http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/Ramblings of a 42 year old trying to stay fit and slim.en-EUMokoFeed10http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/3d/a6171d2421388ac55ade502ca3d0f0_160x200.jpghttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2008/03/18/why-do-they-have-to-changes-things-3899123/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2008-03-18:/2008/03/18/why-do-they-have-to-changes-things-3899123/Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:19:35 +0100 <p>Ok I know I have very wide feet, I know it makes it difficult for me to find running shoes which fit. But I did find some that fitted New Balance 752 4E's (the 4E being the extra wide bit). I was happy. I didn't ask for much, just to buy a new pair every 6 months or so. Then New Balance bought out a new version 753, but not with a 4E fitting, so I started to buy NB 891's from America and New Balance have done it again, I can't get 4E fittings in the updated version. So I ask NB in the UK what I can do and they say try our new more expensive 1062's, but they hurt my calves and acillies.</p> <p>Why does it have to be so hard, I just want to find some shoes for me to run in and when I find some which fit and are comfortable for the manufacturer to keep making them.</p> <p>Rant over, hello everybody. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2008/03/18/why-do-they-have-to-changes-things-3899123/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>big-feetnew-balancerantnew-shoeshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2008/03/18/why-do-they-have-to-changes-things-3899123/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2007/01/04/palma_route~1513890/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2007-01-04:/2007/01/04/palma_route~1513890/Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:36:11 +0100 <p>With the wonders of Googel Earth, I can now show you the route I was running when recently staying in Palma and tell you that it was 4.8 miles long.</p> <p>It made the sundowner afterwards all the more enjoyable.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1075870" title="palmaroutea"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/870/1075870_e0c2c1193c_s.jpg" alt="palmaroutea" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2007/01/04/palma_route~1513890/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>running-routepalmahttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2007/01/04/palma_route~1513890/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2007/01/02/palma_running~1504284/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2007-01-02:/2007/01/02/palma_running~1504284/Tue, 02 Jan 2007 11:21:43 +0100 <p>Happy New Year to you all.</p> <p>In line with my ad hoc descriptions of running in pretty places, my latest recommendation is Palma, Mallorca.</p> <p>Stayed in the city for four days between Christmas and New Year, which was very nice. Found a running route which took about 35mins and took me from the top of the city center where the hotel was, down through the old city center (which is mostly pedestrianised), along the quay side and back to the hotel.</p> <p>It was a very nice run and particularly at sun set when the Cathedral looked at its best and was different for me as it included a hill!!!!</p> <p>Couple of things which struck me was, the weather (20 degrees C and sunny), how small the city center really is (ie I could run round it in 35mins) and how runner friendly it was (ie lots of wide footpaths and limited car zones).</p> <p>Hopefully will find an appropriate photo to illustrate the run. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2007/01/02/palma_running~1504284/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>palmanew-yearrunninghttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2007/01/02/palma_running~1504284/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/12/23/keep_the_music_coming~1472103/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-12-23:/2006/12/23/keep_the_music_coming~1472103/Sat, 23 Dec 2006 16:36:43 +0100 <p>Hi</p> <p>Been away for a while its all been a bit busy. Moved jobs now work in Enfield, which is not great, but will describe the benefits later.</p> <p>To restart things I thought I would list out what is on my Shuffle at the moment. Some old favorites and some newbies. I particularly like the View. Will be seeing them in February at the NME tour. As normal will be the oldest bloke there, but who cares.</p> <p>Still running, still keeping the weight down.</p> <p>When The Sun Goes Down, Arctic Monkeys<br> Monster, The Automatic<br> All The Small Things, Blink-182<br> Helicopter, Bloc Party<br> Song 2, Blur<br> Clocks, Coldplay<br> Get Off, The Dandy Warhols<br> Dance, Dance, Fall Out Boy<br> Just a Day, Feeder<br> Take Me Out, Franz Ferdinand<br> Minority, Green Day<br> When You Were Young, The Killers<br> Can't Stand Me Now, The Libertines<br> Song B, Mumm-ra<br> Out of the Question, Mumm-ra<br> Talk talk talk, The Ordinary Boys<br> Go With The Flow, Queens Of The Stone Age<br> Kiss You Off, Scissor Sisters<br> Oh Yeah, The Subways<br> I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor, Sugababes<br> Superstar Tradesman, The View<br> Wasted Little DJs, The View<br> Posh Boys, The View<br> Seven Nation Army, The White Stripes</p> <p>I have actually put this on iMix under the title Running40. to thick to be able to work out how to put the link in here. Anyway, hope you like the toooones</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/12/23/keep_the_music_coming~1472103/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>runningenfieldthe-viewmusichttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/12/23/keep_the_music_coming~1472103/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/09/11/wow_i_finished~1114990/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-09-11:/2006/09/11/wow_i_finished~1114990/Mon, 11 Sep 2006 08:24:29 +0200 <p>Well I managed to finish the Grunty Fen Half Marathon in a time of 1 hour 51 mins. I am now officially exhausted and according to my kids very smelly.