Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Wednesday Post
Didn't get to bed until late so had to drag myself out of bed at 5:20 this morning. Only got a lazy 12 miles done on slow but comfy bike. Am going to get poor old Giant into the repair shop on Saturday to get the rear derailleur looked at and then might use that to get a bit of extra pace next week. Only five weeks til new bike comes, wahey!!
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Tuesday Post - 14 miles easy route done.
Today's Cycling News
Just did quick run out on slow but comfy bike. Steady fourteen miles done.
Great Web Editor found
Found a really good freeware HTML editor called NVU which is utterly free and quite bloomin good. Their site is at - http://nvu.com/
Spreading The Blog Word
Went over to Westhills Stud Farm yesterday which is an enterprise run by my cousin Colin and his wife, Karen. Helped them out with a bit of HTML tuition which is a bit complicated because you need an understanding of HTML and also FTP to get files across, it also helps to know a bit about image sizing and compression and those kinds of things. So we muddled through and got the website updated but we needed a more cunning solution to the problem so what was the answer that lets Karen update the website with all manner of images and news about the Championship stallions she had???
Blogging of course, t'is the future!!
Main website (not my design) is at http://www.westhills-stud.co.uk/,
Blog is at http://www.westhillsstud.blogspot.com/
Just did quick run out on slow but comfy bike. Steady fourteen miles done.
Great Web Editor found
Found a really good freeware HTML editor called NVU which is utterly free and quite bloomin good. Their site is at - http://nvu.com/
Spreading The Blog Word
Went over to Westhills Stud Farm yesterday which is an enterprise run by my cousin Colin and his wife, Karen. Helped them out with a bit of HTML tuition which is a bit complicated because you need an understanding of HTML and also FTP to get files across, it also helps to know a bit about image sizing and compression and those kinds of things. So we muddled through and got the website updated but we needed a more cunning solution to the problem so what was the answer that lets Karen update the website with all manner of images and news about the Championship stallions she had???
Blogging of course, t'is the future!!
Main website (not my design) is at http://www.westhills-stud.co.uk/,
Blog is at http://www.westhillsstud.blogspot.com/
Monday, 26 November 2007
Monday Post 2 - Get Voting for the future!!!
Vote Sustrans Connect2!!! Have been on and cast my vote for Sustrans Connect2 project at http://www.thepeoples50million.org.uk/vote
The lottery is wanting to use a load of money on a good cause and have chosen a reality-show sort of a format for selecting who should get the money.
So as Sustrans support walking and cycling as being sustainable transport for the future they’ve got my vote . You have to register, wait for one of those confirmation emails and then you can vote, but do make the effort to vote, as time goes on more folks will realise the benefits of cycling and walking on health, congestion and the environment and then we'll all want better trails and pathways away from the madding traffic!!
Connect2 answers the growing call for new ways of getting around. It will be a blueprint for reconnecting people to the places they want to go in a more environmentally-friendly way, transforming communities into places that people can take pride in. The project will make travel healthier, safer and more enjoyable for everyone. It will show how to develop sustainable local travel. The local environment will also benefit from attractive landscaping, seating and public art, to reflect the spirit and identity of the local community.
The lottery is wanting to use a load of money on a good cause and have chosen a reality-show sort of a format for selecting who should get the money.
So as Sustrans support walking and cycling as being sustainable transport for the future they’ve got my vote . You have to register, wait for one of those confirmation emails and then you can vote, but do make the effort to vote, as time goes on more folks will realise the benefits of cycling and walking on health, congestion and the environment and then we'll all want better trails and pathways away from the madding traffic!!
The blurb about is as follows:- Connect2 is a UK-wide project that aims to improve local travel in 79 communities by creating new walking and cycling routes for the local journeys we all make every day.
By building bridges and crossings over busy roads, rivers and railway lines, Connect2 will get people to the places they want to go. Each crossing will link to a network of walking and cycling routes, taking you to your schools, shops, work and green spaces. Connect2 will also bring people closer together, making journeys quicker and more convenient and leaving more time to spend with family and friends.
Benefits for everyone: Around 6 million people live within a mile of a Connect2 project. Each one will change the lives of people of all ages – from cyclists and leisure walkers to commuters and schoolchildren, as well as elderly people and wheelchair users – everyone will have a better quality of life thanks to Connect2.
