This week has been a week of deep thought. No not the Supernatural Computer set up to answer the most meaningful question of life (Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy) but a week of self reflection and contemplation. š¤
I shared a wonderful evening with three friends (in a garden self distancing and all that). We drank, we talked, shared and we laughed so much I was virtually crying. It is wonderful to have such lovely friends in my life and to feel a part of something so positive. I look forward to many more nights like this.
Iāve progressed further with the Ant Middleton book and feel its really made me look hard at myself. Itās easy in life to spot the flaws of others but its far more rewarding to spot your own and either accept them or make changes. Itās nice to feel that at 51 I can still learn and grow as a person. He writes a whole chapter on how the words ābe careful when said to others or to yourself can result in being overly anxious about things. Iāve realised Iām a āoh be carefulā person and always have been. I would like to limit this inner voice to minimise my anxieties. Between this new sense of inner strength and peace and my recent purchase of ācurlā cream for my hair I may have to start wearing more boho dresses and skip around the garden in the moonlight š.
In terms of my bucket list Iāve continued to listen to more albums from the Rolling Stones top 100 list. This week this included Buddy Holly Lives and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John. Both excellent and easy to sing along to since I knew all of these tracks.
This week in sport I still kept mostly flat on my runs but managed to cover 25k in the week so happy to be building up again slowly. Didnāt manage much cycling at only 1.5 hours all week but once again had a brilliant strength workout with our PT on Saturday.
Fits of giggles during this combined workout. Iām about to lean back (Nordic Hamstring curl) and hubby is doing squats
Last two weeks Iāve been able to see family twice and a friend once. Itās so so nice to be able to see people at last and its really easy to social distance in gardens in the sun. Iāve also had calls from my hairdresser, the local beauticians and my sports masseur (although the latter is uncertain as yet) as appointments can now be made woohoo š„³
Iām seeing (provided it doesnāt rain) a lovely group of friends this evening for wine and chat and in between have a skype call with family planned so life is good. Between that and my second attempt at skate boarding Iām all excited and upbeat today š
Bucket List:
So one of my 60 things before 60 was to skateboard. Itās up for debate as to whether I can tick that off yet but Iād personally like to be able to skate all the way down our hill from the top. So once Iāve nailed that Iāll put up a video, however, for your amusement here is me after my second outing on the skateboard from half way down the hill. Amazing how easy it is to spot my errors on the video but Iām chuffed for staying on š
Need the confidence to stand more sideways on it so can lean/turn, thatās for next practice sesh
I watched another film from the top 250 imdb list. Well I tried watching L.A. Confidential but got bored so then moved onto Fight Club. Iāve actually seen this one strictly speaking but it was long enough ago that i couldnāt remember it. Pretty good but not amazing would be my verdict. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6cwmHL2tFI
Iāve also been working my way through the top 100 albums on Rolling Stones list. So far Iāve listened to the Zombies (really liked), Sly and the Family Stone, Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan (ace), The Who, Miles Davis, Hank Williams (love it) and the last one was Prince. I cheated a bit on Prince as the album was Sign of the Times which was dull as dishwater. I switched it to Purple Rain (brilliant album). Next up Buddy Holly then Elton John whoop.
Sport:
Strava says I did 8 hours this week which is above my weekly average of late. I had a day off work this week so was able to get a longer bike ride in. We rode around Cheshire in beautiful weather and stopped for an ice cream.
Beautiful lanes of CheshireStopping for yummy cliff barTrying to look natural and failing
Nommy ice cream en route, mint choc chip mmmm
Other sport included a few turbo workouts, one of which was a fun interval session where I sprinted at 10 mins, 20 mins, 30 mins etc, for 1 min, then 2, then 3 etc. Up to 6 minutes. Definitely a hard one that. Since Iām just beginning to recover Achilles wise Iāve been taking it easier with the running and just did 22k over the week at a pretty slow pace. One more week like that and I hope to get in some hill running again.
And then on Saturday we saw our lovely personal trainer Emma (Peak Trails Physical Training). She is ace, always bubbly and happy and just puts you in a good mood. Since Iāve had ongoing issues with a shoulder injury she did mostly core and leg workouts and then gave us different things to do when it came to arms. I did my physio and hubby did hard weights (ha ha).
