1. What have you done this week towards your goals?
Three circuits sessions! Been a bit manic at work with pre-holiday panic so I'm glad I got those in at the beginning of the week.
2. What did you do to make yourself feel fabulous?
I've guest-posted on Beck's blog which is v cool - a little bit of internet fame - thanks!
Tne weekend saw me at High Voltage in Victoria Park, London - lots of Guiness and some great rock acts: Skin, Thunder, Black Country Communion, Slash and many others. All topped off with Dream Theater headlining.
3. Do you exercise? What is your favourite kind and why?
Yes - running as it's great getting out and enjoying the scenery and also the "mind-wandering" time it gives me. I'm enjoying the challenge of the Jillian Michaels' circuits videos which I've downloaded to the iPad. I thought I had a good level of fitness but doing those makes me realise that there is ALWAYS room for improvement.
Yoga is always good for relaxation and flexibility - I feel an inch or two taller after a stretch and ready to face anything!
4. There are loads of fantastic bloggers here in the Beat the Heat competition, which blog or blogs have you discovered through the challenge that you particularly enjoy? Show that person some love!
I've always been a big fan of Beck's. I also recommend everyone pays a visit to somerandombint. I'm still discovering everyone else's but many thanks to all for sharing!
5. Fun Question: What song makes you want to dance at the moment?
I've two days of rock going round in my head at the moment so I'm probably in more of a moshing space than dancing at the moment!
Sunrise on a run
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Beat the Heat week three!
1. What have you done this week to work towards your goals?
This weekend was a bit on the lazy side but during the week saw me doing circuits, session at the gym and session on the cross trainer.
2. What have you done this week to make you feel fabulous?
Saw the final Harry Potter movie! Now re-reading the books!
3. I wrote about gadgets this week (my fav one anyway), do you have any gadgets that help you to your goals or are you a low tech kinda person?
I have cyclemeter on my iPhone. That and the belkin arm strap are essential. I like keeping track of my runs (and cycle rides when they happen). It tracks the route and breaks down the miles in terms of pace etc. Here's a graph showing the elevation of last week's run!
I always talk about getting a heart-rate monitor but somehow never bother.
4. We are half way through the year, what have you achieved so far (in all aspects of life)?
It's been a good year for holidays and family activities. Work also good.
5. Fun Question: Tell me one of your secrets to achieving goals and living a happy life?
Variety. Taking a break from the routine. Trying something new.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, July 11, 2011
Beat the Heat Week 2
I'm wondering whether this should have an alternative name for us Brits. Beat the Heat (what heat!). Anyway rain and moaning about the weather is about as English as queuing.
1. What progress have you made on your goals this week?
Since Monday I've been doing my circuit training (twice), and a 10k run. The 10k run merits a post of its own. I had hoped to do a spin class on Friday but worked from home so didn't get to gym.
I found the spin classes were an essential part of my training last time round as they operate at a much higher intensity than if I just get on my bike and go for a ride.
2. What did you do to make yourself feel fabulous?
I went to see Emperor and Gallilean at the National Theatre at the Southbank. It's not something I would have thought to go and see myself but some family-friends invited me so I thought "why not". I can thoroughly recommend it!
3. Did you have a moment in your life where everything changed for you, an epiphany moment, or has it happened gradually?
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I can point to many moments, not just in my life but in other people's lives which I would call "Sliding Doors" moments where things could have taken a different path. Anything which was an epiphany moment probably didn't feel as if it was at the time.
4. What made you get involved with the Beat The Heat challenge?
From following this good lady's inspirational blog. As it coincided with the run up to the Duathlon, I thought it would be a fun way to revive my own blog and keep a training diary, of sorts.
5. What is your favourite TV Show at the moment?
Just watched the last Episode of Luther (brilliant crime drama here in UK), the Apprentice, although this season hasn't grabbed me the way the last one did. CSI is always a favourite (original Vegas rather than Miami or New York) as is House but not seen the latter for eons.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
1. What progress have you made on your goals this week?
Since Monday I've been doing my circuit training (twice), and a 10k run. The 10k run merits a post of its own. I had hoped to do a spin class on Friday but worked from home so didn't get to gym.
I found the spin classes were an essential part of my training last time round as they operate at a much higher intensity than if I just get on my bike and go for a ride.
2. What did you do to make yourself feel fabulous?
I went to see Emperor and Gallilean at the National Theatre at the Southbank. It's not something I would have thought to go and see myself but some family-friends invited me so I thought "why not". I can thoroughly recommend it!
3. Did you have a moment in your life where everything changed for you, an epiphany moment, or has it happened gradually?
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I can point to many moments, not just in my life but in other people's lives which I would call "Sliding Doors" moments where things could have taken a different path. Anything which was an epiphany moment probably didn't feel as if it was at the time.
4. What made you get involved with the Beat The Heat challenge?
From following this good lady's inspirational blog. As it coincided with the run up to the Duathlon, I thought it would be a fun way to revive my own blog and keep a training diary, of sorts.
5. What is your favourite TV Show at the moment?
Just watched the last Episode of Luther (brilliant crime drama here in UK), the Apprentice, although this season hasn't grabbed me the way the last one did. CSI is always a favourite (original Vegas rather than Miami or New York) as is House but not seen the latter for eons.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Steam punk and the art of tea-duelling
A few weekends ago saw us pay a visit to Kew Bridge Steam Museum. We'd seen a link to it via the Londonist website and particularly a feature on things for geeks which somehow resonated, I can't think why...
