Comments for Life in North Van

Comment on Just wring me out by gazrathbone

gazrathbone — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:56:01 +0000

Fairly well. Linda’s just recovering from suspected H1N1, and Joe has just landed in the UK for 2 weeks to visit with his older sister and brother.

Comment on Just wring me out by Andrew Simkin

Andrew Simkin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:43:16 +0000

sounds like fun. You havnt mentioned the family recently. Everyone well?

Comment on No fun please…I’m British by Andrew Simkin

Andrew Simkin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:31:46 +0000

Gaz,

Thanks for that. You’re right about putting some fun back into it. For several years I’ve always been motivated to a greater extent than I realised by the thought of going somewhere in Europe on a MTB vacation. Much of my desire to get out in the week was based on keeping up a base level of fitness in readiness for the big push to get fit before Europe. Last year I didnt go. This year I didnt go and now I find myself thinking ‘why am I dong it?’

Im fifty next year and I want to be mtbing somewhere (preferably on the big day) so Im starting to see a goal and a source of motivation.

However having read a summary of “Born to Run” Im now thinking that the real reason to get out there, is simply because I enjoy it.

The summary of the book I read was from http://www.runblogger.com and I think you would find it good stuff.

Regards,

Andrew

Comment on No fun please…I’m British by gazrathbone

gazrathbone — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:35:15 +0000

You need to put some fun back into it. Leave the bike in the garage for a while. Get some trail shoes (no socks) and go and splash through the puddles, slide around in the mud, and get closer to the ground. Seriously. DO NOT do any road running – it’s soulless and mind-numbingly boring. Get the shoes, a drink belt and a gel, park at the Lower Barn, and try to run/walk up to the Pike. Head through the trees and explore. If you don’t make it up the first time then there’s your target. Ignore the time it takes, enjoy the contact with the ground.

And finally, read this book “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall.

Enjoy.

Comment on No fun please…I’m British by Andrew Simkin

Andrew Simkin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:05:22 +0000

Nice one Gaz.I dont know how you do it (probably something to do with the location I suspect) but at 49 Im certainly starting to find getting going for a hard mtb ride more and more difficult. My brother who is 50 mentioned the other day that this is the first year he has ’started to feel the cold.’ Ever since then, ive been thinking about thermal underwear..! I need some motivation. Any bright ideas?

Comment on Slip slidin’ by Andrew Simkin

Andrew Simkin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:41:22 +0000

Put like that it makes a lot of sense.

Comment on Slip slidin’ by gazrathbone

gazrathbone — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:18:40 +0000

Cos on packed snow and not-too-deep fresh snow they’re awesome. Running in regular snowshoes is like running with a pair of dustbin lids strapped to your feet.

Comment on Slip slidin’ by Andrew Simkin

Andrew Simkin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:21:24 +0000

Why go to the trouble of running snow shoes if the grip is less reliable and you sink more in the snow?

Comment on The same old song by Andrew Simkin

Andrew Simkin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:21:42 +0000

Gaz,

Dont take this the wrong way but have you ever been checked out by a pediatrist?

I am quite flat footed and suffered loads of calf, achiles, knee aches and pains, even from riding a bike. Its one of the reasons I gave up running. Anyway, about 2 years ago I had a bad back and ended up at a good physio who traced all these problems to my feet. Long story short I now wear custom foot supports in my shoes/trainers/walking boots and hey presto! miricle cure.

Seriously, get checked. With all the leg work you do it might be a life style saver.

Regards,

Andrew

Comment on Happy Mondays by gazrathbone

gazrathbone — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:01:40 +0000

Silver everything now!