Sink or swim...Nina's notes

Our personal 'Long Walks to Freedom'

2014-01-03T12:44:00.001+00:00

Yesterday, I watched the Premiere of of 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' , a chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life's journey. The final words spoken by Madiba (played by Edris Elba) in this film were;

'I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come.'

This quote stuck firmly in my mind. I am currently walking a long road to freedom.
My partner is currently walking the long way to cutting down on smoking.
My friend is currently walking her long road to freedom in finishing her degree and achieving the best result possible.

I am in no way setting these walks to freedom on the same stage of moral or international importance but they exist within the same concept, just to a lesser degree or a little lower down the extremity spectrum. However, they are our own goals and aspirations that empower our own personal lives.

Since the age of 17 I have tried not to falter in recovering my full health, breaking old habits and being completely free of what is (or was) essentially an ‘eating disorder’ when described in its medical form.

I have made a few missteps along the way. At the age of 20, stress at work caused me to return to old ways to maintain some form of success and control at something within my weakening life. I climbed that hill and found my way close to the summit. I gained a stone and a half in weight, moved into my own flat, was promoted at work and had many other life loves and ambitions to enjoy.

Between the ages of twenty-one and twenty-two I found myself having another hill to climb. I met someone very committed to the sport of triathlon and adapted to their lifestyle, rekindling an old flame of swimming, cycling, running and winning passion. I started to believe in the ‘athlete diet’ and athletic lifestyle once again, falling back into old ‘low fat’, calorie restriction and exercise overloading habits to conform and remain an object of admiration and adoration.

Perhaps if I’d taken a moment to think, to reflect on what I had achieved in turning my life around and climbing that mountain of challenge in the past then I may not have had to be in a position of finding the path to the top of the hill and recovering my health, my head and my heart’s happiness once again?

Now, I am at what is hopefully the challenge to find that one final path to the peak. The peak of my health, happiness and achieving my goal of: being strong physically and at the right weight for me; eating a good range of well balanced food and enjoying the time with the people I love; finally being strong mentally in destroying the demons of the past and eradicating bad habits being at peace in my mind.

A final quote from the literary text ‘A Long Walk to Freedom’ that sticks in my mind;

‘There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires’ Supriya Jh

I have come scarily close to this shadow, too scarily close and desire nothing more than to firstly recoup myself well away from this position but also to avoid ever having to do so again.

2014 will be my mountain top, will it be yours? Only you yourself have the power to make it so, as do I.

The Light of New Years Night

2014-01-01T18:00:00.001+00:00

The Light of New Years Night

New Years Eve 2013 held a lot of meaning for me this year. After having been advised that I have come close to being at my life's limit and essentially losing it, I have had to take some time to think about how to fix Nina fully. So it was here's to a Happy Healthy 2014, clinking glasses with my partner who has lots of exciting moves forward planned shortly and his sister / my friend who had some fantastic late 2013 dream success that she hopes to carry on into the New Year. We all had and still have aims we are inspired to achieve

We treated ourselves to a lovely home cooked meal, mulled wine, limoncello baked cupcakes, banter and board games with a bit of Gary Barlow in between. I couldn't have stood at my ninth floor balcony smiling any more at the sprawling scenery below than I was at the moment the clock struck twelve. I was starting the New Year with the perfect company, after a perfect evening with the lights highlighting the importance of key health focuses, changes and lifelong habits I have to break.

But do you know what? I may have had a tough end to 2013, but I couldn't make a more positive, determined start to 2014. Here goes another poem...

The Light of New Years Night

A flash of colour bursts into the sky

Then the hand clicks onto twelve

Always one fast watch, one early cry

Into the new year we do delve

One flash merges into a Mexican wave of sporadic, sparkling showers

Red, white, blue, some shades we have no clue

But the skyline burns bright

Is it morning or is it night?

From high upon the balcony, we see the city stretch out below

A usual urban ugly mass

Tonight the fireworks gift the landscape class

My Prosecco glass reflecting the gleaming glow

In the arms of a loved one, friends close beside

The glistening panorama prepares us

For the everchanging tides

Of emotion this next year to come

My resolution to confide

With a kiss to those who love me

My troubles let them see

But being there I must too wear such crown

A glass half full, turns both frowns upside down

The night begins to blacken once more

Bangs and brightness have held the key

To open New Year’s door to some sanctity

The cat sits swishing its tail to and fro

Into 2014 smiling we salubriously go.

The Year's Last Eve

2013-12-31T14:40:00.003+00:00

The Year's Last Eve

And so one year comes to an end this eve

Twelve months of highs and lows we can’t count up

But standing tall tonight we have achieved

Half full not empty life within our cups

The bangs and flashes set the night alight

Heads look up towards the shining sky

But next year’s resolution must be right

Or must we always set ourselves a goal?

An aim, message, motto to let us fly

Into the next year with vigour and grace

My fears my inhibitions I must face

Fixing changing facing all I can

Keeping good I truly have and am

Yet Cheers and beers not fears are here tonight

Celebrating new year yes thats right

Tomorrows thoughts shall be on how to go

Hello to positivity and smiles

Goodbye to faults and frowns for a long while

The Looking Glass

2013-12-27T14:09:00.002+00:00

This year, I sat down with a warming mulled wine and watched the Queens Speech. But I didn’t just hear it, I listened to it. There was one message she conveyed that I felt held a lot of meaning especially for me.

‘I once knew someone who spent a year in a plaster cast recovering from an operation on his back. He read a lot and thought a lot and felt miserable. Later he realized this time of forced retreat from the world had helped him to understand the world more clearly.

We all need to get the balance right, between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock.’

This inspired my next poem.