</p> <p>As you can see from the photo's I was not the first to finish in fact in one of the photo's you can see some people had already had their drink, shower, collected their medal and gone home. Well never mind.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=810448"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/448/810448_8471a16035_s.jpg" alt="NotFair" title="NotFair" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=810449"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/449/810449_154be5ec77_s.jpg" alt="WTB" title="WTB" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Still time to sponsor me on behalf of Cancer Research <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/peterhewitt">Sponsor Peter</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/09/11/wow_i_finished~1114990/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/09/11/wow_i_finished~1114990/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/09/02/how_hard_can_it_be_to_buy_jelly_babies~1090480/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-09-02:/2006/09/02/how_hard_can_it_be_to_buy_jelly_babies~1090480/Sat, 02 Sep 2006 11:40:38 +0200 <p>Been finding training somewhat difficult recently. I have been trying to up the mileage, but every time I get to about 10 miles I run out of Juice. I was starting to get a bit concerned as the Grunty Fen Half Marathon is only a week away. Was it all going to be an embarresing failure??</p> <p>Well I put a query on the runners forum and a couple of the people replied suggesting Jelly Babies, both as a pre-run snack and a during-run pick me up. Sounded good to me, so whilst Liz and I were in Cambridge last night I thought I would buy a pack of Jelly Babies, how hard could it be? Very hard as it turns out. You want Haribo or some horrid looking own brand sweet not a problem, tried Sainsbury's and the Tesco Metro, nothing and then finally just before closing time tried our Local Co-op. There they were a fully stocked shelf of Bassetts Jelly Babies. Local shops don't you just love them.</p> <p>Tried them out this morning; 13 miles in 1 hr 50mins and 10 Jelly Babies. They work Eureka!!!!!! Grunty Fen bring it on!!!!</p> <p>Still time to sponsor me on behalf of Cancer Research <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/peterhewitt">Sponsor Peter</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/09/02/how_hard_can_it_be_to_buy_jelly_babies~1090480/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>sponsorshipjelly-babiesrunninghalf-marathonhttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/09/02/how_hard_can_it_be_to_buy_jelly_babies~1090480/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/08/28/all_in_a_blur~1077033/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-08-28:/2006/08/28/all_in_a_blur~1077033/Mon, 28 Aug 2006 18:05:18 +0200 <p>I haven't posted for a while, partly due to work, partly due to Hols and partly just being lazy....so this all going to come out in a bit of a blur!!!!</p> <p>Any way it is only two weeks to the Grunty Fen half marathon and my training has been a bit all over the place, been managing to up the mileage a bit, but never in a consistent way.</p> <p>What I really need now is a cure for bits that rub, cos it is getting a bit sore in the tender region. Anybody got any better ideas than using Vaseline??</p> <p>So i have been thinking a may need to start a new section call beautiful beaches to run on:</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=782697"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/697/782697_d9aea6cdb2_s.jpg" alt="Blog" title="Blog" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> This is Carnac in France and I went there with family and friend for a weeks camping. Managed to find a really good 7 mile circular route and ran it most mornings. Excellent way of figuring out what the weather was going to do for the day as you could see far out into the Western sky.</p> <p>I like Carnac a lot although some of that may have something to do with it being as flat as Cambridge!!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/08/28/all_in_a_blur~1077033/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>beachesrubbingrunningfrancecarnachttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/08/28/all_in_a_blur~1077033/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/08/28/i_need_you_money~1076980/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-08-28:/2006/08/28/i_need_you_money~1076980/Mon, 28 Aug 2006 17:48:09 +0200 <p>I think this is a mid life crisis, but in a good way!?</p> <p>Having successfully raised over £500 in sponsorship for Cancer Research by running the Ely 10k in December last year, I thought I would raise the bar. In two weeks time on my 18th Wedding Anniversary I will be running the Grunty Fen Half Marathon.