Connect2 will improve local travel in ways that will benefit people’s health and the environment for generations to come. The projects cover cities, towns, villages, the countryside and the coastline. From the grandest bridge to the humblest road crossing, each project is inspirational in design but in keeping with the area’s character and the needs of the local community. Greener local travel
Connect2 answers the growing call for new ways of getting around. It will be a blueprint for reconnecting people to the places they want to go in a more environmentally-friendly way, transforming communities into places that people can take pride in. The project will make travel healthier, safer and more enjoyable for everyone. It will show how to develop sustainable local travel. The local environment will also benefit from attractive landscaping, seating and public art, to reflect the spirit and identity of the local community.
Monday Post 1 - Happy Mondays!
Ye gods, I do love Mondays. Reasons to be cheerful….
Bonus Ball is mine!!
We put 50p per bonus ball into a kitty every week at work and I’ve won three weeks worth of rollover!! Ha Ha. Only problem is Janette knows!
New Paul World Running Record
Did eight and half miles this morning which is my new world record – pace was down a little bit which is a bit surprising as I was going for it in places, was perfectly in time with a couple of MCR tunes off Black Parade (am going to look at pace though Okeover Park where I was bop on). Although in hindsight, my legs were all but done for at the end of it (funnily enough was listening to bits of Van Halen’s 1984 album in IPOD going round which features “Drop Dead Legs” and funnily enough was in danger of dropping dead (at least me legs were)). Still it’s pushing the boat out a little bit further every time. I reckon 10 miles by Christmas is well doable and so am well-pleased, really.
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/4510050
New Cycling Goal and New Cycling Route
Have decided that my cycling goal is no longer realistic with running and gym attendance goals added to the exercise regime so rather than try an kill myself with an unrealistic expectation have decided to lower the mileage goal to 70 miles which is just ten miles every day. To this end have also worked out a new route that is just a single lap through Mappleton and loads of criss-crossing of Ashbourne which works out more or less bang on 10 miles. Tried a version of it last night and it was dead good and have done something similiar tonight as well
Sid , a teacher? What next??
At work have trained a number of managers in using a GIS (geographical information systems) product we developed and have done coaching sessions with small teams in the past but someone’s asked me to teach her to play drums. So gave that a crack today. Tried to keep it simple and in all fairness the girl done good, but by crikey it's hard work - more to come when I get some progress in this newish field!!
Wahey Billy Davies Gone!
Doug rang me up this morning and asked if I’d heard Billy Davies’ had gone. Doug’s a bit upset at the news but I think it’s good. My only concern is us ending up with Steve McClaren but in fairness to him he did okay with Middlesborough even if watching England last week was a bit like watching Derby!!! New manager, bring it on, hopefully we’ll start playing two up front at home soon instead of negative 4-5-1’s!! I'm not sure whether Billy Davies wanted it on Saturday when he had a pop at the new chairman Adam Pearson or whether he was set up to do it as he knew he was going to get the chop. Whichever way you look at it though he's not done well this season and to moan about wanting money to buy in quality seems a bit rich with the club's most expensive signing not even getting an occasional full game but spending most of his time on the bench.
14st 7.5lbs
Weighed in this morning after the weekend and am 14st 7.5lbs so well pleased!! Am thinking about upping the running to three runs a week as I seem to do more exercise time if I run. This morning was a solid hour and a half of running for 8.5 miles which I think if it were cycling would probably have been fifteen minutes less.
Bonus Ball is mine!!
We put 50p per bonus ball into a kitty every week at work and I’ve won three weeks worth of rollover!! Ha Ha. Only problem is Janette knows!
New Paul World Running Record
Did eight and half miles this morning which is my new world record – pace was down a little bit which is a bit surprising as I was going for it in places, was perfectly in time with a couple of MCR tunes off Black Parade (am going to look at pace though Okeover Park where I was bop on). Although in hindsight, my legs were all but done for at the end of it (funnily enough was listening to bits of Van Halen’s 1984 album in IPOD going round which features “Drop Dead Legs” and funnily enough was in danger of dropping dead (at least me legs were)). Still it’s pushing the boat out a little bit further every time. I reckon 10 miles by Christmas is well doable and so am well-pleased, really.
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/4510050
New Cycling Goal and New Cycling Route
Have decided that my cycling goal is no longer realistic with running and gym attendance goals added to the exercise regime so rather than try an kill myself with an unrealistic expectation have decided to lower the mileage goal to 70 miles which is just ten miles every day. To this end have also worked out a new route that is just a single lap through Mappleton and loads of criss-crossing of Ashbourne which works out more or less bang on 10 miles. Tried a version of it last night and it was dead good and have done something similiar tonight as well
Sid , a teacher? What next??
At work have trained a number of managers in using a GIS (geographical information systems) product we developed and have done coaching sessions with small teams in the past but someone’s asked me to teach her to play drums. So gave that a crack today. Tried to keep it simple and in all fairness the girl done good, but by crikey it's hard work - more to come when I get some progress in this newish field!!
