My niece and nephew Jack and Josey, have, by marriage, Arabic relatives.... which meant that the odd Arabic word crept into conversation. The best ( and only ) one I can remember is oofa .
Oofa describes a pain. A lump, a bump, a cut, a scrape, a bruise, a break, basically something that hurts.
And the point to why I am telling you this?? Well, it's because I have an Oofa!!
I'm a little tired of telling everyone that my foot STILL hurts.. That it's painful... I've decided to tell people I have an oofa - much better!!
So, my oofa.... even though I have done as I've been told (that is incredible in itself and worthy of a pause and some consideration........ok....resume reading) my oofa isn't improving. I have spent FOUR months resting it, no long distance walking, no running, no gym, I massage it with ice gel, I take my anti-inflammatories and....nothing is happening!!
AND... 'Wind-up Wendy', our receptionist at work had the audacity to suggest I may be becoming grumpy through lack of exercise......bah!
So, the latest is, my GP has referred me back to my consultant, as she too agrees that after FOUR months my oofa should be getting better.....and she wants me well enough to walk her dog Lily next holidays...!!
So... In the meantime.... me and my oofa are to sit on the sofa and eat chocolate .... How can that make me grumpy?!?!?
Saturday 8 December 2012
Wednesday 24 October 2012
Bikes and Butts..
I just don't know how my brother Tim (aka Homer Simpson) does it... I spent 30 minutes and 6.5 miles on a bike at the gym and it was mind- numbingly, butt- numbingly gruesome!!
Tim cycles miles and miles and miles, for hours and hours and hours at a time..... yes, he has to rub cream in to his nether regions ( interestingly called 'nu butt'!!).... but, honestly, I can't quite see the appeal.
( You can read about his adventures/exploits/torture at http://challengemenace.blogspot.com.)
But, according to my consultant, this is just about the only exercise I can do at the moment :-(
After a 3rd opinion I've finally found out what's wrong with the old foot! After 6 weeks of rest it was getting no better, so my GP referred me to an orthopaedic consultant in a specialist foot and ankle clinic..... one MRI scan later and I had my answer....
I have an 'overload syndrome/reaction' which has caused a build up of 'lots' of fluid around the middle and lateral cuneiform bones and the talonavicular and posterior subtalar joints..... basically, too much high impact exercise = too much fluid around the joints= pain and swelling= need to rest big time= arghhhh!!!
The treatment is rest, and hopefully the fluid will disperse and reabsorb....I asked the consultant (who was absolutely gorgeous by the way!!) if they could aspirate, but apparently there is too much, in too many pockets.....
..and anti- inflammatories... and I have to regularly ice my foot.... which is a bit of a bugger really (sorry Mom for the language, no other word adequately expresses the right feeling...)coz I HATE the cold....
But worst (or worse??) of all, is having someone ( even if he was gorgeous) dictate my exercise regime..... Only cycling :-( or swimming :-( :-( or static weights until at least after Christmas "and then we'll see.." Bah!
Swimming is, well, wet..... and, well, there's not a lot else to say about cycling......I gave body pump a go last night and did most of the class, I had to miss lunges as there was a lot of jumping about, but I managed the rest, but didn't feel it was 'cardio' enough....so..... roll on Christmas!! It's only about 60 odd sleeps!!
Tim cycles miles and miles and miles, for hours and hours and hours at a time..... yes, he has to rub cream in to his nether regions ( interestingly called 'nu butt'!!).... but, honestly, I can't quite see the appeal.
( You can read about his adventures/exploits/torture at http://challengemenace.blogspot.com.)
But, according to my consultant, this is just about the only exercise I can do at the moment :-(
After a 3rd opinion I've finally found out what's wrong with the old foot! After 6 weeks of rest it was getting no better, so my GP referred me to an orthopaedic consultant in a specialist foot and ankle clinic..... one MRI scan later and I had my answer....
I have an 'overload syndrome/reaction' which has caused a build up of 'lots' of fluid around the middle and lateral cuneiform bones and the talonavicular and posterior subtalar joints..... basically, too much high impact exercise = too much fluid around the joints= pain and swelling= need to rest big time= arghhhh!!!
The treatment is rest, and hopefully the fluid will disperse and reabsorb....I asked the consultant (who was absolutely gorgeous by the way!!) if they could aspirate, but apparently there is too much, in too many pockets.....
..and anti- inflammatories... and I have to regularly ice my foot.... which is a bit of a bugger really (sorry Mom for the language, no other word adequately expresses the right feeling...)coz I HATE the cold....
But worst (or worse??) of all, is having someone ( even if he was gorgeous) dictate my exercise regime..... Only cycling :-( or swimming :-( :-( or static weights until at least after Christmas "and then we'll see.." Bah!
Swimming is, well, wet..... and, well, there's not a lot else to say about cycling......I gave body pump a go last night and did most of the class, I had to miss lunges as there was a lot of jumping about, but I managed the rest, but didn't feel it was 'cardio' enough....so..... roll on Christmas!! It's only about 60 odd sleeps!!
Wednesday 26 September 2012
Tears and tissues.........
The title isn't 'tears' as in crying but tears as in 'ripped' - just in case you thought I'd gone all soft....mind you - it could possibly mean tears of frustration as my left foot is still giving me gyp!
After two xrays which didn't show anything, a second GP had a look, and thinks I have some tiny tears in the plantar tissue which runs along the bottom of the foot, literally from heel to the start of the toe, and he feels that this is my problem....as the tissue is the same as ligament/tendon, its going to take a 'long while to heal'...which = REST, which I have done (honestly..cross-my-heart) for the last month, and it's no better...in fact today...there were real tears as I think it's worse :-(
The GP said 1 in 10 athletes (Yay..he thinks I'm an athlete..not a nutter like the last GP!!)will suffer from this as some point, due to 'high impact'...and this plantar tissue is, in effect, my 'shock absorber', taking, when I'm running, all my body weight at full force, typically 90 times a minute - OUCH!!
He has recommended no impact sport - so no running, no body attack, but has said I CAN walk on a treadmill as there is some 'give', no pavement walking, only soft surfaces such as grass or grassy track, no inclines whatsoever - in fact, he recommended changing sport completely for a while to swimming......
I used to love swimming....but in the winter I find it cold..and very wet!! I don't mind the sea, and body boarding or surfing as that is a challenge....but length after length in a pool I find very mind numbing...and there are usually lots of children..it's just kid soup!
So, this morning, I took myself and my gammy foot to the gym to see how we would do on the treadmill...on a fairly low speed (7.6) with no incline....and I managed 5 minutes.......
It felt like I was walking on broken glass...normal day to day walking makes my foot ache, but putting the speed up - 'pounding' somewhat....and I couldn't do it...and I didn't know whether to sit down, fall down or have a melt-down.........
I think I felt that after doing EVERY thing I had been told to do, IE rest, etc etc, and come back slowly, that everything would be OK..and it wasn't......and firstly, it's extremely frustrating...but secondly, it's a bit scary, because that's what I do, and I don't know WHAT else to do!
So, I packed up, came home and had a good think, and tried to put into perspective that it is only an injury, and that it may take a little longer to heal..and then I thought some more.....and thought that my therapy for 'thinking things through' was exercise...so that's when I needed the 'tissues' of the title.......
Feeling sorry for oneself isn't a good thing...so I did start to think how lucky I was in the grand scheme of things...yes, this will take time, but yes, it will get better...yes, I may have to re-think an exercise plan for the next few weeks, but I haven't got to change my life permanently, for example like some of the paralympians had to,following their life changing experiences......but, it is still difficult.
I'm not good with pain, I'm even worse with painkillers.....and it's difficult with a husband who tells you to 'get over it' - but I see the Roses tins of chocolates are back in Tescos for £4...so maybe that could be my new therapy.....it's got to be better than tears and tissues...........
After two xrays which didn't show anything, a second GP had a look, and thinks I have some tiny tears in the plantar tissue which runs along the bottom of the foot, literally from heel to the start of the toe, and he feels that this is my problem....as the tissue is the same as ligament/tendon, its going to take a 'long while to heal'...which = REST, which I have done (honestly..cross-my-heart) for the last month, and it's no better...in fact today...there were real tears as I think it's worse :-(
The GP said 1 in 10 athletes (Yay..he thinks I'm an athlete..not a nutter like the last GP!!)will suffer from this as some point, due to 'high impact'...and this plantar tissue is, in effect, my 'shock absorber', taking, when I'm running, all my body weight at full force, typically 90 times a minute - OUCH!!
He has recommended no impact sport - so no running, no body attack, but has said I CAN walk on a treadmill as there is some 'give', no pavement walking, only soft surfaces such as grass or grassy track, no inclines whatsoever - in fact, he recommended changing sport completely for a while to swimming......
I used to love swimming....but in the winter I find it cold..and very wet!! I don't mind the sea, and body boarding or surfing as that is a challenge....but length after length in a pool I find very mind numbing...and there are usually lots of children..it's just kid soup!
So, this morning, I took myself and my gammy foot to the gym to see how we would do on the treadmill...on a fairly low speed (7.6) with no incline....and I managed 5 minutes.......