The Looking Glass

I’m sitting, waiting, wishing

For my raging river of recovery

To flow onwards towards its wide open mouth

Into the vast waters, the tides of change

To an ocean of abundance, of revitalised health

The looking glass reflects

To re-ignite your flame of life

I take the time to think

On how I’ve reached this forced retreat

A cave of self discovery, away from prying eyes

I need to be the apple of my own eye

Reflection I fully expect others to criticise

But , pink lady, wholesome and sweet

The looking glass reflects

To re-ignite your flame of life

To fix those broken branches

To feed those wrinkled roots

To feast on the fruits of fruition

Of understanding my actions, where to put the next boot

Needs simply a glance into my mirror

To see the trembling tree

To see it grow tall, to be me

The looking glass reflects

To re-ignite your flame of life

The phoenix rises from the flames

The rekindling of the fire within

My heart and soul revitalised

My misty mirror clearing once again

From hurting myself and those around me I can refrain

My health and I can make a difference, even relieve others their pain

The looking glass reflects

To re-ignite your flame of life

A Straightening Christmas Curve :-)

2013-12-24T11:20:00.001+00:00

The curve of the cats contented tummy

Straightens as it sleeps off its salmon supper

The curve of a holly leaf

Straightens as it cracks and bears its beautiful berries

The curve of a flowering mistletoe

Straightens as its shattered shell flows its mirrored fluid for magical memories

The curve of a Christmas tree bauble

Hangs straight to decorate

The curve of the Christmas Pudding

Straightens as the carving knife cuts to provide a pungent piece

The curve of Santa's sleigh

Straightens under the pressure of the Presents perched on the plough

The curve of condensation amongst the clouds

Straightens as the reindeers rest, relishing their recovery house carrot sherry heaven

The curve of the carriageway highlights heading down the home straight

To an incredible Christmas

With family and friends

Turkey talk and baking bliss

This smile is a curve that sets things straight

:-)

'Our fight'

2013-12-22T16:28:00.000+00:00

Our Fight

I am Controlling

They are consoling

I am Hurting

They are Hoping

I am starving and harming

They are saving and helping

I am trying

They are trying

I am suffering

They are seeing

As I am blinded

They are not binded

They are loving

I am loving

But they are praying

I am losing

They are lethargic

I have lost

They have lost

Our fictitious food fury

Our fight

Nina . x

Channelling Emotion

2013-12-19T18:08:00.002+00:00

'I always channel my emotions into my work. That way, I don't hurt anyone but myself'

- Suzanne Collins 'The Hunger Games'

This is spoken from the lips of the character 'Cinna' in the recent 'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Film.

He is now deceased, or his character with the former mindset is at least.

Someone said to me recently that whilst they are a person who externally express anger, worry, stress and frustration, they see the opposite behavioural tendencies in myself.

When I am angry, the most shown to the world is a facial expression change

I utter no words, shout no syllables, my lips show no range

Absent of kinaesthetic adjustment, I absorb into my bodily abyss

All stress, frustration, worry, why not?

I am a deep chasm to cope with such rot, health harm I dismiss

Hurting myself, my head, my heart, my mind

Punishing the effects of every enemy emotion, to me I can be unkind

Not realising that by doing so and helping keep others sane

I am channelling an internal injection of poison through my veins

Luckily I come to my series, to change and plug the flow

To protect and conserve myself a little more

Externalise my stress through a syllable, a short stomp on the floor

Unfortunately for some realisation hasn't begun, it wasn't so.

Accept the help and guidance of others around you. Let your family and friends send waves of support

because those who love you, love to listen.

Why do we have a pair of hands? For the right to rationally write the worry down, the left to link into a loved ones.

Our hands externalise the emotions of our heads and hearts. They help us to stop hiding, hurting and start holding, hoping. Change your channelling, let go the flow of fruition.

'Herding Power of Health'

2013-12-19T17:30:00.002+00:00

Herding - the natural tendency to make decisions based on what others have done in similar situations

(The Times 18/12/13 on role models/celebrities giving health advice)

Does herding help your head?

Does herding help your heart?

Does it gift you guidance in what others have said?

Does it send your health hope of a stuttering start?

The cattle are driven into their four sided arena

A loss of independent thought and ambition

Following the instruction, their bodies succumbing to the Powerhouse's demeanour

Of elevation of their opinion, their importance, their stance

The victims, the oppressor both believe in the concept's fruition

For the crowd, there shall be no successor

Heresy by hoof not an option to be considered

Harming of health is all that seems to be delivered

Stress, anxiety, sliding further from hope of positive change

The power figure simply considers to deliver their egotistical range

Of self righteousness, they believe in only their way to go

For the cattle, sapped of sanctity of life is the unfortunate flow

But one young calf turns its head

Seeing grass appearing greener, a field of fortuitous growth

For a healthier happiness, putting that powerhouse to bed

Challenging choice, opportunities or both

Strength restored in head and heart through an open gate

Not conforming but storming onto a future that awaits

Energise my Sacrifice

2013-12-14T15:15:00.000+00:00

Energise my Sacrifice

Like a car without fuel

Absent of sword within a duel

Like a fish without fins

Every entity needs energy

To not lose the life they live

To not sacrifice their soul to the sands of time

Like a writer without a pen

No wings to fly for the little wren

Like a fire without coal to find its flames

Every entity needs energy

To not lose the life it lives

To not sacrifice its soul to the sands of time

Shaking and shivering, suffering in the cold

Just a few steps before requiring rest, just as if old

No friendly food going in, just energy going out into the bin

I was a girl needing a guiding gauntlet

To not lose the life I lived

To not sacrifice my soul to the sands of time

Calories consumed, mind and body resumed

Warmth in my belly, taking the first step leaving the footprint of a winter welly

Smiling at the thought of my stuttering start

To being a happy, healthy head & heart

To love the life I live

Save my soul for me, my entity needing energy

The car careers on, simultaneous swords are drawn, the writer puts pen to paper, birds fly over the fish finding their fins

I don't sink, I swim.

~ Nina McArthur ~

Making the most of a moment in time...my eating disorder experience.

2013-12-08T19:00:00.002+00:00

Nina, 22 years old, private banking manager, residing in Manchester.

Short Blonde hair, blue eyes, freckles, fingernail biter.

5ft 5 tall, 35kg ‘light’....

Sunday 8^th December brings the day I now fully understand and despite seeming the wrong word, ‘appreciate’, my body being at its worst state of health. Read my article about the onset of this during my junior sporting years here (http://www.tri247.com/article_10085.html ).