Wahey Billy Davies Gone!
Doug rang me up this morning and asked if I’d heard Billy Davies’ had gone. Doug’s a bit upset at the news but I think it’s good. My only concern is us ending up with Steve McClaren but in fairness to him he did okay with Middlesborough even if watching England last week was a bit like watching Derby!!! New manager, bring it on, hopefully we’ll start playing two up front at home soon instead of negative 4-5-1’s!! I'm not sure whether Billy Davies wanted it on Saturday when he had a pop at the new chairman Adam Pearson or whether he was set up to do it as he knew he was going to get the chop. Whichever way you look at it though he's not done well this season and to moan about wanting money to buy in quality seems a bit rich with the club's most expensive signing not even getting an occasional full game but spending most of his time on the bench.
14st 7.5lbs
Weighed in this morning after the weekend and am 14st 7.5lbs so well pleased!! Am thinking about upping the running to three runs a week as I seem to do more exercise time if I run. This morning was a solid hour and a half of running for 8.5 miles which I think if it were cycling would probably have been fifteen minutes less.
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Sunday Post - 4 out of 4 Winter League Golf Victory over a Legend
Long Overdue Exercise Stats
Have added basic exercise goals onto biking spreadsheet, not totally happy it's doing what I want but it's a start and now am thinking about how it should be. So next week it should be better. Good thing on stats is have done just over 3000 bike miles this year which is kind of cool!!
Me and John took on a pairing featuring Rams Legend Roger Davies today. Roger and his partner Carl (both nice folks, but then most golfers are) took us on in our fourth Winter League encounter of the season and guess what?? We won again and convincingly too! After the 12th we were 6-up with 6 to play so again in a position where we couldn't lose like last week. John made two great birdies in the front nine and I made a ruck of pars going round including another 25-footer on the tenth which is beginning to be my trademark. Roger and Carl won three holes I think including the thirteenth and fourteenth when we took our collective foot off the gas a bit again which is a habit we need to break I reckon, although in fairness Roger won the 14th with a birdie so no disgrace there. Anyway good stuff 100% record remaining intact. Next week it's the Christmas Fayre better-ball stableford so we'll probably play terrible with there being money on it!
Picture of 6'4" Rams Legend centre forward Roger Davies from 1972/73
Have been tidying "Slow but Comfy" up this afternoon as it was cakked up to the eyeballs with muck off Tissington Trail - not going to do it again til next summer I don't think. Am going for a
spin on the it in a bit after kids are bathed.
Have added basic exercise goals onto biking spreadsheet, not totally happy it's doing what I want but it's a start and now am thinking about how it should be. So next week it should be better. Good thing on stats is have done just over 3000 bike miles this year which is kind of cool!!
Me and John took on a pairing featuring Rams Legend Roger Davies today. Roger and his partner Carl (both nice folks, but then most golfers are) took us on in our fourth Winter League encounter of the season and guess what?? We won again and convincingly too! After the 12th we were 6-up with 6 to play so again in a position where we couldn't lose like last week. John made two great birdies in the front nine and I made a ruck of pars going round including another 25-footer on the tenth which is beginning to be my trademark. Roger and Carl won three holes I think including the thirteenth and fourteenth when we took our collective foot off the gas a bit again which is a habit we need to break I reckon, although in fairness Roger won the 14th with a birdie so no disgrace there. Anyway good stuff 100% record remaining intact. Next week it's the Christmas Fayre better-ball stableford so we'll probably play terrible with there being money on it!
Picture of 6'4" Rams Legend centre forward Roger Davies from 1972/73
Have been tidying "Slow but Comfy" up this afternoon as it was cakked up to the eyeballs with muck off Tissington Trail - not going to do it again til next summer I don't think. Am going for a
spin on the it in a bit after kids are bathed.
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Saturday - Cycle goal missed but gave it best shot
Cycling 85% complete
Missed the 100 mile cycling goal but not through a lack of effort. Did damned near 30 miles today including 22 miles in the rain covered in cak after doing 11 miles up Tissington. Still two out of three goals ain't bad.
Missed the 100 mile cycling goal but not through a lack of effort. Did damned near 30 miles today including 22 miles in the rain covered in cak after doing 11 miles up Tissington. Still two out of three goals ain't bad.
Derby Not Good Enough Again
Better performance from Derby but a case of same old, same old. Defence goes awol and we leak goals. Still 2-0 to Chelsea sounds a damned sight better than 5-0 to crappy West Ham.
