wine

Ride in Peace Luis

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

This time last year Mum and I were in Barcelona. The purpose of our trip was to attend the Catalunya MotoGP in Montmelo (and we had fun using Instagram to follow in Jorge Lorenzos footsteps)

image

My first gp abroad intensified my obsession with the sport (and of course the riders). Fans of MotoGP are very much like massive family – It doesn’t matter what your nationality is or which rider or team you support, we all get along. Mum and I left our hotel and walked towards Passeig de Gràcia, where swarms of people wearing T-shirts with 46 (The Doctor is popular everywhere and rightly so) 26, 99 and 93 (he’s Spanish after all) were walking in the same direction as us; we jump on the train and sat opposite two lovely Spanish ladies, one a Marquez fan (she seemed nice so I didn’t hold it against her) the other a Dani Pedrosa fan (love him). When you arrive in Montmelo there’s a short walk to the circuit – just follow the crowds through the streets (it very much reminds me of Twickenham on match days – people selling food, drinks and memorabilia outside their front doors) When we reached the circuit we saw the warm up sessions and I managed to get some good-ish pics of the boys and their toys before we walked down to our stand to find our seats.
Race time!! We watched the little buzzy bees of Moto3, our very own Danny Kent won – Yay!!  Moto2 followed seeing Zarco win and Sam Lowes finish in 4th. Then it was the big boys turn! I was wearing my I💛VR T-shirt (it was a tough decision between that and my Dani one) and mum wore her Vale one too. We were surrounded by Spaniards wearing Marquez tops and caps. Marc crashed out of the race – I punched the air and my three faves (Jorge, Vale and Dani) went on to take the podium steps.

image

Crashes happen all the time, Cal Crutchlow can vouch for this (he’s always in the medical centre, stressing out his poor wife Lucy) I said I punched the air last year in Catalunya, I did; Marc crashing meant my fave riders got the trophies, but I never wish any of the riders harm. Lets say 90% of the time the riders get back on their feet, looking like Michelin men if the airbags have gone off (this was Marc last year, out of the race but absolutely fine just a little bruised); 9.5% they might need medical treatment, have some plates fitted to their collar bone or have an ankle pinned. Rarely does anything really bad happen. Yesterday however during free practice 2 that horrible 0.5% crash outcome occurred. Luis Salom, a proper little cutie, tattooed arms but with the most genuine smile and twinkle in his eyes crashed at turn 12 and tragically lost his life. Racing has its risks, all the riders know this, but racing is in their blood, they have such a passion for it. Yesterday morning Luis worn a T-shirt with this Nelson Mandela quote on “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up” These riders are very much living their dreams. Safety levels improve year on year and thankfully tragedies rarely happen, so when they do its extremely sad and upsetting. Ride In Peace Luis Salom #Mexicano39

image

I will enjoy watching the race this weekend from the comfort of my sofa, keeping my fingers crossed for all my favourites to cross the line in podium positions. I’ll next be trackside in September for the British round at Silverstone and then I’ll be jetting off to Valencia in November for the final race of the season – I can’t wait!!

That was a rather sad start to my blog this week, but as in use these posts as almost diary entries I wanted to write something the sport I love watching.

What have I been up to over the past week.  Well in parts (the gym) not very much, in others (socially/dates) quite a bit.  So last Friday I was on a half day at work and when I finished at 12pm I drove to The Rowbarge at Woolhampton to have lunch with my gorgeous friend and her adorable new baby girl.  The sun was shining(ish) so we sat outside and enjoyed a glass of Pimms with our lunch and had a proper girlie catch-up.  I also had a scrummy cuddle with Ellie, the cutest little bubba around.  After lunch, I headed into town to have my hair cut (nothing exciting just a pre-holiday trim / weight loss aid)

Saturday was a rather lazy day, Mum and I popped into town for a little mooch around the shops (somehow I managed to purchase a new skirt for Florence – Oops) we then went round my sisters for a cuppa.  Sunday my sister was out, but mum and I still went on our family Sunday afternoon walk.  We didn’t go far, we drove into town and then had a little stroll along the canal.  Sunday evening, was date night.  I had another enjoyable evening with the cute Italian, we had dinner and then went back to his to watch a film.

Bank Holiday Monday – yay finally a Monday that I don’t hate!  I went to my sisters for lunch so she could update me on the events of her Sunday.  Then Sunday evening I had another date!  We met in Portsmouth and had a delicious meal in Carluccio’s followed by some drinks in one of the bars at Gunwharf Quays.  I had Tuesday booked off work as annual leave, so I stayed the night in Portsmouth and then spent the day shopping in Gunwharf.  Actually I was well behaved and the only purchases I made was a top for mum and a fathers day present ready to give to dad.  I did pick up numerous tops, dresses and handbags but somehow managed to resist (I think perhaps I’m coming down with something, it’s really the only explanation)

IMG_5385.JPG

With my somewhat hectic weekend I didn’t go to the gym for a whole week!  My first and only visit this week was Thursday nights HWP!  Very poor show!  I have even treated myself to new gym leggings to go with my new pink bra and top – I’m hoping my new outfits will motivate me and inspire me to get my Kim K down the gym (it hasn’t worked yet – But I’m certain Phil will help kick my arse Monday at PT)

I think I’m in for a quiet week this week.  The countdown to Florence is in full flow now, I’m so excited, the 19th can not come round soon enough.  We need to do some final planning, but other than packing really I’m ready and raring to get there.  I will of course be down the gym throughout the week, trying to get back on track and lose a few more lbs (before I pile it all on with all the scrummy food and drink in Italy!)

Until next time, thank you for reading.

L x

No Ed, my legs don’t work like the used to before!

~ lorz83 ~ Leave a comment

So here we are again another week has come and gone and I survived PT last Monday and my second Spin class yesterday – Yay me!

