gore-torn

So today I found a rip in my trail running shoes/hiking boots.  Not happy Jan!  I promptly phoned Kathmandu in Brisvegas asking what to do seeing as how they are less than 6 months old and were purchased in Canada.  After much searching and very little success on the Salomon website I enlisted the help of Kathmandu again.  Head to this number and speak to this guy; and good luck I was told.

No bother.  The chick was really lovely about it after I’d explained the situation and she promptly set up for me to return the shoes to have them assessed.

These shoes are one of my favourite pieces of kit.  The Salomon XA Pro 3D I have, purchased in Vancouver for the bargain price (we’ll call it good negotiating skills) of $125 CAD. I really should have written about these little foot rockets before this, but well, I guess I just took them for granted, and didn’t actually have to think about them.

They are light, waterproof and provide excellent grip, in all situations that I’ve encountered while wearing them.  Covered in Gore-Tex, and completely waterproof, I would have thought they’d weigh more than 390g – but they certainly don’t feel like it.  The shoe is, infact, completely waterproof.  Wearing them to the beach a couple of weeks ago, the got all mucky so I just washed them off under the tap – my foot, dry as a bone.  They’re comfortable, courtesy of the Orhtolite sockliner.  Although these don’t make it feel as though you’re walking on little pockets of cloud all day, they fit like a glove.  Something to do with Salomon’s ‘Sensifit’ that “works to cradle the food providing a precise and secure fit”.  It works.  I’ve never felt slippy or unstable in these shoes despite the pretty much elastic lacing system.  I also like the laces.  It literally takes about 3.5 seconds to do them up, and getting them off is just as quick – just release the clasp and you’re pretty much done.  Another thing I really like about these shoes is that they’ve included a rubber toe-cap to ward off any nasties that come your way when wearing them – we all stub our toes from time to time.  I really like these shoes.

I also love the fact that after a bit of searching someone on the end of the phone was actually helpful with my warranty questions.  No questioning or bitching at all – just help.  I like that

Today was an easier training day.  This morning, feeling motivated, I pumped out 15k on the bike in 25:50.  Not a bad way to start the day.  This afternoon I went for a more leisurely stroll down the beach.  It was a walk without a purpose.  I just wanted to get out and walk for a bit, and what better place than my local 800m stretch of beach.  It wasn’t so bad.  Took my little phone and made the little GPS gizmo in it do some work.  I quite liked the walk this afternoon – it wasn’t too stressful, but most of the time I was working in zone 2, where I find it hardest.  That might become a regular event.  The high MHR is due to a couple of little jog stretches that I did.  Just to see how I went.

15k – 25:50

27:44

365 cal, 15%

AHR: 169

MHR: 181

Walk

26:43

249 cal, 33%

AHR: 138

MHR: 171

Just as I’d turned to come back a couple that were walking in the opposite direction to me as I headed south were walking about knee deep in the water.  A smallish white was came up and nearly barrelled the chick.  She actually did the pre-fall stumble, but managed to regain her composure without getting her hair wet (not that she was a prima donna or the like).  She retreated to the other side of her husband, and to shallower waters after that little run in.

insomnia

Golf today.  Last night was horrendus – 3.30am I was still wide awake.  I’d shifted posts, from my bed to the couch in order to create a mind numbing effect that I hoped would put me to sleep.  No such luck.  I finally drifted off to sleep at about 5am; then woke with a start, in a panic at 6.20 to my alarm.

In the back of my mind I doubted the saneness of presenting myself for golf running on about an hours sleep.  I questioned my ability to concentrate for 18 holes, particularly while carrying my clubs.  They get heavy when it’s hot.  Surprisingly it was all good.  I honestly questioned my ability to keep focus through 3 hours, or more of golf, when I was tired; or suspected that I was going to be tired.  I wasn’t tired at all really.  My average heart rate was up for the session, probably a little to do with fatigue, but other than that I thought my concentration was fine.  I was hitting my gap and 60 well, but Mr 5 Iron isn’t working so well at the moment.  May head to the driving range this afternoon to do some work on that.  Also some chipping and putting – it can always do with work.  I putted quite well today – 35 putts for the 18 so that was good.  I had 4 x 1 putts and a couple of 3s, but was happy enough.  I kissed the hole quite a bit, and nothing really wanted to drop, but I was giving it a chance at least.  There were really only two holes that I lost concentration with my putting – think the rest just came down to whether the 2nd putt dropped or not.