</p> <p>I am once again raising money for Cancer Research, so please dig deep and sponsor me. It could not be easier all you have to do is click on the link below and it can all be done from the comfort of your chair.</p> <p><a href="http://www.justgiving.com/peterhewitt">http://www.justgiving.com/peterhewitt</a></p> <p>Both my Mother and Liz's Mother have survived Ovarian Cancer through the development of chemotherapy treatments pioneered by Cancer Research.</p> <p>I am hoping to complete the course in 1hr 45 mins. You can check up on my progress by going to the race web site <a href="http://www.gruntyfen.co.uk/">http://www.gruntyfen.co.uk/</a> I am competitor Nr 84.</p> <p>This is of course just a trial run for the London Marathon next year, which my Sister has challenged me to run with her. </p> <p>Thank you for your support.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/08/28/i_need_you_money~1076980/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>cancersponsorshipmarathonhttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/08/28/i_need_you_money~1076980/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/07/24/itb_and_electrodes~984828/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-07-24:/2006/07/24/itb_and_electrodes~984828/Mon, 24 Jul 2006 17:07:19 +0200 <p>I have a pain in my hip and an ache in my knee and apparently it is all down to my ITB!!</p> <p>Don't ask me what it is, but everybody who I ask about the pain justs shakes their head and goes "Oooooooh that is your ITB!!" with much sucking of teeth.</p> <p>Well I went to my local Physio who got me to lie on my front and without a "by your leave" attached electrodes to my buttocks!!</p> <p>Last time I saw electrodes used in this way it was on "One flew over the cookoo's nest". I have to admit there was a strangely pleasurable feeling from my buttocks clenching without me doing anything.</p> <p>Will let you know if it works! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/07/24/itb_and_electrodes~984828/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>electrodesphysioitbhttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/07/24/itb_and_electrodes~984828/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/07/19/aaaaaah_gyms~972873/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-07-19:/2006/07/19/aaaaaah_gyms~972873/Wed, 19 Jul 2006 21:59:25 +0200 <p>I have never been a great fan of Gyms, horrible smelly places full of people showing off!! I have now re-appraised this view for one simple reason "Air-con". In the last week I have stayed in two hotels both of which had gyms, so instead of going out in 30 degree heat I have hit the tread mill.</p> <p>Problem is next week I will not be staying in any hotels, so I guess it will be getting up early to avoid the heat time.</p> <p>Quick joke I heard on 5 Live. This is mostly because I am fed up every time England lose of getting jokes from my South African "Friends" about Chariots losing they're wheels etc:</p> <p>Why is a Samosa better than a Springbok?</p> <p>At least a Samosa has three points!!!</p> <p>Keep on running! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/07/19/aaaaaah_gyms~972873/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>runningsamosaspringbokgymjokeair-conhttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/07/19/aaaaaah_gyms~972873/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/07/10/what_is_it_with_trail_exercise_parks~948235/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-07-10:/2006/07/10/what_is_it_with_trail_exercise_parks~948235/Mon, 10 Jul 2006 11:43:54 +0200 <p>You know those strange collection of wood and metal erections which litter public parks, put up by some local authority do gooder in a vain attempt to try and get there lard arsed constituents into shape.</p> <p>Mostly they appear to resemble some form of Medieval torture instrument, but honestly now, have you ever seen anybody using them?</p> <p>The reason for asking this question is that I was in Swansea last week. Now mostly Swansea has been somewhere I have tried to avoid, but I had to stay there over night, so I decided to go for a run along the sea front. I will admit right here and right now I have got Swansea wrong. If you skip all the bits between the M4 and the beach it is really pretty, what a view!!! The bay really is quite spectacular. But all along the seafront path was a trail/exercise park. There must have been over 20 exercise points, not a single one was in use. It wasn't as if I was on my own using the seafront path, it was packed with runners, walkers, cyclists and people carrying tins of Tenants Special Brew.</p> <p>I will admit I did stop at one exercise point, but mostly because it looked like it had come straight out of an S&M Porn movie, weird.</p> <p>Anyway, I have been very busy over the last couple of weeks, hence no blog, but I have been managing to fit in the running, updates soon. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/07/10/what_is_it_with_trail_exercise_parks~948235/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>s-mswansearunningexercise-equipmenthttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/07/10/what_is_it_with_trail_exercise_parks~948235/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/06/05/why_does_cricket_make_my_muscles_ache~855975/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-06-05:/2006/06/05/why_does_cricket_make_my_muscles_ache~855975/Mon, 05 Jun 2006 19:54:43 +0200 <p>I know I haven't said much over the last couple of weeks but I am on a bit of a role and as England have just got thumped by Sri Lanka I thought this was topical!