Hey guys. Just a quick update. I'm testing out the new blogging feature on my website at www.tomalfry.co.uk
So don't miss out as I'm testing with blog postings there. Last week's was late, but there'll be another coming this weekend, so let me know what you think.
A new members section is in development for August/September release. For a small monthly charge you'll be able to access a weekly workout and library of previous workouts, to keep you fit at home or on business trips.
Happy training!
Tom :-)
Friday 29 July 2011
Wednesday 13 July 2011
Barefoot on holiday
I have just returned from a week family holiday in France with 21 of my family. We were celebrating my parent's 30th wedding anniversary near to where they originally honeymooned in Brittany. For this great occasion my Dad rented a farmhouse for all of us and it worked out really well
(we didn't fight and nobody was injured!)
Of the 21 of us, 7 were children, 3 years of age or younger. It was a great opportunity to see my nieces (no nephews yet) and to spend time with my brother, sisters and their other halves.
What impressed me about this holiday was how much everyone was running. My sister Jules is back training after her second baby and clocked up the miles. My brother Rich was running most days after a hectic work
schedule recently. My brother-in-law (BIL) Si was getting stuck in after some success with treating his back issues. Leading in eagerness was my girlfriend Catherine, my BIL Steve also got roped into it and I even donned my Vibram 5 Fingers for the week! Steve did a 10km with C, J and I, which both Jules and Steve excelled at, all credit to them on those hills.
What got me inspired was my siblings commitment and motivation to get out and run. This was despite the knowledge that the hills were steep and the weather warm (at least for a few days!) Rather than sit back and
eat the pastries and cheese and drink the wine, they got out and
trained. Even if later their reward was a great meal, they'd got their
training in early. This got me out running and after that first trip I
was much keener. The highlight being the 12 miles I ran with Catherine.
I was running barefoot in my Vibram 5 Fingers for the week and the more I wear them the more I want to ditch my trainers. It's true they are not great for everyone, but for me they feel just right. I am light on my
feet, I have a great turnover rate and maintain a natural easy stride.
Certainly the first run was a little stony for my liking, but you
quickly adapt and your awareness increases as you feel more and focus on where you are placing your feet.
The 2nd run was the 10km that I ran with Steve, Jules and Catherine. The hardest part for me was downhill and ensuring I stayed light on my feet without punishing my knees. Certainly I have more to learn!
The final run was 12 miles with Catherine which we ended up completing at an average of 8:35/minute mile pace. I did get a few pains around 7 miles, but once we hit the hills I was thriving and they eased off. Our
penultimate mile (of which half was up hill) took just 8 minutes and 10 seconds; a great pickup at the end of a long run, good job C & T!
The holiday was a great break. We trained, we ate & drank and we laughed. Overall I'd say that was a success! As a bonus Catherine and I talked my BIL Steve into running the Chester marathon with us in October. He's already into training and I've shipped him a bottle of
Cherryactive to sooth his aches as he goes through the mileage.
It's easy to find inspiration all around us from Paralympians to sports stars. But maybe the best motivation we can gain is to see what "ordinary" people are doing and realise that we can all be healthy and active. Have you done your 20 minutes of cardio today?!
T :-)
(we didn't fight and nobody was injured!)
Of the 21 of us, 7 were children, 3 years of age or younger. It was a great opportunity to see my nieces (no nephews yet) and to spend time with my brother, sisters and their other halves.
What impressed me about this holiday was how much everyone was running. My sister Jules is back training after her second baby and clocked up the miles. My brother Rich was running most days after a hectic work
schedule recently. My brother-in-law (BIL) Si was getting stuck in after some success with treating his back issues. Leading in eagerness was my girlfriend Catherine, my BIL Steve also got roped into it and I even donned my Vibram 5 Fingers for the week! Steve did a 10km with C, J and I, which both Jules and Steve excelled at, all credit to them on those hills.
What got me inspired was my siblings commitment and motivation to get out and run. This was despite the knowledge that the hills were steep and the weather warm (at least for a few days!) Rather than sit back and
eat the pastries and cheese and drink the wine, they got out and
trained. Even if later their reward was a great meal, they'd got their
training in early. This got me out running and after that first trip I
was much keener. The highlight being the 12 miles I ran with Catherine.
I was running barefoot in my Vibram 5 Fingers for the week and the more I wear them the more I want to ditch my trainers. It's true they are not great for everyone, but for me they feel just right. I am light on my
feet, I have a great turnover rate and maintain a natural easy stride.
Certainly the first run was a little stony for my liking, but you
quickly adapt and your awareness increases as you feel more and focus on where you are placing your feet.
