Back to the Grind - Monday 2nd Nov to Sat 7th Nov

Saturday 7th November
Cycled up town with Lucy in the morning and then come home, hoovered up, soaked all sea fishing gear from last week in freshwater and dried it out, off golfing at lunchtime, first winter league game of the season and my lord, it feels cold enough for it.

Update: Me and John got the 2009/2010 Winter League season off in style with a 6 and 5 win over Pete Eaton and Steve Hall. Good stuff.

Friday 6th November
Went to group last night, after all the booze and calorie overload at the weekend I was pleasantly surprised at another pound gone. Am broadly on track to have lost a stone by Christmas all being well.

Did my knee walking throught the office yesterday so could only manage a walk up town and back for three miles or so.

Thursday 5th November
Bonfire night already! Pretty much same four mile run as yesterday. Steady stuff again. It's coming back!

Wednesday 4th November
Dry but cold. Went a bit further this morning. A steadyish four mile run round Ashbourne. I reckon there's a week or two yet before I'm confident of doing five milers again.






Tuesday 3rd November
Chucking it down with rain when I got up so fetched papers in car and then off to work, a solid hour in gym and then into office in plenty good time. Got on scales in gym and astonished to be only half a pound up after all that alcohol - probably a delayed reaction.

Monday 2nd November
Three miles up town and back. Big run tomorrow. Getting ar*e into gear again. About bloomin time.

Sunday 18th October to Saturday 24th October

Saturday 24th October
Another bad night, got up at 4am and had a couple of ibuprofens and then things were a bit better. Took Phil to work at 6:15. Yay. Weather is dire so not sure what am going to be up to today. Well golf went to hell in a handcart so that was that. But, as had a few hours to spare I thought I'll go to the opticians so did that, left eye has got a couple of steps weaker but the optician lady said to expect that (way she talked you'd think I was 60 not 40 and a bit!).

Friday 23rd October
Woke up with mega pains in my ribs again so just hobbled along two miles up town and back today. Didn't get to gym, had a really bad day and by 6 o'clock I'd had enough, frankly.

Thursday 22nd October
Got up early doors and got down to the Gym at Celtic Manor - did forty five minutes split on treadmill and exercise bike - very good Nautiless kit including the U916 bike which unlike the machines I'm used to doesn't need to be connected to mains. Then a hotel breakfast which probably wasn't ideal then off to do the business and then back up the motorways to Derbyshire. Funny sort of a day and missed Janet's group.

Wednesday 21st October
Same 3.75 miles as yesterday! Cool, set the Giant FCR1 up last night, four lights it's got on it so should be well-seen when riding into work on Friday morning. On road for Caldicott tonight so will see what tomorrow brings. Well forger what tomorrow brings, ended up having a few beers before getting to bed at Celtic Manor Resort Hotel. Very Nice.


Tuesday 20th October
Solid run for a change - 3.75 miles steady as a rock no stops other than to get papers and tie up a shoe lace. It's coming back! Am off to Caldicot for work tomorrow, stopping over at Celtic Manor and then coming back Thursday evening so have got plans afoot that unfortunately don't include golf but will include riding to work to fetch car back on Friday morning all being well. Am going to be waking the sleeping Giant FCR1 for it's first outing in nine months!! Yay.







Monday 19th October
Another 9 hours plus of sleep I reckon (bed before 8pm and up before 6am). Went out with the base layer first thing and am so pleased am going to get another one! Only the usual dash up town and back but am getting better at it which I think following yesterdays up hill and down dale run shows signs of fitness returning. Pleased at the mo. Good gym session after work - 15 mins on rower, 25 mins on bike.

Sunday 18th October
Tested the base layer our this morning that I got from the mighty Aldi for a tenner and it worked very nicely. Need to get me self a bit fitter to test it over longer distances but this morning I did a comfy three miles, stopped to get a load of sweet chestnuts over towards Norbury and never felt cold once. Could have done with a size smaller in the bottoms really but you can't have everything. Went to bed at 7:30pm yesterday and had fifteen minutes short of 12 hours sleep. Awesome. Think it's just what I needed.

Sunday 11th October to Saturday 17th October

Saturday 17th October
Been to Lumbards to fetch bike bits back from Ashbourne. As alluded to earlier in the week the Incognito aka slow and comfy bike has shot it but I had a couple of good years out of it I suppose. So am looking to treat myself come Christmas all being well. Don't tell the missus.

Golf very hit and miss unfortunately, hit some belting drives and got 7 pars overall including four on the trot on the back nine but only scored 26 points off a three quarter handicap stableford with about five blobs along the way so not sure what to make of it all.

Friday 16th October
Yay, no rain. Ran up town and back to start the day, didn't get to gym. It's been a grind all October so I though sod it and went to Aldi instead. Have got a base layer for running in the Winter. Am going to give it a go Sunday all being well.

Thursday 15th October
Rain again so gym again. Solid 50 minutes worth - rower and bike today.







Had a frenetic day (which I don't mind, don't get me wrong) then went to Janet Carey's group in Alfreton of which I'm a member. Only lost half a pound but that's took me to a half stone in about 5 weeks (with one non-attendance due to being in Guildford). Perhaps more realistic for me to aim for a stone by Christmas rather than two stones, am not committed enough really but at least I've not put any weight on in the few weeks I've been back. Feel like I'm letting Janet down a bit but my head's still not quite there, won't be long though am getting it back slowly.

Wednesday 14th October continued.
Did a 2 mile walk in the evening while England game on - couldn't see em losing so no need to watch!

Just been looking into my diary for November and have got to give a presentation to the Environmental Committee (I may have got their name slightly mucked up but such is life) on the Cycle2Work scheme. This is a government-backed scheme which encourages employers to offer a sort of cycle hire service in which both employee and employer get tax breaks on purchase of a bike and safety gear. If my bid is successful I've got my eyes on the Giant Roam 2 (pic below - click on it for a bigger image) which is like a hybrid with 700c wheels with wideish tyres but front suspension too to make it a bit comfier. We'll see how successful my presentation is. Am already canvassing folks who I think might be interested. We'll see!!





