152. Flattering to deceive

Trying out a new gym currently - variety being the spice of life and generally making things more, em, variable. It's quite nice, and staffed by some lovely people (staff! In a gym! The luxury!!). But...

Was cycling today (variety, etc, etc) and for a few moments thought that I had broken new ground in terms of my fitness. The distance I "travelled" in 30 mins? 11.31. Crikey. That's not too shabby, thought I. OK, the bike didn't seem like hard work (I've come to the conclusion that all of the equipment in my usual gym is either old or hard-core as it's always more taxing than "reality"), but that was pretty good going nonetheless. Go me!

Then I took the prudent step of asking the staff whether the distance shown on the bike was in miles or kilometres. After some 'phone calls (!) it turns out that it's in kilometres. Alrighty, then. Not quite so impressive... Although that's still around 7 miles in the time it normally takes me to do 5.5. Yay! Tempered by my previous comment re the fact that the resistance seemed quite puny for he stated level. Hey, ho...

Oh, and in case anyone thinks that Herbert has been forgotten - not so! I have already spotted a vertical Herbert on my travels (with a curious split between his lower and upper body - that had to have hurt) and am keeping my eagle eye out for more variations... I could write a book on this, all going well...

;o)

Today's stats

Cycling (in gym) - 30 mins, ~7 miles ["Level 7" apparently...]

Friday's stats

Walking - 1 hour 2 mins, 3.29 miles [yes, well, hmmm... I was tired?]

151. The hapless Herbert

Today, for reasons I shan't dwell on, I had to walk around various car parks. Repeatedly. In a very limited window of opportunity. It's nto that this was dull, per se, but I do find it eastier to walk out and back in a big circle rather than round and round until I've made enough miles. It's a bit more... Absolute. Once you're halfway out you might as well follow the route back; whereas whilst doing circles you are ever tempted with the end point passing before you over and over again. Annyway, not the most fun i've ever had, but still a tick on a tricky day.

Interesting things were noted, however.I mean it wasn;t all rotating cars. For example, if you've noted the sudden trend to identify pavements by painting a, well, representation of a walking person on them? In white? Mostly resembling a two-year-old's drawing of a stick man rather than an actual walking person? Anyway, the car parks were littered with such poor stepped-upon people. I believe that we shall name them "Herbert" (and why not?) and quietly pity them without doing anything to relieve their pain... Anyway, my point is, based on extensive study made today, I have ground-breaking news for you.

Herbert comes in more than one form! There is the classic - 2 straight arms, 2 straight legs, resembles a crime scene chalk outline more than a walking person. And, AND... There is the "action" variant - one straight leg, one leg bent at the knee, 2 bent arms, definite forward motion happening. Herbert comes in both classic and action variants!! The excitement nearly killed me this morning, I can tell you! 

Well, yes, OK, I was a little bored this morning. But still - am now intrigued by the Herbert variants and shall be keeping an eye out for more (rather than just stomping him into the ground at pace as I usually do... Oh, the shame!).

(^_-)

Today's stats

Walking - 57 mins, 3.18 miles [not at all assisted by lugging around a hefty backpack]

150. Habit-forming

I am now in the "zone". All this relentless (daily!) exercise is supposed to be a habit now. At some point between 19 and 21 days (precisely) I am to have turned an occasional pursuit into a consistent habit and thus CHANGED MY LIFE!

Uh-huh.

Sadly, I must report that I spend much of my time longing for a rest day. Admittedly, I suspect that rest days are not supposed to be "do nothing" days, but that is how I've always viewed them and they were good. So very, very good...

However, I continue to lead from the front, put my body on the line, break new trails, etc, etc, etc, yawn. I am on track with the whole "daily" element of the 5x50 to date. Although there are a few tricky days ahead, I remain committed to the cause.

But I fully expect to spend May 19th ensconced on my sofa sobbing with delight that the trauma is over. Which, frankly, is more likely to be a habit I form than daily exercise...

:o)

Today's stats
Cycling (in gym) - 37 mins, 7 miles [Level 5, pushing on]

Sunday's stats
Walking - 48 mins, 3.17 miles [mysteriously shorter walk...]

149. Goooood Friday!

Well, yes, OK, it's Saturday, but I did mean to write something on Friday and the title was too good to pass up... Such re-interpretation of reality is the prerogative of a writer, dontcha know?

So what have I been up to? Well...

