6 weeks to marathon day!

Hello world
 I managed run again today although I got twinge again in calf so stopped at 4 miles and rested it as calf not feeling right so rest day at least tomorrow. I have only 6 weeks to the Snowdonia Trail Marathon now! so really need be careful I need get stamina better and strengthen calf but not push its recovery as really want to run in the event...so steady it is...I'm not worried about finish time for Snowdonia as I do not have enough time to train properly to get best time I'm capable of I just want finish it ok!

Also going drop a few reviews on the blog soon including a waterproof jacket I treated myself too and a running pack I've saved for :)

The sunshine really does help with mood when I mange get myself out for a run and feeling low, if anyone thinking about starting now is a great time its light in the morning if you want run at quiet times too, if starting out its not how far or how fast so try not judge your self, its just about being out there and enjoying it :)

Hope everyone is out there enjoying the sun,
Gareth :)

6 a day...miles that is

Just thought I'd post as managed run again today only had a slight twinge in my calf (so resting tomorrow) but managed do a comfortable 6 miler was not worried about pace which came in at 0:50:55, just happy to up the miles need work on stamina if hope to complete Snowdonia trail marathon....but I am feeling batter for running:)

hope finds all well
Gareth

4 miles of fun, recovering from injury :)

Hi all
 This last week my calf injury had eased off and last few days was walking pain free, so waited a few days and risked an easy run, got myself for a 4 miler today the calf was ok although my running gait felt awful but I think a lot of that was psychological as I was waiting for the injury to kick in again and waiting for calf pain...which did not happen!

I feel so much better today, mood and depression have been all over the place last few weeks and being injured and unable to run has really not helped, just being out for 32:51 for my 4 miler made such a difference I feel so much better and more positive today and grateful I could be out there running.

hopefully recover enough and in time to get some good events run soon.

wishing all well
Gareth

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Depression is like walking on trapdoors!

Hi all
 Had a bad night and feeling bad today, leg is still painful so cannot run need rest it, and personal Life not feeling great. So as struggling face things today decided write a blog post see if that helps get some things off my mind.

So the post title 'Depression is like walking on trapdoors' that's how it feels sometimes you get your self feeling a bit better but always scared trapdoor will open up and drop you down. And sometimes they do :( . I spoke to a therapist about this and they said being aware of the things that drop you down is one stage eventually you walk around the trapdoors...I think sometimes I do now but some days and today they still catch me. It can be a thought about myself or my future...a memory of the past all these things can get me.

I'm going to spend the rest of today mentally trying climb back out, spend some time reading the therapy self help and some of the athletes and positive people I follow on social media.

Fighting depression is tiring and frustrating, but at least now I do have better days so things are getting better...hell I've spent months not leaving the house in the past!

this is an honest post...this blog is not just about gear reviews, the main reason is I want to feel better to see more positives in life and running and exercise does help that, hope my leg fully heals soon.

wish you all well, if anyone reading this is feeling bad too then there are people you can speak too the Folks at MIND and other charities are very helpful, and sometimes easier I've found to start speaking to someone outside your normal family/friends circle if find it hard to let people know how you feel.

thanks for reading
Gareth
https://twitter.com/thetryath

Divoom Voombox Travel Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker - GEAR REVIEW

Hi
 In this review I slightly different piece of Gear from my items I normally review, but as you guys are aware I do like my outdoors gear and I do like entering competitions and for once the two came together and paid off! :) I was lucky enough to win a Divoom Voombox Travel Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker from the kind folks at +Maplin Electronics Ltd and this is my review.

First Impressions

Ok so first of the Speaker is about the size of a large donut,health and safety warning do not try to eat it! as would be very bad for your health and I doubt it would be very tasty...the speaker has a robust loop you can attach to your gear the loop is a Karabiner type so can be snapped onto bag straps etc

The speaker has 4 buttons Power and Call Buttons and Volume Up/Down (if held down these skip a track forwards or backwards), power is micro USB so easy to connect up.

Set up is quick and easy standard Bluetooth hold till light flashes and find with your music device.
The volume is impressive and as the speaker is double sided to provide a separate Bass you really get a lot from a small unit, power will hold for up to 6 hours use from a full charge too.

