Jay and Lis - Sunday trek training

I am ready to dig nails in Jay's dashboard....

Jay finds a hill she wants to walk down, to admire the view

Time to walk back up the hill

What is this creature thingy??

Love it!..The 2011 Julie Andrews, high on a hill...............

Jay asked if she could join me on one of my Sunday hill training walks.  Apart from the Acorns Hospice charity challenge teams one off social and pre Sahara Desert trek training day last year, I have always walked and trained alone.  It was a welcomed change and lovely day.  I made tuna and sweet corn  sandwiches. Chopped pineapple and melon cubes, to share and enjoy a picnic on the hills.  I never normally do this.  Living alone I can be somewhat lazy when it comes to making meals or packing mini picnics  for trek training.  

Today is the first day Jay is testing out her trekking boots, I insisted she bought during our girly, trekking essential gear retail therapy day.  Looking like pro trekkers, but not necessarily feeling so, we set out to train.  Jay has all the mod cons.   I have my works limited mobile and would not have a clue how to even operate the gadget Jay owns (I don’t even know what it is!?)  She sets this gadget thingy ma jig to record our mileage coverage and the route we take.

It was kind of reassuring for me, and a relief to hear Jay share the path we are walking is fairly challenging.  In my eyes she is a fit cookie (((cuppage)))) (private share between me and my girl).  We walk my usual route.  I ask Jay to pick out little worn in path ways she notices to add a change.  She notices a view she wants to get near to.  A steep way down and one hell of a challenge on the thighs and butt back up.  All good work on the legs and mind attitude.   We take a break to enjoy our picnic, and go over the list of my training and health schedule I want to put together on an excel spread sheet.  I have asked Jay to be my training, check in monitor and mentor.  

Rest over, and mock schedule sheet drafted, we carry on training.  A challenging terrain where Jay does an amazing slope, gravel, downwards hill skate and skid with such grace and no tumble or fall.  This crease's me up.  Such style.  I had no idea I would repeat this act later on during our trek training.  We test out our legs and overall stamina on hills, and investigate tiny little worn away pathways, to see what views we can find.  A great training day, and I really enjoyed sharing a Sunday walk with my mate Jay.  Heading back to Jay’s car she cannot resist chasing the sheep off the hill.  Hilarious, you had to be there!  Back packing Jay, doing the mischievous Julie Andrews "the hills are alive" etc etc etc.  She amused quiet a few onlookers too, although she was unaware of this but I clocked the pleasant amusement she created.  Thanks Jay, I enjoyed our training, chats, putting together my schedule, smiles and laughs. *MWAH*

For Jay.  Good luck with Ramadan, although I know you do not need it!  I will support you with my new training regime and like last year participate in some fasting with you.  Loves xxxx

Mind Control Tips

Mind Control Tips | Mind Control Tricks

A fantastic link to motivate, encourage creativity and meditation practice.  Lifting and inspiring :o)


"Spiritual life doesn't make you a good person, you ARE a good person, you are a holy being when you are born.  What spiritual life does is remind us that this is who we really are." - Jack Kornfield

The Dalai Lama Blog

Dalai Lama blog

Food for thought and for energy

I loved watching this couple.  They seemed like soul mates

Strolling the hills, man and his dog

I was not overly enthusiastic this morning to train.  I felt lethargic from a heavy sleep and early rise.  I had to muster up discipline to train and continue breaking in my new trekking boots for the Himalaya.  I want to complete this charity challenge, for Acorns Children, their parents/carers, my appreciation of sponsors and my own self development.

Today was tough.  I imagined it would be somewhat easier after four Sunday's of hill training, but it was not.  July has been a very unpleasant month for various reasons.  I tried to soldier on against unsettling times. Meditated, worked, trained, helped at the hospice. Until reflection today, I realised how sad and low I felt.   This naturally had an impact on my physical status.  I could not avoid the fact I felt physically weak.  My appetite has been unintentionally suppressed.  Although I made an effort, when sharing company with my lovely friend Jay, enjoying fish and chips during my essential trekking gear required retail therapy day.

My breakfast to boost energy levels, a banana and beetroot juice.  Ten minutes into walking my hill route, I felt like heading back to the car.  Knackered, thinking and feeling I can’t do this!!! Food for thought:  No doubt there will be a day or day’s, when I will want to quit the Dalai Lama trek.  I experienced this during the Sahara Desert challenge.  Somehow, some way, I completed that trek and realised I had determination, mental, emotional and physical strength.  Again, somehow, I wanted to find that strength today, but it was very difficult.  I had to push myself and try.  Without realising, until this morning, I have lost ½ stone.  I can really feel that dramatic loss take its toll today.  I had achieved quiet good goals the last four weekends, but the lack of quality food  finally caught up with me.  