It felt like I was walking on broken glass...normal day to day walking makes my foot ache, but putting the speed up - 'pounding' somewhat....and I couldn't do it...and I didn't know whether to sit down, fall down or have a melt-down.........
I think I felt that after doing EVERY thing I had been told to do, IE rest, etc etc, and come back slowly, that everything would be OK..and it wasn't......and firstly, it's extremely frustrating...but secondly, it's a bit scary, because that's what I do, and I don't know WHAT else to do!
So, I packed up, came home and had a good think, and tried to put into perspective that it is only an injury, and that it may take a little longer to heal..and then I thought some more.....and thought that my therapy for 'thinking things through' was exercise...so that's when I needed the 'tissues' of the title.......
Feeling sorry for oneself isn't a good thing...so I did start to think how lucky I was in the grand scheme of things...yes, this will take time, but yes, it will get better...yes, I may have to re-think an exercise plan for the next few weeks, but I haven't got to change my life permanently, for example like some of the paralympians had to,following their life changing experiences......but, it is still difficult.
I'm not good with pain, I'm even worse with painkillers.....and it's difficult with a husband who tells you to 'get over it' - but I see the Roses tins of chocolates are back in Tescos for £4...so maybe that could be my new therapy.....it's got to be better than tears and tissues...........
Sunday 16 September 2012
Disappointed.....
For the first time EVER I have had to pull out of a race due to injury, and I'm soooo disappointed......
Unfortunately the old feet aren't recovering as well, or as quickly, as I would like.... and the next person who tells me that it's my age will be kicked - or would be if I COULD kick!!
My right foot is perfect, I've done the right things as per GP instruction - no exercise, splints, elevation, analgesia, but my left foot just isn't playing ball - literally!
It aches around the ankle joint and across the top part of the foot, and as there is absolutely nothing to see I don't get much sympathy from the members in my family!
I had a phone call from the secretary of Surrey Walking Club on Monday, asking if I would like to represent them in Colchester this Saturday, as I'm now a member, and it was horrible having to say 'no'..... normally I run aches and pains out....and admittedly I did try walking the dogs yesterday to see how it felt....I did half a mile, all I could manage, which was a bit rubbish really!!
And I'm beginning to feel a little ( not a lot!!) bit sorry for Chris as not exercising makes me feel soooooo cranky, tired and bad-tempered.... Poor Chris... he's a little disappointed too!
Unfortunately the old feet aren't recovering as well, or as quickly, as I would like.... and the next person who tells me that it's my age will be kicked - or would be if I COULD kick!!
My right foot is perfect, I've done the right things as per GP instruction - no exercise, splints, elevation, analgesia, but my left foot just isn't playing ball - literally!
It aches around the ankle joint and across the top part of the foot, and as there is absolutely nothing to see I don't get much sympathy from the members in my family!
I had a phone call from the secretary of Surrey Walking Club on Monday, asking if I would like to represent them in Colchester this Saturday, as I'm now a member, and it was horrible having to say 'no'..... normally I run aches and pains out....and admittedly I did try walking the dogs yesterday to see how it felt....I did half a mile, all I could manage, which was a bit rubbish really!!
And I'm beginning to feel a little ( not a lot!!) bit sorry for Chris as not exercising makes me feel soooooo cranky, tired and bad-tempered.... Poor Chris... he's a little disappointed too!
Tuesday 4 September 2012
R&R
I find sitting still really, really hard..... It's just not in my nature! And lovely as this cottage is.....with peaceful gardens, bubbling stream , tranquil summer house..... I'm a fidget!!
I want to run....and run, and run!
There are so many footpaths around here, tracks, trails, roads, fields..... just begging to be explored.
Unfortunately...my feet still ache, my ankles burn... and whereas I would normally run a few aches and niggles off...I know that this time I need to heed the GPs words of wisdom (even if she did call me a nutter...) but it's hard! I can feel myself becoming very irritable and getting 'twitchy' .....and I haven't even had a week of rest yet!!
What makes it worse.... is that I a had an email off Sandra Brown on Saturday....who? I hear you ask....well, let me explain!!
Sandra Brown is the chairperson of the Centurions...and friend of my 'new best friend Jim'!
She had heard that I couldn't compete in the Colchester Centurions in September due to not having an English athletics (Jim and I had spent 27.1 miles talking about this!!) number.......and, short story, she wanted to propose that I joined Surrey Athletics Club under her proposal, with Jim sponsoring me....giving me a place to do the Centurions on 22nd September!!
Oh darn it!!
Talk about timing.....
Firstly I was annoyed that I couldn't do the race (not that I would have done a 100 miles before anyone gasps - I would have done what I could, gone for the experience etc etc) so I booked a marathon for that day instead...
And secondly I now have 'poorly' feet.......pants!
Oh darn it!!
So my feet are getting some R&R but my head is spinning!
I want to run....and run, and run!
There are so many footpaths around here, tracks, trails, roads, fields..... just begging to be explored.
Unfortunately...my feet still ache, my ankles burn... and whereas I would normally run a few aches and niggles off...I know that this time I need to heed the GPs words of wisdom (even if she did call me a nutter...) but it's hard! I can feel myself becoming very irritable and getting 'twitchy' .....and I haven't even had a week of rest yet!!
What makes it worse.... is that I a had an email off Sandra Brown on Saturday....who? I hear you ask....well, let me explain!!
Sandra Brown is the chairperson of the Centurions...and friend of my 'new best friend Jim'!
She had heard that I couldn't compete in the Colchester Centurions in September due to not having an English athletics (Jim and I had spent 27.1 miles talking about this!!) number.......and, short story, she wanted to propose that I joined Surrey Athletics Club under her proposal, with Jim sponsoring me....giving me a place to do the Centurions on 22nd September!!
Oh darn it!!
Talk about timing.....
Firstly I was annoyed that I couldn't do the race (not that I would have done a 100 miles before anyone gasps - I would have done what I could, gone for the experience etc etc) so I booked a marathon for that day instead...
And secondly I now have 'poorly' feet.......pants!
Oh darn it!!
So my feet are getting some R&R but my head is spinning!
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| Trendy black elastic ankle support -perfect in the 20c sunshine! |
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| Tranquil Waterfall Cottage garden |
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| Waterfall Cottage, Burley, New Forest. |
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| Feet elevated (on rope swing!!!) |
Thursday 30 August 2012
Doctor's orders......
Well......it finally got to the stage where I just had to suck it up, and admit that I need to rest my feet......
They were brilliant after my marathon yesterday.....no blisters, all toe nails present and correct...even my hip didn't ache....but this morning the ankles were throbbing, and by teatime an appointment was made with the GP as I didn't really like flexing them anymore!
They ached a bit after the Dodentocht...and I was a bit concerned I had a march fracture,so I did the right thing, had an xray, ate a packet of nurofen, used an ice-pack, rested for a day, and felt brilliant so did a marathon!!
The GP called me a nutter - not sure that is a medical diagnosis (she wasn't a psychiatrist!!) - and told me that this time I had REALLY got to rest my feet, for AT LEAST a week without doing anything as I have tendonitis....and then I was allowed gentle exercise......and 'maybe could try' my marathon at the end of September 'if I really had to??'.....I have elastic supports on my ankle.....and 30mg codeine tablets to take four times a day interspersed with paracetamol...mmmm lovely!!
And exercise is good for you!!
Actually, its the sitting still that is going to kill me.....it makes me go stir crazy........but it will make Chris crazier.....but, Doctor's orders.......!
They were brilliant after my marathon yesterday.....no blisters, all toe nails present and correct...even my hip didn't ache....but this morning the ankles were throbbing, and by teatime an appointment was made with the GP as I didn't really like flexing them anymore!
They ached a bit after the Dodentocht...and I was a bit concerned I had a march fracture,so I did the right thing, had an xray, ate a packet of nurofen, used an ice-pack, rested for a day, and felt brilliant so did a marathon!!
The GP called me a nutter - not sure that is a medical diagnosis (she wasn't a psychiatrist!!) - and told me that this time I had REALLY got to rest my feet, for AT LEAST a week without doing anything as I have tendonitis....and then I was allowed gentle exercise......and 'maybe could try' my marathon at the end of September 'if I really had to??'.....I have elastic supports on my ankle.....and 30mg codeine tablets to take four times a day interspersed with paracetamol...mmmm lovely!!
And exercise is good for you!!
Actually, its the sitting still that is going to kill me.....it makes me go stir crazy........but it will make Chris crazier.....but, Doctor's orders.......!
Wednesday 29 August 2012
Mud, mud, glorious mud!
The weather forecast for today was a bit grim..... and being an eternal pessimist ( or optimist with experience!!) I was expecting more than grim......
I wasn't expecting torrential rain, sideways rain, flooding, gale force winds - grim yes, but not grim grim!!
Today was the Shipton Star Marathon on/around/across Salisbury Plain, dodging soldiers, tanks and bullets whilst doing 26 miles. Last year it was a scorcher - this year, my main concern ( other than said soldiers, tanks and bullets) was hypothermia and drowning!!
The weather was APPALLING!! And, unfortunately, as the Plain is chalk and clay, once it rained, it turned into a wet, slippery, boggy mess!
Halfway through the organisers changed the route as it was deemed 'too unsafe' to complete the original route. There was a 20% gradient hill which they didn't firstly want us climbing (read sliding) up or secondly slipping down...... Spoilsports!
