Monthly Archives: November 2011

Moo.com

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I've had a few things printed recently by 'Moo'. They do high quality printing on decent card. We've used them for christening invites and some special presents for Caitlin (stickers). The brilliant thing is they'll print many different pictures on a set. So each of the christening invites had an different, but equally cute, picture of Ewan on it and each of Caitlin's stickers has a different picture on it. At some point soon I'm going to get some business cards done and each one can have a different picture on the back … nice. 

Check them out and if you fancy something I use this referral URL and you'll get 10% off your order and I get a nice little kickback too!

http://www.moo.com/share/8222hf

Novemberathon – 17th, Ride to Work and others

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I rode to work today so 15.55 miles and it took me 55 minutes 58 seconds giving an average speed of 16.7 mph. Felt okay and given I was unprepared so had to carry laptops and clothes and stuff on my back I'm quite pleased with almost matching my fastest time into work. Struggling up the 'hills' again which must mean I haven't been out on my bike enough. 

The big difference between going out for a chilled ride on my bike and riding to work is the idiots in tin boxes who think they own the road. Now 99% of drivers on the road to work are perfectly pleasant and pass you giving plenty of space and only pass you when they can see what is coming. There is however the 1% of idiots (today they were BMW's. Mini's and Chaved up Corsa's but more often than not they seem to be BMW X5 drivers) who try and clip you with their wing mirrors or overtake you on blind bends … now if a car was around that blind bend who do you think they'll choose to hit, I'm guessing they'd choose flattening the cyclist over a head on collision at 60+ mph!

I'd always wondered why road riders always ride 2 abreast or really wide on the road and the reason is simple. It is to try and convince the 1% of idiots on the road that they can't 'squeeze' past them (at 60+ mph) they have to proactively overtake them. I used to think I'd never start doing that but I have because I'd rather get to where I am going without getting flattened. 

So if you are in a car and aren't one of the 99% of pleasant drivers open your eyes and give cyclists some room. If you can't see me coming you need your eyes tested as I'm the one with 2 rear lights, 2 front lights and a bright yellow high visibility jacket riding slightly wider on the road than I would normally ride! 

Todays Distance: 15.55 Miles 

Total Distance: 122.01 Miles (31.50 Running, 82.08 Riding, 8.43 Walking)

I also went for a walk at lunchtime and rode to Sarah's parents after work …

Additional Distance: 15.55 Miles 

Total Distance: 126.86 Miles (31.50 Running, 85.48 Riding, 9.88 Walking)

Novemberathon, 15th, short, slow and sore!

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Another feeble day today. Didn't get the bike back yesterday so thought I would try a very short run today as the toe is feeling less painful today. Hopefully it isn't broken and just damaged in some other repairs quickly type way. It still bends a little too much in directions that it shouldn't but I can't imagine I'd be running on it if it was properly broken. 

I did 2.12 miles today but only at 10:20 minute miles which is rather slow for such a short distance (I can't imagine 3 months ago thinking that 2.12 miles was a short distance to run or that 10:20 minute miles was slow!). It was fairly uncomfortable but thanks to my new found friend ibuprofen it was bearable. I think I may have been compensating for the poorly toe as my right foot feels like it has taken more of a beating that my left (which is the damaged one!).   

Todays Distance: 2.12 Miles 

Total Distance: 104.77 Miles (29.81 Running, 66.53 Riding, 8.43 Walking)

Novemberathon – 14th, disaster strikes

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Last night I may have managed to break my little toe and possible the one next to it again, it think … they bend in way that they shouldn't normally which is never a good sign! I'm sure I should think of a great story behind it but in reality I tripped over the sofa (again) and today I struggle to walk let alone run. Still I have a challenge to finish so have got myself out for a walk today. Only 1.37 but and I may try for a short run tonight. Tomorrow I hope to be back out on the bike but I can't today as it is in the shop for a service. 

So a feeble day today so far, not ideal. 

Todays Distance: 1.37 Miles 

Total Distance: 102.65 Miles (27.69 Running, 66.53 Riding, 8.43 Walking)

Novemberathon – 13th, Dalby Dash

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Today was an important day for 2 reasons. Firstly it is the day that I break 100 miles in in my Novemberathon and secondly it is the second official event of my year of running, the Dalby Dash. The Dalby Dash is a 10K 'trail' race although I think real trail runners would think it is closer to a road race the a trail race but it is the first time I have ever run off tarmac.