</p> <p>Last week my friend got me to play Cricket, worse still he got me to be the wicket keeper. Now if I play Cricket more than once a year it is unusual and I am not very good, but still batting at nr 11 I got my highest ever score of 11 Not Out of which I am most proud.</p> <p>The following day however was no joke, I could hardly walk. My thighs and bum ached something cronic. It was all that crouching down behind the wicket, clearly I was using muscles which I had never used before and my hands and shins were bruised from being hit by the ball (or just being a crap wicket keeper!!).</p> <p>So no matter how fit you are, there will still be some sporting activity which can catch you out. </p> <p>I will never be rude about that short welsh git who keeps wicket for England ever again<img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/06/05/why_does_cricket_make_my_muscles_ache~855975/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>achesorecricketwicket-keeperhttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/06/05/why_does_cricket_make_my_muscles_ache~855975/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/06/05/another_reason_to_get_fit_it_helps_to_di~855906/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-06-05:/2006/06/05/another_reason_to_get_fit_it_helps_to_di~855906/Mon, 05 Jun 2006 19:26:02 +0200 <p>This may seem a bit bizarre, but stick with it for a little while!</p> <p>One of our cats died last week and we buried it in the garden so the kids could see where it was buried. I say we buried the cat but it was all left down to me.</p> <p>Now remember I live just out side of Cambridge and the ground is very clayey ie hard and the vet very helpfully said "you had better bury the cat deep otherwise the fox will dig it up!!", so whilst I was digging the grave, my wife would helpfully say "I think you need to go a bit deeper!!".</p> <p>You are getting bored by now and want to know what this has to do with getting fit, well before now if I did any sort of heavy gardening I would get cronic tennis elbow and very sore muscles, but 18 months worth of sit ups and press ups later and after 2hrs of digging a quarry in our back garden, no ill effects.</p> <p>See getting fit helps to dig graves!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/06/05/another_reason_to_get_fit_it_helps_to_di~855906/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>deadgravescatfitnesshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/06/05/another_reason_to_get_fit_it_helps_to_di~855906/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/22/is_it_worth_it~819109/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-05-22:/2006/05/22/is_it_worth_it~819109/Mon, 22 May 2006 10:08:06 +0200 <p>Ran a quick 4mile circuit on Sunday having rested my aching bones on Saturday.</p> <p>Along the lines of my motivational blog the other day, I started wondering what I looked like when I was over 17 stone. I suddenly noticed a bizarre thing, there are almost no photographs of me when I was over weight, I don't know whether this is just the how it was or if I actually deliberately avoided photo's taken of me because subconsciously I knew I didn't want to see what I looked like. Maybe that is why it was such a shock when I saw the photo's of me from Xmas 2004 with my gut hanging over my 38 inch trousers and realised that something had to change.</p> <p>I don't think I have ever been a very image conscious sort of person, but I do think your mind will sometimes make you avoid seeing what you don't want to see. It stops you from having to confront uncomfortable decisions in your life!!</p> <p>So anyway this is the best I could do a before and after shot!! Anybody who asks which is which will be shot!!<a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=562563"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/563/562563_1ee4d4da35_s.jpg" align="" alt="Before" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=562564"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/564/562564_e896f4113a_s.jpg" align="" alt="After" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/22/is_it_worth_it~819109/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>beforefatrunningmotivationafterhttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/22/is_it_worth_it~819109/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/19/do_you_like_the_picture~812646/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-05-19:/2006/05/19/do_you_like_the_picture~812646/Fri, 19 May 2006 16:45:06 +0200 <p>I have a new banner, it is a piture of Cala San Vicente in Majorca, very pretty and a great place to swim!!!!</p> <p>Having booked my place on the Grunty Fen Half Marathon I thought I had better up the running, so ran six miles on Tuesday in Yeovil and eight miles today in Cottenham. Actually I was quite impressed did the 8 miles in 1 hr 3 mins, wasn't out of breath but my legs were quite tired, over the next couple of weeks I will slowly increase my weekly mileage and see how I get on. