Well, I went out today to have my first try at Stepping Stones. It was great to have Laura back as I can't run without a podcast but, by golly, she was cracking the whip this time. I discovered that it really doesn't suit me to try to keep to a beat like that - much too fast as I had to take tiny steps to keep to the beat - much different from my usual easy plod - which, incidentally, tends to get me further, faster and with less effort! Today's tiny, fast steps must have put some strain on my ankle and Achilles tendon because I got a few twinges right at the end of the run and my ankle gave way a couple of times. I felt the twinges periodically on the warm down walk as well. I shall have a couple of days nice rest with my feet up and, although I will continue with these podcasts because I like Laura and having some music (which is not too bad on these) I shall revert to my lazy way of plodding - for which there is much to write home about.
On a lighter note, I gave my Aldi Lycra running gear an airing today for the first time - seeing as it was finally warm enough to ditch the tracksuit. Only downside to this was that, being a weekend, the marina manager wasn't here to see me in it - he's been threatening to book a nervous breakdown if I wear tight Lycra here! Personally, I don't think it looks too bad so, a nervous breakdown said manager will have to have. I just need to get back to a healthy eating plan. This Lycra would have looked great a few months ago but I put weight back on after giving up smoking, which I felt was more important. Nonetheless, I think it still looks great!
I've also (changing the subject) been and enquired at the sailing club next door about their 'taster' sessions (at 2 quid a throw) in a couple of weeks. I shall be taking to the high seas (of all right then, the lake) for my first go at windsurfing. If I like it then it's only £140 per year membership and they supply all the kit. Can't be bad.
Wow! I am impressed at you doing a taster sailing session! I am considering doing taster sessions for a variety of different activities as soon as we get settled when we move to Swansea.
Giving up smoking has got to be one ofnthe best things you can do for your health. I know when I gave up I put on about a stone and a half but a year later I had gone back to normal.
Thank you. I will shift the weight (am a bad advert for qualified weight consultant LOL) but not smoking was important to me. I'm not beating myself up over it though - have lost a bit in the past few weeks without actually trying. It's actually windsurfing I'm doing a taster for - fascinates me! Cheers.
Wow! Perhaps I was thinking about giving sailing a go myself. Windsurfing - sounds cold to me
I really do admire your can do attitude, Fitmo and you are so encouraging to everyone.
The weight, you honestly look fine btw, will drop away as you have a really activite lifestyle and it seems set to increase. I do hope you will post your report of these activities. Have fun! Xxx
I've tried sailing, it's not my thing at all. I don't see windsurfing as being cold because you wear a wetsuit. I have my Star One certificate for canoeing and when I did my course on that we had to capsize into the lake - wasn't cold at all. As for the can do attitude - life is far too short not to try the things you want, especially if 'tasters' are only a couple of quid a go. My neighbour where I used to live a few years ago was moaning one day that she was giving up playing darts (!?!) because she was 'too old' - at age 57! The mind boggles. I never want to get like that. I mean, Darts of all things - it's made for people who think they're old! Cheers.
Is that the one where you are in a wheeled bogey thing with a sail on? I would love a go at that but we are no where near the sea and suitable beaches.
Update. Having read the posts I realise I have got the wrong image. You mean a sail powered surf board don't you? Still sounds good fun and will be a great work out!
Love your boat too! Bet it's lovely being rocked to sleep.
No, I don't think so - that sounds like windsurfing on land which, I believe, is a totally different sport. This is like a giant surfboard with a sail on and you go on water - if there are any lakes that offer sailing etc., then they may offer windsurfing as well. Here, the first time you try it, they put the windsurfing board onto a little stand so that you practise the movements in a stationary position. When they think you have an idea of it they take you out on the lake and give you some coaching there - when one might just get a ducking. I'll know more in a couple of weeks - the taster sessions are the weekend after next. Have a good bank holiday.
Hi Fitmo! Yes, I realised I'd got it wrong when I read some other posts. I think the wind surfing on land looks phenomenal and would love to have a go at that!
We do have a sailing club here on the gravel pit lakes and I do fancy having a go at sailing. I will take a look and see what else they are doing. I used to go canoeing and it's surprising how cosy you feel with the right kit on! Dunking needn't be as bad as you may expect!
Good luck on your taster course - HAVE FUN!
Also you may find the Stamina podcast a better beat for you. I find it a much 'smoother' session - but still demanding!
Thank you. If you enquire at your local club they might even know of somewhere that does the 'landsurfing' for want of a better way of putting it. I will try your suggestion of Stamina either tomorrow or next day and see how that works for me. Many thanks for the info. Cheers.
