality I cannot divulge how we met, but in an instant we were chatting; sharing life stories, sharing conversation which ranged from the inane childish giggling and outright laughter kind to the deeper serious kind. It was truly astonishing how it felt to talk to this person. Comfortable, easy, open, exciting. It was truly a mutual exchange. In a matter of seconds we had reached a level which some of my relationships have never and will never find. I got to know her so well in the brief time we had together, and had no qualms about letting her know me. It felt good; no, it felt great! I could have talked to her all day.
We even talked about the self-absorbed people of the world I mentioned above; an opinion we very much share. She is slightly behind me in the 'process' (realised, not yet acceptance) and whilst I am lucky enough to have a truly symbiotic (not parasitic) friendship; she - I think just as she was talking - realised that she did not have even one. For someone as lovely as this, that is monumentally sad.
In a fairytale world, this story would finish with me telling you that we exchanged phone numbers and agreed to meet up. I am sad to say that we didn't, and it is highly unlikely we will meet again. I can't elaborate on the reasons for not pursuing a relationship; nevertheless the reasons existed, and they were sound, mutual ones. Sorry to disappoint you dear reader!
To be honest, I was not disappointed. I am far too old to go loopy over someone during one conversation - too much sense for that these days - but I take comfort in who Melanie is, that I had the chance to meet her, and that I shared my story with someone who deserved, and really wanted to hear it.
And yes, it didn't do any harm that she was totally stunning on the outside aswell!!
She knows about this blog, and said that she might dip in and take a look at it. Who knows? She might be reading it right now?? If you are Mel; thank you, and this post is for you!
......87 days to go......
Wednesday 23 January 2013
Thank You For The Music - The Rusby and The Taylor!!! (part one)
Darting around much? Hey, it's my blog; if you don't like it then you can get stuffed....
(....please don't get stuffed, pleeeease don't leave me.....you're the only one that reads me.....if you leave then all there will be left is me....talking to myself......and the reason why I am writing this blog is to DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT from my normal life.......!)
Anyway, the reason for my dartage is that I don't think I gave music a fair crack of the whip when it came to subject of the month; Christmas just came along too quickly. For something that is SO important to me (he shall have music wherever he goes.....), there is unfinished business here; so I am hereby revisiting music as my subject of the month.
We've done the running elite list of songs, and we've even dipped into the makings of the legendary Toto song 'Africa'; for sure there has got to be an ultimate songs post where I give you (with the exception of ones already covered) those tracks which, at the lowest times of my life can inspire, and at the best times of my life....well....life doesn't get any better than that! Pretty much music for all seasons and all moods. For now however, this post is dedicated to two singers from two VERY different walks of life, two singers whose tracks - without exception, yes, even your duet with Ronan Keating Kate! - I will never EVER skip when they come-a-come-a-come-a-come-a-come-come through on my Ipod; namely James Taylor, and Kate Rusby. These two singers have marked time for me; in their songs and even more so in where I was and who I was with when I saw and heard them lives.
James Taylor
I confess that the first time I heard this fella it's safe to say it was not love at first hear. I was in my early teens, and when my brother played me one of his greatest hits there was not an earthly chance I was going to like it. He could have been in the room with me, singing his heart out, begging me for approval with his beseeching eyes, and I would still have been in just as much of a state of nonplussedness. Later on - when good sense prevailed - I learnt first to listen, then appreciate, then utterly love his work.
This man, the definitive singer-songwriter has a career which kicked of in the late 60's, and although physically rather different (hirsutedly!) over forty years later, you could go to one of his live concerts, close your eyes and be fooled that you are listening to the man then and not the man now. A truly extraordinary voice.
His songs are just as extraordinary. Most of us know 'You've Got A Friend' and what an emotional and deep song that really is (did you know that he didn't write that one; his friend Carol King wrote it, and in an incredible act of kindness gave it to him), but there are so many more stupendous tracks and if you limit yourself to this one you are truly missing out.........
'Well the sun is surely sinking down,
but the moon is slowly rising
so this old world must still be spinning round
and I still love you'
'Now there's only one road before me,
too many turns in the way,
thousands of things to do today,
billions of moments I must admit
but only one,
only one
you are my only one'
'Whenever I see your smilin' face,
I have to smile myself
because I love you!'
You know what else gets me about this man? The man himself. He has seen his fair share of struggle, and has had more than his fair share of off-the-rails action, but what we now get is a man who has been through the forest, come out the other end and is totally happy with the man he is. Whether it was with my sister, my brother (waving at him from across the concert hall) my best friend or my girlfriend; spending some time in the company of a man like this has been - and I hope will continue to be - a truly profound experience. He has this incredible knack of connecting with each and every member of the audience, and in sharing that connection it brought me closer to the person I went with (I hope you can understand that).
Sadly he will never read this, nevertheless I would still like to thank him for the music (listening to it right now in fact.....let's face it, I have to don't I?!!). It has brought happiness to my life, has been a source of strength and solace in my life, and I have had the chance to pass that happiness and Taylor-initiate others. Don't you ever, EVER stop touring!!!
sorry Kate, you'll have to wait (??!); forgot my power cable (laptop, I don't neeeeeeed onnnnnne.....) and I'm beeping like crazy........tomorrow I promise.....
........88 days to go......
(....please don't get stuffed, pleeeease don't leave me.....you're the only one that reads me.....if you leave then all there will be left is me....talking to myself......and the reason why I am writing this blog is to DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT from my normal life.......!)
