Wk 8 - Harting Down rambling

Yello!

Had a fantastic walk out on Harting Down today - gorgeous weather!!! and the scenery down there is pretty fantastic.





Check out the vid of the route.

It's the end of week 8 and I've lost another 2 lbs taking me to a total of 10lbs lost on the Trail programme now. I'm generally feeling great for it. I've had a good sleep over the weekend and am feeling really revitalized, which also helps me to appreciate how much better I'm feeling now on the whole.

Been running twice this week and also been climbing - I've finally realised how big a role exercise can play in keeping you sane if you've had a really nasty day at work. I always feel completely relaxed afterwards.

Here's the link to my Wk 8 update vid. (I have to admit that it's also been 2 weeks since I introduced you to the walking trousers in question...)



Tip of the Week: Oh, surely you don't need me to bleet about it any more?? GET YOUR BUM OUT THERE AND BAG SOME PEAKS FOR YOURSELF!!! :)

Ooh ooh ooh - too excited...

SERIOUSLY can't wait to get to the mountains on Thursday - the week can't go quickly enough. I'm already route planning for my free-style-Friday on the mountain...



Planning to warm up with a bit of the South Downs tomorrow, so if you're anywhere near Harting Down, be sure to say hello.

And if you're stuck inside in need of distraction - check out the Trail Forum.

Fell running... WHAT?????

I think I've finally lost my marbles...

Telling you all about my nearly-three-miler last weekend has landed me a place in the Constion Trail Race in October. This is 15km of grit and grind taking in what looks to me like over 300 meters of ascent.

Flipping 'Eck! I must be mad as a box of frogs!



One of these days I'll learn to keep my trap shut!!

In search of snow....

Right, I'm starting to notice a very distinct lack of mountains or hills here - rather odd for a programme designed to get me hill fit!!

So, decision made, holiday booked, YHA sorted and I'm off to Wales early to get me some!

Target - Snowdon!!

Whether or not I'll make it to the top with no crampons, ice axe or the skill to use either is a interesting question, but at the very least, I'm determined to hear that comforting crunch of snow under boot.

Dug September's Trail out to take a peak at the feature on Snowdon's lesser known peaks. Gorged my peepers on some fantastic photos, sucked up the article and then couldn't resist leafing back through the entire magazine and missed my train stop as a result.

(There is only one point on which I'll have to disagree with Claire – if it comes to a choice between Clive Owen and Brad Pitt, I’ll have Clive every day of the week and twice on a Sunday!)

So, ceteris paribus, I'll be able to get some hill action in before the Bremex training starts on Saturday next.

Whoopee Dooo!!

Take someone along for the ride...

Just done the longest run yet - 3.3 miles. Took me 40 minutes exactly, so perhaps not as quick as I'd have liked, but there you go - can't have it all! (Or at least not yet anyway...)

Took Dan with me - funny how having someone else there helps you push yourself harder. If, like me, you're just getting into this running thing and want to push yourself, find someone fitter than you who doesn't mind going slowly to being with.

Snnoooooooowww!!!!

Woke up to a fresh layer of snow covering the ground - how exciting is that???? How much do I want to be out in the hills today?? Alas, there's a desk with my name on it :(



Don't you just want to hear that crunch crunch crunch under your boots?

Heart rate info and goals

I've been meaning to post this for a while. This table tracks my heart rate progress and goals for the Trail programme. I'll update this on a regular basis so you can see how I'm progressing.

Check out Trail's Feb edition for info on how to calculate your own heart rate levels.

Wk 7 - Not all bad news

Well, it's been quite a mixed week. Got off to a really bad start: went to Germany with work, which meant hotel beds, lots of eating out and no exercise whatsoever!! I didn't drink anything like enough water to remain human either and by Friday night I was feeling tired, grouchy and altogether hideous.