Wednesday 14th October
Raining when I got up so into gym first thing. That's better. 45 minutes, treadmill, rower, bike, shower. Good. Just been contacted by one of SW's top Consultants Ursula who has come across my blog in setting up her own - check it out at http://slimmingworldstneots.blogspot.com/ you will rarely come across someone as positive and empathetic as Ursula - she's very good indeed as thousand of successful slimmers in St Neots will testify.

Tuesday 13th October
2.5 miles up town and back again, running a bit better, right knee was giving me a bit of jip but seemed fine today. Went 2 mile walk in the evening which was okay as had another It Bites album arrive off of Ebay to listen to.

Monday 12th October
Ran up town and back to start the day off. Got to work and have left most of my notes at home. Bugger. Walked up golf course in the evening and it was gorgeous, went dark quick though.

Sunday 11th October
Not done much really - got up at 5:45am to take Phil to work again. On a Sunday!!! Glossed skirting board in bathroom, regripped a set of irons with sharpro multi-compound grips I got off Ebay for £16! Wrote up minutes from a meeting on Thursday. Did nine holes before it went dark and played much better.

Sunday 4th October to Saturday 10th October

Saturday 10th October
Took Phil to work at 6:00am again. Grand. Walked to Sides Mill and back to get some more chestnuts -still waiting for the first frost I think but got some. 18 holes of golf in which I struck ball well but putted like a fool. So things are improving.

Friday 9th October
Had to drive over to Darley Dale and pick my dad up to drop him off at work to pick a car up I bought off the fleet for him (he paid - it's complicated!!). Then, work so no exercise again. Then at 5pm one of my guys deletes a table (or as good as) so ended up being here til 7pm. Great start to the weekend.

Thursday 8th October
Been to Guildford today which meant getting up at 5:30 and not getting back to the office 'til gone 6:30 so didn't get anything done of note and didn't get to group either but I'd already let Janet know so not end of the World. On the scales at Head Office I'd only lost a half pound but that still equates to half a stone in first month which is better than nowt.

Wednesday 7th October
Ran up town and back to start day off. Still can't get out ot bed in a morning. It's doing my head in. Have been in bed by 9:30 every night at well.

Tuesday 6th October
Hacking it down with rain. Went gym instead 40 minutes done. Better than nowt!

Also got Gym member of the Month award for September which was nice! Fifteen attendances in a month is most I've done before so quate pleased am I.

Monday 5th October
Got up mega early to finish off a presentation which absolutely did me in for rest of day which was bad as had a presentation to do!! Never mind. Did a two and half mile run early doors which was as much as could do. Felt a whole heap colder this morning. Not a good sign!

Sunday 4th October
Not done much, took my dad to look at cars in morning. Took Lucy another Chestnut gathering walk which was less successful than previous day but at least the tree has been ticked off my list.

Monday 28th September to Saturday 3rd October

Saturday 3rd October
Golf in a gale-force wind. Played pretty well in terms of ball striking but couldn't get the ball in the hole - chipping and putting were blooming terrible. Finished off Ian Rankin's new book 'The Complaints' which was excellent as usual. Me and Lucy went to see if we could find some chestnuts which we did. About a week or so too early mind.

Friday 2nd October
Backlash of not sleeping properly at Sunderland meant I couldn't get up in the morning. 6.15 before out of bed, managed to run up town and back in the most direct route to fetch papers and back in time to get kids up which was okay. Am a half pound of losing half a stone in three weeks which I should be happy with and today is 2 years and three months since I last had a smoke so that's good too.

Reasons to be happy are many!


Thursday 1st October
Another month passes by. Woke up in Sunderland - stopped as a Premier Inns hotel but didn't sleep all that well (don't believe that Lenny Henry). Anyway went for a walk at 6am then off to observe a super group in Sunderland. Got back around 4pm in Alfreton.

Went to Janet's group and lost another 1.5lb Not quite as much as I'd hoped but better than might have been expected after all that food and drink at the weekend!

Got home after 6pm to find out that have not been successful in the ballot to run the London Marathon next year which is a bit of a disappointment BUT it was less 4-1 against getting into it so was at least half expecting it!!!


Wednesday 30th
Four mile (I think) run first thing, a good start, getting my legs to remember the miles again!! Gym at lunch time all being well then off to sunny Sunderland to visit another group of the year!

Tuesday 29th
Got up early, ran the best part of four miles so that's on the up and up. Have got a trip up to Sunderland on Wednesday night which will interfere a little with the plans but hey-ho, that's life. 40 minutes in gym after work, all going well.

Monday 28th
Didn't get back home til 9:30 last night after a very strenuous couple of days so was impressed at getting up at 6:15 and out on the bike. Finished the day off with a 40 minute session in the gym and according to the scale haven't put any weight on over the weekend which has me worried - I reckon there's a delayed reaction coming but we'll see!!

Sunday 13th September to Sat 19th

Saturday 19th September
Have updated the Sky Fantasy Football team. Had to drop Adebayor as he's suspended (bloomin liability he is) and have brought Andy Reid into the midfield (he'll probably get injured in the warm up today with my luck). Drogba has been slotted into replace Adebayor. Who am I most diappointed with? Almunia should be doing much better but Arsenal are just rubbish this season.

Me and Lucy have been up town to fetch newspapers and get breakfast at the mighty Busy Bees cafe near the bus station.

Friday 18th September
Aaaaagh, up late again so just up town and back on bike. Didn't get to gym - v busy today.

Just downloaded Rainbow Anthology off Amazon for 79p! 28 tracks for 79p Can't beat that for value!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001KNYKNO/ref=nosim/?tag=hotukdeals-21



Finished this week's book - "The Poet" by Michael Connelly, a not bad FBI serial killer thriller diller.



Thursday 17th September
Got up late, so just biked up town and back steady. Weigh in day later so am hoping a couple of pounds gone. Gym record looks like it'll stop at 9 working days in a row - no chance of getting in there today but it was a good run while it lasted! Start again tomorrow.



Went to group - week 1 weighin 4lb loss. Acceptable. Read the Ashbourne stunner and got a bit miffed as it said It Bites were at Derby Assembly rooms tonight but it's wrong it's next Thursday. Yay. If can talk missus out of going shopping I reckon I'll go. The last album 'The Tall Ships' is ace.

