A week of curry

Just back from a few days working in India, so multiple curries and no exercise at all has been the order of the day.  Seems that I may have brought a little intestinal present back with me, so this may be another weekend off - which will be the longest I've done nothing for ages.

Back to it this week hopefully - possibly a quick blast on the bike if my insides'll let me, and maybe a run round the ressie with Lily later.  She's in the N Yorks county xc finals, so needs to be on tip top form by the end of the month.  I like to think that our one lap of the reservoir with the dog last weekend had something to do with her third place in the area finals...

It's been ages!

Sorry, occasional blog-readers - been a bit busy.  Firstly with sone skiing (it was awesome, apart from the losing Lily bits, which were a bit scary).  M & L proved to be excellent skiers and had a brilliant time.  Both of them managed a series of red runs and on our last day they both got down a black run.  Now given that lots of people spend years getting up the courage to even look over the edge of something with black lollipops down it, I think that the girls done good (even if it was pretty benign).

Me and Arr had some fun on a few steeps and powdery bits, so you could definitely say I'm "keen on skiing" again.

Since we've got back I've eased myself back into stuff - a few runs each week, the occasional bike commute, and a desperately cold 50 miler with the club last weekend.  Tomorrow's my "putting something back" day when I'm going to lead the C group - but all the way I shall be thinking of my new bike that I've ordered from Germany that I'll be riding this summer.

Roll on April...

Well that was January (and a bit of February)

A month on from my new year resolution to get fit, and what's happened.

Well I've stuck with it.  I've only had one rest day a week, if that, and have cycled into work once a week.  I've been to the track and I've started running off road (a bit).  I've hardly drunk any beer and I've eaten properly.  And I've eaten tons of fruit.  Oh the fruit...

I ran for 88 miles and I cycled for 270.  I did three spin classes.  Like a girl.

Not sure if I've actually lost any weight but whatever weight I am has moved about - trousers that were a tad tight are now a perfect fit.  I feel far fitter on the bike, and have toasted The Herb up some hills a few times.

I'm starting to enjoy feeling fitter again, which is a good sign - but as I said last time February's going to be a challenge.  Edinburgh this weekend to see Stuart Lancaster's new look England take on the Scots, where pies and beer will be consumed.  The back to it next week, but two nights away including dinner with some journalists (finishes at 9 though, so hopefully a sober night).  Then off to Morzine - given how much your legs hurt when skiing I'm assuming it does you some good, but I think I'm going to take my spiky things and maybe get at least one run in, if only a couple of miles.  But again - beer will be drunk.

Then it's back home and back to work, but the following weekend K and I are off to Keswick for our anniversary.  I have a pass out for a run up Skiddaw (which I've never been up) and I'm wondering if I might manage a swift ride up Whinlatter and back, but that might be pushing it.

Key objectives for the opportunities I do have will be to get a longer run in each week.  Once I'm back from France I should hopefully be able to do something longer after work - maybe a run home once in a while.  Bike miles will also be tricky, so I might have to try and get the motivation to add a few extras in on the way home from work once it gets a bit lighter too.

I started Feb with a very steady four miler after work in the dark last night, then tonight, despite a few cry offs (Hinsley, The Herb and Sue) Rob T and his daughter Sophie came along.  Rob took over Sue's mantle by kicking my arse, but he did spur me on to a slightly quicker pace than of late.  We did 6x800m off 200m recoveries - my reps were 3:01, 2:58, 2:58, 3:00, 2:59 and 2:53 - pretty happy with those despite Rob disappearing further into the distance every lap!

And soon it'll be March!  I have entered the Coniston 14 in March, so whilst I won't expect to set the world on fire respectability might be nice.

Another chilly week

It seems to have been blimmin' chilly for about a week now, but to be honest give me cold and still over warm and windy any day.

Last week panned out pretty much as planned - firstly a bimble round Hyde Park, which turned out to be decidedly brisk.  There was some sort of time trial/race going on, so all the usual iPod laden joggers had been replaced by gnarly looking dudes, some of whom were in vests and shorts.  I was miling at low 7's (and below 7's by the end) and was overtaken by about half a dozen guys all looking steely eyed and determined.  Still, got me back in time for the footy.

The Thursday saw me and the Herb, along with our new training bud Sue, at the track for a slightly longer efforts session than of late.  A decent warm up then 5x1k off 200's.  Sue's first time on the track, and as expected she gave us a mild kicking - lapping probably 3-5 seconds quicker than me (and a lot quicker than Herb who was suffering a bit and looked even more Forrest Gump than usual).  My reps were all between 3:45 and 3:50, which is respectable, but not the 3:35's I was running a couple of years ago - still, not bad and there's more to come I'm sure.

Steady 4m Friday, then Saturday saw me and the girls at Cas for our last practice session in the big fridge before Morzine in a couple of weeks.  It's great to see how far they've come, especially Lily who had effectively never skied before.  She's verging on the "overconfident" so it'll be interesting to see how she goes over there.  Maisie is more in control, so I think she'll cope better when it steepens up.

Sunday I'd planned to go out with the club on the long training ride, so drove down to Ilkley instead of riding, but a change of plan (well a lack of a clear one, really) meant I went with the usual group instead.  Having driven down, of course I'd managed to forget helmet and battery, so a helmet less, lightless ride was had over to Kirby Overblow and back via Castley - a nice 40 miles in perfect, if slightly icy conditions.

Today was back to work, and all the systems conked out, so The Newmanator and Bobby T set off for a Reverse Tomes.  The problem with Rob is that even though he's not at his fittest, he can't seem to stop pushing, so the result was a (for me) very fast run up the hill to Morton, then a PB time overall of just under 40 minutes for the 5.25 miles.

Spin class tonight, which is definitely feeling easier.

