It was a lovely day today, so when I finished work I decided to walk home, instead of getting the bus. This is actually a really nice walk, most of the way, even if I did have to tresspass on someone's drive. They had big signs saying not a public highway etc etc. However I reckon that if you have a drive that is at least three quarters of a mile long, and links up so perfectly between where I am and where I want to be, you can't really complain, especially as it links up with a footpath.
It was nice walking through the fields, with all the butterflys about, and random nervy dogs with brown eyebrows coming over to say hello. Then I got to Playing Place, and got an icecream from the spar shop. Then is was the loooong hill down past a primary school. This is the biggest pain when I cycle into work, as it is fairly steep, and is a mile and a half long (I have measured it), but it isn't so bad walking down, and great fun going down on a bike.
The last hill I had to get up before I got to town was really nasty, and was the only bit where there wasn't a nice cooling breeze. Got overtaken by a guy in a pickup, who took a suspiciously short stop in a layby halfway up. I suspect a sneaky line before getting home, but I may just have a suspicious mind.
Took my life in my hands crossing the dual carriageway, then down the street to home, and realised I didn't have my camera handy to take a pic of the fibreglass cow at the top of the road. I'll have to remember to take a picture before it, inevitably, gets some drunk bods deciding to go cow tipping on friday night.
Will do some pressups and situps later, if I get round to it.
Juneathon stats - day 24
walking: 4.5 miles (in 70 minutes)
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Monday, 22 June 2009
We can work it out
Argh, nearly there though, 7 days to go. I'm finding the blogging more difficult than the actual exercise though.
Except on Thursdays, for some reason Thursday seems to be the hardest day of the week. Again I have been slack on the running, I'm going to have to drag myself out this week and bounce my sorry carcass round to block. Obviously you'll guess from this that I failed again on Thursday, I'll have to do better, and maybe manage to do something extra to make up for it.
Doing the situps and pressups every other day isn't a problem, although week 3 of the programs seems to be being a bit of a toughie. I cracked out the weights at the weekend, because I was buzzing around like a blue arsed fly trying to sort some things out, and it was a lovely day on Sunday so I spent the afternoon sitting in a beer garden, talking bollocks.
I saw something a couple of you may be interested in on Saturday. The Grauniad has a creative writing competition for a reader to get an unpublished short story in their fiction issue in August. Max 2000 words. If I can get the words out of my head onto the paper I'll be giving it a go.
Juneathon stats - days 19-22
situps: 331
pressups:142
curls:156 (6x12 reps @10kg on Sat, 7x12 reps @10kg on Sun)
a few other bits and pieces like walking and a stuff that barely count
Except on Thursdays, for some reason Thursday seems to be the hardest day of the week. Again I have been slack on the running, I'm going to have to drag myself out this week and bounce my sorry carcass round to block. Obviously you'll guess from this that I failed again on Thursday, I'll have to do better, and maybe manage to do something extra to make up for it.
Doing the situps and pressups every other day isn't a problem, although week 3 of the programs seems to be being a bit of a toughie. I cracked out the weights at the weekend, because I was buzzing around like a blue arsed fly trying to sort some things out, and it was a lovely day on Sunday so I spent the afternoon sitting in a beer garden, talking bollocks.
I saw something a couple of you may be interested in on Saturday. The Grauniad has a creative writing competition for a reader to get an unpublished short story in their fiction issue in August. Max 2000 words. If I can get the words out of my head onto the paper I'll be giving it a go.
Juneathon stats - days 19-22
situps: 331
pressups:142
curls:156 (6x12 reps @10kg on Sat, 7x12 reps @10kg on Sun)
a few other bits and pieces like walking and a stuff that barely count
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
I Can't Stand Up (For Falling Down)
Feeling a bit run down and rubbish really, I blame the lurgy. did the situps exhaustion test though, should have managed more than I did really. Only just managed to get them in on the right day though, sat down after work to listen to the radio, and woke up a couple of hours later, still feeling crap and knackered.
I've been a bit slack on the running though, I need to drag my lazy ass out and round the block a few more times soon.
Still getting through the Carr book steadily, should be finished soon.
