tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72664248488801968932024-03-13T11:52:05.795-07:00The Adventures of the Ninjabread ManThese are the continued ramblings and the occasional rantings of the artist formerly known as Pingpongperambulator. I thought it was a bit of a mouthful so I have re-named myself the Ninjabread Man.
Hopefully my new blog will be more interesting, more insightful and generally full of more stuff, can't promise owt though!
This will be my new blog for all that is my running, Table Tennis and general stuff that happens in my life, including the odd product review too. We like that last one lots.Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-44249113881740149802016-10-05T04:34:00.002-07:002016-10-05T04:35:57.101-07:00I has a plan.......But then, don't I always? And it usually goes arse up'rds.<br />
<br />
I'll waffle more about that in a bit, but in the mean time I shall waffle about stuff what I have done previous.<br />
London Marathon entered (I have just had to check emails to make sure I actually did!), only one Taekwondo grading taken - and passed thankfully, Reading Half Marathon completed in a P.B. yaaay, though I can't remember what that time is, it's on the back of the medal though so no biggy, I have recently taken up Archery at a fairly local club too which is ace as I've always wanted to do it. We somehow managed to avoid relegation to Division 2 in the Table Tennis too, which is doubley splendid.<br />
Oh, and there was a tiny matter of walking 100km from London to Brighton in 24 hours with my dad too!<br />
Stupidly I didn't do any blog posts for that last one there, though I wish I had done. Still, too late now really, though I suppose I could do something about it............nah, you'll just have to settle for the picture of me and pops there on my backround and trust me when I say we completed it in 23 hours and 20 mins and raised the best part of £2000 doing it, which properly staggered me I can tell you. Please read the guff there to your left about why I decided to do it, and if you want, clicky linky underneath said guff.<br />
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So, on to the aforementioned plan.<br />
This is for next year BTW as there's not really much left of this year, aside from a TKD grading in November at which I hope to progress to Red Belt, which by the way will mean I will only have one more club grading before I can go for my Black Belt!<br />
<br />
During a slightly beer fueled stagette night, me and father decided after much discussion:<br />
<br />
"You want to do the walk again next year and get a better time?"<br />
"Aye, go on then." <br />
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That we would again do the London to Brighton walk just to see if we can do it faster this time, and maybe be the first blind/guide pair to finish this time. (We were 2nd before!)<br />
We will obvs be raising £ for Blind Vets again though we won't be pushing it down peoples throats quite so much as it is more for our own selfish reasons this time.<br />
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There is one other massive thing I have decided to do next year and that is to run the Thames Path Challenge - the 100km route - on my own. Again I will be raising £ for Blind Vets, safe to say any fund raising things I do in the future will be for Blind Vets UK<br />
Where I will find the time to train for this I do not know as currently I can't seem to get myself out of bed in the mornings to even be on time for work let alone go for a training run too, but that's what these challengey things are all about aint they, doing something difficult?<br />
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I will hopefully pull my finger out and blog lots about the stuff above, as well as any other piffle I can think up. I am hoping to save some of mine own cash and invest in a shiny shiny drone so I can make some pretty films about it all too, I was all drooly over the GoPro Karma drone when it was announced until a week later DJI announced their new shiny, the <a href="https://www.dji.com/mavic" target="_blank">Mavic Pro (so much want!)</a>. Whether I can save enough cash (£1000) in time to learn how to fly it and film pretty stuff before these events is a different matter. If I do manage it I will obviously try and review the thing and put it on here for you all.<br />
There will be other stuff going on too, but those are the main focus points for me in 2017.<br />
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Thanks for reading, and good night.<br />
<br />Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-90541606026716015062016-01-22T02:26:00.001-08:002016-01-22T02:26:40.049-08:00Janathon, run, fail, repeat.So yeah, my Janathon is a fail yet again. I might finish one one year. Maybe. <div>It's all probs for the best though as I was getting pretty sore in the legs, which is never a good thing when you decide to enter a half marathon. </div><div>Yep, I filled in the guff online and have entered Reading Half for this year. If I get through the training and actually complete the race, it'll be the first race I've finished for a good few years, and I hope I do. I quite enjoyed the Reading Half last time I did it, I think back in 2012. </div><div>I have a target time but I'm not going to share it, you will have to settle for "I wants to get a new PB."</div><div>I'm not depressingly unfit so I'm fairly confident of hitting my target, providing I stick to and follow my training plan, which starts on Monday. The bugger will be dragging my arse up out of bed at 4am every morning and out the door. </div><div>It is only a short 10 week training plan but there is plenty shoved in there considering there are only 4 sessions per week. I can always tuck another gentle run in there somewhere if necessary. </div><div><br></div><div>Speak again soon bods. 👍🏻🏃🏻</div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-13989952332247739582016-01-13T09:45:00.001-08:002016-01-13T13:19:57.801-08:00Glasses or Contacts?....I've worn glasses now since I was about 6 or 7, maybe before, I can't remember, so you'd think I'd be used to them wouldn't you? I've worn contact lenses since my 18th birthday (thanks mum, very memorable that was!) so you think I be used to them wouldn't you?