By halfway (13 miles) everyone except me and my 'new best friend' Jim had retired!
We came to the conclusion that this had cost us £2 to enter and we were going to darn well finish it!!
Jim's wife was recovering from a broken ankle, so he was a 'lone walker' like myself... looking for a 'wing man' so he gave me that honour.....
He was a 70 year old ex Merchant Navy chap, and was great company for the 26 miles!!
Although we didn't actually do 26 miles - we did more!! My family will tell you that I can't read a map (at all!!) and Cap'n Jim doesn't really know 'L' from 'R' ...some of the Plain looked very familiar, I'm convinced we did it twice, my Garmin watch, unfortunately didn't give us the route, just the mileage, and we clocked up 27.1 miles!!
And they wouldn't give us a bigger badge for doing more...... Mind you..... what can you expect for £2!!!
So......two finishers only for this years Shipton Star......a wet, muddy, cold one, but finished nonetheless!!
I wasn't expecting torrential rain, sideways rain, flooding, gale force winds - grim yes, but not grim grim!!
Today was the Shipton Star Marathon on/around/across Salisbury Plain, dodging soldiers, tanks and bullets whilst doing 26 miles. Last year it was a scorcher - this year, my main concern ( other than said soldiers, tanks and bullets) was hypothermia and drowning!!
The weather was APPALLING!! And, unfortunately, as the Plain is chalk and clay, once it rained, it turned into a wet, slippery, boggy mess!
Halfway through the organisers changed the route as it was deemed 'too unsafe' to complete the original route. There was a 20% gradient hill which they didn't firstly want us climbing (read sliding) up or secondly slipping down...... Spoilsports!
By halfway (13 miles) everyone except me and my 'new best friend' Jim had retired!
We came to the conclusion that this had cost us £2 to enter and we were going to darn well finish it!!
Jim's wife was recovering from a broken ankle, so he was a 'lone walker' like myself... looking for a 'wing man' so he gave me that honour.....
He was a 70 year old ex Merchant Navy chap, and was great company for the 26 miles!!
Although we didn't actually do 26 miles - we did more!! My family will tell you that I can't read a map (at all!!) and Cap'n Jim doesn't really know 'L' from 'R' ...some of the Plain looked very familiar, I'm convinced we did it twice, my Garmin watch, unfortunately didn't give us the route, just the mileage, and we clocked up 27.1 miles!!
And they wouldn't give us a bigger badge for doing more...... Mind you..... what can you expect for £2!!!
So......two finishers only for this years Shipton Star......a wet, muddy, cold one, but finished nonetheless!!
Sunday 19 August 2012
A little bit more......
After last weekends 'epic' adventure I really thought I should rest up for a bit......slow down...prepare the body for the next onslaught....but as it happens, I always feel the need to do a little bit more!
The feet are good, I still have 10 toenails (admittedly held down with at least 4 layers of nail varnish!!) the osteopath was very impressed with my left hip, she was expecting the hip flexor muscle not to be flexing, so Tuesday it was back to the gym!!
OK, OK, I cried off from doing Body Attack....I had a very dodgy stomach from eating ibuprofen like smarties whilst doing the Dodentocht, and didn't really fancy a ruptured stomach ulcer from doing 100 star jumps, so I had a swim for a change....and that was lovely as the last time I swam I must have been about 12....(well, that's how small my costume felt....!)
But swimming's not quite the same.....for a start it's wet, it's also cold...I mean, they TELL you the water is 27C...yeah right...I don't reckon they ever actually sit in it to see if it really is....it's more like the lottery, lets pull a number out......hmmmm....today its.......24!....no wonder kids pee in it, just adding a little hot water thank you very much.....!
Anyways....Saturday morning was back to 'proper' exercise! A jolly along the canal to Hungerford from Kintbury with the work girls as we are preparing for the Test Valley (26 miles) in October.....I'm also preparing for my marathon on the 29th August!!
I walked with Laura and we had a great pace to Cobbs Farm, where we met up with the others for a toasted teacake and the loo's and then back again - clocking up 9.5miles.
Then it was home to collect the dogs and a quick 'Newbury loop' to add another 3.5 miles so that I could say I had done a 'half marathon'!
We have an extra dog staying with us at the moment - a lovely black and white springer spaniel called Lily. She belongs to my colleague Katie and we have her for the next fortnight!
She already thinks she owns the place - preferring to sleep on the leather couch rather than her basket....and she prefers malt loaf with real butter than dog biscuits (I don't blame her!!).
Poor Golda - our retriever- looks at Mali, and then Lily, and I'm sure she thinks she is seeing double as we used to only have one!!
But it's great exercise...hanging on to 3 dog leads...just think of my arm muscles...I could always do with a little bit more!
The feet are good, I still have 10 toenails (admittedly held down with at least 4 layers of nail varnish!!) the osteopath was very impressed with my left hip, she was expecting the hip flexor muscle not to be flexing, so Tuesday it was back to the gym!!
OK, OK, I cried off from doing Body Attack....I had a very dodgy stomach from eating ibuprofen like smarties whilst doing the Dodentocht, and didn't really fancy a ruptured stomach ulcer from doing 100 star jumps, so I had a swim for a change....and that was lovely as the last time I swam I must have been about 12....(well, that's how small my costume felt....!)
But swimming's not quite the same.....for a start it's wet, it's also cold...I mean, they TELL you the water is 27C...yeah right...I don't reckon they ever actually sit in it to see if it really is....it's more like the lottery, lets pull a number out......hmmmm....today its.......24!....no wonder kids pee in it, just adding a little hot water thank you very much.....!
Anyways....Saturday morning was back to 'proper' exercise! A jolly along the canal to Hungerford from Kintbury with the work girls as we are preparing for the Test Valley (26 miles) in October.....I'm also preparing for my marathon on the 29th August!!
I walked with Laura and we had a great pace to Cobbs Farm, where we met up with the others for a toasted teacake and the loo's and then back again - clocking up 9.5miles.
Then it was home to collect the dogs and a quick 'Newbury loop' to add another 3.5 miles so that I could say I had done a 'half marathon'!
We have an extra dog staying with us at the moment - a lovely black and white springer spaniel called Lily. She belongs to my colleague Katie and we have her for the next fortnight!
She already thinks she owns the place - preferring to sleep on the leather couch rather than her basket....and she prefers malt loaf with real butter than dog biscuits (I don't blame her!!).
Poor Golda - our retriever- looks at Mali, and then Lily, and I'm sure she thinks she is seeing double as we used to only have one!!
But it's great exercise...hanging on to 3 dog leads...just think of my arm muscles...I could always do with a little bit more!
Sunday 12 August 2012
Wow!
WOW!
What a challenge the Dodentocht was - but I'm pleased to say I am the other side of it...and it was THE BEST challenge I have ever done, despite all the nerves/apprehension etc about doing it on my own!
We arrived in the town of Bornem, near Antwerp at lunchtime and I literally walked straight into the registration tent set up in the church square to collect my timing chip and map, instructions in case of accident or death (??!!) and then it was a wait until 9pm to start.
The whole town comes out to support this yearly event, the pubs and cafes are heaving with well-wishers, as well as the 10,000 people who have turned up to take part - and this is what suprised me...the website instructions and the booklet stress that it is 'a challenging event'..not 'for the faint-hearted'...and that you need ' a good level of fitness' - well! I could not believe the beer some of the participants were putting away!! The event is sponsored by Duvel and Palm breweries....but I didn't think the competition was to see how much you could take on board!
The course actually took us through the site of the Duvel factory, and the halfway point was at the Palm brewery......the smell of fermentation was nauseating to say the least!!
So yes, it was THE BEST challenge I have ever done, but it was also the toughest. I have done further mileage before, but a 100km over the terrain we did was hard. The first 5km is around the town of Bornem....you follow a procession of 2 coffins down the high street, remembering the deaths of POW from the death camps during the 2nd World War, hence the name 'Death March',and then you head out of town into the countryside, following a march route that said prisoners would have taken to one of the death camps.
The route takes you through fields and woods and along dykes and riverbanks...and being at night it was pitch black dark....very few walkers had torches. I had a head torch...and it was amazing, when I turned mine on through a particularly dark patch ie the woods, I'd suddenly have 20 other people crammed behind me to see where they were going!! Every so many kilometres you would come across a little village and the locals would be sitting in their gardens (even at 2am!!) waving you on and clapping, shouting at you in Flemish (no idea!!) the village children ran alongside wanting to 'high five' everyone - it was awesome! The village churchbells start ringing as the first participant goes through, and continue until the last one leaves, again as a mark of respect to the dead...utterly amazing.
And then there are the check points where your chip is electronically scanned so they can see exactly where you are at all times, or if you have fallen at the way side!
These check points were incredible! Other races I've done...you get given water, or squash, Mr Kipling cake, dry biscuits and a cup of tea if you're lucky! These were every 5-7 km - Duvel and Palm lager were offered at every one (and boy were they chugging it down!!), tea and coffee, water, coke, at the first point it was sponsored by a sports drink company so you get a bottle of that, with the lid ready taken off for you, and a custard tartlet - in a napkin...a napkin!! The next checkpoints offered hot soup (in bowls!!), salami rolls, I could of had spaghetti bolognese at 50km, danish pastries, lemon cake, the breakfast stop was hard boiled eggs and tomatoes with salt.....and the last checkpoint at 94km had a party atmosphere going on, a disco had been set up, complete with the beer tent, the food tables, and again the locals were clapping and cheering everyone who passed through!
