More Like It...

Fastest 2k row to date, 8:02. Way way down on my best of.... ten years ago... but then I'm ten years older - not to mention bloody unfit and sagging in places I'd rather not sag. Still, will be nice to get into the sevens in a day or two.

Still feel a bit bloaty but better than yesterday. Followed the row by the bike and of course the abs and pull-ups. I might take a rest day tomorrow before heading back to the grindstone that is work on Tuesday.

On other matters, I finally managed to get to the supermarket. Mind you, I almost turned away when I was confronted with another very full car park. What the hell is wrong with people? Last Tuesday - chockers. Last Wednesday - chockers. Last Thursday - chockers. Saturday - Chockers. Today - chockers. Some people need to take a long look at themselves. If it wasn't for the fact I haven't been to the shops for almost two weeks and have practically nothing left except soursough starter and flour I'd probably turned back. Hopefully I now have enough food to see me through to the new year when the madness of people will be back to the normal levels of madness.

A Bit Fatigued...

Another day, another row, bike abs complete but it felt laboured today. I think the honeymoon might be over and that now the hard work is about to begin but I didn't have any motivational difficulty completing the session. So hopefully, however tough it gets, I'll be tougher...

Away from the training, I've been feeling a bit bloaty today. Hopefully a good nights sleep will fix that.

A First...

I have never ever managed to find the enthusiasm to exercise on Christmas day before. More of the same for me today though. Another 2k row, bike, abs and pull-ups. Another tiny step complete up a very very long ladder...

So I Had The Day Off Yesterday...

From training not work and I stayed down in Bristol for my birthday so didn't have a spare moment. Back on it today though. Another row, bike abs... You'd think it would get boring wouldn't you? But it hasn't so far.

Now I'm not going to get ahead of myself and these are very early days but with each session done I feel driven towards completing the next. I've even rolled out the big guns - the heart rate monitor - to gauge improvement in my fitness, keep me focused and inspire me onwards and upwards. I can feel some graphs coming to the training log spreadsheet. I do love a good spreadsheet...

I Knew It Couldn't Last....

After successfully cooking and - and this is the important bit - eating Cauliflower cheese without burning my mouth Sunday the natural balance of the universe returned to normal tonight for the microwave re-heat. Not sure I'm ever going to learn...

Anyway, I managed another good exercise session tonight. Another 2000m row, sixty minutes on the bike, ab-crunches and pull-ups. I'm now sporting an aching stomach and crooked neck. I've also put my training log on my blog. Nobody will view but hopefully it will act like a psychological carrot - or something like that.

Under A Malaise

I've been struggling to find my mojo - not the half penny chew of yesteryear - for a while. I've had more false starts on the comeback trail than a sprinter with a tic. I've decided I'm not going to race for a while. I'm going to try and get back some basic fitness away from the indignity of doing utterly pants at races - and I have really been utterly pants for a few years.

I'm going to start with a cardio routine of rowing and bike and crunches, pull-ups and push ups for core strength. I want something I can do easily after work with minimal chance of making excuses. I should be able to accurately monitor my fitness level and once I'm ready I can start again...

So If It Dries Up Tomorrow I May....

Head over to the Malverns... Not run 'em for a while. Could be good...

To Cardington, Or Not To Cardington, That Is The Question...

It's not an easy race. I have zero mojo with associated total lack of fitness but it's a bloody good race. Going to be a late call I guess. I've got till Sunday morning before dawn to decide...

Soggy And Cold....

Yes, it was another soggy day at the orienteering. I was going to run Blorenge but looking out the window this morning, at the unending dark clouds looming, I decided I'd rather get soggy and cold closer to home.

I had quite a good run in the end. Didn't make any really big errors. A few small ones here. A couple of slightly non-optimal route choices there. Before I knew it, it was over. I was damp to the bones by the end and.. cold, so very very cold - okay I wasn't that cold but I was certainly happy to be standing under a piping hot shower forty minutes later.

Thinking of emigrating...

Been A Bit Quiet....

but I'm not going away. I've a few more days in the wilderness before my next race.. And while I'm talking races. This Saturday 7:05am Channel Four sees the screening of the Garmin Mourne Mountains Skyline race....

So It's Almost The Weekend...

and a reasonably full weekend. Well, I say full. Really just two short races... Race one, the Bull something near Ross-on-Wye on Saturday and the Gyhirych Grind Sunday - provided I don't end up marshalling again....

The Bull something race sounds interesting. There is a route choice near the end. One route is steep. The other less so. I think we can all guess which route I shall be taking...

Time To Chill...

Well it's over. Done and dusted. Curtain down on the Trellech Orienteering. It feels nice to have finally got there but I am feeling fatigued both physically and mentally now. Everything went off okay and most people seemed to have enjoyed it - despite it being a bit of a physical course.

The day started pretty much the same way yesterday finished - putting out controls in the pouring ran. Thankfully I got the remaining controls out in just over an hour - still long enough to get soaked to the skin and beyond. Fortunately Vera was along for the ride so I was able to do a full kit change and get myself warm and dry - but not before I taped one section of the course and the route to the start.

After a hour assisting at the start the rain finally stopped and unbelievably the sun came out. After the peak had subsided I headed back to the registration area for a chat and to watch the weary runners returning and before long it was time to head back out to collect the controls. The assistance of Pete W was invaluable and there's no way I'd have completed the process inside half an hour of the courses closing without his help - nor, in fact the whole planning thing. His help was brilliant.

Planning aside, the highlight of the day was informing Andy C that the control he struggled with towards the end was also a control on the yellow course... (that's the least technical course for those not in the know).

Surprisingly Knackered...

.. and not to mention cold and wet. It was not a nice day to be out there but needs must. Those needs which needed musting - oh er, sounds a bit rude - where the controls for tomorrows Trellech orienteering. Well they don't just walk out there by themselves...

Five batches placed, I covered about 10k in the process. Even managed to fit in a few hill reps. Two thirds are now in place and good to go. I should add that today's were the furthest placed controls so tomorrow's one third will be easier - I hope. Can't say I won't be glad once it's all over. It has been quite hard work, not to mention time consuming. But then again, without people stepping up and committing their time to the cause there would be no orienteering for anyone.

Is It Sunday Already?

Like I care.... cue day off Monday. Not doing anything special just got some days to use. Three day week coming up. Nuff said.