<div>Turns out I am! </div><div>The trouble starts when I want to wear one but have to wear the other instead. </div><div>Because of the stupid hours I work, if I want wear contacts I have to put them in around 5am and if I'm playing TT then they poss won't come out much before midnight. This in itself isn't much of a bother, except they may start to dry up a little during a match and start going all foggy, the trouble comes the next day if the weather is shite! Wearing glasses in heavy wind and rain is an absolute swine as any specy's out there will already know, so I want to wear contacts again, but I can't as my eyes will simply not allow me to put them in as they have not recovered enough from the previous day's wear. Ouchy!!</div><div>The new pair I picked up the other weekend were supposed to stop this, but guess what? They have nae. </div><div>I wore my lenses for just a few hours on Sunday, from around 3pm until 10pm that night then left the little effers in their pot until yesterday afternoon thinking that would be enough time. I did play one game in them at the match last night but I had to take them out after as my vision was shite, and ended up wearing my specs for the rest of the match, which actually improved my game a fair bit as my timing was better because I could see the ball better. It would seem I will have to stick to specs for ping pong. </div><div>But from a safety PoV I will be sticking with contacts for outdoors stuff and Taekwondo. Not so much out of choice in TKD as you're not actually allowed to wear specs in a Dan grading!</div><div>Looks like I'll be forever stuck with having to carry my glasses with me, and not on my face either. Bah. </div><div><br></div><div>Today's run was brought to you in dark and grim bespectacled vision. Just the little toddle back home via picking eldest Walker spawn from Cubs. </div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/469695149">https://www.strava.com/activities/469695149</a></div><div><br></div><div>Cheers. 👍🏻</div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-69831291780374071112016-01-12T03:10:00.001-08:002016-01-12T03:13:51.148-08:00Massage needed!I'm Howdy doody. <div><br></div><div>Yes, early run this morning for number 12. The legs are starting to feel it, especially after last night which was very slow - 9+ min miles. More time spent out running equals more foot strikes to the ground equals more stiffness. This morning was sore and tight and just not pleasant. Will try and keep them moving around a bit today to avoid seizing up completely and getting cramp at TT tonight. Still, nice long rest till the next run tomorrow evening (apart from the ping pong match of course), so plenty of time to get the little blighters loose and rating to go. </div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/468556355">https://www.strava.com/activities/468556355</a></div><div><br></div><div>Am starting to look at new running boots too, not sure my current pair will last the training for Reading Half as well as the race itself. Don't know whether to go back to Kinvara's or get another pair of Zealot's. Hmmmm, quandaries everywhere. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-79484200560463722142016-01-11T03:14:00.001-08:002016-01-11T13:09:18.153-08:00Going well so far....Probs just put a massive kiss of death on my Janathon effort this year by typing that. Ah well. <div>No I've not run yet, that'll be tonight and be a little bit longer than usual, I should think just a tickle over 4 miles. Have to go and pick up the kids from a chums house while the mrs is off out pilating. The challenge after getting them home is then getting the little bleeders into bed and a-kip at a reasonable hour. But the promise of a cuddle and a Mr Man book usually does the trick for the youngest. </div><div><br></div><div>Since the start of this Janathon jobby this year, I've been trying to eat a bit healthier - not lots, just a bit better. I was going to try and keep an eye on my weight as a lot of training apps require you to put your weight in, especially if you're tracking calorific burn, it helps with the calculations apparently. </div><div>Well I can't. My scales are knackered. So much for the wonders of the digital age. 2 sets of scales I've gone through in the last few years now. Think I might resort to getting a set of the old spinny dial type scales next time, they last a damn sight longer, or at least they used to anyway. </div><div>So instead of weighing myself, I'm going to use a very basic means of tracking my fat loss - when my running trousers waist band no longer rolls down under my gut over-hang, I'll be happy. </div><div><br></div><div>One other thing. I'm hoping to get an email tomorrow that will make me "squee" a little bit. I'll let you know tomo. </div><div><br></div><div>Cheers ears. </div><div><br></div><div>Edit:</div><div>As promised, today's run. Not as far as I thought it would be. Nice and slow though, 9+ mins/mile. </div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/468265078">https://www.strava.com/activities/468265078</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-80321186928046431822016-01-10T12:25:00.000-08:002016-01-10T12:25:31.887-08:00Double run post - cos I can't be arsed to write 2 posts.You won't be able to tell but I had think for ages there for what to write! (Stolen from Alan Partridge).<br />
No really, I've got shed loads to write and not entirely sure where to start. So I may as well load up the links for my runs.<br />
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The Saturday run home from work was disgusting - wind n rain n massive puddles - but probs no worse than a lot of people had to put up with at Park Run, they had mud to deal with too. I had to deal with foggy glasses. Far, far worse I think you'll agree. It was however quite fun. :-)<br />
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https://www.strava.com/activities/466716632<br />
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The Sunday run was far nicer and a lot more restrained and boring, and was just me going back to work if only to pick up my laptop and bike, but at least it was daylight and not windy and raining.<br />
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https://www.strava.com/activities/467337664<br />
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A couple of other things to report though.<br />
