by thinkmarsh | May 17, 2018 | cycling, self-esteem, sponsored post
Let me let you in on a little secret. I turn 40 next year. I don’t feel anywhere near this old, but I can’t help to wonder if this milestone is influencing my need for extreme challenges lately. It started with climbing Kilimanjaro, then skydiving, I signed up for a Ragnar Relay race in September, and who knows what else. Long ago, I declared my 40th birthday party would be in Las Vegas but now I am thinkin Ibiza would be a bit closer. Plus I have never been there.
Why am I starting to signup to things that scare me a little bit? Have I matured enough not to be afraid anymore? Am I bold and brave, like my new vest top from Boudavida says? What else do I want to accomplish in my life?
I thought now would be a good time to put together a list. Not necessarily a bucket list but some things that I would like to do. Once it is on paper, that is the first step of making it happen. I put my wish out into the universe and hopefully it can begin to manifest.
There are two things that are definitely within my reach. One is learning (sooner rather than later) to cycle in my cleats. This keeps coming up again and again with me. I don’t feel like a proper cyclist, no matter how many places I have ridden to (Edinburgh, Paris, various 100 mile sportives). I had some accidents while learning that shook me up though, and I don’t know of I will ever excel at staying focused enough to clip and out when I should. My mind tends to wander when I am on my bike.
Mountain biking is the other, and also seems pretty scary. I did one trail ride in the Adirondack Mountains once with my ex and all I kept thinking about was whether or not I would end up flying over the handle bars and hitting my sternum with a bike handle. Gravel, rocks, trees, and sand are all dangerous obstacles to me when road cycling but make it fun for some when mountain biking. My husband has decided he wants to get into mountain biking, so now would be a good time for me to learn too. Halfords recently released a beginner’s guide to mountain biking which includes terminology, basic skills, and my favourite section, trail etiquette. It also covers how to choose a bike, what gear you need, and suggests some trails in the UK to try.
I have found this post really helpful and now want to book in for a proper mountain biking lesson at the Velopark to develop my skills and gain confidence (Sunday mornings at 9am if you would like to join me). These lessons could transfer across to my road cycling too and allow my to spend more time with my husband outdoors if we end up investing in mountain bikes (and another shed to store them in). My Achilles don’t like running on trails so much any more so I would love to find an activity to substitute it with. Mountain biking just may be it.
What else do I want to do? Some I have talked about before but as I was writing this post, a few more came to mind.
- See Northern Lights
- Cycle across Cuba
- Go to Antarctica
- Visit Galapagos Islands
- Run Tokyo (2020) and Boston (2021) marathons
- Run a race in very us state (5 down!?)
- Ski in Japan (hopefully in 2020 after Tokyo Marathon)
- Cycle London to Amsterdam
- Hike in South America
- Take my husband to Alaska
- Apply for Space for Humanity (maybe)
- Half Marathon du Sables (this is also a maybe)
- Attend a fitness retreat
- Proper sky dive
- Write my two e-books (weekend challenges and tips for Kili)
Don’t forget that some of the above require hard work and discipline. You can’t always sit back and wait for things to happen. You need to work toward your goals, whatever they might be. I am sure there are many sports, tours, races, countries, etc I don’t even know about that would appeal to me. The key is to be open to new experiences when they come along. Being brave. I have also found asking for opportunities can lead amazing memories, like Fitbit Fifty. Being bold.
This post was sponsored by Halfords.
by Mollie Millington | May 17, 2018 | cycling, self-esteem, sponsored post
Let me let you in on a little secret. I turn 40 next year. I don’t feel anywhere near this old, but I can’t help to wonder if this milestone is influencing my need for extreme challenges lately. It started with climbing Kilimanjaro, then skydiving, I signed up for a Ragnar Relay race in September, and who knows what else. Long ago, I declared my 40th birthday party would be in Las Vegas but now I am thinkin Ibiza would be a bit closer. Plus I have never been there.
Why am I starting to signup to things that scare me a little bit? Have I matured enough not to be afraid anymore? Am I bold and brave, like my new vest top from Boudavida says? What else do I want to accomplish in my life?
I thought now would be a good time to put together a list. Not necessarily a bucket list but some things that I would like to do. Once it is on paper, that is the first step of making it happen. I put my wish out into the universe and hopefully it can begin to manifest.
There are two things that are definitely within my reach. One is learning (sooner rather than later) to cycle in my cleats. This keeps coming up again and again with me. I don’t feel like a proper cyclist, no matter how many places I have ridden to (Edinburgh, Paris, various 100 mile sportives). I had some accidents while learning that shook me up though, and I don’t know of I will ever excel at staying focused enough to clip and out when I should. My mind tends to wander when I am on my bike.
