Try

This post was originally something I was writing off my own bat about and for next year.  But then I came across the next prompt for the Reverb10 project (late of course, because I’m behind but still going  - story of my life):

Prompt: Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn't go for it?

Well – I’d already started it, so that slots in nicely:  Please See Below!!

 

2011 – Things to do.

I have tons of things I want to achieve in 2011 – some are things I’ve been pondering over for a while, others are things that are brand new goals for this year – maybe prompted by something I achieved or discovered last year, some just wild, out there and shiny brand new.  Currently, they fall into two categories – already committed to and on the list, but will not be planned in just yet.

Already booked:

Run Bristol 10k – May

Every Woman Duathlon – June

Yep – last October wasn’t enough, and I’ve gone back for more.  I’d been considering it for a while anyway, as I a prompt to get my running kick-started again in 2011, and because the 5ks I have run recently have been feeling good.  Yet again, it’s come about in support of another friend who’s running the distance for the first time, but for me it’s a well-timed challenge to try and beat my time and set a new personal best (I never thought that would be a phrase I would using about myself).  So, I’m aiming to try and run it in less than 1:12. 

Well, after saying yes to the invite to Run Bristol, I got a bit excited chatting to Hannah, and we talking about maybe trying a Tri sometime.  Off the phone, and doing a little research on the internet, I stumbled on the above Duathlon.  A text to Jo (my fellow health-chaser / conspirator from the start of the whole 2009 challenge) and my fate was sealed.  She got so excited that she signed up for not just the 10k, but the challenge distance of the duathlon too.  So on the 4th of June, 3 weeks after my 2nd ever 10k, I’ll be participating in the Every Woman Duathlon on Clifton Downs – 5k run, 20k bike, 5k run.  The current training plan for these, also includes the 5 mile Weston Promenade run in Feb or March too.

Now perhaps you can understand, why the Bristol Half conversation came about last night (Jo was out too), and why I half want to do it, but also think it’s a hell of a scary jump in my running.  I liked the fact though, that the pact that was drunkenly proposed, was that all 5 of us run it together …  at my pace.  That group consists of Ben (NY Marathon), Koks (Royal Parks Half and Great South Run), Kate (2 x Great North Run) and Jo (just ridiculously fit and naturally athletic).  I’m touched that these guys would do it, and do it at my pace to support me, but also a little intimidated by their combined credentials!

 

To try, and see if I like it:

Spanish lessons

Salsa

Street Dance

Mountain-biking club

British Military Fitness class

Zumba

Bikram yoga (hot yoga)

One of my tactics for approaching my new life in Bristol, as I’ve mentioned several times before, is exploring what it is I like to do, and trying a few new things that I’ve been meaning too.  I’ve been doing a fair amount of online research over the last couple of weeks of possible classes / clubs / sessions I want to try in the New Year.  It would have been sooner, but things like terms starting afresh in Jan, the big freeze and lack of money at the moment, made January seem like a good time.  I’ve already worked out that all of the above things are available in Bristol, nearby and at not-ridiculous prices.  To spread the fun (and the cost), and to prevent me over-complicating my diary, and over-committing myself, and to make sure I give each one a fair chance, I’m going to give them a one-at-a-time approach.  I’ve got a provisional plan of which terms / sessions I’d like to try the Street Dance and Spanish classes, and we’ll see how everything else slots in around it – especially as I need to leave plenty of time for running!

 

What I’ve learned from 2010

What I’ve learned from 2010 is this:  it really is true – you never regret the things you did, only the things you didn’t do.

I took a few more risks, sucked up the nerves, and found great rewards at the end.  Or at least, knowledge.  Sometimes it was small things like finding the nerve to contact the Gloucestershire mountain biking club that I went out with – I had a great ride, and met nice people, but realised that I needed to find a club that ran dedicated novice rides.  That was good thought, because it meant I knew what I should look for in a prospective Bristol club.  Others were bigger risks like booking my flights to go travel, and then having to jack the job.  No regrets.

What I didn’t have so much of in 2010 was focus.  I didn’t make an actual list of things to do, so I tried things as I thought of them, or got invited.  Now I have a list!

You’ll notice what’s not on this list, is any goal about getting to … well, goal.  Obviously, it’s something that’s on my agenda, but I’m not going to make it a specific goal with a timescale.  I was initially frustrated with my lack of progress in 2010 on the weight front, but I have come to realise that I have achieved something fantastic: I lost 4 stone in a year, and then kept it off for another year.  What’s more, I’ve finished that second year, still focused on eating healthily most of the time, but living a lifestyle I can maintain, making improvements where I can, and just trying to move forward and improve a tiny bit at a time.  I have work to do on my eating habits, but I’m confident that having fitness goals will help achieve a balanced outlook and help me to move further towards the shape I want to have.