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/19/do_you_like_the_picture~812646/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>runningcala-sanswimhttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/19/do_you_like_the_picture~812646/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/16/motivation~804179/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-05-16:/2006/05/16/motivation~804179/Tue, 16 May 2006 15:28:53 +0200 <p>Can't quite get myself motivated at the moment, not sure why. Some of it may be because of pressure at work, some of it may be not having a target. The problem is that I can feel the fitness ebbing away each time I don't go for a run, so it is time to set some targets.</p> <p>1) Book place on Grunty Fen half marathon. If I am going to do a Marathon I need to start with a half!!. The Grunty Fen race is in September, so it gives me time to train.</p> <p>2) I have now figured out how to beat the 45 min barrier, run at 160bpm. But how thick am I, made the novices mistake of trying to do it when I hadn't run for a week, blew up at four miles with chronic stitch. Tried again the next day at 155bpm and finished the 10k in 48mins.</p> <p>3) This bloke in the village ran past me when I went running at the weekend as if I was standing still. I tried to keep up with him, but after a mile or so I had to stop. I thought I had been doing quite well, but the way he flew past me just showed me how much more I have to do.</p> <p>On the positive side went to a meeting today and one of the people at the meeting said "bloody hell where did it all go" he hadn't seen me for 6 months or so you do get some benefit from all of this work.</p> <p>Found another good web site for running, <a href="http://www.runnersforum.co.uk/">http://www.runnersforum.co.uk/</a> lots of very useful info on it and alsorts of people varying from novices to experts, so for all you people suffering from shin splints give it a read.</p> <p>Down in Yeovil tonight must build up the enthusiasm to go for a run.</p> <p>THINK ABOUT THE TARGETS!!!!!!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/16/motivation~804179/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>grunty-fenrunningbpmrunners-forummotivationhttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/16/motivation~804179/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/09/i_forgot_my_son~786611/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-05-09:/2006/05/09/i_forgot_my_son~786611/Tue, 09 May 2006 13:34:33 +0200 <p>I forgot to mention that my son Alex also did the Cottenham fun run on last Saturday, as he is only 10 and not very sporting this was an excellent acheivment, although he could hardly walk the following day. Him running it was made all the better by his mates giving him a huge cheer when he crossed the finishing line.</p> <p>I didn't encourage him to run the race he decided to run it by himself, so well done Alex!!!!</p> <p>Very busy at work at the moment so finding time for rnning is difficult. woke up early and ran the Yeovil 3mile loop at nothing more than a gentle jog. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/09/i_forgot_my_son~786611/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/09/i_forgot_my_son~786611/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/06/i_did_it_i_did_it~779951/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-05-06:/2006/05/06/i_did_it_i_did_it~779951/Sat, 06 May 2006 14:55:15 +0200 <p>I know it is not much, but I complete the Cottenham Fun Run in 29mins and came 16th, not bad since I was 63rd last year in 49mins and in a weird twist of fate my race number this year was 63, so this training thing does make you get better!!!!!</p> <p>Right where is that beer to celebrate!!!</p> <p>Momentary celebration as Liz has just reminded me I need to mow the lawn. Ho Hum!!</p> <p>Have a good weekend </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/06/i_did_it_i_did_it~779951/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>fun-runcelebrationmow-the-lawnhttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/06/i_did_it_i_did_it~779951/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/05/cure_for_stitch~778053/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-05-05:/2006/05/05/cure_for_stitch~778053/Fri, 05 May 2006 15:59:53 +0200 <p>Stitch, its my biggest problem when running. I try and have a drink well before I run, but always make the mistake of taking a big gulp of water just before I set off, 3 miles in and bang, sharp stabbing pain just under my rib cage, somebody must have a cure for it!!!!</p> <p>Haven't been able to run all week because of work, but had a gentle jog round the 4 mile loop today at lunch time. 22 degrees, beautiful and sunny I hope it stays like this for the rest of the summer.</p> <p>Looking forward to the Cottanham fun Run tomorrow, sort of a bit of a annual check on my progress. The Fun Run was the first "proper" race I took part in after I had started running last year, it was good because it showed me what I could acheive. Did it in 49 mins last year, if I can do it in under 30mins this year I would be over the moon.</p> <p>Have a nice weekend!!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/05/cure_for_stitch~778053/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>runningstitchsummerfun-runhttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/05/cure_for_stitch~778053/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/02/its_not_fair~770872/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-05-02:/2006/05/02/its_not_fair~770872/Tue, 02 May 2006 15:59:27 +0200 <p>Guys like this should just not be allowed. This bloke was the life guard on the beach in South Africa. My wife kindly pointed him out to me. So here am I, having slog my guts out for the last 18 months to get myself looking good and then you see the life guard, there is no hope!!!!