Anyway, the reason for my dartage is that I don't think I gave music a fair crack of the whip when it came to subject of the month; Christmas just came along too quickly. For something that is SO important to me (he shall have music wherever he goes.....), there is unfinished business here; so I am hereby revisiting music as my subject of the month.
We've done the running elite list of songs, and we've even dipped into the makings of the legendary Toto song 'Africa'; for sure there has got to be an ultimate songs post where I give you (with the exception of ones already covered) those tracks which, at the lowest times of my life can inspire, and at the best times of my life....well....life doesn't get any better than that! Pretty much music for all seasons and all moods. For now however, this post is dedicated to two singers from two VERY different walks of life, two singers whose tracks - without exception, yes, even your duet with Ronan Keating Kate! - I will never EVER skip when they come-a-come-a-come-a-come-a-come-come through on my Ipod; namely James Taylor, and Kate Rusby. These two singers have marked time for me; in their songs and even more so in where I was and who I was with when I saw and heard them lives.
James Taylor
I confess that the first time I heard this fella it's safe to say it was not love at first hear. I was in my early teens, and when my brother played me one of his greatest hits there was not an earthly chance I was going to like it. He could have been in the room with me, singing his heart out, begging me for approval with his beseeching eyes, and I would still have been in just as much of a state of nonplussedness. Later on - when good sense prevailed - I learnt first to listen, then appreciate, then utterly love his work.
This man, the definitive singer-songwriter has a career which kicked of in the late 60's, and although physically rather different (hirsutedly!) over forty years later, you could go to one of his live concerts, close your eyes and be fooled that you are listening to the man then and not the man now. A truly extraordinary voice.
His songs are just as extraordinary. Most of us know 'You've Got A Friend' and what an emotional and deep song that really is (did you know that he didn't write that one; his friend Carol King wrote it, and in an incredible act of kindness gave it to him), but there are so many more stupendous tracks and if you limit yourself to this one you are truly missing out.........
'Well the sun is surely sinking down,
but the moon is slowly rising
so this old world must still be spinning round
and I still love you'
'Now there's only one road before me,
too many turns in the way,
thousands of things to do today,
billions of moments I must admit
but only one,
only one
you are my only one'
'Whenever I see your smilin' face,
I have to smile myself
because I love you!'
You know what else gets me about this man? The man himself. He has seen his fair share of struggle, and has had more than his fair share of off-the-rails action, but what we now get is a man who has been through the forest, come out the other end and is totally happy with the man he is. Whether it was with my sister, my brother (waving at him from across the concert hall) my best friend or my girlfriend; spending some time in the company of a man like this has been - and I hope will continue to be - a truly profound experience. He has this incredible knack of connecting with each and every member of the audience, and in sharing that connection it brought me closer to the person I went with (I hope you can understand that).
Sadly he will never read this, nevertheless I would still like to thank him for the music (listening to it right now in fact.....let's face it, I have to don't I?!!). It has brought happiness to my life, has been a source of strength and solace in my life, and I have had the chance to pass that happiness and Taylor-initiate others. Don't you ever, EVER stop touring!!!
sorry Kate, you'll have to wait (??!); forgot my power cable (laptop, I don't neeeeeeed onnnnnne.....) and I'm beeping like crazy........tomorrow I promise.....
........88 days to go......
Tuesday 22 January 2013
Weigh in (80)
In case you were suspicious as to the frequency of my weigh-ins, you have got a very, fully-fledged, sod of a good point. I promise you that hopping on the scales has been a regular part of my usual Friday night routine; the trouble is I haven't been posting about it quite so religiously, so this one is about last Friday's result. Hopefully by this Friday we will be back on schedule.
There are strange things happening at the moment; this time however I am not complaining - not one eensy weensy bit - as I'm now 15 stone 12 pounds! This represents a weight loss of 5 pounds?!!
Fear not, I am not going to get too carried away by this good news; much as I didn't get that hung up over last week's sixteen stone plus result. I have yet to work out what is going on though; maybe my physical self is still adjusting to the new routine that my mental self is starting to settle into? Another problem is that my weigh in times have not been exactly the same (last week was post-dinner yum-yums, this week was pre-yum-yum). Whether all, either, or none of the above I'm satisfied that this figure is more representative of where I am, and gives me a lot more hope in my ability to knock off the miles and of course the pounds in the coming months.
Positivity aside for a second - out of character though it may be - I am falling into a bit of a metphiorrical bear trap (no, not the one of not being able to spell). I am mentally thinking (I wrote that, and blimey it made me laugh....so I'm going to leave it in!) that as I am doing so more strenuous exercise at the moment, I can get away with eating, not bad; but certainly badder. Must cut this out; the training will certainly require more calories; but this is also an opportunity to really do some weight clobbering. The weekly routine needs a bit of fine-tuning (ironically it's the weekends when I'm back at home which are proving problematic; but a friend has given me some recipes involving pulses which are apparently super-healthy...love the fact that increasing my pulse intake helps reduce my pulse......chortle chortle.....), but I feel I am almost adjusted to it. Basically we are good to go. But I still have to 'go'!!
The snow is a blow this week, and it does worry me that the only likely exercise I will be getting this week will be the gym run on Sunday, with the possible addition of a swim on Saturday. It won't do my prospects of losing weight any good as those sessions don't come until after I've weighed in. Mind you, the weigh my wayt has been fluctuating of late, I might end up twelve and a half stone............
......and then I'll wake up and have my Rice Crispies......
.......89 days to go........
