I've been quiet recently, mainly due to nothing to report, but also because I've been slowly (very slowly) trying to get myself back to exercise. And busy with life, very busy. Who thought a child would occupy so much of your time?! (Disclaimer, I did know, just joking)
The reason that it's slow progress is mainly from a psychological aspect rather than any early injuries, thankfully!
Speaking of which, I always find it amazing how much of an impact the mental side of exercise can have on performance. Psychosomatic ailments can be such a hindrance to training and enjoyment of the fun of running. A large percentage of ability in running, in my opinion, is psychological and we've all had days where we don't feel up to it or find it really difficult to give it our all.
And it is this topic that I find really affects me. Not being very confident, it doesn't take much to knock me down, and having put up with back problems for 2 years (which really ground down my morale) and then suffering a recurring knee injury, I have completely forgotten any love I had for running. I've forgotten the thrill of getting up for Parkrun on a Saturday morning and the excitement of a booked race (Vitality London 10,000 in May).
A lack of confidence leads a person to a lack of motivation, the inability to find or make time. It's then all too easy to back out of any loose plans made, to convince yourself 'I'll go tomorrow' - which as most of us know, tomorrow never comes.
I have had a taster at the gym; partaking in a swim (god that was difficult), yoga (need to book again, 6:30am though...) and a Goal Setting appointment. The latter I feel (I hope) will give me a solid foundation to help me with running, whilst helping to protect my back and in turn, again hopefully, reduce or even stop my knee injuries.
Now, if I could just get over the hurdle of getting up earlier to go to the gym before work that would be lovely...if you've got any suggestions on how to do this, bearing in mind I have a small child and love my sleep, I'd welcome them with open arms!
Monday 27 February 2017
Friday 10 February 2017
Stevenage Beer Festival 04/02/2017
Being fairly new to the 'appreciating good beer'¹ scene, I'd not been to a beer festival until Camra decided to host one in Stevenage last year.
Also being naive because of this, my friend and I went in all guns blazing and somehow I lasted a good 8-9 hours.
This year I went in with a a tiny bit more of a plan, not so much of which beers to try (because there were A LOT and most I'd never heard of), but how I was going to manage getting through as many as possible...Thirds. Yup, this is probably fairly obvious to the initiated but pours of thirds and halves.
Yes, yes, I was an idiot last year but let's move on.
So the festival itself is located in the Gordon Craig Theatre in one of the tennis court halls. It felt bigger than last year, so much so that I thought it was held in a different hall, but alas, it was in the same room.
There are three bars, the 'Ale' cask bar with 70-80 beers, the KeyKeg bar (see info on what this is here, courtesy of Jolly Good Beer) and finally, the international bar which stocks both draught and bottles.
Here are the beers that I managed to savour:
However, saving best for last, both now and at the festival, Founders Breakfast Stout was fantastic! Again it was 8.3% and you could easily drink a few of these and regret it in the morning!
Disappointed to miss out on Cloudwater v11, and their Pale and Red beer, but their Grisette was surprisingly tasty even though it didn't smell it!
This festival is only a couple years old but it has already improved on its first year and has made me eager to visit on a yearly basis.
You can't fault any of the volunteers, they are all super helpful and help shape the overall atmosphere of the festival. I'd consider volunteering next year for an evening if I find myself with free time!
All in all, it's a wonderful festival. If you find yourself near Stevenage at the beginning of February in 2018, make sure you give it a go!
¹Whether it is 'craft' beer, real ale or whatever you prefer, I'm open to trying any beer but we all have our own tastes.
Also being naive because of this, my friend and I went in all guns blazing and somehow I lasted a good 8-9 hours.
This year I went in with a a tiny bit more of a plan, not so much of which beers to try (because there were A LOT and most I'd never heard of), but how I was going to manage getting through as many as possible...Thirds. Yup, this is probably fairly obvious to the initiated but pours of thirds and halves.
Yes, yes, I was an idiot last year but let's move on.
So the festival itself is located in the Gordon Craig Theatre in one of the tennis court halls. It felt bigger than last year, so much so that I thought it was held in a different hall, but alas, it was in the same room.
There are three bars, the 'Ale' cask bar with 70-80 beers, the KeyKeg bar (see info on what this is here, courtesy of Jolly Good Beer) and finally, the international bar which stocks both draught and bottles.
Here are the beers that I managed to savour:
- Hophead - Dark Star Brewing
- Black Hole Porter - Oakham Ales
- Sorachi Ace Grisette - Cloudwater
- Sünner Brauerei - Sünner Kölsch
- Amoor - Moor Beer Company
- How DIPA Is Your Love - Bexar County Brewery
- Hoppiness - Moor Beer Company
- Breakfast Stout - Founders Brewing Company
However, saving best for last, both now and at the festival, Founders Breakfast Stout was fantastic! Again it was 8.3% and you could easily drink a few of these and regret it in the morning!
Disappointed to miss out on Cloudwater v11, and their Pale and Red beer, but their Grisette was surprisingly tasty even though it didn't smell it!
This festival is only a couple years old but it has already improved on its first year and has made me eager to visit on a yearly basis.
You can't fault any of the volunteers, they are all super helpful and help shape the overall atmosphere of the festival. I'd consider volunteering next year for an evening if I find myself with free time!
All in all, it's a wonderful festival. If you find yourself near Stevenage at the beginning of February in 2018, make sure you give it a go!
¹Whether it is 'craft' beer, real ale or whatever you prefer, I'm open to trying any beer but we all have our own tastes.
Saturday 4 February 2017
Giggle Loop
As a parent, especially a first time parent I suppose, there's nothing that makes you more proud that watching your most prized possession (sorry JB!) develop and learn new things.