End of the day I came in with 77 off the stick, which was +13 for the 18 holes.  I was shocked when I realised that I’d come through the back 9 only 3 over, but that included a nice birdie on the 18th (not at the end of the day due to the shotgun start) from at 5 – 6m putt.  Nice.

3:45

1484 c, 47%

AHR: 116

MHR: 153

Something, somewhere deep down in me switched today.  It was like I had my eyes opened, or considered another possibility, analysed performance differently and suddenly was aware of this massive factor that I’ve been happily omitting from all golf analysis.  Fitness. I’m certainly not the fittest person in the world.  And I am certainly not the least fit person waddling around.  I’ve been thinking I get about alright, carrying my clubs and managing still to do ok.  While talking with the spy (so named cause I’d bet that she was one; in a recent life), discussing my round on Sunday I realised that it’s the back 9 that usually causes me grief (with the exception of today, given that it was a shotgun start).  It’s not as though I’ve been completely oblivious to the whole golf and fitness thing, I guess I just didn’t really recognise the impact on my game until I thought about it in comparison to my performance.  Looking back at my polar results from when I was playing in NI, even though I wasn’t playing as well, I don’t think that I was hitting the hump until later in the match – usually about the 17th.  Comparing that to my training later in the day (yes, this is an update of this morning’s blog) I was so much fitter back then.  I also used to carry a full set of waterproofs with me, every single match, and much more food/water than I am at the moment.  Indicative of higher fitness levels.

Went to the driving range this arvo to teach Mr 5 Iron a lesson.  Didn’t really work.  Was shagged from my mid afternoon session, and still not really sure whether I wanted to be sick or not.  My body just felt fatigued, and I had to work really hard to keep my ‘technique’ tight.  My average heart rate was also higher, despite standing there whacking it, and not carrying any clubs anywhere.

1:29:45

630 c, 44%

AHR: 120

MHR: 144

And I’ve decided I need some stats on my site.  Not from all up, from now – this time round.  Aussie golf.

without

So today at the pool was fecking awful.  That’s the only way it can be described.  Did my 1k (in 27:30), 100m with the kick board and then got the hell out of there.  I was just fatigued.  Although I’m not sure it actually was fatigue, or soreness from the weights session that I did – more just that the thrashing about was much harder.  Had a tendonitis click going on in my left shoulder which was while not actually hurting, uncomfortable and distracting.  It was more that I was noticing it there, not that it was sore.  Pain in the arse more than anything.  It wasn’t at all that I was without motivation today – it was a physical thing.  In a way I see this swim session as a good thing.  After the first 200 I seriously would have considered packing up and going home – if it weren’t for determination to do the 1k – at a minimum.  I made sure I was in there for at least 30 minutes.  A bit of a win for me, over the pool, today.  Sometimes it’s just hard.

30:00

340cal,  25%

AHR: 151

MHR: 177

Work was shit!  At some times I really, really, hate my life.  It’s like I’m just showing up and spending time there.  The fucking stock is all over the fucking place.  I had to count the bloody singlets about 15 times today as things weren’t included in the snapshot when they should have been and were when they shouldn’t have been.  I finally said that I wasn’t doing it anymore and headed off to harass customers.  I was helping a guy with shoes at the end of the day – he had a sore ankle for which he wanted plenty of cushioning.  After talking a little bit, it seems that he had Plantar Fasciitis, or so I thought.  He was surprised that I knew what was going on.  I think I also surprised myself.  Surprised at the amount of knowledge that I have, that I can talk to people about and the help that could have come from me sorting out what his issue was.  I also briefly considered whether infact I should go into physiotherapy, and briefly considered looking up to see the requirements for an Ex. Phys. to do Phty at uni.  But then I want to be a cop.  That’s all I want.

