Monthly Archives: January 2014

The biggest hurdle

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Recently my training has revolved around four different Turbo Trainer sessions.  Each is quite different, and I rotate them, using a shorter one when time is limited, a two-hour “marathon” once a week to help build my stamina, but generally alternating the other two.

As a result of the limited repertoire and frequent repetition, I have become very familiar with the various courses, and comfortable with the work-outs.  I know what’s coming and I can effectively pace myself to get the most out of each session (factoring in how I’m feeling on any particular day)*.

That all sounds good, and probably is on some levels, but it’s not real life.  Wouldn’t it be great if we always knew what the future held in store for us, if we always knew what was waiting for us around the next corner.  Wouldn’t life would be easy!

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As we all know, life is full of surprises.  No matter how much we dislike them, we have to be able to deal with them.  We can get better through practice, but that requires work and sometimes more than a little bit of courage.

Today I selected a new work-out, something different.  I was surprisingly nervous given I wasn’t going to be moving from the same spot in my office.  For the first time in some time I was going to expose myself to something quite new.

As it happens, the new work-out didn’t work out, but that’s another story (equipment rather than health problems so nothing to worry about!).  So, for the time being I’m going to take some satisfaction from the fact that I tried… the biggest hurdle has been overcome.  I’m sure actually completing the session will be no trouble at all!

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* Thinking back to winter training during my days as an athlete, I remember some of the Fartlek sessions we did as a group. 

I used to love them when I was calling, when I was the person who decided what came next.  Simply knowing what was coming made it easier in some way.  I’m sure everyone else used to hate it because I think I made the sessions much tougher.  

When I was in the group following someone else’s instructions, the glove was on the other hand, and I used to find it much more difficult.

It’s not the destination…

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In 4 months time I will embark on my Euro City Cycle challenge.  As they say…

“It’s the journey, not the destination, that matters most.”

Even arriving in London to start the event will be a major milestone on my journey.  When I signed up for the event in August last year it seemed like a huge challenge… more of a distant dream, in fact.

It was just 2 months after my Heart Attack and I was still in Phase 3 Cardiac Rehabilitation, being closely monitored throughout my 30 minute work-outs.  I knew I needed to give myself something to work towards.

I was excited but very nervous at the same time… Was taking on too much?  Would I physically be able to do it  (ever even)?  Was I being too ambitious?  Foolhardy?  At that stage I wasn’t even sure that the Doctor would allow me to participate.

The sun always shines on the Euro City Cycle!

Now, having got 6 months of structured exercise under my belt I’m feeling a bit more confident.   According to the “Welcome Pack” I received for the event, as a Novice I should start my training today.  I should begin by cycling 5 to 10 miles, 3 or 4 times a week, and slowly build up from there.  I feel like I’m slightly ahead of the curve on this so for the time being I’ll focus on maintaining my routine throughout the worst the winter has to offer.

I can’t wait until the weather improves, the days lengthen and the temperature increases (to the extent it ever does in North East Scotland!) so I can safely get outside on my bike.  For the time being I’ll get the miles in on the Turbo Trainer.

Over recent weeks I’ve connected with other people that are doing more ambitious challenges; Land’s End to John O’Groats (854 miles), Southern Spain to Northern Norway (~4,000 miles).  To be honest I’m feeling a bit envious, but I am looking at this as a stepping stone.

Cycling from London to Amsterdam to Brussels in 4 days will be an accomplishment in it’s own right, particularly given I should complete it less than a year after the Heart Attack.  However, I’m not counting my chickens… I need to keep my head down and do the work so I can really enjoy the London to Brussels leg of my journey!

Hanging around the pool

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Nephew #3 was the highlight of our New Year gathering… just two year’s old, he’s a cheeky chappie and full of life.

Constantly on the move, he alternates between bouncing and running, vigorously waving “Hello” and “Goodbye” at each end of his frequent journeys.

He’s at that wonderful stage where he wakes up every morning with no idea what is going to happen during the day but confident that whatever it is it’s going to be great!

He’s almost talking, but not quite.  He can communicate with sound but with few words.  He makes himself understood… mostly… he makes himself heard… always!

He’s a real star and more than happy to be the centre of attention, selecting different members of the family to accompany him as he goes about his business of the day.

New Year really wouldn’t have been the same without him around!

Brother & Nephew, Father & Son

With the weather hampering plans to visit play parks, we decided to go swimming together – a favourite pastime of Nephew #3 and also a chance for me to get some proper exercise.