Bicycles great for the core
Inother news:
Iāve started reading a book by Ant Middleton on my kindle (The Fear Bubble). Utterly brilliant and I hope I can learn from it and apply it to the scary things I try to do (like cycling down steep hills…). Itās extremely honest and Iād recommend it if you like the SAS who dares wins TV show.
I painted a garden ornament. My brother asked me to paint it (for fun) and I decided it would look good in cycling clothing so here is Rapha because only Rapha will do for our duck š
Iām 51, married, been running for 7 years and doing triathlon for 3. Prior to that my main hobby for many years was dancing. Everything from Jazz, Street to Belly Dance.
Iām now training for my first iron man, whilst negotiating the menopause, trying to get fitter than ever before and honestly just get to the start line of the Ironman feeling like I can finish in one piece and not let the half hourly hot flushes stop me! Outside the Ironman Iād like to do so many things Iāve written a Bucket List to aim for before Iām 60. Thereās no pressure, just good old fashioned fun and hopefully adventure.
The definition of Adventure to me is taking on the unknown. So things may go wrong along the way but thats part of the fun š.
I managed to get back to some sport this week, not as much as usual given a recovering Achilles and now a shoulder injury but it didnāt stop me finishing my bucket list (the writing of it not the doing, that would be insane). I did however, make a start on some things š. So here are the remaining things for my list.
41. Ascend Mont Ventoux on a bike. For now Iām going to say just any of the three ascents but it would be nice to do all three, however, this would be very challenging for me.
My husband climbing Mont Ventoux from Bedouin side a few years back (he does make this look easy)
42. Dine at the Ivy. Iāve heard great things about this restaurant and I believe you can go next door afterwards for a coffee on the top floor of a building with great views (all sounds good to me)
43. Do Go Ape. I watched my son do this many years ago. At the time I argued I wouldnāt join in as someone had to be the cameraman/woman. This was of course complete rubbish. I was just scared really. I donāt want to be scared of things anymore so bring it.
44. Invent a cocktail. This will be fun and definitely not scary. The practice and testing will be particularly fun š
45. Ride on a skateboard. Ever since I thought of this one I have been obsessed with it and am now attempting to get hold of one or buy one so I can have a go. This may sound easy to many but I do not have good balance, was terrible on roller skates and expect to hit the deck a few times before I master just going in a straight line.
46. Ride in a limo
47. Cycle up Cowlishaw Road
A tricky one for me with these gradients
48. Read a classic novel. Iām open to ideas
49. Attempt to use tri bars. This will again be very tricky for me. I only have my hands on the hoods when I ride (now and again). I tend to ride with my hands in the drops as I like feeling that the brake levers are close and easy to grab. So the idea of not being able to grab them quickly is a bit scary but it would be advantageous if I could master this one.
50. In my last blog I mentioned I wanted to travel around Eastern Europe by train and I reeled off a few places Iād like to see on the way. I decided these deserved individual bucket listings. So first out of these is to visit the castles in Transylvania especially the Bran castle of Dracula. I mean you just have to right.
Not sure how one gets up to this castle but it would be so cool at night
51. Visit Lake Bled.
52. Visit Plitvice National Park in Croatia
53. Soak in the thermal baths in Budapest
54. Watch the top 100 movies on IMDB. Here is the top 250 list. I could bump it up to include all eventually, we will see. I watched āDr Strangeloveā and āOne flew over the Cuckoos Nestā this weekend. Both excellent films. The first one is of course a little dated but Peter Sellers is brilliant in it. Jack Nicholson in the latter is superb (as he always is).
58. Write a list of 101 life lessons and then share them with the world
59. Climb Ben Nevis
60. Do something that scares me although I think there are plenty of things on here already that qualify š±
In other news, I bought some new running socks which I love
Heart socks Turbo today was monstrously hot š„µ. My hair is starting to take on a life of its own in this humidity. Reminds me of Monica in friends Itās the humidity you know
Itās been an odd week. Being unable to do as much sport as usual due to Achilles pain, shoulder pain and an amazingly bad bout of hay fever…..I found myself making a bucket list. I was inspired a while back by my sister doing 50 things before 50 and thought Ill do the same only Ive just passed that goal post so its 60 things before 60 instead.