Wednesday 16th September
Ursula's group last night in St Neots was excellent as always, an inspiring Slimming World Consultant, she is for sure. Anyway, had diabetes clinic this morning at 9:30 so went out and played nine holes of golf before going up town for the clinic. Parred 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th but lost three balls on the other holes so still plenty of work to be done! Health checkup was darned good - 146/70 for the blood pressure, 5.9 on the blood sugar, all the other tests checked out super only one letting me down is Cholesterol which is up but you can't have everything. Another forty minutes in the gym - all bike but was drenched at end of it so it must be good. Nine in a row.

Tuesday 15th Sept
Ran a couple of miles and then biked up town and back. Good start. Going to one of our flagship groups in St Neots tonight to see Ursula so am going to get into Gym at lunchtime. Did gym at lunchtime - the record is increasing.... 40 minutes - 25 on bike, 15 on rower.

Monday 14th Sept
Brilliant night's sleep for a change. Struggled to get up in morning but got on bike and did a long ride through Mayfield, Okeover Park round Mappleton, into Ashbourne and back for 7 or 8 miles. Not a bad start. Haven't touched a drop of alcohol for over a week now which is also progress, bit miffed that no progress on the scales but it'll come. 40 minutes in the gym again. 7 business days running now - every day a new Sid record.

Sunday 13th Sept
Bit of cycling with Lucy in the morning maybe five miles, then Festival of Transport at Darley Dale, then 2 mile run at night which I struggled with.

Sunday 6th September to Saturday 12th September

Saturday 12 September
Busy bee today. Missus and kids gone to Skeggy on a day trip so whole day to mesen! Hoovered through. Got two tubs of blackberries picked, fixed yesterdays puncture, fetched papers then up t'hill for 18 holes of golf. Not bad stuff either - didn't lose a ball but found half a dozen played steady in one of those four-ball better-ball bogey comps where you play against the course - if you win a hole by birdying the hole (after handicap taken off) then you get a plus, if you par then it's zero, if bogey or worse then you get a minus. We ended up with +2 which was okay but both John and mesen had three putted when we should have had pars which would have made us at least two better. Plus when we cocked up a hole we both seemed to cock the same holes up. Never mind. I got a two on the 6th which means a couple of quid back from the twos' pool which is worth mentioning. Parred the first, seventh, thirteenth, fourteenth, sixteenth as well which was steady.

Book this week was "A Darkness more then Night" by Michael Connelly which was good, new author for me.

The only bad thing about today was the bloomin lawnmowers conked. Bloody thing.

Friday 11th September
Slipped up today, couldn't get out bed until 6:15 so that was first thing, went out on bike, puncture up town, pumped it up and had just enough pressure in it to limp home second thing, crappy Derby papers weren't in was third thing. Not a great start to the day. Still pleased at getting back to group now there's another good habit. Another 40 minutes in the gym - six working days on the trot now. Good.

Thursday 10th September
Same again barman, got up before 6am, set off for a run and then rode up town and back. Habit almost. Run was better as have been banging weight on since running marathon in April and have lapsed going to group. All this needs to change.

Got into gym and did another forty minutes worth then hightailed it to Janet's new group in Alfreton. Couldn't stop long as it's shopping night but at least I've drawn a line in the sand. Just got to get back on plan again now!!!

Wednesday 9th September
Up at ten to six, missus wants waking at 6:30 so got to box clever this morning so went run for a couple of miles, got back, woke missus then cycled up town and back on a loop that came back along watery lane. Good stuff. 40 minutes on bike in gym, absolutely drenched good. In evening me and Lucy did a ride around the farm loop.

Tuesday 8th September
Up at 6am which is a slight improvement, lots to do today with kids back at school. Should have polished shoes last night really but not to worry. Road up town the long way, picked up daily paper (crappy Derby paper not in yet) then got back. All's well so far. Gym again for another forty minutes, one more day and it'll be almost habit. We'll see.

Monday 7th September
Couldn't get out of bed again, so only whizzed up town and back on the bike. Did 40 minutes in gym before coming home then took Lucy on a little bike ride down to the end of watery lane and back.

Sunday 6th September
Not much to report, walked up golf course to get even more blackberries with Lucy, then cycled a bit from Longcliffe to Darley Dale.

Sunday 30th August to Saturday 5th September

Saturday 5th September
Better round of golf today i.e. didn't lose any golf balls. Went round in 95 off the whites and that included some crappy putting to say the least (e.g. on in two on the 13th hole and then four-putted for a double-bogey). So progress there. After golf me and Lucy cycled up to Dobbin Horse lane and got a load of blackberries.

Friday 4th September
Cycled up town to get papers then walked miles round Alton Towers and ended coming home very wet indeed. Endless fun.

Thursday 3rd September
Went to bed last night and it was raining so bad I was looking in the yellow pages for Ark builders, got up this morning and it's only lightened off a bit so didn't do much this morning, 60 biceps curls with some heavy weights which is a start I suppose.

Got into Gym, thirty minutes on bike with nasty program selected then ten minutes on rower, was plenty. Progress!

Wednesday 2nd September
Cycled up town and back and that was all. Went back to work and it was okay if a bit fraught. Such is life. Chucked it down when I got home so nowt in the evening.

Tuesday 1st September
Cripes, September already - cycled up town and back with Lucy, stopped for a bite to eat at Busy Bees Cafe, got papers, rode back. Very civilised. Cleaned downstairs windows which as you'd expect brought on the rain. Excellent. Walked a couple of miles in evening after 'My name is Earl' finished.

Monday 31st Aug
Bank Holiday -cycling, lots of walking.

Sunday 30th August
Well, back from hols so on with business. Got up 7am and did a two mile run which was interrupted with some walking as am out of shape. Intend on doing this every day.

Sunday 9th August to Saturday 15th August

Saturday 15th August
Not much to report today. Me and Lucy cycled up town. Sorted out some stuff for upcoming hols. Bit of filling and painting Bit of taking stuff to the recycling centre. No golf - John not well and I'm not overly fussed. Thinking of packing it up at end of summer.

Friday 14th August
Just a bit of a walk up town and back. Decent session again in the gym. That's a bit better. Big software release at work 2.2 is finally in the wild.

