To sleep, perchance to dream.......

Aye, chance would be a fine thing!! (with apologies to Hamlet) Right now sleep is proving an elusive activity so any dreaming is really day dreaming.  I suspect it's the lack of physical sweat inducing activity.  You know, that satisfying knackered feeling after a run or cycle that generally guarantees a decent night's sleep. My back is constantly sore and I'm actually getting my knee looked at medically. Hey ho, just a stumble but the goal is still the same. 

On the academic front I'm still aiming to get this flipping degree finished.  I had to drop out from the music course last year cos I fell behind when I was ill.  Luckily the OU let you transfer credit to the following year.  Unluckily, the music course is no longer running so I've opted for a course on Shakespeare.  Gulp!! It starts next week and lasts until October. Six essays and an exam at the end.  Double gulp!!!

And just to keep things interesting at the same time I've started a counselling skills course.  Four modules, one day a week over a year then hopefully onto the 2 year diploma course to become a qualified counsellor.  Not so much a case of day dreaming but planning for the future and a career change by the time Gordy leaves school.

Dreams, goals, plans.  Doesn't matter what we call them, as long as we have them.

Holes, schmoles!

Once upon a lifetime ago, I was responsible for laundering more mucky running gear than I currently do (although I now do cycling, swimming, rugby and TKD gear as well). I confess I may have been a teeny bit critical of the state some of that running kit was in and may have on occasion vigorously encouraged the owner to part with some of that clothing.  I might even have quietly disposed of some items on my own initiative.  Longer term blog readers will remember me posting pictures of said manky items and really old friends will remember the infamous London Marathon t-shirt incident in the 90s ;-)

So, here's the thing.  I get it now.  The above photo is my favourite winter running top with a couple of rips in the sleeve (I was climbing over a barbed wire fence, as you do)  The old me may have decided it was no longer wearable and recycled it.  But I love that top.  It's got a fine fleecy inner layer, extra long sleeves with thumb hole and it has pink piping in all the right places that makes me feel more svelte than I am.  So I'm still gonna wear it, with holes.  And my favourite leggings with the burst waist elastic!

But then I realised that's not all I can't part with.  I've got a few pairs of running shoes that I can't throw out either.  Once they're not good enough to run in they become dog walking trainers.  Once they're beyond that they become gardening trainers. 

And I've just realised I have categories for my pants..............

Hello 2012!

I can't remember where I got this from so apologies for not crediting it but I thought it nicely sums up my view on 2011. 

It's been a long tradition in my family to look back over the old year on Hogmanay and think about the highs and lows.  And on the surface it would appear that 2011 wasn't a successful one for me.  I didn't get to compete in a triathlon, I didn't finish Boot Camp, I didn't do my half marathon, I didn't sell the house and I didn't get a job.  I had whooping cough, then got an E Coli ear infection,  I developed a knee injury and my back is constantly playing up.  But a lack of success in these things certainly doesn't mean it wasn't a great year.

I love tri training.  I've said before, it suits me.  I can work round the injuries. I love my house so still living here isn't a hardship.  Someone will fall in love with it just like I did.  And as for the job situation, watch this space ;-)

Thanks to some great people I do see how wonderful my life is and will continue to be.  In 2012 I will continue to challenge and push myself in ways I never imagined I could.

Happy New Year! May 2012 bring you everything you deserve xxx

Now that's inspirational!

Before yesterday I was vaguely aware of Jamie Andrew and his story.  He was that guy who had been stuck on a French mountain for days and had to be dramatically rescued.  I knew he had lost his hands and feet to frostbite, he did 'things' for charity and did the rounds as an after dinner speaker.

Yesterday I attended a workshop and seminar where he was one of the speakers.  Wow, wow, wow!!! If you ever get the chance to hear this guy, go!

Yep, he was an experienced climber who had a tragic accident that resulted in him needing both hands and both feet amputated.  His sheer determination and will to not only live but live life to its fullest is moving and inspiring.  Each day he would set himself a small challenge to learn to do something for himself again.  Sometimes it would take him all day to achieve something as simple as brushing his teeth.  But each day he set and achieved a new goal.

I sat there hanging on every word, marvelling at how he learned to walk again with his new legs and how he persuaded his prosthetitist to create the world's first prosthetic climbing hands.  I wasn't surprised that he was climbing again (proper ice climbing!!) or skiing (cross country and downhill) or had sailed the North Atlantic in a boat crewed by amputees.  Or that he started running, working his way up to completing the London Marathon.  By the time he said he had completed an Ironman I was just so humbled.  He finished his talk by juggling with 3 balls.  Seriously!

If he can do all that with no hands and no feet, then I've got nothing to complain about.  A truly inspirational man

Best present ever!

This weird looking device is called a Flexibak.  It is an osteopath-designed back support cradle that eases lower back pain problems and discomfort. It gives back pain relief by correct decompression of key joints, allowing natural movement to return.  Basically you lie on it and do the exercises.  Check out the website at www.flexibak.net for more details.

I can be in major discomfort after running/cycling/gym session or just from normal day to day stuff like driving/carrying shopping. I do the exercises every night before bed and during the day if I'm particularly stiff.  This wee gadget is a miracle worker!  I can get up the next day and do it all over again.

I've had physio treatment on my back many times over the years (I'm over flexible from years of gymnastic training) When my back is bad I have to stop training.  Until now.  Since I started using it regularly my pain has improved enormously.  It hasn't cured me but it's made a huge difference.  And that's what makes it the best present ever.

PS Check out my new blog at www.alissoupkitchen.blogspot.com

It's NaNoWriMo time!

Like I don't have enough things to do!  50,000 words in 30 days.  5th time lucky I hope :-)

Meet Mack

Inspired by my subversive friend I thought I should either blog or give up all together.  It's not that I haven't been doing anything blogworthy. Quite the opposite in fact, I've just been so flipping busy I haven't had the time.  And I have a tendency to put a lot of stuff on FB so most folks know the drama and saga that is my life!!

Since this blog is supposed to be about my tri efforts I'll stick to that but it's worth noting that everything else in my life is going well.  Except for selling the house *sighs*

So, meet Mack (short for Mackenzie) my ancient mountain bike.  In the pic we're just back from a very muddy ride round the fish farm near me. Mack is so old he used to have a baby seat on the back.  But everything is still in working order and he had a bit of a makeover recently.  Since then we've had loads of adventures including going to Arran and night rides round Stirling Castle. FB friends will know he survived falling off the back of my car (whole bike rack came off!!) while I was driving this week.  I still break out in a cold sweat thinking how lucky I was not to cause a major accident on the A9!  My guardian angel was looking out for me that night.

But I can cycle without aggravating my knee and my back. HOORAY!  I can work out at the gym painfree.  YIPPEE!! I can run a couple of miles if I wear a knee brace with no after effects.  WOOHOO!!! Still haven't been tempted to get back into the pool though. BOO!!!!

Stirling Tri is still the target.  I have a few other plans along the way.  Nothing compared to my more experienced running friends but exciting enough for me.  I am continually challenging and pushing myself (and am being challenged!) in so many positive ways (sea kayaking for example!!)  Sometimes I kick myself for waiting so long but good things come to those who wait :-)