On Thursday I woke up tired after baking late into the night, and the first thing that I did was rustle up some butter icing for said cakes... Then put in a full day of work (which included the selling of said cakes - for charity). Returned home even more tired than when I woke up, discovered the downside of making butter icing in a hurry before one has to go to work (i.e. a kitchen in desperate need of house elves, lightly dusted in a film of icing sugar) and promptly left home again to do a 5km walk. Which was more of a zombie shuffle than an actual walk, but I mustn't grumble as it kept me on track with the 5x50 lark.

Friday involved much sleeping, and then (after a lovely day of sunshine which I saw little of) I managed to not get to the gym (bit of a feat that - I had all day) and went for another walk once the sun had set. Over the same route as Thursday. Which had mysteriously shrunk by 0.11 miles overnight - fascinating fact!

Today has been very like Friday (although I've been a bit more awake). Sleep, read, think about doing some housework, go for another sleep instead, read... Although I did manage to drag myself to the gym today which I think shows progress. In some way. Not having to drag myself (which is an interesting feat, involving much flexibility - must start doing Pilates again) would probably be a bigger sign of progress... I'm fairly sure that I've now done enough days that I should have "changed my habits for a lifetime" and now have regular exercise feature in my life as something I enjoy doing. Ah-ha.

I rather sense that, as usual, I shall prove to be a statistical outlier and be the exception that proves that little rule. But, let's not be hasty - there are a whole 30 days to go before the Challenge can be deemed a success or failure... First thing I'm doing it having a day off (probably not really the right attitude, but there you go).

:o)

Today's stats
Cycling (in gym) - 37 mins, 7 miles [Level 5, returning to form]

Friday's stats
Walking - 51 mins, 3.33 miles [mysteriously shorter walk...]

Thursday's stats
Walking - 54 mins, 3.44 miles [Must. Eat. Brains!]

148. Spring madness

Well, today has taught us that training should involve more Zumba, frankly. Toddled to the gym, absolutely shattered: suddenly discovered an increased speediness once actually on the bike and the rest is history (if only history aged by about 2 hours). Quite strange, really...

Other strangeness today: the gym was jumping! It's been a lovely sunny and relatively warm day today, and so you'd think that people would have gone outside for their exercise... But no! They gym's the place to be on a  lovely spring evening, apparently. And not just people who need to be in the gym (ah, that would be me), desperately trying to reach a variety of ridiculous goals. No, fit people. People who, frankly, did not look like they needed to be there! Quite, quite strange...

Today was also the day that I passed through 100km logged against the 5x50 Challenge. Which is nice. 2.5 weeks in, not bad going. Only 4.5 weeks to go... *sigh*

:o)

Today's stats
Cycling (in gym) - 30 mins, 5.8 miles [Level 5, sudden burst of speed!]

147. Ho, hum, rambling on

Ah, yes, where was I? Which is a ridiculous question, really, as I obviously know fine well where I was, and what I really mean is "oops, I'm a bit behind in this blogging lark". Which you, dear reader (hello?) will already know without me pointing it out.

Anyway, moving things on - well, it's been fun and games in the past week. Much wine of a fizzy nature has been consumed (the rest safely stored in my fridge which means the fridge is having to work for its living for the first time in a good while). Much gallivanting about has been undertaken. And every day I've still managed to force myself to undertake my required 5km (or equivalent minimum 30 mins of exercise). Result!

Not only that, but the young woman serving me in the shop on Sunday night attempted to verify my age before serving me. I say "attempted to" because the man standing next to her tried everything (including arm-waving) to stop her from asking. Admittedly, she was obviously new to the job, and not the brightest penny, but still... I thanked her kindly for the (attempted) question.

Other than that... KT gifted me with a multi-tool for the purposes of extracting one bike (Boris) from his box/prison. It will be obvious to you that KT is a staunch member (the only member?) of the "Free Boris" campaign. Bikes, apparently, don't belong in boxes. Personally I think my good chum Boris is quite comfy in his box, but what would I know? I shall have to address this soon, obviously, or KT shall become cross...

:o)

Monday's stats
Class - Zumba - 60 mins [salsa to the beat!]

Saturday's stats
Walking - 53 mins, 3.38 miles [stomp, stomp, stomp]


Friday's stats
Cycling (in gym) - 30 mins, 5.5 miles [Level 5 - pushing...]

146. Stepping up a gear

Well, after a week of fun, frolics, and sightings of the lesser-spotted tram... Now it's time for things to step up a gear.

For the easily concerned, I have still been keeping up with my 5k-a-day, although it has been tricky at times... I flew out and back in a day on Wednesday, and then had to go out to fit my 5km walk in - nothing like pounding the city streets at gone 11pm having been up since 6am. Quite the tonic. In a way.

