Well what can I say, these past few weeks have been a mixture of frustration, disappointment, desperation and finally some joy.
For reasons I can't go into (I've already been reminded my previous contract included a confidentiality clause, how very 007) I found myself looking for a new job. So after 8 weeks of indecision and upheaval I was available for hire. Fortunately, fate was on my side this time, and after 2 days looking at various online recruitment sites, and updating of CV's etc, a great opportunity fell in my lap, I was interviewd on day 3 (Wednesday), offered the job the same afternoon and started the following Monday. That was almost 3 weeks ago now, and I'm really enjoying it. The commute on the bike is slightly longer, but I rarely took the direct route to the old place anyway, the people seem really nice - friendly, down to earth and enjoy a laugh.
One upshot is that I will need to reassess my charity ride - the route has definitely got to change, I can't see the point of visiting places where I used to work, and the date will have to change too - late April is unrealistic given I've only been riding regularly again for 3 weeks. No definite decisions yet though.
And that is it for now. Need to keep something back for tomorrows blog don't I?
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Todays weigh in.
Pleasing result this morning, 2 milestones reached. I now weigh 13 stone 13.2lbs, so 3 lost this week. That means I've broke the 14 stone barrier, and now lost my first half a stone. I wasn't feeling overly confident to be honest because despite my big ride I'd eaten a fair bit of party food this week. We had the in-laws over Wednesday (the day of his birthday), then there was the party yesterday with his school friends (which I survived by the way, and everyone seemed to have lots of fun), and today my folks are coming over so it's party number 3.
The body doesn't feel too bad after Fridays exertion's, knee hurts a bit, back still sore, but it was sore before so that's not because of the riding. Apart from that, no complaints.
Time to go and make myself decent, everyone should be here in 5 minutes. Fingers crossed the house is still standing when they've gone!!
The body doesn't feel too bad after Fridays exertion's, knee hurts a bit, back still sore, but it was sore before so that's not because of the riding. Apart from that, no complaints.
Time to go and make myself decent, everyone should be here in 5 minutes. Fingers crossed the house is still standing when they've gone!!
Friday, 5 February 2010
The Big 5 0 (a long story, be warned)
No, it's not my birthday, although it's only 8 weeks away, hint hint. Even then, I will definitely NOT be 50, another 7 years before I hit that milestone.
No, today I managed my first ever 50 mile ride, and on the new bike too.
I headed for Warwick first, and at around 15 miles there is a turning I normally take if I'm doing my 30 mile ride, which loops me back home through lovely country lanes. I have to confess, I spent a lot of time pondering if I should just do the 30 mile route today, after all, I haven't done a lot of riding lately. However, as wise a move as that might have been, I carried straight on and headed for Warwick.
Once in Warwick the plan was to head to Stratford Upon Avon then head home, however I realised that I hadn't actually looked at the map for weeks - I'd initially thought about doing this weeks and weeks ago but with one thing or another it never happened, so I was now in the centre of Warwick with my inbuilt "Man Sat Nav" to guide me!! I could recall that Stratford was on the right of Warwick on the map, so I headed right, past Warwick Castle and some fantastic Tudor buildings, and towards countryside. A mile or 2 later there was an island and some signposts, and sure enough I was heading in the right direction.
So I joined the A46 and pedalled onwards and upwards - quite a lot of upwards actually, but I was doing OK, although by now I was feeling a bit saddle sore, so any downhill bit, no matter how gentle, I took the opportunity to freewheel and stand on my pedals for a bit of relief. I didn't realise how far Stratford was from Warwick, they look quite close on the map, but by now there really was no turning back.
When I got close to Stratford I followed the signs for the town centre, thinking I'll get there then look for the signs for Brum. Which is exactly what I did, then found myself pedalling for a mile or 2 on the road I'd just ridden into Stratford, sods law I think that's called.
So I'm now on the home leg, and although I had a drink I had no snacks with me, and I was feeling peckish, but I'd forgotten my wallet and only had £1.42 in my rucksack. No worries, I'll see what I can get with that, if I can find a little shop. Well, did I come across a shop, oh no. And then I got pretty wet in a shower, surrounded by blue sky, one rouge grey cloud targeted me quite unnecessarily. It was 6 miles before I stumbled on a proper oasis in Wootton Wawen. A shop with loads of damaged and out of date goods outside at knock down prices, so I got a lot for my £1.40 I can tell you. Mini Hob Nobs (x 2), bottle of Lucozade and a packet of nuts, which I devoured like a man who hadn't eaten in days :-)
After that 10 minute break it was back on the bike, the rest of the journey was straightforward enough, although my left calf was starting to cramp up, and my neck ached (the posture on the road bike is different to the mountain bike, that should get easier though), the uphills were really painful, I resorted to getting out of the saddle for those, oh and my knees ached. But apart from that, totally straightforward.