Last time you may recall I said that Phil had a HIIT workout planned for me. Well a HIIT session did take place, moany bitch Laura was on form, constantly whinging as Phil attempted to kill me. He has this obsession with making me run on the treadmill without turning it on! It’s just ridiculous – The belt is not long enough for starters for my legs to get up any form of speed and 45 seconds is too long to attempt it; 45 seconds honestly feels like 5 minutes. I was a sweaty disgusting mess by the end of my hour. Numerous expletives were used and I felt half dead, as luck would have it Phil will not be charged with manslaughter as I did survive and surprisingly I didn’t ache on Tuesday – Bonus. I did however suffer a broken nail, which I wasn’t best pleased with.

My PT started an hour later last week, so to kill a bit of time, I did what I do best and hit the shops for a spot of retail therapy. I thought I’d start having a little look around for holiday clothes (only 6 1/2 of weeks to go) and I left Next with two new pairs of shorts and a vest top. The shorts are actually already a little on the big size; I mentioned this to Phil

Me – I’ve bought some shorts ready for holiday, they’re a size 14 and they are already feeling a little loose – They’ll be ok for Florence though, I mean I probably wont lose any more weight before I go will I?

Phil – Well if you carry on the way you’re going and keep up with your gym visits, then yes, you could quite possibly drop a dress size.

Me – But I’ve NEVER been a size 12!

Phil – Well if you keep it up you might well be.

Me – Hmmm well perhaps I’ll keep hold of my new shorts for a few more weeks, I’ve got 28 days after all, but then maybe I’ll change them for a smaller size – Eek!!!

Now don’t get me wrong I’m loving the fact that my body is starting to change and take shape, and I love to shop, but the thought of having to buy a whole new wardrobe is actually a little daunting and stressful (not to mention expensive). With the weight and inch loss my feet do not want to be out done by and also appear to be shrinking. I normally wear a size 5, Monday evening I tried on a pair of 4 1/2 shoes in Next and they were a little big! So not only will I need to buy new work attire, casual and going out clothes, it looks like I’ll be needing a mass of new shoes too! I suppose on positive with the shoes is I’ll be able to buy from the kids range and save a few pennies on VAT.

Tuesday I went to the gym and did a sesh on the trusty bike – I lasted an hour and leisurely cycled just under 23km. Wednesday was my usual rest day, no gym, I did however get a bit of a lecture from my sister re dating. We’ve decided to agree to disagree.  Thursday was the third HWP class where we discussed emotional eating. When I think of emotional eating I feel like this is done when we are feel down and low, but of course that’s not always the case as when we are happy we also find ourselves eating (and drinking) perhaps in excess.

After the previous Fridays food and drink downfall, I had intending on being good, I failed. Friday lunch I went to the pub and had a scrummy goats cheese roll with chips and a cheeky glass of wine. Then my sister asked if I’d like to go round hers for a naughty dinner, so I ended up having a chicken korma – Massive OOPS! I did however go to the gym before consuming the curry so hopefully I’d burnt of a mouthful or two before I started eating.

Saturday my car was in the garage for its MOT – It’s failed. This lead to a rather angry, annoyed Laura who subsequently had a lazy day dossing around the house.   I caught up on some programmes recorded, which was good as I needed to free some space in preparation for this weeks MotoGP in Le Mans.

On Sunday we had another girlie Mummy and daughter afternoon stroll. We went to Snelsmore Common this week. Again another beautiful spot right on my doorstep that I’ve only been two a few times before (I was put off going there as a child as there are snakes slivering around up there). There are pathways to follow, which we used for most of our walk, but we did go off track slightly, which wasn’t the best idea for my sister who was wearing some white converses (these ended up very muddy as we trekked through some bogs)

Sunday evening I had another date with the cute Italian. We had a lovely dinner and then went back to his to watch a film – Overall an enjoyable night and end to a fab day.

Yesterday was Bank Holiday Monday so I didn’t have a PT session booked in with Phil. Knowing this you may be impressed to read that I went to my second Spin class! I didn’t get in from my date till gone 1am and when I got home I had a cup of tea for bed, so it was probably around 2am before I went to sleep. I’d set my alarm for 8am but actually woke up around 7:30am. I got up, had some breakfast (something I rarely do) and got dressed in my gym clothes ready for the 9:30am class. I went with my new gym buddy, fellow HWP attendee and moany bitch and we sat at the back of the room like naughty school girls. We didn’t however go unnoticed as Sam (who took the class) is my friends Personal Trainer, plus there were only 7 of us in the class. So normally my moany on a Monday is reserved for Phil, but yesterday Phil was off the hook and Sam witnessed my moody ‘Are you kidding me’ face as he kept telling us to increase the resistance. One of the tracks played was Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud – Jeez it’s no wonder Ed’s a millionaire, that song goes on for flippin’ ever! “When your legs don’t work like they used to before” No they don’t, they don’t work because Sam is outright mean (not a one off, he’s always mean apparently) and Mr Sheeran composes songs that last about 10 minutes!

FullSizeRender

*disclaimer -Sam is not female, but this pic best represented me at the end of his torturous class yesterday*

So that’s me done, another week (and a bit) covered. Not sure what this week has lined up for me as yet (car’s going to the garage again tomorrow, so I’ll probably be angry at some point). Gym visit done tonight, night off tomorrow. I have decided that May is going to be my month for upping my game again at the gym and working hard to ‘Love Me’ before Florence, so be prepared for whingey Laura!  No dates set up as yet (the Italian is back home for a week, so won’t be seeing him). No other dinner dates planned that I’m aware of, so my next blog might be a little dull (my life is rather Eastenders though so I’m certain that won’t be the case)

Hope you all have a fantabulous week.

L x