I carry on, decide not to over train on steep terrain today.  Just walk, listen to my body for when it is time to rest or head home.  I walk and walk mixed ground, but not the same challenges as the last four weekends.  I know it’s time out when my ankle buckles, falling to the ground twisting my knee and opposite ankle.  I pick myself up and head to the car.  Enough's, enough!.  I loved my Wing Chun Kung Fu training days but they have caused many injuries and problems.  My yoga teacher warned me not to continue Kung Fu practice :o$  

I accept today, I did my best.  Rather than push myself to the usual extreme causing problems with re-occurring injuries, further harm than good, I knew it was time to drive home and rest.  

Everyday, in ever way things are getting better. Pedometer reads 13638 steps.

"Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can." 

Dalai Lama XIV

Saturday, sunshine and stroll

Archway to the University of Birmingham

Selly Oak Sailors

My shadow leads

Saturday 23 July 2011.  I rise bright and early, to view the progress of my new food herb garden and vegetables.  Since becoming debt free, apart from the mortgage, I am trying to be more consciously aware of outgoings, to save and prevent wasting food or money.  I never thought I would miss having my own garden. Apart from saving money and food waste, I want to nurture and grow my own food window box garden.  It was a nice sight and rewarding, to see little shoots of beetroot, spinach and chives sprouting.  My coriander , basil, tarragon, green beans and tomatoes are making slow growth.  Fingers crossed, my inexperienced “green fingers” at some point will help them to flourish.


I thought about befriending at Acorns, but had to be honest and listen to my gut.  It had been a tiring week, well month actually.  I needed time out, accepting I would not be the best of company to try to offer quality time, one to one with a child.  I finished jobs off at home, walked into the City to buy fruits and veg from the open market.  I walk back home to store my week supplies.  Feeling organised at home, I was ready to pull on my new trekking boots, start to break them in, walking to and including my towpath route regularly strolled.


A slight change to my usual route, I cut through the University of Birmingham to join the towpath at the Uni train station.  Along the towpath I am distracted by music and noise rising above my MP3 player.  I see ahead a narrow boat navigated by dressed up sailors. "What the?!  I can’t resist and ask if I can take a picture, it’s not very often this will be seen along this route. Questioned why, I explain it's for my Himalaya blog diary.  The captain of the team somewhat impressed by this future charity trek, agrees to a photo calling more of his crew out of shelter to pose. Shot taken. The captain navigates to moor and I am asked to come aboard to share a beer. I politely refuse. They all seem pretty harmless, but climbing onboard with a group of strange gents would not have been a wise move, and not my style. I was very flattered all the same,  a nice little confidence boost appreciated and needed of late.  My feet pick up some speed, leaving them partying behind in the distance to continue enjoyment on their booze cruise.


My new boots have done me proud, blister free! I completed with ease 17670 steps approximately 7 miles.

Scallop Shell

Friday 22 July 2011 - My scallop shell and chain arrived in my morning post from Pilgrims Supplies.  Although this is the symbol for the Way of St James or St James‘ Way Spanish El Camino de Santiago, Galician O Camino de Santiago, I wanted mine to carry with me on trek training days and the Dalai Lama trek experience.

Symbolism
Extract from Wikipedia
Shell of Saint James
The scallop shell is the traditional emblem of James, son of Zebedee and is popular with pilgrims on the Way of St James to the apostle's shrine at Santiago de Compostela in  Spain. Medieval Christians making the pilgrimage to his shrine often wore a scallop shell symbol on their hat or clothes. The pilgrim also carried a scallop shell with him, and would present himself at churches, castles, abbeys etc., where he could expect to be given as much sustenance as he could pick up with one scoop. Probably he would be given oats, barley, and perhaps beer or wine. Thus even the poorest household could give charity without being overburdened. The association of Saint James with the scallop can most likely be traced to the legend that the apostle once rescued a knight covered in scallops. An alternative version of the legend holds that while St. James' remains were being transported to Spain from Jerusalem, the horse of a knight fell into the water, and emerged covered in the shells.

Thinking.....Gratitude

Today is a good day, PAY DAY!  Bills are paid for another month.  No debts, well apart from the mortgage.  Healthy and well.   Hills to walk and enjoy training for the charity trek challenge, another mini adventure and learning curve.