A Big Adventure

Last weekend we spent the weekend away in Tribby - our annual pilgrimage to Roubaix for the Hell of the North bike race - Paris Roubaix.    For the last 2 years we've had the comfort of staying in a hotel, but now we have Tribby we were really keen to head away from the finish at the velodrome in Roubaix and spectate on a cobble sector (or pave).

Before we left there was the small business of picking up my birthday present - a brand new Specialized Dolce Triple,

 which was then stored away carefully in the man cave until we returned on Monday!

On the Friday, having dropped the dog off at my parents, we drove to Dover for our overnight stop before crossing over to Dunkirk on Saturday morning.   We stayed at a lovely site not far from the port in Martin Mill called Hawthorn Farm , lovely big pitch with electric and very clean facilities which we used instead of using our own - why not it's all included in the pitch price!

The next morning we headed to the port for our crossing, parked on the ferry and headed for the first class lounge - oh how I love the first class lounge!   Piece and quiet for a couple of hours and endless cups of tea and coffee and snacks and a selection of newspapers to read.   There's supposed to be free WiFi but I've yet to work out where the best place to sit in the lounge is.   An uneventful crossing and 2 hours later we were on the road to our weekend spot in Rumegies at a lovely site called Camping Le Petit Clos .

When we arrived at the site we had a choice of pitches - all on grass (or mud in one case) with electric hook up and water serving each pitch.   We chose the smallest one !

Our home for the next 2 nights!   It was very peaceful and the dawn chorus the next morning was lovely!

Sunday morning we were up early to drive to Beuvry La Foret where we'd decided to watch the cyclists come through Sector 14.   First of all we parked up on the kerb but whilst I was cooking breakfast the Gendarmes asked us to move as we were in the wrong place!

Before breakfast we went for a wander towards the start of the sector

Those cobbles kill your feet walking up them!   Breakfast consumed and Tribby moved to a safe parking spot we packed our snack bag and headed for our spectating spot

One thing we've missed the last two years is the passing of the event partners with all their freebies - we managed quite a stash for our first year on the course including two new baseball caps and a drawstring bag.

After the cavalcade the junior teams cycled through - a good warm up to the pros cycling past.

 After the excitement of the cavalcade and the junior race there only remained the passing through of the pro peleton.

Bradley Wiggins

Geraint Thomas

It's really hard to convey the excitement of the peleton cycling through and the team cars thundering past trying to keep up with them!   The noise is phenomenal, even from the bikes and the shouts from the cyclists when they hit a bad patch of pave or shouting instructions to team mates.   Watching the riders is always exciting and being on the pave was as good as sitting at the velodrome.   We had no idea who won until we got on the boat the next day.

Being on the course meant I could pick up a souvenir (no, not a cobble - although tempting for next time)

The only other excitement was witnessing migrants being removed from the back of a lorry in a service station on the way back to Dunkirk on Monday!

An absolutely brilliant weekend as usual - can't wait to do it all again.

To Do Update

Can't believe I haven't blogged for nearly 3 months - where has the time gone?

I thought I'd update the blog on how the To Do in 2015 list is going.

On the losing weight front I've lost 5lbs.   Not entirely sure whether this is due to starting Intermittent Fasting (or 5:2), or if it's a mixture of IF and exercise.   I've been taking part in Jantastic so have had the motivation to get out and do sprint sessions and interval training on the turbo and do a 10 mile ride once a week.   I've also started a spin class one night a week (I may be a little in love with indoor cycling) and I'm still doing the Boxercise class once a week.  I really need to find some motivation to do some free weights at home as well.   The secret of getting through fasting days is to eat tasty and filling food but keep the calories down.    Starting 5:2 has enabled me to cook more - ok so it's only 2 nights a week but that's a start, and normally I'm the one who cooks Sundays.   So that's 2 "to do's" in one.  To add on to that I've also been cooking more.   I'm in charge of cooking dinner on fast days !

On the reading front this has been a bit hit and miss, and I really must try harder to fit in more.   I started reading "Inside the Peloton : My Life as Professional Cyclist" by Nicolas Roche,

but I was finding it a bit hard going so I've put it to one side and started reading the next Peter James book on my Kindle.

We're now getting Tribby ready for the first big trip of the year - Paris-Roubaix bike race.   We put all the seating back in a few weeks ago and used the van when Shaun did a sportive.   It was great to send him off on his 50 miler and go back to the van and have a cup of tea and read for a while.  When he got back he was able to have a decent hot cup of tea and some recovery cake for free.   It also meant he could get changed out of his cycling kit & travel home in his civvies. I'm sure there will be other trips out soon although there don't seem to be many weekends that Shaun is off!