Leacock, Miller and Jones all put in good performances today which was good to see and you couldn't fault em for effort in the second half. Performances gone our way at the bottom again especially with Sunderland getting hammered. Very good to see that!!!
Friday, 23 November 2007
Friday Post - Yesterday bad, today better.
Running Goal Done!
Did 7.5 miles this morning which finishes off this week's running goal in two sessions. Kept a steady pace of 5.7mph which is up on last weeks average and meets the same speed as I did earlier in the week. So well pleased
Sorted slow and comfy bike out last night as well. I work in I.T. and when anyone comes to me with a PC problem I always say "what was the last thing you installed/upgraded/changed on the computer" as invariably thats the thing that's caused the problem.
If only I'd followed my own advice with bikes!! - in an earlier post I mentioned the bike jumping out of gear after I fixed a puncture in the rear tyre. I messed about with the barrel connector on the rear derailleur, checked all the cables, had a fiddle with the shifters - all to no avail. Then as I freewheeled across the Leisure Centre Car Park I noticed the bike felt bumpy when there were no bumps in the surface for it to be bumpy! Rode back home and sure enough tyre was not seated properly so did the back wheel again and we're back in business.
Gym Session - 3 Attendances Goal Done
Did 30 mins on treadmill at 9.2 for ten minutes and 9.6 for the last twenty or so - not a big difference in distance but am upping the pace. I did 2300 metres on the rower in nine and half minutes which is over 10% more than I normally do - am thinking of going for time on the rower instead of distance from now on and upping it by a minute each time.
Was going to go out on the bike but my legs are cream crackered so am going to leave it until tomorrow I think. I can't see me getting a 100 miles done on the bike as there's only 55 on the clock at the mo but hey-ho two out of three ain't bad.
Did 7.5 miles this morning which finishes off this week's running goal in two sessions. Kept a steady pace of 5.7mph which is up on last weeks average and meets the same speed as I did earlier in the week. So well pleased
Sorted slow and comfy bike out last night as well. I work in I.T. and when anyone comes to me with a PC problem I always say "what was the last thing you installed/upgraded/changed on the computer" as invariably thats the thing that's caused the problem.
If only I'd followed my own advice with bikes!! - in an earlier post I mentioned the bike jumping out of gear after I fixed a puncture in the rear tyre. I messed about with the barrel connector on the rear derailleur, checked all the cables, had a fiddle with the shifters - all to no avail. Then as I freewheeled across the Leisure Centre Car Park I noticed the bike felt bumpy when there were no bumps in the surface for it to be bumpy! Rode back home and sure enough tyre was not seated properly so did the back wheel again and we're back in business.
Gym Session - 3 Attendances Goal Done
Did 30 mins on treadmill at 9.2 for ten minutes and 9.6 for the last twenty or so - not a big difference in distance but am upping the pace. I did 2300 metres on the rower in nine and half minutes which is over 10% more than I normally do - am thinking of going for time on the rower instead of distance from now on and upping it by a minute each time.
Was going to go out on the bike but my legs are cream crackered so am going to leave it until tomorrow I think. I can't see me getting a 100 miles done on the bike as there's only 55 on the clock at the mo but hey-ho two out of three ain't bad.
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Thursday Post - Roadkill and other stories...
Not best Pleased!
Bit of a downer this morning. Not only do I find out that McClaren's not resigned (Missus said he had last night, the toadie) but also managed to run a rabbit over and kill it despite best efforts to avoid it on the bike. More things of a bad nature - couldn't sort the rear derailleur out on the Giant since falling off it yesterday and the slow but comfy Incognito that I went out on this morning is jumping out of gears since fixing puncture in rear tyre last week. All in all am not amused!!
And it was damned cold when it was supposed to be bloomin mild this morning!!.
Did two miles and then had to go back for a hat to go under me helmet. Still on the positive side I did 14 miles albeit slowly and didn't fall off today (old style pedals though!!).
Weigh-in Data Week 39 2lbs off!
Have managed to claw back 2lbs towards the 14st 7lbs mark which I'm definitely going to set as target now I've decided. Enough of this impossible dream of 13st 11lbs. Doctor said he'd be happy if I maintained current weight so if he's happy I'm happy.
Bit of a downer this morning. Not only do I find out that McClaren's not resigned (Missus said he had last night, the toadie) but also managed to run a rabbit over and kill it despite best efforts to avoid it on the bike. More things of a bad nature - couldn't sort the rear derailleur out on the Giant since falling off it yesterday and the slow but comfy Incognito that I went out on this morning is jumping out of gears since fixing puncture in rear tyre last week. All in all am not amused!!
