5/11/2023 - Ran the New York Marathon!
A Man with Forty things to do Before 40 (except he didn't quite manage to complete the challenge. So now what?)
Tuesday, 14 November 2023
Sunday, 16 October 2016
Grow A Beard
Although I have blonde hair, I am for some reason a bit of a hairy mammal. That said, it's not exactly gorilla like but I do have a lot of hair in a lot of places. (Sadly Not a lot at the top of my head!).
In the past I have had a goatee beard, moustache etc. that was quite fun. I was single at the time & it was very popular with the ladies. Now settled down, I often hate the thought of having to shave once (or sometimes twice) a day. So this task is simple, quick & easy. I am going to grow a beard & then publish on this page a 'Before & After' Shot.
Who Knows? - I may even keep the beard, buy a Volvo & wear sandals, grow my Hair long & become a Hippie!
Status: - DONE
From the net:-
"Those who know recommend letting a beard grow for a solid four weeks before even looking at it. The average beard grows about five inches each year, so it shouldn't take much longer to grow a some fine whiskers. Depending on how quickly the beard grows and how bristly the hair is, some time around the second or third week the hairs will begin to curl under and the grower will begin to scratch and wish he hadn't started with this stupid idea to begin with".
Some other great facts on growing a beard here - Growing A Beard
Xmas 2006 seemed like as good a time as any to start this task.
With no work for over 10 days due to holidays, Laziness forced my hand.
Start Date - 22nd Dec. 2006. But, look, just a few days later & what do we find? -
there is some grey in there too!
The days came & went (as did the usual January 'Man Flu') till alas 21st January 2007 arrived - 4 weeks since 'beard birth'.
The general opinion is that it looked good, so for that reason alone, it had to go!.
On returning to work, no-one noticed it had gone!
In the past I have had a goatee beard, moustache etc. that was quite fun. I was single at the time & it was very popular with the ladies. Now settled down, I often hate the thought of having to shave once (or sometimes twice) a day. So this task is simple, quick & easy. I am going to grow a beard & then publish on this page a 'Before & After' Shot.
Who Knows? - I may even keep the beard, buy a Volvo & wear sandals, grow my Hair long & become a Hippie!
Status: - DONE
From the net:-
"Those who know recommend letting a beard grow for a solid four weeks before even looking at it. The average beard grows about five inches each year, so it shouldn't take much longer to grow a some fine whiskers. Depending on how quickly the beard grows and how bristly the hair is, some time around the second or third week the hairs will begin to curl under and the grower will begin to scratch and wish he hadn't started with this stupid idea to begin with".
Some other great facts on growing a beard here - Growing A Beard
Xmas 2006 seemed like as good a time as any to start this task.
With no work for over 10 days due to holidays, Laziness forced my hand.
Start Date - 22nd Dec. 2006. But, look, just a few days later & what do we find? -
there is some grey in there too!
The days came & went (as did the usual January 'Man Flu') till alas 21st January 2007 arrived - 4 weeks since 'beard birth'.
The general opinion is that it looked good, so for that reason alone, it had to go!.
On returning to work, no-one noticed it had gone!
Tuesday, 20 September 2016
London To Brighton Bike Ride
Status: - DONE
BACKGROUND
As I have been warned by the specialist who repaired my knee that if a want to continue running or jogging as 'exercise' I will need false knees in later life, it seems that cycling is a good alternative. (So yes no task to do 'The London Marathon'!)
I used to cycle 2 miles a day to work & back but will need to do a bit of training for this one as the route is 54 miles!.
So Three good things come out of this task:-
1) - I get fit
2) - I get a new Bike! (Mountain bike is old & rusty)
3) - I get to raise some money for Charity.
I am really looking forward to this one, and hope you will sponsor me as I when i get into gear & sort it!
So First I:-
1. Bought a new bike Oct. 2006 - SEE IT HERE
2. Started to ride It (upto 25 miles now, every Sunday)
3. Sent off the entry form for the 2007 race
4. Entry Confirmed!, Race Pack Received 20/03/2007
5. Trained over 750 miles.
17/06/2007 - After 8 months & 750 miles of training, & with a final practice run of 49 miles the Saturday before it was all systems GO! The training plan was completed to perfection.
Stayed in Clapham the night before after travelling up on the train. The EuroHotel Clapham served it's purpose - Cheap (£40 B&B), good location + I was allowed to keep my bike in the room.
Woke up at 06:00hrs, fuelled up & got to the start half an hour before my due start time of 07:00hrs. Thousands allready there & waiting.
I got away "Officially" at 06:50hrs & felt rather chuffed at sneaking through whilst many were still waiting around from their planned earlier 06:00 hrs / 06:30 hrs starts. The weather was perfect. Cloudy & cool.
