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Note to self: I'm a runner = I need to run

Running gives a euphoric high

Note to self.  I'm a runner and I need to run.

If only I had got properly into running 20 years ago but I'm very grateful I discovered it while I have many years ahead (God willing) to enjoy it.  Just as well really as it makes all the difference, just like faith itself.

If you have found this page because of a search on how to handle stress, or is stress bad for me, or stress symptoms, let me give you some encouragement.

Sometimes I can feel really stressed out at work and as a manager myself, I recognise stress as a health and safety risk.  Just as I am responsible for the well being of colleagues, I must take responsibility for myself.  I expect much of myself, I'm sort of a Type A personality but not completely, nevertheless we're demanding and very critical about ourselves, never satisfied.  Type A personalities are often their own worst enemies.

Running is part of the solution and it also serves the worthwhile purpose in keeping in good shape.  I can be weighed down with all kinds of worries, problems and feelings of inferiority and failure.  Then as I run, those problems seem solvable and solutions are found, often in imaginative ways - if only I could remember them! Troubles are kept in perspective.  After a while I sometimes feel as if I'm running on auto-pilot; unaware of those miles going by.  After the run and maybe for a day afterwards I often feel a kind of "high".  Yes, it's the Runner's High, with all of those endorphins flooding my thoughts.  Those make me feel good about myself and give me that extra boost of courage and confidence.

So, if you are suffering some stress and you are not a runner, is it worth giving it a try?  Why not?  You might like to get checked over by your Doctor if you're not used to this kind of intensive exercise.

Slobusfaticus again

I went to the gym again last night and the Slobusfaticus was there.  Perhaps he's been reading my Ramblings as  he was drying himself with a towel instead of using a hairdryer.  Mind you, probably the safest thing to do knowing there were a couple of lads in high spirits running around when the staff turned their backs.

One of these lads was the same as one with a mobile phone in the gym.  I'm sure that's against the rules, we can't have people wandering around with mobile phones, try buying one without a camera these days.

Anyway, Slobusfaticus and Mischievous (lads) aside, I had a good workout - running and stretching.  The running bit was 7.2 miles instead of the standard 6.2 (10k) which was a fairly gentle run with a few intervals at 9-10mph.  Otherwise I stuck at a steady 7-8mph which keeps my heart rate at around 170-175bpm and at about my maximum (220-age = max bpm).  Having a fast blast takes me up around 185bpm which I know is pushing it but probably okay for a couple of minutes.  Certainly feels great afterwards with a nice dose of Runner's High.

Stretching is getting easier but now I need to make sure I'm stretching all the right ways.  A few lunges, as far as I can comfortably go with a 8kg weight in each hand, is good to hold for 30 seconds.  Must read up and blog about that another time but for now let me say I firmly live in the camp of stretching AFTER exercise, not before.  I always slowly warm up with a gentle jog and slow run for a few minutes and this seems to work for me.

So, we'll need to see how Slobusfaticus and Mischievous behave next time!

See also:

What is the Runner's High?

The Slobusfaticus

I have mentioned before that gyms or fitness clubs are sometimes amusing places for their people watching opportunities, particularly when you're pounding away on a treadmill.  I'm certainly not given to continuing those observations in the changing room but I must make an exception here for the Slobusfaticus. I did wonder if he was related to the Surly Slob

The Slobusfaticus is a new species in my eyes, I have never come across him before.  Allow me to describe.  He's big, hefty and most definitely doing the right thing in joining the gym.  Perhaps a young specimen in his 20s, a good suntan I'd say for this time of year.  He has a large gym bag over flowing with all kind of bathroom smelly things, new trainers, pointy shoes and a Smart phone.  There he was, with a beach towel wrapped around his waist and he was drying himself with a hair dryer - all over!  Can you believe it?  Why would anyone do this?  Standing there blasting himself with a hair dryer and never mind the global warming!

I don't have a problem with hefty things in the gym, after all I was a tad over weight when I started and that's the driver for many people because it's such a worthwhile thing to do.  But to stand there, in front of a mirror, drying yourself with a hair dryer - why?  The only explanation I can think of is Slobusfaticus is a bone idle poser.  He wants to be in good shape and that's why he's joined but he's going nowhere if he can't be bothered to dry himself with a towel.  Slobusfaticus could be one of those who always drive to the gym, being in the vast majority.  They drive around the car park looking for an empty space as near to the front door as possible.

Watch out for other bits of people watching, as seen from the treadmill.

See also:

The Surly Slob

STI levers verses Bar End shifters

It was almost a year ago when I took the plunge and bought my Thorn Audax.  I agonised over some of the details far too much; in fact we bought our last car with much less thought or research!  Amongst these details was whether to go for the all-in-one Shimano STI levers i.e. the combined brake and gear lever, or, the bar end shifters which you see in the above picture.  I'm still not convinced I did the right thing but here are some considerations if you're undecided which to get:

Bar End shifters:

• Bar end shifters are much cheaper
• Stay in adjustment very well
• Simple
• Easy to replace
• The front shifter is friction only (not indexed) so it is easy to fine tune, or trim, the position of the front mech in order to stop the chain rubbing
• Slight less vulnerable to damage
• You only change gear when you need to

STI levers:

• STI levers are very comfortable to rest your hands on; gives a nice position on the bike
• Expensive when bought on their own
• Scope for changing gear and braking at the same time
• Safety - keeping your hands on the handlebars when gear changing
• The more upmarket ranges (i.e. Ultegra) have the gear cable concealed under the handlebar tape
• Less durable
• More likely to need cable adjustments

Dealing with stress

My apologies for not blogging much lately; this has been quite a stressful time lately but please, no need to worry, all is in hand.