There are strange things happening at the moment; this time however I am not complaining - not one eensy weensy bit - as I'm now 15 stone 12 pounds! This represents a weight loss of 5 pounds?!!
Fear not, I am not going to get too carried away by this good news; much as I didn't get that hung up over last week's sixteen stone plus result. I have yet to work out what is going on though; maybe my physical self is still adjusting to the new routine that my mental self is starting to settle into? Another problem is that my weigh in times have not been exactly the same (last week was post-dinner yum-yums, this week was pre-yum-yum). Whether all, either, or none of the above I'm satisfied that this figure is more representative of where I am, and gives me a lot more hope in my ability to knock off the miles and of course the pounds in the coming months.
Positivity aside for a second - out of character though it may be - I am falling into a bit of a metphiorrical bear trap (no, not the one of not being able to spell). I am mentally thinking (I wrote that, and blimey it made me laugh....so I'm going to leave it in!) that as I am doing so more strenuous exercise at the moment, I can get away with eating, not bad; but certainly badder. Must cut this out; the training will certainly require more calories; but this is also an opportunity to really do some weight clobbering. The weekly routine needs a bit of fine-tuning (ironically it's the weekends when I'm back at home which are proving problematic; but a friend has given me some recipes involving pulses which are apparently super-healthy...love the fact that increasing my pulse intake helps reduce my pulse......chortle chortle.....), but I feel I am almost adjusted to it. Basically we are good to go. But I still have to 'go'!!
The snow is a blow this week, and it does worry me that the only likely exercise I will be getting this week will be the gym run on Sunday, with the possible addition of a swim on Saturday. It won't do my prospects of losing weight any good as those sessions don't come until after I've weighed in. Mind you, the weigh my wayt has been fluctuating of late, I might end up twelve and a half stone............
......and then I'll wake up and have my Rice Crispies......
.......89 days to go........
Monday 21 January 2013
Snnnnooooooooooooo!!!
Well that's but the kybosh on that! So far the north-west has dodged the heavy snow (makes a nice change for Manchester to be the exception and not the rule) but this mornings early curtain-opening ritual revealed a blanket of virgin snow, five inches deep.
Now that was a VERY interesting commute down to Stevenage!! One of those journeys when the tyrey wheels don't always do what the steery wheel is telling it to do.
Problems though, as there will be no road running this week I fear. The Valley Spartans are not meeting tonight, and it looks like tomorrow night isn't going to happen either. Damn it (that's a genuine, and not a mock sarcastic 'damn it!')! Don't tell me I'm going to have to find a gym in Stevenage too for when it snows down here? Hopefully this week will be the only problem week and we will be in full melty mode. If not then I can't afford to miss another week so I might seek out a 'trial period' (nudge winkey wink) at David Lloyd.
If he only knew.........but you're not going to tell on me are you?..........ARE YOU?!!!!!
Oh, and by the way......
.....90 days to go........
Now that was a VERY interesting commute down to Stevenage!! One of those journeys when the tyrey wheels don't always do what the steery wheel is telling it to do.
Problems though, as there will be no road running this week I fear. The Valley Spartans are not meeting tonight, and it looks like tomorrow night isn't going to happen either. Damn it (that's a genuine, and not a mock sarcastic 'damn it!')! Don't tell me I'm going to have to find a gym in Stevenage too for when it snows down here? Hopefully this week will be the only problem week and we will be in full melty mode. If not then I can't afford to miss another week so I might seek out a 'trial period' (nudge winkey wink) at David Lloyd.
If he only knew.........but you're not going to tell on me are you?..........ARE YOU?!!!!!
Oh, and by the way......
.....90 days to go........
Sunday 20 January 2013
91.........
.....days to go......(13 weeks!! what? can't you do your seven times tables?!!)
Passionate I may be about running, but even I am not daft enough to go out on the road in these conditions; so the treadmill beckoned for today's long run. Nine miles knocked off today, yay me!! I wouldn't say it was easy, but it never felt like I wasn't going to make it, even without the strategically placed towel to hide the km counter (doesn't make it any faster, but removes the temptation of constantly staring at the distance and willing it to speed up....... watched pot never boils........a watched mileometer (incidentally, for an equivalent gadget that measures km travelled, would that be kilometreometer?!! sounds so irish.....begorra begorra.....tbesure......tbesure......ahem.....oookayyy, digressing much....?) never reaches 9 miles.
I did sin tonight and have a Chinese. I need to be careful, as too many of them are slipping into the diet. There is a little voice which is telling me it's okay as I am now doing so much running; but if I eat sensibly as well the weight should fall off faster than a fally thing. Hopefully I'll have a careful week down in Stevenage - with a couple of runs? - and get back on track.......errr.....road.
4am start in the morning.......think of me.........!
Passionate I may be about running, but even I am not daft enough to go out on the road in these conditions; so the treadmill beckoned for today's long run. Nine miles knocked off today, yay me!! I wouldn't say it was easy, but it never felt like I wasn't going to make it, even without the strategically placed towel to hide the km counter (doesn't make it any faster, but removes the temptation of constantly staring at the distance and willing it to speed up....... watched pot never boils........a watched mileometer (incidentally, for an equivalent gadget that measures km travelled, would that be kilometreometer?!! sounds so irish.....begorra begorra.....tbesure......tbesure......ahem.....oookayyy, digressing much....?) never reaches 9 miles.
I did sin tonight and have a Chinese. I need to be careful, as too many of them are slipping into the diet. There is a little voice which is telling me it's okay as I am now doing so much running; but if I eat sensibly as well the weight should fall off faster than a fally thing. Hopefully I'll have a careful week down in Stevenage - with a couple of runs? - and get back on track.......errr.....road.