I'm now completely knackered, but showered, warm and dry, we'll see how the body is tomorrow. My sons 5th birthday party tomorrow, him plus 11 mates at the local bowling alley, should be fun. If I survive I'll post an update.
No, today I managed my first ever 50 mile ride, and on the new bike too.
I headed for Warwick first, and at around 15 miles there is a turning I normally take if I'm doing my 30 mile ride, which loops me back home through lovely country lanes. I have to confess, I spent a lot of time pondering if I should just do the 30 mile route today, after all, I haven't done a lot of riding lately. However, as wise a move as that might have been, I carried straight on and headed for Warwick.
Once in Warwick the plan was to head to Stratford Upon Avon then head home, however I realised that I hadn't actually looked at the map for weeks - I'd initially thought about doing this weeks and weeks ago but with one thing or another it never happened, so I was now in the centre of Warwick with my inbuilt "Man Sat Nav" to guide me!! I could recall that Stratford was on the right of Warwick on the map, so I headed right, past Warwick Castle and some fantastic Tudor buildings, and towards countryside. A mile or 2 later there was an island and some signposts, and sure enough I was heading in the right direction.
So I joined the A46 and pedalled onwards and upwards - quite a lot of upwards actually, but I was doing OK, although by now I was feeling a bit saddle sore, so any downhill bit, no matter how gentle, I took the opportunity to freewheel and stand on my pedals for a bit of relief. I didn't realise how far Stratford was from Warwick, they look quite close on the map, but by now there really was no turning back.
When I got close to Stratford I followed the signs for the town centre, thinking I'll get there then look for the signs for Brum. Which is exactly what I did, then found myself pedalling for a mile or 2 on the road I'd just ridden into Stratford, sods law I think that's called.
So I'm now on the home leg, and although I had a drink I had no snacks with me, and I was feeling peckish, but I'd forgotten my wallet and only had £1.42 in my rucksack. No worries, I'll see what I can get with that, if I can find a little shop. Well, did I come across a shop, oh no. And then I got pretty wet in a shower, surrounded by blue sky, one rouge grey cloud targeted me quite unnecessarily. It was 6 miles before I stumbled on a proper oasis in Wootton Wawen. A shop with loads of damaged and out of date goods outside at knock down prices, so I got a lot for my £1.40 I can tell you. Mini Hob Nobs (x 2), bottle of Lucozade and a packet of nuts, which I devoured like a man who hadn't eaten in days :-)
After that 10 minute break it was back on the bike, the rest of the journey was straightforward enough, although my left calf was starting to cramp up, and my neck ached (the posture on the road bike is different to the mountain bike, that should get easier though), the uphills were really painful, I resorted to getting out of the saddle for those, oh and my knees ached. But apart from that, totally straightforward.
I'm now completely knackered, but showered, warm and dry, we'll see how the body is tomorrow. My sons 5th birthday party tomorrow, him plus 11 mates at the local bowling alley, should be fun. If I survive I'll post an update.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Another small step in the right diection.
Weighed in this morning at 14 stone, 2.2lbs, so another pound off. Better off than on though, right?
Plus, I had a little ride on the new bike this afternoon, probably only 3 or 4 miles, but the first time I've been on her since the day I bought her, and my first ride in days. Weather and back permitting I hope to do at least one serious ride this week. I hurt my back doing some digging down the allottment Thursday last week, and I've been in real pain since. Taking the anti-imflammatories and doing some stretches to help, but not a lot better yet. Suffered with back pain for years though, so I know it'll be ok eventually. Just not what I needed right now though.
Short and sweet, but that's all for now.
Plus, I had a little ride on the new bike this afternoon, probably only 3 or 4 miles, but the first time I've been on her since the day I bought her, and my first ride in days. Weather and back permitting I hope to do at least one serious ride this week. I hurt my back doing some digging down the allottment Thursday last week, and I've been in real pain since. Taking the anti-imflammatories and doing some stretches to help, but not a lot better yet. Suffered with back pain for years though, so I know it'll be ok eventually. Just not what I needed right now though.
Short and sweet, but that's all for now.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Has it really been 2 weeks since my last post?
I knew I'd neglected the old blog but didn't realise it was a full 2 weeks since I last posted - I have been very distracted with a number of different "issues" so haven't had the time, or, to be honest, the motivation to sit here and share my woes.
