Cross Country Jumping

I did my first cross riding on Sunday and it was so exhilirating!!!
When I first got there I was so scarred and thinking I would cack my dacks as I am only new to jumping and haven't even jumped a double before so X Coutry is a bit of a step up!

I had a 1 hour lesson first with another friend Alison from my BBC Club, we were both pretty nervous, new yard, new horses, new instructor and we were just hoping they would give us nice calm horses. They did give us great horses and the instructor was great building up our confidence and skills, he was cute too. ( I promoise, I was concentrating!)

In the second hr we pick up a couple of more buddies for the X Coutry lesson, it had been pooring with rain so most of the area was closed but we made teh most of what we had, which I was perfectly happy with as I had done more jumping and learn't more than ever anyway so I was full of adrenilin.
I was jumping ditches and fences and squeeling with delight that I stay on!

I would totally recommend Wellington Riding and can't wait to go back on Sunday 24th Sept.
http://www.wellington-riding.co.uk/default.cfm

V02 max

Has anyone ever done one of these tests? It is pretty hard.
I have volunteered to do some Running testing for the Olympic Medical Institute (OMI) who are doing a series of tests for a new Polar watch, which is what I get at the end of the 8 weeks!
So they start with a series of tests, like an ECG, Coopers 12 min Run test and a Vo2 max. Then after 8 weeks of training 5 times a week, they repeat the tests again.

Basically this is what it is...

Fitness can be measured by the volume of oxygen you can consume while exercising at your maximum capacity. VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen in milliliters, one can use in one minute per kilogram of body weight. Those who are fit have higher VO2 max values and can exercise more intensely than those who are not as well conditioned. Numerous studies show that you can increase your VO2 max by working out at an intensity that raises your heart rate to between 65 and 85% of its maximum for at least 20 minutes three to five times a week.

So mine is 42 and I have no idea what that means apart from the fact that I am pretty fit.
My max heart rate is 182 and resting is 52.

So now I'm in training!

I have also set a goal to do a sub 50 min 10K at the end of the 8 weeks to keep me motivated and hopefully have a great result to show for the hard work.

My 30th Birthday

I climbed Ben Nevis in Scotland on my 30th with 6 friends and had an absolute blast.
As you can see they are all a bit crazy on the kiddies ride in the park.

(My birthday was on the 2 July but I have enjoyed celebrating for the month)







William the navigator


My party in London. So many great friends

More photos @ http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2104119713

monday morning & I want to go camping

but I am at work and I got rained on cycling to work. Also my sunburn on my back is hurting and I my bra strap is rubbing it.
I am a recent convert to camping, even camping in a field, but in all the excitment we left the sleeping bags at home. I through a wobbly and went to bed using all the beach towels to keep cosy swearing never to camp again!
I loved my bed last night and of course didn't want to get out of it this morning but now I am at my desk all I want to do it go camping.

So next weekends plans are in the making...

Egypt

Kat took her mum Pam and myself to Cairo for a long weekend in March to see the Pyrmids.

They are totally amazing and here are some more photos of our trip to Egypt @ http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2105833229