The weather was so-so this past weekend. I should've gone for the Serpie newbie group cycle, but didn't. I'm starting to feel a bit of pressure. Pressure to spend more time on the bike, and to spend more time on my runs. I'm still a bit gun shy with the runs. I know the focus right now is leg strength, and am in the gym working on this diligently. I have also stepped up my coached sessions from once to twice a month. And I suspect when the weather improves and days are longer I may increase this yet again. But what about the bike? << MORE >>

This is the second Friday of "bread" posts, spurred on by the discussions in real life and on Twitter about the joys of home-baked bread. The first recipe (posted 19 January) was for an "almost no-knead" bread. This week I am posting my recipe for a traditional (read - knead it yourself or with a bread machine) multigrain bread. I make this bread using the knead-only function on the bread machine, and then I finish it in the oven. I love the smell of fresh baked bread. This bread is super - with the honey adding just a nice sweet note to the multigrain. << MORE >>

Alone. There are times that I feel low. It is rare but it happens. I laugh often and I love life. But sometimes... Sometimes I feel alone.<< MORE >>

For some reason a lot of my friends and the folks I interact with online (via Twitter) have been talking a lot about baking bread. Baking bread does not have to be difficult. I have two great recipes, both from Cook's Illustrated, and both absolutely delicious. I will publish "bread" posts for the next two Fridays. The first recipe is for an "almost no-knead" bread. The key for this bread is two-fold: first, a non-reactive bowl (I use glass or ceramic) when rising; second, a warm location for the rising (if your kitchen is cool overnight expect to add a few more hours onto the rising time in the morning)...<< MORE >>

Last summer I ran into my friend Andres. We used to work together, and have shared a few drinks over the years (and lots of laughs). I saw him right before he was heading off to tackle Europe's largest mountain, in the name of charity. I mentioned to Andres that I would love to share his story on my blog, and thankfully I am finally able to do so. Andres is originally from Colombia and used his summit as a means to raise money for the education and training of young single mothers in his home country. I can only ask you to read on, and hopefully you, like me, will realise that in doing the things that we love and thinking about what motivates us, we can find ways to help and inspire others...<< MORE >>

It is still January. My racing plans for 2010 are just taking shape. As they take shape, my plans reinvigorate my training and give me purpose. I take huge health benefit from being active, but there is just something else that I get from racing - an adrenaline shot, a sense of accomplishment, a buzz... I am really looking forward to 2010. I have the big aim of completing an Olympic distance triathlon... << MORE >>

In November on Twitter, Shannon (@hendy2) posted that she had a great recipe for spinach jalapeno dip. I am a huge fan of chips and dip, so asked Shannon if she would share the recipe. Now, she says that she got the recipe from her best friend, who got it from someone else, who got it from someone else, and that it is technically not her recipe. But since Shannon sent this to me, it will in my recipe files be forever known as "Shannon's Spinach Jalapeno Dip". I made this for two Christmas drinks parties in December. The first one I was lucky enough to have some leftover, the second time it was completely demolished. It was a delicious addition to a party, and with Superbowl Sunday creeping up on us, I thought I would share this...<< MORE >>

Some of us have started the new year with goals for 2010. Others of us look at 2010 as a year to lay the Foundation for the future. For me, one of the most inspiring stories I've read about planning a physical adventure for charity in the future has got to be the story of Mark Allison, Mr. RunGeordieRun. For those of you not from the UK, Geordie means, in colloquial British English, someone from the area around Newcastle-upon-Tyne, or the northeast of England. I first came across Mark on Twitter. It is not everyday you come across someone who is planning to run across a continent. Reading his story is impressive - he has already run from the north to the south of the UK, and in addition to the 2011 run across the US, he also hosts regular Sunday 6 bridges runs in Newcastle. And... he's doing this all to raise money for charity. His current plans exceed my own physical abilities, but they inspire me nonetheless...<< MORE >>

This is the title of one of my favourite prints by Patrick Caulfield. Based on a poem by Jules Laforgue, the cut out door just tempts the viewer with the clear blue sky... Just there, but inaccessible.... This longing to be outside is one of my key fitness motivations. It was one of the best parts of the walking marathon training I did in 2004, and a huge positive of triathlon. Even in the winter months, we get outside. We find the parks that have no ice, we take advantage of the sun when it shines, and we learn to appreciate warm weather and summer days... << MORE >>

One of the great things about being on twitter and blogging is the chance to read other blogs, and to try out what I have been reading at home. Be it fitness, food, or random recommendations, I can go into the blog-o-sphere and walk away with great ideas. I picked up this recipe from The Runners Kitchen. Megan writes about running and cooking, and her blog is a great read. She posted this recipe in November, her mother's stuffed shells. << MORE >>