This is a brilliant reminder of how finely tuned and balanced life can be at times and I want to tell you about this as an encouragement, particularly if you identify with this.

There are many stresses and strains for people in each of our sectors in the UK right now and without doubt readers from elsewhere in the World will not be far from these issues. Some many countries are, quite frankly, almost bankrupt having been living off borrowed money for too long.   We are all "feeling the pinch" and last week's public sector strikes were testimony to that.  Although I wasn't on strike myself, many of my Ministry of Justice colleagues were and I have much sympathy with the stand they took.  Government direction is hard to fathom at present and I read tensions in Whitehall and observe the implications of No.10 and Petty France (of SW1) not agreeing on things.  I've heard a certain Government Minister speak a couple of times lately; a fairly plain speaking man but I reserve judgement on how much faith or trust I have for him and in what he says.  This troubles me.

Then I sometimes doubt my own abilities, especially when I am faced with a straight forward problem but get stuck.  The dark, cold and inhospitable weather is a major stumbling block for me during this winter.  I am very wary of running in the dark as I've had a few falls this year, simply through tripping up on things I haven't seen.  Mind you, I can trip and stumble quite easily in broad daylight!  Cycling opportunities have been limited through needing my car for work quite a lot recently.  Two weeks ago I re-joined the gym and have been twice.  You get the picture, I am missing running and cycling.

And yet, in spite of these negative factors, I have an underlying belief that everything is - and will be - okay.  This morning while driving to work I experienced an overwhelming sense of well being, almost a runner's high without the running. Truly a blessing from God.  Having a restful couple of weeks is not a disaster.  I suspect I'm putting on a few pounds in weight but giving my leg joints and muscles a rest is no bad thing.  Before long the Christmas break will arrive with all that fun, I'll become fitter again quite quickly.  It'll be a break from work, enjoying a real family Christmas time together.   Without doubt I'll be out running, mentally preparing for the year ahead and the next 50 years - full of optimism, rising above those [ultimately] meaningless problems and worries.  It's gonna be a good start to 2012 and I can't wait!

Busch & Muller bar end mirror review

I have had this bar end mirror on my Dawes Galaxy for the last year or so.  It is well made, fits easily and is a good quality product but isn't it any good?

• It stays in place well, easily installed and easily adjusted.
• Looks fairly discreet, black seems a good choice              .
• Has a convex mirror
• It typically costs £15, perhaps a little less
• As it is a bar end mirror, it seems distant.  In spite of the convex lens it doesn't really give a good view of what's happening being on the road.

Would I recommend it?  No I'm afraid not.

Crickey, I've entered the Milton Keynes Marathon!

Yes I have entered the 2012 Milton Keynes Marathon.  It's on 29th April, so there will be sufficient time for me to get my act together and train up for this.

Having been unsuccessful (the truth is I left it too late) in getting a place in the Luton Marathon, I had contemplated the Gloucester Marathon in January which would be very nostalgic as the route runs alongside a house I used to live in at Elmore.  Not that I used to run in those days but it would have been nice.  It was training in an uncertain winter that made me hesitate.

With the MK marathon, the attraction was it being a new race and looks like it'll be in some pleasant surroundings, all traffic free I think.

So now the training begins.  This morning at day break I had a gentle run for about 1 hr 15 mins over my favourite hilly course with splendid views.  I needed that run: I needed to get out into some fresh air and feel the breeze and splash through some muddy puddles.  I guess I covered about 8 or 9 miles and felt good.

Everyone was still in bed when I got back, though not in their own beds!  Rachel has treated herself to an iPad and B&H were keen to snuggle up either side of her to explore all those apps.   Even Rusty and Misty were there.   Had a hot shower, a stretch and my ideal breakfast complete with a smoothie and a huge mug of coffee - all that was about getting the day off to a good start.

Related posts:

My ideal running route
My ideal breakfast

Treadmill training

Regular readers will know that I have recently re-joined the gym (DW Sports Fitness Club to be precise).  Although I'm not a complete fan of such places, I think of it as a means to an end.  Being able to avoid the harshness of a British winter and have some safe, reliable indoor training has many attractions.

I have found I like running on a treadmill, much to my surprise.  This is why:

• Indoors, so the weather outside doesn't matter.  Self imposed excuses like "it's too cold, wet, icy, snowy, windy" simply don't apply.
• No tripping up on things in the dark as I have done in the past.
• Great to monitor progress - distances and times are precise.  I take note of my 10k and 1 mile runs
• Some have heart rate monitors
• Some have programmable runs - different gradients and speeds.  These can simulate tempo runs, fartlek training etc
• It's safe.  Nobody is going to mug you
• A running surface that is not rock hard
• Set a speed and it stays constant.  This is a great way of pushing myself.  Otherwise if I'm running outside and resolve to have a faster or slower run, I always seem to adjust and run at my normal pace
• You can stop at any point, have a nice hot shower and go home.  Or maybe a different form of exercise, or perhaps stretching.
• You can still get that Runners High feeling
• People watching can be fun.  Just watching the others in the gym is fascinating sometimes; the body builders, the posers, the bums n tums folk and so it goes on...

Of course there are some disadvantages:

• Can be boring
• Is it real running?
• Treadmills cost money
• And use electricity
• Some might say it is a pointless treadmill which refers to jobs, careers, lifestyle etc (I tend to think of it as a keep-fit tool)

So there you go, treadmill running.  Boring but it serves a good purpose and has made all the difference to me.

Related:

DW Sports Review

What is the Runners High?