And it was damned cold when it was supposed to be bloomin mild this morning!!.
Did two miles and then had to go back for a hat to go under me helmet. Still on the positive side I did 14 miles albeit slowly and didn't fall off today (old style pedals though!!).
Weigh-in Data Week 39 2lbs off!
Have managed to claw back 2lbs towards the 14st 7lbs mark which I'm definitely going to set as target now I've decided. Enough of this impossible dream of 13st 11lbs. Doctor said he'd be happy if I maintained current weight so if he's happy I'm happy.
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Wednesday Post - all fall down....
Blimey found out about the pitfalls of clipless SPD pedals this morning alright! Out on the road at 5:35 which was good as overslept and only got up at 5:20. After about six miles I got to the end of the lane coming out of Okeover Park
Have done the gym again tonight. As knee is hurting have done less treadmill but am going to get back on the bike again tonight and do a few more miles.
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Tuesday Post - good start
Monday Night Washout
Was a bit disappointed with not getting out last night because of the weather, this was on top of getting to the gym and realising I'd not loaded my gym bag up. So yesterdays exercise total was 15 miles on the bike and some pressups before early to bed.
In The Long Run
This morning though am quoting Eagles tunes again! Did another long run pushing the boat out a little further and running almost eight and a quarter miles which is probably the furthest I've ever run in my entire life (including school cross country runs!) so am well pleased with that. It means have only got to do another 7 miler to meet the weekly mileage target. What is almost more pleasing though is that have upped the average speed from around 5.2mph to 5.7mph which doesn't sound like much but is definitely progress in my view!! Am aiming to have run a ten miler by time I'm 40 which ain't long unfortunately!
Tuesday Night Gym Session
Did a steady 30 minutes on treadmill at 9.1km/h. No great problem but not as easy as in the morning. 8:34 mins to do 2000 metres on the rower and a few weights - 45 mins in total.
Bike Upgrade
Got some Shimano SPD clipless pedals off Ebay for £16. I wanted to bang em onto the Incognito (comfy but slow bike) but couldn't shift one of the pedals that were already on it to the extent that I bent the jaws of a spanner trying to get it off!! Nightmare. Anyway, in the end have put the pedals on the old Giant and took it for a spin tonight. Went like a little rocket - have no idea what average speed was but have got aches in a whole new set of muscles. You put power into the crank even as your backleg is coming up because you're foot is hooked into the pedal (using the inherited Specialized shoes). Only problem with this is that it can be a bit of a beggar to get your feet out of the pedals again - this resulted in a couple of flybys on the approach to home until I could shift my left foot out of the pedal. Hilarious - had considered giving the missus a call to come and help!!!
Shimano PD-M505 SPD clipless pedal - they're dinky and cheap but good as well!
Was a bit disappointed with not getting out last night because of the weather, this was on top of getting to the gym and realising I'd not loaded my gym bag up. So yesterdays exercise total was 15 miles on the bike and some pressups before early to bed.
In The Long Run
This morning though am quoting Eagles tunes again! Did another long run pushing the boat out a little further and running almost eight and a quarter miles which is probably the furthest I've ever run in my entire life (including school cross country runs!) so am well pleased with that. It means have only got to do another 7 miler to meet the weekly mileage target. What is almost more pleasing though is that have upped the average speed from around 5.2mph to 5.7mph which doesn't sound like much but is definitely progress in my view!! Am aiming to have run a ten miler by time I'm 40 which ain't long unfortunately!
Tuesday Night Gym Session
Did a steady 30 minutes on treadmill at 9.1km/h. No great problem but not as easy as in the morning. 8:34 mins to do 2000 metres on the rower and a few weights - 45 mins in total.
Bike Upgrade
Got some Shimano SPD clipless pedals off Ebay for £16. I wanted to bang em onto the Incognito (comfy but slow bike) but couldn't shift one of the pedals that were already on it to the extent that I bent the jaws of a spanner trying to get it off!! Nightmare. Anyway, in the end have put the pedals on the old Giant and took it for a spin tonight. Went like a little rocket - have no idea what average speed was but have got aches in a whole new set of muscles. You put power into the crank even as your backleg is coming up because you're foot is hooked into the pedal (using the inherited Specialized shoes). Only problem with this is that it can be a bit of a beggar to get your feet out of the pedals again - this resulted in a couple of flybys on the approach to home until I could shift my left foot out of the pedal. Hilarious - had considered giving the missus a call to come and help!!!
Shimano PD-M505 SPD clipless pedal - they're dinky and cheap but good as well!
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