From the age of seventeen, I started to succumb to certain eating ‘habits’ and to my mind that phrase is how best to define what the media and medical professionals label as an eating disorder.

I want to tell my tale and express my experience of what my eating disorder was and why it occurred. I am not saying this is the same for other sufferers out there but the generally accepted concept of an Eating Disorder is something that I want to explain from my perspective in as a few and simple terms as possible.

I began to ‘control’ my eating when told that to be the best possible triathlete and runner I had to aim for 50kg in weight. I should eat ‘good’ foods so anything high in fat or sugar was ‘bad’. This advice was from my sport’s governing body who didn’t assess each athlete individually, assigning a general set of guidance to all. My body was right as it naturally was at eight and a half stone, it wasn’t designed to be any lighter. I started to adhere to the ‘perfect’ low fat athlete diet and reached eight stone. I was running quicker and experiencing positive reinforcement from all around me.

Now I was scared of gaining any weight back and getting injured or losing my new found speed and improved performance. I subsequently lost some more weight until hypothermia hit during a cold lake swim during a race and it became apparent I had to give my body a break from the sport.

Adjusting from a controlled sporting routine and controlled diet to ‘let go’ now and then as other teenagers did was difficult. I diverted all my new-found spare time and previous focused energies into my education and achieved straight A’s at A Level, along with severe stress and a struggle to ever sit still and relax or indulge in a takeaway with friends when I wanted to.

Whilst I managed to hover around eight stone, I’d developed habits that were hard to stop me panicking when I’d treated myself to a pizza or had that chocolate bar despite supportive peers. Stress of relationships and a new pressurised job suddenly forced my body to find a coping mechanism to manage them. If I felt as if I couldn’t control my stress and anxiety with overworking, I knew I could at least excel in being in complete ownership of what food my body took onboard. This was my achievement, finding something to control in my life. I maintained my competitive mindset in wanting to be the best that I could be and put 100 per cent into everything I did. I could ‘win’ the battle against ‘bad foods’.

So at age twenty, I collapsed at work and ended up in a hospital bed after controlling stress through controlling now my ‘calorie’ rather than ‘fat’ intake and reaching six stone.

Through help and encouragement I recouped myself to seven and a half stone over time and learnt a new routine of breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, supper. I got used to the enjoyment of eating a good variety of food again. But my body never quite reached its ideal eight and half stone fully functioning female body and never quite lost its thoughts of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ food.

I was close to achieving this goal when I met a new partner...who was a triathlete. I decided just to visit the swimming pool again for a social swim, but this soon turned into me learning to love it again, winning a few amateur swims, runs and races....and reacquainting with old demons. Now I was back doing sport then surely I should eat like an ‘athlete?’ My mum told me to be careful starting to swim, cycle and run again and I regret not listening to her.

People around me soon became concerned again as I precipitated into a downward spiral of weight loss and self control again. Sport and a desire to be loved by those around me, doing what they loved, reminded my mind of how it used to be.

Ten months later and I was forced to leave the social triathlon club through ever worsening health as I dropped to below seven stone but struggled to avoid the worry of not exercising every morning before a working day. The exercise had to stop as my body grew weaker but then my food intake subsequently reduced as I worried about losing control.

Now, I have a great job, lovely two bedroom flat with a mortgage, fantastic family and friends, a very cute house cat, magical magenta ford ka and a beyond supportive partner who’s shown me the love of sofa relaxation, the odd social pedal to a coffee shop and the enjoyment of doing what you love and is best for your body with who you love.

But despite trying and putting in every effort, I have a very good metabolism which is going to need a lot of boosting to actually gain weight rather than maintain old habits or lose.

My eating disorder went from wanting to be the ‘perfect’ athlete and abiding by others rules, to self control as a coping mechanism for stress, worry and unhappiness, to my mind linking through a desire to impress and be love, to then struggling to adjust to letting this go and doing what I love with who I love.

At five and a half stone, I am possibly in the best place but the worst place. I have a life to be admired and desired, but my body is in its unhealthiest state to experience and enjoy it to the full.

Right now I’m curled up on the sofa, my Megsie the cat on one side and latest novel on the other, listening to chill out tunes and munching a big bowl of warming soup with crusty bread. Later, I’m going down to my boyfriend’s flat to relax with pizza and a glass of wine. Previously I might have thought I should be studying for work, being productive, exercising or cleaning but do you know what? There is nothing I’d rather do than be lazily toastily warm in the environment I love with Megsie the cat and a book’s company then my boyfriend and a dvd’s.

I tried to create ‘control’ of my life’s worries and concerns by being out of control in resisting my head controlling the wrong thing in the wrong way. I think eating disorders are essentially a use of focusing on the process of fuelling your body as a way to respond to internal and external pressures.

Trying to find self control through losing control.

My answer tonight? Literally forget thinking and do exactly what I want to do. We only live once, a body needs to fuel to live. To live is to laugh, love and learn. Every breath you take, every move you make, every step you take is your chance to make the most of that moment in time. Because once it passes it isn’t recoverable. Don’t think, just do, just be who you are.

I am Nina, a 22 year old women who wants to experience many more years to come. Healthy happy life here I come.

'I never meant to fall for you but...I was buried underneath and all that I could see...was white...my salvation. - Gabrielle Aplin, 'Salvation'

Cycling loving ladies can love coffee & cake too!

2013-10-27T18:23:00.001+00:00

This weekend I had a long awaited catch-up with an old friend of mine. Many who have read my previous articles and blogs may know that up until the age of seventeen I competed in Junior Elite & Elite Triathlon. Through this, I was lucky enough to meet one of my now best friends. Elinor Thorogood and I have kept in touch over the years despite being in different parts of the country, at different stages of our lives with significantly different daily routines. Let me illustrate this further.

Eli is in her final year of studying sports science with management at Loughborough University and goes home to Aberystwyth in the holidays, I live in Manchester and work as a Private Banking Manager. Eli is still pretty much a full time triathlete alongside her studies competing in elite level triathlon and cycling requiring over twenty hours per week commitment to a training regime. I don’t have the strength or love for such sport now and tend to enjoy walking and ‘pootle pedalling’ to places at weekends. How are we still such close friends you might wonder?