Bike rides have been very minimal and gym visits nigh on non-existant - However, on a positive note I have been eating well and weighing myself every Sunday morning and can announce the following results.
10th Jan - First weigh in - 14 stone 7.8lbs
17th Jan - 2nd weigh in - 14 stone 5.2lbs **2.6lbs LOST**
24th Jan - 3rd weigh in - 14 stone 3.2lbs **2lbs LOST**
So, although my rides have petered out somewhat, at least when I get back on the bike I'll be lighter than before. I know it's not even 5 pounds, but I really need to look on the bright side right now!!
Bike rides have been very minimal and gym visits nigh on non-existant - However, on a positive note I have been eating well and weighing myself every Sunday morning and can announce the following results.
10th Jan - First weigh in - 14 stone 7.8lbs
17th Jan - 2nd weigh in - 14 stone 5.2lbs **2.6lbs LOST**
24th Jan - 3rd weigh in - 14 stone 3.2lbs **2lbs LOST**
So, although my rides have petered out somewhat, at least when I get back on the bike I'll be lighter than before. I know it's not even 5 pounds, but I really need to look on the bright side right now!!
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
As Hannibal Smith would say....
"I love it when a plan comes together"
As I mentioned yesterday the plan was to get in early enough to do a session in the gym before work, and then again after, and that's just what I did.
Both times I did a half hour on the excercise bike, just on level 7 (not sure what level it goes up to, but a lot higher than 7 I'm sure), but again keeping the RPM above the 100 mark.
AM - 9.9 miles giving a speed of 19.9 mph
PM - 10.5 miles giving a speed of 21.18 mph
Throw in the 3.5 miles each way commute, and that gives a daily total of 27.4 miles. Plus about 40 pages of my book, so excercising the brain too!! Pleased to report I have resisted all chocolates and biscuits today again (I did have some chocs yesterday, but I was restrained by my standards). Someone brought some ginger nuts in today, the one biscuit I don't like, so they were easy to leave alone, but the Celebrations are still open so there was an element of discipline involved.
Who's Hannibal Smith did I hear you ask?
That was a clip from The A Team by the way :-)
Monday, 11 January 2010
Another week, another workout.
Roads still too risky to chance anything other than the direct 3.5 mile route to work, plus I'm on the early shift this week - 8am - 4pm, hardly the earliest of shifts, but earlier than the usual 9-5 so technically it is the early shift, OK? :-), but that means darkness on the way, so no point taking any unnecessary risks, especially as I have access to the gym.
Popped in for 15 minutes this morning, and managed a 1 mile run on the treadmill in 10 minutes (1.83 km actually, but I'm not going to brag about that extra 0.13 of a mile), then popped in again after work and did another 3 circuits on the weights, but slightly modified the routine again.
First circuit, weights on level 5, 20 reps.
variety of Ab excercises & flexibility excercises
1 mile on the bike, level 14, minimum 100 RPM
Second set as above, but weights dropped to level 4 and 30 reps.
Third and final set the weights were dropped to level 3 and I did 50 reps, no bike this time - apart from the 3.5 mile ride home of course, which I managed to do at a pretty high RPM again, which surprised me.
I'm organized this evening, so in the morning I can make a quick getaway, and hopefully have a minimum 30 minutes on the excercise bike tomorrow morning, and again after work. That's the plan anyway.
Oh, failed in my first ever ebay bid yesterday, I was after a cheap mountain bike to see me through the bad weather, but was gazumped at the last second. Will keep looking.
Popped in for 15 minutes this morning, and managed a 1 mile run on the treadmill in 10 minutes (1.83 km actually, but I'm not going to brag about that extra 0.13 of a mile), then popped in again after work and did another 3 circuits on the weights, but slightly modified the routine again.
First circuit, weights on level 5, 20 reps.
variety of Ab excercises & flexibility excercises
1 mile on the bike, level 14, minimum 100 RPM
Second set as above, but weights dropped to level 4 and 30 reps.
Third and final set the weights were dropped to level 3 and I did 50 reps, no bike this time - apart from the 3.5 mile ride home of course, which I managed to do at a pretty high RPM again, which surprised me.
I'm organized this evening, so in the morning I can make a quick getaway, and hopefully have a minimum 30 minutes on the excercise bike tomorrow morning, and again after work. That's the plan anyway.
Oh, failed in my first ever ebay bid yesterday, I was after a cheap mountain bike to see me through the bad weather, but was gazumped at the last second. Will keep looking.
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