A light-hearted look at running, cycling and general fitness
Despite 99% of you lot thinking the prize was a funky pair of leggings – which wasn’t annoying at all, honestly – 27 of you decided this would be a good thing to have. Anyway, the winner of the £25 voucher to spend on ANYTHING AT ALL at Zalando is:
Lucy J (aka Black and Tabby Runs)
Well done, Lucy – I’ll be in touch!
On Wednesday I revealed the cover of The Flash Mob. Now it’s available for you to buy on Amazon for just 77p – that’s £3 cheaper than a pint of lager costs in my local pub.
The cast of characters includes a reptile girl, a zombie or two, a time traveller, a stalking pensioner, a young man stalked by a pensioner, a story written in the style of A Clockwork Orange and lots more.
The Flash Mob, written by me, Lisa Richardson, Jack Stephens and Sarah Kay Hair is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.
I posted this on one of my other blogs earlier, but this one gets more readers, so I’m going to mention it here, too.
Three writer friends and I got together and made a book. Because none of us are designers, we did the words bit and a talented friend did the designing bit. And what a job she did for us. Here’s the cover:
I love the cover so much, I’ve been staring at it since she sent it to me on Sunday morning. I’m pretty sure it’s forever embedded in my retinas now.
The Flash Mob Anthology will be available on Amazon for the introductory price of 77p from Friday 29 November 2013.
Daresay I’ll be plugging it again then to remind you.
My running kit really isn’t particularly exciting, especially the tights. They might have a small flash of colour but that’s about it, really. Zalando have lots of running tights in funky patterns and colours – check out these gorgeous pink and black ones.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t bring myself to spend £65 on a pair of running tights, so I got these funky grey and black ones instead for a bargainous £20. What’s even more of a bargain is the free delivery, and I was able to pay by PayPal which meant I didn’t have to faff around finding my credit card details.
If you’d like some running tights like these (or anything else from the Zalando site for that matter), leave a comment below and one of you will be picked at random to receive a £25 voucher to spend at the Zalando website.
Competition ends midnight, Friday 13 December 2013.
I hosted a giveaway a month ago, giving one lucky JogBlog reader the chance to win a £25 voucher to spend at Tony Pryce Sports. Unsurprisingly, this was a popular competition and I’m pleased to announce the winner – selected by a random number generator – is Adele (aka Fit Artist).
Well done, Adele – I’ll be in touch!
I’ve got an assignment due, so I’m going to blog about a shoe rack. Not any old shoe rack though, oh no. This is a custom-made shoe rack, crafted by Shaun’s very own hands.
Personally, I’d have been happy with a flat-pack from Argos or Ikea but Shaun isn’t like normal people – if we need something, say a table or a shed or something usually made out of wood – he’ll build it. Forget there are still a few rooms that need decorating, or that we’ve got mis-matched windows (yes, he’s making the windows too), a shoe rack was obviously an urgent requirement.
Actually, it was an urgent requirement; the running shoes, walking boots, sandals, Converse, Vans, DMs, biker boots, bags, rucksacks, hats, umbrellas, jackets, coats and gloves were piled up almost to the ceiling. So what was the solution? Yeah, build a shoe rack that reaches the ceiling.
Shaun asked me what colour I wanted it. I said orange. So he decided to paint it orange and yellow to match the Mark Rothko print hanging on the opposite wall.
(I’d never heard of Mark Rothko when I bought it years ago – I bought it because I like orange and yellow. Highway Kind said that is the only reason to buy a painting [well, not because it’s orange and yellow but because I liked the colours].)
Then we filled up the new shoe rack with shoes and boots.
Good, innit?
Always one to be fashionably late, I missed the first two local parkruns. This, of course, is patently untrue; I’ve never been fashionable in my life (peek in my wardrobe if you don’t believe me).
I missed the first one a) to avoid the word ‘inaugural’; and b) because, being a Londoner, it seemed appropriate to avoid the many tourists who were bound to be there, magnetically drawn – like a Chav to Primark – to that horrific ‘i’ word.
This is actually untrue, too. Well, partly, anyway. Shaun and I were driving down to Portsmouth later that day to take part in the Great South Run the day after, so we decided to save our energy for that. But why let a little thing like the truth deny me the opportunity to moan about the word ‘inaugural’, tourists and the chance to use the ‘Chav to Primark’ simile I just made up.
Last week… well… that’ll be the bottle and a half of wine the previous night’s fault.
But, yay, today I got up bright and early and decided to cycle down to the local park where the Ashford parkrun is held. I say ‘local’, it’s actually a bit over two miles away but this is the countryside and anything within ten miles is local, unlike London where local means within five minutes’ walk and if you travelled ten miles you’d probably end up in zone four or, even – shudder – five.