It would be so easy for me to come up with a hundred things if I had infinite time and money to spend but since I donāt I decided against putting too many travel based things. If I win the lottery I might change that of course but then Iād have to play the lottery first š¤
So below my list is yet to be completed but Iāve come up with 40 so far and intend to crack on with a few soon.
1. Get a bike fit – Ok this one was pencilled in before lockdown. I cant wait to get it booked in again.
3. Do an Ultra – Unfinished business here. My first one was slow and a tad too hot for me but it was beautiful and well organised. Sadly my second got cancelled (well I had to cancel it due to back issues). So thereās always been this desire to go back and try again.
4. Do a longer Ultra – Well you know, if I do a 50k one for 3 then a 100k has to be done for 4.
5. Running dream – sssh its a secret
6. Buy and run with new cool running backpack – well you have to have some easy ones on your bucket list right (currently debating one of the Salomon backpacks after recommendation from a friend, will let you know how it is when I finally get around to buying it)
7. Get an iconic running photo – I stare longingly at instagram photos where people post seemingly impossibly beautiful trail running photos. A recent one was a guy running up the side of a mountain and the photo was taken from the distance. The sky was perfect, the views were perfect and he even had both feet off the floor which is optimal for a good running photo right?
8. Design my own silly cake – years ago a friend made a cake in the shape of a tampon with the appropriate bits of red colouring etc. Iām not suggesting Iāll make something that gross but Iād like to come up with something novel.
9. Kill Zombie boss in wii game solo – this was my sons idea. I love playing the wii zombie game and weāve defeated the big boss once or twice together but Iāve never managed it alone. This is a good rainy day one.
10. Ride on the orient express – been a lifelong dream…sigh
11. Ride a Segway – canāt believe Iāve never done this
12. Sleep in a tree house – you know like posh camping, in the middle of a Forrest etc.
13. Go to a winery in France – well I love wine…so any excuse
14. Visit a tourist attraction near to my hometown – one of those things I just donāt do…so nows the time (well when lockdown eases)
15. See singing in the rain show – love love the film and Iām told the show is awesome.
16. Go on a picnic – this should be easy to arrange
17. Do a colour run – Iāve never bothered, mostly because Iād have to travel to it to do a 5k run but it would be fun so yeah Lorna get it done
18. Have a spa day – no words required
19. Stand up on a paddle board – I really fancy this, not sure Iād be good at the balance but would love to have a go
20. Get an article published – hopefully this will happen soon
21. Make home made chocolate eclairs – they are yummy so Iād like to have a go
22. Go bouldering – my son does this. I have rockclimbed and thoroughly enjoyed it also tried a bit of ice climbing (indoors) but Iāve never done bouldering.
23. Ride Andratx to Puerto Pollensa – My husband and I love to cycle in Mallorca and the highest mountain is on the stretch between Andratx and Puerto Pollensa. Due to my past issues with downhill rides (and still sometimes) Iāve never attempted this. Iām getting more confident now so I have to go for it.
24. Visit Canada – I have always wanted to. Iād love to see the Rocky Mountains. Iād also like to visit my cousin who seems completely ace and Iāve just never met her.
25. Look at property in France and/or Spain – could be fun and its a good excuse to do a cycling tour.
26. Camp again – havenāt done this in years
27. Come first in age group in a race – I came second in age group in a sprint tri last year (much to my surprise). I just need to shave off a few minutes and first is a possibility.
28. Run at night on trail (in the dark alone) – would be such spooky fun, might have to get a head torch. Could be combined with 32.
29. Learn some Spanish – I keep going to Mallorca and I can only say can I have the bill please, a beer, please and thank you. Honestly could do better
30. Shoot a gun at a gun range – just for fun, not a gun supporter, they should only be at ranges in my opinion.
31. Train tour of Eastern Europe – I want to see Lake Bled, Plitvice National Park, Transylvania, Lakes and forrests in Slovakia.