Thursday 13th August
Phil is off with his mate Tom to Tom's grandparents all day so I set off a loaf for him to take - it looked like it'd be okay (20 minutes to go before I set off for work). I also fixed another puncture and rode up town and back so all in all not a bad start to the day, really. Did another 50 minutes in the gym which was good. Please make it a habit Siddall and stop ar**ing about.

Wednesday 12th August
Well it started off rainy and rubbish, but on positive side I got into the gym for the first time in nearly three weeks I reckon. Came away with blisters so I reckon I went at it plenty hard enough! Another two punctures to repair when I got home - 5 in a single week. School holidays.

Tuesday 11th August
Same again, ten miles on old heavy. Did five miles with Lucy last night as well which was cool. Even saw my Doctor on the way round (fortunately he didn't stop or am sure he'd have commented !).

Monday 10th August
Happy birthday bro. Not sure if he's still out at Anglesey but I bet he is! Did ten miles on old heavy bike this morning which was okay.

Sunday 9th August
Not much to report. Washed cars, put a new tip ring on Phil's fishing rod, sorted out line on big multiplier reel. Fixed 2 (two!) front tyre punctures, bit of a bike ride. Over to me mum and dads for tea. Bit of red wine and some good beer. Not the best of days from a fitness perspective!

Sunday 19th July to Saturday 25th

Saturday 25th July
Got up early doors, did a two mile run. Did another coat of gloss in upstairs loo, went up town and back on bikes with Lucy. Four hours on the golf course in which I played to handicap on front nine and then blew it on back nine (ended up playing 9 shots over handicap which just shows how bad things are in the golf world!). Started off brilliant - nice drive, five iron to green everything tickety boo, par in the bag. Second hole same sort of thing resulting in a par five. Thereafter nowt worth reporting - nice par on the eight but pretty much rubbish.

Friday 24th July
Up at 6am, bit of work then out on on the bike for a bit. Nothing too strenuous, gym later. Didn't get to gym but went bike ride with Lucy and then did a few holes on golf course with new clubs I got.

Thursday 23rd July
Got up 6:00 (it's getting worse), did a bit of a job on the computer, then rode up town on big heavy bike and fetched papers and into office for 8:20 - so far so good.

Wednesday 22nd July
Not up quite as early - hit snooze twice but early enough to put another coat of gloss on skirting boards in bathroom and still have time to run up town and back to get papers. Well pleased so far.
Gym session after work - 30 mins on bike and 15mins on rower. One is quait pleased.

Tuesday 21st July
Got up early again - progress. Only did a three mile run as I did a bit of work first thing. But at least it's running.

Monday 20th July
Bit hacked off that Tom Watson managed to lose the Open at age 59 and with a one shot lead on the last tee. what a shame. Anyway, went to bed early Sunday night, got up early and did a four mile run this morning. Did a bit of a good turn on the way (although needs a bit more work yet) in fastening some wire mesh back on the old Nestle's site up town - it's been buggin me for yonks and as I noticed a couple of cable ties on the pavement I though 'I know where they'd go nicely'.

Did a cracking gym session 15 minutes on bike and 25 mins on rower. Knew about it when I'd finished. Got home had tea and then straight out on bike with Lucy. Maintained again this week which is okay considering I've had a fair bit of Stella of late.

Sunday 19th July
Phil's Birthday, got him a bike amongst other things so he's well chuffed. Not much exercise to report of, went on a couple of small bike rides with the kids and that's about it. Did a bit more gloss in the bathroom and that's starting to get close to final stages. Just need to get carpet fitted and that ones done. Am going to finish off the upstairs loo tonight and then that beggar's done as well.

Sunday 10th May to Saturday 16th

Saturday 16th May
Up early doors, quick run up town and back. Ton of work to do on the laptop so there'll be nowt more until golf in the afternoon I reckon.

Friday 15th May
Rubbish day just work, work, work - zero exercise other than a few weights etc at home

Thursday 14th May
Back to the old routine - five miles this morning. The missus has got me a sports watchy type thing so am going to start timing mesen again I think - can't be bothered with the hassle of the Edge just for the morning five milers. Had a bit of jip in my knee when got out of car so am going to start doing some cycling on every other day I reckon.

Wednesday 13th May
Yay! Doggo goes back to his rightful owner today so back to running proper from tomorrow! Anyway same old thang - walk up town, run back.


Tuesday 12th May
Same as every day - walk up town, run back home with the hound. Only tomorrow then back to normal on Thursday and a five miler to get things back to reality I reckon. Same in the gym - 24 minute treadmill on hill program followed by 20 minutes rower and some weights - getting back into a habit - good, good.

Monday 11th May
Swear I've not slept properly since this darned hound moved in. Can hear it snuffling and blowing in the night. So up at 5:30. Walked a longer route up town and ran back again. Am looking forward to proper running again from Thursday after Charlie returns to owner on Wednesday - two more days to go!!!! Did a good session in gym again - 24 minute hill program on runner and 20 mins on rower and a bit of weights - all good stuff.

Picked up the Sky Box this morning so should be getting all Skyed up in the living room at the weekend (only the freeview chanels but it'll improve the crap reception anyway). Moderately pleased I think!

Sunday 10th May
Blimey a fortnight since marathon - feels like months already. Stupid mutt woke me up at 5:30 so walked the darned thing round a two mile loop, got back, got back into bed, couldn't sleep. Pesky animal - roll on Wednesday when I get my life back a bit...

Just won a sky digibox on Ebay for £5.50, hope it's alright - have got a quad adapto on our digibox so am running a sky+ box, our old sky digibox in Phil's room and am going to run another one to the dining room as the reception is tat. Excellent.

Sunday 8th Feb to Saturday 14th Feb

Saturday 14th Feb
Never got to gym. Rubbish week last week only one gym session which was a really good one that I oughta been repeating. This morning walked up to town and back first thing to get papers then played absolutely woeful golf - couldn't hit a cows ass with a shovel, it was that bad. Haven't played for a couple of weeks but still - very poor. Have been pottering about washing cars and doing jobs in afternoon. Need to get back into gear tomorrow - hoping to be up early doors and running long. Chap we played golf with today sponsored me five pounds - top man Andrew Dutton is, didn't ask him or anything just a naturally generous chap - wish I was more like that.

