Other things that can be done on treadmills.... just don't let the gym manager see!!!!

If you ever wondered how personal training can be done at the
beach ...you have to have a Sherpa of a trainer that carries a multi gym on his back!! Free weights, sparring kit, bungies, mats, drinks all sorts.

Had another great session in Bournemouth although we had to dodge all the paraphernalia that goes with the town hosting the Labour Party Conference. Police everywhere and all drains and post boxes taped up. Amazing police horses they look very impressive.

We trained up on the westcliff, doing a bit of power walking in interval training and some press ups. Will, on bike, recovering from Sunday,( I don't think I would be able to move for a month

after doing that kind of race), me racing on ahead, well.....more like trotting behind, asking him about the inner workings of muscles!! We did a bit of sparring and, a new feature of star jumps in between. Good work out love the feeling of being out of breath and glowy
The rain passed by but the clouds were very heavy all around.

Early one morning just as the day was dawning...

Early dawn on the lake

Had a lovely meal with Stu and friends last night.

This morning I got up at 4.15 am to get to Boscombe pier for 5 am for a lift to the New Forest Middle Distance race with Will. I walked along the cliff edge path and it was beautiful, so silent and the stars were really bright. The Needles lighthouse was on and because the sea was a little misty a long ray of light shone over the Solent.

It was quite strange arriving at Ringwood in the dark.

It felt like a secret society meeting or a rave!! Strange mechanical maneuvers in the dark with torch light as people got their bikes off racks and into the transition area. Great atmosphere.

Gradually the sun rose and everyone was down by the lake waiting for the swim. Water was a little chilly on account of those who stuck their toes in to test. As the first swimmers went off they broke the surface of the water (see photo below) and made quite a dramatic pattern in the sea ( oh eck the art student is coming out in me again!!)

The athletes were sorted into time by the colour of their swiming caps and the yellows went of first. 1.9k swim imto a 56 mile bike ride and then a half marathon. I marshalled the Transition 2 section giving out drinks and energy gells and general encouragement. Got quite wet as they threw the water I gave them all over the place, bless em.... Everyone was so friendly . Time and athletes whizzed by. Before I knew it the runners were coming in to finish.

This is the amazing Richard Iles of Beacon Leisure giving the swimmers a briefing about the course.

Will had a very good race coming 7th out of nearly 400. It's a really gruelling but fantastic course, beautiful lake and countryside. The event was very well organised everyone had a good time. Had a lovely time with Wills family half of which were racing too!! And 'Little O' of course who is gorgeous and growing up fast.

Still smiling after swimming , cycling and running

Bournemouth is fast becoming one of my favourite places!

Today Will and I did our training sesion around the beach and Durley Chines. I got to the pier a bit early and had time just to watch waves for 20 minutes. I've always been drawn to water. If I feel down or tired I'll find water to be by or watch. Sometimes I have been a little too close to water in my life and as a child frequently fell into puddles or ponds. A third of my family are Turkish and the word for water in Turkey is Su, so they always call me Aunty Water!!

So I felt really revived by having some time by the sea. Had a fab training session. We did mountain running up the cliffs!! Was nearly over taken by a load of pensioners!!!!

I felt on top of the world afterwards.

Then I went on to see the lovely people at Premier for a sports massage. Anyone who say massage is relaxing is deluded, not the massages I've had anyway. They are fantastic and you feel realy invigorated afterwards and I loved every minute of it but I certainly felt the muscles I'd been trying to memorise. I had a massage from one of the students that is doing the course I'll be doing in January. She was very good inspite of me grilling her a bit. She knew her stuff and talked me through what she was doing. In all a really good day

Oi Vey

This picture kind of sums up how I'm feeling today!!!

Got my operation date, 17th October and getting nervous, especially when they say they have to wire me to an ECG because I have a heart murmur and having a general anaesthetic scares me a bit.

Hopefully my Nephew-in-law is having the same kind of op on the same day in the same place!!!

He's an old hand at this kind of thing.

It'll be good to get it done

Had a day of sorting out finances too. So that's all done.

Last night I had a special treat I went to the Theatre!!! My brother-in-law had brought tickets for By Jeeves at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, a musical by Lloyd Webber and Alan Aykbourn based on the Jeeves and Wooster stories by P G Woodhouse.

My sister being the heroine she is had to work a shift in the hospital so I stood in for her.

I love the Theatre, especially musical comedy. I have worked as stage manager on a few productions and forgot how much I missed it, until last night.

It's a fabulous production and I had such a good time. I kind of lost who was who about half way through the plot but apparently this is not unusual in an Aykbourn production. Robin Armstrong, who played Bertie Wooster had the most amazing legs . He must have been double jointed but they did the charlston very well and seem to have a life of their own!! The stage crew were all part of the play too. They were interacting with the audience before the show started. It was very funny. Recommend it if you want a good night's entertainment

After a rubbish day at work it really cheered me up.

