Back Pain!

Back pain can really ruin your day, especially when it's been caused by something as minor as stretching across a table to pick up a tape measure!

Truth me told, this has happened more often than I'd like to admit. It's always the muscles to the left or right or my lower back and more commonly the right one.

I've found that cycling in the gym seems to eleviate it. So maybe the muscle just needs some strategic stretching?

I'll go for a cycle later and see if that can cure it again. Otherwise I may have to see a physio about this. Tiger Balm and pain killers don't seem to be helping...

With a Little Help From My Friends

You've probably noticed some new names on the Keep Fit Blog.

The impressively mohawked Jon and his wife Alex have caught the fitness bug of late and are dipping their toes into the world of blogging for the first time.

Jon is also in training for the Salomon Turbo X and as you can see he's far more prepared than I am with gadgets of all kinds to help him plot a route around his local area, monitor his progress and record his training sessions.

I'm sure it won't be long before Jon catches the blogging bug too and blogs about his life as a runner, snowboarder and self styled beach bum.

This week I got to try out the new Hi-Tec Infinity trail running shoes. They were pretty good, but let water in at the bottom of the tongue. But now I'm regretting giving them to a friend because it's too wet for VFFs and my Saucony trainers are so so.

The Training Begins...

Jon: First of all, let me say this... I'm no runner, I don't go to the gym, and about the only time I break into a sweat is when I am eating a hot curry. I've tried the gym a number of times, but get bored of the same old environment and the slog of having to visit a purpose built building just doesn't get me excited.

So why I am here? I'll tell you... to document my training for what will definitely be a challenge - the Salomon Turbo X trail running event.

The training begins...

So how did all this come about? A colleague of mine mentioned that he had entered into the Turbo X event, without knowing anything about it I simply laughed as its not something I would expect him to take part in, much like myself, but instantly, and probably stupidly I also entered myself! I then found out what the Salomon Turbo X was. Gulp!

The Turbo X event is an off road, trail running event held sponsored by Salomon in the coldest days of November and consists of a gruelling 10 mile run, and the catch, the "X Zone", a 1 mile section of the deepest, soggiest, strength sapping mud, often reaching thigh high depths all set within deep woodland to keep things interesting (apparently!). This X Zone creeps up on you at mile 8 of the race which leaves you with a final 1 mile run to the finish, if you make it out of the X Zone alive!

So, yes, I've done it - I've only gone and signed up for the race, so now I have to do it, and train hard for it, HARD. I'm under no illusion that it is going to be a difficult race and probably challenges the fittest and regular runners that take part, so I've got a lot of work to do between now and then.

In preparation for the event I have acquired some Salomon Speedcross 2 trainers, shoes which are dedicated to off-road running and gripping in the mud, I've got myself a Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS watch so I can track my progress in terms of the miles completed, time spent taking breaks :) as well as calories burnt whilst training, and ive got some not so attractive running shorts and a technical t-shirt.

All I need now is the fitness to do the race, I'm sure I saw some "fitness" for sale somewhere, now where was it....

As this is the first of many posts about my exploits in training, I wont go into massive depth, but in the last week I have been on 3 runs to get me warmed to the idea of doing this event, all of which have been off-road.

Run 1.


Run 2.


Run 3.


So I have officially begun training, and hope to keep it up as much as I can, because any excuse to sit in front of the TV will put a halt to the whole operation and cause me to fail.

I can do this.
I will do this.
And I will enjoy the pain.

The last point was not true, but keep checking in and I'll document my progression, if I make it through the next run.

Falling Back in Love with the Gym

Alex: After 15 years of keeping fit I fell out of love with it. At first it was liberating having no personal targets, no need to keep a p.m.a. when you thought you were about to fail... but then after about 9 months it happened... I felt a bit, well, "squishy" and "groggy" and things just weren't as tight as they were before.

So.. a heavy kick up the backside and off I went to re-join the gym and run a few half-hearted circuits around the village.

Talking to yourself is considered insanity but with no fitness guru around me to kick me up the backside I had to think of ways in motivating myself and this meant giving myself a good talking to. It may be a woman thing but to concentrate on the fitness part I have to feel comfortable/good and this meant shopping ;). I bought a new pair of Asics trainers, a pair of Rockwear Capri pants and top. I also bought a cap as it helps me concentrate when running outdoors (not sure how but it just does).

At first it was so hard to re-gain motivation but with my focus being on fitness and the result meaning I could wear that skirt or that top or those favourite jeans (girls you know what I mean!), within a month I was back enjoying the feeling of achievement. I found an awesome Bodypump instructor who inspires me to be a better me so now I also look forward to this Wednesday workout.

The post workout burn didn't bother me, in fact I kind of like it... that sign that you are really working your muscles and the knowledge that it will get easier. I am now bouncing my way through each day looking forward to the next challenge. That groggy, squishy feeling has disappeared. Getting in shape is not a picnic but nothing in life worth anything ever is!

8 weeks on and the love handles have gone, the definition is coming back and I have fallen back in love with the gym... hooray!