Juneathon stats - day 16
situps: 52
I've been a bit slack on the running though, I need to drag my lazy ass out and round the block a few more times soon.
Still getting through the Carr book steadily, should be finished soon.
Juneathon stats - day 16
situps: 52
Monday, 15 June 2009
All fall down
I've been a bit rubbish lately, but obviously I haven't been the only one. On Thursday I was feeling really rubbish, especially as I hadn't managed to keep anything down for most of the day, and the day before. I did manage to force myself to do some squats, with weights, before I came over all funny.
Friday, unfortunately, I had to go in to work whatever, still feeling a bit rough, but better than I had. It was a lovely day, so I went for a walk after I finished. I meant to walk over to my Aunt's, so I could blag a cup of tea before catching the bus. I got slightly lost though, and ended up doubling the distance I had to walk before I got my nice cup of tea. Bah, it's not like I grew up round here and spent most of my time in the summer arsing around in these fields and footpaths.
Friday night, ran into a couple of mates, and decided to kill what was left of the lurgy with alcohol, Saturday, broken, completely and utterly broken, couldn't even manage 2 pressups, let alone anything more energetic. The lurgy was dead though, which was nice. I think I ought to count it as a juneathon fail though.
Managed to do the slightly postponed bit of the pressups and situps on sunday, and discovered that the lurgy has left me with pulled abs, which made it less fun.
And finally, did the pressup exhaustion test thing today, 19, significantly more than the paltry number I managed in the first test, yay!
Juneathon stats - days 11-15
pressups: 51
situps: 81
walking: 4 miles
squats (10kg dumbell in each hand): 20
Friday, unfortunately, I had to go in to work whatever, still feeling a bit rough, but better than I had. It was a lovely day, so I went for a walk after I finished. I meant to walk over to my Aunt's, so I could blag a cup of tea before catching the bus. I got slightly lost though, and ended up doubling the distance I had to walk before I got my nice cup of tea. Bah, it's not like I grew up round here and spent most of my time in the summer arsing around in these fields and footpaths.
Friday night, ran into a couple of mates, and decided to kill what was left of the lurgy with alcohol, Saturday, broken, completely and utterly broken, couldn't even manage 2 pressups, let alone anything more energetic. The lurgy was dead though, which was nice. I think I ought to count it as a juneathon fail though.
Managed to do the slightly postponed bit of the pressups and situps on sunday, and discovered that the lurgy has left me with pulled abs, which made it less fun.
And finally, did the pressup exhaustion test thing today, 19, significantly more than the paltry number I managed in the first test, yay!
Juneathon stats - days 11-15
pressups: 51
situps: 81
walking: 4 miles
squats (10kg dumbell in each hand): 20
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
No, not now
At home ill today, as I was up half the night with mystery stomach lurgy. I'm not sure who gave me this particular bug, but I know it has been doing the rounds, and when I figure out who the typhoid mary is I shall shun them heartlessly. Needless to say, unless a treadmill miraculously appears, the run I had planned on doing today, to make up for yesterday's lameness, isn't going to happen. I don't really want to be wandering too far from the bathroom.
sit ups and press ups were done though, despite feeling miserable and achy (from the bug, not from all this exercise type stuff). I'm also working my way through the Allen Carr book, not too quickly, I suspect the impact of the book might be blunted if I read it cover to cover in a couple of hours, rather than reading it more slowly and letting bits sink in.
It was a bit of a struggle finding an appropriate title from my music collection. I'm sure someone has guessed that I have been culling post titles from song titles for the last few days. Because I am lazy, and it is easier than think up something original myself, basically.
Juneathon stats - day 10
situps: 75
pressups: 30
sit ups and press ups were done though, despite feeling miserable and achy (from the bug, not from all this exercise type stuff). I'm also working my way through the Allen Carr book, not too quickly, I suspect the impact of the book might be blunted if I read it cover to cover in a couple of hours, rather than reading it more slowly and letting bits sink in.
It was a bit of a struggle finding an appropriate title from my music collection. I'm sure someone has guessed that I have been culling post titles from song titles for the last few days. Because I am lazy, and it is easier than think up something original myself, basically.
