A new day - but is there a tomorrow?

"Mum, there really are humans out there, honest!", 

I'm talking about people who understand balance, my favourite word! Balance is important in all things, life, love, work, training and BIKES.

Recently my bike was stolen. I dont nornally get to attached to anything material, if it goes it goes - BUT! my bike was different, it gave me my special place, i was unreachable, untouchable when i was on it.... and building it was a labour of love... see, we ended up doing the impossible, turing a Cannondale Bad Boy (thats been rotting in the shed for 12 months) into a fixed single speed beauty, a thing of zen, the ultimate in riding pleasure! - how does this tie in with the opening statement you ask!... well the guy who helped me convert it was Lawrence from Full City Cycles, Leather Lane, London.

His shop is a place of chaos, where the cellar is full from floor to ceiling with bike frames and oddities, where couriers (unwanted by others) congregate for morning, lunch and evening coffee, chats and on-the -spot fixes. Lawrence and his crew stand amongst the chaos, fire fighting requests to fix punctures, adjust gears and maintain bikes for the city bloke! But underneath all of this is a burning passion, a passion for the 2 wheeled wonder, the fixed wheel bike, raw, trimmed of its fat and ensuring the ultimate riding experience.

Lawrence and his crew where truly gutted my ride was taken and during a convo one day in the shop, i spotted a frame hanging on the wall - "i like that, i really like that!" i said... "thats a special frame", replied Lawrence, a thing of beauty and its expensive!"... turns out the frame was a vintage, limited edition Condor set in a pearlescent red. Out of the blue Lawrence then tells me he is going to set it up, build it and loan it to me to see what i think. Test driving is not uncommon these days, car dealers do it all the time - BUT this was a genuine offer to get me back on a bike and help me out - THE BALANCE! You give some, you take some. 

What was an incredibly hard and pretty miserable week suddenly turned into something special - my hope in mankind restored!

Lawrence, RESPECT. The Full City Crew are bang on the money, a little crazy but i love it that way!

Funny thing is, i'm writing this the morning after London burned, when peoples hopes for their country are shattered, whilst we watch worthless looters take the easy way out! People, keep the faith, the good ones are just around the corner.

Big Run #001

Decided to do BIG runs home from work - as i simply cant make some of the early ones. So, embarked today on running home... i've bullet pointed the stages of both pain, frustration and relief below.

1. Initial start feeling pretty chilli for this time of year - quite hard to warm up
2. Started to break a sweat around 2 miles in, felt relatively good -- realised i've forgotten my drink!
3. 4 miles in feeling well warmed up, realised that my backpack was too heavy!
4. Nearing 6 miles, had to run up Dog Kennel Hill which is pretty steep, took it easy and paced it well
5. Top of the hill i started to feel really crappy, around 7 miles... Quads aching like hell
6. Got breath back and calmed down by the time i got to Dulwich
7. 8 miles, there she was, Crystal Palace Hill... a very slow and steep climb to 373ft
8. Top of Palace, feeling really crappy -- but now the long run down into Penge
9. Got through Penge, around the 9 mile mark, just a matter of mind now....
10. Beckenham, a good long run through, quads on fire and feeling over solid
11. Home - 10.73 miles... Felt very weak, bit wobbly but other than that, a clear mind
12. Sleep

Overall the run went well, Palace was the hardest slot as expected and forgetting my drink really didn't help. Good nights sleep planned tonight -- assuming the kids will let me!

5 Miles

Went for a bit of a longer run last night, summer has now broken away from spring and its warm. I ran in a T' which i haven't done in ages - everything felt great.

As with all zen teachings, if your focused things are just, easier! Whacked on the iPod and ran and ran and ran.... felt comfortable, took the first couple of miles easy as i didn't want to kick the back or hamstrings off again, then eased in to the rest of the distance, totally relaxed.

Things become amazingly still when i get into this state of mind, my breathing was calm and collected, no pain, just relaxed. Note to self.... Be relaxed more often!@

State of mind: Readying for another 5 + in the morning -- and can't wait!

The 3.5er!

Did another 3.5 miles today - a few seconds slower than last time but my MapmyRide seemed to make the distance a little longer - maybe it didn't track me properly the first time?

Anyway, little hamstring trouble to start but warmed up nicely after! Still a little fresh in the air as well, chest was stinging for a while.

State of mind: Warm!

Back! on track...

Well after a good few days of not running, keeping up with the stretching and eating a few ibuprofen i've managed to heal my back. Its still a little twangy and always feels crappy in the morning but i can run again.

Did a 3.5 mile run - but missing any amount of training always makes it harder to get back into, even when you think your body is on form and will adapt. Must be my age :)

Happy i'm able to run though, jeeze, in fact it makes me appreciate mobility again-- we all take this for granted but one day old age will be upon us!

Make everyday worth it!


State of mind: Positive again!

BACK OFF!@

Well i've officially screwed my back up again. It hasn't been particularly good for a few years now but i had to drag a couple of pretty massive flower pots from the front to the back of the house the other day and now i'm paying for it!

Went out for a run this morning and my back totally gave in - i can't run another step - i'm officially OUT OF ACTION!

I normally try and stretch back problems out, will give it a go tonight, some tiger balm and a hot bath!


brb.



State of mind: Agitated!

Early morning runs!

Most people who train know that going for a run first thing in the morning is better for you than in the evening, due to fat stores being used up on an empty morning stomach. However its easier said than done, especially when its so cold out in the mornings... Today was different though, it was brighter and temperatures have started to ease up, it was 7º this morning instead of -2º, running was easier and far more enjoyable!

Did the usual 3.69 miles, but forgot to set the MapmyRide tracker as I was too into Bush - Deconstructed... My fav. running album.

Looking forward to more spring runs!

PS. Found out today that most human arm spans are equal to their overall height! WOW!