Geoffrey Holland played Jeeves... you may remember him in Hi De Hi as the camp manager and unrequited love of Ruth Maddock's character.

The hills are alive.............

I was going to change blogs as some may have seen on the last post before I edited it, but as someone commented that there is quite a bit on here about the last 14 months I might as well carry on!!

And she's off!!!!

Had a nice relaxing morning then it was off for a 'speedy' walk and the St Catherine's Hill challenge. St Catherine's hill has always been a challenge. When we were children our parents took us up there to let off steam. Later in life the hill became something to be avoided, I found it really hard climbing up the steep slopes and steps. The views from the top are stunning so sometimes it was worth the effort.
There is a bench half way up that was always a godsend and a welcome rest for all types that needed a breather.
Decided to try and measure the time it takes me to get from the entrance gate of the hill to the highest point of the hill.
Managed it in 8.50 mins
PB
There is great walk through to the hill passing th rough the water meadows. So all in all had a good time this afternoon.
Going to set myself a challenge to see if I can swim 1k in one go.


StCatherine's Hill

Snoodles at Wagamamas

Had a lovely day today

Started the day with a great PT session with Will. It's great fun and I feel like I've done a good work out afterwards, and my impression of a tricep dip was 'unique'. Did quite a bit of fast walking and kinda jogging twice round the 'mile' at Littledown. With intervals of sparring and pull ups. Love it love it love it.

After all that I met Gorgeous Stu and we went to Wagamamas. It's fab there you get loads of food which is cooked fast and in a healthy way. Chopsticks were a challenge. I had a go but may have been there till the evening trying to get the food to stay on the chopsticks. So I used the alternative, a fork. Had a lovely time lots of giggles and chat. Worth a visit if there's one near you

Decided on a different look!!

This is my gorgeous Godson

It's been a bit of a tough week at work getting a bit stressed but the exercise is going well. It really helps in the evening to go and bash out on the Cross Trainer or with some Free Weights. The endorphins kick and then you feel you take on the world!!!

The knee op is getting ever closer. Should be at the end of October. Not looking forward to it but it would be good to get it over with. May have to have other knee investigated too as it has a dramatic click!!

Had a great time last night in the weights room. All the big boys lifting their 40ks were really friendly and didn't laugh at me picking up my 4k as it it was 40k.

I used to feel really shy and intimidated going up there but they are quite friendly. Sometimes I look in the mirror and see all these people behind me doing all sorts of wondrous things. Leg and arms in the air balancing and lifting weights, making amazing noises, great entertainment beats sitting in watching TV and eating cake (well almost!!!)

Having an 'M.O.T' on Friday at the gym. Where they measure everything, statistix, lung capacity, fat %, etc there are about 20 tests. I have had some of the tests already with Will!! Thought it would be good to experience it as I may have to do some on other people one day. I have become a bit of an 'experience' junkie. Want to learn as much as I can.

Got PT tomorrow.. Hurray!!!

And then off with gorgeous Stu to Wagamamas for some Japanese food, which by all accounts is gorgeous and healthy.

I spent most of today in Bournemouth. In the morning I went to Premier International, where I will be doing a course in January, to sit in on one of the classes. I am really looking forward to the course even though I had a little panic attack last night. It was just nerves. I still can't get over the fact that a few years ago you'd have to pay me to get off the sofa and now I am entering the fitness and health industry....!!!!

The tutors soon put at my ease. We had a good chat and observed one of the classes in the Sports Massage module and the tutor managed to make the subjects of Health and Safety Act and Insurance into a fun, interactive lesson.

It was a good experience and I really enjoyed my morning there.

At 12 Will came to Littledown and we did a PT session outside. There is a measured mile track in the grounds of the leisure centre, with conveniently placed steps, climbing bars to do press ups etc on. There are specially placed trees where we walk to one and jog to the next. It's clever how they've planted them just at the right distance for me to jog to!! As I may have said before I love every minute of it even if I haven't quite got the hang of everything.

Will his now an Elite Athlete and will be taking part in the London Duathlon on Sunday. So you see I am being trained by the best!!

Good Luck Will

What a lovely day our family had today. David my nephew got married to Sarah, We had a gathering of the family clan, even Aunty Mary from Australia came over.

My sister and brother in law's house became the centre of operations and they had many extra people sleeping all over their house last night.

David wore the Ancient Oliphant Tartan of the Kinloch clan. Wee Harry stole the show a few times.

The highlights for me were

Sitting around the big dining table all together eating homemade lentil soup.

All the family looking really good

The Winchester Cathedral Choir boy doing a solo by John Rutter

Being so proud of my nephew

Sarah's dress was lovely

Pictures (lots of them) being taken in the Dean of Winchester's garden

David playing clarinet in his fantastic jazz band, for a few sets before the barn dance.

My baby Godson gradually falling asleep on me as I sung quietly in his ear

Laughing lots at people dancing square and circle dances