There's a weird annual event. It's called the January Financial Reckoning.
There is no money in January. I know not where it went... But it's gone and taht's that.
Every January, belts are tightened. Spending is curtailed. Guilt is felt. Plans are made to work to a defined budget to restore the good ship to a sound, er, footing.
And it gets to November, and things are just about back on an even keel... The future's bright and significantly less financially constrained.
Then it's Christmas...
And suddenly there's another January Financial Reckoning going on! Every year it's the same - what's that about?!
But what's a little restraint between friends, eh?
Oh, and "restraint" does not stop someone from clothes shopping in the sales... As long as it's done in a restrianed fashion, of course...
:o)
Today's stats
Walking - 32 mins, 2.14 miles (to town, where there are shops...)
Walking - 30 mins, 1.73 miles (from town, in a hurry, carrying bags. Whcih were all very necessary purchases!!)
Sunday, 20 January 2013
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
74. Mondays
You know that a day is not going to go well when you sleep through the alarm set to wake you up in time for a pre-work early-morning "jog/walk/run".
Well... Actually... As that's pretty much every single day of my life, perhaps I should qualify that statement...
Days where you sleep through your alarm rarely bode well. [Better.] Particularly when you are supposed to be fitting in an early morning bit of training to either catch up with Fake 5x50 (I'm behind! Behind!!) or kick off Jantastic Week 2 (*yawn* Another 3 runs? Seriously?!).
The day did not reach lofty new heights thereafter. No indeedy... My work laptop broke before Christmas and I was working using a replacement. IT bloke turns up on Monday morning (about 11am) with my laptop in hand. It's working again! It's been fixed? No, it just works again! *suspicious face* Reeeaaallllly? Are you suuuure? Look - it works! And I can't get it fixed while there's nothing wrong with it...
2pm on Monday my laptop froze to death (same problem it had before Christmas). IT bloke called back post haste to return to me the (lovely, working) replacement laptop and take away the repeat offender. Somewhere between 1 and 2 hour of my working day wasted... But since the repeat offender is apparently my laptop (and no other shall be given unto me) he'll be back "when he's fixed"... This saga has legs, people!
After all that drama, the fact that my Monday evening run was cancelled due it being jolly cold seems rather anti-climatic. Weeeelllll.... It was jolly cold, this was true. And I bought some post-run snacks to treat/motivate myself (crisps and chocolate - all the important food groups!). And then I ate them as soon as I got home. Which was awkward...
Still, going to the gym was warmer, caught me up a bit on the Fake 5x50, and off-set slightly the waves of self-flagellating guilt (crisps? Chocolate?! Bad foods!!)
:o}
Sunday's stats:
Cycling (in gym) - 36 mins, 7 miles (Level 5)
Walking - 20 mins, 1 mile (*hic* back to hotel from restaurant *his*)
Monday's stats:
Cross-trainer - 37 mins, 5 miles (Level 5)
Walking - 22 mins, 1.35 miles (still desperately trying to catch up on my daily miles)
Well... Actually... As that's pretty much every single day of my life, perhaps I should qualify that statement...
Days where you sleep through your alarm rarely bode well. [Better.] Particularly when you are supposed to be fitting in an early morning bit of training to either catch up with Fake 5x50 (I'm behind! Behind!!) or kick off Jantastic Week 2 (*yawn* Another 3 runs? Seriously?!).
The day did not reach lofty new heights thereafter. No indeedy... My work laptop broke before Christmas and I was working using a replacement. IT bloke turns up on Monday morning (about 11am) with my laptop in hand. It's working again! It's been fixed? No, it just works again! *suspicious face* Reeeaaallllly? Are you suuuure? Look - it works! And I can't get it fixed while there's nothing wrong with it...
2pm on Monday my laptop froze to death (same problem it had before Christmas). IT bloke called back post haste to return to me the (lovely, working) replacement laptop and take away the repeat offender. Somewhere between 1 and 2 hour of my working day wasted... But since the repeat offender is apparently my laptop (and no other shall be given unto me) he'll be back "when he's fixed"... This saga has legs, people!
After all that drama, the fact that my Monday evening run was cancelled due it being jolly cold seems rather anti-climatic. Weeeelllll.... It was jolly cold, this was true. And I bought some post-run snacks to treat/motivate myself (crisps and chocolate - all the important food groups!). And then I ate them as soon as I got home. Which was awkward...
Still, going to the gym was warmer, caught me up a bit on the Fake 5x50, and off-set slightly the waves of self-flagellating guilt (crisps? Chocolate?! Bad foods!!)
:o}
Sunday's stats:
Cycling (in gym) - 36 mins, 7 miles (Level 5)
Walking - 20 mins, 1 mile (*hic* back to hotel from restaurant *his*)
Monday's stats:
Cross-trainer - 37 mins, 5 miles (Level 5)
Walking - 22 mins, 1.35 miles (still desperately trying to catch up on my daily miles)
Sunday, 13 January 2013
73. You know that you travel too much when...
1) You wander an airport terminal marvelling at the fact that it's been quickly re-developed to remove the escalator you remember having to walk around.... And then you realise that said escalator is actually in a completely different airport terminal (in case you're wondering, since I got to do 3 terminals in one week, I can confirm that the escalator is indeed still in situ).