Friday evening I had the first Taekwondo session of the year. It wasn't a particularly heavy session, maybe because it was quite a big class and there was a new starter. The best bit however was intact the cycle home. There was no wind and rain again, the sky was clear and I had tunes in my ears. It was really a wonderful ride home, I was wide awake and absolutely buzzing from a good TKD session. I felt like I could have just kept on riding. Sadly I couldn't. Bah!<br />
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I have entered Reading Half Marathon too. Provided I don't break between now and April the somethingth, it will be my first race for bloody ages. I'm looking forward to it.<br />
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I was going to mention today's TKD session too, but won't. I'm going to be sticking with the runs to and from work for the mo so that I don't smash my legs off, so nice and boring maps n such.<br />
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Cheers all.<br />
<br />Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-31407388697322558812016-01-08T10:53:00.001-08:002016-01-08T10:53:36.833-08:00Whiskey is fuel right?I only ask cos that's I put down me last night. Finished off the Jim Beam after a shit TT match. We lost and I said lots of naughty words, nuff sed innit. <div>So a late night with whiskey plus having to get up at 5 is a bloody stupid thing to do I have decided. </div><div>Needless to say I didn't get up at 5, got up at 6 instead. Commence rushing about like fewl and not being able to find anything, getting out the door a few mins late, attempting to run to work with knackered legs and dodgey guts, and having to stop in the garage to get food. </div><div>Turned up 15 mins late. Arse. </div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/465527619">https://www.strava.com/activities/465527619</a></div><div><br></div><div>Got Taekwondo training tonight so that should ensure my legs are smashed to shit ready for tomo. Glad I have ibuprofen. </div><div><br></div><div>Ta much. </div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-29275943517272362832016-01-07T09:13:00.001-08:002016-01-07T09:15:04.023-08:00Crap food day.I've eaten nothing but junk today. No really, I have. More so than usual, apart from the couple of bananas and apple, it's been choc and crisps.<div>Pranny that I am and being in a bit of a hurry to get m'butt out the door to work this morn, I forgot me chuffing lunch. I also forgot to pick up something extra to eat before my TT match tonight. "Luckily" I had some cash on me so I could raid the vending machine at work. </div><div>And there was me thinking that my "eat less crap" diet was going well. Buggered that one up today a bit didn't I?</div><div><br></div><div>At least I got my run done this morning, that's the main thing. Legs are quite tight now but I'm hoping that will ease a bit at TT. They best do, as I've got to run in again tomo morning.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/464836140">https://www.strava.com/activities/464836140</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Hopefully mrs wifey will let me bring the laptop to work tomo so I can have a play and edit the vids I am planning on filming at the match tonight. 😁🏓🏓</div><div><br></div><div>Toodle pip. 👋🏻</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-28586544990189072432016-01-06T12:52:00.001-08:002016-01-06T12:52:29.131-08:00And.... I'm struggling again.Ha, not with the running though, thinking up post titles! Running is the easy bit in this challenge.<br />
No, it was a fairly steady wallop home from work tonight, probs a bit sharper than I should have done seeing as I will only have 12 hours to recover. Yes I know it's only 3.4 miles but the legs still take a bit of punishment ya know, they pavement things can be a swine on the shins. Though I am incredibly happy I changed my running style to help avoid shin splints, it seems to have worked very well.<br />
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https://www.strava.com/activities/464444287<br />
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Had a bit of happy news from a company called 2Pure, a distributor for all sorts of running and cycling gear.<br />
I won a Nathan Zephyr 100 in a Men's Running magazine comp in December 2014 and have started to have what I've found to be very common problems - not charging, constant emergency siren - and 2Pure being the distributors for the Nathan brand here in the UK told me to return it from whence it came and they should replace it under warranty. I told them I couldn't do that as it was a competition prize so they're going to send me a shiny new one as a gesture of good will. Yaaay for 2Pure.<br />
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Popped into the new gym on the way home last night. Don't think I'm going to bother tbh. It was a bit too small for my liking and was looking to cost around £5 a visit. It will cost me a bloody fortune if I can manage to get in there just 3-4 times a week, and I'm in no position at the mo to spend £50+ a month on gym membership.<br />
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Run too is the plod into work via the garage to get me a spot of grub. Also have the first TT match of the new year too night to look forward too, and also the first chance to have a proper play with my GoPro. Expect to see a little video of a spot of ping pong on here in a couple of days time.<br />