I still haven't braved any running - I'm going to wait until it's a bit warmer.   I've been going out once a week and doing a 10 mile ride and even one week managed 23 miles so hopefully when the weather gets a bit better we'll be getting out on longer rides.   I've just signed up to take part in the Diva Sussex event with my buddy Nik.  40 miles around Sussex in a ladies only event, so I'm going to need to get out and do some serious distances soon.

Our trip to Australia is still on for January 2016 - we're keeping an eye on the flights.   We've finally decided it's either going to be Cathay or Malaysian Airlines, stopping off in either Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur.  Hopefully it won't be too long before we get booked up.

So the to do list is going fairly well.

New Years Resolutions - No Thanks

I've always been pretty rubbish at sticking to New Years resolutions and most years I haven't bothered making any.  I'm not a "plan" person, I'm more of "wing it" and in the last couple of years I've learnt to go with the flow.  Plans get screwed up, life gets in the way and then you have to make new plans, there's not much point in plans! 

I'm always being told I should plan my meals during the week but I can't do that, I never know what I want until I want it, and neither do Danni & Shaun.    The only plans we make are holidays - that's it, all that's on the calendar is Shaun's rest days and when we can go on holiday!

A couple of days ago I found an email in my inbox from Pinterest inviting me to start a board showing the things I'd like to do in 2015 - that sounds far more like me.  Nothing is set in stone, these are the things I've chosen :-

1. Lose weight - yes I know this is probably a given, but rather than a NY resolution I'm going to try a different approach.  I have yet to work out what that is but I have to lose this weight.
2. Read more books - I love reading and up until I got married if I wasn't out I was reading - a proper bookworm.   I need to find time, or maybe use my time more wisely and get through a few more books than currently.  At the moment I'm reading my third Peter James but also have lots on my Kindle and some paperbacks in the house which haven't been read yet.  I've got quite diverse tastes in reading material but I love autobiographies and have a couple of cycling ones to read.   I also love crime books, hence the Peter James.
3. Now that we've got Tribby I'd like to explore Great Britain  more - we've spent a lot of holidays in the South, South East and the West Country.  Very few holidays north of London (apart from York last year).  I've never been to Wales, which at nearly 49 years old upsets me.   Shaun's never been to Scotland apart from Stranrar and I'd like him to see the Highlands.
4. The next one is obvious - to get running again which will probably kind of tie in with No 1!
5. I'm going to increase the mileage on the bike this year.   Last year's highest mileage was 37 miles.  I'd like to get to 50 this year, or somewhere near it.
6. I have a whole load of cookery books which I've collected over the years.  This year I'd like to try a few more recipes from those books and the piles of paper I've torn out of magazines.   At the moment Shaun does a lot of the cooking so I think it's time I took back control in the kitchen!
7. The biggest to do on this year's list is planning our trip to Australia.   At the moment we're going in January 2016 so that we can spend as much time with Lou, Andy and the girls and maybe even take in some of the Tour Down Under (the first Grand Tour on the calendar).  Having looked at flight prices we may have to amend that and go slightly later before winter sets in.

Here's a link to my 2015 board I might add some more stuff over the next couple of months as I think of things.  

So that's it, not much but it will be nice to see where the "To Do List" has gone in 12 months time.   Hopefully this time next year I'll be updating the blog with posts from the other side of the world !

It's Been Quite a Year

It's got to that time again, where I look back over the year and think about what next year might bring.

The start of 2014 wasn't the best - Shaun's parents were flooded on Christmas Eve so Christmas Day was cancelled and we spent the holidays sorting out the house and getting them moved into temporary accommodation.

On 17th January came the extremely upsetting news that Sam had collapsed the night before whilst out running and had passed away that day.   All very sudden and certainly not expected.  We're still struggling to come to terms with it but doing the various events in Sam's memory has helped in a small way.

In late April we went through the horrible experience of my mother in law who suffers from Alzheimers going missing.  Thankfully she was found safe and well 2 days later after a massive search by the Police and Surrey & Sussex Search & Rescue.

There were some enjoyable highlights.   We returned to Roubaix to watch the finish of the Hell of the North (and celebrated my birthday)

celebrated Shaun's birthday at the Giro d'Italia which started in Belfast

went to York to catch the Grand Depart of the Tour de France

 and stayed at home for the Tour of Britain.