The route consists of a big uphill out of the Dalby visitors centre (the uphill is on road) and then the rest of the route is pretty much downhill into Low Dalby, but as soon as you reach the top of the hill is is off road and, for me at least, quite uneven. 

Many people have told me over the years that running on the road is boring and I'll 'enjoy' myself more getting off road and I suppose in some way they were correct. It is certainly nicer running through Dalby Forest the the outskirts of York. No cars, no buses, no cyclists, no students and no waiting to cross roads, roundabouts and junctions. Taking a deep breath filled my lungs with clean forest air rather than a lungful of exhaust fumes from the last bus that's just tried to kill me and I guess usually it would be a lot more peaceful too but when surrounded by the main pack of 500 runners in a race that wasn't really the case yesterday! 

On the downside however I am just not used to running on anything other than perfectly smooth tarmac (okay so that is probably a lie, more accurately slightly lumpy bumpy potholed York City Council tarmac). When I put my foot down I expect it to land on flat ground and stay roughly where it was put. This certainly isn't the case when off road and as with may things a slight lack of confidence made this way worse than it probably really was. Once I started slipping I tensed up and slipped even more. The lumpy bumpy nature of the ground caused me to jar my legs quite a few times when part of my foot hit a lump sooner than the rest and certainly sooner than I thought it was going to. All of this meant I didn't really enjoy the 3 miles or so of downhill that everybody else was craving on the way up the hill. I certainly was well of my target pace of 10 minute miles whilst coming down the hill. 

Overall I enjoyed the day, but would argue that I am definitely happier and 'enjoy' running more when I am on a nice smooth(ish) piece of tarmac. I can't imagine I will be hitting any more off road events before the Edinburgh Marathon next year, but maybe, just maybe if we can get a babysitter for November next year Sarah and I will both do the Dalby Dash in 2013.

The main reason I did this event was for the big uphill which I managed to run the whole way up admittedly I probably went a bit too fast at the start (as per usual) and therefore slowed towards the top of the hill but I managed to run the whole route so am quite happy. My time was 59 minutes 42 seconds which is an average pace of roughly 9:36 minute miles which is under my target of 10 minute miles so I am happy with that.

Ian, Orna and Amy were all running too and finished in 42.47, 54.43 and 55.55 respectively. 

Todays Distance: 6.20 Miles 

Total Distance: 101.28 Miles (27.69 Running, 66.53 Riding, 7.06 Walking)

Novemberathon – 12th, Sociable Ride

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Most of the exercise I do I do on my own. This is mainly because I like to be able to go at my own pace and not worry about going too slow or too fast for others. Today I went out for a ride with Sally on the road bikes. Weather was lovely and it was nice to chill out and chat around the 19.87 mile route through Ryther, Cawood, Wistow and Selby. Just going at whatever pace we happened to be going (but still doing a fairly decent pace) and enjoying the weather, countryside and company. 

Didn't time the ride today as it was more about being out than going a certain pace.

Todays Distance: 19.87 Miles 

Total Distance: 95.08 Miles (21.49 Running, 66.53 Riding, 7.06 Walking)

Novemberathon – 11th, Short Ride

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Short ride in the dark today after work. Was planning to go further but was late home from work and didn't really have time. I forgot to start the clock when I went out so don't know how long it took but it felt slow especially on the 2 legs into the wind. Distance was 9.76 miles.

Todays Distance: 9.76 Miles 

Total Distance: 75.21 Miles (21.49 Running, 46.66 Riding, 7.06 Walking)

Novemberathon – 10th, back to it

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Back to running today, last one until the Dalby Dash at the weekend. Will be out on the bike the next 2 days. I think a combination of not being well hydrated and not having a exercised hard for a couple of days meant it was harder work than on Monday. Total distance was 6.52 miles in a time of 1 hour 4 minutes and 55 seconds giving an average pace of 9:57 minute miles. 

Todays Distance: 6.52 Miles 

Total Distance: 65.45 Miles (21.49 Running, 36.90 Riding, 7.06 Walking)