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Cheers m'peeps.Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-45068930411635004692016-01-04T23:20:00.001-08:002016-01-05T04:24:59.301-08:00In kicks the hurts.<div>So this morning came round far too quickly for my liking. Legs were still aching after the last few days efforts. I know I haven't done massive mileage but my scrawny little body supports just aren't used to it. I do hope they can recover enough before the next run tomorrow evening otherwise I might be very hurty come the weekend. </div><div>It was just the bimble into work, which I had hoped to start at around 6am, but as I didn't get my arse up till gone 6 I didn't have time for a shower at work. Ah well, huzzah for pretty smelly anti-perspiration. </div><div><br></div><div>https://www.strava.com/activities/463364849</div><div><br></div><div>Nice little items in the post today. Got my Batman top so I can get more funny looks when I'm out running on Sunday 😃😃, and also got a lense cap type thingy for my GoPro Hero 4 Session that my wonderful friends at Taekwondo got me for my 40th birthday. Still can't believe that they did that. </div><div>I'ma pop into that new gym place I mentioned yesterday on my way home tonight, but not in my batman top, to see what it's like. Will let you know tomo. </div><div>Cheers. 👍🏻</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-61313110163352314272016-01-04T08:55:00.001-08:002016-01-04T23:18:17.834-08:00I have a sneaky plan......All this attempting to do a Janathon and ballsing it up by either being too lazy to jog, log or indeed actually blog is a right git. So I've decided to bend the rules slightly, like what the F1 teams do. <div>Because I tend to lose motivation to with run or blog, especially on days like today when the run is a late one and consequently the blog is even later, I think it is best for me to write a blog (of mostly nonsense) in which I harp on about the usual guff then shove in there somewhere that I will run later stating the route I'll be taking and that I will edit in a link to it once I get home. So......</div><div><br></div><div>I'ma be running home from work tonight, just the 3 and a trice miles, and it'll be nice and steady too. Legs seem to be OK after yesterday's runs, which is nice. </div><div><br></div><div>I was hoping to pop in to the new gym that has opened up, it's actually part of a brand new school that has been built but they are opening it to the general peasantry, outside of normal school hours obviously. It's on my direct route to and from work so would be bang on. And providing they don't charge a bloody fortune, I will probs be a regular visitor. Apparently they're going to charge pay as you go type fees which is ok. And provided they're open at 6am on the dot, I should be able to make it to work on time too. </div><div><br></div><div>But as it turns out, that will probs have to wait till tomo evening now as the Mrs is out giving Pilates a go so I will have to pick the kids up and get them home to bed sharpish tonight as they're back at school tomo. </div><div>Ah well, I'll probs let you know what it's like in Wednesday's drivel. </div><div>Will post the link to tonight's run once I'm home this evening. </div><div>Tuttybye. </div><div><br></div><div>Edit: Forgot to put it in last night. Oopsey. Never mind eh, here's the link to yesterday's run. </div><div>https://www.strava.com/activities/463076704</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-15204119722371417082016-01-03T08:44:00.001-08:002016-01-03T08:44:11.388-08:00Daylight!So today was the first time in ages that I have actually been able to run in the daytime. Fair enough, it was windy, raining and bloody miserable but I enjoy running in the rain, the wind however, not so much.<br />
It was only a 2.6 mile run into town to pick up a new set of contact lenses I'm trying out, but still a nice biff outside in the fresh air, with a game of dodge the puddles on the way. No doubt my groins will feel it tomorrow morning, it was jolly fun though. Even shoved a spot of drum n bass in my ears, though that could've been a bit of a mistake - went off a bit harder than I'm used too and nailed a sub 8 min mile followed by a sub 7.30 one. Lungs and legs weren't too chuffed with that.<br />
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https://www.strava.com/activities/461916610<br />
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So, now I'm in Didders with a shiny new set of eyes in my head, the difference it makes is wonderful compared even to older worn contacts, let alone dirty heavy glasses that are covered in rain and slipping down a chaps hooter. Quick stroll into Dyas to fetch away some batteries for my head torch and I was off back home. Got some odd looks in town. Can't think why, I was wearing shorts and a spiderman vest. Props should stick to wearing something a touch looser next time, at least until I've burnt the gut off a bit so there's not so much overhang. Looking forward to wearing my Batman top when it arrives though :-).<br />
For the run home I went for Five Finger Death Punch in my ears. Give it a go if you like a spot of the heavy stuff. Slightly slower trip home, not by much though!<br />
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https://www.strava.com/activities/461957245<br />
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Back to the boring work run tomorrow evening, still a few hours for my legs to recover.<br />
Cheers each. See you tomo.Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-59839921819862699712016-01-02T12:10:00.001-08:002016-01-02T12:10:19.037-08:00Still going!Woo, 2 day run streak!<div>Again, not the most exciting of routes, the same as yesterday in fact but in reverse. </div><div>However, being a silly sod, I didn't cool down or stretch it out after which I really REALLY should do. Sitting ones arse down for a 12 hour shift after a cold, wet, windy run is an amazingly stupid thing to do if you're hoping to run the next day too. I really should have done some other form of leggy type exercise to stop the lactic build up. Burk. </div><div>Ah well, it's done now, all I can do is hope they work in the morning. I'll still only be doing a shorty run but there will be 2 of them. Got to nip to the opticians and pick up a new set of contact lenses, but I may extend the trudge back home by a couple of miles just to get the pegs going a bit. </div><div><br></div><div>Speak again tomo peeps. </div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-5330245731215915552016-01-01T07:39:00.001-08:002016-01-01T13:08:16.621-08:00Resurrection!It's that time again. <div>The time when I attempt a runstreak, log streak (sounds nasty that dunnit?) and a blog streak. Which also means I have to re-animate life into this deflated dead pustule of a blog of mine. 😬</div><div><br></div><div>Well I shan't fill it with too much junk just yet, we'll pick that up along the "journey", I mean cripes, I haven't even done my run yet, which is the main point of this bilge, but fear ye not, once I've done it this evening I will edit hither and provide linkettes with all the guff and geekery. </div><div><br></div><div>Mwah mwah. </div><div><br></div><div>Edit:</div><div>As promised, the linky poo for my run. Not v exciting sadly. This is poss the same route I will take on my run tomo. </div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/460802621">https://www.strava.com/activities/460802621</a></div><div><br></div><div>Cheers peeps. See's ya's laters taters. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-91920289760464795872015-03-04T01:40:00.001-08:002015-03-04T02:56:03.810-08:00The Marathon is Open.....<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">No, not that silly bloody London effort. I'm talking about the proper one in October. Abingdon Marathon. </span></div><div>I've given up trying to get into the London Marathon. After 5 rejection letters they can stick it. Yes, I could run for a charity, but who the hell is going to sponsor me to do something I enjoy? And how the hell am I supposed to raise the amounts they want? No chance. London can eff off as far as I'm concerned. </div><div><br></div><div>The main reason I want to do Abingdon Marathon is I remember my dad doing it years ago, back when there used to be a half marathon too. And I want to feel like I have actually achieved something before my 40th birthday at the end of the year. </div><div>Half marathons are not really much of a challenge now, I suppose getting a faster time would be a challenge, but I mean they're not a challenge so much as I could just put my shoes on now and skip off out for a steady sub 2 hour half without a great deal of training or prep. Only on Sunday gone for example, after only a couple of short (but fairly quick) runs into work during the week, I was able to go out and run 10 miles without much sweat being broken, and if I didn't have to get back, I would have kept going. </div><div>Marathon it is then. </div><div>Only trouble is, as always, bloody skint. And race entry for this year is £40. I'm hoping there will still be spots available come the 10th, otherwise I will just have to put my name down on the reserve list and hope someone pulls out. </div><div>This happened last year, but as had done virtually no training and it was fairly late notice I had to refuse. </div><div>This year WILL be different however. I AM going to train for it, whether I get a spot or not. At least I know I will be ready if I get the reserve spot again, and who knows, I might even post a respectable time. </div><div>First things first though, I need new shoes! Pops to the rescue here. He has offered to fetch me a new pair to help me get this done!</div><div>I've been using Saucony Kinvara's for the past couple of years as I've been trying to sort my gait out and run more naturally. Kinvara's seemed the ideal bet because of the smaller heel-toe drop of 4mm, as opposed to most other shoes that have a 12mm drop. The Kinvara's force you to run more on your midfoot rather than you landing on your heel (which is the main cause of shin splints btw) and "rocking" you into your stride. Only trouble with this is there's not a great deal of cushioning on the Kinvara's so your do take a bit of a hiding, especially if like me, pretty much all your running is done on roads and footpaths. </div><div>For this reason, I'm being a bit of a tart as usual, I'm plumping for a BRAND NEW shoe from Saucony- the ISO Zealot. </div><div>It's the same drop level and fit as the Kinvara, except it has the new ISO-fit system, but also has a lot more cushioning around the midfoot area, where I need it. </div><div>Unfortunately for some ridiculous reason only known to the bods at Saucony, they are only offering 1 colour scheme, for men anyway, in the UK, while the UK women, and men everywhere else in the world get 2 versions. Needless to say I prefer the version that I can't get, as well as one of the women's versions!</div><div>I have been advised against getting the women's shoe as it is likely to be too narrow. Bah!</div><div>So, I'm stuck with this version:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m9kMt-DT6NQ/VPbWAc0h5UI/AAAAAAAAAcs/WMPPq0Mx6jU/s640/blogger-image-427461572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m9kMt-DT6NQ/VPbWAc0h5UI/AAAAAAAAAcs/WMPPq0Mx6jU/s640/blogger-image-427461572.jpg"></a></div>It's not so bad, similar to my Kinvara 3's in a way but I much prefer this version:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MK1ZrTPvdYA/VPbWBBUHdOI/AAAAAAAAAc0/RpjQEQfvgFM/s640/blogger-image--775594446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MK1ZrTPvdYA/VPbWBBUHdOI/AAAAAAAAAc0/RpjQEQfvgFM/s640/blogger-image--775594446.jpg"></a></div>which is the unavailable men's shoe, and this little beauty which is the more vibrant version of the women's Zealot:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rO0YWUFngXw/VPbV_rVjYlI/AAAAAAAAAck/t7ZQIFlbczY/s640/blogger-image--1959707256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rO0YWUFngXw/VPbV_rVjYlI/AAAAAAAAAck/t7ZQIFlbczY/s640/blogger-image--1959707256.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>And who knows, if the men's version is too wide for my gert hoofs, i'ma get myself a girlie shoe and be bloody happy about it too!</div><div><br></div><div>I will come back and let you know what they're like and whether I have delicate little lady paws instead of hairy stinking manly plates. </div><div><br></div><div>Cheers. </div><div><br></div><div>Edit: If you want more info on the ISO Zealot's and indeed Saucony in general, go here: <b>http://www.saucony.com/en/zealot-iso/</b></div><div>The Zealot's are not on the UK website yet, hence the American website. </div><div><br></div><div>The shop mine are coming from is Fit2Run just outside Abingdon. They are always very helpful, and usually if you're not an arse, will knock a few £ off the asking price. </div><div>The website is a bit weird at the mo, I'm guessing it's being updated and stuff but if you want it - <b>http://fit2rundirect.com</b></div><div><br></div><div>Ta</div><div><br></div><div>(Sorry I can't link at the mo, am doing this on my phone and the works computer won't play nicely!)