32. Experience a sunrise/sunset
33. Sing to an audience – this may require inebriation
34. Fly in a helicopter – I think Iād be terrified but it just looks so cool
35. Have dinner with my husband in a really romantic location – awww
36. Have a drink on a rooftop bar
37. Kiss in the rain – like you see people do in the movies (hope hubby is reading this one)
38. Dance on a bar – see number 33 (drinking maybe necessary)
39. Volunteer for something – maybe a park run or race
40. Raise money for a charity close to my heart
Iāll think of 20 more things this week. If anyone has any ideas let me know, preferably inexpensive and silly is always good too š
Following Mondays rest day I did a lunch trail run with my son on nearby hilly paths and green fields in the stifling heat on Tuesday.
Great views in the distanceSprinting uphill
After work I hopped on the turbo for a quick tour of London (Zwift version).
Thursday
Rested on Wednesday. Simply a case of CBA š¬. So on Thursday I punished my body by doing everything! At lunch I did 30 minutes on the turbo pushing it hard on Zwift Yorkshire. Very hilly and great fun (yes you can feel the difference on the turbo, the one we have is designed to raise resistance on hills). After work I went for a 4 mile run around our town, keeping it flat āish as my Achilles is still playing up. After the run I did circuits with the lads on the front driveway/garden. We were waiting for a delivery so I wanted to hear it arrive. Turned out to be quite good fun doing tri dips off the front wall.
Friday
As the weather was poor I decided to hop on the turbo yet again after work rather than doing my favourite 1 hour outdoor cycling loop. I did the Zwift London route again thinking it would be flat and then found myself going up box hill….oops
Iām smiling but its hard!
After turbo our PT came round to do circuits with us in the garden. It was so ace to see her and we had a great socially distanced workout. She took a video of us doing glute bridges which had us in giggles after.
The pink socks finish off the look š Love lifting weights
Saturday
Despite Achilles niggles I went for my long run of 9 miles. I decided to run down by the canal as it really is pretty much flat and hills are making my Achilles issue worse currently. Honestly the turbo sessions and PT session caught up with me and I found myself running along feeling like I had an ironing board in my back and in both legs. I still enjoyed it though! Iāve come to love running even more lately, perhaps its the freedom of it.
Ice bath for my feet and ankles post run
So its Sunday now and Iām having a lazy day. Itās unfortunately too rainy to visit family as planned and Iām too stiff to do any sport so Iām sat watching Lord of the Rings with the lads. What a great film šæ. It also helps me to recover from last nights Prosecco drinking session with hubby. We had a great evening listening to music and dancing around the living room.
As always Monday was my rest day. This was also my first day back in the office in a long time. I was really quite excited and it felt good to go in. Our offices/Company are involved in key equipment in relation to the Covid crisis so the reception has already been set up with gloves/masks, temperature control etc for some time. Although I was not only 2 metres away but more like 12 metres away from another living person for most of the day it was still a nice change from home working.
Tuesday
I went for my usual run on Tuesday. After having some Achilles issues recently I decided to do a relatively flat 4 mile run (equates to undulating around here). It was one of those lovely I feel great days where you go faster and feel amazing. I LOVE those days š. On my return I made my usual smoothie but this time I made one that resembled something from āIām a celebrity get me out of hereā.
Crushed bugs with milk anyone?
Wednesday
I decided to go out for my bike ride rather than turbo, since the weather was so lovely. I did my usual āup and overā as I call it as its a very pretty hilly but not too steep hilly route which essentially goes up and then down and can be done in under an hour.
Thursday
Run day again and I decided to do my four miles at a slower rate and keep within Z2 heart rate zone. It is deemed beneficial to do the majority of your training (80%) in Z2 when you are training for long distance events and a its also believed that even for shorter events its better to do a really slow run and then a really fast run or intervals rather than doing everything at an intermediate pace (a one pace pony stays a one pace pony). There are 4 heart rate zones and each one represents a certain % of your maximum heart rate. Theoretically your maximum heart rate is approx. 220 less your age. This would put mine around 169. In reality mine is closer to 190 so the theory doesnāt take into account fitness and genetics. So Z2 for me means keeping my heart rate under 140. Sounds easy but I nearly always go over this when running. Finally on Thursday I found that golden pace and got my heart rate down (woohoo!). This is exciting for me as its also then the pace I should aim for in an Ironman marathon (assuming I had any legs left).
