On a personal note I have been away for the weekend on a “busman’s holiday”.  The venue was Daventry, the event was a fitness fiesta.

For those that love classes this is a great way to spend the weekend.  We did a total of 10 classes but not all full on aerobic activity. These included: Tai Chi, Qi Kung, Fight Club (combat with something to hit), fitness inspired yoga, soulful stretch, carnival calypso (don’t ask) and introduction to meditation.

Also available was flexi-bar, Capoeira, Gliding, Ball Strength, Ballet Sculpt, Aqua Combat, Step and wobble board to name but a few.  Basically every hour there was a choice of 3 or 4 classes to go to, tiring but fun.

For the guys its worth noting that out of about 75 people on the weekend there were only 3 men!

The instructors were great fun and very passionate about their classes – just the same as here, the only difference is they are teaching to bigger classes.

They have two main types of weekend – the hotel or the holiday camp – why not check out:

www.fitnessfiesta.co.uk

Also available were beauty treatments and massage.  I opted for a sports massage – painful (no very painful) but therapeutic.  Its worth noting that Tracey the therapist at Balance is also able to offer a sports massage – you can get her details from reception.

The latest edition of FHM has arrived at the Club.  If you look beyond the glossy pictures of scantily clad women in what is “the best magazine in the world” there are always some great fitness tips.  I came across this one when reading the article about Chris Hoy- after looking at the pictures of the Saturdays of course! huis

Check out the link below for one hundred push ups.  The website gives you training tips to acheive this goal in just six weeks – unbelieveable, well I am going to give it a try.  My current “capacity” is about just over 20 so it will be interesting to see if it works, I will keep you updated with my progress.

http://www.hundredpushups.com/

There is never an excuse to be bored with the gym.  I was looking for new ideas the other day and came across the planche pressup – bascially a press up without using your legs!

Race Report

Wellingborough Multi Terrain Round 1

Sunday 18th January 2009

After gale force winds on Saturday night I wasn’t sure what would happen on race day. Sunday was a pleasant surprise with light winds and sunshine.

This was my 3rd or 4th year at this event and it was as well organised as ever. Not forgetting my £2 car parking fee I rolled into the car park at Irchester Country Park to do the usual make your own parking space trick.

After a suitable warm up it was down to the start line for the off. Without getting too technical it’s a bit of a tactical race when you are doing the 15k as there are 3 laps of the course to complete. The temptation is to go off quickly and get caught up with the 5k runners and pay the price if you are doing the 10k or 15k. Likewise in the second lap of the 15k race it is best to avoid racing with the 10k’ers as there is one more quite lonely lap to complete.

The course is a mixture of terrains as the name suggests with some really muddy sections to catch those out in road trainers. Other than one reasonable hill the course is fairly flat with some great country park running.

A great turnout this year with Jo and Lucy from the Club putting in a great effort in the 5k at their first shot at this event. Remember it’s not about how far or how fast you go just the fun of doing some running during the winter months with likeminded people.

For me, I ran 116 for the 15k spookily the same time for the first round of the event for the last 3 years! Remember this is only on one days running per week and one day in the gym – its all about maintaining a good base level of fitness and pushing yourself just a little bit (also I am sad to say that I am now classed as a veteran runner!).

Next race is Sunday 8th February 2009 – its not too late to enter on line or just pay on the day. Hopefully we will see Jo and Lucy again and maybe Dan and Jamie who are threatening to make a show in the 5K or 10K.

Ps. Saw the mad guy again from the Santa Fun Run – this time it was his first race of the season not his 38th!