Boat Race

The 2008 University boat race is upon us tomorrow,... now that is the Oxford vs. Cambridge race on the Thames, not one of the many similar events between pairs of Universities that have sprung up to emulate the dear old two horse race (fear I may be mixing my sporting metaphors, but I am sure you follow, hehe). The website is at - http://www.theboatrace.org/

My attention was garnered this year by a 'free' program inserted into the "Rowing & Regatta" Magazine which arrives monthly on my doorstep courtesy of my being a member of the ARA (Amateur Rowing Association). Quite the insert it is too... aside from loads of adverts from event sponsors (which seem to be going from strength to strength of late)... there is quite the breakdown of the race and the athletes taking part, and even a brief but refreshing piece on volunteers cleaning up the Thames by a charity called Thames21 http://www.thames21.org.uk/

Not sure really how anyone not signed up to the ARA gets a copy of either publication, but that's probably just my ignorance - the program I assume will be on sale on the banks of the river in the build up to the race. Aside from being a really rather successful British Olympic sport it is not clear how the sport is reaching out to the public outside of the once or twice a year TV coverage of Boat Race or Olympic / World Championship Regattas.

Actually (and sadly), the most stand out read for me was on a personal level... there are one or two taking part who are my age!!! Not that that means anything at all, I am hardly likely to go work for Oxford or Cambridge, let alone get into their rowing squads, haha! Still it was nice to feel some of my increasing years is still cutting it ;o)

Not the most coherent of discussions in this post I know, but my mind is on the job application form I am about to spend several hours trying to complete! Sorry :o)

Back to activity (well a bit) ;o)

Training Log	Row	Stretch	Run	Ergo	Circuit	Weights	Cycle
Mon/17/2/08	.	Y	20min	20min	.	.	Y
Tue/18/3/08	.	.	.	Y	.	Y	Y
Wed/19/3/08	.	.	30min	.	.	.	Y
Thu/20/3/08	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Fri/21/3/08	.	Y	50min	.	.	.	.
Sat/22/3/08	.	Y	.	40min	.	.	.
Sun/23/3/08	.	.	.	.	.	.	.

Going the distance

The last two mornings I set off for work and decided to cycle. Fine, well and good. I decided to take a longer route as I have gotten out of the habit and need the exercise. The route I normally take is fairly quick, but worst of all is broken up so there are no nice long sweeps to get a head of steam going.

Thus I have been going past my turning into the park (which is now open after Winter closing - opens dawn - closes at dusk), and doing a long loop around it. Going almost into the heart of town and back again. The route is roughly 4.8 miles (according to the Gmaps Pedometer), which is around double the usual route into work. It really does feel like a bike ride and it is much nicer to arrive in work having 'toured' the views of the park and river in the morning.

It is still in fact quicker than taking the train, even with the addition, and only adds 10 minutes to an often 8-10 minute trip. To be honest its a bit of a drag putting cycling kit on for the shorter trip!! I obviously won't be able to do the route all the time, but variety is apparently the spice so I'll certainly be trying out meandering routes to work when I can ;o)

When you just can't shift the hic-cup...

Over recent weeks I have continued to 'suffer' from my hic-cup... having finally gotten over the hip problem and then wandered into a knee problem I found myself going no where. Pressures of work, i.e. finding a new contract / job, have meant that I have been comfort eating and not training as I have been doing. It is amazing just how quickly your body takes its revenge on you when you drop good habits for bad!!

I arrived at the point of discovering that I have topped 16st for the first time since... well it doesn't really matter when... I was not happy, but not surprised. The effects of being this heavy had made themselves obvious long before I stepped on my faithful scales... apparently I have started snoring, I have lost strength and tone in my legs and torso, and I have much less energy to tackle the rigors of the working, training, DIY'ing, commuting week!

The grand plan (see my last post), was really a grand attempt at a shake up... unfortunately it just didn't stick... I didn't back it up with consistant action. I am not going to try a grand plan from here, instead I am going back to what works... getting on the move... cycling to work, training properly at the rowing club, and avoiding all the comfort eating / grazing eating.

Really have to make this stick this time... I will not go back to being a heavy, tired, sick Andy!!!