Friday 13th Feb
Am bit naffed off at not having got to gym since Monday but will get there today all being well. Did a really fast for me three mile run to paper shop and back this morning. Am absolutely knackered at the moment but am drinking much less coffee and that seems to be having a very positive effect on the running, wierd as it sounds. It might well be all in the mind but who knows!!

Thursday 12th Feb
Slippy but at least runnable onable. Did a quick 3 miler as had to be in office for a meeting at 8:30am.

Weightloss - thank the lord!!! Got into such a bad place with my weight since Christmas it's unbelievable. Last week I got Janet to do me a weighin on Friday as I missed the new group time on Thursday. Again couldn't attend group proper today as am up to my neck in work so she did me a personal weighin. Week 1 weight loss is 5lbs which is good and takes me down to 15st 10lbs (how did I get so far off track???!) . Anyway it's a start and in the right direction - better than when I started in 2007 at 18st 11lbs!

Wednesday 11th Feb
Got togged up for running early doors, out on the road at 5:55, realised it was an ice rink at 5:56 and changed route and walked. Saw a lady out running at 6:50 coming back who asked me why I wasn't running - told her there was black ice everywhere but she still kept running bless her, hope she didn't come a cropper. Later on did a couple of miles in a loop but still a bit iffy. Bit of grief in right angle so wasn't going to push it. Watched Minder on Five with Rik Mayall on it - mildly entertaining it was.

Tuesday 10th Feb
Five miler early in morning - slow but it's the miles that counts!

Monday 9th Feb 09
Icy in morning so made right decision and did a three mile walk to fetch papers. Did an hour in gym before coming home from work - 20mins bike, 20mins rower, 20mins treadmill on hilly in that order - good workout for me that.

Sunday 8th Feb 09
Did nothing more than a 2 mile walk up town and back with Lucy to get some stuff from Sainsbobs. There was no rugby so thought a lil iddy biddy walk would do her good.

Sunday 25th to Saturday 31st January 2009

Saturday 31st January 09
Last exercise post of this week and finished off in style! 16 miles plus (ignore the Training Center screen shot below it ignores the tunnel at the bottom of the trail and it switched itself off all over the place - does my head in). Anyway 15.75 recorded miles in just over 3 hours is okay for now. I've got a tactic of walking up the real steep bits to conserve energy and then running the moderate inclines and flat bits - it means pace drops to 11:30 but that's okay probably means 5hrs plus but I will get a bit fitter by time of marathon.

Friday 30th January
Not much sleep, normal slow five mile run. Not displeased with it. Gym later, broadly happy. Did a good session in Gym went on treadmill twice after haven't to abandon first run with cramp threatening right hamstring area - not pleased about that but still did the full 24 minute hilly, have notched it up to level four now - might have a shot at level five next week - anyway four out of five days went to gym which is good.

Thursday 29th Janaury
Had no baking duties at all last night so went to be early and got up late. Consequently only had time to whizz up town on mountain bike to pick up papers which is not a lot of exercise value reallty. Didn't get to the gym yesterday as was busy as anything and didn't get out of a long meeting til late. Will be back in gym later although am now supplementing the gym sessions with core strength work at home - squats, lunges etc.etc. so all is not lost! Surprising how fed up I get when exercise level drops - that's a good thing I reckon...

Wednesday 28th January 2009
Did five loaves overnight - must be insane. Tired this morning and as it was raining I thought I'd just do four miles on the heavy bike up town and back fetching papers. Gym later to make things right.

Tuesday 27th January 2009
Hoping for better things this morning after the rubbishness of yesterday's early morning effort.
Did a solid five mile run on the usual route up Ashbourne and back, very foggy and dark when I set off - nearly got wiped out by a cyclist with no lights on! got into Gym at lunchtime - 24 mins on hilly treadmill and similiar on bike, program 6 with a decent amount of load.

Monday 26th January 2009
No go in my legs this morning so just walked three and half miles. Rubbish - gym later where I'll make up for it.

Did a solid 50 minutes in the gym - treadmill and bike. Am getting into the bike as it's giving me a chance to do a bit of reading - been looking at an old copy of Modern Runner for tips and stuff. As a result of which am now doing exercises to build core strength on top of the press-ups and what have - lunges and squats to start with.

Sunday 25th Jan 09
Bit tired following Saturday's exertions but played grand at golf - we beat another pair by 5 and 3 shaking hands on the fifteenth - amongst the good stuff were parring the hardest hole on the course the 12th and the tenth hitting drivers to the greens in both cases! So that was okay.

Sunday 18th to Saturday 24th

Saturday 24th Jan 2009
Funny sort of a day yesterday - did tons at work, so much that I never got as far as the gym but such is life. Broke my alcohol fast as I went to the pub to watch Derby get a lucky draw against Forest (19 days, not bad). Poor old Nigel Clough must be regretting his decision!

Anyway Friday turned into a rest day which is probably just as well as today had a 14 mile run up to Tissington via Mappleton and Thorpe and then down the trail to Ashbourne and back through Mappleton. Took me 2hrs 30mins which is okay, it's not as fast as I was a few months back BUT no knee trouble and no feeling ill like last week which is an improvement for sure.

Friday 23rd Jan 2009
Bl**dy rain again. Do I hate U.K. weather, dear old Blighty my a**e! Set off running then realised I'd forgotten my rucksack (to carry newspaperrs) so had to return home which meant hadn't enough time so got mountain bike out and did four more miles wet through on the slow, heavy old mountain bike. Gym later. Am getting into the swing now.

Thursday 22nd Jan 2009
Fed up with UK weather. Set out on clunky heavy bike for a change but after four miles was soaked to skin and well fed up so got papers and come home. Did another excellent (in my view) gym session, yesterday - 27 minutes on hill program on treadmill and 21 minutes of cycling on a hilly program with resistance up an extra notch from normal. Today am going back again and intend to have a crack at 48 minutes at 10km/h on treadmill which will be two lots of the 24 minute program.

Wednesday 21st Jan 2009
Did a mega gym session yesterday (for me anyway) 24 minute on treadmill on hilly program (10km/h no.2 incline setting) then 21 minutes on rower. Loads of calories burnt and thoroughly knackered at end of it!