Friday night was the second part of my climbing course. I was severely lacking in energy and strength, but still managed to have a fantastic time and am now able to register as an independent climber so I don't need supervision any more. Out of play-school and ready to belay big time.

I went for a run this evening and managed to get three personal bests:
1. I ran 2.9 miles, the furthest so far
2. I didn't stop once and
3. I did it within 30 minutes so my fastest time ever!!
I'm super chuffed! Running has become a much more comfortable form of madness and I'm really pleased to be able to see such quick progress. Yippee skippee!!

Good thing too cos in a very drunken moment on Saturday night I agreed to run the Bristol Half Marathon in September with a bunch of very fit men. I was even dressed as a hot dog at the time. (Oh look, there's Benju "The Hook" so whatever affliction it is that I have, it clearly runs in the family.)



One of these days the men in white coats will track me down, but at least I know I'll be harder to catch before they finally commit me!

Here's the link to my Wk 7 video update. You even get to meet Pebbles the cat, who is also a dedicated Trail reader.



Tip of the week: I'm going to return to the theme of water here. It's amazing how quickly I noticed a decline in my feeling of well being and physical changes such really dry skin from not drinking enough of the wet stuff. I've got a 1 liter bottle on my desk at work and I aim to get through at least 3 of them a day. It will be a long time before I make the mistake of not drinking enough again.

And just in case you're wondering what Dan was wearing to the party....

My neice/nephew

Ok, so this has nothing whatsoever to do with my fitness programme, but this is my soon-to-be neice or nephew at 4 months old. Looking pretty chilled out in there....

A few more photos from the Lakes

Sadly, one of those evil evil pounds has found it's way back home - must have been that shifty pint after my walk yesterday, which means I'm down 2 last week instead of three. Not too heart breaking - 2 is my target weekly loss so I'm at least on target for last week (and there ain't no way I'm cutting beer out completely!).

Finally, here are a few more photos from the Lakes:


View of Rydal Water




Dan half way up the Old Man of Coniston

There are a few more to follow once I work out how to get them off Dan's camera...

Wk 6 - A bit of everything...

Ooooww hoooww hooowwww..... Oh, there's a world of pain going on in my arms and shoulders!!!

Totally worth it though. The climbing was absolutely top banana - I've completely got the bug already and I haven't even finished my introductory course. It's a great sport for people of all fiteness levels and ability so well worth a try if you ever get the chance. Plus Trail does the Hold of the Month, which I now get to test out and they also have outdoor climbs and scrambles so it won't be long before I can bleed even MORE use out of the mag.

Been out and about in Kent again today. Fantastic weather! Picked a great spot for lunch with views out over the countrside and the City of London. Kenton Cool's rucsack even made it's Oakman-debut this afternoon. It's bloomin' maaarvelus!

Here's the crew having sarnies....


(Jess, Dan and Fionnuala)







It's the end of week six and I've managed to loose three pounds this week now that I'm back into the rhythm of things. It's much easier to stick to the excersize and things if you're in a routine. I've been running three times, been climbing and spent today out and about. Oh yes, and I'm even doing my strength and flexibility workout...










I broke in my new Crag Hoppers today, which are a size 16. Not so long ago, I couldn't get into 18s so I'm really pleased to see that my shape is starting to change. I keep myself running by trying to imagine what people behind me see... all that flabby bottom flesh jiggling up and down and all round in my track pants! Not very nice!!! But, if I'm down a trouser size, it must already be looking a bit better. Still some way to go though before I'll even consider streaking over London Bridge!

You can check out my video update at this link: Week 6 vid

Tip of the Week: The weather at this time of year can be very deceptive and often feel like all four seasons in the space of an hour. Make sure you're layered up - I usually wear a warm, wicking base layer (readily available from Blacks), a mid-layer fleece, an outer fleece and my windproof, waterproof coat. So, I'm always warm and dry and can shed layers as I warm up and pop them back on when it's lunch time. I find this means I'm not overheating one second and then completely cooled off the next.