</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=518102"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/102/518102_f7946863f4_s.jpg" align="" alt="LifeGuard2" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I hasten to add that my wife took the picture, which she looks at from time to time and sighs. Guess I will have to run round the block a few more times and buy myself a wig and some false tan. Ho Hum! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/02/its_not_fair~770872/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>envyhunkhttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/02/its_not_fair~770872/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/02/technology_don_t_you_just_love_it~770593/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-05-02:/2006/05/02/technology_don_t_you_just_love_it~770593/Tue, 02 May 2006 13:55:42 +0200 <p>I have started to use Google Earth recently, it is great, I have been using it to measure run route distances and you can also find out changes in elevation. It is so easy to use. I have used it for all my routes around Cottenham and it was how I worked out the distances when I was over in South Africa running the beach. Last weekend I went to see the in-laws in Stoke on Trent, so I thought I would work out my normal run route around Stoke using Google, ooops, Google don't cover Stoke. Now I know that Stoke is a grim place and should be avoided at all times, but is it really so bad that there is no point in Google covering it. Mind you the Google coverage doesn't extend to Yeovil yet either. Is there a plot here?</p> <p>The run in Stoke is actually very nice as it goes round the pond at Moddeshall, but it does have 2 v big hills in it which is not so good for us Fenlanders, distance 7 miles, time just under 55mins. When I got back to Cottenham decided to up the pace a bit using PodRunner at 160bpm for 4 miles in preparation for next weeks Fun Run, took me 28mins. This should mean that I can cover the 4.2mile fun run route in under 30mins, which given it took me 49mins last year is not bad progress for a year.</p> <p>The other bit of technology I succumbed to this week was a proper running shirt. I have always thought they were a bit nancy, I mean whats wrong with a good old fashioned T-shirt. Well I sweat a lot and given that it is kind of getting warmer the T-shirts were starting to rub around the neck etc, so I have gone out and bought myself a proper running top. It is brilliant, so light weight, doesn't get horrible and wet like the cotton T-shirts, believe the hype they are worth getting. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/02/technology_don_t_you_just_love_it~770593/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>fitnesskitrunninggoogle-earthhttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/05/02/technology_don_t_you_just_love_it~770593/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/04/25/i_nearly_died~755442/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-04-25:/2006/04/25/i_nearly_died~755442/Tue, 25 Apr 2006 19:24:02 +0200 <p>Well that is not really true, but it felt like it!</p> <p>Went for a 10k run today, mulling over the weekends London Marathon and the fact that my Sister want us to run it together next year. Not entirely sure that is a good idea, rather like ice baths, everybody says I should do a marathon now that I am fit, but why would you want to have all that pain? I am not sure that just being able say "I have done it" is enough and anyway doesn't anybody remember the first marathon? That bloke ran all the way from Athens to Marathon, knocked on the gates, said "We won!" and then died!! This tells us something very important, the bloke died, you shouldn't run marathons.</p> <p>I am rambling, the reason my run today didn't go very well is because I have found this new web site through iTunes it is: <a href="http://www.djsteveboy.com/">http://www.djsteveboy.com/</a> this guy has put together hour long music tracks all with a specific Beat Per Minute, which makes it very easy to keep a consistent pace. I was obviously feeling brave and picked a track on my shuffle at 150bpm and at about 6k got the most almighty stitch; that last gulp of water before I left was obviously not a good idea! But the tune was good with and excellent background bass line to keep your feet pounding the road at a consistent speed. I would strongly recommend the site, you can find it either through iTunes under the title "Podrunner" or through the web address given above. He does have one track at 180bpm, but I think I may have to build up to that. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/04/25/i_nearly_died~755442/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>runningpodrunnerlondon-marathonhttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/04/25/i_nearly_died~755442/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/04/24/what_you_need_is_a_massage~750787/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-04-23:/2006/04/24/what_you_need_is_a_massage~750787/Mon, 24 Apr 2006 00:35:23 +0200 <p>Well ran my Cottenham 10k in 47mins, so I guess I must be slowing down. I put it down to a sore hip. I have to admit to writing this in an Edinburgh bar at 12:30am in the morning, so the tryping may be a littel off key.