Friday
I repeated my up and over route on the bike but this time I tightened my cleats before setting off. What a difference! If it hadnāt been for the loud clicking noises on my bike and unbelievable bad luck with every traffic light, parked lorries, people stepping out etc. I would of got a PB on my route (next time). On getting home I asked my husband about the clicking noise, convinced it had something to do with my left pedal/cleat. After much riding up and down the road with my foot in and out of the pedal, my husband points out that the pedal is simply banging on my bicycle pump with every turn. Aghghgh. Needless to say I felt really silly š.
Later on Friday we had our personal training session in the back garden.
Hubby is doing squats on a wobble board and Iām wrestling with a tree…no wait see next photoWith the TRX tied to the tree Iām doing side curtsey squats
Saturday
For the first time in weeks I decided I would do my long run (8 miles) as flat as possible. The only way to do that around here is to run down by the canal so I was up early to avoid having to run near too many people.
First order of the day was roll out those calves to avoid further Achilles issues.
Rolling rolling rolling
On the way around I decided to practice taking running selfies using the timer on my phone. My initial photos were pretty bad….
This is my third attempt, Iām not in the first two šAttempt three, getting better but still only legs š
Later on I got a bit better at it
Ok, not professional yet but at least Iāve got all of me in the photoBeautiful views along the canal, so lucky to live near here
Sunday
Today we went on a 50 mile bike ride. Itās the furthest Iāve been in quite a while but it was also out on the flat plains on Cheshire. It occurred to me its been a while since Iāve done a flat ride and it felt so easy and speedy compared to doing the hilly rides around here. I got a lot of personal bests en route so clearly tighter cleats and practicing on hilly routes makes you faster. Also (and I take no credit for this amusing anecdote) but apparently TITS make you faster too (a fellow blogger was debating this issue in a very witty blog she wrote). Yes indeed the greater the TITS the more you can improve speed. I had to ask what this stood for, apparently itās Time In The Saddle (ahhhhhh).
Cycled out to Jodrell Bank and back in my new Pongo socks
This week was better and a few conversations with lovely people and I found mojo again. I also started rereading some inspiring running books. This week I reread āThe Clock Keeps Tickingā by Sharon Gayter. She is an amazing Ultra runner and the book is well worth a read.
Monday
This is my rest day so I didnāt do any sport but I did try on the new cycling socks that hubby bought me. They should look better on when Iām wearing cycling shorts rather than jeans š¤
To be worn on my next cycling trip
Tuesday
Went for a 4 mile hilly trail run with hubby. The weather was lovely and it was a fairly fast pace of 6.17/km (for me).
At the top of one of the descentsStill descending
Wednesday
Turboed for just 35 minutes as at this point the pedal came off (again). It was stuck to my shoe. We have since bought a new pedal and fixed this problem.
Pedal stuck to shoeBike without a pedal
Thursday
Ran with my son to the pharmacy. Just a 2 mile slow paced run as my legs were very tired.
Just realised I got Tuesday and Thursday the wrong way round…..
Friday
Did another cycling turbo workout at home for 45 minutes and then had a really tough workout session with our PT. I still find HIIT hard as most of what I do is endurance or strength work at lower HR. My legs have been tired all weekend after this but in a good way.
Saturday
We were supposed to go out on a long bike ride but I woke up feeling shattered. Not sure if it was hay fever or the booze from the previous evening, maybe both. So decided to go on the turbo yet again. Managed an hour this time and felt great. Amazing what a difference a new pedal makes.
First time I averaged 35.9kph on the turbo. Only wish I could do this on the bike outside….
Sunday
Went for a lovely (hard) 7 mile trail run with my son. There was one spot of walking as he got a stitch but otherwise he did really well and definitely has the running bug now. My stepson has started running with the couch to 5k. Once he is running a few miles perhaps we can all go on a trail run as a family, something nice to do post lockdown perhaps.
My son enjoying the descent after a few miles of uphills
When I write my blog I always feel I should be positive and I usually am but this week I have struggled a little.
My body has rebelled after two weekends of virtual ironman racing in a row (unsurprisingly), a tight back, very tired legs and a shoulder injury that wouldnāt seem to go away. My motivation seemed to take a dive this week, not only with sport but in general and Iāve found myself a little withdrawn perhaps.