4am start in the morning.......think of me.........!
Saturday 19 January 2013
92........
......days to go.....
Crap!! Forgot to publish Saturday and Sunday's posts; had them all written out too.....honest!!
Still, I can fiddle the published date so it looks like I posted on time.....so it makes YOU feel daft for not noticing the new ones.....!
......and then I go and tell you what I'm doing.......here I sit in all my DOH!-ness.
Nice day today, popped to the pool for a quick 20 lengths, (20 lengths, 25mm pool...that makes..... errrrr.......carry the one......add the number you first thought of......a lot of metres!!). It's the first time I have been swimming for a looooong time, and for the guy who started out in the world of swimming as a snowball does in the world of hell, I don't do too bad. Plus the added bonus was that the water was lurrrrrrvely and warm; the perfect remedy for the sub-zero external temperatures.
Breast (don't be rude) is the usual stroke for me (and indeed for most people I would guess), but I do occasionally break into a front crawl...and no that's not after I get out of the pool on my way back to the changing rooms. All self-taught, and boy does it show! Although rarely attempted I can do a passable backstroke, with legs like mine I'm like a one-man outboard motor......unfortunately there are two major drawbacks when I attempt it....one is that the aforementioned outboard motor is rudderless, I have no sense of direction and can end up crashing into anything or anyone. The other is very technical, and may be a little too scientific for most of the non-swimmers amongst us (if that's the case then please skip this paragraph and move on to simpler concepts). In case you didn't know, with backstroke....YOU GO BACKWARDS AND YOU CAN'T SEE WHERE YOU ARE GOING!!! I am therefore (from about half a length in) constantly flopping around in a state of ruined technique in order to see how near the end of the length I am.....in perpetual fear of klonking head and/or arm and/or hand against concrete at high velocity. All in all, and for the sake and safety of all, a stroke best avoided.
On a more positive note, Butterfly is forward facing, and when I try it I go in a perfect straight line... .......diagonally..........down........
Anyway, it was a nice morning and made a nice change from the rigours of running. I admit I succumbed to a sausage sandwich for breakfast (if I said it was a Marks and Spencer café sausage sandwich, would that make it any more acceptable??), but other than that I was a good boy (at least, as good a boy as I am ever capable of being.....which let's face it.....isn't that good!!
Big run tomorrow, and with conditions being what they are I can't see me doing it on the road. Not been to the gym for a while and it's going to feel weird.
Eight miles or nine miles.........what do you think??
Crap!! Forgot to publish Saturday and Sunday's posts; had them all written out too.....honest!!
Still, I can fiddle the published date so it looks like I posted on time.....so it makes YOU feel daft for not noticing the new ones.....!
......and then I go and tell you what I'm doing.......here I sit in all my DOH!-ness.
Nice day today, popped to the pool for a quick 20 lengths, (20 lengths, 25mm pool...that makes..... errrrr.......carry the one......add the number you first thought of......a lot of metres!!). It's the first time I have been swimming for a looooong time, and for the guy who started out in the world of swimming as a snowball does in the world of hell, I don't do too bad. Plus the added bonus was that the water was lurrrrrrvely and warm; the perfect remedy for the sub-zero external temperatures.
Breast (don't be rude) is the usual stroke for me (and indeed for most people I would guess), but I do occasionally break into a front crawl...and no that's not after I get out of the pool on my way back to the changing rooms. All self-taught, and boy does it show! Although rarely attempted I can do a passable backstroke, with legs like mine I'm like a one-man outboard motor......unfortunately there are two major drawbacks when I attempt it....one is that the aforementioned outboard motor is rudderless, I have no sense of direction and can end up crashing into anything or anyone. The other is very technical, and may be a little too scientific for most of the non-swimmers amongst us (if that's the case then please skip this paragraph and move on to simpler concepts). In case you didn't know, with backstroke....YOU GO BACKWARDS AND YOU CAN'T SEE WHERE YOU ARE GOING!!! I am therefore (from about half a length in) constantly flopping around in a state of ruined technique in order to see how near the end of the length I am.....in perpetual fear of klonking head and/or arm and/or hand against concrete at high velocity. All in all, and for the sake and safety of all, a stroke best avoided.
On a more positive note, Butterfly is forward facing, and when I try it I go in a perfect straight line... .......diagonally..........down........
Anyway, it was a nice morning and made a nice change from the rigours of running. I admit I succumbed to a sausage sandwich for breakfast (if I said it was a Marks and Spencer café sausage sandwich, would that make it any more acceptable??), but other than that I was a good boy (at least, as good a boy as I am ever capable of being.....which let's face it.....isn't that good!!
Big run tomorrow, and with conditions being what they are I can't see me doing it on the road. Not been to the gym for a while and it's going to feel weird.
Eight miles or nine miles.........what do you think??
Weigh in (79)
You know how I said I was worried about this week's weigh in? Fearing it would show the result of some very VERY naughty eating over the last couple of weeks? Well, regretfully this is not where I say.....'and after all that, I am pleasantly surprised!!'......it is certainly a case of fear realisation. Weighed in at 16 stone 3 pounds, which actually constitutes a weight gain of 7 pounds??...in a week???
I am well aware that denial is not just a river in Africa, however I do smell a bit of a rodent here (and yes, these are clean sheets on my bed); half a stone in seven days?? It seems an unnaturally high gain. Nevertheless, this is the score on the scales and I have to accept it. Without doubt it's a blow; just as breaking the sixteen stone barrier going down was a significant step in the right direction, this is just as significant a step the wrong way.