The last 6km were hard, it was along the riverbank, back into Bornem, on concrete, which isn't very forgiving on your feet, and it was scorching hot..no shade at all...but what made it special was that the route was lined with people clapping and cheering you on - I have no idea what they were saying but they were smiling so surely that's a good sign??!!
And then, the sign that said 500km...Chris was waiting for me so I handed him my rucksack (boy was I glad to get rid of that!!) and then it was a walk up the high street with hundreds of people either side behind bollards clapping and cheering (embarassing, I thought I'd trip up or something!!), and then a hug from the organisor in the tent to say 'good ya?', and give me my medal (really cool medal!!), a certificate, and a huge wrapped cake...and she asked if I was going to do it next year.........!
Next year...9th August if anyone is interested?!! It is something I would do again, it's tough, this morning my hip aches, but my feet are absolutely fine, no blisters and toe nails present and correct!
But, it's hard doing it on your own, particularly when you don't speak the local language. All of the signs were in Flemish (French I would have been fine, but Flemish??) and the map was in Flemish.
I found 2 English runners, both blokes, who told me that this was their 4th time...that it was tough but apparently easier than childbirth...I found them curled up on the floor at 75 km and came in before them...and the only other English people were 3 soldiers from the British Army (what is it with soldiers I felt old enough to be their mom?!) They were moaning how tough it was, and were thinking of quitting at the half way point - which an awful lot of the participants did - I blame the beer!!
So, if anyone wants to join me??
On a serious note though (because I can be!) it did make me think of those poor prisoners of war. I was doing this for pleasure (?!) under controlled conditions, with a full belly and a decent pair of asics trail shoes - to be half starved, scared witlesss and at someone elses mercy doesn't bear thinking about - but at least they are remembered here, if only for 24 hours.
What a challenge the Dodentocht was - but I'm pleased to say I am the other side of it...and it was THE BEST challenge I have ever done, despite all the nerves/apprehension etc about doing it on my own!
We arrived in the town of Bornem, near Antwerp at lunchtime and I literally walked straight into the registration tent set up in the church square to collect my timing chip and map, instructions in case of accident or death (??!!) and then it was a wait until 9pm to start.
The whole town comes out to support this yearly event, the pubs and cafes are heaving with well-wishers, as well as the 10,000 people who have turned up to take part - and this is what suprised me...the website instructions and the booklet stress that it is 'a challenging event'..not 'for the faint-hearted'...and that you need ' a good level of fitness' - well! I could not believe the beer some of the participants were putting away!! The event is sponsored by Duvel and Palm breweries....but I didn't think the competition was to see how much you could take on board!
The course actually took us through the site of the Duvel factory, and the halfway point was at the Palm brewery......the smell of fermentation was nauseating to say the least!!
So yes, it was THE BEST challenge I have ever done, but it was also the toughest. I have done further mileage before, but a 100km over the terrain we did was hard. The first 5km is around the town of Bornem....you follow a procession of 2 coffins down the high street, remembering the deaths of POW from the death camps during the 2nd World War, hence the name 'Death March',and then you head out of town into the countryside, following a march route that said prisoners would have taken to one of the death camps.
The route takes you through fields and woods and along dykes and riverbanks...and being at night it was pitch black dark....very few walkers had torches. I had a head torch...and it was amazing, when I turned mine on through a particularly dark patch ie the woods, I'd suddenly have 20 other people crammed behind me to see where they were going!! Every so many kilometres you would come across a little village and the locals would be sitting in their gardens (even at 2am!!) waving you on and clapping, shouting at you in Flemish (no idea!!) the village children ran alongside wanting to 'high five' everyone - it was awesome! The village churchbells start ringing as the first participant goes through, and continue until the last one leaves, again as a mark of respect to the dead...utterly amazing.
And then there are the check points where your chip is electronically scanned so they can see exactly where you are at all times, or if you have fallen at the way side!
These check points were incredible! Other races I've done...you get given water, or squash, Mr Kipling cake, dry biscuits and a cup of tea if you're lucky! These were every 5-7 km - Duvel and Palm lager were offered at every one (and boy were they chugging it down!!), tea and coffee, water, coke, at the first point it was sponsored by a sports drink company so you get a bottle of that, with the lid ready taken off for you, and a custard tartlet - in a napkin...a napkin!! The next checkpoints offered hot soup (in bowls!!), salami rolls, I could of had spaghetti bolognese at 50km, danish pastries, lemon cake, the breakfast stop was hard boiled eggs and tomatoes with salt.....and the last checkpoint at 94km had a party atmosphere going on, a disco had been set up, complete with the beer tent, the food tables, and again the locals were clapping and cheering everyone who passed through!
The last 6km were hard, it was along the riverbank, back into Bornem, on concrete, which isn't very forgiving on your feet, and it was scorching hot..no shade at all...but what made it special was that the route was lined with people clapping and cheering you on - I have no idea what they were saying but they were smiling so surely that's a good sign??!!
And then, the sign that said 500km...Chris was waiting for me so I handed him my rucksack (boy was I glad to get rid of that!!) and then it was a walk up the high street with hundreds of people either side behind bollards clapping and cheering (embarassing, I thought I'd trip up or something!!), and then a hug from the organisor in the tent to say 'good ya?', and give me my medal (really cool medal!!), a certificate, and a huge wrapped cake...and she asked if I was going to do it next year.........!
Next year...9th August if anyone is interested?!! It is something I would do again, it's tough, this morning my hip aches, but my feet are absolutely fine, no blisters and toe nails present and correct!
But, it's hard doing it on your own, particularly when you don't speak the local language. All of the signs were in Flemish (French I would have been fine, but Flemish??) and the map was in Flemish.
I found 2 English runners, both blokes, who told me that this was their 4th time...that it was tough but apparently easier than childbirth...I found them curled up on the floor at 75 km and came in before them...and the only other English people were 3 soldiers from the British Army (what is it with soldiers I felt old enough to be their mom?!) They were moaning how tough it was, and were thinking of quitting at the half way point - which an awful lot of the participants did - I blame the beer!!
So, if anyone wants to join me??
On a serious note though (because I can be!) it did make me think of those poor prisoners of war. I was doing this for pleasure (?!) under controlled conditions, with a full belly and a decent pair of asics trail shoes - to be half starved, scared witlesss and at someone elses mercy doesn't bear thinking about - but at least they are remembered here, if only for 24 hours.
Thursday 9 August 2012
Butterflies!
I didn't think I would get to blog again before we headed out to Belgium tomorrow morning, but I am sat at the computer - meant to be catching up on some paperwork, and I thought I would have a sneaky look at the Dodentocht website...
Ugh...have I now got butterflies! I often get 'twitchy' before a race, and just want to 'get going', but this has got me twitchy big time.....it doesn't help having Chris tell me 'we don't have to rush...you don't have to be there til so and such.....' OH YES I DO!! I won't be settled until I have my chip attached to my shoe, seen the starting point and found the toilets....in fact I won't be settled until I have the first 10 miles under my belt...and then I just might relax!
Hopefully the osteopath may help a bit at lunchtime today as I'm booked in for a massage with her - as typically, after Body Attack on Tuesday evening my hip seized up again. It was a different programme, very quick with hundreds of star jumps and both Lisa and I felt really sick after the first 3 tracks...mind you, she had just had a roast pork dinner, and I'd scoffed a packet of skittles in the car!! but it was tough..and I can still feel it.....so a deep massage is in order ;-)
I've also been contemplating my next move this morning.... I need the next race to look forward to....as you know I always need a challenge lined up otherwise I'll very easily stop!
I was going to do the Colchester Centurions with SS at the end of September...but as she has pointed out to me I can't participate in that as I don't have a UK athletics number whereas she does. Apparently, under new rules, you can only enter one Centurions as an 'unattached' ie not belonging to an athletics club, any further entries made and you have to have an athletics number......and as I don't belong to a club, other than the LDWA which they don't recognise, and I entered last year,I've had to withdraw...funnily though, when I spoke to the organiser and asked them to cancel my application and send my cheque back...they hadn't noticed ,
and said I would have got away with it this year....bah! far too honest!
So....I've trawled the Internet...and have not one...but three marathons lined up!!
Wed 29th August is around Salisbury Plain, September 22nd is the Cotswold Challenge and in October I'm going to do the Test Valley with work Colleagues.......I'm worn out just thinking about it - talk about butterflies!!
Ugh...have I now got butterflies! I often get 'twitchy' before a race, and just want to 'get going', but this has got me twitchy big time.....it doesn't help having Chris tell me 'we don't have to rush...you don't have to be there til so and such.....' OH YES I DO!! I won't be settled until I have my chip attached to my shoe, seen the starting point and found the toilets....in fact I won't be settled until I have the first 10 miles under my belt...and then I just might relax!