2) A complete stranger tells you to stand with your arms and legs spread, then starts running their hands over you, and your only thought is "Again? Boring...".
3) You have to write yourself notes to remember which car park (long-stay, short-stay or random other) you've left your car in this trip. And other notes to remind yourself that you drove tot he airport this time...
4) You never have anything in your pockets, and carry no liquids on you at any time (just to be sure). You only wear shoes which are quick to remove - and you no longer wear socks with even a small hole in them on the assumption that your shoeless feet will be publicly on display at any moment.
5) You pack not only with sufficient clothes for your entire travel period, but also bearing in mind that at some point you will have to make the decision - wear the suit with the trousers that I spilled coffee down on day 2 or the trousers that don't have a matching jacket that I wore on day 1?
It is very good to be home, and reacquainted with a washing machine!
:o)
Thursday's stats:
Walking - 1 hour 3 mins, 3.18 miles [in, and I stress this, the driving rain]
Friday's stats:
Walking - 28 mins, 1.11 miles (to restaurant from hotel, then forgot to turn off running app for a while...)
Walking - 20 mins, 1 mile (*hic* back to hotel from restaurant *his*)
Today's stats:
Walking - 20 mins, 0.63 miles (desperately trying to catch up on my daily miles)
Friday, 4 January 2013
72. Songs of 2012
So what songs say 2012 to you? If any?
What with all the running, training and traveling, I have had plenty of time to commune with my iPod. So I have a few contenders... Here follows the songs (that I like, I stress) that say 2012 to me:
1) "Bonkers" - Armand Van Helden and Dizzee Rascal [London Olympics!]
2) "Harder Than You Think" - Public Enemy [London Paralympics!]
3) "Wings" - Little Mix [um, I just can't help myself, I like it!]
4) "Too Close" - Alex Clare [love the song, but strangely have felt no desire to upgrade to IE9]
5) "Next to Me" - Emeli Sande [and why not?]
6) "You Need Me, I Don't Need You" - Ed Sheeran [has some great lyrics]
7) "Dad's Gonna Kill Me" - Richard Thompson [I blame "Sons of Anarchy"]
8) "This Life" - Curtis Stigers and The Forest Rangers [again, blaming those "Sons of Anarchy"]
I'm not sure if that makes 2012 a busy year or not - but those are my highlights, musically speaking.
Am taking a day off tomorrow (rest days are important) in order to prepare for Saturday - well, I might do the Pilates DVD... But I feel no guilt about this as I completed 28.6 miles last week when (to be "on track" with the Fake 5x50 I only needed to do 22. Woo-hoo! Desperately need a lie down, now, as my stomach muscles are complaining (might be to do with the 50 sit-ups per day thing I'm doing - one's core muscles are very important, you know).
Oof!
:o)
Today's stats:
Cross-trainer - 30 mins, 4 miles [Level 5]
What with all the running, training and traveling, I have had plenty of time to commune with my iPod. So I have a few contenders... Here follows the songs (that I like, I stress) that say 2012 to me:
1) "Bonkers" - Armand Van Helden and Dizzee Rascal [London Olympics!]
2) "Harder Than You Think" - Public Enemy [London Paralympics!]
3) "Wings" - Little Mix [um, I just can't help myself, I like it!]
4) "Too Close" - Alex Clare [love the song, but strangely have felt no desire to upgrade to IE9]
5) "Next to Me" - Emeli Sande [and why not?]
6) "You Need Me, I Don't Need You" - Ed Sheeran [has some great lyrics]
7) "Dad's Gonna Kill Me" - Richard Thompson [I blame "Sons of Anarchy"]
8) "This Life" - Curtis Stigers and The Forest Rangers [again, blaming those "Sons of Anarchy"]
I'm not sure if that makes 2012 a busy year or not - but those are my highlights, musically speaking.
Am taking a day off tomorrow (rest days are important) in order to prepare for Saturday - well, I might do the Pilates DVD... But I feel no guilt about this as I completed 28.6 miles last week when (to be "on track" with the Fake 5x50 I only needed to do 22. Woo-hoo! Desperately need a lie down, now, as my stomach muscles are complaining (might be to do with the 50 sit-ups per day thing I'm doing - one's core muscles are very important, you know).
Oof!
:o)
Today's stats:
Cross-trainer - 30 mins, 4 miles [Level 5]
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
71. Happy New Year!
Well, and so it is now 2013!
Was supposed to start of the year with a run.... But then slept through most of the day and couldn't be bothered... Same old, same old... And this is why I don't make resolutions! Still, I did - rather unusually - leave the house today and do some exercise. Does this bode well for the year ahead? Only time will tell...