London was all stop/start due to the roads/roundabouts/junctions. Once out of London the ride become more & more enjoyable & the views more & more scenic. I seemed to manage & maintain a respectable pace, & looked on track to beat my goal of completing it (54 miles) in under 4 hours.
Took my first break at the top of Turner's Hill. Just a couple of minutes to sort the ipod (damn earphones!), snack & refuel. Then onwards & onwards. Overtook what seemed like hundreds of people (Check: It's a ride not a race!), the hills were great fun going down (43mph the fastest - got flashed by a speed camera in the process) & not too steep going up. Except for one. I didn't "Beat the Beacon" :-( Ditchling Beacon must be about 1 mile long & is reached at the 47 mile point. I managed to get halfway up & then had a choice: Pass out, or get off & walk. Went for the walk & was absolutely gutted. Even more so when all the Mountain bikes i had overtaken along the way seemed to have no problem getting up with their super-low gearing (Note to self: Get better gearing next time!). But hey i wasn't alone. I would estimate about 2 in 10 actually made it up cycling without stopping.
Must train harder next time!
The final descent into Brighton was the best. Super fast, & the excitment knowing that if i had to, i could walk the final few miles. No such worries in the end, just a few stop starts due to the busy demands of Brighton Traffic & then one last turn into the home straight. The sun started to shine & I got very emotional as the crowds lining the finish cheered & clapped. Holding back the tears i crossed the line in a very impressive 3hrs 41 mins (even if i say so myself - the "average" person completes the course in 7 hours - getting away early certainly avoids the congestion).
Recevied my medal, downed loads of water, got changed, had a smoothie & then cycled to Hove for my lift home! A great Fathers day was topped off by a visit to the Chichester Pizza Hut. & stuffed myself silly to regain all those burned calories (1062) & fat (138g).
Managed to drag myself into work the next day, not too sore but just a bit physically drained.
Over £150.00 raised for the British Heart Foundation!!
1 week off the bike to recharge & then it's time to up the training regime ready for the Bristol to London ride on Sunday 26th August. 100 Miles.
BACKGROUND
As I have been warned by the specialist who repaired my knee that if a want to continue running or jogging as 'exercise' I will need false knees in later life, it seems that cycling is a good alternative. (So yes no task to do 'The London Marathon'!)
I used to cycle 2 miles a day to work & back but will need to do a bit of training for this one as the route is 54 miles!.
So Three good things come out of this task:-
1) - I get fit
2) - I get a new Bike! (Mountain bike is old & rusty)
3) - I get to raise some money for Charity.
I am really looking forward to this one, and hope you will sponsor me as I when i get into gear & sort it!
So First I:-
1. Bought a new bike Oct. 2006 - SEE IT HERE
2. Started to ride It (upto 25 miles now, every Sunday)
3. Sent off the entry form for the 2007 race
4. Entry Confirmed!, Race Pack Received 20/03/2007
5. Trained over 750 miles.
17/06/2007 - After 8 months & 750 miles of training, & with a final practice run of 49 miles the Saturday before it was all systems GO! The training plan was completed to perfection.
Stayed in Clapham the night before after travelling up on the train. The EuroHotel Clapham served it's purpose - Cheap (£40 B&B), good location + I was allowed to keep my bike in the room.
Woke up at 06:00hrs, fuelled up & got to the start half an hour before my due start time of 07:00hrs. Thousands allready there & waiting.
I got away "Officially" at 06:50hrs & felt rather chuffed at sneaking through whilst many were still waiting around from their planned earlier 06:00 hrs / 06:30 hrs starts. The weather was perfect. Cloudy & cool.
London was all stop/start due to the roads/roundabouts/junctions. Once out of London the ride become more & more enjoyable & the views more & more scenic. I seemed to manage & maintain a respectable pace, & looked on track to beat my goal of completing it (54 miles) in under 4 hours.
Took my first break at the top of Turner's Hill. Just a couple of minutes to sort the ipod (damn earphones!), snack & refuel. Then onwards & onwards. Overtook what seemed like hundreds of people (Check: It's a ride not a race!), the hills were great fun going down (43mph the fastest - got flashed by a speed camera in the process) & not too steep going up. Except for one. I didn't "Beat the Beacon" :-( Ditchling Beacon must be about 1 mile long & is reached at the 47 mile point. I managed to get halfway up & then had a choice: Pass out, or get off & walk. Went for the walk & was absolutely gutted. Even more so when all the Mountain bikes i had overtaken along the way seemed to have no problem getting up with their super-low gearing (Note to self: Get better gearing next time!). But hey i wasn't alone. I would estimate about 2 in 10 actually made it up cycling without stopping.
Must train harder next time!
The final descent into Brighton was the best. Super fast, & the excitment knowing that if i had to, i could walk the final few miles. No such worries in the end, just a few stop starts due to the busy demands of Brighton Traffic & then one last turn into the home straight. The sun started to shine & I got very emotional as the crowds lining the finish cheered & clapped. Holding back the tears i crossed the line in a very impressive 3hrs 41 mins (even if i say so myself - the "average" person completes the course in 7 hours - getting away early certainly avoids the congestion).