After work I realised I’d forgotten the ipod (essential for gym cardio, or any cardio really) so headed home.  Did some stuff on the treadmill to make up for the lack of swimming/gym cardio today.  I did run intervals and was happy with how they went.  I didn’t think that I’d got to the point where they weren’t an absolute bitch to get done – I guess I was wrong.  Although I worked hard, I wasn’t anywhere near maximum, and felt stronger than I have previously.

20 mins run intervals, 3 minutes stretching.
30:30 -  all at 4%

3 mins 10

5 mins 10.5
5 mins 11
5 mins 11.5
2 mins 11

20:00

230 cal, 17%

AHR: 164

MHR: 186

Not 100% accurate as HRM wasn’t working the whole time I don’t think…  It was fucking pissing me off, perhaps escalated by tiredness, but I felt some of the gear rage coming back.  Bastard.  Anyway, it was s pretty good session, even if the HRM fucked up.  I also iced afterwards, which I need to start doing more often (and am going to start doing, nightly).

I’m not nearly as sore as I expected to be from the weights session that I did the other day.  Perhaps the huge walk with golf helped that, perhaps also wearing skins while I was running tonight helped.  I think that that might be a good way to take some of the DOMs away from my future legs sessions – stretching, rest and then some form of activity (preferably walking/golf) later in the day.  Seems to have worked this time round.

More one glove tan tomorrow, along with a bit of training.  Short game work.

crossroads

Last night was shocking.  I was in bed for 10 – fatigued and ready for sleep, but it didn’t come.  I’d close my eyes but my mind wouldn’t switch off.  As a result, very very tired this morning.  My eyes have been stinging since I woke up, on about 4 hours sleep, to squealing.  Not a pleasant start to the day.  On top of the lack of sleep tiredness, my body feels fatigued.  It’s like I can’t muster the energy to do anything at the moment.  I just want to sleep. One of the girls at work today said that I was quiet, and had been all day.  I was.  I said it was just down to tiredness, which I honestly think that it is.

My the SLDL from the other day has caught up with my hamstrings and they’re tight, although not nearly so bad as they were this morning, before the swim, and before wearing my skins about for the afternoon.  I wonder if a full length pair might be in order.  I really think that wearing them helps, even wearing the quad length ones.  The only issue that I have is that to get the compression I need for my legs, I need to go small around the waist.  I’m in a YXL at the moment, even though it’s pretty tight around my waist.  I think that they’re getting looser though, that I am losing a bit of fat; but it’s always hard to tell with something so tight, and stretchy.  Would like to try a shirt, but don’t know.  We’ll see.  Am definitely going to get, maybe two more pairs in the staff order, when they’re about 40% off (I think) but not sure about a shirt yet.  I guess it would help with the weights, and for that reason I would probably have to look at a full length one – would also be good for golf.

On the topic of gear, I’ve found the sexiest watch ever!!  It’s a polar RS300X – orange.  Every time I go into the fitness area, I put it on.  I wear it well, and I think it looks great on my wrist.  It’s just that I really don’t need two heart rate monitors.  I’ve already a FT60, and love it, but I really like the look of the other one.

Swim was ok.  I wasn’t feeling great before I even went.  Had it in my head that I wasn’t going to swim well, or that it was going to be a whole lot more difficult to do what I’ve done on the other days before I even set out.  To my surprise and delight, I managed to beat yesterdays for both the k and 30 minute mark.  Pretty happy.

Chavs, big-mouthed D-Listers & a marriage.

That media-hungry slapper Jade Goody is back in the spotlight again. Granted, it’s not overly spectacular that she’s got cancer and is going to kick it pretty soon, but one would think that anyone reasonable would want to go out with a bit of dignity; not bloody splashing their ‘poor me’ sob story all over the papers. No, not the big-mouthed-racist-chav I’m-famous-for-being-famous Jade-bloody-Goody. I can not stand her. She’s a big-mouthed slapper, who really is the chav of chavs who just happened to be accepted into D-list ‘fame’ when she was on Big Brother. Her ensuing success is nothing to do with her talent (or what would appear to be lack of) – pure publicity. Today her publicist got on the radio; and I would have thought that Radio One would have had better things to broadcast; saying she wanted to make as much money as possible for her boys. Fair enough. I can see her point. But then in the same breath this numpty said she’s being so open about her illness to promote awareness to other women & that her stories have prompted an increase in women & teenage girls having smears. My arse she is concerned about that. It’s all about the money and the celebrity status for her. And it’s sad that people have so little in their lives they’re increasingly interested in this sort of bollocks. But that’s the reality of the celebrity obsessed culture that is Britain. Not that I’m knocking Britain…I wouldn’t dream of doing that. Just; you know.