Another pound has finally decided to take the dirt nap - bring it on!!

I'm starting to find that all of my clothes are getting looser, which is enormously encouraging. I've been amazed at how quickly little changes to my regime are affecting my shape. I find even though I might not be loosing a huge amount of weight, I'm getting slimmer anyway - or at least, that's what I'm telling myself ;)

Off for my first Introduction to Indoor Climbing course this evening - can't wait! I've got a spanking new pair of Red Chili rock shoes too that I'm itching to break in. I'll no doubt be in a world of pain tomorrow....

Trail's arrived and it's positively brimming....

Okaaaay, so I'm definitly back at work and things are settling back into the usual rhythm. I've even been running during lunch time like a good little girlie (along with what seems to be half of the City of London out there living up to thier resolutions - long may they live).

The good news is that the pounds are starting to come off again and I've finally managed to rid myself of that wee beastie that's been adamantly hanging around since Christmas. Good ridance to it! Fingers crossed it'll open the flood gates for the many many more that I'd like to see the back of.

TRAIL magazine is out today - get out there and bag yourself a copy. It's full of tips and tricks for improving your fitness, diet and monitoring your heart rate. A great place to start for anyone looking to get out into the hills more this year. Plus there's all the usual goodies like gear tests, skills advise and lots of great routes and featured walks. How could you possibly resits??? There's even a photo of my ugly mug just for good measure.

(I'd just like to say in my defence, that I'm usually a much cheaper date than I was the weekend of my Food and Drink Diary!!)

Utterly engrossed, as you'll see....

Cheeky squeaky....

I've got cheek bones!!! Who knew...??
Amazing what a bout of food poisoning will do!!

YIPPEE SKIPPEE....

Yippeee... Another TRAIL weekend in the diary for early Feb. This time we're off to Betws-y-Coed in North Wales for a weekend of mountain skills training with the Bremex Trust (http://www.bremex.org.uk ). These guys offer courses in mountaineering, hillwalking, rock climbing and expedition training to teachers and youth group leaders. Courses are run by volunteers are are very well priced so worth checking out if you're a beginner to the hills.

How exciting!!!

Here's some photos from last time I stayed in the area:

Checking out Scafell Pike...

Ok, so I've set myself three key mountain goals for the TRAIL programme: Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis. These are the three highest peaks in the UK. Of course, I'm planning to pack in as many as possible around them, but these are the big boys.

Dan and I had planned to try and get up Scafell Pike today, but faced with more very high winds made the decision that it was best left for another day - very irritating.

Instead, we drove over, got horribly lost, and didn't have enough daylight left to even make a start and return safely over the mountain pass. Bummer!

Still, I've seen the beast, checked out my route (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76CaVmlxFnk) and have stiffened my resolve to get to the top.

Here's what it looks like from Wastdale Head: (peaks from right to left are Lingmell, Scafell Pike and Scafell)










"They will be mine! Oh yes, they will be mine!!"

Helvellyn - Take 1

Set out to bag Helvellyn today. Alas, too much wind to reach the peak and we had to make the ever disappointing decision to turn around with only 100m of ascent to go! We were up at 850 meters in about 80mph gusts and being lifted off our feet so it was sadly inevitable. Still, good lesson learned given that the group was relatively inexperienced.

Here's the map of the route and you can also check out the en-route vid at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th0HHkjllJI

I've got a date with the peak sometime soon!!!

Old Man of Coniston

Happy New Year everyone!!!!

Dan and I tackled the Old Man of Coniston today (803 m) and loved every minute of it. What a fantastic climb that is!!! There's some grade 1-ish scrambling at the top to get to the cairn on the route that we took - short and steep. Well worth it for the feeling of achievement and a great way to get the year off to a good start!

Here's a wee message from the summit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8jkE_Q2oeo

I'm waiting for all the photies to add so check back in a couple of days for those, but here's one to get you going: