Blog EXTRA EXTRAT EXTRA!!!

Hi bloggees,

Just a quickie, but I really, really want to go into one, really want to say how much of a nag is naggy neighbour, and how much I so wished she would be quiet, stop telling me 30 seconds of walking left, 20 seconds left, 5, 4, 3, 2 and RUN!

But,.............sigh, she is just so darn good at what she does!! She kept me running on the running sections, and tons of encouragement on the walking sections. I must admit, I did come to a sweaty stop on one the running sections, it was that darn hill, I hate that hill, but she kept up her encouragement. I know its a sticking point those hills, and I know had had 10 miles cycling ride hurting my legs, but, she kept on at me for the rest of the route.

42 minutes done!! I'm sure that is my personal best on this route!!!

I think it was the promise of chocolate that kept me going!

Speedy Gonzalez Eat Your Heart Out!

Hi blog lovers, those of you who are still strangely glued to the antics of a crazy granny.

Today is another bike day. I do love these days. Its still a great exercise, and it still gets those muscles in the saddle bags working hard, just a less impact on the old back.

Although yesterday it was lovely to stop off at a pub and do lunch, if I carry on doing that then I will end up having to take out a mortgage to fund my keep fit regime, but I am going to do the same route, only this time without stopping!Just swing round the pub and then straight up the high street.

Another reason for this non stop bike ride is to see more or less how long it takes me to ride these 10 miles, and then I can gauge how long at the moment, it will take me to get to Brighton!

Its a lovely day, it feels warm and the sun is shining. The traffic is a little heavy in places, but I just to stay vigilante and focused and believe that all drivers are also vigilante.

Up Starts Hill again, singing my new mantra that I have borrowed from some one else "I am not a quitter, I am not a quitter" etc etc. Not many words, and the tunes fairly simple too. I must remember not to smile so much when I get to the top and head for the traffic lights!, it must be disconcerting to drivers I'm sure. And then, the lovely road down to the Royal Oak pub. Obviously, I didn't patronise this establishment, not this early in the day, mind you I hadn't a clue what the time was, but I knew it wasn't lunch time! Oh yes, I almost forgot, while I was on this lovely road, a car tooted behind me then drove on past with an arm waving out of her window, it was my lovely daughter, no doubt with my grandson in the back, and someone else, who I'm not quite sure who it was. That felt good, that my daughter actually acknowledged me and didn't get totally embarrassed by her mother on her bike, with joggers on and silver cycling helmet!

And then on through the high street. All these pubs and cafes passing me by, I was almost tempted to just stopped for a tea, but I really wanted to know how long I am in the saddle for for this particular route, so I just rode on by.

I was soon at the next town. I had decided to go further into the high street this time and take another road heading for home. I am hoping this road has a less steeper hill that Knoll Rise! Riding through the high street is a bit of a chore. The have been doing it up and some of the pavements are road level, I'm not sure if these means they will be making it a pedestrian only zone soon, or at certain times of the day, and I am trying to stay off the 'pavements' so as to not antagonise the shoppers, but car drives insist on getting so close they hear my heart beat!

The high street negotiated and now for the turning home. so far so good, oh this is so much better, why didn't I come this way yesterday! But no soon had that thought popped into my head then I saw the hill! "OH MY GOODNESS!" Yes it was a hill, a long a steep hill. I'm sure its long that that one at Knoll Rise. And there it is sweeping for ever upwards and disappearing from view as it bent to the right.

Fine, I can do this, I have my new mantra, I know that the pain won't last for ever, I know there is an end...........up there somewhere. Now just get on and do it. First gear on the big wheels, first gear on the little wheels and spin like mad, don't think about it, just get on and do it, "I am not a quitter, I am not a quitter, I am not a ................ arrrggghhhh!! I QUIT!" Yes blog lovers, I quit. I couldn't make it up the hill, about a quarter of the way up I came to a stop. I sympathetic look from a car driver from the other side of the road made me feel a bit better. It is a huge hill. No shame in walking! Not after what I have done so far. And besides, as soon as I'm on the crest I shall be straight back on the saddle.