Juneathon stats - day 10
situps: 75
pressups: 30
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
The Tears of my Tracks
I was a bit crap today, I meant to go out for a run this morning before going into work but I overslept, which was a bit of a pain. Then when I got back from work I meant to get out a bit later. Somehow I got caught up in doing things, then I had something to eat, and thought "Oo, I better wait for a bit before going out", so I picked up the random copy of The Cruel Sea I had discovered in one fo my bookshelves. I'll read that for a bit, thinks I, and go out later. A few hours later, and having finished the book, I look out the window and its dark and windy and 'orrible. Damn.
On the other hand I did do a very brisk walk from work to the bus stop, which is a bit over a mile away, so I suppose that'll have to do for today. Making up for it tomorrow will be the plan, I'll remember to set the alarm this time.
The other petty annoyance of the day, I discover that, without notifying me in any way, iTunes has changed its podcast settings and has sent all of the back episodes of Phill and Phil's Perfect 10 (funny, but filthy at times) and the News Quiz into oblivion. Very annoying, at least it hadn't got round to blitzing the umpteen episode of Answer Me This (also very funny) as well.
Juneathon stats - day 9
walk: 1 and a bit miles, rubbish really
On the other hand I did do a very brisk walk from work to the bus stop, which is a bit over a mile away, so I suppose that'll have to do for today. Making up for it tomorrow will be the plan, I'll remember to set the alarm this time.
The other petty annoyance of the day, I discover that, without notifying me in any way, iTunes has changed its podcast settings and has sent all of the back episodes of Phill and Phil's Perfect 10 (funny, but filthy at times) and the News Quiz into oblivion. Very annoying, at least it hadn't got round to blitzing the umpteen episode of Answer Me This (also very funny) as well.
Juneathon stats - day 9
walk: 1 and a bit miles, rubbish really
Monday, 8 June 2009
Hangin' Round
A bit of a lazy day today, hung my, functional and not at all dorky, cycling kit up to dry, faffed about on the internet, and finished China Miéville's new book, which is really good.
I also had a quick look at the website of the local running club, which is horrible, like something out of the mid 90's. There is a 10k in August at a local national trust place, which I might enter if I am feeling especially brave and/or stupid, and if I think I can run that far. There is also a half-marathon held in town in September, and a marathon (and a half) being held at Eden in October. I might be daft but I'm not completely mental though, so I'll give them a miss.
I got off my arse and did situps and pressups, gave the squats a miss though,as I'm planning on doing some running tomorrow before, or after, I go into work.
Juneathon stats - day 8
Situps: 55
pressups: 25
I also had a quick look at the website of the local running club, which is horrible, like something out of the mid 90's. There is a 10k in August at a local national trust place, which I might enter if I am feeling especially brave and/or stupid, and if I think I can run that far. There is also a half-marathon held in town in September, and a marathon (and a half) being held at Eden in October. I might be daft but I'm not completely mental though, so I'll give them a miss.
I got off my arse and did situps and pressups, gave the squats a miss though,as I'm planning on doing some running tomorrow before, or after, I go into work.
Juneathon stats - day 8
Situps: 55
pressups: 25
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Bicycling to Afghanistan
Not really, just out to Idless Woods. That is the view across the valley, just outside of town. It is a bit overcast and drizzly at times, but fairly pleasant. I cut the ride a bit short, unfortunately, as I obviously need to do a bit of fettling with the gears and things, as it has been a couple of months since I have been using the bike much*.A few mysteries. Why is it that the more expensive a bike is the more fettling you do to keep it all running smoothly? Not that I mind, I quite like building and fettling bikes. How come, since I last got out on my bike, my saddle has changed from being a lovely comfy perch to being a granite shouldered baroque instrument of torture? Most importantly, where did all that blood on my pedal come from? I found out the answer to that one after, in the shower, I had scraped the back of my calf on something.
Gratifyingly enough I have obviously made some fitness gains, as I was able to keep my speed up nicely, and some of the hills weren't too much trouble. Using some different leg muscles from the ones you use for running was good too. They are a little out of condition though, I obviously need to do some more cycling.
Shocking news I heard on the Beeb's sunday morning cooking program, Jaffa Cakes don't count as one of your 5-a-day! Does this mean Apple Turnovers don't count either?
