Base fitness

A summer holiday wasn't possible for us this year, so instead Harriet and I have made the most of long weekends away. We returned from Cornwall and Devon last weekend.

What a trip, we ate the obligatory Cornish pasties, ice creams and cream teas, oh and the odd ale was supped. So we were both surprised when on returning home we realised that we both actually weighed less. But on reflection, our weight loss now makes more sense. Due to several long walks along the South West Coastal Path and a couple of decent runs, more calories were being burnt than were being shoved in!?!


So why go running on a mini break, I hear people ask? For a start it's now officially Autumn which means I'm thinking one season ahead to Winter, plus I have only eight more weeks before heading back out to Méribel again. In other words I've got to get fitter; time to crank it up.


I hate the thought and feeling of getting knackered when teaching and free skiing, so any hard work now will really pay off in a few months' time. Have you ever had the dull ache and loss of freshness in your thighs when skiing? Yep, me too, countless times, it's unavoidable really if out skiing all day. But how about delaying that moment until later in the afternoon just before the lifts close........Let's face it, the lift pass costs enough money, so don't you deserve to get good value out of it?


It did feel slightly strange running along the Penzance promenade, looking out to sea thinking about skiers' legs. Even odder, when the next morning running opposite St.Michael's Mount, I found myself wondering what its elevation was, and how long it would take to ski down and then use a drag lift back up again! Perhaps I shouldn't share such random thoughts to people who may stumble upon and read this blog - but maybe that's what a passion for skiing is all about, looking forward to the next time those planks are back on.



Next weekend I'm running in the Kenilworth Half Marathon which will enable me to have 13 miles of running time to daydream again of the forthcoming winter, without anyone knowing. Will I be spotted doing feisty slalom turns around the course, or snowplough racing tucks through the drinks stations, or even powder turns over the finish line?

Martin


P.S. Thanks to Harriet's patience allowing me time with Canon and tripod last weekend.

Oh, those Welsh mountains

With my wife attending a weekend conference recently, I was left to my own devices. What was I to do, stay in the city, or head out to the hills.....? A quick visit to the Youth Hostel website did the trick, Idwal Cottage was available in the Snowdonia National Park.

It was the turn of Wales to welcome me, with my smelly walking boots and my mate Canon who came along to take some photographs. Holy cow, what a weekend. The weather was amazing for September, decent temperatures and very little cloud.

I managed to get up at daft o'clock each day for the sunrise, apologies to my room-mates in the hostel for the 5.15 alarm clock disturbance. Then some stonkingly high altitude walks up around the Glyder Fawr and Fach peaks and then Y Garn looking across to Snowdon.

Mountains, whether summer or winter, just hit the spot. I can't describe exactly how it makes me feel, I guess a combination of being soothed, relaxed, at peace, exhilarated, energised and empowered all at once.

On the drive back home on the Sunday afternoon Canon, sitting next to me in the front of the car, asked 'Hey Martin, how long is it until we get back to the French Alps this winter?'

I replied ' Just ten weeks to go, hang on in there'.

Martin

P.S. This will be the first of several posts before heading back to the Alps, so keep browsing.