</p> <p>I know that massage may have a bad reputation given the Red Light connections but trust me, anybody who is going to run even slightly seriously should think about finding a Sports Masseuse. I found Fay by just looking up yell.co.uk, she is based down in Devon and she has sorted out all sorts of niggles I have had in my legs. Getting her to pummel my legs before I travel back up to Cottenham, almost makes working in the West Country worth while, but boy is it sore the next day.</p> <p>Don't run with aches and pains get somebody to sort them out!!</p> <p>When writing about South Africa I forgot to mention that my elder Sister has suggested that we should run the London Marathon. I am not keen always remembering what happened to the orginal Marathon runner, he died I shall have to give it some more thought!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/04/24/what_you_need_is_a_massage~750787/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>massagerunningmarathonfitnesshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/04/24/what_you_need_is_a_massage~750787/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/04/19/music_to_run_to~740049/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-04-19:/2006/04/19/music_to_run_to~740049/Wed, 19 Apr 2006 19:24:41 +0200 <p>Can't remember where I read that it was good to try and zone out when you are running, but it was good advice. Obviously this really only applies if you are running on your own, but I find I run much faster when I use my "Shuffle". I also run faster when following my younger sister, who is very fit, but that is just out of not wanting to be shown up too much.</p> <p>My favorite up the pace tune is Go With the Flow by Queens of the Stone Age, but here are the rest of the tunes on my Shuffle:</p> <p>Mr. Brightside The Killers<br> Beautiful Day U2<br> Lust For Life Iggy Pop<br> Unfinished Sympathy Massive Attack<br> Insomnia Faithless<br> Ray Of Light Madonna<br> Hung Up Madonna<br> A Little Less Conversation (JXL Radio Edit Remix) Elvis Presley<br> Atomic Blondie<br> Song 2 Blur<br> My Favourite Game Cardigans<br> Johnny B. Goode Chuck Berry<br> John the Revelator Depeche Mode<br> Mass Destruction Faithless<br> DARE Gorillaz<br> American Idiot Green Day<br> Tied Up Too Tight Hard-Fi<br> I Predict A Riot Kaiser Chiefs<br> Somebody Told Me The Killers<br> Can't Stand Me Now The Libertines<br> Sorry Madonna<br> Guilt Is A Useless Emotion New Order<br> Talk talk talk The Ordinary Boys<br> Forever Now The Psychedelic Furs<br> Go With The Flow Queens Of The Stone Age<br> Golden Touch Razorlight<br> Let Me Entertain You Robbie Williams<br> Oh Yeah (Album Version) The Subways<br> Born Slippy (Nuxx) Underworld<br> Seven Nation Army The White Stripes<br> Fell In Love With a Girl The White Stripes</p> <p>Showing my age there a bit with Psychedelic Furs, but hey it keeps me running. Any suggestions for other good running songs gratefully received!</p> <p>Did my 4 mile run yesterday in 29m 39s, down in Yeovil today so I am psyching myself up for 6 miles, but my hip is twinging so it may only end up as 3!</p> <p>Cheers for now. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/04/19/music_to_run_to~740049/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>runningipod-shufflemusichttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/04/19/music_to_run_to~740049/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/04/18/back_from_hols~736800/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-04-18:/2006/04/18/back_from_hols~736800/Tue, 18 Apr 2006 16:54:01 +0200 <p>Just returned from holiday in South Africa, where I went for my Sisters Wedding. Managed to keep up the running and the view was pretty good.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=487896"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/896/487896_4687d873f9_m.jpg" align="" alt="Robberg" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>This is the Robberg it is one of the long beaches in the resort of Plettenberg Bay, at low tide it is fabulous to run on. The beach is 4.4km long and the quickest I managed to run it in was 22min 12sec, one way. Of course the big problem is you couldn't run the beach one way only and worse still the house I was staying in was a further 1.58km away and 81m above sea level, with a 800m section going up at 1 in 10. Hard work on the calves.</p> <p>Well I am back in Cambridge now so no more hills.</p> <p>The Cottenham fun run is on 8th May, 4.5 miles. Did it in 49 mins last year when I had only been running seriously for 4 months. Hope to do it in under 35 mins this time round. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/04/18/back_from_hols~736800/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>runningbeachsouth-africahttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/04/18/back_from_hols~736800/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/23/why_can_t_i_get_under_45mins~669043/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-03-23:/2006/03/23/why_can_t_i_get_under_45mins~669043/Thu, 23 Mar 2006 15:41:55 +0100 <p>Ran a modfied route around my house to extend teh distance to 10km exactly, completed the run in 46m 26s. Thats only 4secs faster than I ran the same distance in the Ely 10k race at Christmas. Some where along the way I need to find some additional speed, I really would like to be able to beat the 45min mark.