There may be issues such as the fact I am weighing myself on a different day to the first 70 weigh ins, and further issues that I am weighing in on a non-exercise day (Tuesday weigh ins used to be immediately after a gym session). I am no expert but bodily things are sure to be slightly different. These are things not to be dwelt upon, what does need attention is what I am going to do now. The countdown has begun to London, and I don't fancy my feet's chances of training for let alone managing to run 26 miles with sixteen stones of lard on top of them.
So that previous schedule I had only a short while ago? that's already history. NO more full English breakfasts (I found out that porridge is on the hotel menu, that's the way to go.....can't wait to see the look on the waitress' face when I ask for it!!). Extra vigilance with my evening meals, and maintaining my exercise regime. If I can do all these things - particularly with the increasing road-running distances there is no reason why I can't re-break the sixteen stone mark next time, and crack on towards the next milestone.
The strange thing is, that I am still feeling good. Stamina levels are high (still not feeling too much fatigue at the Stevenage commute). The running is going well, and I am comfortably knocking off five miles after work. The seven mile Sunday run is a bit more tricky, but the hills are pretty brutal in and around chilly Ramsbottom. That's a good level at this stage, and if I can keep that regime going - adding a mile per week - I should be ready come April 21st. So it's not doom, and maybe only cause for a little teeny tiny bit of gloom.
I have to do two things here; first of all I need to accept the situation as it is, not moan about it; and secondly I need to back myself. I know if I execute the plan above (which, let's face it, has been pretty much the plan since this whole thing started) I will be fine; and I'm saying that with total conviction. No doubts.
93 days to go........
I am well aware that denial is not just a river in Africa, however I do smell a bit of a rodent here (and yes, these are clean sheets on my bed); half a stone in seven days?? It seems an unnaturally high gain. Nevertheless, this is the score on the scales and I have to accept it. Without doubt it's a blow; just as breaking the sixteen stone barrier going down was a significant step in the right direction, this is just as significant a step the wrong way.
There may be issues such as the fact I am weighing myself on a different day to the first 70 weigh ins, and further issues that I am weighing in on a non-exercise day (Tuesday weigh ins used to be immediately after a gym session). I am no expert but bodily things are sure to be slightly different. These are things not to be dwelt upon, what does need attention is what I am going to do now. The countdown has begun to London, and I don't fancy my feet's chances of training for let alone managing to run 26 miles with sixteen stones of lard on top of them.
So that previous schedule I had only a short while ago? that's already history. NO more full English breakfasts (I found out that porridge is on the hotel menu, that's the way to go.....can't wait to see the look on the waitress' face when I ask for it!!). Extra vigilance with my evening meals, and maintaining my exercise regime. If I can do all these things - particularly with the increasing road-running distances there is no reason why I can't re-break the sixteen stone mark next time, and crack on towards the next milestone.
The strange thing is, that I am still feeling good. Stamina levels are high (still not feeling too much fatigue at the Stevenage commute). The running is going well, and I am comfortably knocking off five miles after work. The seven mile Sunday run is a bit more tricky, but the hills are pretty brutal in and around chilly Ramsbottom. That's a good level at this stage, and if I can keep that regime going - adding a mile per week - I should be ready come April 21st. So it's not doom, and maybe only cause for a little teeny tiny bit of gloom.
I have to do two things here; first of all I need to accept the situation as it is, not moan about it; and secondly I need to back myself. I know if I execute the plan above (which, let's face it, has been pretty much the plan since this whole thing started) I will be fine; and I'm saying that with total conviction. No doubts.
93 days to go........
Friday 18 January 2013
94.......
......days to go....
Well, done my core training this evening (and no, I don't mean eating apples....it's something to do with exercises that strengthen the body for the rigours of running; unfortunately it also requires a good sense of balance....not one of my strong points) which considering tonight was my three hour journey home, was quite an achievement. It's not easy to overcome that slightly weird, shaky 'was I really in Stevenage this morning (and for that matter, in Cheltenham this afternoon....(long story))?', tired feeling, and get my shorts on to do push-ups, press-ups and Twister without the Twister mat. It feels like I've achieved something though. Yay me!
Tomorrow was going to be a ickle road run for a half hour or so, but with the impending doom of blizzard conditions it might have to be a gym trip instead. Shame that, as I am really starting to enjoy road running. It is much harder than running on a treadmill, but the personal achievement is all the stronger because of it.
What I love the most about jogging in the open air, is that it gets you free membership to the 'community of the run.' It's brilliant!! Although it is all still a bit new to me, the shared experience between joggers seems to instantly afford a kind of respect and even brief friendship; 'brief' meaning the time it takes for you to cross with them (or in my case, often the time it takes them to overtake me!). In the few moments it takes to say a slightly breathless 'hello', give a thumbs up and a smile, wave at the runner across the road, or yes; even occasionally share a 'horizontal five'; you are saying to each other 'we both know how hard it is to get motivated and get running, but we also know how good it feels......only we joggers know this.....safe onward journey fellow athlete!!' I'm looking forward to getting out there again.
To any runners who by chance might be running this, it is unlikely we will be waving, thumbs-upping or fiving in a horizontal fashion; but we are bound by unbroken ties.....and I say to you.....safe onward journey fellow athlete!!!!