Hopefully the osteopath may help a bit at lunchtime today as I'm booked in for a massage with her - as typically, after Body Attack on Tuesday evening my hip seized up again. It was a different programme, very quick with hundreds of star jumps and both Lisa and I felt really sick after the first 3 tracks...mind you, she had just had a roast pork dinner, and I'd scoffed a packet of skittles in the car!! but it was tough..and I can still feel it.....so a deep massage is in order ;-)
I've also been contemplating my next move this morning.... I need the next race to look forward to....as you know I always need a challenge lined up otherwise I'll very easily stop!
I was going to do the Colchester Centurions with SS at the end of September...but as she has pointed out to me I can't participate in that as I don't have a UK athletics number whereas she does. Apparently, under new rules, you can only enter one Centurions as an 'unattached' ie not belonging to an athletics club, any further entries made and you have to have an athletics number......and as I don't belong to a club, other than the LDWA which they don't recognise, and I entered last year,I've had to withdraw...funnily though, when I spoke to the organiser and asked them to cancel my application and send my cheque back...they hadn't noticed ,
and said I would have got away with it this year....bah! far too honest!
So....I've trawled the Internet...and have not one...but three marathons lined up!!
Wed 29th August is around Salisbury Plain, September 22nd is the Cotswold Challenge and in October I'm going to do the Test Valley with work Colleagues.......I'm worn out just thinking about it - talk about butterflies!!
Tuesday 7 August 2012
Final countdown.......
Three days and 4 hours.........tick tock!
That's all the time I have left to stuff myself silly with carbs!!
This is the part of the training that I like best, where I get to eat all the foods which I'm normally telling my family or patients NOT to eat......scrummy!
Actually, that's a bit of a lie (not the telling the family/patient bit but the liking bit)...as I do actually like my training...I love being out walking, (or running as I tend to do more of now I have a dodgy hip)or in the gym...its very therapeutic zoning out and great therapy (cheaper than a shrink!) and because I'm not paying cash in hand as such (ok,ok I did just buy some new trainers..) it's a relatively cheap therapy...
To be perfectly honest...and before you think I'm a nut job....I don't really NEED therapy...I think I'm one of the few people that I know who actually LIKES their job....but everyone needs time out in some form or other....and that for me is walking/running/gyming.......it could be chocolate/gin/TV but I'm sure someone would point out that for a Cardiovascular nurse it wasn't very therapuetic......but I'm willing to try... ;-) !!
Anyways....back to the point...three days until the Dodentocht! When I first considered doing this...as an accompaniment to SS who wanted to do it....it didn't sound too scary...she has talked me into loads of things before...and to be honest...this was of a shorter mileage than some of the things she has suggested...but now....DEATH march does have a bit of a shadow hanging over it's name!
I am doing it on my own, and I don't mind admitting I am very apprehensive, and a little disappointed at the prospect..but hey ho...there are 10,000 other nutters who have applied, hopefully one of them will speak English....I can't speak Flemish...plenty of pleghm perhaps??!!
My last training was on Sunday when the dogs and I ran a respectable 6 miles (Mali is back on form so I had an unfair disadvantage ie 2 legs not 4!!) and I had a good stretching session at pilates yesterday.......I may meet Lisa for a quick Body Attack session tonight (only because I had a huge meal with work last night which is still sitting on my muffin tops!) and then that's it....final countdown!
I may...or may not blog again before we leave for Belgium - depends if I have a free hand what with all the food I have got to stuff....
I may...or may not blog when I get back...depends whether I survive...the......DEATH MARCH!!
That's all the time I have left to stuff myself silly with carbs!!
This is the part of the training that I like best, where I get to eat all the foods which I'm normally telling my family or patients NOT to eat......scrummy!
Actually, that's a bit of a lie (not the telling the family/patient bit but the liking bit)...as I do actually like my training...I love being out walking, (or running as I tend to do more of now I have a dodgy hip)or in the gym...its very therapeutic zoning out and great therapy (cheaper than a shrink!) and because I'm not paying cash in hand as such (ok,ok I did just buy some new trainers..) it's a relatively cheap therapy...
To be perfectly honest...and before you think I'm a nut job....I don't really NEED therapy...I think I'm one of the few people that I know who actually LIKES their job....but everyone needs time out in some form or other....and that for me is walking/running/gyming.......it could be chocolate/gin/TV but I'm sure someone would point out that for a Cardiovascular nurse it wasn't very therapuetic......but I'm willing to try... ;-) !!
Anyways....back to the point...three days until the Dodentocht! When I first considered doing this...as an accompaniment to SS who wanted to do it....it didn't sound too scary...she has talked me into loads of things before...and to be honest...this was of a shorter mileage than some of the things she has suggested...but now....DEATH march does have a bit of a shadow hanging over it's name!
I am doing it on my own, and I don't mind admitting I am very apprehensive, and a little disappointed at the prospect..but hey ho...there are 10,000 other nutters who have applied, hopefully one of them will speak English....I can't speak Flemish...plenty of pleghm perhaps??!!
My last training was on Sunday when the dogs and I ran a respectable 6 miles (Mali is back on form so I had an unfair disadvantage ie 2 legs not 4!!) and I had a good stretching session at pilates yesterday.......I may meet Lisa for a quick Body Attack session tonight (only because I had a huge meal with work last night which is still sitting on my muffin tops!) and then that's it....final countdown!
I may...or may not blog again before we leave for Belgium - depends if I have a free hand what with all the food I have got to stuff....
I may...or may not blog when I get back...depends whether I survive...the......DEATH MARCH!!
Saturday 4 August 2012
Oh heck.......!
5 days...23 hours...56 minuntes and 49 seconds...
-that's what the website said when I looked about 10 seconds ago - that's all the time I have left until I start the Dodentocht - oh heck (to put it mildly!!)...and contrary to my last post, I might be trawling around the Flemish countryside, at night, in the pitch black, on my own after all, as SS is unwell at the mo...
Oh heck......
-that's what the website said when I looked about 10 seconds ago - that's all the time I have left until I start the Dodentocht - oh heck (to put it mildly!!)...and contrary to my last post, I might be trawling around the Flemish countryside, at night, in the pitch black, on my own after all, as SS is unwell at the mo...
Oh heck......
Monday 30 July 2012
Dog tired!
I never thought I'd do it...but I have....I have finally out-walked Mali!
Chris and I were holidaying in the Cotswold's last week...we had a little cottage in the town of Dursley (where they all speak like this - 'ello my luvver'), and we were situated bang in the middle of the 104 miles of the Cotswold Way!
So, Mali and me walked, and walked, and walked (and walked some more....) and by Friday when Chris took her to the back fields for a 'last run' prior to the journey home...she was having none of it, she dragged her feet, tail between her legs, and dived into her basket as soon as possible!!
(Funny, it doesn't have this effect on SS!!)
I did wonder how all this walking would effect moi, as at the moment I am having treatment from a local osteopath (or torturer!!).
I have had a painful left hip for as long as I can remember...and being a true nurse.....have done everything to avoid going to the doctors!!
It got to the point where I'd finally realised that not being able to sleep on my left side, or sit properly meant that something WAS wrong.......and as most GPs would tell me to stop exercising...I decided to see an osteopath instead.....
Kim, who I see is brilliant....she has explained that I haven't a 'mechanical injury' ie it hasn't been caused by walking or running and that I can carry on exercising to my hearts content.....in fact, she can't really describe what I HAVE done to my hip Felix muscle - she describes it as someone pulling it out, twisting it around, and putting it back (my money is on SS......)...and thinks just deep massage and stretching the muscle will 'undo the damage'.....I hope so, as SS and I have our next race in 11 days...gulp!!
Yes! 11 days until the Dodentocht in Belgium. At one point a couple of weeks ago, SS wasn't going to do the race...and that got me worried..100km in a Flemish speaking country, during the night on my own...that was asking for trouble......mind you, us two...100km in a Flemish speaking country, during the night.......we shall see!!
Anyways....that's 11 days away...so time for a little more training......Mali - walkies!!
Chris and I were holidaying in the Cotswold's last week...we had a little cottage in the town of Dursley (where they all speak like this - 'ello my luvver'), and we were situated bang in the middle of the 104 miles of the Cotswold Way!
So, Mali and me walked, and walked, and walked (and walked some more....) and by Friday when Chris took her to the back fields for a 'last run' prior to the journey home...she was having none of it, she dragged her feet, tail between her legs, and dived into her basket as soon as possible!!
(Funny, it doesn't have this effect on SS!!)
I did wonder how all this walking would effect moi, as at the moment I am having treatment from a local osteopath (or torturer!!).
I have had a painful left hip for as long as I can remember...and being a true nurse.....have done everything to avoid going to the doctors!!
It got to the point where I'd finally realised that not being able to sleep on my left side, or sit properly meant that something WAS wrong.......and as most GPs would tell me to stop exercising...I decided to see an osteopath instead.....
Kim, who I see is brilliant....she has explained that I haven't a 'mechanical injury' ie it hasn't been caused by walking or running and that I can carry on exercising to my hearts content.....in fact, she can't really describe what I HAVE done to my hip Felix muscle - she describes it as someone pulling it out, twisting it around, and putting it back (my money is on SS......)...and thinks just deep massage and stretching the muscle will 'undo the damage'.....I hope so, as SS and I have our next race in 11 days...gulp!!