I do like a bit of punctuality, it must be said, and it started at 9 on the dot. As is usual in the races I take part in, I was left on my own at the back pretty much straight away. This is fine with me as I don’t like a crowded race and it means I can just jog around slowly on my own listening to my music. As long as I can see runners in front of me so I feel like I’m a part of it, I’m happy. If I can see a few behind me, I’m even happier.
The route follows the same route as the Nice Work Ashford Summer 5K Series, so I knew the route and therefore prepared for a couple of laps of the park, which includes a gentle short slope which turns into a long steep hill when you actually get to it. Both times I stopped to walk up it until I told myself to stop being such a wimp and get on with it, although the slope is so short it had ended by the time I told myself to get on with it.
There’s not much else to say about it really. It’s a parkrun and you all know what a parkrun is. I ran round it in the fastest time I’ve done for aaaaaaaaaaaages, despite stopping to check the toenail on the big toe on my right foot hadn’t fallen off (it hadn’t, I think my big toe was just beginning to thaw out – it was a cold, cold morning) and stopping to let a dog walker decide which way he wanted to go past me (I’d have tripped up the speedy types in the lead who were on their way back from the first lap if I’d had moved out of the dog walker’s way. Annoyed? Yes. Did I tut at him and roll my eyes and mutter ‘FOR FUCK’S SAKE’? Hell yeah.)
I almost missed the finish line as I headed for what I thought it was, i.e. in between two tapes but the marshal was waving his arms and shouting something but in my dazed and confused state wasn’t sure where I was supposed to go (despite there being a big yellow sign with FINISH written on it) and the marshal pointed at his ears in what I am assuming was a ‘IF YOU WEREN’T WEARING AN IPOD YOU COULD HEAR MY DIRECTIONS’ gesture which actually pissed me off quite a lot as I can see and hear fine with my music on, I just a) get a bit dazed when I’m running; and b) need a new pair of glasses.
On leaving the park, I said thanks and goodbye to the organiser (I assume he was the organiser anyway, he had an air of authority about him) and he said ‘bye, see you next week?’ and I said ‘yes, of course’ which, in my experience, whenever someone asks will I be going to something again the next week and I say yes – I’m never to return. Shaun was at work today though, so he hasn’t been yet, so I daresay I’ll be making another appearance.
Thank you, Ashford parkrun – I’m glad you’re here at last.
It’s the Great South Run on Sunday. My training – on a scale of 1-10 – is at about 2. Oops. Shaun decided to make me feel better about this by telling me the weather report. I clamped my hands over my ears but the words ‘heavy rain’ and ‘strong winds’ filtered through. Bah.
Anyway, Bupa have asked me to publish the below press release, so have a read.
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BRITS STRIVE FOR PICTURE PERFECT AS THEY HIT THE GYM
– Nearly one in three British women living a healthy lifestyle have been motivated to exercise after looking at a photo of themselves –
– TV personality Gethin Jones supports campaign on helping to keep Britain motivated –
A picture paints a thousand words but for healthy Brits [1] it has also sparked a health kick. Nearly one third (30%) of women living a healthy lifestyle have taken up exercise after looking at a photograph of themselves, with just under one in five (19%) health conscious males also doing the same, according to a latest research campaign by Healthcare company Bupa.
The campaign, supported by TV personality Gethin Jones, delved into the habits of those leading a healthy lifestyle to find out what motivates these particular individuals to stay fit and healthy, ahead of the Bupa Great South Run this weekend.
Surprisingly, health mad celebrities are a fitness turn-off; only 4% say that a celebrity’s body has ever motivated them to exercise. Results indicate that a quarter (25%) of women surveyed also admit to using special occasions including Christmas parties as motivation to exercise. Other main motivations for both men and women to stay healthy through exercise include, wanting to improve one’s mood (61%), to fit into clothes (47%) and to relieve the stress of work (26%).
According to Bupa, Sunday still remains the ‘day of rest’ with ‘Brits’ living the healthy lifestyle putting their feet up on Sunday more than any other day of the week. Fitness on a Friday seems to have replaced the traditional post work trip to the pub, with it being the day those surveyed are least likely to avoid exercise.
Television personality Gethin Jones, ambassador for the campaign said: “It’s easier than you think to become a healthier person; it’s the small changes that make a big difference. Bupa’s campaign shows there are many motivations to adopt a healthy lifestyle, but for me it has always been setting myself challenges. That is why I am currently training for the Bupa Great South Run which has helped me to stay focused and get up for that morning run.”
The campaign, by Bupa, aimed to examine the behavioural habits and motivations of those who live a healthy lifestyle to ascertain how and why they maintain their regime and fitness. Working closely with a medical expert, Bupa defined the criteria for a healthy lifestyle as individuals who partake in five 30 minute sessions of exercise a week, consume a minimum of five daily portions of fruit and veg with a low saturated fat and salt diet, are non-smokers and who do not drink heavily.