Mountain biking is the other, and also seems pretty scary. I did one trail ride in the Adirondack Mountains once with my ex and all I kept thinking about was whether or not I would end up flying over the handle bars and hitting my sternum with a bike handle. Gravel, rocks, trees, and sand are all dangerous obstacles to me when road cycling but make it fun for some when mountain biking. My husband has decided he wants to get into mountain biking, so now would be a good time for me to learn too. Halfords recently released a beginner’s guide to mountain biking which includes terminology, basic skills, and my favourite section, trail etiquette. It also covers how to choose a bike, what gear you need, and suggests some trails in the UK to try.
I have found this post really helpful and now want to book in for a proper mountain biking lesson at the Velopark to develop my skills and gain confidence (Sunday mornings at 9am if you would like to join me). These lessons could transfer across to my road cycling too and allow my to spend more time with my husband outdoors if we end up investing in mountain bikes (and another shed to store them in). My Achilles don’t like running on trails so much any more so I would love to find an activity to substitute it with. Mountain biking just may be it.
What else do I want to do? Some I have talked about before but as I was writing this post, a few more came to mind.
- See Northern Lights
- Cycle across Cuba
- Go to Antarctica
- Visit Galapagos Islands
- Run Tokyo (2020) and Boston (2021) marathons
- Run a race in very us state (5 down!?)
- Ski in Japan (hopefully in 2020 after Tokyo Marathon)
- Cycle London to Amsterdam
- Hike in South America
- Take my husband to Alaska
- Apply for Space for Humanity (maybe)
- Half Marathon du Sables (this is also a maybe)
- Attend a fitness retreat
- Proper sky dive
- Write my two e-books (weekend challenges and tips for Kili)
Don’t forget that some of the above require hard work and discipline. You can’t always sit back and wait for things to happen. You need to work toward your goals, whatever they might be. I am sure there are many sports, tours, races, countries, etc I don’t even know about that would appeal to me. The key is to be open to new experiences when they come along. Being brave. I have also found asking for opportunities can lead amazing memories, like Fitbit Fifty. Being bold.
This post was sponsored by Halfords.
by thinkmarsh | Sep 20, 2017 | outdoors, running, sponsored post, technology
Some people love running on trails, and others in the mountains. Unfortunately, if you live in a big city, such as London, there typically aren’t many of either to explore. Runners just need to think outside the box and see where their feet take them. Who needs the same old boring route when there are so many places to explore?
|
| Suunto Spartan Trainer wrist heart rate monitor watch in Ocean |
For example, if you prefer to run in the mountains, check out Box Hill in Surrey. Normally, I only think of using this hill for cycling but I took part in the Salomon Sunset Series over the summer here and it was one of the toughest races I have ever done. Everybody walked during this race at some point. The views were spectacular each time you reached a crest and the unpredictable tree roots along the paths kept us on our toes. For hill reps a little bit closer to London, Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park, and the stairs near the Duke of York Column (off of The Mall) are all places to work your body to the max. For those who don’t know, hill reps are just like they sound- you run up a hill several times. These are great for building speed and/or strength depending on how long each repetition is. Hills force your form to change (get those knees up!) and the intensity is affected by the gradient. If you are a beginner and want to give hill reps a try, start with a comfortable 20 minute warm up run to the bottom of a hill. Run up the hill for one minute and remember where you stop. Walk back down the hill to your starting point as a recovery. Run back up to your finish point five more times with a walking recovery back to the start. Finish with a five minute cool down run to help bring the heart rate down.
 |
| Headed to the track in Victoria Park |
If you prefer something flat and fast but outdoors, there is an outdoor track in Victoria Park that is free. You can also try The Mall when the roads are closed (to avoid tourists on the pavement) or the north side of the Thames along Victoria Embankment. These will give you the chance to work on your speed without having to dodge too many traffic lights. If you prefer a traditional track, here is a list of London’s Athletics tracks.