Well, done my core training this evening (and no, I don't mean eating apples....it's something to do with exercises that strengthen the body for the rigours of running; unfortunately it also requires a good sense of balance....not one of my strong points) which considering tonight was my three hour journey home, was quite an achievement. It's not easy to overcome that slightly weird, shaky 'was I really in Stevenage this morning (and for that matter, in Cheltenham this afternoon....(long story))?', tired feeling, and get my shorts on to do push-ups, press-ups and Twister without the Twister mat. It feels like I've achieved something though. Yay me!
Tomorrow was going to be a ickle road run for a half hour or so, but with the impending doom of blizzard conditions it might have to be a gym trip instead. Shame that, as I am really starting to enjoy road running. It is much harder than running on a treadmill, but the personal achievement is all the stronger because of it.
What I love the most about jogging in the open air, is that it gets you free membership to the 'community of the run.' It's brilliant!! Although it is all still a bit new to me, the shared experience between joggers seems to instantly afford a kind of respect and even brief friendship; 'brief' meaning the time it takes for you to cross with them (or in my case, often the time it takes them to overtake me!). In the few moments it takes to say a slightly breathless 'hello', give a thumbs up and a smile, wave at the runner across the road, or yes; even occasionally share a 'horizontal five'; you are saying to each other 'we both know how hard it is to get motivated and get running, but we also know how good it feels......only we joggers know this.....safe onward journey fellow athlete!!' I'm looking forward to getting out there again.
To any runners who by chance might be running this, it is unlikely we will be waving, thumbs-upping or fiving in a horizontal fashion; but we are bound by unbroken ties.....and I say to you.....safe onward journey fellow athlete!!!!
Wednesday 16 January 2013
The Pledge
Well, it's so cold outside I saw a brass monkey hopping past me in the street, in floods of tears. It's January 16th, it's a Wednesday, it's a night that sees me sat on my hotel room bed - no running this evening - with 'Iron Man' on the TV (starting to know the script of that movie); nevertheless, it is a very special day. Wait......no.....I will see my very special day and raise me a very VERY special day!
The countdown has now, officially begun; 95 days to go to the London Marathon.
There will be a lot to do and say between now and 21st April; finalising my payment for the Great North run, launching sponsorship for London, blogposts on the power of words, as well as my philosophies on life, happiness, love and death, the new job, moving house (maybe!), not to mention the usual waffle about things that pop into my head (watch out for those, Adrian head poppage thoughts are not to be trifled with). There's the continuing adventure of getting fit and eating well; oh, and in case you had forgotten, there is the small matter of training my backside off for what will be - I don't think I exaggerate - the race of my life. It is sure to be a wild and emotional ride, one which I am confident will end in personal victory, but.....this is real life; there are no guarantees here. You know those movies where after the first five minutes you will know the entire plot, including the ending? This is not one of those movies!!
I recognise that I have not always been the most religious of bloggers over the last eighteen months; and in particular the last three. I have gone long periods without giving you lovely people any updates. Although not possessing a readership of millions, it is a commitment which I take seriously. So here is what I'm going to do; here is my pledge to you my loyal friends.
For the next 95 days, every day without fail, all the way up to the morning of the London Marathon, I will post. It may not always be particularly verbose, it may at times consist of only a few words (is that classed as a tweet? whatever that is!!); such as possibly 'I'm knackered' (after all this, I probably won't say it, but just take it as read that I am; especially after the long Sunday run!) but I promise, you will hear from me.
I am very very nervous. Nervous about getting my weight down to a level that is not going to wreck my legs if I run 26 miles, nervous about getting my fitness up to a level that is not going to wreck my chances of finishing the race, nervous of an injury wrecking my chances of starting the race. 95 days is both a long and frighteningly short time. Thinking of it as a quarter of a year puts it on the distant horizon, thinking of when I began this journey back in June 2011 it feels like the homeward stretch. Focus, focus, focus; control what I am doing now, don't be seduced by the future, and in the best traditions of 'Dad's Army'....don't panic!!!!
Come join me........
The countdown has now, officially begun; 95 days to go to the London Marathon.
There will be a lot to do and say between now and 21st April; finalising my payment for the Great North run, launching sponsorship for London, blogposts on the power of words, as well as my philosophies on life, happiness, love and death, the new job, moving house (maybe!), not to mention the usual waffle about things that pop into my head (watch out for those, Adrian head poppage thoughts are not to be trifled with). There's the continuing adventure of getting fit and eating well; oh, and in case you had forgotten, there is the small matter of training my backside off for what will be - I don't think I exaggerate - the race of my life. It is sure to be a wild and emotional ride, one which I am confident will end in personal victory, but.....this is real life; there are no guarantees here. You know those movies where after the first five minutes you will know the entire plot, including the ending? This is not one of those movies!!
I recognise that I have not always been the most religious of bloggers over the last eighteen months; and in particular the last three. I have gone long periods without giving you lovely people any updates. Although not possessing a readership of millions, it is a commitment which I take seriously. So here is what I'm going to do; here is my pledge to you my loyal friends.
For the next 95 days, every day without fail, all the way up to the morning of the London Marathon, I will post. It may not always be particularly verbose, it may at times consist of only a few words (is that classed as a tweet? whatever that is!!); such as possibly 'I'm knackered' (after all this, I probably won't say it, but just take it as read that I am; especially after the long Sunday run!) but I promise, you will hear from me.