Well despite being an elite female athlete, Eli is the prime example of also showing how women can enjoy sport in so many different ways be it at any level and whether there is performance pressure or not. I interviewed my best friend around a year ago however what I want to focus on is more so how the Thorogood Family have encouraged each other to enjoy activity, especially cycling, as a family and means of smiling socially.

At the moment, I’m trying to ascertain what truly sets off the stereotype within society that you have to wear lycra to cycle ‘properly’, that exercise or physical activity must be sport that is an un-enjoyable health necessity and why women don’t realise how easy it is to jump on a bike with a group of friends and ‘pootle pedal’ !

I didn’t realise when I stopped elite sport at the age of seventeen that years later it would be possible to jump onto any old bike and enjoy the feel of pedalling again but socially, be it commuting to work or just free-wheeling down the canal path into town for a coffee.

Eli came up to Manchester to go and watch some speedy cycling racing with me at the Manchester Velodrome so at 5pm I picked her up from the station and we arrived back at my flat for a lovely home cooked dinner with my boyfriend. She had already done a two hour bike ride before travelling up from the South but you wouldn’t even have known. We decided on an early night and sat in bed in our ‘onesies’ with a hot chocolate and slice of this incredible cake she’d baked and brought me. Yes, she’s a baker too!

This meant that on Sunday after a lie in thanks to the clocks clicking back, we had to go for an explore of Manchester city centre coffee shops and vintage boutiques before she left at lunchtime to get back for a 5pm swim session after a good few hours of girly gossip.

We both love an evening out, coffees, cake, catch-up chats, shopping, water side walks and pootling pedals when we have our bikes handy.

So how is that we have so much in common when Eli is such a committed athlete and I lost the love of triathlon as a sport due to health & performance pressure?? Because it is possible to enjoy physical activity in whatever way you choose too and have fun whatever you’re doing. Eli’s entire family really illustrate this.

She is the only full time triathlete in the Thorogood family however her younger brother Ollie is also a speedy swimmer & runner whilst considering his University choices for the upcoming year. Her eldest sister is a midwife and lives down South with her boyfriend although has given an amateur triathlon a go for fun. Her sister Naomi loves dancing more than anything in the world whilst her Dad loves nothing more than to go for long bike rides and compete in time trial events. But the whole family love parties together, countryside walks, supporting each other at all their different favourite past times and simply smiling together as one. As long as all are happy, that is their priority and that is clearly the case. Eli’s Mum Jane is the ‘rock’ of them all, not choosing a particular but actively running around madly to keep track of what everyone is up to, where they are going or what they are doing. She doesn’t have to choose a sport, she can cycle with a smile if she wants to or pootle with pride at the support network she has provided for them all. She won’t hesitate to pop up a bit of family news or a photo on Facebook now & then!

You don’t have to conform the media’s mad portrayal of a ‘lycra lout’ and complete full on ‘training’, you just have to want to try the two wheeled trend of riding a bike and cycle with a smile.

As my Ladies Coffee Morning last week showed, there are so many funky cycling themed fashion items that you can also don to look stylish and serene. Check out my friend Nicola’s website for a start! A lady called Kat who looks after the ‘Spokes Manchester’ Social Cycling Group loves nothing more than to go on a relaxed ride at a weekend in a long skirt, lovely make-up in tact with long flowing locks whilst popping a picnic in her bike basket. Sometimes, she chooses to cycle longer and at a higher intensity but often just pops down to the local coffee shop on her Ditch bike for a cappuccino and cake. Either option is a fine one to choose.

If you’re a lady and worried about asking the family to go for a bike ride, why not just suggest to your husband to test the canal tow path down to nearest cafe for a tasty treat? Warming food usually tempts any man, women or child whatever the weather and for quality active family time nothing could be better. It is a cheap way to travel, lovely chance to cycle side by side and chat, good for your health and a cunning method of instilling good habitual routines into your children such as possibly encouraging them to bike to school.

A few Tips for Family Happiness & Activeness via 2 Wheels?

Parents not working, consider cycling the school run with your children

Turn that weekend Trafford Centre Shopping Trip into a ride to a South Manchester park or pub for some games and a coffee or lunch.

Pick up some funky hi-vis vests for your kids (take a look at Briony’s range), a manly bike lock keyring for the husband or a bracelet for the wife so you feel stylish and smiley.

When your kids have friends around, take them all down to the park to play but on their bikes.

Set a good example for your family whilst helping your finances and your health by trying a commute to work.

But you must enjoy it more than anything. There are simply so many ways to cycle with a smile. Girly time with my best friend Eli has certainly reminded me how people can love an activity in different ways but still enjoy time together and have the closest connection in the world. Coffee, cake and cycling chat worked for us this weekend!

Make cycling social with a smile, it is perfectly pootlingly possible.

Cycle with a Smile...Chocolate scented success?

2013-10-19T20:02:00.000+01:00

Today I was lucky enough to spend the morning with a fantastic group of like-minded people. People that all shared a dream. A dream to enjoy the two-wheeled growing trend of cycling.

My ‘Cycle with a Smile’ Female Friendly Coffee Morning got off to a great start with Divine Chocolate having kindly sent us plenty of tasty supplies . Chris Garrison, our saddle advice expert from Trek Bikes UK soon got stuck in!

Toffee & salted caramel, white chocolate & strawberry, chilli and ginger dark chocolate or the milder milk variety. All this irresistible chocolate was complimentary alongside ‘Pop Up Bikes’ lovely paninis and classic cappuccinos.

What was the aim of this you might ask? To show people from all walks of life that its possible, making sure ladies in particular could feel confident in coming to an atmosphere free of apprehension and full of positive pedalling vibes.

We had route maps, British Cycling Breeze Network Brochures, stylish cycle clothing, jewellery and accessories, artwork, saddle advice lectures, social cycling club and TFGM/GMCC Representatives all packed into a few hours at the Manchester Coffee & Bike Repair Shop.