The ride home from there was relatively easy, lovely roads to ride on, and not so much traffic this way home either. I was becoming quite thirsty and thought as I get into Pettswood I would grab a bottle of water from some where. I walked up the fairway to try and tie by bike up, but found no where. As I was virtually home anyway, I decided to just get on home, save a pound for something I got plentiful at home.

So the all important time for this route, which is 10.49 miles, door to door is 1 hour 17 minutes. So I am very impressed with my self, which makes me think that maybe yesterdays ride was quicker, and I just took longer with my lunch than I first thought!

On Yer Bike!

Hi blogees,

"What a nice day to go for a ride on me bike" were the words that were going around my head this morning. And it is a nice day for a ride, no doubting that. The alarm went off, I snoozed it, it went off, I snoozed it. And still those words, going through my head, "A nice day for a bike ride"

So after the 6th or 7th snooze, I managed to at least pull the duvet off me. And then just lay there, with the fan gently wafting a cooling breeze over me, I wont go into to much more detail, because some of you might be reading this while your having your tea!

Again the snooze button went, and this time I pushed it off completely. "Ok get up and shower you lazy mare" I demanded. Off to the shower, and back again. Then I decide to do some housework. What? It needed to be done! The pile of washing has been sitting there for 2 days waiting for me to put it away, apparently I am the only person in this household who has been trained and qualified to do this particular job! and still, those words, going round and around.

Ok, enough is enough. Upstairs is fairly tidy now, the washing dutifully put away, now for a cup of splosh and on me bike! Into the kitchen. Yet another obstacle to overcome, we done the lazyitus, we done the shower, we done the cleanup upstairs. But this is another thing. Last nights dinner plates! Why didn't I do that before I went to bed? It has to be done, I cant face this when I come back.

It seems my practical self is stopping the 'wanna be fit person' from going out, must be in cahoots with Mrs Couche Potatoehead. Yes of course I can do it later, or maybe even young son............... no scratch that thought, ridiculous thought. Right tidy, clean, put away, even ask young son if he wants to come, and then out the door before anything else stops me. Oh and no, young son didn't want to come.

Now the old boy had said to me that if I turn left after scaling Starts Hill, then I could be in Green Street Green and having lunch at a very lovely pub there. So this is my plan today. Its further that Farnborough Village, and its fairly straight forward, infact its just a straight road, even I couldn't get lost. I forgot to check what time I left, but I'm sure it was just after 12:30, so should be having lunch in about 40 or 50 minutes from then.

I seem to be getting used to the roads and roundabouts, but still some cars come so close it does scare me a little, and even the bus today just couldn't wait till I passed the crossing before squeezing past me. And the we have the hill Starts Hill. I decided why they call it Starts hill, because it starts climbing and just don't seem to stop! It lulls you into a false sense of achievement when you think you're at the top, and then whacks on a bit more climbing. But today, with a quote in mind, something on the lines of 'pain don't last for ever' and a new ditty going through my head 'I am not a quitter, I am not a quitter!' I attacked the hills, low gear, as low as it would go, and my legs spinning like a top, traveling at about 1 mile an hour, I beat the hill. I managed to get up this non stop to the traffic lights. "YEAH, eat my tyres humpy hill"

The Way Left, wow what a lovely ride this is. Apart from the very fast moving traffic, but the roads are lovely, hardly a bump or crack in it. The big roundabouts, which I was a little wary of, were not as bad as I thought they were going to be. And all the time is this lovely thought, "my lunch is just up ahead".

I arrived at the pub, after about an hour, fairly non puffed out as the road is mainly down hill, and so was able to order my brie and bacon melt, with salad, and diet cola, with out the barmen asking if I would like an oxygen mask.

I chilled for a while with my sarnie, sent out texts to brag of my achievement and even added it as my status on facebook! Well, I was was pleased with myself! and besides which, what else do you do when you are by yourself in a pub! And then planned the route home.

I am not taking the same route, I am going to do a huge loop, head on into the high street and out of it, and then hopefully I will know where I am at the end! The memorial came up, and the sign for tescos car park. Yes I know where I am, and I know that I don't want to ride with all the traffic, so I ride into the Orpington high street and then turn left! Knoll Rise! Knoll flaming Rise! Why have I picked all the hills! Why can't I live in flat lands, when they build new roads, why don't the just flatten them out!

