Tuesday 3 September 2013

Running around

Wednesday 3 September 2013

We've been quite busy since we've been back. Catching up with family and friends, finding the garden of our house in the undergrowth, getting the van MOT'd and advertised for sale and applying for all sorts of jobs.


I've also been trying to get into running which, I have to admit, has never come naturally to me. Dave came back from the library with a great book written by Sara Kirkham which, in a really easily readable format, covers everything a beginner, like me, needs to know. There are chapters on stretching, running programmes, injuries and even the psychology of running. In the past I am sure I have used every excuse listed in the 'obstacles to running' section plus a few others!
 

Why now? Well having previously led quite a sedentary life losing about 2 stone during our time away has been great and I'm determined to try and lose some more weight and, more importantly, increase my fitness level. Here in Shrewsbury we have a fantastic flat route along a lime tree lined avenue in the Quarry, a lovely park in the town centre. It's a popular place for walking, jogging, sprinting, cycling and even rowing on the river Severn that loops all the way around the park.



Dave hasn't managed to run much since his foot was squashed under a heavy Romanian boot whilst helping push a car out of a ford in April, so he is happy to jog along with me as I start off on my 6 week running programme for beginners. 


Week 1 was Run 1 minute, Walk 2 minutes x 6 repetitions - Easy peasy
Week 2 was Run 2 minutes, Walk 2 minutes x 5 repetitions - Do-able bit breathless



I'm currently on Week 3 - Run 3 minutes, Walk 1 minute x 5 repetitions, which has felt like quite a big step up and my blotchy red face and aching legs must surely mean it's doing me some good. The last page of the book has a paragraph entitled ' The next step....running a marathon?' - mmm ...... not sure about that, watch this space!

Wednesday 21 August 2013

Decisions, decisions....


When we left on our travels family and friends questioned our sanity, leaving secure jobs, selling belongings and abandoning our 'children'! Now we're back in the UK and the question on the tip of everyones tongue is 'What are you going to do now....'



If Dave had his way we would be signing up for a trip to Mars..... seriously! The mission is planned for January 2018 and they are looking for an 'older, tested couple' able to withstand the stress of living in a confined environment for two years. Read the full story here! I think his only worry is there is no mention of alcohol supplies amongst the 1360kg of dried food and 28kg of toilet paper!

Turkish moon (closest photo I have of Mars!)

So until 2018 we need to find something to do that will enable us to start saving up for another campervan trip. Already Dave has 2 months work teaching dinghy sailing on the Queen Mary reservoir near Heathrow and I have applied for 6 temporary jobs in London. Whether we stay down there, return to Shropshire or settle somewhere else is all to be decided.......watch this space!

18th C milestone in Shrewsbury - where to go from here?