There are a few memories in particular from today that I truly treasure in my mind. One was a lady who was looking to find a group to cycle with at weekends now she was retired and to enjoy the fresh air in a social sense on her bike. ‘I didn’t even realise Spokes Manchester existed or this lovely coffee shop was here’ she said after sitting down chatting to other like-minded ladies over a latte and some chocolate samples.

Another was a man called Kai. I had incidentally spoken to him on twitter a week ago but as usual with the tweeting trend, I didn’t have a face (or normal name!) to be familiar with outside his social networking alter ego. Kai cycled in with his two year old daughter Lena who shyly said thank you for a chocolate treat. He spoke to Bryony from ‘Onthebrightside’ who had brought down some hi-vis cycle wear including childrens options and also met his ‘Strava nemesis’ whom he’d again never caught up with in person outside the online competitive timing tool. ‘Lena is the reason I want to cycle and get involved in the hobby whilst staying safe and campaigning for change’. This was a father who wants a future for his family in staying happy and healthy whilst having the chance to love such an active fun pastime. What an inspiration.

Also, seeing representatives from Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign chat to a lady from Blackpool Council who wants to encourage more to cycle in her town, sharing success stories, ideas and initiatives was enlightening and showed what can be achieved if we work together. Hopefully a fun, friendly environment for men, women, young and old to have the confidence to commute, in style if they so desire, taking on tasty treats in social settings with family, friends or cycling solo.

If those who came today saw one piece of clothing they liked, met someone new, took on some tips, smiled at the thought of doing some more social cycling or just had a very nice coffee chocolate chat then I am one satisfied social cyclist this evening, sleepily dreaming up my next plan for a coffee & cake campaign for change.

Let your bell 'bring' you happiness...move with a smile

2013-10-07T20:56:00.003+01:00

UK chief medical officers recommend ‘150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week’. This means movement that makes the heart beat faster whilst still being able to have a conversation. Chatting? No problem!

They specifically mention walking, cycling and gardening. Now you might love the foremost mentioned and hate the latter but what does it matter? The most important thing is that you enjoy what you do because the whole point of being physically fit and well is to improve your quality of life. Being miserable certainly doesn’t contribute to that goal.

Yes there are some things we have to do that are a necessity in life, going to work incidentally being one of them. But if you’re struggling with stress in the workplace then why not make the journey to and from the office a time for reflection and a release of stress?

Combining movement into everyday life is easier than you might think. What is stopping you from walking to the train station and sitting back sipping coffee whilst musing through the Metro? Ten minutes walk to your carriage and ten minutes at the terminating stop makes for your twenty minutes of daily movement already and it isn’t even lunchtime.

Similarly, have a think whether you could find a flat route to pedal down to work?

If you don’t have a bike, there are plenty of facilities to hire one to give two wheels a go before investing in your own. Check out ManchesterBike Hire for one tempting option.

Equally, there lots of resources available in terms of the best routes to follow. Pop Up Bikes Coffee Shop who will be hosting my Female Friendly Cycling Coffee Morning in a few weeks time have a range of Greater Manchester cycle trail maps on to nosy your way through. Sustrans are well known for investing in the National Cycling Network to produce places to walk and cycle currently within a mile of 60% of the population. Or why not grab the girls, encourage the kids or push the partner for a Sunday stroll or seeking of scenic serene spots.

Find family and friends who fancy going for a coffee and cycle to your favourite beverage stop and walk the children to school rather than nipping down the road in the car. It’s amazing how soon twenty minutes of movement can be integrated into each day.

I personally love either cycling to work or walking canal side to my local tram stop, benefiting from a short stroll at the other end of my journey too. By the time I get work I’ve had my morning cappuccino, read my book and arrive at my desk feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. I’ve made the most of sustainable transport whilst fitting it efficiently into daily routines but also combining with past times I take pleasure in pursuing.

Find family and friends who want to spend time in the outdoors too. There’s nothing better than ‘pootling’ to the park for a picnic with the family, hiding behind your other half cycling through the city centre to a ‘watering hole’ or catching up over coffee and cake with a girlfriend, bags in baskets and bells ringing out.

Let your bell ‘bring’ you happiness and health this fine autumnal season. Get outdoors and love the social side to movement.

Move to make you smile.

Cycling Safety - Actions Speak Louder Than Words

2013-09-28T20:31:00.002+01:00

On Monday, the first ‘space4cycling’ ride is to be held in Manchester City Centre thanks to Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign. What is this about, you might ask? Well, The Space for Cycling campaign was initiated by London Cycling Campaign who wanted to raise awareness for the lack of provision of safe space for cycling at major junctions and on the busy roads of the Capital.

The reason I’ll be attending and so pleased that GMCC are championing this is because of the key aim they have portrayed; ‘We need space for cycling so more people of all ages and abilities can feel safe riding a bike’

They see the need for a ‘fun, family friendly event’ where all can ride gently and jovially on a short central route. This is what true accessibility to riding a bike is all about and GMCC have really got to grips with making a mark for us Mancunians.

British Cycling and key role models such as Chris Boardman & Chris Hoy have criticised the Government for “talking a good game but failing to get the basics covered” and I think they’re right. It’s all very well producing a policy for future investment but what we need is action. It’s like the leftovers of your breakfast in a bowl. The longer you leave it, the harder it is to remove the remainder. So the more we and the Government put off actually taking action on issues affecting cycling in the city, the poorer ‘pootling’ conditions will become and more challenging to change. Think Problem Porridge!

On Monday, young and old, committed commuters, random riders, families and friends will be cycling the streets of Manchester, guided by marshals and protected by Police to show politicians the great desire by all for a safe supported cycling space as opposed to disparaging the desire to get on a bike and ride.

I’m definitely going to be down in St Peters Square at 6pm on the 30^th of this month, not just for my own personal wish to see better conditions for bikes but also so that more ladies like me are tempted to try the two wheeled trend. I’ve mentioned previously how after cycling competitively when younger, I didn’t realise that it was possible to now just ride a bike when I wanted to whether to work now & then, to the park for a picnic or for a catch-up over coffee and cake.