Yes! 11 days until the Dodentocht in Belgium. At one point a couple of weeks ago, SS wasn't going to do the race...and that got me worried..100km in a Flemish speaking country, during the night on my own...that was asking for trouble......mind you, us two...100km in a Flemish speaking country, during the night.......we shall see!!
Anyways....that's 11 days away...so time for a little more training......Mali - walkies!!
Friday 29 June 2012
Unbelieveable!
Firstly, I can't believe I haven't blogged on here since the begining of May...I normally have loads to say.....
and secondly...and unbelieveably.....I've managed to get myself listed as an athlete!!
YES....I know...me!!!!
SS very kindly ponted this out to me, as, quite honestly, I didn't have a clue. I think I have mentioned in a previous blog that she has joined a racewalking club...and is getting pretty darn quick (sparks flying off her knickers - get the picture??) well...she was entered for a couple of races, and told me that it had improved her position in the UK Women's rankings - she is now 6th...and my position at 53 wasn't bad - my position???? I had made it onto an athletic ranking list??
WOO HOO!!!
Out of 1468 women racewalkers in the UK, SS is an amazing 6th, and I'm in spitting distance (okay, I'm a good spitter!) at 53....and after the Dodentocht in August...and the Colchester centurion in September, perhaps our rankings may be bumped up a little more.......
Talking of the Dodentocht......6 weeks to go.....and training hard! We were out yesterday and it felt like the translation of 'Dodentocht' - 'death march'! It was a very hot and humid 26c - we felt like we were walking through treacle..
We left home at 7.30am, and after a mile we were soaked through with sweat! 10 hours and 40 miles later we were drenched, stinky and absolutely shattered, but ever closer to our next race.....
Bring it on...I'm an athlete!
and secondly...and unbelieveably.....I've managed to get myself listed as an athlete!!
YES....I know...me!!!!
SS very kindly ponted this out to me, as, quite honestly, I didn't have a clue. I think I have mentioned in a previous blog that she has joined a racewalking club...and is getting pretty darn quick (sparks flying off her knickers - get the picture??) well...she was entered for a couple of races, and told me that it had improved her position in the UK Women's rankings - she is now 6th...and my position at 53 wasn't bad - my position???? I had made it onto an athletic ranking list??
WOO HOO!!!
Out of 1468 women racewalkers in the UK, SS is an amazing 6th, and I'm in spitting distance (okay, I'm a good spitter!) at 53....and after the Dodentocht in August...and the Colchester centurion in September, perhaps our rankings may be bumped up a little more.......
Talking of the Dodentocht......6 weeks to go.....and training hard! We were out yesterday and it felt like the translation of 'Dodentocht' - 'death march'! It was a very hot and humid 26c - we felt like we were walking through treacle..
We left home at 7.30am, and after a mile we were soaked through with sweat! 10 hours and 40 miles later we were drenched, stinky and absolutely shattered, but ever closer to our next race.....
Bring it on...I'm an athlete!
Monday 14 May 2012
DID IT!
The 18:15 from Newbury to Reading on Saturday was a little noisier and pinker than usual, as was the following link to Paddington - yes, it was the start of the journey to London ready for the Moonwalk.....and we were a little bit excitable!
Arriving in Hyde Park just after 8pm was also a LOT noisier and pinker - in fact the huge marquee to house all 17,000 participants and 2000 volunteers was the pinkest pink I have ever seen.....ok if you like pink (SS would have absolutely hated it!!)
We were blessed with the weather, the fact that it had finally stopped raining was incredible....probably the only time I had walked with the girls in the dry...but boy was it cold! We had to wait for the start time of 11pm, and the temperature just plummeted...by the time we started walking I had on a thermal long sleeved vest, my T-shirt, sweatshirt, coat, hat, gloves, knee-length compression socks, wind resistant trousers, and I was still cold!! Forget walking around in just a bra...that didn't see the light of day (or even the moon!)
Normally I would warm up nicely, but this wasn't a race as such, and as I was walking as part of a team of 9 I had to match my pace to the others....this I found incredibly hard!! It goes against SS and my normal races where you get ahead so that you haven't got the obstacle of people in front of you....also, being in the centre of a heaving city ( yes, even at 3am!!) you are still dodging traffic, and even though the police were fantastic, it does slow you enough to get cold.
BUT, apart from that, it was awesome! The atmosphere was great, real camaraderie, wolf-whistles, fantastic scenery, an excuse to eat four mars bars straight off, and all for a good cause....and we did it!!
Crossing the finishing line, in Hyde Park, in the sunshine on Sunday morning was amazing. We, as a team, all linked arms as we passed the Serpentine, and walked up the last .2 miles together, in a straight line, amidst cheers from the crowds! What a feeling, a tad overwhelming for a few of us.....actually, I think my eyes where running coz of my hay fever........
So....as a team, there are a few blisters in there, and achy legs a plenty, and lots of "never agains".....and I think to myself...yeah right...that's what I said to SS after my first race.....and here I am thinking to myself, my feet are fine, my legs are fine, I've got all my toe nails...what's next?......I'll give them a week......and then I'll invite them to Bornem...........
Arriving in Hyde Park just after 8pm was also a LOT noisier and pinker - in fact the huge marquee to house all 17,000 participants and 2000 volunteers was the pinkest pink I have ever seen.....ok if you like pink (SS would have absolutely hated it!!)
We were blessed with the weather, the fact that it had finally stopped raining was incredible....probably the only time I had walked with the girls in the dry...but boy was it cold! We had to wait for the start time of 11pm, and the temperature just plummeted...by the time we started walking I had on a thermal long sleeved vest, my T-shirt, sweatshirt, coat, hat, gloves, knee-length compression socks, wind resistant trousers, and I was still cold!! Forget walking around in just a bra...that didn't see the light of day (or even the moon!)
Normally I would warm up nicely, but this wasn't a race as such, and as I was walking as part of a team of 9 I had to match my pace to the others....this I found incredibly hard!! It goes against SS and my normal races where you get ahead so that you haven't got the obstacle of people in front of you....also, being in the centre of a heaving city ( yes, even at 3am!!) you are still dodging traffic, and even though the police were fantastic, it does slow you enough to get cold.
BUT, apart from that, it was awesome! The atmosphere was great, real camaraderie, wolf-whistles, fantastic scenery, an excuse to eat four mars bars straight off, and all for a good cause....and we did it!!
Crossing the finishing line, in Hyde Park, in the sunshine on Sunday morning was amazing. We, as a team, all linked arms as we passed the Serpentine, and walked up the last .2 miles together, in a straight line, amidst cheers from the crowds! What a feeling, a tad overwhelming for a few of us.....actually, I think my eyes where running coz of my hay fever........
So....as a team, there are a few blisters in there, and achy legs a plenty, and lots of "never agains".....and I think to myself...yeah right...that's what I said to SS after my first race.....and here I am thinking to myself, my feet are fine, my legs are fine, I've got all my toe nails...what's next?......I'll give them a week......and then I'll invite them to Bornem...........
Saturday 5 May 2012
Personal.......
I wouldn't normally consider a personal trainer......but there was Sam...sat outside the gym, touting for business, and the word 'free' caught my eye.....
(Plus his dad had asked me to keep an eye on him whilst he was out of the country, so I thought it would be rude not to!)
And that, dear reader, was very nearly the demise of moi!
I considered myself to be relatively fit, but after an hour with Sam I wasn't really fit for much!
He was, and I'm sure still is (!!) very, very good at what he does (not killing people, but training them that is!!) but I have never trained like that before, so have felt it ever since!
He did mention that he was 'DIFFERENT in his approach and that was evident when we approached machinery (sorry, I meant to say equipment!) that I hadn't looked at before.....the bike was ok.....but then came the 'summit machine' - (Everest in 10 minutes), actually I was pleased with that, as Sam told me that most clients flaked at 2.5 minutes and I did 10 (go girl!), then came the VPR (known as the viper, yep, got bitI) which I had to lift, then squat with, and chuck side to side, then came the TRX.....
Now this WAS interesting.....it was a metal frame with straps hanging from it's centre.....I honestly didn't know whether it was for exercise or to hang myself with.......
Firstly I dangled by hand and used body weight to row, then I dangled by feet and had to do crunches, then I had a little cry.........
And I wasn't even half way through......much, much more was to come....
I puffed, and panted, and sweated, and felt nauseated......and strangley enough, at the end of an hour, even though I felt I needed to lie down in a darkened room, there was a sense of satisfaction that I had done it!
Personal training? Yep, its good, I don't know that I would pay for that kind of torture....but it's very effective, and I have been back and followed the plan that Sam gave me ( Don't tell him but I skipped the VPR lunges - hate them!!!), and it's definately made me look at the gym in a new light - evil machines!!!
Not quite as evil as pilates however..........
SS and I are still going, at least twice a week, to a gentle fitness pilates on a Monday, then a mental functional pilates on a Wednesday!! This started with weighted soft balls...and now the instructor has us using 2kg weighted plates in nearly every exercise we do....honestly, I don't know how she does it, but I come home each week with a different muscle burning that I really didn't know existed!!