Even when they are super young like F, seeing them change day by day, learning new things; eye contact, focussing, smiling and most recently for me, laughing, it's just the best thing.
And yes! Dad points! I made her giggle for the very first time and it was the most amazingly cute thing so far, which is some feat considering every little thing she does is cute.
I am also proud of her because she's not even 3 months old and this is supposedly something she shouldn't be doing until she is 4-6 months old! What a little smarty pants!
Hopefully she will grow up to be a brainiac (hopefully not THIS Brainiac) but for now I'll settle for a giggle and a smile.
On the subject of development, I literally cannot wait until she can sit up and hold on to things properly. She's got this bad boy ROCKING MOOSE to try out!
Even when they are super young like F, seeing them change day by day, learning new things; eye contact, focussing, smiling and most recently for me, laughing, it's just the best thing.
And yes! Dad points! I made her giggle for the very first time and it was the most amazingly cute thing so far, which is some feat considering every little thing she does is cute.
I am also proud of her because she's not even 3 months old and this is supposedly something she shouldn't be doing until she is 4-6 months old! What a little smarty pants!
Hopefully she will grow up to be a brainiac (hopefully not THIS Brainiac) but for now I'll settle for a giggle and a smile.
On the subject of development, I literally cannot wait until she can sit up and hold on to things properly. She's got this bad boy ROCKING MOOSE to try out!
Thursday 2 February 2017
Fresh and Wild
First beer post!
The Wild Beer Co, definitely up there as one of my favourite breweries at the moment and in my fairly limited experience (check out my Untappd account here if you fancy).
I'm a big fan of being suckered in by good label/can designs and TWBC don't disappoint.
Usually bright and inviting with their customary stag logo, and descriptive text of what to expect inside the can.
The beer itself is beautifully golden and to me has a light floral scent.
To taste it is wonderfully citrusy (yes that's a word in my world!) and super fresh as the name suggests.
According to their site, TWBC sources their hops every 6 months which means that throughout the year the beer you buy will taste different each time.
If you spot this one around and you're a fan of , make sure you buy buy buy!
The Wild Beer Co, definitely up there as one of my favourite breweries at the moment and in my fairly limited experience (check out my Untappd account here if you fancy).
I'm a big fan of being suckered in by good label/can designs and TWBC don't disappoint.
Usually bright and inviting with their customary stag logo, and descriptive text of what to expect inside the can.
The beer itself is beautifully golden and to me has a light floral scent.
To taste it is wonderfully citrusy (yes that's a word in my world!) and super fresh as the name suggests.
According to their site, TWBC sources their hops every 6 months which means that throughout the year the beer you buy will taste different each time.
If you spot this one around and you're a fan of , make sure you buy buy buy!
Wednesday 1 February 2017
Introduction
Firstly, I'm a runner, or at least I'd like to call myself that when I do actually run.
I'm also a dad of 11 weeks. Let me tell you, it's the best feeling in THE WORLD, aside from the constant tiredness but that's part and parcel, right?
I'm also a beer fan with a preference for hops and Porters.
These are my favourite things so in essence, this is what you'll be reading about, or not, but that's up to you.
My personal aim for this blog is to keep memories of F, motivate myself and journal beer that I experience - variety is the spice of life, amirite?!
So a brief overview for you of recent history - 2016 started off a promising year for running, stronger and faster than I'd ever been, finally broke the 30 minute barrier at ParkRun despite having a 'bulging disc' in my back (I'd been suffering for a year in January 2016), and also managed a PB in a 10k on a scorching hot day, even with another injury!
However, in amongst these small joys I still found it hard with my back and alas, my dream of completing a Half Marathon was shattered when I became fully injured.
Time went by, then it was suddenly November and F was born, then it was Christmas and now it's February.
Now that there is a light at the end of the tunnel (I can manage the back pain the majority of the time), it is time to step once more into the running arena! I've taken the first steps by signing up to the gym, woohoo...
I'm also a beer fan with a preference for hops and Porters.
These are my favourite things so in essence, this is what you'll be reading about, or not, but that's up to you.
My personal aim for this blog is to keep memories of F, motivate myself and journal beer that I experience - variety is the spice of life, amirite?!
So a brief overview for you of recent history - 2016 started off a promising year for running, stronger and faster than I'd ever been, finally broke the 30 minute barrier at ParkRun despite having a 'bulging disc' in my back (I'd been suffering for a year in January 2016), and also managed a PB in a 10k on a scorching hot day, even with another injury!
However, in amongst these small joys I still found it hard with my back and alas, my dream of completing a Half Marathon was shattered when I became fully injured.
Time went by, then it was suddenly November and F was born, then it was Christmas and now it's February.
 |
| MEATmarket is a suitable, post race reward |
Now that there is a light at the end of the tunnel (I can manage the back pain the majority of the time), it is time to step once more into the running arena! I've taken the first steps by signing up to the gym, woohoo...
First steps are to strengthen my back, core & basically rebuild my entire left side before building back up to 10k distance.
Goals for 2017:
- Beat 1 hour - 10k
- Run ParkRun
- Get back under 30min - 5k
- ¿Complete a Half Marathon?
- Injury free ALL year
- Not ramble on too much in posts...
Almost all of these are achievable (looking at you, injuries!!) but let us take it a day at a time.
So that's the running part, now onto the beer! I'm pretty new to the craft scene and to be honest, I'm no expert so these are just my opinions (an opinion, controversial I know) but who knows, maybe one day. For now I'm just finding joy in experiencing new styles and finding my favourites...it's Beavertown and To Øl at the moment, since you asked. Go check them out.
That's all for now, thanks, and I leave you with a picture of me making friends with a Stingray.
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