I want to see more people ‘cycling with a smile’ so the action that I’ve taken is to organise a Female Friendly ‘Cycle with a Smile’ Coffee Morning on Saturday 18^th October at Pop Up Bikes. The community coffee & bike repair shop will be open for all to ‘pop’ down between 10am and 12.30 offering free & friendly advice on bike set up & maintenance, information on local routes be they canal paths or road routes and cycling knowledge gurus. Most importantly it will give ladies from all walks of life the chance to chat to like-minded people be they regular riders or worried women lacking the confidence to try a commute. And just in case a little more persuasion to pootle is needed there are three more lady loves on offer. Stylish cycle clothing, accessory and artwork shopping, quality Manchester blend mochas and free ‘Divine chocolate’ to dive into!

Does that display to the Government real action?

We need cycling safety lessons made compulsory parts of P.E. in schools now. More children will then hopefully cycle to school and see the enjoyment in riding with friends.

We need resurfaced and widened cycle lanes now so families feel happy in riding together.

We need police protection against dangerous drivers now so commuters feel more confident in riding the roads.

We need the spreading of social cycling networks now for all to see that riding is not just exercise, it can be an accessible pootling pleasure.

Actions speak louder than words. So let us see this political party conference chat be transformed into true change. Show that we can work to make two wheels a ‘wheely’ good way of life for our United Kingdom.

Magical Manifestos, Coffee & Cake; trying to inspiring some cycling smiles

2013-09-23T21:29:00.001+01:00

Following the recent conferences of the major political parties, cycling is really beginning to take a stand and we have the chance to demonstrate that investment into the two wheeled trend will be wished for and well received...but can chocolate coffee chats and magical manifestos do the trick? Well I was determined to try putting together a plan for a Female Friendly ‘Cycle with a Smile’ Coffee Morning...my love of a caffeine fix wasn’t the sole reason I promise.

I arrived home Friday evening a little weary after a long working week but at the same time feeling as though work was a distant memory. I’d cycled home for the fourth time that week and despite the sun not wanting to shine, I’d pedalled away my workplace worries to arrive fresh faced ready for a weekend with family and friends.

I opened the door to my miaowing Moggie in perfect pootling time given that when you’re on a bike, you know exactly how long the journey will take, unless you slow down to smugly smile at the thought of the motors gas guzzling their way through petrol, contents of purses and patience!

Logging onto my laptop, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Just last week I’d discussed with a friend the idea of holding a coffee morning to inspire women from all walks of life to be encouraged to enjoy riding a bike. Now the planned event had spread like wild fire through facebook, twitter, to infinite social networks and beyond.

The Female Friendly ‘Cycle with a Smile’ Divine Chocolate Coffee Morning had been born with already over thirty promised attendees for Saturday 19^th October at Pop Up Bikes Coffee & Bike Repair Shop. A morning of free & friendly advice on bike set up & maintenance, guidance on local commuter routes whilst meeting like-minded ladies who either desire the confidence or are existing addicts to the bike, women's specific cycle clothing along with artwork & funky accessories for sale and Manchester Bike Hire information. Did I mention the Coffee and FREE Divine Chocolate on offer at the Manchester business on the day?

My motivation behind this stems from experiencing life as an emerging elite triathlete, to then suffer the trials and tribulations of high level pressure and subsequent illness, giving up the sport entirely. After battling numerous health issues, I was then shown how to walk and cycle socially just as you pleased. Despite loving exercise and activity in the past, I didn’t actually know how to pedal for pleasure, with whom, when and where. Hello pootling pedalling. Whether exploring the canal networks of the north west, having picnics in the park with friends, commuting to the office or filling a bike basket with bread & milk, I’d seen how everyone can find a way to cycle with a smile.

My coffee morning is very much offering the chance to find the confidence mid-way through an individual’s life, requiring reliance on embracing the existing infrastructure in place in the city of Manchester. I have to hope that through friendly chat and advice, women won’t be wary of commuting to the workplace or riding down roads and riverbanks with family & friends feeling safe, satisfied and smiling.

Labour’s recent Manifesto for Cycling highlighted one of the key root causes.

‘We must end the stop-start approach to supporting cycling.’

Road investment has secured a £28 billion commitment to roads for the next seven years, cycling has just a one-off £114 million from central spread across three years. It is clear where priorities lie.

How does that act as encouragement to avoid using the car, save money, time and the environment? All the positives of getting on a bike are dampened by a seeming lack of support.

‘We have to ensure that children and young people have every opportunity to cycle - and to do so safely. We need to make it easier for cycling to become part of the journey to work’

Simple points by the Labour Party you might say, but words that are waved away by the current government and existing policy producers. Over 90% of children in Amsterdam cycle to school and so naturally, they will learn to love it as a way of life be it how they socialise with friends or journey around the city. It becomes the norm because it is easy, accessible and accepted by all. Roads are full of riders, cars are forced to look and the law respects them because they most likely join them in times of leisure.

I hope such morals become material in minds moving forward to allow for more cycling in school sport, improved road infrastructure be it large lanes or right of way, punishment for dangerous driving and police protection but most importantly consistent committed support for cycling and belief in bikes being a key part of Britain’s future.

Cycling becomes safer the more cyclists that are on the road. If you can ride a bike you are a cyclist. If you and want to chat cycling, you’re more than welcome at my coffee morning.

For more information see the poster and facebook event - https://www.facebook.com/events/325934370884230/?fref=ts

Abandon anxiety, cycle with a smile

2013-09-15T21:16:00.003+01:00

‘For a long time I abandoned myself to her power of possession..then I also learned to take possession of her’ - Bernard Schlink, ‘The Reader’

For years I would abandon myself to bearing the bike, then I learned to cycle with a smile

Abandon your sprightly streak to her relaxed ride, then pull on some plimsoles and pootle

Abandon your trust to her tyres, then take hold of the handlebars

Abandon your scared sensation to the saddle, then sit comfortably and sip coffee

Abandon your anger and anxiety, then envelop in endorphins

Abandon your worries to the wind, then focus your thoughts on the trail you’re taking

Now I abandon myself to her two wheels, I have learned to take possession of the bike

Despite abandonment she still guides me, then sits back as I take control

Control your love of cycling with a smile.

Regardless of rules, happiness doesn’t need to hide

Contrary to crazy competitiveness.