Dr Steven Luttrell, Medical Director, Bupa Health Clinics said: “It has been very interesting to see exactly what it is that keeps those living the ‘healthy lifestyle,’ motivated and active. However, while people’s behaviours and motivations may differ, the importance of following this health choice remains the same for all. By eating well and keeping active, people should be able to improve their general health and wellbeing. So, whatever it is that keeps you focused, I would urge people to keep active and eat well and they should really feel the difference.
Gethin Jones will be demonstrating his commitment to a healthy and active lifestyle by participating in Sunday’s Bupa Great South Run in Portsmouth. The world’s premier 10 mile running event attracts 25,000 people and takes in the iconic sights of Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard.
To find out more on Bupa’s commitment to inspire a healthier Britain visit bupa.co.uk.
About Bupa
Bupa’s purpose is longer, healthier, happier lives.
A leading international healthcare group, we serve 13m customers in more than 190 countries. We offer personal and company-financed health insurance and medical subscription products, run hospitals, provide workplace health services, home healthcare, health assessments and chronic disease management services. We are also a major international provider of nursing and residential care for elderly people.
With no shareholders, we invest our profits to provide more and better healthcare and fulfil our purpose.
Bupa employs more than 62,000 people, principally in the UK, Australia, Spain, Poland, New Zealand and the USA, as well as Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, India, Thailand, China and across Latin America.
For more information, visit www.bupa.co.uk
[1] Bupa defined the criteria for a healthy lifestyle as individuals who partake in five 30 minute sessions of exercise a week, consume a minimum of five daily portions of fruit and veg with a low saturated fat and salt diet, are non-smokers and who do not drink heavily.
Tony Pryce Retail Ltd is one of the largest independent sports retailers in the South West of England and has been trading since 1978.
They sell gear for running, badminton, football, hockey, rugby, squash and general fitness for men, women and children by all the big brands including – amongst many others – Asics, Brooks, adidas, New Balance and Reebok.
Win a £25 voucher to spend at Tony Pryce Sports
If you’d like a £25 voucher to spend at the Tony Pryce website, just leave a comment below and I’ll pick a winner at random after the closing date of midnight, Saturday 23 November 2013.
There’s no minimum purchase necessary, so you’ve got nothing to lose!
It’s not a condition of entering the competition, but Tony Pryce Sports would really like it if you could like their Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter.
My parents taught me a few things when I was a child. Amongst these things were reading, writing, telling the time, knowing my left and right, and tying my laces. I can – at the age of 43 – still do all of these things; admittedly, some of them better than others (please don’t ask me for directions. All my rights will be left and vice versa).
Thanks to spending the last twenty years wearing either DMs or Converse, I’ve had plenty of practice tying laces. However, when it comes to running shoes, my laces never stay tied. Which is why Locklaces are ace. They’re so ace, they should have the slogan:
Locklaces are so ace
when you’re running a race,
you’ll have a smiley face
with these lace-s
innit.
They come in loads of pretty colours, including purple and pink and yellow and orange and blue and green and red and black.
Locklaces asked me if I’d like to try some. As I couldn’t decide which colour to have out of purple or pink or yellow or orange or red, I threw caution to the lace-based wind and let them decide. They decided to send me a black pair and a blue pair. Ho hum.
On the back of the packet are instructions.
Also on the back of the packet it says who the laces are suitable for. I’m not sure which category I fit into.
You lace them through your shoes like normal laces, squeeze the lock and thread each lace through the lock. Cut the ends of the laces off and insert the laces into the clip. The remaining lace will dangle annoyingly.
But you can tuck them under the tied lace bit, and because the laces are elastic, it’s really simple.
With the laces being elastic, they take a bit of trial and error tying them to the right tightness. When I first tested them, I started getting cramp in my calf, which is unusual for me, so I diagnosed myself with ‘too-tight-lacesness’ and loosened them and yay, the cramp was cured – just call me Dr White. (Actually, on second thoughts, don’t, as I’d sound like something you’d find in the feminine hygiene aisle in the supermarket.)
The most definite good thing about the laces being elastic though is, when you get home, you can be really lazy and just slip them off without untying them and get on with telling Facebook and Twitter you’ve just been for a run stretching. Obviously though, the most most definite good thing about them is the laces stay done up. No more bending over to tie up your laces and hoping no one’s staring at your bum. Hooray for Locklaces and their amazing bum-staring prevention properties.
Locklaces are available online from the Locklaces website or from Amazon UK, Chain Reaction Cycles and probably lots of other places in the UK.