Speaking of chavs, Rushmere was full of them today. I actually saw three girls walking along the side walk in those god-awful velor tracksuit bottoms. Purple and Hot Pink no less. Chavs. They sit about the shopping centre drinking cider from the can, & smoking giant splifs while looking generally raggedy, untidy and trying to look intimidating; all the while free loading off the public system. It might be completely inaccurate & big-headed, but I feel increasingly ‘better’ (for lack of a more apt word) than a lot of people I see about on the street – maybe just cause I actually look in the mirror before I go out, even just to the shops; and cause I get around to brushing my teeth more than once a week. Is that me having standards? Or is it that I do have standards, but they may be too high (say brushing your teeth twice a day – credit crunch & all) and henceforth I’m just plain judgemental if people can not meet said expectations and standards of dress and behaviour? Are we at finishing school?

Giving off done…I’ve spent the majority of the evening playing on my latest acquisition. A brand spanking new Advent 4211C netbook. It seems to be quite class, and I can confidently say that, with some adjustment & getting used to the smaller screen size, my fingers being more mashed together when I type and having a single control button for the finger panel, I could love the thing. It’s all very dinky and quite a sexy piece of kit. At 120G memory I‘m hoping that it stores enough of my photos and files to get me home. It seems quite handy, and relatively speedy, compared to the brick of a laptop I’ve had before. Here’s hoping the little thing lives up to my expectations.  I can not wait to see what it can do on the fly!

In other news, Mrs U & I are getting married. Decided over pints at Mary’s and only out of a her getting me to stay. ‘This is going to sound so gay…’ was the most common statement of the night coming out of her mouth and was frequently followed by some comment along the lines of ‘I cried this morning in the shower when I thought about you leaving’ or ‘I’m going to be heart broken when you leave’. So I simply suggested that for me to stay she’d have to marry me. Apparently would be no bother whatsoever, despite her already being married to Mr U. Although there would be none of the business…just a marriage of convenience. Would suit me down to the ground, just as long as I had the Army girl to keep me company on cold, lonely nights. Mrs U is now referred to as ‘Wifey’ or “Alpha Wife”. Clearly I should recognise my place and stay put.

Athlete’s feet

I realised last night that my shoes smell. I also realised, disturbingly that they smell way too much for the shoes of someone who isn’t actually an athlete. The offending shoes…my red shox. I’m considering bunging them in the washing machine, seeing as how they really only have to last me another couple of weeks at the most. I’ve come to love my shox. It’s like walking in little pillows of clouds all day – so comfortable. Who needs support when you’re walking on air?

Two of the girls, Mrs U & she, have brought new trainers. Asics Kayanos. I’m so jealous. Jealous that the anatomy of my legs, ankles and feet mean that I can’t wear them without constant MTSS pain in my shins. I pronate.  Kayanos aren’t good for pronators.  At all.  There’s no midline support and less arch support than a shoe like the 2030.  Kayanos have the sexiness; and comfort factor; but the 2030s win hands down in support, midline & arch support and foot motion control.  I love asics.  It’s crap but the shoes are sexy, and I probably would do it just for the badness. And for the £115 of pillowly-comfortableness.  That’s not to say that the 2030s don’t have a certain aesthetic appeal, or aren’t comfy as hell, but the Kayanos bring it to a new level.

 I love getting new shoes. Mostly new trainers, but then there’s also something about a new pair of boots too. Trainers are something completely different though. Trainers make you feel as though you’re walking on air. And they certainly accentuate your legs. It’s like having your feet bubble-wrapped for the small time that the cushioning lasts.