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Got a bit curious about this so googled 'windsurfing on land'. It's known as Land Windsurfing or Terra Sailing and there isn't much info about it at all. No associations or anything. Think it's mainly by word of mouth and there are a couple of forums for it. Cheers.
It's going to clash beautifully when I wear my purple, skimpy, silky running shorts! Well, if anyone gets across my path they can't say they didn't see me coming!
Yay for lyrca wonder outfits looks great and you have fab legs. I had a little listen to the stepping stones one and I really didn't think I was for me at - that music .... Still when I graduate maybe I will give it a try just once.
Wow , windsurfing ? I 'm interested in your opinions on stepping stones as I think I will try them next week but like you I'm definitely more of a plodder. Have a great weekend !!
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Everyone is different, of course, but I don't think Stepping Stones is for me at the moment. I found it tough at the beginning and it didn't get any better - I had to change my stride for tiny little steps and I shouldn't have continued when it became clear that it wasn't really working. It might be worth your while just giving it a try (you may find it a different experience) but, if you don't feel comfortable fairly early into it, then stop before you do an injury - as happened to me today. It's only minor, but something I could have avoided if I'd given in sooner instead of waiting until I got twinges. Good luck and best wishes.
Running to the beat definitely suits some people more than others. I think I can just about do it now, but sometimes I have just tried to run a bit faster when Laura changed the tempo.
I tried windsurfing once as a teacher on a school trip. I have really pathetically weak arms and thought I would completely humiliate myself with my inability to pick the sail up after the inevitable dunking. But I managed ok (I think we might perhaps have been given beginner/junior sized sails to give us a chance?!) and I really enjoyed it. If you live right next door, I'm sure you'll get good use out of it, so if you enjoy it then go for it as it sounds like very good value
I think Stepping Stones will take me a while to get to grips with and certainly not for half an hour at a time. Maybe it will never suit me - time will tell and there's no rush. Windsurfing:- I notice they had junior sized sails in the equipment shed when they showed me round today so I'll see what happens - it's the weekend after next. Next weekend is open weekend at the marina - if the manager gets his act together - he's cutting it a bit fine. Also it's the Bedford Annual Regatta on the river next Saturday so I might toddle along to that as well. Eee, bah goom, it's all 'appening here! Cheers.
Love the top, Fitmo! Bright running gear is fantastic! Aldi do have some good running stuff, don't they? I have a pair of their running shorts but not tried them yet. Also got their smartphone armband thing but realised my phone is the size of Heathrow Airport and looks absurd strapped onto my arm, so will save it for races and not just running round the streets!
First time I've bought running stuff from Aldi - mind, it's pretty much the first time I've bought running stuff, full stop! I did get some nice lycra from Tesco Outlet (half price shop adjunct to the main store). It seems to be a better quality and the top matches the capri bottoms so I'm keeping it for special occasions - the quality was reflected in the price, a little more than Aldi but still very good value. I haven't worn the Aldi silky shorts as am saving them for the day of the R4L but I did try them on for a minute or two at home and they are lovely and cool. I think you will be pleased with yours. Cheers.
Coincidently, I bought from Aldi running shoes and the jacket. At £15price, shoes are really cheap but I am wondering, will they be durable? I am returing the runner jacket as it was an impulsive buy and I am refusing to spend money where I do not need to. Have you tried the shoes? What do you guys think about Aldi stuff? I have lived in Germany and Aldi is a budget market there too but the stuff available is usually fine. I wonder, how do english people find the Aldi experience!
I can't give any advice about the Aldi experience in England because I rarely use it. So far as running shoes are concerned I had gait analysis and bought a pair of Brooks at a specialist running shop - I don't know what Aldi shoes would be like so far as durability is concerned. I went to Aldi and bought running clothes because a few people on here had recommended them. You could put up a separate post about this and then you'd get some replies relevant to this query - might be worth a try. Best wishes.
As a windsurfer of some years experience but not any particular level of ability, I would say go for it, fitmo. Do bear in mind that the conditions on your try out session may not be perfect...either too much or not enough wind...so don't write it off on the first attempt. What initially seems like extremely hard work, becomes so much easier as you develop your technique and physicality....a bit like running, in fact. Once you get going it can deliver a great adrenalin buzz.
Good luck. Keep doing whatever it is you are doing, keep smiling.
Apparently they start me off on a stand on dry land to begin with and then take me out on the lake for a short session. As the taster sessions are so cheap, and I live next door to the club, it seemed silly not to take the opportunity. I'll see how I get on - I love water sports. Thank you for the info and best wishes.
Hi fitmo I've got the same clobber from Aldi , haven't worn that top yet but will be shortly , & are they brooks trainers ? Got the same ones as well , we would like twins if we where both on a run together . When I tried the stepping stones I had to take little steps to complete if as well else I couldn't have done it Good luck with thd windsurfing & you look great .