London is a concrete city, meaning proper trails are hard to come by. If you hit the outskirts of town, such as Epping Forest or Richmond Park, you might find something with trees and dirt paths to satiate you for a while. I would also suggest the Regent’s Canal tow path as a substitute for trails because the surface often changes and you will forever have to be dodging others along the way. It can get quite crowded when the weather is nice or during commuting time.
 |
| Note that Ocean matches OPI polish in ‘This cost me a mint’ |
How are you going to track of all of these expeditions? The new Suunto Spartan Trainer watch is the perfect tool for heart rate monitoring, and not just while running. There are 80 different sport modes pre-installed and will last for 10 hours of continuous activity on one battery charge. It has GPS too, which will measure your speed, pace, distance, and altitude in real time while running, cycling and swimming. The coolest thing is a ‘breadcrumb view’ which makes it easy to discover new routes but also find your way home again. A new software upgrade that is now available will also monitor your sleep patterns to ensure you are getting your recovery right.
Monitoring your heart rate and logging training sessions on Strava will help you push your training in the right direction to succeed at your goals. You can see your abilities improve over time with an increase in pace and reduction of heart rate over similar routes. The GPS data can be used to create a heat map on Strava to see where you run the most and how much space you have left to explore in London. Greater London encompasses 1572 square kilmeters (607 square miles). I bet there are a few streets and alleyways left for you to discover so get out there and push the city limits. If you find an amazing hidden gem, leave a comment below.
This post was sponsored by Suunto.
by Mollie Millington | Sep 20, 2017 | outdoors, running, sponsored post, technology
Some people love running on trails, and others in the mountains. Unfortunately, if you live in a big city, such as London, there typically aren’t many of either to explore. Runners just need to think outside the box and see where their feet take them. Who needs the same old boring route when there are so many places to explore?
|
| Suunto Spartan Trainer wrist heart rate monitor watch in Ocean |
For example, if you prefer to run in the mountains, check out Box Hill in Surrey. Normally, I only think of using this hill for cycling but I took part in the Salomon Sunset Series over the summer here and it was one of the toughest races I have ever done. Everybody walked during this race at some point. The views were spectacular each time you reached a crest and the unpredictable tree roots along the paths kept us on our toes. For hill reps a little bit closer to London, Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park, and the stairs near the Duke of York Column (off of The Mall) are all places to work your body to the max. For those who don’t know, hill reps are just like they sound- you run up a hill several times. These are great for building speed and/or strength depending on how long each repetition is. Hills force your form to change (get those knees up!) and the intensity is affected by the gradient. If you are a beginner and want to give hill reps a try, start with a comfortable 20 minute warm up run to the bottom of a hill. Run up the hill for one minute and remember where you stop. Walk back down the hill to your starting point as a recovery. Run back up to your finish point five more times with a walking recovery back to the start. Finish with a five minute cool down run to help bring the heart rate down.
|
| Headed to the track in Victoria Park |
If you prefer something flat and fast but outdoors, there is an outdoor track in Victoria Park that is free. You can also try The Mall when the roads are closed (to avoid tourists on the pavement) or the north side of the Thames along Victoria Embankment. These will give you the chance to work on your speed without having to dodge too many traffic lights. If you prefer a traditional track, here is a list of London’s Athletics tracks.
London is a concrete city, meaning proper trails are hard to come by. If you hit the outskirts of town, such as Epping Forest or Richmond Park, you might find something with trees and dirt paths to satiate you for a while. I would also suggest the Regent’s Canal tow path as a substitute for trails because the surface often changes and you will forever have to be dodging others along the way. It can get quite crowded when the weather is nice or during commuting time.
|
| Note that Ocean matches OPI polish in ‘This cost me a mint’ |
How are you going to track of all of these expeditions? The new Suunto Spartan Trainer watch is the perfect tool for heart rate monitoring, and not just while running. There are 80 different sport modes pre-installed and will last for 10 hours of continuous activity on one battery charge. It has GPS too, which will measure your speed, pace, distance, and altitude in real time while running, cycling and swimming. The coolest thing is a ‘breadcrumb view’ which makes it easy to discover new routes but also find your way home again. A new software upgrade that is now available will also monitor your sleep patterns to ensure you are getting your recovery right.
Monitoring your heart rate and logging training sessions on Strava will help you push your training in the right direction to succeed at your goals. You can see your abilities improve over time with an increase in pace and reduction of heart rate over similar routes. The GPS data can be used to create a heat map on Strava to see where you run the most and how much space you have left to explore in London. Greater London encompasses 1572 square kilmeters (607 square miles). I bet there are a few streets and alleyways left for you to discover so get out there and push the city limits. If you find an amazing hidden gem, leave a comment below.