Last night I also realised just bad how this boozy night in thing has become. Completely untintentionally I woofed probably 15 beers. 6 Corona and probably 7 Carlton Cold. I didn’t really feel all that drunk, although completely understood that I was on the verge of being completely smashed. Woke up this morning ok, but somewhat afraid of the state I would be in. All was good though – just a man in my head with a hammer. Nothing serious.  It’s more to the point that every weekend I drink a million beers it’s just a million beers that I have to work off through the week.  I’m not really bothered about stuff that happens while drinking; we’re a harmless, no judgement group…I just know that what we’re doing isn’t all that healthy.  And the fact that she thinks I drink too much isn’t helping.  That part of her opinion of me is bothering me a little.  A lot.  I just don’t know how to deal with it; aside from randomly shouting ‘do you seriously think I’m an alcoholic’ at her when we’re discussing things.   ’No, but I do think you drink too much.  I think I drink too much’ is the usual reply.

Ignorance is not bliss

So we’ve had a row.  Quite a big one for our standards.  My phone bill is significantly down but my feelings are completely up the left.  It all started about us going to Dublin for the weekend to meet Ms K.  It started when she lied to me about the reason she didn’t want to come, and said that it was my fault.  If only she had of been honest there wouln’t have been nearly the drama that there now is.  Safe to say that I’m feeling really shit about things at the moment.  We’ve agreed that we need to talk, but I’m just not sure where to start.  Perhaps some more ‘I’m angry at you cause I don’t want to be hurt by you’ time is needed.  I just don’t know.  Friday night stuff happened.  Sunday night stuff happened again.  Monday night we both ignore everything that probably needed to be said; Monday night I confront the issue (probably not in the most delicate way).  Tuesday I only text to find out the necessary questions – do you still want to come to the coast or is that too cookie jar?  Yesterday – communication embargo and ignoring each other when we’re in the gym.  Hmmm…what a way to go about repairing a friendship.

Just wasn’t into training today.  Did make the effort to go in and do something though, so I’m pleased about that.  I’m bitterly disappointed at the state of myself after a weekend bender.  It was so big that on Monday morning I actually phoned Mrs U to ask if we’d been drunk all weekend.  We both whole heartedly agreed that there was at least 12 hours when we didn’t either have a drink in our hand or be lost in a hazy morning after.  We don’t seem to get hangovers anymore.  A product of much alcoholism training we believe.  But it’s getting well expensive.  Mr U commented that the utility room looked rather like a bottling plant and that just cause you’re on pints doesn’t mean that you have to neck them.  Yet strangely enough neither of us really felt that blotted.  Hmmm.

Right, so training…

30 mins cardio

10 mins run intervals 60:30 at 11.5 & 5 mins walk at 5.8

Bike – 15 mins level 3 – 4.

391 cal, 18% Fat

MHR: 97:

AHR: 82%

Zones: H; 19:09; M: 11:39; L: 01:12

 

The other day when I ran I felt great.  No bother at all knocking out 2 minutes at 12 – today was a completely different story.  All shite and well up the left.  I don’t know whether it was something to do with my earphones breaking again.  I always, always train better with the ipod in.  Maybe cause it blocks everything else and all I’ve to focus on is the workout.  Maybe it’s cause I can just ignore everything and everyone.  Maybe it’s that it’s the music I want to hear, and I can have it LOUD!  I don’t know, but training isn’t the same without it.  I was fucking angry.  I had to get off the treadmill before the urge to hurl the ipod at the nearest wall overtook me…  I walked away, fuming.  I can’t live without my ipod.

 

We talked briefly in the gym this afternoon.  It was all uncomfortable.  I offered a spot for her last set of DB Bench, but she said she didn’t want one, she didn’t want me to drop the dumbbells on her head.  She said she thought I looked as though I wanted to kill her.  I wasn’t thinking that at all, I was thinking that it was uncomfortable; but I made an effort to go in and speak to her.  We talked as she left, but it was uncomfortable as hell and people kept coming along so it wasn’t productive at all.  I wouldn’t want to talk about that stuff in work anyway.  I don’t do head stuff at work.  I couldn’t even look at her, but when I did make eye contact I liked her just as much as ever.  It’s so confusing.  My head’s so messed up…