There is always a dilemma at this time of year - eat all the Christmas chocolates in a hurry, or keep them to savour a little bit at a time over the next month or 2...
As might be imagined, I favour the first option. I'm doing quite well with this challenge so far - only half a toblerone and a box of biscuits (which I can surely keep my hands off and save for guests...?) left. Woo-hoo! Go me!
Luckily, I've been off work and have hopefully managed to put in enough gym time to off-set the endless self-indulgence. Hopefully. Must return to healthy eating and saintly living tomorrow. Or at least give it a good go...
:o)
Today's stats:
Cross-trainer - 29 mins, 4 miles [Level 5]
Walking - 26 mins, 1.6 miles
Was supposed to start of the year with a run.... But then slept through most of the day and couldn't be bothered... Same old, same old... And this is why I don't make resolutions! Still, I did - rather unusually - leave the house today and do some exercise. Does this bode well for the year ahead? Only time will tell...
There is always a dilemma at this time of year - eat all the Christmas chocolates in a hurry, or keep them to savour a little bit at a time over the next month or 2...
As might be imagined, I favour the first option. I'm doing quite well with this challenge so far - only half a toblerone and a box of biscuits (which I can surely keep my hands off and save for guests...?) left. Woo-hoo! Go me!
Luckily, I've been off work and have hopefully managed to put in enough gym time to off-set the endless self-indulgence. Hopefully. Must return to healthy eating and saintly living tomorrow. Or at least give it a good go...
:o)
Today's stats:
Cross-trainer - 29 mins, 4 miles [Level 5]
Walking - 26 mins, 1.6 miles
70. Alternative resolutions
New Year's resolutions are traditionally big and dramatic: life-changing things. "Climb Everest." "Join a gym and lose 3 stones." "Win the lottery and move to the Bahamas." That sort of thing....
I don't make resolutions as a general rule as they seem mostly to be a handy list of things that you are unlikely ever to do, let alone in the coming year. However, on a slightly less life-changing level, I do have a few aspirational resolutions which I would find jolly useful if I can make them happen...
1) Stop breaking earphones. I have replaced more sets of earphones in the past year than in the preceding 10 years. I'm not sure what I'm doing to them, but whatever it is it has to stop, as it's costing me a fortune and it's deeply aggravating when they start stopping (not to mention the whole lop-sided running thing that happens when one works and the other doesn't).
2) Stop cancelling things. Go, or don't make the arrangement in the first place. If at all possible.... It's expensive, annoying and disappointing for others. So put a stop to it now!
3) Get a hobby. For God's sake, get a hobby. Something enjoyable to do in spare time (ha!) which is actually enjoyable unlike everything else which is scheduled to fill up alleged spare time this year. And quickly, before I reach April and discover I've gone completely mental due to spending all my time forcing myself to leave the house to go running.... Reading is not allowed to count as a hobby (or going to the cinema either). Sadly...
4) Do housekeeping chores. Quickly. Before the stuff in the house piles up in front of the front door and traps the unwary inside, and the kitchen table actually resembles something only previously seen in "Great Expectations". Keep house tidy and clean in the expectation that visitors could arrive AT ANY MOMENT. And then some might actually turn up...
I think that that will do to be getting along with - quite a time-consuming and tiring list as it is... Going to be a busy year...
**(^_^)**
Today's stats:
Cycling (in gym) - 28 mins, 5 miles [Level 5]
Pilates - 35 mins, DVD1
I don't make resolutions as a general rule as they seem mostly to be a handy list of things that you are unlikely ever to do, let alone in the coming year. However, on a slightly less life-changing level, I do have a few aspirational resolutions which I would find jolly useful if I can make them happen...
1) Stop breaking earphones. I have replaced more sets of earphones in the past year than in the preceding 10 years. I'm not sure what I'm doing to them, but whatever it is it has to stop, as it's costing me a fortune and it's deeply aggravating when they start stopping (not to mention the whole lop-sided running thing that happens when one works and the other doesn't).
2) Stop cancelling things. Go, or don't make the arrangement in the first place. If at all possible.... It's expensive, annoying and disappointing for others. So put a stop to it now!
3) Get a hobby. For God's sake, get a hobby. Something enjoyable to do in spare time (ha!) which is actually enjoyable unlike everything else which is scheduled to fill up alleged spare time this year. And quickly, before I reach April and discover I've gone completely mental due to spending all my time forcing myself to leave the house to go running.... Reading is not allowed to count as a hobby (or going to the cinema either). Sadly...
4) Do housekeeping chores. Quickly. Before the stuff in the house piles up in front of the front door and traps the unwary inside, and the kitchen table actually resembles something only previously seen in "Great Expectations". Keep house tidy and clean in the expectation that visitors could arrive AT ANY MOMENT. And then some might actually turn up...
I think that that will do to be getting along with - quite a time-consuming and tiring list as it is... Going to be a busy year...
**(^_^)**
Today's stats:
Cycling (in gym) - 28 mins, 5 miles [Level 5]
Pilates - 35 mins, DVD1
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