A few guilt free margaritas this weekend to reward myself ;)

For all those who are struggling to motivate themselves to get fit, just close your eyes and imagine a better you and if you decide not to put those trainers on then in a Jim Bowen style... "look what you could 'av won".

Until next time....

Vibram Five Fingers in the Rain

What do you do when you want to run in your Vibram Five Fingers in the Rain? Simple answer - you get wet!

While I've been having a great time this summer running barefoot as it were, the seasons are changing and August seems to be particularly wet and miserable.

I've been wearing my Vibram Five Fingers casually at work when it's been hot, but after walking to Tesco and getting drenched in the rain, I don't think they're very good for the wet weather. They still grip really well, which is quite remarkable, but they soak up a lot of water. When I got in the car to drive home, they smelt like an old and well used wet suit.

Best quit my bitching and simply accent that if it's rains, they're going to get wet, they're going to smell and they're going to need a wash. I'm not buying a pair of the watersport VFFs because the toes are too tight.

Now eagerly waiting the arrival of my Komodo Sports...

Ask and You Shall Receive

Actually, I was being quite cheeky and didn't expect to get anything. So I was very surprised when I was offered a pair of the Five Fingers Komodo Sport through work.

Also, with the weather getting colder, I don't think I'll be favouring my Five Fingers Classics quite so much. The Komodo Sport is considerably warmer, far more comfy and very stylish.

Okay, maybe they do look a bit freaky, but if you've got the confidence to carry it off, then who really cares?

Check out my Vibram Five Fingers Komodo Sport review to see why I'm so excited about these.

No idea when I'll receive them. Just hope it won't be too long. No running this weekend. Got to put the finishing touches to the bathroom. Next week I'll start concentrating on serious training for the Salomon Turbo X with Richard Merry. Thank god he's driving...

Barefoot Running with Charlie

On Sunday I ventured out with my new personal trainer through the park and out into the fields. I decided to go 'barefoot' and put on my Vibram Five Fingers.

This is the longest I've been out in them, but I was perfectly fine walking the dog on the 20 minute walk to the park, then a good 20 minute run around the fields and hills.

I thought running barefoot was a liberating experience, but add 'barefoot' to running out in the fields with Charlie and it's incredible!

I also sprinted flat out for the first time in my Vibrams, which is quite a feat considering I had to maintain my barefoot gait and not smash my heels into the ground. I'll just have to keep an eye out for when the bunnies are about in future. Charlie can't help but chase them.

The whole barefoot thing is going great and I've noticed a real improvement in my calf strength, plus a fair bit of definition. Walking and running in a bare foot gait is much easier after a month of doing bits here and there. It was tough to start, but now it's a lot of fun.

Finally, I was able to wear Charlie out and walked him back home, took my Vibrams off and put on my extremely cushioned Merrell trainers. Barefoot is fun, but I couldn't do it all the time.

Have been chatting to Justin from Birthday Shoes about the new VFFs 2011 range, including the Komodo Sport in particular. Justin is a real nut for the whole 'minimalist' shoe thing. That's all he wears now.

I think I'll stick to having barefooted fun, then put on my comfy shoes when I'm done.

My New Personal Trainer

I'd like you all the meet my new personal trainer. He's an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guy -and boy does he work you hard!

Bathroom DIY is in its final stages, so I'm crashing at my folks place until the utilities are in and the water restored. That makes gym trips a little difficult because my routine has to fit around them.

Fortunately, Charlie, my parents 4-year-old collie is keeping me fit. Whenever I get back from work he goes mental and needs to be chased around the garden for at least 30 minutes. He runs, he jumps and I run and jump with him!

I'm nearly 6ft tall, so when I jump, I'm getting to about 7ft in height. Charlie jumps up to that height as well.

We then break for dinner and go for a walk and then a run along the river and down Ivy Walk.

The point is that Charlie is FAST. You have to run flat out to keep up with him and even then, once he's had enough of running with you, he'll speed off into the distance, come running back and overtake you again. But, I find myself running a lot harder and faster with him.

There's something liberating about running with your dog though, almost in the same way you get this liberating sensation when running barefoot.

I think my perfect training session would be a massive field with Charlie and a pair of Vibram Five Fingers. We'd have a great time!

Barefoot Running Guide & New VFFs 2011 Range

My Barefoot Running Guide has been published over at The Running Bug. I guess all that running about in Vibram Five Fingers finally paid off!

Speaking of which, a big box of the 2011 Vibram Five Fingers landed on my desk yesterday afternoon. As sad as it sounds, I haven't slept a wink. It's like being a kid waiting for Christmas knowing that there's a big box full of toys for you to play with in the morning,

So this morning I've spend a good hour or two reviewing the Komodo Sport, Treksport, Bikila LS while asking one of the girls in the office who wears Vibram Classics to try on the ladies models. My feet are far too big and not nearly lady like enough.

The Komodo Sport is quite simply incredible, as are many of the more advanced Vibram Five Fingers models. While I love my Vibram Classics, once you've tasted luxury, there's no going back.

I'm reviewing them all this week on the Fitness Footwear Blog, so if you've got a thing for barefoot running or just Vibram Five Fingers in general, then it's well worth checking out.