Reap the benefits and ride

Remembering the Lady In Red

2013-09-01T19:56:00.004+01:00

Remembering the Lady in Red

A Poem Inspired by the August Manchester Critical Mass Ride - In memory of Jaye Bloomfield

Whilst actions cannot be unwound

Whilst the past can’t be reversed

A chance repeat of an incident

May be slightly dispersed

All gathered in memorandum

In the square named after the Saint

Varying ages and abilities, big or small, men and women waiting to be led

Lovers of two wheels remembering the lady in the red

Words of a loved one become the sole sound for a time

Heads bow down in respect as an eerie wind blows

The car just didn’t stop it was said

Lovers of two wheels remembering the lady in the red

Some shed tears in her memory, some glare at the ground to erase the pain.

But anger and frustration will not help to make that much needed change

In the mindset of drivers or cyclists focused solely on getting ahead

Lovers of two wheels remembering the lady in the red

But then some smiles emerge as cars stop safely to let us begin

Our steady ride as a mass, an articulated lorry of bodies, we are one

Pedalling along with each other almost as if we were to be wed

Lovers of two wheels remembering the lady in the red

Manchester was made to notice us and see we are a positive thing

Singing, smiling, pootling along with pride, giving our bells a ring

Remembering the lady in the red, we must stay safe and encourage this to be fed

Into the minds of all road users, we were the lovers of two wheels remembering the lady in red.

News Report of the Incident

Amsterdam, these roads are made for riding.

2013-08-26T22:13:00.004+01:00

I've just returned from spending three days in the beautiful city of Amsterdam, my first visit to what is widely known for being the cycling capital of Europe. It is renowned for being ‘bike friendly’ and so whilst taking in the sights to embrace the culture of the place was a priority during my short stay, I was keen to see if this included an acceptance and general calm between cars and commuters.

Was cycling in the city really so different between Amsterdam and Manchester?

Firstly, I was astounded by the traffic on my emergence from the central station. Beautiful black Mercedes taxis, flash sports cars and everyday automobiles sped up to crossings. It reminded me very much of the city centre of Manchester during its weekday peak. I’d always thought that with cycling being known to be a popular choice of transport, maybe it was simply just that cars felt inferior and the roads weren’t as packed with petrol but clearly not.

However, crossing the road for the first time I was almost knocked off my feet as I felt as if I was spectating at the Tour de France! Lines of cyclists flew past with cars alongside however these weren’t lycra clad lads on carbon road bikes with team car spare wheel support. They were a mass of everyday people going about their everyday lives on a Monday morning. I stepped back in awe (also to keep two legs in tact!) but couldn’t wait to absorb more of the Amsterdam atmosphere.

Our hotel was just behind the Rijksmuseum slightly south of the city and so we looked to cross the vast roundabout in front of the impressive Art Musuem’s arched structure. It was at this point I was saved from potential calamity yet again (lucky I’m not a cat with only nine near miss chances, my Moggie Megs back at home would have been embarrassed!), almost walking into a bike came flying around the bend. At roundabouts, intriguingly it is cyclists that have priority. A little different to the Mancunian Way A56 Roundabout back home where you’re lucky if you don’t get cars sneaking through lights oblivious to the rubber of your wheel setting off from the line. I noted the traffic allowing cyclists to cycle freely alongside and past them, ladies in jeans on basket clad bikes with long blonde hair flowing, Dads towing toddlers in ‘bike buggies’ and office workers donning suits and shiny shoes on their foldable contraptions. Whoever was riding whatever, they looked relaxed and in control. There was none of this ‘that flipping cyclist undertaking the traffic jam on the inside’ or battles of accelerating off from junctions. There was peace and pride in their clean city, a sense of serenity in the road users relationship and a genuine feeling of respect.

We decided to go for dinner in the centre of the city, stopping for a glass of wine in Rembrandt Square on the way. Weaving our way along the canals, we followed streets that almost seemed like English inner city shopping paved areas just without the ‘no entry’ traffic signs. These were called ‘woonerfs’ I was told. Googling this, I soon found that ‘woonerf’ literally translates to ‘living yard. Basically, pedestrians and cyclists have legal priority over motorists and so traffic must move at walking pace. Just a second example of cars being third in line.

Interestingly, we do have something similar in place in the UK however our ‘home zones’ are usually small 50m long residential streets and focus in on children playing as opposed to usage by all modes of transport and the majority of the mass public.

Talking of children, I have to mention possibly the cutest concept I noticed. Sat on a street corner drinking coffee and munching cake, we watched many Mums pedal past on lovely classic step through bikes with bells, towing a small cart with their daughters perched inside or sons sat sideways on back pannier racks. Both mother and child were always smiling and in the glorious sunshine I could see why. They were free to travel across the town as they wished.

It would also be an easy transition for youngsters once old and able enough to ride on their own. I found out upon my return that cycling proficiency is a key aspect of the Ditch curriculum and over 80% of children cycle to school. With wide separate cycleways adjacent to roads, it was clear why parents would be more confident with allowing this however it is also interesting to note the cycling rules that had to be learnt. As much as cyclists were appearing to have free reign of the roads, it is strictly forbidden to cycle on the main road with cars if a cycle lane is available and so the UK City red light jumpers shouldn’t sit back smugly and smirk just yet.

Children in Manchester simply ten to count down how long it is before they can say ‘bye bye bus’ and 'hello Honda Hatchback’! Pride is in the type of car you own, how quickly and confidently you drive and who has the newest number. In Amsterdam, it seemed to be that as long as you had the type of bike that you wanted to ride, you could have fun with your friends and get to where you wanted to be together. Modes of transport didn’t seem to be looked down upon. You didn’t need an all singing dancing two wheeler, in fact I didn’t see any Boardman bikes riding the roads. There were just bikes of all types everywhere. Two wheels simply outnumbered four...although not forgetting the trikes too!

On the third and final day of our trip, I decided I could no longer just sit back and watch. It was time to hire a bike and try Amsterdam’s ingenious infrastructure for myself.