I am going to admit, I didn't manage to ride up this entire hill, but as soon as I got to the top, then it was plain sailing.......or riding from then on.

All in all I guess I have been riding for about 2 hours. 9.75 miles round trip. Not sure if that's good or bad, but I don't care, I did it, well, not Knoll Rise!

Stupid Tuesday!

Hi blog lovers,

What A pathetic site I am at times! I like running, I like the fact that I am getting fitter. I like the feeling of when I stop and look at the clock and see how fast I ran my usual route. I like the not thinking of anything else but the next section on the route. And I like knowing that I am nearly at the end of the run. The best bit is knowing that I have beaten yet another PR.

But today, way before I get to the end of my run I have a mental blockade! Nothing was getting my backside running when I should be. "Why am I doing this" is the question going on in my head, "I'm 47 years old! A Granny! A chunky granny at that" I know its pathetic but a couple of tears blurred my vision as I was saying to myself, "I can't do it"

I felt pretty good when I left the house this morning, had a bit of a lie in and I was feeling relaxed. There is no way old Mrs Couchpotatoe head is going to even get a word in this morning, were my thoughts. In fact I'm feel sure that I have left that side of me well and truly sleeping.

The 2 minutes running and 1.30 minutes walking is working really well this morning, past Greenway and still felt pretty good. But on the way up the road that leads to the pub is when fatigue starts to kick in. I think old spud face was just playing a mean game, because from that point onwards it became a struggle. Even working out the sums on the IPOD were confusing me now "Do I have to run to 30.30 or to 31.00" A simple sum seems to be taking up thoughts on the walking sections so that I don't 'over do' the walking sections.

Heading towards the school gates now, and this is where I turn into a pathetic wimp! Crying, just a couple of tears, I wished it was raining because then I could really bawl and let them flood out!. I walked for two minutes and I ran for one minute, all the time saying "that's pathetic, get a move on" So as soon as I go to the top of the road to turn and head towards home, I tried to really focus. "Make a note of the time, say it out load, now run, for TWO MINUTES"

Thank goodness it was down hill, I picked up a little speed, not a lot, but hopefully enough to get me home before it reached 44 minutes. Last minute and half walking, and now, a good sprint home. You just might make it old girl. I dare not look at the stopwatch just in case it disappointed me, sprinting, finish in style old girl, that's it, all the way to the lamppost. Stop the clock. 43.36 minutes!

I have done better! Tut! Slacking! Lets see what naggy neighbour can get out of the old girl on Friday!!

Fresh Legs.

Hi Blog followers.

I had a fairly busy day planned today so I decided to run first thing this morning. Getting out of bed was the half the job done!, and looking out side the window I thought I might have to keep my promise to another runner, a complete basket case of a runner, he runs a 100 miles, and then the following weekend runs a 10k! I would be chillaxing for at least 6 months! Oh the promise is that we both would run in the rain, no matter how heavy it is coming down!!

When I closed the door this morning I felt a few drops of rain in the air, a sprinkle as they say, nothing more, but I ignored that and went for it anyway. By the time I got up to the first turning it all but stopped, Him upstairs must still looking out for me.

I'm still not feeling 100%, (I think I might as well go for the sympathy vote now) I have had a sore throat, head aches and blocked breathing tubes, which is, I found quite necessary to have all of those in tip top condition when running.

So the last time I was out running I think was last Tuesday, although I have been riding my bike, and I'm finding that I am enjoying running, well in the begining anyway. And I do miss not running as much. And therefore have decided to run again tomorrow, no rest day!

My breathing is all over the place again, but I soon got back into the rhythm, jogging and breathing. That pathetic little alto ego of mine (thats the old me) is sounding loud in my head today, "just do the short route as you have not been well these few days Old Girl" But I'm not listening! A few days off excerices, and spudface alto ego comes alive! I'm not doing the route that naggy neighbour took me on either, I am not completely mad! but not far off from that point. The weather is not to bad out, warm but not too warm. No sunshine, but still carrying my water with me. I am ignoring all the shortcuts as I'm going along, all though spudface alto ego tries very hard to persuade me "You not been too well, take it easy, always another day" But hey, I'm out here doing it, might as well do it right!