</div><div><br></div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-27853250879435784532015-01-23T09:38:00.001-08:002015-01-23T09:38:16.275-08:00Try, try and try again.Ok so my jogging, logging and blogging effort failed again as it usually does but it was nice to be able to say one night to another dad whilst picking up our kids from Cubs "I've run every day this year". The following day, my legs told me to eff off. I don't blame them really, they were getting a bit sore, but mostly from impact shock rather than muscular hurty's, which is sort of good. <div><br></div><div>I didn't completely stop exercising, just jogs n logs. Carried on cycling to and from work as well as going back to TKD and more TT matches. </div><div>Come to think of it, there is possibly only 1 day so far when I haven't done any form proper exercise. Yes, TT is proper exercise! Unfortunately there is no section on the running free website for ping pong and martial arts, and the ride into work isn't really worth logging. </div><div><br></div><div>Still, there are plenty of Janathoners still going, and the very best of jolly luck to them all. </div><div><br></div><div>I have run again since the early morning failing, and I will get back on it as I train for Abingdon Marathon. I will also try and review that Wahoo HRM thingy too. It's quite a funky little gadget, it's just a shame there is no website for a more in-depth geek out. </div><div><br></div><div>TRFN</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-15601491582357484222015-01-06T04:01:00.001-08:002015-01-06T08:38:50.985-08:00Those familiar aches are backHad a TT match last night, first one since December 9th in fact, and this one was a damn sight tougher than the last one. <div>We played against Drayton B, the only team so far this season to have beaten us, which was the first match of the season. </div><div>It was quite a late one too! </div><div>Started off badly losing the first 2 (out of 10) games of the night, before John pulled one back. Drayton then edged the gap to 2 again before yours truly played a ropey 4-setter to close it to 3-2 at the halfway point. It was 9:45 by this point and getting on. </div><div>John was up next and duly won, but he dragged that out too for a good 25 mins. That made it 3-3. Jim then had play their "worst" player, again it want to 5, but jim lost that too. Needless to say jim wasn't a happy chappy - it was his first duck of the season. 4-3 Drayton. </div><div>John was up for his last game against their best player next, and as he has done a few times already this season, made them look like complete beginners. He won 3-1 to put us level again! Awesome night for john again. </div><div>My turn next against their captain in the last singles game of the night. </div><div>I had beaten him already this season but I didn't deserve to, he should have thrashed me but for some reason just switched off. Anyway, I knew he was a good player having played him quite a few times over the years. I had only beaten him a couple of times. </div><div>I never expected to win 11-2, 11-5 11-2!!</div><div>So, we were in the lead going in to the doubles, win this and we would win the match!</div><div>Started brilliantly with us winning the first end 11-2, Drayton took a tight 2nd and 3rd end before we managed to pull the 4th. So it was all down to a 5th end, again. Richard decided to adjust his game a touch and just thrash everything off his backhand, and there was not a damn thing we could do about it. Bugger. </div><div>So we had to settle for another draw. We have now won 3, drawn 4 and lost just the 1. We are in 3rd place in Div 2 only 4 points behind Drayton B in 2nd, but crucially we have 2 games in hand over them, and 1 over the team in 4th and 2 points behind us. </div><div>Keep the heads lads. We can do it this year. </div><div><br></div><div>That's enough to TT jabber for the mo, next match isn't till next Thursday so there is a while to wait for that. </div><div><br></div><div>As for my Janathon effort today, it was a killer. Not because of the route, but because I was effing knackered. Aching like a bastard from the match, half a bottle of wine, and less than 4 hours sleep do not mix with running. Done the shorter route again anyways just cos. </div><div>Slowly again though. 5.44km in 31 dead. </div><div>Hopefully will be suitably recovered by tomo evening to put in a touch extra distance, poss 10k instead. We shall see. Plus I have new running stuff to wear. Yaaaaay. </div><div>👋👋👋👋</div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-79961609090230716212015-01-05T06:45:00.001-08:002015-01-05T06:45:23.218-08:00The Normalness ReturnsXmas is now well and truly done with at last, decs and lights have been put away, trees have been re-planted, re-boxed or just binned and as with the start of every new year, there are loads of people buying cheap running clobber and getting out on the pavements/trails for the first time in years, including the Wife type. Good luck to you all I say, please stick at it, you will love it eventually. <div>I enjoyed this Xmas, mainly because it was the first one I've had where I've been off work on both Xmas eve and Xmas Day since probably before we had the boys. Also it was the first one ever we've had where it was just the 4 of us, at home, all of Xmas day with no visiting members of family, which was splendid. </div><div>But my favourite bit - outside on Xmas eve at 5:30 in the evening looking up at the sky looking for "Santa". </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UEpZtrVvFr0/VKqjgdcbUEI/AAAAAAAAAcI/gLFEbJLf6X4/s640/blogger-image--1576840711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UEpZtrVvFr0/VKqjgdcbUEI/AAAAAAAAAcI/gLFEbJLf6X4/s640/blogger-image--1576840711.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I knew it was the ISS, wifey new it was the ISS, but the kids didn't. They ARE convinced it was Santa, and seeing their faces and hearing the utter conviction in their voices that it was actually Santa was just magic, and I'm not ashamed to admit that for a little while, I hoped it was too. That would be awesome wouldn't it?