The Museum is in the old water pumping station and houses number of pumping engines. Over the summer it is hosting an exhibition of Steampunk-obilia, including a Steampunk K9:
The Museum is also hosting tea-duelling heats which we were privileged to see. The basic premise is that you and your opponent sit down armed with a mug of tea and a malted milk biscuit. When the referee says "go" you each dunk your biscuit into the tea for ten seconds. You then withdraw the biscuit and hold. Given its immersion in hot tea, the gamble is on how long before the biscuit disintegrates: the aim is to be the last person holding a structurally sound biscuit.
The museum provided the perfect backdrop for the event. We were amongst true tea-duelling giants.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The Museum is in the old water pumping station and houses number of pumping engines. Over the summer it is hosting an exhibition of Steampunk-obilia, including a Steampunk K9:
The Museum is also hosting tea-duelling heats which we were privileged to see. The basic premise is that you and your opponent sit down armed with a mug of tea and a malted milk biscuit. When the referee says "go" you each dunk your biscuit into the tea for ten seconds. You then withdraw the biscuit and hold. Given its immersion in hot tea, the gamble is on how long before the biscuit disintegrates: the aim is to be the last person holding a structurally sound biscuit.
The museum provided the perfect backdrop for the event. We were amongst true tea-duelling giants.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Latest on the garden
With the beat the heat challenge I was supposed to post a positive picture. Pictures of the garden always make me happy and I'm trying to experiment with our new camera. So, killing several birds with one stone, here's an update on the garden:
Up on the roof terrace is our cherry tree. The cherries have now been picked as too many were going to the birds.
Roses in the front garden. I probably take too many pictures of our garden but plants tend to keep still and are easier to photograph.
Lavender. Smells gorgeous.
We've picked about a bowlful of blueberries so far. Thinking they're going to become muffins. We've had to put netting round them to stop the birds. Better check it's worked.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Up on the roof terrace is our cherry tree. The cherries have now been picked as too many were going to the birds.
Roses in the front garden. I probably take too many pictures of our garden but plants tend to keep still and are easier to photograph.
Lavender. Smells gorgeous.
We've picked about a bowlful of blueberries so far. Thinking they're going to become muffins. We've had to put netting round them to stop the birds. Better check it's worked.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, July 04, 2011
Beat the Heat 10 week challenge
So, welcome to the start of my ten week challenge. More about the challenge can be found here. Here's my take on it. This is the first time I've done anything like this so bear with me.
1. What are your goals for the 10 week challenge?
Goal[s]. Mmm my main goal is to complete the London Duathlon in less than two and a half hours. This will be the third time I've done it. Last year I completed it in 2hr 35 and my first year saw me round in 2hr 45
There's probably other goals I could add, exercising more is the other one which springs to mind. Blogging more regularly is another.
2. Why did you pick those goals? What makes them important right now?
Well, the Duathlon is about ten weeks away so this gives me the perfect focus for my training. The other goal I considered was to exercise more but I think this will follow on from my Duathlon training: if I have a target time in mind then not only will I increase my activity levels but I will also train smarter and not just exercise more for the sake of it. I also mentioned blogging more. Periodically I try and aim for a post a day or a photo a day. I think that participating in the beat the heat challenge, I will increase the frequency of my blogging. "hurray" I hear you shout!
3. What’s your biggest excuse /reason for not doing something and how are you going to stop it getting in the way?
Time. I work full time and have two young children. Fitting in exercise CAN be done however. In the mornings, in the evening, in my lunch hour. It cn be done. I just need to get back in the habit of diariasing my lunchtime exercise, not hitting snooze when the alarm goes off and going straight to my circuits app instead of Facebook when picking up the iPad of an evening.
4. Are you a planner or do you go with the flow?
I like to have a structure if I'm training for an event but it needs to have flexibility too. I don't go for rigid planning.
5. Fun thing Tell us something that will help us get to know you. Like things you like or a silly story or about your family.
I won (correction, my husband won) tickets to the iTunes festival to see the Manic Street Preachers last night. They rocked. We got back after midnight so my mission today is not to let my tiredness be an excuse for eating rubbish and then not exercising when I get back from work.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
1. What are your goals for the 10 week challenge?
Goal[s]. Mmm my main goal is to complete the London Duathlon in less than two and a half hours. This will be the third time I've done it. Last year I completed it in 2hr 35 and my first year saw me round in 2hr 45
There's probably other goals I could add, exercising more is the other one which springs to mind. Blogging more regularly is another.
2. Why did you pick those goals? What makes them important right now?
Well, the Duathlon is about ten weeks away so this gives me the perfect focus for my training. The other goal I considered was to exercise more but I think this will follow on from my Duathlon training: if I have a target time in mind then not only will I increase my activity levels but I will also train smarter and not just exercise more for the sake of it. I also mentioned blogging more. Periodically I try and aim for a post a day or a photo a day. I think that participating in the beat the heat challenge, I will increase the frequency of my blogging. "hurray" I hear you shout!
3. What’s your biggest excuse /reason for not doing something and how are you going to stop it getting in the way?
Time. I work full time and have two young children. Fitting in exercise CAN be done however. In the mornings, in the evening, in my lunch hour. It cn be done. I just need to get back in the habit of diariasing my lunchtime exercise, not hitting snooze when the alarm goes off and going straight to my circuits app instead of Facebook when picking up the iPad of an evening.
4. Are you a planner or do you go with the flow?
I like to have a structure if I'm training for an event but it needs to have flexibility too. I don't go for rigid planning.
5. Fun thing Tell us something that will help us get to know you. Like things you like or a silly story or about your family.
I won (correction, my husband won) tickets to the iTunes festival to see the Manic Street Preachers last night. They rocked. We got back after midnight so my mission today is not to let my tiredness be an excuse for eating rubbish and then not exercising when I get back from work.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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