First thing Wednesday morning have been out and done a five mile run but like yesterday the conditions are rubbish. Like dancing on ice in places but without the fancy costume - not impressed.

Tuesday 20th Jan 2009
Icy as anything this morning. Had set out for a run last night but after nearly ending on my butt after three hundred yards I thought it best to give it a miss and headed back home. This morning I had to get out run as a gym session isn't enough so I put five miles worth in up Ashbourne and back. Slippy as anything and the Edge was playing up so happy with 52 odd minutes.





Monday 19th Jan 09
Well, apparently today is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year I've been told at work. If the weather's anything to go by, I'm inclined to agree. Stepped outside at six o'clock only to step back in, pretty smartish. Absolutely bucketing it down so have done nothing so far which is a bit disappointing. Still am going to do a killer session in the gym later.

Did 40+ minutes in the gym - 16 mins on bike 18 minutes running, both on hill programs, then a ton of weights - pleased.

Sunday 18th Jan 09
Good enough start we managed to snatch a draw at golf today, two up on 17th tee and lost that hole and eighteenth to birdies, we did the same a week or two before Christmas. Hey ho.

Then in afternoon rode 23.4 miles to Alfreton. Pretty slow but I was a bit tired.

The Week - Sunday 11th Jan to Satursday 17th Jan 09

Saturday 17th Jan 09
Am more than a bit p**ed off this morning. Got everything ready last night to go do a big run this morning and it's hammering it down. I'll do the marathon in the rain because they're not going to delay it due to poor weather but am not going out for two and half hours in the pouring rain in the dark. Will see what it's like later. On a more positive note I did a solid four gym sessions last week after missing all of December and a good chunk of January. Have settled into a regular gym pattern of 12-16 minutes sessions on rower, bike and the treadmill. Have got the treadmill and bike running on hill programs to add a bit of grind to it and always finish with 16 minutes of level ten rowing. The weights seem to be getting a miss at the moment but cardio has to be king when am trying to get my weight down again.

Blooming typical it's now getting on for lunchtime and the weather is beautiful, unfortunately I've got the kids while boss-kat's gone shopping in Burton-on-Trent. Brilliant. Did four miles on the slow but comfy bike this morning to fetch the papers and spend two hours typing up notes from a four hour meeting the other day. Great.

Evening update - went out at 3:40ish when missus got back from shopping, ran first three and a half miles sort of okay then started a coughing thing that I couldn't get rid of, all sorts of rubbish coming up (enough information, I know). So ended up doing running as much as poss then having to walk a bit. Not very pleased with it all, it all sort of felt a bit old man, a bit like when I used to smoke. Not good, not happy, will get over it though!

Friday 16th Jan 09
Well, the super good news is that I've got me edge back! The Garmin Edge 205 was my constant companion for exercise last year and when I lost it in November I was damned irritated, I can tell you. Have found it hidden away in the car boot yesterday so all is well again, apart from it does still have an irritating habit of switching itself off as you can see from the image below. Anyway should be able to get my mileage tomorrow (big run is being brought forward to Saturday this week as Missus wants to go big shopping on Saturday so golf being rearranged to sunday. It also means setting out at 6:30 to be back in time for Janette to go shopping at 9am so am going to be on a strict timeline tomorrow morning again.






Thursday 15th Jan 09
Raining and I had an 8:30 meeting (which went on til 1pm, blinking flip) so only did four miles on the bike. Anyway got to the gym and did a solid 12 minutes on a hill program on the tread mill followed by 12 minutes on the exercise doing a hill program followed by 16 minutes on the rower which added up to blooomin load of cals which helps. Official weight record is 15st 10.5lbs which is not good enough but 3lbs lighter than a week ago so that's somethin.

Wednesday 14th Jan 09
Last night I got on scales before leaving work and down to 15st 10.5lbs which is a loss of 3lbs over previous monday so was a little bit happier with things. Moral is to leave the scales alone a bit!

Set off on bike this morning but it was so damn cold I turned back after a couple of miles, went back home, got changed and ran three miles up town to fetch papers. Still, made for a bit of variety, so it did. Am going to make an effort to get into the gym again today as I felt a whole lot better for giving a solid hour's worth down there.

Tuesday 13th Jan 09
Did a steady five mile run this morning. Not overly fast but about ten min miles which will do for now. Am confused that have had absolutely no weight loss this week but am going back to group proper on Friday. Good thing is am on zero alcohol again for nine odd days.

Monday 12th Jan 09
Absolutely Knackered! Did four mile on heavy mountain bike in the crappy rain then back home. 4 loaves done overnight as well. All jolly good stuff.

Sunday 11th Jan 09
Woke up at 5:30 as usual thought it's Sunday, bugger it, I'll have another half hour. Woke up 7:40 and had to go straight out onto road, late already. Had a two hour/12 mile run to do so went out on a big windy route up to Tissington on roads and then back down into Ashbourne following the Tissington Trail. It added up to 11.6miles but seeing as it was a damn site more hilly than the London Marathon will be I'll take it as being sufficient at this stage in the proceedings. My legs are knackered so it must have been a good run.

Got back for 10:05 and took Lucy to Rugby. They'd got a home match against Ashby who are mighty serious but still got beat by Ashbourne who just have some cracking young talent even if they are only eight years old!!!






Above - get them big hills eh! That's running for ya.

Week Sunday 23rd November to Sat 29th November

Saturday 29th Nov
Christmas Fayre at golf today or 'Fur and Feather' as it is known to most golfers. Me and John did okay for a change accumulating 41 points in a 3/4 handicap better ball. We got 38 last year so definitely an improvement. It was also a good score because we played in thick fog and made a lot of pars considering you couldn't tell where to green was let alone the pin on some holes! Quite pleased. Did a 3.5 mile walk this morning as well so even more pleased.

Friday 28th Nov
Did another four loaves over night. Am chuffed to bits with how it's all going fundraising is now at £115 and best of all have had a call from Morphy Richards and they're sending me one to help out with my capcity issues. Too much demand and not enough time to supply but not no more!!

Didn't make gym due to being busy as hell but went for a two mile walk when got home. Knee feeling better and better.