</p> <p>In my previous blog I said I was going to talk about what was on my ipod shuffle, but I am having major problems with my computer at the moment so I am afraid this will have to wait.</p> <p>Any suggestions on what I should do with my training to beat the 45min mark would be greatfully received. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/23/why_can_t_i_get_under_45mins~669043/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/23/why_can_t_i_get_under_45mins~669043/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/22/yeovil_run~666659/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-03-22:/2006/03/22/yeovil_run~666659/Wed, 22 Mar 2006 15:55:45 +0100 <p>When I am working in the West Country I stay with a friend in Yeovil. From his house there is a well lit 3 mile road run, two loops 6 miles last night did it in 45min 10s. Never quite managed it in under 45mins. The route in a big oval but there is a 48m difference in level between the high point and the low point, so there is a gut busting hill on the route. The hill has an uneven gradient so I always run down the shallower gradient and back up the steeper gradient. Given how flat my usual run, my calves are killing me this morning.</p> <p>But what I really want to know is when will it start to warm up, it is doing my muscles no good at all, all this cold weather. At least it is getting light I suppose.</p> <p>Next time round I am going list out what is on my ipod shuffle, any suggestions for good running music are greatfully received.</p> <p>Cheers for now </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/22/yeovil_run~666659/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/22/yeovil_run~666659/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/21/aaaaaaah_i_hate_mondays~663786/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-03-21:/2006/03/21/aaaaaaah_i_hate_mondays~663786/Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:24:06 +0100 <p>I was hoping to tell you about my 6 mile run round Yeovil or what I am playing on my ipod at the moment, but insted i am going to subject you to a rant, because yesterday was just appalling.</p> <p>First off I had to get out of bed at 4am to drive down to Devon where I am working at the moment, so I am tired.</p> <p>Liz rings and tells me it will be £145 to replace the tyre on her car which had a screw in it. MY tyres don't cost that much and I drive a bigger car. Serves us right for buying a Mini.</p> <p>It is paralitically cold on site and I missed lunch to go with my missed Breakfast, so now I am tired and hungry. Had to sit through a dull progress meeting, just started to look forward to going back to Yeovil for my run when the Contractors on site decided to pour concrete down all of my beautifully constructed pipework.</p> <p>So I finally finish work at 11pm only to find that the site operator had changed the padlocks on the gates where my car was parked so I couldn't get home. It then started to snow!!!!!!!!!!!</p> <p>It was at this point that I really did start to wonder who I had done wrong too, who's karma had I spoilt, why had the world turned against me.</p> <p>But it is Tuesday now, the person I am staying with in Yeovil left me some dinner in oven, rather than the dog and the pipes are now clear from concrete, so I will have to tell you about my run round Yeovil tomorrow. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/21/aaaaaaah_i_hate_mondays~663786/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/21/aaaaaaah_i_hate_mondays~663786/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/18/no_running_today~654292/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-03-18:/2006/03/18/no_running_today~654292/Sat, 18 Mar 2006 10:36:47 +0100 <p>Its a rest day, sort of. Going to see England play Ireland at Twickenham. I have to say that it is the first time that I am going to an England game wondering if I should actually support England. If Ireland win Andy Robinson will have to resign, which would be a good thing. If England win, AR might stay on the basis that the changes he has made allowed England to win. AR staying would be a bad thing. So there is the conundrum!!</p> <p>If you want some more fun check out Liz's web site, blog and message board at <a href="http://www.lizhewitt.com">www.lizhewitt.com</a> have a nice weekend.<img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/18/no_running_today~654292/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/18/no_running_today~654292/#commentshttp://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/17/did_ok_today~652933/tag:thehplan.blog.co.uk,2006-03-17:/2006/03/17/did_ok_today~652933/Fri, 17 Mar 2006 20:10:09 +0100 <p>Well did my 5.4 mile route today and did it in 38.42mins, which I am pretty pleased about. A couple of things about this run, first is the Ipod Shuffle is excellent and <a href="http://www.runlondon.com">www.runlondon.com</a> is excellent for working out the routes which you take and the mileage you are running. It is a bit flaky, but it works, if anybody had a better suggestion for a running mileage calculator website I would welcome it.</p> <p>If you want to check out my running routes just put CB4 into the routefinder.</p> <p>Have a nice weekend </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/17/did_ok_today~652933/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://thehplan.blog.co.uk/2006/03/17/did_ok_today~652933/#comments