I tried the Speaker connected to a phone and a Laptop and the sound quality was impressive from both, the clip is a great idea too as makes the speaker more versatile in using outdoors. final note is build quality this speaker is really meant for outdoors and that shows in its build its the most solid outdoor speaker I've seen and used, so great as an indoor speaker for us clumsy types too!

price is £39.99 at Maplin at the moment and although mine was a prize must admit if I lost it I would replace with same unit out my own pocket.

thanks for reading
Gareth
https://twitter.com/thetryath

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/divoom-voombox-travel-outdoor-bluetooth-speaker-a23qf

Product details

Divoom Voombox Travel Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

• Wirelessly stream audio to the speaker from any Bluetooth-equipped device
• A passive radiator generates impressive bass for its size
• Rugged design, splash resistant, and built for the outdoors
• Built-in Li-ion battery provides up to 6-hours of playback time
• Powerful Built-in microphone for hands-free calls

Rugged portable wireless speaker

Divoom Voombox-Travel is an ultra- portable wireless Bluetooth speaker with microphone for wireless calls. Rugged,splash resistant design makes it a good choice for the outdoors. Latest 4.0 Bluetooth technology lets you wirelessly stream audio from tablets smart phones and other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Driver size: 2" full rang x 2" passive radiator
Output power: 4W
Signal to noise ratio: =75dB
Battery Capacity: 550 mAh
Battery Voltage: 3.7 V
Battery Charge Time: 2-2.5h hours
Wireless Range: Up to 10 meters
Bluetooth compliant: Bluetooth V4.0
Bluetooth profile support: A2DP Stereo
Talk Time: Up to 6 hours
Microphone sensitivity: -40 db

Tough Mudder Midlands - 2015 - Event Review

Hi
 Well I made it to the Tough Mudder Midlands event, and me and my injured calf managed to jog  and walk/limp my way around, thanks to the family members I was running with kindly slowing their pace for me.

So time to review it! on arrival your through pretty quick after I.D checks (you DO need photo I.D) then its time to put on the multitude of sticker/wristband/chest running numbers which you lose most of in the first one or two obstacles..the  finally just to complete the look write your number on your face...now feeling part of the event wait to get in a running block.

the running blocks are timed every 20 minutes so do not have to wait too long, then a warm up, and your off...to a wall obstacle and then stop for a health and safety talk..then the Tough Mudder proper begins.The run itself is not too bad I managed jog most even with a painful calf, its not about time its about getting around and enjoying the course.

OBSTACLES

The Obstacles vary and as per the name you can expect Mud, Water and climbing, I'll not go through every Obstacle but some of the main ones:

• Walls! plenty of them but everyone helps each other (strangers give each other a lift here too) so do not worry too much.
• Arctic Enema! there are plenty of water Obstacles wading/swimming across or falling of floating pads to cross but the Arctic Enema is special filled with Ice you go in off a slide so a rapid entry(expect possible Ice-cream headache!) then have to duck back under...you'll come out cold but soon feel warm on the jog.
• Mud Mile- a slippery series of trench's filled with water but more fun as the mud is clay..plenty of slips slides struggling up the banks, watch out the though few sharp stones stick out so expect some scratches/cuts.
• monkey bars basically you'll fall off and get wet..few make it as bars are so coated in wet slippery mud its easy to miss a grip. lots look and just jump in the water :)
• Electroshock a run through a tangle of wires giving you some nice zaps! made more fun as the ground is boggy mud.

I'll probably update with some more Obstacles there were over 20! if anyone wants to ask about a specific one let me know.



AFTER EVENT

On the finish you get your Legendary Orange headband, a t-shirt, a Flannel(towel) a snackbar, water and a bottle of Cider. then time to scrape off the Mud there are some cold hosepipes arranged to rinse off and plenty of other stuff to do(heated hot tubs etc)

CONCLUSION

We all agreed we would do it again, and I'd love to run again with a pain free leg and really enjoy it all.


IMAGES

Images coming soon as I get them from the Spectators who watched us! :)


thanks for reading
Gareth
https://twitter.com/thetryath