I am very very nervous. Nervous about getting my weight down to a level that is not going to wreck my legs if I run 26 miles, nervous about getting my fitness up to a level that is not going to wreck my chances of finishing the race, nervous of an injury wrecking my chances of starting the race. 95 days is both a long and frighteningly short time. Thinking of it as a quarter of a year puts it on the distant horizon, thinking of when I began this journey back in June 2011 it feels like the homeward stretch. Focus, focus, focus; control what I am doing now, don't be seduced by the future, and in the best traditions of 'Dad's Army'....don't panic!!!!
Come join me........
Tuesday 15 January 2013
Weigh in (78)
I think things are reaching a bit of a routine...and not before time. Still commuting to Stevenage once a week (as if anyone would do it twice?!!), but am slowly managing to gain control of both exercise and nutrition; you might not think it by what I am still eating, but things were so out of control over the last month that there is going to be a bit of an odyssey (that's posh word for 'journey'....just call me 'Thesaurus Man!!!' to get back on the path of the straight, narrow and righteous (hey, spelled that right first time....result!!). The plan of action which I will run up the flagpole and see who salutes it before checking we are all singing from the same songsheet.............is.......
Monday
So why is it so important to get back into a habit? It's simple...I'm not exercising enough, and I'm not eating well enough. Everything has been far too erot..(chance would be a fine thing)....errr.....erratic and I need to take hold of both what I'm doing and what I'm scoffing. The deadline for the marathon is not getting further away - funny that - and I don't want to be in the 15 stones when it comes along.
Which brings me to the bad news of another pound on.....leaving me at 15 stone 10 pounds.
To be honest I am less worried about this, and more worried about a backlash from the dodgy eating of the last few weeks. I am prepared for delayed reaction bad news as - knowing what I have been eating - I do not think this is one bullet I will be able to dodge come next weigh in. Brace yourselves....
Putting weight on is not good news, but as long as plans are in place to ensure I can reverse the trend then all is far from lost; and that is what I have done. The week schedule should work, and my training plan leading up to THE BIG ONE is ready to rock. All I have to do is stick to them..........
Monday
- early start (4am) with a bagel or toast before leaving
- cup-a-soup at work for lunch
- beginners running group with the Spartans
- healthy-type Subway (they do exist!)
- hotel breakfast, cereal, beans on toast
- cup-a-soup at work for lunch
- longer run with the Spartans (in the slowest group but planning to move up)
- some creative purchasing from the supermarket....I know it's not ideal but instant mash and tuna does taste really nice....might even bring something with me from up t'north
- hotel breakfast, tempted to have the one full English and see if I can get away with it
- cup-a-soup at work for lunch
- no running, rest day
- eating in the hotel restaurant, should be able to pick a healthy option...no pudding....one beer
- hotel breakfast, toast and cereal
- cup-a-soup at work for lunch
- core strength training back at home; push, sit - and afterwards - try and get - ups
- something on toast
- back at home, porridge for breakfast
- tinned soup for lunch
- light run for about half an hour or so, or badminton social night
- proper healthy tea (cooking enough for the weekend)
- possible swim in the morning if I don't have anything on (skinny dipping??!!)
- porridge brekkie
- light lunch
- rest day from running
- more healthy tea (remainder of the pan of 'stuff' from Friday)
- porridge brekkie
- the all important and ever increasing long run!
- light lunch
- might weaken and have a Chinese
- early night for the early Monday morning start!
So why is it so important to get back into a habit? It's simple...I'm not exercising enough, and I'm not eating well enough. Everything has been far too erot..(chance would be a fine thing)....errr.....erratic and I need to take hold of both what I'm doing and what I'm scoffing. The deadline for the marathon is not getting further away - funny that - and I don't want to be in the 15 stones when it comes along.
Which brings me to the bad news of another pound on.....leaving me at 15 stone 10 pounds.
To be honest I am less worried about this, and more worried about a backlash from the dodgy eating of the last few weeks. I am prepared for delayed reaction bad news as - knowing what I have been eating - I do not think this is one bullet I will be able to dodge come next weigh in. Brace yourselves....
Putting weight on is not good news, but as long as plans are in place to ensure I can reverse the trend then all is far from lost; and that is what I have done. The week schedule should work, and my training plan leading up to THE BIG ONE is ready to rock. All I have to do is stick to them..........
Monday 7 January 2013
Should Aaaaall The Quentins Beeeeee Forgot.....
I have no idea why, at new year, Quentins are so vilified; why must we forget them? I confess that with the exception of that semi-well-known uncle of three of the Famous Five (father of the fourth, the fifth.....well, it's a dog!) I know none, but asides from locking himself regularly in his study I do not see this limited evidence as sufficient to cast him from my mind as the Big Ben bongs bong (is it me or does that sound like the stage name for a Chinese wrestler?). Anyway, Quentins - uncle and otherwise - aside; here we are in 2013, and life is slowly getting back to.....well......as normal as it can for me!
On reflection this has been one of the best Christmasses; and of my adult life, probably THE best. Whatever we did this year, I would be more than happy for a repeat performance in future years. I think the aforementioned success is down to a number of reasons. From a practical perspective we managed to crack on with the Christmas preparations - decorations, food shopping, present buying and wrapping etc - good and early. It did create a few mad days early on, but the loss of pressure to get them done as December 25th loomed large on the horizon was palpable. It created free time for us all to decompress, just being; being together, being lazy, being relaxed. In previous years we were either running round the house doing last minute 'stuff', or sat down with ants in our pants worrying about all the stuff we still had to do; the definitive recipe for war on earth. This year we gave peace a chance. Thank heavens!
