progress report apr 07
Around about this time of the year, the end of the first quarter, I have usually forgotten about my plans for the year and have many new ideas. But this year, with the help of the blog, I am still on track. By checking in each month and filing a report which I believe is being read by others (although it is probably only a handful of people), keeps me striving to practice what I preach. There is a good sense of continuity and I can feel the cumulative effects of all of the things that I’m trying to achieve and maintain.
Fixed Gear Exercises
Still much the same as I did last month: slowing down the bike with my legs and keeping the thing smooth by pulling up more than pressing down. But I have been working on sitting back when I climb hills rather than standing, if I can. And when I do have to stand either for steep hills or for sprints I have been working on getting the swing as even as I can. There is a beautiful rhythm to it when it works well.
Mula bandha at the traffic lights
Still going strong. I do forget about it occasionally but have been keeping up with the slow and deep contractions.
Minimum of a 100 miles a week on my bike
Not quite as well as I did in March and I missed a couple of weeks as well. Meaning that I was well below that figure. I did go to Sweden to visit my cottage and was hoping to do some cycling there. But it happened to be a very windy weekend, so staying in with the woodstove burning seemed a much better idea.
More about this in the “mileage” category.
Press-ups and sit-ups upon rising
So I went from doing it everyday to doing the super slow thing. Then I found that old injuries were coming back to the fore. So I’ve stopped over the last couple of weeks. I am just starting to notice the loss of strength, so perhaps I’ll just go back to the old method of everyday. Not really sure what to do. Perhaps I’ll ask a friend who knows more about this sort of thing.
Meditation
It’s good to be spending time with my old friend again. See the section called “meditation diary” for more details. But generally I’m enjoying it and having those mini insights that keep me coming back. The cushion is calling me.
My own yoga practice – one class, one alone
I actually went to a class last week down in Brighton and I had a session on my own after my bike ride. So I fulfilled both of my goals this week. But this has not been the general case. It was a great relief to attend a class and discover the joy of switching off my preoccupations and just get absorbed in the practice. Well, at least I have one class a month that I can look forward to.
Diet – 5 a day, etc
I reached my target weight as I outlined in another post. I’m still sticking with it for another month so that I can go just a touch under the target so that I have a bit further to go when I start to go up again. A bit more leeway as it were. My water intake is still good, but still fairly low on the old fruit and veg. I have improved and have been drinking a few more smoothies. So I would say that I have moved from 2/5 to 3/5. So I’m going in the right direction. And still no huge cravings, can you believe that!
Bike rides eg London to Brighton etc
Finally got around to doing a bike ride that I have been planning for a few months now. Really nice. I’ll write more about it in the “mileage” section. The London to Brighton ride is only just over a month away, so better keep up my training and get people to sponsor me.
Keep a log of monthly achievements
Big up.
Reading
Been reading a lot about scsi. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to totally obsess about something like this. You know, think about it day and night and all that sort of thing. But I’ve also been working my way through “The Corrections”. And of course I’ll write something about it when I’m done. I also read a Jack Reacher novel too called “Persuader”. It was a christmas present from the mrs which I got round to reading this month.
Trips to visit friends
Didn’t make it in April. But it took me just into May. But they have been coming to see me too. It’s always nice.
Selling things on Ebay and having a clear out
Ebay is such a chore until you start doing it again on a regular basis. I’ve just got out of the habit, that’s all. I took a load of photos for a few items. I even cropped and optimised them and put them up on my server. I could write a one liner couldn’t I? But even though I see other people doing that I just can’t seem to do it. I have to write a lot and spend ages on a style sheet as well. Not going to sell anything in the way that I’m going. But I am selling more wheels.
Pampering and ‘me’ time
My wife’s aunt was visiting and said that she goes to the sauna on a regular basis. That made me wonder when it was that I was at the sauna last. I have free access to the sauna, so at least I should use it. But now I have a series of massages lined up. Both sports massages and shiatsu. I have also been having the Nap and taking long baths. And as the weather has been good, I’ve been going to the park and taking time to lose myself in a novel.
Reviews in the blog – films, books, exhibitions etc
I think that I watch too many films to review them them all, so I end end up not writing any reviews at all. But I have been reviewing other things that I see. Perhaps I could do one liners like I thought about doing with ebay.
Selling more wheels on ebay
People are actually finding my site. I only want to do one a month and it’s sort of working out. I’m really enjoying it and it’s great to see more people going fixed gear. So I can hold fire with my ebay ads because I don’t need to publicise myself in that way.
Checking out the Herne Hill velodrome
Well after that first trip I haven’t been since. I haven’t felt the urge really. Perhaps I should go along and watch an event and see if that inspires me.
Working on my Svenska
Did go to my cottage a couple of weeks ago but didn’t really speak to a soul. It was such a short trip that I didn’t really want to take the time to go and see anyone. And it was too cold to go out anyway. I think I need to do another course or find some Swedish people that live locally else my Swedish will disappear. Not good.
Contributing to Songfight
Well there is actually a bit of music happening in my life. I am working on a song that needs lyrics and on another that needs some synth programming. It feels like taking the lawn mower out of the shed in the summer after it’s been sitting there all winter. But the old habits are still there too: I’m starting to think about gear and not the music.
Songfight entries of Bell Green
Business Plan
Not much happening here. The more I think about it the more I wonder if I can pull it off. But that’s what the plan is all about isn’t it? I’m still young enough to start and build a business so I might as well. But the question is do I want to? I think that I would rather not make a start than to get somewhere and then realise that I’m not really up for it. I think that’s what I really need to examine at the moment.
Ruby on Rails
Goodbye Ruby Tuesday, who could hang a name on you. Not this month. Nope.