Thursday 27th Nov
No run again this morning, am going to get appointment booked with Doctors this afternoon, get em to have a look at me knee. Going to gym in a minute as I got to get something done, did another four loaves of bread today and the fund-raising is currently standing at a little over £108 quid which is going swimmingly well if I do say so myself! Have added a ticker thing to top of screen cause I think it needs a touch of the Blue Peter's!!

Good session in the gym, 15 minutes and 200cals on the exercise bike followed by 25 mins on the rower, legs were really tired and knee held up pretty well, finished off with some weights and then back to business. Didn't manage to get an appointment with doctors.

Breadmaking working a treat have about 18 loaves to make next week. Have picked a breadmaking tip off the net that is to put butter on the kneading paddle which makes the bread easier to get out which seems to work. Also seems to make the loaf a whole lot browner. Can't think of anything else I've done different so it must be the butter?

Wednesday 26th Nov
Didn't actually get to gym yesterday. Was mega busy all day. Didn't get home from work until 7:30 but still managed to do five loaves!! No exercise but fundraising in optimal mode at the moment!!

Tuesday 25th Nov
Am continuing to rest knee from running duties. Am going to do gym at lunchtime and do a solid hour of cardio and weights so will get some exercise. Did 70 odd pressups last night but that's not a whole lot of use really. Bread production is being maintained at 3 loaves a day which with gift aid is raising me 3.84 a day for the marathon fund which is £19.20 a week. I reckon I can squeeze the odd extra loaf here and there which will get the fund up quite nicely! Have got 17 loaves on order for this week which mean five get up at 03:00 to set the breadmaker off, then up at 5:10 to reload etc. Not a problem, am getting used to it!

Monday 24th Nov
Well even if the training has been a little curtailed by the iffy knee the fund-raising is going on great guns. Got up at 3am to set a loaf off and then at 5am to set off another. Got to work and got more orders have 10 orders for the week thus far (current production capacity runs to 3 loaves a day unless can get another bread machine). Training non-existant as nee hurt a wee bit first thing and then have made things worse by forgetting to bring my gym kit with me. Am going to have to either go a ride on bike or out for a run when get home if knee’ll have it.

Sunday 23rd Nov
Did nothing at all, exercise-wise on Sunday. Lucy was playing in the Ashbourne under 9s at the Notss/Leics/Derby qualifier at Derby Rugby club so I was there for 9am and we didn’t get away til about 1:30pm. Ashbourne under-9s absolutely whooped Bakewell and Melbourne so are qualified for the finals at the end of the season which is nice.

Over to me mums to pick Phil up and then home for about 4:30ish. Twisted my knee a little bit during golf on Saturday (we lost again 3 down, shook hands on 17th) so having a rest day.

Week Sunday 19th - Saturday 25th Oct

Saturday 25th Oct
Saturday starts well. Been testing the knee out a bit more now - just short of eight slow miles this morning, bit slow but Jeez Louise, it was freezing cold. Glad I mowed the lawns yesterday seems like perfect time for the last cut. Golf at 12:20 and tomorrow I'll tell you about the Christmas present I've got mesen, no Giant superbike this year far more frugal but hopefully just as useful next year.

Yesterday was a good day! Name the Journey track that comes from?

Anyway, took Phil to Ripley Army Surplus store and we bought a foldy down spade that will be grand for bait digging next year I hope and also means I'll never have to buy a bucket and spade again. Possibly.

Then we pounded over to Lidl because me mum wanted a heater thing so we got that, also got five 1.5KG bags of bread flour for £2.40 which I thought was a good deal (same as Tesco price-wise but it might be different quality of flour - we'll see).

Then went to Curry's, regular readers may know that my lad, Phil managed to knacker the 32" Sharp LCD TV we had so have been visiting Currys Electricals to sort the replacement out and thus far have been biding my time waiting for the right deal. Well yesterday we came back with a 40" Sony which cost about £80 less than the 32" Sharp we had a couple of years ago and is full High Definition and a damn side bigger, more stylish too so well please. The odd thing is that the 46" version of this TV, the KDL46V4000 is £1,199.00 - how does that work - you can have two 40" TVs or one 46" TV - which would you go for??

So after coming home and setting up the telly which is reet good, went to play some golf. It was a grand afternoon and I thought after a couple of holes I ought to mow the lawn a last time, so did five holes whizzed back home and mowed all the lawns. Well pleased.

Answer to the lyric question, by the way, was "Just the Same Way", from either Evolution or Infinity albums Gregg Rolie sang it so it's about the time Perry joined and just before Rolie left!

Friday 24th Oct
I know I'm getting ahead of myself but am off Friday so not attending Janet's group at work tomorrow so am taking last night's weight for the weekly record. A maintain is okay given the fact that am not sticking to the plan by any means. Am going to get myself sorted out soon honest!!

Went to Dentist this afternoon for a checkup, scale and polish which all went well. Both the dentist and later, the hygenist said 'you've not put the weight back on' so they obviously don't see the 10/12lbs up that I am from my lowest - so I can't be all that out of shape. Next time I go to Dentist will have done a marathon. That's something to think about!




Thursday 23rd Oct

Couldn't get up this morning and consequently didn't get on the road until 6:22 resulting in a much reduced mileage (should have been 3.5miles but didn't get the Edge going until got to top of the Hill). Went to Nic's group last night and had a maintain so still at 15st 3lbs which I was actually chuffed with considering how much I drank last weekend. Need to get doing it again properly though as less weight would make the running easier and I got a marathon to do still!

Wednesday 22nd Oct
Another day, another steady sort of five miles. Very cold so pace might be expected to be down but I reckon I can tweak it a bit and push the pace up. From next week I'm going to be doing six milers as recomended by my marathon trainer Kathryn so will need to start getting up a bit earlier!


Tuesday 21st Oct
Ran much faster today sub-9 minute miles so well pleased with the start so far. Best run for ages - think partly because I was late setting off and partly because I could!
Did another good gym session - am making that habit - 25 mins on rower for 5,600m! and a ton of weights. All good.

Monday 20th Oct
Started okay with a five mile run up Ashbourne and back picking up newspapers on the way. Pace sub 10 mins seems to be as good as I'm going to get at the minute. No problems though considering how much beer I had over weekend!