The 2nd run was the 10km that I ran with Steve, Jules and Catherine. The hardest part for me was downhill and ensuring I stayed light on my feet without punishing my knees. Certainly I have more to learn!
The final run was 12 miles with Catherine which we ended up completing at an average of 8:35/minute mile pace. I did get a few pains around 7 miles, but once we hit the hills I was thriving and they eased off. Our
penultimate mile (of which half was up hill) took just 8 minutes and 10 seconds; a great pickup at the end of a long run, good job C & T!
The holiday was a great break. We trained, we ate & drank and we laughed. Overall I'd say that was a success! As a bonus Catherine and I talked my BIL Steve into running the Chester marathon with us in October. He's already into training and I've shipped him a bottle of
Cherryactive to sooth his aches as he goes through the mileage.
It's easy to find inspiration all around us from Paralympians to sports stars. But maybe the best motivation we can gain is to see what "ordinary" people are doing and realise that we can all be healthy and active. Have you done your 20 minutes of cardio today?!
T :-)
Friday 1 July 2011
Time is shortbread biscuits
I was talking to a friend the other day about time. Time wasting to be
precise. We were talking about watching TV and how many people consider it a
waste of our precious time. I said it is not a waste if it makes you sit
down, switch off and rest. I love listening to David Attenborough talk about the mating practices of sloths or watch a documentary about our economy
(ha!) But at the end of a day training clients, teaching classes and thinking, all I really need is to know who Spencer is chasing after in Made in Chelsea.
Is there a point to this?
Ah yes! We don't see visits to the pub or comedy nights as a waste of time.
Even though they dent are pockets and offer no health (other than de-stressing) benefits. They don't enlighten us mentally (sorry mates!) or expand our knowledge. But they do provide a release from the day to day
ennui, helping us to de-stress.
Health and fitness for most people is a chore, but the benefits to our health, happiness and confidence are supreme. Many think they have to train
for an hour, 3-4 times a week to get results. This puts them off ever trying because they see it as too much time to fit into their schedule. Perhaps a waste of their "valuable time" (especially when they don't get results).
I'm not here to force people to do something they don't want to do. It's your life after all. But surely if I said 10-20 minutes a day of training, combined with a specific diet, would get you results, then you'd at least
give it a go. 10 minutes could be seen as a "waste of time" because it is not enough. But just a small increase in daily activity can help to burn calories and get rid of fat over a period of time. For creating and maintaining a habit it is easier with a little and often approach. When you
think about skipping that hour in the gym, just go and do 20 minutes, then leave (after a cool down and stretch). That way you'll be benefiting your body and mind without feeling guilty.
So the next time you think of skipping training or you get hassled for watching Geordie Shore, just remember "your time" is valuable time.
Tom :-)
Check out www.YouTube.com/tomthesloth for exercise ideas.
precise. We were talking about watching TV and how many people consider it a
waste of our precious time. I said it is not a waste if it makes you sit
down, switch off and rest. I love listening to David Attenborough talk about the mating practices of sloths or watch a documentary about our economy
(ha!) But at the end of a day training clients, teaching classes and thinking, all I really need is to know who Spencer is chasing after in Made in Chelsea.
Is there a point to this?
Ah yes! We don't see visits to the pub or comedy nights as a waste of time.
Even though they dent are pockets and offer no health (other than de-stressing) benefits. They don't enlighten us mentally (sorry mates!) or expand our knowledge. But they do provide a release from the day to day
ennui, helping us to de-stress.
Health and fitness for most people is a chore, but the benefits to our health, happiness and confidence are supreme. Many think they have to train
for an hour, 3-4 times a week to get results. This puts them off ever trying because they see it as too much time to fit into their schedule. Perhaps a waste of their "valuable time" (especially when they don't get results).
I'm not here to force people to do something they don't want to do. It's your life after all. But surely if I said 10-20 minutes a day of training, combined with a specific diet, would get you results, then you'd at least
give it a go. 10 minutes could be seen as a "waste of time" because it is not enough. But just a small increase in daily activity can help to burn calories and get rid of fat over a period of time. For creating and maintaining a habit it is easier with a little and often approach. When you
think about skipping that hour in the gym, just go and do 20 minutes, then leave (after a cool down and stretch). That way you'll be benefiting your body and mind without feeling guilty.
So the next time you think of skipping training or you get hassled for watching Geordie Shore, just remember "your time" is valuable time.
Tom :-)
Check out www.YouTube.com/tomthesloth for exercise ideas.
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