Thank you. They are Brooks trainers and, trying them on after gait analysis, they felt like they were made for me. I agree about Stepping Stones - I had to take tiny steps which didn't work well for me and I should have stopped a lot sooner. I shall listen to the music in future but stick to my comfortable plod which serves me well. Probably not a good idea to try to change my gait to fit in with the podcasts. Have a good bank holiday. Cheers.
I don't think I've ever been in one. I'd have to make a special trip and I am rubbish with the kind of shopping where you have to make a snap decision.
Thank you. Life is too short not to get on with things. Yup, it is my boat and the marina is in a lovely spot. The cars you can see parked in the right of the picture are just in front of a wall - which I think you can just see a bit of it. That wall is the only thing that separates us from the country park next door. It's great here. With regard to boats, etc., Bedford has a huge river festival every two years and the next one is due in July this year. Worth a look if you are within reasonable travelling distance. Cheers.
Hi Fitmo! Love your photo and your gear. I think you are looking healthy and barge life suits too. I live on the canal too but in a wharf house. Would be rude not to run it!! Well done for kicking the smoking habit and the podcasts with Laura get easier - I promise! x
It's lovely living near (on!) water as it absorbs negative energy. In my case though, it's permanent moorings in a marina which is off the River Great Ouse at Bedford - we have currents here. Get rocked to sleep when it's windy as well. I'll continue to listen to the podcasts with Laura but I won't try to keep my steps to the beat - it caused an (albeit minor) injury yesterday. Cheers.
It certainly is - my neighbours are the ducks and swans, our canoe takes me on there and I started writing poetry !! Don't know where that came from lol!! Off my long run later... still so much of the canal to see. We are very lucky x
Agreed, we are lucky and I still have so much to explore along this river. I've had people feel sorry for me living on a boat as though it was somehow "second best" or not as good as a house etc. My answer to that is, simply "For the first time in my life I have a detached residence in a beautiful location and with a fairly upmarket address - what's not to like?" which generally shuts them up. Enjoy this lovely bank holiday weekend, well, on the bank! Best wishes.
Hi Kitty Kat. No, I don't think you're along in not shopping at Aldi. I only went there to get the running gear - also bought some Easter eggs for friends' children, etc because they were cheaper on that than Tesco but, generally, I am not keen on Aldi for grocery shopping and they are not always the cheapest or best value. Aldi is a little drive away, not too far, but not near enough to make it worth my while unless there is something specific I want. I also feel fab when I put on my running gear - maybe it's because it's associated with something that we are doing for our own well being? Have good weekend.
You look fab in your running gear! And the boat looks great too, must be lovely to live on the water! Not got to stepping stones yet but I think i will stick to the week 9 podcast post graduation for a month or so just to help consolidate my fitness level before I try to improve my speed or distance. Hope your ankle and Achilles feels better soon, best wishes
Thank you, runningmummy71. Ankle feels okay today so will see what tomorrow brings, or maybe an extra rest day since I'm always preaching about the benefits of that. It might be worth my while to go back to the week 9 podcasts for a while. It's just that stepping stones is designed to follow on from C25K so it should have been okay. Maybe it's just that it doesn't suit my running style. Ironically, someone else posted that they did the same podcast and found it great. Just goes to show how different we all are. I think we have to be true to ourselves - if something is not working then simply change it rather than trying to fit in with whatever it is. There are so many options we should find something that works well for us. Cheers.
You inspired me to go out and buy a sleeveless tank. I've seen the younger runners wear them and now I'm on week 7 and, as Laura says "officially a runner", I figured I'd go for it. Quite the fashionistas aren't we!
Yes, and why not, indeed! I see no reason for age, weight, or whatever else, to dictate what we can or can't do, or wear and so on and so forth. I find my Lycra comfortable and reasonably cool as the weather gets warmer and I'm not bowing to other peoples' ideas of what I may or may not be allowed to wear. Enjoy your sleeveless tank. Cheers.
Hear!hear! To the Lycra gear. Never thought I would have the nerve to venture out in my Lycra leggings, running shoes and top. But hey! You are never too old for 'firsts'. It's so comfy and so much lighter to run in than my baggy trousers and cotton tee shirt. Look forward to buying a sleeveless tank when the weather turns not.
I agree entirely and will encourage you to wear Lycra if you so desire. If anyone wants to kick up a fuss about me in tight Lycra I do offer them an option - I point out (truthfully) that I used to be a member of a nudist colony and will be quite happy to run/swim/walk/etc naked if they find my Lycra offensive. It usually shuts them up. Cheers.
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Week 9 - I’ll miss Laura!
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week 6, run 3, i got my, your officialy now a runner from Laura. yah !