I intend, however, to find my mojo this coming week starting tomorrow. I shall look for it in a walk, with friends online, in my running and cycling which I may do differently this week to mix things up. I shall also look for it under the sofa, in my wardrobe, in the garage but definitely not in the biscuit tin….. although mojo does often hide in the biscuit tin I will admit š¬
Still I did do some training this week and some other things, so here they are:
Tuesday
I had a day off work and had intended to go on a bike ride with hubby but it was raining so we went for a run instead. It was just a four mile loop but its a hilly loop and was on reflection not a bright idea having done a race on the weekend (see Wednesday). It was none the less very enjoyable and Iāve definitely refound a love of trail running.
Wednesday
Words can not express how hard I found the bike ride on Wednesday. This was another holiday from work and there was no rain so hubby and I set off looking forward to our hilly adventure. I have developed a love for riding in the hills. I think the combination of having a good day and really feeling challenged but fit as you make it up the hill is so great and of course the stunning views are always worth it. Admittedly on this occasion my legs were tired from the off and I got to a point of not enjoying it as much which is a shame. On the last hill which felt really steep I didnāt think I would make it up to the top and I felt very out of breath. I would however like to go back and do that ride again on a day when my legs feel better. It would be good to really give it a solid go and feel good about it. Later on Wednesday we had our zoom session with our PT. This was difficult but we managed to do a good job of it and hopefully can give a bit more next time.
Goya Valley before the big hillTop of Windgather
Friday
Had a rest day on Thursday. On Friday I did a very short recovery run of 2 miles. Itās sometimes better to turn the legs over and get the blood moving than to sit still so I followed this guidance and went off on an ambling jog.
Saturday
Yesterday was to be my long run. I decided to shorten the run from the original intended 9 miler to just 7 miles but I also decided to take the run into the hills/on to the trails. It was a beautiful run which I throughly enjoyed and if my Achilles allows I think I may find mojo on some of these runs.
My exit Styal is behind all of these sheep
Sunday
Today I was supposed to do a long bike ride but after the demanding bike ride on Wednesday I decided to only do my āloopā which takes about an hour. My legs didnāt feel quite as tired which bodes well for next week, perhaps recovery is on the way.
Ok now Iām off to find mojo. I will definitely not start with that biscuit tin…….
We did our weekly workout with our fabulous personal trainer Emma from Peak Trails Physical Training. Even though training is currently done via Zoom she is so full of energy you still get that encouragement you need from a PT.
Tuesday
Hubby took me for a run on the trails/in the hills. It was a five miler and beautiful all the way. I did start to notice an old Achilles injury biting a little on the uphills (damn that long run on Sunday).
Wednesday
Felt shattered on Wednesday and got off the turbo after just 20 minutes. Sometimes you just need to rest. So I did some yoga as it helps to stretch out and it was beautiful outside which helps.
Thursday and Friday
I took two full rest days. My left shoulder and my legs have been a bit sore and tired all week so seemed the best thing to do.
Saturday
Having signed up to the VR6 (virtual Olympic distance tri or rather version there of which is 3k run, 40k bike and 10k run over a weekend) I set off for my 3k run in the morning. Went pretty well and was pleased with my 15.53 time given that nothing here locally is flat. After that I had intended to sprint out fully on the 40k (done inside on the turbo) but a) it was too hot, b) my legs were gone and c) I didnāt pick the flattest route on Zwift. It was sadly one of those workouts where you just try to get to the end rather than go fast. I did it in 1 hr 16 which I was quite disappointed with, ah well another day and all that.
Sunday
Hubby set off on his 3k run to do the VR6 and came home and got on the turbo around the time I set off to do my 10k run. It went better than expected and although way off a PB I actually thought I might be even slower so was happy with my 57 minutes.
Overall currently 34th out of 186 in age/gender category but the results wont finish coming in until midnight. Hubby is currently 120th out of 716, totally awesome.
In other news:
I sent off an article to Ultrarunning World online magazine. I was very excited to be asked to do this a few weeks ago and I cant wait to see it in the finished magazine.
I used an ironing board for the first time in …..oh wait, I cant actually remember. In fact until a few months ago we didnāt own one. Those that know me well will know what an unprecedented moment this is!
Lorna Runs 