Personally I've absolutely loved getting out on my road bike - I've cycled as much as I can, great training rides

a Sportive

and an endurance event at the Brighton Velodrome

which has seen my cycling mileage go from zero to 37 miles.

We've had some big celebrations - Danni's 18th birthday

 our silver wedding and my parents gold wedding anniversary.

and my eldest nephew Phil got married

In July we bought Tribby our campervan which enabled us to spend weekends away, during August and into September.

We're still enjoying the campervan now - taking Archie out for walks further afield at weekends, it's been lovely to get back to Tribby and put the kettle on for a nice hot drink.   We even slept in Tribby over Christmas when we stayed at my parents - far more comfortable than their living room floor - if a little cold.

As for running front I'm not quite back on the comeback trail - having visited an NHS physio for a second opinion it looks like I have compartment syndrome.   I've been advised to return to a private physio for regular massage, ultrasound and acupuncture which will help relieve the symptoms.   It doesn't look like the NHS wants to treat me unless they can operate, which I don't really want to do as it sounds horrible!   I'm carrying on with the Boxercise and the Pilates and obviously the cycling and will return to running a bit later in the year.

We already have lots planned for 2015 - it's Shaun's 50th birthday in May so I have to find something amazing to celebrate.  I've got a couple of ideas so watch this space!

In February we're heading to London to the Cycle Show.  I'm also hoping that we can use the vouchers we got from my parents for a trip up the Shard and a special lunch.

In April we're heading back to Roubaix - but this time we're going in Tribby and hopefully spectating at the pave (cobbles).   It's also my birthday weekend !

In July we're heading to Brittany to watch a few days of Tour de France - in Tribby.

We've got a long list of cycling events we want to do but can't join any yet as we don't know what Shaun's rest days are.

The most exciting news is plans for a trip to Australia in January 2016.

Volunteering - How to be ace in the bag drop

We've all been there - doing the race where you have no alternative but to put your worldly goods in the care of a complete stranger in the event bag drop.  

On Sunday I volunteered at Brooks Brighton 10k (love this race as a runner and a volunteer)!    Last year we had a wail of a time on car park duties and on the route and then helped dish out bags after, but this year me and Nik (minus Michelle and our gorgeous friend Sam) we were allocated bag drop - from set up to clearing away (there were others by the way it wasn't just me and Nik serving over 3,000 runners).    We had the most organised baggage section which would have been so easy when it came to pick up.  Unfortunately Richard - the lovely organiser of bag drop - decided that Nik and I were far too organised and moved us to the section that resembled the above photo.

We had such a laugh - it helps that it's a local race so there are familiar faces and friends running.   It was a knackering but brilliant day and on Monday morning my back felt like it had been battered with 3,000 bags.   I absolutely love volunteering it's amazing how satisfying it can be when runners thank you personally for whatever you've done.   I can't wait to have another opportunity.

Here are my tips for the smooth running of bag drop.

1. Keep calm, make sure you have liquid refreshment to hand & brace yourself
2. If the event doesn't supply their own bag labels make sure you have plenty of sturdy tags of some description and a Sharpie - don't bother with sticky address labels they were rubbish!
3. Stand in one place and only accept bags for that particular area (none of this running up and down the bag area - you're wasting far too much energy).  Be courteous to the runners (most of whom will be in a flap because they've left it til the last minute to get the race) and ask them kindly to move to the section where their bag will be held.
4. Chat to the runner as you're writing their number on the tag and wish them luck as they trundle away - you'll be amazed at how that makes them feel!  
5. If it's not too busy try and keep the bags in a rough numerical order.
6. As soon as the runners have all headed to the start line start "fine sorting" your baggage area - it really helps if you have OCD doing this job.   Make sure you have enough space between the bags to move later!
7. Once you've sorted your own baggage area move along and help someone who is totally disorganised.  No-one likes a shirker!
8. If you haven't already - now's the time to take a drink!
9. Once the race has finished have one person (me on this occasion) at the barrier and your best buddy (Nik) standing among the bags.  If you can, clock the runners number as they're coming towards you and shout number to best bud.  If you're bag area is fine sorted this will be really easy!
10. Once it gets busy it's best to ask the runner for a description of the bag - shout number and description to buddy and then collect the bag and hand it to the runner.   If it's taking a while to find the bag ask the runner how their race went.   Thank them for being patient.  By the way just because the runner says it's a black rucksack (or whatever the description is) doesn't necessarily mean it is.  Runners are forgetful and/or colourblind and your idea of a rucksack/holdall/suitcase may be completely different to the owner of the item! 
11. As soon as the bag drop is clear tidy up and then help with any other jobs you can see need doing - like picking up discarded banana skins, gel packets, undrunk water/sports drink bottles and discarding clothing!