</div><div>So for now the kids still believe in the big fella, and that can't be a bad thing. I hope it lasts for another few years yet. </div><div><br></div><div>Had a boring sort of recovery run into work this morning, just the short 5.4k plod. Probs be doing the same tomo morning as I have a TT match tonigh - 1st of the new year and against the only team to have beaten us so far this season. I'll let you know more in tomorrow's blog. </div><div>Cheers for the noo. </div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-47530695861442808942015-01-04T09:03:00.001-08:002015-01-05T01:25:20.405-08:0039 years & 1 weekYep, 1 week into my 39th year of existence outside of the womb. Don't feel any different to last year really, except possibly less grumpy which is always nice. <div>Quite a pleasant day really, nice sort-of lie in. I say sort of as we were woken by the cat yaffing up on the window sill - at least it wasn't the bed this time - before Number 2 Orc child came in at 6:20. Not particularly unbroken sleep but wifey woman got up and done whatev's before I eventually crawled out around 9:40!! So much for the early morning Janathon effort. Still nice though. </div><div><br></div><div>Wifey toddled off to church to leave me at home with the Orcs playing various electronic wizardry, 1 on a Kindle Fire, t'other on the Xbox. I sodded off into the kitchen to do the washing up before getting outside and disposing of a previous Xmas tree. </div><div>This was the one we got for 2013 Xmas btw. We bought a real one in a pot with roots and all that gumf in the hope that we could keep it outside all year round, but alas it died. Don't really know why, and we weren't sure it was dead until all the needles had turned brown. </div><div>So it was time for it to go in the brown bin. </div><div>We bought another real one for 2014 Xmas, which is now outside, but we don't know if it will last. Still cheaper than buying a good fake tree though. </div><div><br></div><div>Wife returned from church only to go back out a short while later taking the Orcs with her to grab a spot of shopping leaving me alone to enjoy the p & q while downloading the demo for Destiny. 😁</div><div><br></div><div>Once they had returned I was able get the Janathon effort in. Because I had been watching the Edinburgh Tattoo on the tele, I decided I HAD to have the Cold Stream Guards album on my iPhone to listen to, so loaded it up and buggered off out.</div><div>It was a nice foggy 10k up to RAL - turned round at 5k - and the music was lovely. Was planning on sticking to the same pace for the whole run but as I turned to head back, 633 Squadron came on in my ears and I defy ANYONE to not run faster when they hear that, followed by Ride of the Valkyries, well, same pace run can bugger right off. </div><div>Whole run in the end was 50 mins and some seconds with the 1st half done in around 27 mins. </div><div>Nice to get the first double figure run in. Will poss do 1 more in the first full week before upping the distance on all runs. </div><div>Cheers. </div><div><br></div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-55755205630826745672015-01-04T03:46:00.001-08:002015-01-04T03:56:06.787-08:00Busy day, for a change!Yeah I know, disgusting innit?<div>At work all day on a Saturday actually doing WORK! Wasn't too keen on the idea myself but it needed doing, just struggled to find the motivation to do it, before realising I would probably get the sack if I didn't do it. Motivation enough even for an idle feck like myself. Still, got it done eventually, I just hope my boss thinks it's good enough. </div><div>But then that brings up another question doesn't it. If he thinks it is good enough, will he get me to do more of them? I bloody well hope not, sort of. </div><div><br></div><div>And so to Janathon 3. </div><div>Slightly longer route home than the last 2 efforts, and I mean slightly 6.28km and in 37 odd mins. Very slow considering I've done the same route in 26 mins a while back. Still, that's what this is for, getting the legs back. </div><div>Hopefully do 10k for day 4. We shall see. </div><div>See y'all. </div><div><br></div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-82011386244405619532015-01-02T07:11:00.001-08:002015-01-03T10:17:34.793-08:00Free stuff!Ha ha ha, got you.<div><br></div><div>I meant free stuff that I have already got, not junk I'm giving away, but seeing as you're here, read on. </div><div><br></div><div>Back in November I was having a moan at Facebook when I saw the competition entry thing for the weekly giveaway in Men's Running. It said "Last chance to enter!" So I did. Didn't have to do much, just provide my name and email address, I then promptly forgot about it. </div><div>Imagine my unbridled joy when I got the "Congrats, you're a winner!" email. </div><div>YAAAAAY I shouteth. </div><div>After a couple of weeks and some impatient emailing, I got my shiny prize box. YAAAAAY I shouteth again. </div><div>In my shiny box was the Nathan running torch I mentioned in my earlier post, a box of quite yummy breakfast bars, a set of insoles which I have to my dad as I didn't need them, a set of 3 funky little clip-on safety lights - also Nathan, an odd, and rather shit drinking bottle which looked like some form of Penis enlargement device. I shaln't be using this for either drinking from or any form of genital manipulation. </div><div>But little star piece of geekery in the box was the Wahoo Tickr Run. It's got all sorts of gyroscopic devilry inside the little bestie along with HRM doodads. </div><div>I shall blather about it more when given it a proper thrashing. </div><div>Meantime, Janathon 2015 day 2 wasn't what I wanted it to be. Got out of bed late and had to take the short 5.4k route into work. 27 odd mins though so a touch quicker than day 1. </div><div>Still going though, not broken yet. </div><div><br></div><div>See y'all soonish. </div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-5460296799721728232015-01-02T01:19:00.001-08:002015-01-02T01:19:40.409-08:00The Janathon Return....<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Howdy folks, how's y'all?</span></div><div>Been a while innit. I'm back now though, but probs not for very long. Just until my knees collapse or some such. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm still cycling, running and Table Tennising, but since last you read my twaddle I've started Taekwondoing too. It made sense really, done it years ago but not for long, my 2 boys started back in 2013 (or poss earlier) and really enjoy it, I was offered membership at a massively discounted rate so had to take it. Been doing it since the start of 2014 and am 3 grades in with 7 to go to hit that black belt target. </div><div>Any road, more on that later, this shit's all about the run. </div><div>It wasn't very exciting. It was just my standard bimble home-work route. It was dark, wet and windy, but I was teched up with a Wahoo Tickr HRM thing, head torch and my new shiny Nathan Zephyr Fire 100 running torch - <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ddf0O9SHF4o/VKZiqfyFvLI/AAAAAAAAAb4/tGnkKgoveqs/s640/blogger-image--1202694783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ddf0O9SHF4o/VKZiqfyFvLI/AAAAAAAAAb4/tGnkKgoveqs/s640/blogger-image--1202694783.