Pyro's Yard v2.0

Well, I said I'd post more - guess I have to get into the habit of writing stuff down. Okay, so. Since I last let anyone know I was still alive (Hello to anyone who knows me out there in the ether. Yes, I'm still here...) I've done a variety of interesting things with my life: 1) I acquired a real, responsible job. Quit choking in disbelief, I did. I now manage data-type computery stuff for a power company. 2) I got a car. In fact, I got two, but only because the first one died on me. 3) I somehow acquired a girlfriend. Not quite sure how but she's very nice and seems to think I am too so it's all good. And no, she's not totally deluded... 4)I did exciting sporty things in various locations around the globe (not that that should come as a surprise to anyone) More recently, and closer to home I went to a really lovely Solfest, saw Paul (probably still counts as a 'best mate'), Fiona (surrogate little sis, although not so little as she's preggers) and ...

So... I seem to do all of my postings late at night, when I really should be doing something more constructive, like sleeping. What's been happening with me? Well, a great weekend of racing up on Arran with The German, Rob and Lesley (see http://gckelly.blogspot.com/ for details), a fairly decent week at work, a very relaxed weekend at home (my first lie in in about 3 months, I'm a busy boy y'know) and now a week to go before the Edinburgh Rat Race, with my sister Elise and her blokey, Jon. Should be fantastic, given that last time we raced together Elise spent the majority of the race swearing at me. Before that I have 3 days to prepare for a 10 minute presentation on 'The Importance of Reporting' (statistical reporting, not anything exciting like races or kit) on friday, fortunately the upshot of this presentation is being fed for the day. Which when you eat as I do (like a horse, basically), is always a good thing... Anyway, I'm off to do something more cons...

It's been a while. I'm just stopping by to say hello. Things got crazy. I have a new job, a girlfriend and somewhat of a life. And unlike my last post, I'm not injured! Yey me! So yeah. Hi. Popping out to do some other stuff now. Byebye

Two things that occupy my thinking a lot: Time and Money. Money is something i don't have very much of. Time is something I have lots of. Need to earn more of one, without losing too much of the other. Simultaneous equation anyone? Pyro

"It's been a while, where should we begin?" (Creed - 'My Sacrifice') Just come back from a big paddling tour of Scotland, had an amazing week on some of the biggest rivers in the UK. Now I'm thinking a lot...

Hmmm. Did my bit for karma this morning. It's a topic that gets talked about a lot on the Singletrack forum, particularly in terms of car drivers, crashes, insults and broken bones. Since I don't believe in reincarnation, I can't take the traditional view of karma (what you do in this life affects your reincarnation state), but I guess now people use karma as a quick version of the 'do unto others as you would be done by them' idea. I do believe that if you can go out of your way a little to make someone happier, in whatever way, that you can be happier by that, and that they might spread that little bit of happiness on to others, which can't be a bad thing in the long run. Today it was as simple as passing on a book. It hadn't cost me anything, didn't have an obvious owner (lost property), and I'd read it and enjoyed it. So I passed it on. And what made me happier in return was the guy said he'd do the same when he'd read it. So maybe...

beauty has her way 

Enforced rest is no fun at all. I spend my time plotting to overthrow the world by wily cunning and bad humour. My time will come. As yet all I have managed is what idiot events I will participate in next. What is yet to come reads like this: 26th Sept - Carsington Water Challenge Carsington, Derbyshire 2nd Oct - Ace Race Southern Scotland (venue tba) 9/10th Oct - Polaris Challenge Lake District (venue tba) 5-7th Nov - Tyne Tour, Hexham, Northumberland 20-22nd Nov - Dee Tour Llangollen, Wales New Year's week - LUUCC Tour Scotland (various locations) It'll all be fine. Only 2 weeks to wait for the X-rays to come back (shittim pissquick hospitals...) But I can see my ankle bone again, which is nice...

So, fantastic racing at the Heb and Rat Race, a vaguely clear plan of what to do next and... a brief hiatus while I repair myself. I'm a bit run down. Slight cold, pretty much to be expected after the amount of activity. But the worst is the sprained ankle. The story is too long to go through, but basically my foot wanted to go to Wonderland (down the rabbit hole, geddit?) and the rest of my body didn't. The 2 couldn't agree, which resulted in a twist, a fall, and a lot of pain. The doctor thinks no significant damage to important things like ligaments, tendons etc, but the bone may have a small fracture, so I'm in for an X-ray on monday, crossing my fingers that it's nothing bad. Psychologically, I feel fine about things. I'm obviously frustrated that it happened and that we were then slow. I also feel slightly guilty that I slowed my teammates down, leading to Kai's outburst when we missed the cutoff. But I also feel that we did as well as we pos...

Future plans: Adventure Racing - Hebridean Challenge, Rat Race, possibly Ace Race October, possibly Hellrunner, possibly XA 36 hour, possibly Endurancelife Coast-to-Coast. Kayaking - Dee and Tyne Tours, November. Running - possibly Harriers Ingleborough race Working - Work at YHA Dentdale until September. Then work something out. Money - get a pay cheque every month 'til September. Then start worrying. Love & all that gubbins - Would be nice at some point, but no firm plans as yet. Music - Keep playing and writing. Maybe try and get some gigs at some point.

I told you there was a reason... 

Well, this is supposed to be a diary so I'll talk like it is. Life, eh? Life at the moment consists of the following: cooking, cleaning, eating, sleeping (although not very much), training and worrying. There may also be the the odd spell of drinking and some kissing involved. It's the training that's worrying me. I always used to just 'go out on my bike'. Now I 'train'. I don't consciously push myself harder when I ride/run/paddle, but I notice myself sometimes attacking that hill just a bit harder, sprinting faster for that ball, etc etc ad nauseaum.. Why? I have no personal motivation, however, I do have a big fear of letting the team down. Always have. that's why I pushed myself at rugby, at kayak polo, and why I love adventure racing: I get to do all the sports I love for recreation, and I get to push myself for other people's sakes. Heb Challenge is going to be the longest race, both in duration and distance, that I have comp...

On rotation before/during/after training at the moment: Albums Prodigy: Fat of the Land Everlast: Whitey Ford Sings the Blues Paul Simon: Graceland Rusted Root: When I Woke Natalie Merchant: Ophelia Massive Attack: Protection Songs Drowning Pool: Bodies Maxim feat. Skin: Carmen Queasy Skin: Faithfulness Johnny Cash: Personal Jesus The Source feat. Candi Staton: U Got the Love

So... Pyro's Yard v2.0 The blog to go with the website. Also a kind of online training diary for me. I guess if other people can watch, I might have to keep training. Recent events: Biking weekend in the Lakes/Dales. Biking day in Mabie and Dalbeattie. Weekend drinking in Leeds. (not training as such but a lot of biking got done as well.) Weekend sea kayaking and having fun in Leeds. I'll post more when I can think logically...