This post was sponsored by Suunto.
by thinkmarsh | Oct 22, 2016 | ski, sponsored post, travel
During my childhood, I was lucky enough to spend many winter weekends skiing at a small private club in Upstate New York. As I grew up, I was lucky enough to be able to explore the slopes in New England, the Rocky Mountains, and most recently, the Swiss Alps. My husband and I even got engaged on the way home from a ski trip to British Columbia. It has been a few years since we have been to Verbier, but I am always looking for the next opportuntity to follow the snow.
|
| Red Mountain, BC |
No matter where in the world I am going to ski, I will always have to pack up kit as the mountains are unfortunately not on my doorstep. Having the right kit will make your time on the slopes much more enjoyable. Here are my suggestions on what to have to survive the elements:
1.
Merino base layers and socks– Merino wool helps keep regulate body temperatures by wicking moisture away from your body and doesn’t smell even when you sweat. Cotton will keep wet fabric near your skin and that will get cold quick.
The Techwool 190 Zip allows for some ventilation if you heat up riding down the hill but get chilly on the chair lift on the way up.
2.
Waterproof trousers– I love these
pink Slide 500 Women’s ski trousers that are fitted, stretchy and waterproof. My ski jacket is bright blue and would lovely pairs with them. Believe me, no one likes a wet bum from sitting on the chair lift when it is dumping powder.
3. Sunscreen– The snow can reflect the sun and the cold wind can make your cheeks turn red too. Keep your skin fresh by applying sunscreen before you head out in the morning. (Although having a ‘ski google tan’ when you arrive back at the office is priceless).
 |
| First trip to Verbier |
4.
Helmet– It is important to play it safe these days. When selecting a helmet, be sure to get one that observes the CSN EN 1077 European Standard. Also, find one that has enough ventilation holes for you if you tend to overheat when you exercise. As you know, I have a thing for pink and really like this
Uvex Gamma WL Titanium helmet.5.
An action camera– Document all the slopes you shred by mounting a camera to your helmet or board. The
Garmin VIRB X is an affordable alternative to a GoPro, and it is currently on sale at
Decathlon.co.uk.
6.
Gloves– This is another piece of kit that you want to be waterproof. Consider it an investment into your long-term happiness out on the slopes all day. It also needs to be breathable so your hands don’t sweat. You may need to treat your gloves each year with Nikwax, or something similar to keep the waterproof quality. Kids will spend a lot of time falling down and making snowballs, so these
Chill Heat Jr Ski Gloves, would be a perfect fit.
7. Friends– After getting first tracks, my favorite part of the day is après ski. Relaxing with friends in sunshine, surrounded by gorgeous views, is not a bad way to end the day.
 |
| The Chalet gang |
These are just a few suggestions from my personal experience out in winter conditions around the world. What can I say? I like to be warm and dry. What essentials would you suggest to someone going to ski or snowboard for the first time? Let me know today during a
Twitter chat at 6pm to talk about what it takes to get #totheslopes.
by thinkmarsh | Sep 20, 2016 | sponsored post, yoga
Earlier this summer, The Telegraph published an article stating that a research study found that sitting for eight or more hours a day could significantly increase the risk of premature death. We all know sitting is worse for you than being active, but it can be hard to fit it into a busy day that includes getting the kids off to school, commuting, working, cooking dinner, and relaxing in the evening. Lately, I have been at a desk all day long without any time to get out the door for a run or stretch. These are the days that I could really use some stress-relief.
Travelling can bring you to a more relaxing setting, but the journey there can be stressful. On my trip over the weekend to France and Germany, I found myself sitting a lot in the airport, then on the plane, and finally in the car for a few hours. I just couldn’t get comfortable and found my lower back really knotted up.
The moves included in the infographic from Furniture at Work below can easily be done at your desk at work or on a plane or during a roadtrip. (Please refrain from exercising if you are behind the wheel. Focus on the road ahead!) I highly recomend that instead of taking a 5 minute Facebook break, you instead give the poses below a try.
You can also check out this short video with some #officeyoga moves over on You Tube.
While our flight was delayed in Frankfurt, I came up with a few suggestions for exercises you can easily do at the airport. These include:
Bulgarian squats (with one leg up on the chair)
Incline press ups (horrible angle, ugh!)
Side plank (add in a twist if it is easy)
Tricep dips (legs straight to make it tougher)
Remember to take a few moments every day to stretch at your desk. Nobody wants to die young, especially if you are so working hard you don;t have time to enjoy life outside the office.
How do you relax and reenergize when you are stuck at your desk all day? Leave a comment below with your tips or tweet me (@PTMollie) with #officeyoga.
This post was in collaboration with Furniture at Work, a company keen to raise awareness of the importance of movement at work. Corportate wellness is important, so get in touch if you would like me to lead a fitness class or run club at your central London workplace.
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