Abingdon Leisure Centre has a large Toddler’s swim area next to a wide, shallow main pool, all within one huge open area.  It was a bit different to the claustrophobic box (relatively) I normally swim in.  The width of the main pool accommodated 6 lanes with room left over for a recreational section next to the Toddler’s Pool.  Although there were a quite a few swimmers, there seemed to be ample space, it certainly didn’t feel crowded.

I was to arrive early, about 45 minutes before my Brother and Nephew, so I could have a “proper” swim first.  They were to join me for the fun bit at the end.

A simple plan.  What could possibly go wrong?

After 45 minutes I started looking out for them.  They hadn’t arrived yet, so I did a few more lengths.

50 minutes passed, then 60… more lengths.

“What could possibly go wrong?” I thought to myself again… this time actually looking for answers.

The lengths were becoming more challenging as I got increasingly tired.  The rest breaks became longer and more frequent… I was definitely now “waiting” rather than “swimming”.

It then struck me how difficult it is, as a middle-aged man in this day and age, to innocuously “hang around” a swimming pool…  I began to feel increasingly paranoid and self conscious.  Parents appeared to be getting uncomfortable too, at least one eye on me at all times.  I’m sure an extra Life Guard was drafted in specifically to watch me.

Time continued to pass…

Having considered my options (at length by this stage), the only two viable alternatives appeared to be (1) to continue to swim, doing lengths for as long as I possibly could or (2) to leave the pool, get changed and start again when the rest of the party arrived.  I really couldn’t see anything good coming from waiting in the Changing Area, the Toilets, or in the Showers.

So more lengths it was.

Eventually, after 80 minutes, Brother & Nephew #3 arrived, chirpy and raring to go, without a care in the world.  After an indeterminable further wait they emerged from the Changing Area… I could feel everyone breathe a collective sigh of relief as I joined them.  The additional Life Guard returned to do whatever member of the Life Guard SAS do when they’re on a break… Threat Level Green.

Abingdon Leisure Centre

After a few minutes of splashing, Nephew #3 started to cry.  Not being able to say exactly what was wrong some frantic pointing ensued.  It was not clear what the issue was.

I’m no expert, but I could sense he was not happy.  The crying continued…

Brother:  “He’s never usually like this.  He loves his swimming”

Not today!

And so, after about 7 minutes of fun family swim time we called it a day.

Eventually a packet of Quavers managed to quell the flow of tears.  The trauma receded, finally being laid to rest by a pre-lunch nap… and Nephew #3 got over it eventually as well!

Wasting time together

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We headed “down South” this week to spend the New Year with my family.  It was a relatively rare gathering of my immediate family; Mum & Dad, Sister, Brother, Nephews and Nieces.  It was even more rare for us to spend so much time together; typically visits are restricted to a weekend arranged around a family event or celebration.

As well as featuring my first dry (and sober) New Year’s Eve since the 1990’s, the extended visit and miserable weather presented the opportunity to waste time together, catching up on events and developments in each others lives.

Our New Year celebrations were a little more subdued!

It was great to see everyone!  We seem to have had more than our fair share of challenges over the past year; emotional, physical and psychological.  However, we are fortunate… and I am particularly fortunate to have such a strong, supportive and generous family.

As you would anticipate, food and drink were a major feature of the visit.  Despite significant temptation, I managed to stay on the straight and narrow, even when presented with a variety of delightful desserts, cheeky cheeses and some of the most extravagant Burgers I’ve ever seen (the “Surf, Turf and Cluck” Burger in particular looked mighty fine!).  How my Sister and Mum managed to keep producing meals I have no idea, but we’re all very grateful!  Thanks!

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Inevitably, in time, the competitive embers were stoked by younger members of the family and a “Girls vs. Boys” challenge was thrown down.  The games tested our knowledge, skill and nerves, culminating in a win for the Boys… of course!  To be fair, we benefited from the fact that the game was produced in 1995 and some of the questions were rather dated, particularly for those born in the 00’s!

Pirate ShipA late Christmas gift allowed me to demonstrate my creative prowess as I built and painted a Pirate Ship.  The present included an Eye Patch and Treasure Map, but I resisted the temptation to become a fully fledged Pirate… perhaps next year!

Personally, I’m relieved to be heading into 2014 “on the up”.  I’m able to reflect on the trials of the past and look forward with optimism.  While others are in a similar position to myself, I feel for people that have experienced a loss, or are still on their challenging journeys and fearful of what the future might hold.

I wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Successful 2014!