All this as well as walking miles with SS! We did a muddy 22 this morning, around Greenham Common (twice), along the canal, and through Enbourne cornfields. I was escaping the teenagers at home who were 'sleeping over', SS was escaping Jim's decorating skills, or lack of them...and it was also my 'last blast' before the Moonwalk marathon next week.
I've been out with the 'Moonwalk gals' from work, we're trained up, bra's at the ready, and this time next week, we'll be heading to Hyde Park ready to start......so, if you haven't sponsored me...c'mon, c'mon, c'mon....it's for a darn good cause - look at the website and leave us some pennies!!
www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/eastfieldangels
(Plus his dad had asked me to keep an eye on him whilst he was out of the country, so I thought it would be rude not to!)
And that, dear reader, was very nearly the demise of moi!
I considered myself to be relatively fit, but after an hour with Sam I wasn't really fit for much!
He was, and I'm sure still is (!!) very, very good at what he does (not killing people, but training them that is!!) but I have never trained like that before, so have felt it ever since!
He did mention that he was 'DIFFERENT in his approach and that was evident when we approached machinery (sorry, I meant to say equipment!) that I hadn't looked at before.....the bike was ok.....but then came the 'summit machine' - (Everest in 10 minutes), actually I was pleased with that, as Sam told me that most clients flaked at 2.5 minutes and I did 10 (go girl!), then came the VPR (known as the viper, yep, got bitI) which I had to lift, then squat with, and chuck side to side, then came the TRX.....
Now this WAS interesting.....it was a metal frame with straps hanging from it's centre.....I honestly didn't know whether it was for exercise or to hang myself with.......
Firstly I dangled by hand and used body weight to row, then I dangled by feet and had to do crunches, then I had a little cry.........
And I wasn't even half way through......much, much more was to come....
I puffed, and panted, and sweated, and felt nauseated......and strangley enough, at the end of an hour, even though I felt I needed to lie down in a darkened room, there was a sense of satisfaction that I had done it!
Personal training? Yep, its good, I don't know that I would pay for that kind of torture....but it's very effective, and I have been back and followed the plan that Sam gave me ( Don't tell him but I skipped the VPR lunges - hate them!!!), and it's definately made me look at the gym in a new light - evil machines!!!
Not quite as evil as pilates however..........
SS and I are still going, at least twice a week, to a gentle fitness pilates on a Monday, then a mental functional pilates on a Wednesday!! This started with weighted soft balls...and now the instructor has us using 2kg weighted plates in nearly every exercise we do....honestly, I don't know how she does it, but I come home each week with a different muscle burning that I really didn't know existed!!
All this as well as walking miles with SS! We did a muddy 22 this morning, around Greenham Common (twice), along the canal, and through Enbourne cornfields. I was escaping the teenagers at home who were 'sleeping over', SS was escaping Jim's decorating skills, or lack of them...and it was also my 'last blast' before the Moonwalk marathon next week.
I've been out with the 'Moonwalk gals' from work, we're trained up, bra's at the ready, and this time next week, we'll be heading to Hyde Park ready to start......so, if you haven't sponsored me...c'mon, c'mon, c'mon....it's for a darn good cause - look at the website and leave us some pennies!!
www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/eastfieldangels
Monday 9 April 2012
Dodentocht!
Yes, I know I have already blogged today...but I just wanted to tell somebody.....guess what....??
I've signed up ( and paid for!!) my next challenge!!
As mentioned, I'm doing the London Moonwalk next month, well in about 4 weeks, so I needed another challenge after that to look forward (??!!) to.....
SS and I had toyed with the idea of doing the Dodentocht....and after visiting Bornem, here in Belgium, I have just signed up, and got Steve to cough up some euros via his Belgium bank account for me, so I'm pay'ed up too......so roll on August 10th!!
Hang on a mo I hear you ask....what exactly IS the Dodentocht??
Well, translated from the Flemish, it means 'Death March' and it's an annual event (since 1971) in Bornem, walking or jogging 100km in 10 - 24 hrs....check out the website.......but SS and I think it sounds like fun.....and it passes through the Duvel beer factory grounds.....it would be rude not to.........
I've signed up ( and paid for!!) my next challenge!!
As mentioned, I'm doing the London Moonwalk next month, well in about 4 weeks, so I needed another challenge after that to look forward (??!!) to.....
SS and I had toyed with the idea of doing the Dodentocht....and after visiting Bornem, here in Belgium, I have just signed up, and got Steve to cough up some euros via his Belgium bank account for me, so I'm pay'ed up too......so roll on August 10th!!
Hang on a mo I hear you ask....what exactly IS the Dodentocht??
Well, translated from the Flemish, it means 'Death March' and it's an annual event (since 1971) in Bornem, walking or jogging 100km in 10 - 24 hrs....check out the website.......but SS and I think it sounds like fun.....and it passes through the Duvel beer factory grounds.....it would be rude not to.........
Bonjour!
It's been a while (again!) since I blogged, but I have some good excuses....work has been busy, I've covered extra shifts..I've been training for the London Moonwalk, more about that in a mo, and, oh yeah, Tim and SarahJane got married!
Now that was one good day! Perfect weather, perfect venue, food, wine, company, SJ looked beautiful, and Tim scrubbed up ok too..in fact, to pinch one of Tim's phrases, it was 'pretty awesome'!
It was, quite simply, a beautiful, beautiful day.
(Flippin hard work, but worth it!!, I don't want to see cheesecakes or pecan pies for a while, or large blocks of cheese, or count cherry tomatoes......)
Anyways, the Moonwalk.....a marathon around London, in aid of Breast Cancer, wearing a decorated bra (yes, and pants!)...on 12th/13th May is my next venture! I'm doing this with a bunch of work colleagues, and we have been plodding the streets of Newbury in preparation for this, not wearing the bra's though!
In fact, as part of the 'package', the moonwalk company provide you with a bra to decorate, to wear on the evening. Now, I know that I haven't got much in THAT department, but this bra they have sent me is HUGE, and is mostly padding....If I wear that on the night, I am going to cause a serious injury to myself as a) I can't see the pavement, and b) the padding is soooo heavy I'm going to topple over!!
Anyways, for anyone wishing to sponsor my colleagues and I, I will be posting a justgiving page soon, so please do...it is a good cause, and even though SS and I are doing other challenges this year, WE won't be asking for any other sponsor money....
Talking of SS, we are still both training....I'm doing no where near as much as SS, work tends to get in the way a bit, but I still get along to Pilates with her x2 a week, a gym session, body attack, zumba and our walks when we can, I also fit in kettle bells when possible, now that is some exercise!
20 minutes of that and I feel absolutely battered, and I feel it for the next few days as well..must be doing some good eh!
SS is feeling battered too, she has started seeing a racewalker at a walking club...just when I thought she couldn't walk any faster......honestly, if she does walk any faster, I swear there will be sparks flying off her thighs and her knickers will catch fire....!
Anyways, this is a weekend off, as it's Easter, and Chris, Cassia, Withers (that's one of Cass's friends who is called Jaimie, but as there is about 100 Jaimie's we have to call her Withers, or something like that...)and myself headed over to Belgium to see Steve, and I'm..at the moment, eating my way through Belgium and Paris!!
The food is just so scrummy here, I've already had to loosen my belt a notch....
The cappuccino's are amazing...you get a shot of espresso, topped with not steamed milk, but chantilly cream....there are literally 100's of pastries and biscuits to choose from, 1000's of cheeses, chocolates.....I could go on....but everytime I do, I miss a bite!
Au revoir!
Now that was one good day! Perfect weather, perfect venue, food, wine, company, SJ looked beautiful, and Tim scrubbed up ok too..in fact, to pinch one of Tim's phrases, it was 'pretty awesome'!
It was, quite simply, a beautiful, beautiful day.
(Flippin hard work, but worth it!!, I don't want to see cheesecakes or pecan pies for a while, or large blocks of cheese, or count cherry tomatoes......)
Anyways, the Moonwalk.....a marathon around London, in aid of Breast Cancer, wearing a decorated bra (yes, and pants!)...on 12th/13th May is my next venture! I'm doing this with a bunch of work colleagues, and we have been plodding the streets of Newbury in preparation for this, not wearing the bra's though!
In fact, as part of the 'package', the moonwalk company provide you with a bra to decorate, to wear on the evening. Now, I know that I haven't got much in THAT department, but this bra they have sent me is HUGE, and is mostly padding....If I wear that on the night, I am going to cause a serious injury to myself as a) I can't see the pavement, and b) the padding is soooo heavy I'm going to topple over!!
Anyways, for anyone wishing to sponsor my colleagues and I, I will be posting a justgiving page soon, so please do...it is a good cause, and even though SS and I are doing other challenges this year, WE won't be asking for any other sponsor money....
Talking of SS, we are still both training....I'm doing no where near as much as SS, work tends to get in the way a bit, but I still get along to Pilates with her x2 a week, a gym session, body attack, zumba and our walks when we can, I also fit in kettle bells when possible, now that is some exercise!
20 minutes of that and I feel absolutely battered, and I feel it for the next few days as well..must be doing some good eh!
SS is feeling battered too, she has started seeing a racewalker at a walking club...just when I thought she couldn't walk any faster......honestly, if she does walk any faster, I swear there will be sparks flying off her thighs and her knickers will catch fire....!