Another piccie, I keep my camera on the strap of my backpack, so I tend to take a few photos when I go out cycling. This is the hill up to my place, and it is steeper than it looks.
*Work, life and indolence kept getting in the way.
Juneathon stats - day 7
Cycling: 5 miles (30 stoppy starty minutes)
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Indiscipline
Woke up this morning nice and early, fully intending to get out and run for a bit. Unfortunately my legs felt so heavy and dead, and the weather was so manky out that I couldn't be bothered and stayed in bed. In the spirit of Juneathon I hereby declare my walk into town to the bookshop, to get the Alan Carr book, was exercise. I feel this is no more spurious than certain people's missions down the offie.
I might crack out the weights a bit later, if I am feeling energetic, but my legs are definitely feeling all those squats I did yesterday. Running, and/or cycling tomorrow though.
update- Dug out the weights and did a bit with them too. Felling less like a fraud now.
Juneathon stats - day 6
Walking: not very far, to be honest, maybe half a mile.
weights: 65 curls (5-10kg) each arm, 130 total.
I might crack out the weights a bit later, if I am feeling energetic, but my legs are definitely feeling all those squats I did yesterday. Running, and/or cycling tomorrow though.
update- Dug out the weights and did a bit with them too. Felling less like a fraud now.
Juneathon stats - day 6
Walking: not very far, to be honest, maybe half a mile.
weights: 65 curls (5-10kg) each arm, 130 total.
Friday, 5 June 2009
We're All Mad Here
Got round to my planned juneathon bit for today, while half listening to the news on the radio, which encouraged me not to dawdle, otherwise I would have inadvertently ended up listening to The Archers.
That would have been awful, largely because it is the only soap type thing that I'm not completely immune to. I can resist getting drawn into the unremitting misery of Eastenders, the northern bleakness of Corrie etc etc.The bloody awful twee knowing mock yokel tripe that is the Archers has a disturbing tendency to draw me in.
Unrelatedly, following (vaguely) on from jog-blog's drooling over the pink Pashley, I discovered (6 months late, but there you go) that On-One's designer Brant Richards has moved on and started up a new vehicle for his idiosyncratic mountain bike designs, Ragley. I have an On-One Scandal, which is lovely, and his new designs look great, too. The Blue Pig especially looks like a lovely frame, a proper hooligan bike made of steel. I am experiencing serious bike lust, as I currently have a sub-optimal number of bikes*.
The most important discovery I made today, however, was figuring out how to make the shower run cold without fiddling with all the setting knobs. Now I can have a nice refreshing cold shower without arsing around with the temperature knob. As a bonus this means I won't get shouted at for leaving the shower on cold for the next person to discover. Not that I will necessarily stop doing that, just for fun, on occasion.
Juneathon stats - day 5
situps: 50
pressups: 24
squats: 108!
*There is a simple formula for the optimal number of bikes, which any keen cyclist knows, but will seldom admit to. it is x+1 (where x is the number of bikes currently owned).
That would have been awful, largely because it is the only soap type thing that I'm not completely immune to. I can resist getting drawn into the unremitting misery of Eastenders, the northern bleakness of Corrie etc etc.The bloody awful twee knowing mock yokel tripe that is the Archers has a disturbing tendency to draw me in.
Unrelatedly, following (vaguely) on from jog-blog's drooling over the pink Pashley, I discovered (6 months late, but there you go) that On-One's designer Brant Richards has moved on and started up a new vehicle for his idiosyncratic mountain bike designs, Ragley. I have an On-One Scandal, which is lovely, and his new designs look great, too. The Blue Pig especially looks like a lovely frame, a proper hooligan bike made of steel. I am experiencing serious bike lust, as I currently have a sub-optimal number of bikes*.
The most important discovery I made today, however, was figuring out how to make the shower run cold without fiddling with all the setting knobs. Now I can have a nice refreshing cold shower without arsing around with the temperature knob. As a bonus this means I won't get shouted at for leaving the shower on cold for the next person to discover. Not that I will necessarily stop doing that, just for fun, on occasion.
Juneathon stats - day 5
situps: 50
pressups: 24
squats: 108!