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">so I was quite well kitted up, also being a bit wussy and wearing several layers, I was a bit too warm tbh. Glad it was only a tickle over 5k otherwise I may have boiled myself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But that was that, the 1st of hopefully, if I'm sensible!, 31 daily runs. 5.4km nice and slow in just about half an hour. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sadly most of my runs will be in the dark so not likely to see much to report. Hoping to hear Owls at some point though, that'd be top. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cheers folks. </div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-22059216172025709892013-11-01T04:17:00.000-07:002013-11-01T04:17:05.330-07:00And we're off.....Howdy.<br />
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This is getting a bit regular now ain't it? Can only be a good thing I suppose. </div>
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I can proudly and very happily say that at the end of week 6 of the DDTTA 2013/14 season, my team - Upton Village Table Tennis Club "A" - <a href="http://www.ddtta.org.uk/stats.html?division=2" target="_blank">are top of Division 2 by a whole 2 points!</a></div>
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I don't want to get too excited as it is very early on in the season, 13 matches still to play, but I can't help it. I've been playing in this league for the best part of 20 years and this is highest position any team I have played in has been. </div>
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Ever since I started playing in the Junior league, and I do mean right from the start even after I got a supreme thrashing in my first game, those 2 decades ago I have wanted to play in division 1. And it looks like next season I will be able too!</div>
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So, I've gym'd twice this week on wed and thurs, and run thrice. I am needless to say, a smidge achey. Defo 1 more run in me this week, prob tomo night on the way home from work. Next gyming won't be till Monday, whether it be morn or eve I don't know yet, but more than likely in the evening. Should give all my other bits time to recover nicely. </div>
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This week has been a good week so far. Next week CAN be better, it remains to be seen how much better I can make it. We shall see. :-)</div>
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Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-47424982877678598122013-10-30T12:44:00.001-07:002013-10-30T12:44:41.322-07:00The re-startSo, I called the gym, my membership doesn't run out till June next year so there's no point stopping now. This is both good and bad. Bad because I could do with the membership fee but good because I can still go! I am going to hammer it, see if I can't do the Iwan Thomas Twitter hashtag thingy #RippedByXmas. Got to give it a bash though hey? First go was this morning, if I'm not too stiff in the morning I shall bash it again (fnar fnar). <div><br></div><div>TT this week was pretty ace. We won 8-2 which gave us 5 points and sent us top of div 2. Unfortunately I lost 1 of my singles matches, which was a bit annoying, still ok though. We got a bonus result last night as our nearest challenger for the top spot lost 8-2! That leaves us 3 points clear at the top, and we play that particular team next Thursday. </div><div>We also have the individual tournament next Wednesday. Not going to take it too seriously though, just use it to get my eye in for the match the next night. </div><div><br></div><div>I have also decided to cut down on using my bike, mainly because the bloody thing is breaking bit by bit and I can't afford to replace the damned parts. Sooo, running shoes and Garmin at the ready then. </div><div><br></div><div>Let's go!</div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266424848880196893.post-57217676304040415172013-10-26T08:51:00.001-07:002013-10-26T08:51:09.843-07:00NEEED to sort it out!Wotcha. <div><br></div><div>Ain't been here for a while, and I know I should do. </div><div><br></div><div>TT has started again, we're 4 matches into the season now with 3 wins & 1 loss, & I'm still pissed that we lost. I know I should just forget it and move on ready for the next match but it irritates me. Ah well, I suppose I'll get over it soon, the best way would be with a damned good thrashing of RAL in our next match on Monday night. We shall see. </div><div><br></div><div>I haven't run much. </div><div>Back in April I set myself a extremely unrealistic goal of completing MK marathon in under 3 hours. Bearing in mind the furthest I have ever run is 18 miles in 2.5 hours, it wasn't a very good thing to attempt. Needless to say there is no chance of me doing it as I've not even entered MK for 2014. I still like the idea of a sub 3 hour marathon though so ANY running I do will be targeted towards that achievement and all my running related tweets will have the #sub3 thing going on. </div><div><br></div><div>Because of work and home life, I've not been able to hit the gym as much as I'd like. I fear I my have to cancel my membership and put the fee towards something else as I'm defo not getting my monies worth. I will try and nail it though in the lead up to Xmas and perhaps get myself a multigym to use at home outside. I shall be having words with my work colleagues to see if they can assist me with this, ie they come in at 6.30 in the evening if I can get my lazy carcas in at 6.30 in the morning. Me getting in is the tricky part as I am a lazy lazy snecker. </div><div>I do have another reason for nailing the gym and getting my arse out running again, well 2 actually. 1, I want to get myself in some sort ripped shape for mrs wifey, and 2, I have just taken delivery of new uniform for work and the trousers have a 30 inch waist. I, do not have such a waist, not far off it mind but they're still a bit on the snugg side. </div><div><br></div><div>I will come back sometime soon and let you know how goes it. </div><div><div><br></div></div>Ninjabread Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16321852400805389884noreply@blogger.com0