My main challenge now after a good January is to keep it up through Feb.  Rugby this weekend, then two weekends of skiing and then a trip to Keswick with K for our anniversary means that cycling opportunities will be limited to commuting, unless I can scab a ride on the Saturday before skiing.  Running at weekends will be equally limited, along with doing nothing when we're skiing for a week.

Brrr...

Did the hilly five miler from work yesterday with the Newmanator and its inventor and inspiration, Chris Tomes.  The route, henceforth known as The Reverse Tomes, is the run up through the Mortons to the top of the moor, then back down through Riddlesden to a flat couple of miles on the canal.  It's a Reverse Tomes as the first time I ran it we went the other way round, which is a flat couple of miles then a stupidly steep climb up and then a ridiculously easy run back down to work.  The Reverse Tomes gives a long climb with a few steep bits, then a short steep descent, good for leg speed, then a flat finish that you can run hard or easy.

Anyway... the three of us set off after a bit of a debate about clothing.  I went for pertex, Tomes went for a gilet and The Newmanator went for a t-shirt.  Win to me - sleet and a stinking headwind on the way up left me slightly concerned for Tim's welfare.  Nevertheless the little trooper made it and we enjoyed a speedy descent and a reasonably brisk couple of miles back.  A good, but chilly lunchtime.

Then today it was that perfect combination for a ride into work - wet AND cold.  Obviously there's just a touch of irony in my use of the word "perfect" - it was bloody awful.  The Herb and I distracted ourselves by alternately talking about how "it's much worse when it's windy" and trying to make each other fall off by not paying attention and swerving into each other's way.

Separate rides home, and I was quite pleased with how strong I felt considering I've only had two days off running or biking in the last 20.  I suspect there was some wind assistance but I actually got home quicker than we went in - a very unusual "negative split" for a bike commute.

London tomorrow - hopefully a pootle round a park or two, then track Thursday if I can get back in time.

Weather...

I'm in a bit of a quandary, me.  I've recently become a tad weather obsessed - not because of the effect on short-term running and cycling activities, but because of the effect on our forthcoming ski trip to Morzine.

Just prior to Christmas, following the driest November in living memory, even the relatively high slopes of Avoriaz (just above Morzine) were green, brown, grey - everything but white.  This got me interested in the forum on the Snowheads website, and particularly this thread.  There's links to various weather models posted, and I've got quite knowledgeable about low pressure areas dipping down from the arctic and bringing storms 9and lots of snow) to the Alps.  The good news is that after the snow-drought of the autumn the winter so far looks amazing - nearly 3m of snow up top and Morzine's got plenty too.

However, these low pressure areas that are bringing snow to the Haute Savoie are also bringing westerly winds across Embsay, which is making it a right bugger to get out and do anything.  I've decided that Saturdays are my long(ish) off road run day, so yesterday I set off to do my 8m circuit of the moor, finishing past Embsay Crag.  I felt pretty good on the way up to Halton Heights, but then when I hit the moor and turned to start the climb up to the summit the wind hit me - it was absolutely brutal.  I've never felt so much resistance when running - you expect it on a bike, but this made me feel like I was running through treacle.

It was worth a full 90 seconds a mile on the two mile climb up to the top, and even reduced me to walking  for a few yards on the steepest bit.

Eventually I turned left again and "only" had a gale force side wind, which made for easier going but still tricky running on the narrow single-track. My legs were absolutely battered when I got home, which made the fact it was a minute slower than last week even harder to take!

I'd intended to get out with the club today, but given the sound of the wind and rain, Herb and I decided to sack it off for this morning and see what the afternoon brings - probably more wind and rain, but on the bright side, more snow in Morzine!

Gently bumbling with ma bros

The hitherto non-cyclist transformed.  Note fat git back right (not my mum...)

Very, very cold ride into work yesterday, and a still chilly ride home for an early finish.  We had family round in the shape of my mum, Rick (cycling bro), Kath (cycling bro's cycling wife), Keith (hitherto non-cycling bro) and Annie ((hitherto non-cycling bro's wife) - clear?

A splendid repast (though I say so myself) of pasta and stuff, no beer (get me!) and a bit of pudding (sorry, belly) and much talk of Mallorca cycling trips - which the hitherto non-cycling bro has agreed to come on.  Not entirely sure he knows what he's letting himself in for, as even with a few months to get ready the big mountains ride might be a bit much - mind you I'm expecting it might be a bit much for some rather more experienced cyclists amongst us.

Anyway - the hitherto non-cycling bro has been given a hybrid bike - indeterminate brand, 26" wheels and knobbly tyres, but no boingy bits and a decidedly racy looking saddle was transformed in our utility room into a road speed machine by the addition of some slick tyres.  The hitherto non-cycling bro, size 7 feet and lots of boingy bits, was similarly transformed by the addition of some groovy white cycling shoes and an unused Marmite thermal jacket.

We met Rick, who'd heroically cycled the 17 miles or so from home, in Clitheroe and set off, via a bike shop to adjust Keith's saddle, for an enjoyable wimble round some pleasant lanes.  I think we went to Whalley, I'm certain we went to Waddington and I suspect we nearly went to Grindleton.  We also met the ladies at a nice caff where our mam bought us some coffee.

Just 20 miles or so, and hardly earth shattering pace-wise, but a lovely day (when it stopped drizzling) to be out with your big brothers and filling the hitherto non-cyclist's head with Stuff You Must Have (think GPS, summer bike, winter bike, posh glasses etc etc).  The other thing we decide he Must Have is a dinky little baker's cap to wear under his helmet - so on our return to the car I duly presented Keith with the daft headgear in the photo above - no longer a hitherto non-cycling bro - in the space of a morning I now have two bros of the cycling variety!

Roll on Mallorca...