Anyways, this is a weekend off, as it's Easter, and Chris, Cassia, Withers (that's one of Cass's friends who is called Jaimie, but as there is about 100 Jaimie's we have to call her Withers, or something like that...)and myself headed over to Belgium to see Steve, and I'm..at the moment, eating my way through Belgium and Paris!!
The food is just so scrummy here, I've already had to loosen my belt a notch....
The cappuccino's are amazing...you get a shot of espresso, topped with not steamed milk, but chantilly cream....there are literally 100's of pastries and biscuits to choose from, 1000's of cheeses, chocolates.....I could go on....but everytime I do, I miss a bite!
Au revoir!
Sunday 11 March 2012
Older...not wiser!!
March 7th saw SS become another year older! (She has been kidding me for years that she is only 29...yeah right!)
Anyway, following on the tradition from last year, she didn't want a party, or a spa day, or shopping....she wanted a walk......
So, at 7am, we hit the common on the start of SS's birthday trek! Last year we walked just under 41 miles...the goal was to beat that distance.....(yep, she's older, not wiser....)
It was cold, and windy, and by the time we had done 9 miles and got to the 'Tea shop by the Canal', it was also wet! A pot of tea and scrambled eggs on toast very nearly broke our resolve, tempting us to stay by the open fire all day.....but as Jim (SS's partner) had the day off too, and was also sat in the tea shop, she thought it better to get out and put some miles between us......
The next stretch took us along the canal in the direction of Hungerford..the lunch time rendezvous point being at Cobbs Farm shop, at 21 miles and our half way point. This section was cold, wet, windy and extremely muddy...in fact, I felt like I had skied there as I constantly slipped from side to side the whole way. At Marsh Benham, 4 miles out of Newbury, the rain was torrential....at this point I was walking behind SS and thinking of ways to push her into the canal........
Anyways..we reached Cobbs Farm..and fortunately the goats cheese and onion marmalade paninis were still on the menu, as well as steaming cups of cappuccino!
Just when you think it might be nice to stroll home...birthday girl has a plan....the next walk was not to return to Newbury (far too easy((AND sensible)) )....so we carried on towards Great Bedwyn...fortunately the sun had decided to put in an appearance and the wind dropped so walking conditions were near perfect. Great Bedwyn was reached, and here we turned and retraced our steps back towards Hungerford.
Just as things were going so well, disaster struck! Well, it wasn't really disaster, but the story sounds really boring if I tell it as it is....... After 28 miles I was begining to daydream a bit...truthfully, I was planning what I was going to have to eat at the Tutti Pole coffee shop in Hungerford, when SS disappeared through a gap in the hedge saying "I'm sure this is where we cut through..." so I followed, still in my daydream.....and before I could say 'cream tea' I had gone flying!
There was a stretch of barbed wire, about an inch above the ground, which I had tripped over, and, as anyone who knows me will verify, when I fall over I lack a certain grace....it was a real 'arse over elbow' kind of moment!!
My kneecaps took full force, and ouch! did that hurt!
I give SS full credit for not laughing too long and too much, and for helping me up, and I'm glad I didn't push her in the canal earlier (not!)...and we hobbled to Hungereford and the coffee shop.
First Aid was in the form of the biggest creamiest meringue you have ever seen...honestly, it was like eating a pillow, but it was healthy as it had a strawberry on....and the sugar rush definately made me feel better.....well enough to walk the last 10 or so miles home.......
So...32 miles down, 10 to go......
The last stretch along the canal between Hungerford and Newbury was uneventful, apart from the odd cyclist we were tempted to push into the canal, and the workmen who were dredging sludge from the bottom of the canal and for some reason just patting it onto the banks of the canal...this they were doing by spotlight as daylight was fading fast.
SS and I finshed the last 2 miles in the dark, which was fun when you are walking through the copse at the bottom of the cornfields and up through said cornfields, with no torch ...having just watched 'The woman in Black' at the cinema..!!
Anyways, 42 miles later, and we had completed SS's 29th birthday walk!!
Happy birthday matey ;-)
Anyway, following on the tradition from last year, she didn't want a party, or a spa day, or shopping....she wanted a walk......
So, at 7am, we hit the common on the start of SS's birthday trek! Last year we walked just under 41 miles...the goal was to beat that distance.....(yep, she's older, not wiser....)
It was cold, and windy, and by the time we had done 9 miles and got to the 'Tea shop by the Canal', it was also wet! A pot of tea and scrambled eggs on toast very nearly broke our resolve, tempting us to stay by the open fire all day.....but as Jim (SS's partner) had the day off too, and was also sat in the tea shop, she thought it better to get out and put some miles between us......
The next stretch took us along the canal in the direction of Hungerford..the lunch time rendezvous point being at Cobbs Farm shop, at 21 miles and our half way point. This section was cold, wet, windy and extremely muddy...in fact, I felt like I had skied there as I constantly slipped from side to side the whole way. At Marsh Benham, 4 miles out of Newbury, the rain was torrential....at this point I was walking behind SS and thinking of ways to push her into the canal........
Anyways..we reached Cobbs Farm..and fortunately the goats cheese and onion marmalade paninis were still on the menu, as well as steaming cups of cappuccino!
Just when you think it might be nice to stroll home...birthday girl has a plan....the next walk was not to return to Newbury (far too easy((AND sensible)) )....so we carried on towards Great Bedwyn...fortunately the sun had decided to put in an appearance and the wind dropped so walking conditions were near perfect. Great Bedwyn was reached, and here we turned and retraced our steps back towards Hungerford.
Just as things were going so well, disaster struck! Well, it wasn't really disaster, but the story sounds really boring if I tell it as it is....... After 28 miles I was begining to daydream a bit...truthfully, I was planning what I was going to have to eat at the Tutti Pole coffee shop in Hungerford, when SS disappeared through a gap in the hedge saying "I'm sure this is where we cut through..." so I followed, still in my daydream.....and before I could say 'cream tea' I had gone flying!
There was a stretch of barbed wire, about an inch above the ground, which I had tripped over, and, as anyone who knows me will verify, when I fall over I lack a certain grace....it was a real 'arse over elbow' kind of moment!!
My kneecaps took full force, and ouch! did that hurt!
I give SS full credit for not laughing too long and too much, and for helping me up, and I'm glad I didn't push her in the canal earlier (not!)...and we hobbled to Hungereford and the coffee shop.
First Aid was in the form of the biggest creamiest meringue you have ever seen...honestly, it was like eating a pillow, but it was healthy as it had a strawberry on....and the sugar rush definately made me feel better.....well enough to walk the last 10 or so miles home.......
So...32 miles down, 10 to go......
The last stretch along the canal between Hungerford and Newbury was uneventful, apart from the odd cyclist we were tempted to push into the canal, and the workmen who were dredging sludge from the bottom of the canal and for some reason just patting it onto the banks of the canal...this they were doing by spotlight as daylight was fading fast.
SS and I finshed the last 2 miles in the dark, which was fun when you are walking through the copse at the bottom of the cornfields and up through said cornfields, with no torch ...having just watched 'The woman in Black' at the cinema..!!
Anyways, 42 miles later, and we had completed SS's 29th birthday walk!!
Happy birthday matey ;-)
Tuesday 10 January 2012
Resolutions?
C'mon then... Who has made a New Years resolution? I can happily say I didn't.......I made a resolution back in the summer.
C'mon then....Who has broken their resolution? I can happily say it has taken me until now to break mine!!
I resolved to never (ever, ever, ever) do a STUPID challenge again (remember the centurion?!!)...little 'here and there' ones maybe, the odd marathon....the Moonwalk with my work colleagues....but...SS has got me hooked.....
She mentioned the 'Dodentocht', in Belgium. A nice, ramble. It's '60 miles' she said...but 'there is no time limit' she said, 'you go at your own pace'.......this sounded great! An amble kind of ramble, through great beer and croissant and chocolate country.....in sunny August.....what more could I want......resolution?? this was one to definitely break....yes please SS, take me with you!
And today.....I'm looking at the website, and good old wikipedia....
'Dodentocht' - literally translated into English as 'death march'...."the gruelling march is worthy of it's name due to the length of the march and the rough and forested terrain...."
Perhaps my New years resolution should be not to kill SS.......!!!
Will I do the challenge?.......probably.
C'mon then....Who has broken their resolution? I can happily say it has taken me until now to break mine!!
I resolved to never (ever, ever, ever) do a STUPID challenge again (remember the centurion?!!)...little 'here and there' ones maybe, the odd marathon....the Moonwalk with my work colleagues....but...SS has got me hooked.....
She mentioned the 'Dodentocht', in Belgium. A nice, ramble. It's '60 miles' she said...but 'there is no time limit' she said, 'you go at your own pace'.......this sounded great! An amble kind of ramble, through great beer and croissant and chocolate country.....in sunny August.....what more could I want......resolution?? this was one to definitely break....yes please SS, take me with you!
And today.....I'm looking at the website, and good old wikipedia....
'Dodentocht' - literally translated into English as 'death march'...."the gruelling march is worthy of it's name due to the length of the march and the rough and forested terrain...."
Perhaps my New years resolution should be not to kill SS.......!!!
Will I do the challenge?.......probably.
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