Have you got any top tips for volunteering? 

Doing Something Different

Ever since the shinsplint injury started and I was told not to run I've been looking for some form of exercise which I enjoy and I feel comfortable doing, something that wouldn't aggrevate the shins and meant I felt like I was working out - first stop conversion to road cycling.   I love cycling but I'm not that good at it and I hate going out on my own.  I did a couple of weeks ago - I didn't get very far, in fact only 2 miles, and then had a 2 mile walk home with a punctured back tyre.   Yes, I could have mended the puncture but ......... (a) I don't know how to (b) I took my spares but forgot to take a pump because hubby always carries the pump (c) it took hubby 40 minutes to get the tyre off when I got home, using ALL the tools and a lot of bad language.

A month or so ago Danni and I started doing pilates.   I'm quite enjoying it but don't feel connected with the teacher - she didn't recognise Danni after our 5th week which was a bit concerning, and she never comes round the class and corrects anyone's positioning - which I actually think is quite important.   The week before last I purposefully did every exercise wrong in some way even when she was looking round the room watching everyone and still she didn't come over & correct me!  We'll still keep going, correcting each other where we can.   I certainly feel relaxed and stretched when we've finished.

Last week I spotted my local leisure centre were starting a Boxercise class.

 I've wanted to try this class for ages, but normally it's run by expensive franchises or the bigger gyms.  The opportunity to try it out at £4.15 seemed perfect.

On Tuesday I headed for the local sports hall - alone and feeling slightly anxious.  How many people would be there? Would I know anybody?  Would I be able to actually do the exercises or would it just be another embarrassing Zumba class where I come out feeling rubbish?    I really didn't need to worry, Claire the instructor introduced herself as soon as I walked in the door and asked lots of questions about  my health and exercise/fitness status.  I told her about the injury and she said to keep the aerobic side low impact.   Phew that was a good start.   There were about 20 ladies, quite a few from Claire's Boxercise classes and a few newbies.

We very quickly got into our first aerobic section -  learning the punches, kicks and doing star jumps etc (low impact version for me).  We then paired up and donned gloves and pads and started another section with more punches.  the next section was a circuit for conditioning including burpees, wall sits and planks (and lots more).  Back to the pads and gloves and then before we knew it the hour was up and we were doing a cool down and stretch.

Did I enjoy it - oh boy yes - massive smiles all round.

Am I going back - most definitely, in fact I've already booked my place!

The other good thing - although on Thursday I have serious DOMS in just about every single part of my body and I've had to do giraffe impressions to be able to pick anything up from the floor, my shins are no more painful than they were on Tuesday morning - looks like I might actually be on a comeback.

I'm still waiting for my NHS physio referral - nearly 6 weeks now and I'm still waiting for my permanent orthotics to arrive - a month later!   I'm seriously considering starting back running in the New Year physio referral or not.

Pedal in Preston Park

At the beginning of the year as part of the Sam Smiles charity challenge I'd considered doing an endurance ride of the velodrome at Preston Park, Brighton.   When I heard about an event being organised to raise funds for the local Motor Neurone Disease Association and Martlets Hospice it just had to go on the list of events.

On Saturday Shaun and I headed to Preston Park to meet up with Nik and her husband and some fellow Boshers who were also taking part.   The plan had been to see what the weather was like before we decided on the amount of laps - luckily it was a dry day so the aim was 100 laps each, a distance of around 57km (37 miles).

We even managed to get a trip out in Tribby too - much easier than trying to load the bikes in the boot of the car!

It was quite busy at 12 when we arrived as the youths had only just finished their laps and there were still quite a few club cyclists completing theirs.   We did our first 50 laps (about 20 miles) and took a quick hot drink and cake break (Shaun hoovered up the sausage rolls).

Break time

 The next 50 laps seemed to take forever but eventually we were all finished - Shaun did 122 laps, Nik did 107 and I did 100.  Everybody who took part got a finisher's medal, and buy more drink and cake!

It was a brilliant afternoon of cycling -  the first velodrome ride and the furthest I've cycled this year.   At the time of writing the update from the Pedal organisers is that a total of 14,493 laps were ridden, raising over £10,000 for the two charities.

Time to start planning or next year's events.