I think Christmas was so much more special for me this year because as well as the usual light-hearted frivolity; it also served as a blessed escape of tradition from the heavy life changes of the last few months. For a week and a half I could forget about commuting to Stevenage, the hotelling, the new job; I could even forget a little about the marathon. It felt nice to just 'park it' for a while and enjoy the comfort of a coal fire, a Christmas tree, Christmas stockings, Christmas morning bacon butties and bucks fizz, presents given and received, turkey and bread sauce (don't get me started on that one); basically, in short.....fun! Presents were excellent too; no surprises for guessing that mine consisted mainly of clothes (the previous wardrobe was making me look more and more like the boy from the closing scenes of 'Big'!); lots of designer labels......and no, I don't mean 'George at Asda' and 'Gladys at Primark'.
Post Christmas was nice and quiet too, with the exception of a rather raucous party celebrating the fiftieth birthday of the chairman of our badminton club (not mentioning any names........Chris McManus) resulting in an extremely late night/early morning a few days before new years (one point of note was someone who had not seen me for a year not recognising the new, four stone lighter me....smug smile smug smile smug smile). Then came new years eve.....
I've had some good new year nights (glass of sherry with the family, sat snuggled with my girlfriend so much that we missed midnight) and I've had some great new year evenings (lovely roast chicken followed by sharing midnight with my best friend, Billy Crystal (just to make it clear, Billy Crystal is not my best friend, not so much as a passing acquaintance) and Meg Ryan.....got you curious now ain't?!!). I know a lot of people who 'don't like new year's eve'; not sure why; are they scared of the year to come? For me, I enjoy it. I am always encouraged by the hope that - after a tough year - things might get better, or by the hope that - after a good year - things will continue on the up; I guess that's just me thinking positive again eh? This year however, the feeling has been amplified somehow; I found myself looking back on what has been an amazing year of achievement for me, while at the same time bolstered, excited, and hopeful that the greatest accomplishments may well be yet to come. Okay; this time next year I could be out of a job, nineteen and a half stone, and nursing the injury that saw this whole dream fall apart, but I truly hope that I can be enjoying the 2013/14 transition with a glass of sherry in my hand, stable and secure career behind and ahead of me, fourteen stone something-ish, and staring at my collection of medals......the Great Manchester Run 2012, the Great North Run 2012, and the London Marathon, 2013.
So whatever your resolution may be my friends; whatever you are hoping for, whatever you are striving for, be with me in truthfully and with conviction saying these words......
"2013.....this will be my year."
On reflection this has been one of the best Christmasses; and of my adult life, probably THE best. Whatever we did this year, I would be more than happy for a repeat performance in future years. I think the aforementioned success is down to a number of reasons. From a practical perspective we managed to crack on with the Christmas preparations - decorations, food shopping, present buying and wrapping etc - good and early. It did create a few mad days early on, but the loss of pressure to get them done as December 25th loomed large on the horizon was palpable. It created free time for us all to decompress, just being; being together, being lazy, being relaxed. In previous years we were either running round the house doing last minute 'stuff', or sat down with ants in our pants worrying about all the stuff we still had to do; the definitive recipe for war on earth. This year we gave peace a chance. Thank heavens!
I think Christmas was so much more special for me this year because as well as the usual light-hearted frivolity; it also served as a blessed escape of tradition from the heavy life changes of the last few months. For a week and a half I could forget about commuting to Stevenage, the hotelling, the new job; I could even forget a little about the marathon. It felt nice to just 'park it' for a while and enjoy the comfort of a coal fire, a Christmas tree, Christmas stockings, Christmas morning bacon butties and bucks fizz, presents given and received, turkey and bread sauce (don't get me started on that one); basically, in short.....fun! Presents were excellent too; no surprises for guessing that mine consisted mainly of clothes (the previous wardrobe was making me look more and more like the boy from the closing scenes of 'Big'!); lots of designer labels......and no, I don't mean 'George at Asda' and 'Gladys at Primark'.
Post Christmas was nice and quiet too, with the exception of a rather raucous party celebrating the fiftieth birthday of the chairman of our badminton club (not mentioning any names........Chris McManus) resulting in an extremely late night/early morning a few days before new years (one point of note was someone who had not seen me for a year not recognising the new, four stone lighter me....smug smile smug smile smug smile). Then came new years eve.....
I've had some good new year nights (glass of sherry with the family, sat snuggled with my girlfriend so much that we missed midnight) and I've had some great new year evenings (lovely roast chicken followed by sharing midnight with my best friend, Billy Crystal (just to make it clear, Billy Crystal is not my best friend, not so much as a passing acquaintance) and Meg Ryan.....got you curious now ain't?!!). I know a lot of people who 'don't like new year's eve'; not sure why; are they scared of the year to come? For me, I enjoy it. I am always encouraged by the hope that - after a tough year - things might get better, or by the hope that - after a good year - things will continue on the up; I guess that's just me thinking positive again eh? This year however, the feeling has been amplified somehow; I found myself looking back on what has been an amazing year of achievement for me, while at the same time bolstered, excited, and hopeful that the greatest accomplishments may well be yet to come. Okay; this time next year I could be out of a job, nineteen and a half stone, and nursing the injury that saw this whole dream fall apart, but I truly hope that I can be enjoying the 2013/14 transition with a glass of sherry in my hand, stable and secure career behind and ahead of me, fourteen stone something-ish, and staring at my collection of medals......the Great Manchester Run 2012, the Great North Run 2012, and the London Marathon, 2013.
So whatever your resolution may be my friends; whatever you are hoping for, whatever you are striving for, be with me in truthfully and with conviction saying these words......
"2013.....this will be my year."