Recevied my medal, downed loads of water, got changed, had a smoothie & then cycled to Hove for my lift home! A great Fathers day was topped off by a visit to the Chichester Pizza Hut. & stuffed myself silly to regain all those burned calories (1062) & fat (138g).
Managed to drag myself into work the next day, not too sore but just a bit physically drained.
Over £150.00 raised for the British Heart Foundation!!
1 week off the bike to recharge & then it's time to up the training regime ready for the Bristol to London ride on Sunday 26th August. 100 Miles.
Before40.co.uk ~ 40 Things To Do Before The BIG 40!!
WHY?
Uninspired, Bored & uninfluenced, i decided to do something to ease me out of my midlife crisis.
I wanted to do something a little bit different; a legacy some might say.
- & maybe raise a bit of cash for Charity too.
So this site is for those of you interested enough to track my progress & see if i am true to my word.
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Give Colonic Irrigation A Go
This idea came around through many diferent things.
Trying to be healthier & lose some weight (Quickly).
Having enrolled in & enjoyed the
Robert Gray Colon Cleansing Programme (A bit weird at first but highly recommended - the 'oral' version of Colonic Irrigation), I am still left wondering if it is as good as the 'Direct' method?
Pub talk with the lads who expressed an interest in having a go too.
Status: - DONE 30/05/2007 - Again another task completed during half term week (seems to be the only time i get to do stuff!)
Did some emailing around a few weeks previous to some local 'irrigation' specialists, with the set criteria of "availability on a Saturday" & "Can I book more than 1 person", so my friends could have a go too.
Only two companies replied. Both could do Saturday's, both rejected "Multiple Sessions" as only one room is available at any one time. So that ruled out the idea that this task would take place with friends. Shame.
(Oh, & It's called Colonic Hydrotherapy now, not Colonic Irrigation!)
So, I guess this makes is good reason No. 2 to have a colonic done?
0
Nothing
No Change of weight loss at all
& how do i feel later/the next day? - Dreadful!
But it didn't help having lots of crisps, fizzy drink & Chinese takeaway on what was quite literallly an empty stomach!
Status: - DONE 30/05/2007 - Again another task completed during half term week (seems to be the only time i get to do stuff!)
Did some emailing around a few weeks previous to some local 'irrigation' specialists, with the set criteria of "availability on a Saturday" & "Can I book more than 1 person", so my friends could have a go too.
Only two companies replied. Both could do Saturday's, both rejected "Multiple Sessions" as only one room is available at any one time. So that ruled out the idea that this task would take place with friends. Shame.
(Oh, & It's called Colonic Hydrotherapy now, not Colonic Irrigation!)
So the date was booked (30/05/2007 12:15 hrs). I enetered the Grove Natural Therapy Centre rather apprehensive, not really knowing what was about to happen next.....
I was met by a male doctor, American, late 50's. Friendly chap, & i guess that with what was to follow, this was the best person for this procedure.
After running through a description of "What is Colonic Hydrotherapy" & "The Digestive System" it was time to take off the jeans & shoes & lie down on the couch.
Oh My God
So here's what happens. Firstly you lie on your side & the pants come down (oh the shame of it....)
Then, without a word of warning a finger is inserted into the anus for examination (well, that's what i was told - & yes he was wearing surgical gloves!)
The good news is that my Prostate gland is fine!. Someone said to me that the prostate check is a bit like a male version of a smear test, only less often. Well, I'm glad I ain't a women if i need to have that done every few years!
So then onto the proper stuff & within seconds a special instrument is inserted in the same place where the finger had just been (& I can report it wasn't as painful!)
Then the taps are on & water enters your stomach. A really weird feeling takes over & before you know it I had a real urge to Poo as gravity & the water pressure takes over & my stomach contents are flushed out!
A mirror is carefully positioned so you can see the contens of your stomach take an early exit (& not have to look at the Exact point of exit if you know what I mean..).
For the next 30 minutes my stomach is massaged & i feel the same, constant sensation im my stomach as that of having diarrhoea.
It is so weird having a poo without sitting on a loo!
& then I'm done. The tube comes out & i am wiped clean. The urge to poo is there again now that i'm upright - Fortunatley the toilet is adjacent so i'm straight in (sat down this time) & another 500ml of 'Brown' Liquid leaves me for the last time.
So, I guess this makes is good reason No. 2 to have a colonic done?
Then it's straight home & on the scales to see what affect the colonic has on the weight of a person with no poo.
The Answer?0
Nothing
No Change of weight loss at all
& how do i feel later/the next day? - Dreadful!
But it didn't help having lots of crisps, fizzy drink & Chinese takeaway on what was quite literallly an empty stomach!
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