*There is a simple formula for the optimal number of bikes, which any keen cyclist knows, but will seldom admit to. it is x+1 (where x is the number of bikes currently owned).
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Constant Craving
Another morning wobble, this time round a different route, with less downhill bits, and my legs are less hurty as a result. They are still a bit sore, from the last time I tried running downhill, but they have recovered better. I'm feeling the unaccustomed exertions of Juneathon a bit, I was a bit tired and achey when I decided to haul myself out of bed and get out for a run.
Went out a bit later than usual, and it was bin day, so the foxes had been out in force, making the place look untidy. I saw a few more people, and a cat shall henceforth refer to as Bin Cat, because he was sat on a bin, demanding attention from all who passed.
I even saw the first other runner I have seen since I began my peregrinations. She overtook me while I was about to end one of my walking breaks, she didn't even say hello or anything, either. I wonder if I run as strangely as she does, kicking her feet well out to the side as she ran, I guess I probably do, but I can't see myself, so I don't particularly care.
Mr Blue Sky again proved to be a good uplifting track to run to, even if it isn't as ridiculously cheerful and bouncy as Mushaboom, but I was walking back down the hill when that came on and wasn't even remotely tempted to break out into a run. Bin Cat demanded, and got, another stroke as I came back past too. Dopey animal, I bet he was there waiting for the bin men.
In less good news, I have caved on the ciggy front, but I have managed to cut down to about 5 a day, and I fully intend to cut that down to nothing before the end of the month. I think I might have to get that Alan Carr book though. Just stopping is harder than I thought, unfortunately.
Better get off my arse and head out to the Polling Station in a minute, remember to vote folks, else the BNP scum might get some people elected.
Tunes -
ELO
Four Tet
Nerina Pallot
Juneathon stats - day 4
run: 17 minutes (I'll figure out and post the distance later)
Went out a bit later than usual, and it was bin day, so the foxes had been out in force, making the place look untidy. I saw a few more people, and a cat shall henceforth refer to as Bin Cat, because he was sat on a bin, demanding attention from all who passed.
I even saw the first other runner I have seen since I began my peregrinations. She overtook me while I was about to end one of my walking breaks, she didn't even say hello or anything, either. I wonder if I run as strangely as she does, kicking her feet well out to the side as she ran, I guess I probably do, but I can't see myself, so I don't particularly care.
Mr Blue Sky again proved to be a good uplifting track to run to, even if it isn't as ridiculously cheerful and bouncy as Mushaboom, but I was walking back down the hill when that came on and wasn't even remotely tempted to break out into a run. Bin Cat demanded, and got, another stroke as I came back past too. Dopey animal, I bet he was there waiting for the bin men.
In less good news, I have caved on the ciggy front, but I have managed to cut down to about 5 a day, and I fully intend to cut that down to nothing before the end of the month. I think I might have to get that Alan Carr book though. Just stopping is harder than I thought, unfortunately.
Better get off my arse and head out to the Polling Station in a minute, remember to vote folks, else the BNP scum might get some people elected.
Tunes -
ELO
Four Tet
Nerina Pallot
Juneathon stats - day 4
run: 17 minutes (I'll figure out and post the distance later)
Hot hot heat
Oops, forgot to blog, bad me.
Anyway, still hot down here, which is nice for lazing around in the sun, if you like that kind of thing.
Bit of a boring day otherwise, read a bit, complained about the heat, dodged low flying buzzards, wandered around feeling dog tired due to insomnia, and completely failing to get around to writing this post until, technically, a day late.
I also found the 200 squats programme on the web, so I'm going to try working that into the juneathon stuff I am doing as well. Did the initial test thing this morning while waiting for the kettle to boil, and actually managed a respectable number, which is a bit of a surprise given the pathetic amount of situps and pressups I managed.
While I was bobbing up and down I wondered why, when pressups and situps are manly grr exercises, squats seem a bit ridiculous. I blame it on the film industry, Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor.
Ho hum, now I am going to try and get some sleep, and then try and get up and out for a run beofre it gets too hot tomorrow.