The only thing is, I am doing 2 minutes running and 1.30 minutes walking, and I am sure I should be walking for only 1 minute from this week, but because of my cold, I am being lenient on myself.

Turning into my road was a great feeling, I was feeling a bit tired but so pleased that I went out today. I pelted up the path to my house and looked at the time. 43.23seconds. Not bad after a case of man flu' Lets see how well I do tomorrow!!

Just a Quickie Today

Hi blogees,

I almost forgot to write my blog today! It must have been the very good time I had in the park this afternoon!

Well today, I only went for a short ride on my bike today after having a rest day yesterday. I have decided that Thursdays and Fridays will be cycle days, and the other days will be running days, at different times of the day.

The short ride was to the second local supermarket, so only six miles away. But I was planning on going further! After my shopping was done I was going to turn the other way and add on a few more miles on the tyres, but when I came out I saw the sky's filling up with clouds, and that "feeling" you get that you should get home before you get wet!

It was the usual ride to the shops, with a stop off at a bank to change up some Kroners the Old Boy didn't spend while in Norway, and carried on to the supermarket.

By the time I was nearly home though, that's when the rain started to come, not enough to mar my vision from my glasses, but I was still very glad I was nearly home.
By the time that I put my bike away then the rain fell harder. Him up there must really be looking out form me!!

6 miles in 45 mins or so, I wasn't really paying attention today, but I'm guessing.

But then I cleared just in time for some of the mums and kids to have a picnic in the park to celebrate the start of summer holidays! Oh Joy!!!!

Phew Its Close Today!

Hi blog watchers,

What a day, feels muggy and warm, and what do I decide to do. Nope, not run, but take my bike for a spin.

Its still very much in my thoughts and desires to do the L2B bike ride, so need to expand my horizons beyond the supermarkets and add miles to the bike.

After a shower I still feel hot and sweaty, and even think maybe don't go, it looks like rain. Running in the rain is not so bad, but cycling, well its not something that I have done before! Yet that still small voice gets in my head, 'Go on get out there.'

So, armed with my keys, my bike clips, helmet, locks and money I head on out towards the pub!! I need a place to head for ok! So don't you all look at me like that. Besides its lunch time, and it will be nice to pop out for a sarnie.

I decided to tackle the shorter steeper hill on the way, rather that the longer flatter hill that Naggy Neighbour tried to make me run up yesterday. Now, I'm sure there must be a method of riding up hills, as there is running up them, but I'm blowed if know. First gear all the way, head down and singing a stupid ditty as I peddle up the hill. "Huh, two, three four, huh two three four" sung to the tune of Twinkle twinkle little star!

I remember Nagging Sister suggesting to me that I stand and ride up hills, when we were cycling through the woods, but that is just something that I can't do for some reason. Anyway made it to the top of that hill, and its fairly flat for a few more minutes, and then comes the hills again. And that silly stupid tune and the counting, as I climb the hill!

I am getting so much better at roundabouts now, making sure that the driver has at least seen me and so therefore slows down as I gingerly make my way to the 'turning right' position. An then some more flats, even down hills, just let the bike flow as I stretch out my back and neck.

Before to much longer though its the beginning of Starts Hill. Yes that's right, another hill and this one goes on and on and its fairly steep!! Cars are even in first gear........well ok its not that bad, but on a bike it looks daunting.

There it is again, the stupid singing, the counting!!! Arrgghh, people will think I am totally crazy. I will be know as the crazy all singing all riding all running old girl! But just think of the good that I am doing to my body, to my fitness levels and my state of mind! Ok, so the mind is well and truly unsavable now.

Once I'm off this road its just a very short ride up to the village and a very welcome pint of shandy and a sandwich!! 28 minutes or there abouts, non stop cycling.........nearly! Oh, why blog, why do you get me confessing! Ok I stop on Starts hill for 30 seconds, and that was it!

Pint of shandy, cheese sandwich and chatting to a very old boy (93) in the pub and then set off again.

Same route back, only this time a little quicker, 26 minutes, in total, this time non stop all the way. Well it was mainly downhills on the way home!!

I'm pleased with this ride today, but the next ride needs to be further, start to build up the miles, practice for the L2B next year!!