Slieve Binnian March 18th

After several weeks away from the mountains we finally made it back and we're back to training. Plenty more cycling and more trekking to come! But on Sunday 18th March we were faced with blue skies, warm sunshine and so what can you do? Well you've got to go from a long trek in the mountains, obviously! The Blue Lough is just one of the great views we had on this trek.

 As we started the trek we had some company. The locals were slightly curious about the three people geared up in gators and water proofs on such a lovely day but the sleet and sudden downpour on the way back to the car vindicated out decision to waterproof up!

Unfortunately our equipment wasn't quite ours. In a slightly rushed moment I picked up a pair of boots and asked Oonagh if they were hers. She said yes so off we went. Sadly they weren't Oonagh's, they were her sister Eileen's which were identical... but a size and a half bigger.

Despite the 'malfunction' Oonagh gallantly continued on the trek and we're glad she did. The Mourne Mountains are home to some wonderful scenery which has largely to this point been enjoyed while covered in rain, snow and cloud. It make a nice change seeing the mountains in the sun. To show how much we appreciated the sun we took lots of photos. Now we realise that it seems slightly odd taking black and white photos on a gloriously sunny day, but we think they look lovely nonetheless. 

 

 Near the top of Slieve Binnian there is a large open space. Above you can see Ruud majestically striding across it. This is what we should have crossed last time we did Binnian but were forced to turn around due to 100 mile an hour winds. Even the less diminutive of our group would have struggled to stay grounded in those conditions.

Our return to the mountains was even celebrated by the local search and rescue team who organised a fly by in our honour. Please note it is an assumption on my behalf that the fly by was for us, it could have been a training exercise, but here's hoping. 

Lunch at the top of Binnian led to some debate. More on that in the next post. Still we were there to enjoy the last of the sun before the clouds closed in and we were chased off the mountain by rain and hail. The waterproofing paid dividends, apart from the lighter trekking trousers I decided to wear. By lighter I mean not waterproof and with two soggy legs I squelched back to the car... lesson learnt!

Supermarket Exercises

We all know how much fun shopping is, there is quite frankly no better way to spend your time, no in fact... no better way to spend life! But just in case, just, in, case, you're not as a big fan of shopping as some people we thought of a few exercises to make the weekly shop a bit more interesting. Get tired for all the right reasons and turn your weekly shop into a weekly workout...

Basket Bi-cep Curls

Not exactly the most complicated of exercises but a classic. Let the basket hang by your side, pull the basket up until your elbow joint is at 45 degrees. We suggest sets of 10, the basket will get heavier the more you add so things will get harder the longer the shop goes on. Remember to swap hands and keep working both arms.

Basket Squats

When you need to pick something off the bottom shelf try this simple exercise. Bend your knees until your basket is flat on the floor, keeping your back straight all the time. It's really important to bend your knees and not your back. Also keep your feet flat on the ground and you should feel your tights working, especially if you have a full basket.

Trolly Plank

 

This exercise is great for your core. Plant your feet flat on the floor, cross your arms across the handle of the trolly. Slowly roll the trolly forward until your body is straight and you are balanced on you toes (Figure 2). Hold for a few second and slowly pull the trolly towards you until your feet are flat on the floor (Figure 1). This seems easy but pace yourself, it can be sore the next day if you do too many.

Tip Toe Walking

Don't be put off by the terrible picture and if you're looking at this for the art quite frankly you're looking the wrong blog. This exercise is quite simple, as the name suggests. You just walk on your tip toes. Although you may look slightly strange while you walk this exercise is great for your calves. If you don't fancy walking on tip toes for the entire shop you could do calf raises in sets of ten until you feel like you've done enough.

Supermarket Sprints

WARNING! This exercise is only recommended in an extremely quite or empty supermarket, do this exercise at your owe risk, and quite frankly at the risk of others! Supermarket aisles are wonderfully straight and their uniform lengths make them great for keeping the distances consistent. We're not sure where the shopping comes into this one, perhaps leave your trolly at one end of the the shop and sprint back and forth to collect items...