And I am easily talked out of attempting any outside activities except walking... Too easily! From now on, it's time to get hard core about this training lark! Grr!!!

Or something. I'm not sure how long this "motivated" streak will last... Quite possibly right until the next time I have to do a 5km whatever... Still, enjoy it while you can, that's my motto. No, really, it is - anyone who suggests that it's "I'd rather be reading than doing any of this exercise nonsense" is misleading you...

Although, I do now have a rather impressive collection of Amazon vouchers to my name, and the world of book-buying stretches before me with much temptation... Must. Be. Strong...

:o)


Wednesday's stats
Walking - 51 mins, 3.39 miles [this was tricky]


Tuesday's stats
Cycling (in gym) - 30 mins, 5.5 miles [Level 5 - pushing on to get back to where I was...]

145. Walking to victory

Well, now, that was a weekend and a half!

Had a bit of a party on Saturday night, which made fitting in the requisite 5km per day trickier than usual... And, frankly, Saturday's party destroyed me for Sunday: quite how I got up the energy to leave the house let alone stumble through 5km is beyond me. I think that I should get extra points for that rather slow, desperate ramble. Feeling a bit perkier today, but still... It's true enough - everything good comes at a high price!

Must get back in the gym, though, and start ramping up the miles. I am still signed up to run (ha!) a half-marathon in May, and training to date has been quite insufficient to that need... Not least the distinct lack of running!

In other news, it was sunny when I left work today, which was something of a shock. Not only still light when I left work, but actually sunny! A brave new dawn is upon us, my people...

;o)

Monday's stats
Walking - 53 mins, 3.23 miles [Day 9 - bit bored of this now, need to get back in the gym!]

Sunday's stats
Walking - 55 mins, 3.2 miles [Day 8 - not entirely sure how I managed this.]

Saturday's stats
Walking - 43 mins, 2.74 miles [Day 7 - tick-ish. It was the best I could do in the time available!]
Walking - 18 mins, 1.13 miles [Day 7 - tick-ish. It was the best I could do in the time available!]

Friday's stats
Walking - 51 mins, 3.29 miles [Day 6 - tick.]

144. Back in the saddle

Once more unto the breach, dear friends!

Determined to keep the 5x50 stuff interesting I've been in the gym again: and back on a bike! For those invested in the "Free Boris" campaign, I sadly have to announce that this was a static bike and Boris' fate remains currently unchanged. For at least another week...

So after a solid 7 months away, what's the gym like? Well... Unchanged. All the machines are the same as they were and where they used to be. And the gym features an additional Terminator option (he's been there every night this week at the same time I have). In fact the realities of the gym are me, The Terminator, 2 iPods and some exercise machines. It's very nearly comforting to be back...

Although tonight The Terminator showed signs of weakness - he came off the cross-trainer (which he STILL doesn't use properly) and had to take a few minutes to catch his breath! Perhaps.... Perhaps his batteries have run down a bit with the general lack of recent sunshine?

Apart from that, little to report. 5x50 still on track (but it is only day 5 today) and I am looking forward to a day off... In 45 days time... *sigh*

:o)

Wednesday's stats
Cycling (in gym) - 30 mins, 5.5 miles [Level 4 - slowly ramping up...]

143. Finnegan begin again

*ahem* Ah, yes, where was I...?

Well, that was a full 7 (count 'em, 7!) months of exercise-free joy. The loafing! The eating! The time well spent lounging on the sofa! And, sadly, the steady increase in body weight...

All come to an end. *sob*

As of Sunday, I'm back on the treadmill (not yet literally) of the 5x50 Challenge. 50 days, 5km (or equivalent) per day - how hard can it be? Well, I guess it's all relative, particularly after 7 months off...

Not wanting to rush into things the first 2 days were spent walking (at pace) around and about. Sadly, the weather has launched into spring with plenty of haar and a sudden drop in temperature, and so I really would be best to confine myself to the gym for the next few days if I'm not to come down with a nice Victorian lung chill type thingy. Given the walking was at night in relatively poor weather, I have little to report beyond bemoaning once more the over-abundance of hills around where I live.

Oh, yes, and for those concerned about such things - I can confirm that Boris is still, sadly, in his box.

:o)

Sunday's stats
Walking - 54 mins, 3.37 miles [Day 1 - back in the, uh, saddle. Ish.]

Monday's stats
Walking - 51 mins, 3.29 miles [Day 2 - tick.]