Did Gym at lunchtime 25 mins on rower for 5,300 metres and a solid weights session while waiting for the rowing machine to become available - we only got once concept2 rower which can be a problem on occasion.

Sunday 19th Oct
Afternoon - thought had better to do a bike ride or something so cycled over to Darley Dale, a bit over 17 miles. What was cool about this ride was that I went straight up Buxton Hill for the first time. Normally I skirt round it going a bit further but making it less of a steep hill climb, doing the Buxton Hill is serious stuff for me but got there. Thank the lord it was downhill for a good while after, I was aircooled going toward Fenny Bentley I can assure you!


Morning
Been over at Cromford Meadows this morning with Lucy. She was playing with Ashbourne u10s against Matlock at Rugby. Brought back some memories for sure, we used to have games at Cromford Meadows. Every week we'd get on a bus from Ernest Bailey's (later to become Highfields) and down to Cromford for rugby, cricket and once in a while athletics. Marvellous. Had a look in the clubhouse - pics of Old Bailean's sides featuring folks I used to go to school and muck about with - Gaz Siddall on a few pics and his brother Rob.

Rang me bro about future camping possibilities in sunny Anglesey. Went to Aldi last week and got this enormous airbed for a total comfort solution at just thirty quid. See pic below - it's got a built-in AC pump but will also take a normal camping type pump solution. Also got a load of lures from a pound shop in Derby for a few quid so am all setup next time we go.

Week Sunday 11th to Saturday 18th Oct

Saturday 18th - Keeping Busy
First thing, did a 7 miler on the FCR1 this morning to fetch newspapers, averaged 15.2 which was ok, very cold, must remember gloves next time. Sorted a load of clothes out, put summer stuff away, going up in attic later to get some winter hats and scarves down. What a horrible time of year eh!

Been and done recycling run - plastic bottles, cans, newspaper, old clothes - you can take most anything these days. Done hoovering, busier I am the less time I have to go near biscuit barrels etc. etc. Golf at 12:20, fish and chips tea. You gotta love Saturdays.

Golf - steady stuff, did 41 for front nine and a 43 for back nine. Putted well, chipped ok, a shank on first and a silly drive on fifteenth resulted in a solitary double-bogey in an okay sort of a round.

Friday 17th Oct
Got up late again (05:50), however, determined to get self sorted out so forced mesen to run five miles which was ok - pace was 9:40 per mile or 6.2mph which was not too bad. My legs feel tired all the time which I'm taking as a sign the the body is using fat reserves rather than me being far less fitter than I was at the start of the year.


Lost a pound and a half at the group that I count as being the 'real' published group. Was 15st 4.5 last week and this week it's 15st 3lb which is still terrible considering where I was but considering the volume of lager I had last week I should be looking at it as a minor triumph! Going to be better this weekend and get it closer to 15st 1.5lbs next week and then into the 14s the following week. It's well doable if I just keep myself in order.

Thursday 16th Oct
Rubbish, rubbish, rubbish. Couldn't get out of bed, didn't get on road til twenty five past six, only a poxy three miles at 9:59 again (sure sign am getting old). Reet Grumpy. No gym yesterday, mega busy still but am definitely going today, think I'm making subconscious excuses not to do gym which is stupid as I quite like it when I get there. Current mood: grumpy but positivish.
Got into gym did 25 mins on rower and a load of weights and some ab crunches too which I need to add to my routine.


Wednesday 15th Oct
A steadier five miler this morning. Pace of 9:59 right on the wire but a run's a run and at least didn't feel sick on this one. No gym today as mega busy.

Weigh in at Nic's group, half a pound off at nics, stick with it and that should be a pound come Janet's group on Friday.

Tuesday 14th Oct
Did a five mile run this morning, pace not too shabby at 9:31 but felt sick as a dog after four and a half miles, don't know why. Didn't sleep particularly well after some problems at work yesterday so maybe that had something to do with it. Good news is that the knee now feels A1 and wasn't protecting it at all during this mornings run and it felt a better run for it.

Gym wasn't as good as usual - did some running on the treadmill and a load of weights but couldn't get on the rower due to someone else hogging it. N'er mind.


Monday 13th Oct
Did a slow nine miles on the FCR1 this morning, pitch black and pace right down as you might expect. 5 minute miles is v slow but you gotta be able to spot those potholes and what have. Weekend alcohol intake has been very poor, am going to have an alcohol free weekend this weekend coming 18th/19th and see how we go the following weekend.

Did 6,500m on the rower in 30 mins and some weights in gym. Quate pleased witht that.

Had a good food optimising sort of a day too (which I can't say same for weekend). Consultant Janet has been giving me some grief to get my head together so that will probably help!


Did fifteen or so miles yersterday on the FCR1 was going to run but thought it was too nice for running - according to the Edge average speed was 15.4mph which was nice. Some daft old bint stepped out in front of me at Rowsley which added to the excitement somewhat and gave the brakes a good testing.

Another day another five miles!

Wahey did a slow five miles this morning but as had left the GPS at work I've no idea just how slow. I reckon ten minute miles which is ok. Lost a lb from last week at Head Office SW group 1, am still going to weigh in at Janet's group tomorrow though, will see what will be there!

Rushed to Derby to watch Paddy McGuiness at Derby Assembly Rooms yesterday, wouldn't go again to see him - very crude, vulgar not to my taste but funny in places I suppose.

Did gym again today 28 minutes on concept 2 rower and then some weights got to 5947metres - reckon I'll go for 29 minutes tomorrow and break 6000!

Weather bad, Gym good.

Got up 3:30 to set breadmaker off, weather awful, went back to bed. Got up 5:30 to unload breadmaker weather awful. Fetched papers in car, came in to work and did gym for forty minutes. 25 minutes and 5507m on the rower, load of weights, shower and off in the office for 8:30.

Got to leave at 12 for a funeral, hope weather improves, uncle David was always a sunny character in life and it seems wrong if we have wet and windy weather on this day, sure God will put it right come 2pm.

Sort of joined another group at Head Office last night run by the delightful Nicola. Bit of competition with my manager, John for weight loss bragging rights. He's already lighter than me so am going to be really sticking with the plan this week to get ahead next week. Did all September without a drink and seeing as not going on the manager's weekend I think October will be pretty dry too.