Christmas Food
I knew the Christmas period would be difficult. All those mince pies, shortcake petticoat tails, Quality Streets and 4 course meals were always going to make training and weight loss difficult.
For example, we had our Christmas lunch the other day at the Coquetdale Hotel in Rothbury, and there simply wasn’t any healthy choices to be had. In the end I opted for chicken liver pate for starter, roast pork with garlic mash and seasonal vegetables, followed by profiteroles, mine pie and coffee. Yeah, I enjoyed it. However, there was something totally unappealing about feeling bloated and tired from a big meal - a feeling I used to love.
Since then I’ve had a constant seasonal battle, trying to avoid the pantry at all costs knowing what food is in there. All my favourites can be found in there, After Eight mints, mince pies, shortcake and various snacky rubbish.
Despite all this, I’ve still managed to post a weight loss - I’m down to 18 stone 6lbs and 9oz.
An outdoor ride
It’s that time of year again, so mum and dad are here staying with us. After 2 weekends of excuses (I mean, as if jet lag and flu is a reason not to go out in the cold on a bike ride) mum finally plucked up the courage to go out on a ride with me. It was cold, windy and to top it all off, mum got a flat. But regardless of that, we still managed 13 miles (half of it into a head wind). It’s only the second time I’ve been out of my Burls titanium road bike, and after weeks of sitting on the turbo trainer, the feeling of being outside is truly sensational. The one thing you notice is how quickly your hands, arms and bum tire, mainly because on the trainer these body parts don’t take the hammering they do outside.
But still, it was a lot of fun. Mum enjoyed getting to know her bike, and I enjoyed riding with someone.
27.5 miles
Last night, not really feeling up to doing anything after a grueling day’s Christmas shopping (have you ever tried dragging an unwilling 10 year old around both Tesco and Asda in search of Christmas gifts) I climbed onto the trainer hoping to put in some big miles. I’ve been told to increase my distance by 1% each time, and 1% of 25 miles is 2.5 miles, which is 27.5 miles.
After 5 miles, I had already begun to think about shortening the ride to a normal 12-15 miler. But as I went out at the weekend with mum instead of doing my distance ride, I decided to stick with it and see where it went, at the risk of detraining and gaining weight with Xmas food. When 20 miles came, I knew I just had to do another 7.5 miles to make distance. Trainers will tell you it’s the last mile, or the last couple of repetitions that makes all the difference. With that in mind, miles 23 onwards hurt. Even “Pirates of the Caribean” on the DVD player didn’t take my mind of my numbing body parts and my aching left knee, ankle and wrists.
After making 27.5 miles, walking suddenly became an issue as my legs had turned to jelly. I’ll be aiming for an recovery ride either today or tomorrow, to shake the stiffness out.
2 mountain bikes
As part of Suzy’s Christmas presents, I have got her a Trek mountain bike. It’s only a 3900, just something to get her out and cycling again. I am planning on taking her down to my little cycle track on Christmas day to get her used to the bike. It’s quite a nice little bike, in her favourite blue with an aluminum frame, Suntour suspension fork and a mixture of Shimano, Bontrager and SRAM bits.
Trek 3900 WSD
In addition to this, I have reserved myself a 2007 Trek Fuel EX6 full suspension mountain bike. It has an alumnium frame, Rockshox Tora fork, Rockshox rear shock, and a mixture of SRAM, LX, Deore and XT bits. It’s my first ever full suspension bike, the most boing I’ve had before was a pair of Manitou forks on my old Cannondale mountain bike.
Trek Fuel EX 6
I should be getting it something next year, but there’s no rush until I’ve lost more weight. Both the Treks are coming from KB Cycles in Newburn, Newcastle. Keith and Paddy are always happy to help, and if you live in the North East, I’d recommend giving them a call if you want a Trek, Orbea or Scott bike.
Well that’s about it. Hopefully I can make it through Christmas without pigging out and start January at least the same weight I am now! Happy Christmas everyone!