Juneathon stats - day 3
pressups: 17
situps: 50
squats: 40
Anyway, still hot down here, which is nice for lazing around in the sun, if you like that kind of thing.
Bit of a boring day otherwise, read a bit, complained about the heat, dodged low flying buzzards, wandered around feeling dog tired due to insomnia, and completely failing to get around to writing this post until, technically, a day late.
I also found the 200 squats programme on the web, so I'm going to try working that into the juneathon stuff I am doing as well. Did the initial test thing this morning while waiting for the kettle to boil, and actually managed a respectable number, which is a bit of a surprise given the pathetic amount of situps and pressups I managed.
While I was bobbing up and down I wondered why, when pressups and situps are manly grr exercises, squats seem a bit ridiculous. I blame it on the film industry, Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor.
Ho hum, now I am going to try and get some sleep, and then try and get up and out for a run beofre it gets too hot tomorrow.
Juneathon stats - day 3
pressups: 17
situps: 50
squats: 40
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Day 2 of Juneathon - Still at it
Up early for a run. The weather was lovely, nice and cool and still and sunny. Now I'd normally have wimped out of it, because my legs are still a bit sore, but, it being juneathon, I persevered, manfully.
Did my normal route in reverse, just for a bit of variety mainly, but also as a bit of an experiment on running down hills, see blog passim*. I'm definitely going to have to modify my route a bit, and lengthening it probably wouldn't hurt, given I managed the loop in 18 minutes, while walking gingerly downhill, wincing, for much of the last part of it. Oh how I envy you south eastern types with your nice flat countryside.
Something I am liking about running early in the morning is how quiet it is, virtually no-one seems to be around. Apart from the occasional car, the only person I saw today was a random sat on the bench on the corner just up from home. Why he wasn't still in bed is a mystery, as he was still there when I got back.
In other news, I could really do with a ciggy.
*No I don't know exactly what it means, but they use it in Private Eye constantly.
Tunes -
Feist
Editors
Juneathon stats -
run: 1.3 miles
Did my normal route in reverse, just for a bit of variety mainly, but also as a bit of an experiment on running down hills, see blog passim*. I'm definitely going to have to modify my route a bit, and lengthening it probably wouldn't hurt, given I managed the loop in 18 minutes, while walking gingerly downhill, wincing, for much of the last part of it. Oh how I envy you south eastern types with your nice flat countryside.
Something I am liking about running early in the morning is how quiet it is, virtually no-one seems to be around. Apart from the occasional car, the only person I saw today was a random sat on the bench on the corner just up from home. Why he wasn't still in bed is a mystery, as he was still there when I got back.
In other news, I could really do with a ciggy.
*No I don't know exactly what it means, but they use it in Private Eye constantly.
Tunes -
Feist
Editors
Juneathon stats -
run: 1.3 miles
Monday, 1 June 2009
Juneathon 3 - day 1
Ho hum, didn't get out on a run for the first day of juneathon, my shins are still a bit sore. I did come up with a plan though.
The plan, subject to jiggling about etc, is simple. Mon/Wed/Fri do the 100 pushups program. Tue/Thu/Sat run. Sun Ride. Some of these might be swapped about as I feel like it, if I am feeling especially energetic I might go for a run or a ride as well as doing some pressups.
So today I did day 1 of week one of the 100 pushups thing. I hate press ups.
Also, I haven't had a single cigarette since last night, so lets see how long I last until I cave and head down to the shops for some baccy.
[Edit] Looking at various and sundry others and feeling a bit lazy, I'm doing situps on the pressup days as well
Juneathon stats -
Pushups: 12
Situps: 30
The plan, subject to jiggling about etc, is simple. Mon/Wed/Fri do the 100 pushups program. Tue/Thu/Sat run. Sun Ride. Some of these might be swapped about as I feel like it, if I am feeling especially energetic I might go for a run or a ride as well as doing some pressups.
So today I did day 1 of week one of the 100 pushups thing. I hate press ups.
Also, I haven't had a single cigarette since last night, so lets see how long I last until I cave and head down to the shops for some baccy.
[Edit] Looking at various and sundry others and feeling a bit lazy, I'm doing situps on the pressup days as well
Juneathon stats -
Pushups: 12
Situps: 30
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