Picking up hire bikes for just under ten euros for the day (although my friend Pavol who runs Manchester Bike Hire charges this for a week!) I looked around a helmet. ‘Hang on’ I thought, that’s what had been missing from my picture. I’d seen long flowing locks and stuck up sweaty styles on heads because nobody donned a helmet. It was clear that because of the investment into cycling and its set-up, the fear is not there and neither is the need as I found in the behaviour of cars around me once setting off.

Now I am not always the most stable person on a bike, especially on this new ‘sit and up beg’ style Dutch bike as opposed to my Boardman road bike back home, but as soon as I sat on it and began to pedal I relaxed. I had my handbag in my basket, sunglasses on my head and felt the wind in my hair. I navigated the streets with ease alongside pedestrians, cars, other bikes and trikes. Sip, smile and satisfyingly sigh. This was safe serenity to me.

We came a stop outside an ice cream shop and with the integrated wheel lock, secured our bikes next to vast amounts of others in a ‘bike park’. These are gigantic enclosures for bikes whereby you can have peace of mind that it won’t be in the way or at risk of being vandalised whilst you shop, walk, read or enjoy that ice cream. Everywhere we rode we noticed stands or parks to lock up a bike, a nice change from the four ‘Sheffield Stands’ outside Manchester’s main train station. How can we expect to encourage people to cycle from ‘a to b’ if there is a lack of locations to lock your bike up at your destination?

I just didn’t want to hand my bike back at the end of the day but what a perfect end to the trip. I’d enjoyed the relaxed feeling of cycling in the city so much. Such a change from arriving home from work as a moody madam after being cut up by several cars and getting beeped and bawled at in the mayhem of Manchester’s post work rush.

Despite it clearly showing to me the negatives of the UK’s current bike-car battle, it does suggest that the recent government injection of funding into cycling should hopefully make the difference as did Amsterdam’s in the 1970s.

I will certainly be keeping the Dutch ideals in the front of my mind and giving up my fight with the racetrack roads. Cars can treat me as badly as they like, all I will think is that the roads are made for more than one, my bike is made for riding and I’m made for smiling, cycling and surviving.

Resisting the rail fare rise by riding your bike

2013-08-13T20:47:00.000+01:00

So the government has announced today that rail fares will increase by an average of 4.1% (1% above RPI Inflation) and it is suggested that this will add over £200 to the average season ticket. Here’s an interesting fact. That £200 extra you might be spending would buy you a bike!

It is quite an intriguing announcement, given the news on Monday of a new £77m government fund investing in cycling. The £77m, split between eight cities including Manchester, will help improve existing cycle infrastructure and include brand new Dutch-style segregated routes in some areas. It is hoped that this will increase the current journeys made by bike that sits at around one third and I say it is a positive step if implemented timely. Is the government sneakily trying to shift more towards cycling from the trams and trains? If so, its the car drivers we need to be targeting, asking why they feel restricted to their protective boxes. If it is purely logistical reasons such as the journey would be impossible or extremely hard by any other mode of transport then fair enough, but if you could commute without guzzling fuel then shame on you!

Now I used to travel to work by train a few years ago and so understand commuters’ anger. How can members of the public be tempted into using trains and trams when the cost just continues to increase? Whilst campaigning loudly is the choice of some train travellers, for those quieter individuals who keep their explosions of anger firmly locked away inside them then how about this for an option? Grab a bike!

So why would you choose to cycle rather than get the train?

1. Cost

I used to get the train from Irlam (South Manchester suburbs) to the heart of Manchester City Centre. This cost me £5.40 return per day or £25 per week. I then realised that I could be cycling.

If you don’t have a bike, Manchester Bike Hire has the option of hiring a bike for £5 a day for a week. This is already less than it cost me to commute the 10 miles to work and back but things only get better. If you wanted to hire one for more than 3 months, the hire rate is £1 a day so that’s 100 days for £100. It used to cost me £80 a month anyway!

2. Health

Think how much more invigorated you’ll feel, sitting down at your desk with your morning coffee after half an hour of exercise in the fresh air rather than after being cooped up on a un-air conditioned, delayed, packed train!

3. Happiness

It is important to keep fit and active but is only worth it if healthiness comes with happiness too. Pick a scenic route to work be it down the ever improving canal cycle networks, just when the sun is shining, with friends or colleagues or at your own pace in whatever attire you choose. Either way, you’re sure to develop a decent tan over time too and the smugness of trundling past a traffic jam is worth its weight in gold.

So there are three reasons why today’s decision might not affect you as much as you think. Why not commute by bike?

The Government are supporting you to do it, well known British athlete role models such as Sir Chris Hoy are encouraging it and your kids will love you for it when you’re fit enough to pedal with them to the park at weekends. Go on, give it a go :-)

A positive spin on the cycle of life

2013-07-28T17:52:00.001+01:00

Recently, I’ve fallen back in love with cycling however this time with a distinct difference. With my body in need of recovery from a period where it wasn’t being looked after properly, I’ve made the decision to effectively leave sport. No more swimming and running as the body of Nina had succumbed to an energy deficit for too long. It is deficient in both iron and fat reserves so to continue with triathlon even casually would be silly. I need to rest, EAT and enjoy living life to the full again. So hello to social cycling.

My focus at the moment is remembering what life was like back as a normal working woman before being back involved with triathlon ‘training’. Getting up in a morning, having a lovely coffee & breakfast, a 9-5 working day, then dinner out with a friend or a relaxed evening back home cooking with the cat (as company not as an ingredient might I add!).

I am, however, naturally an active person so have decided to keep myself sane with some social cycling. I started commuting to work on ‘Belle’ the pink & white Boardman Bike and in the last few weeks of sunshine it has been absolute bliss! It means I can stay active whilst getting my health back on track but without full on forced sport ‘training’. It is free for me to travel to work and I’m developing a great tan. So why don’t more people do so?

The BBC recently announced that the London Olympics had had an increased impact on sporting participation and facilities but not to the extent that they would have wished. I say that to encourage more people to be fit and healthy does not necessarily require a huge injection of funds. Yes, investment is required at grass roots level to provide strong school sport and develop our elite performers but for the everyday person wanting to be healthy but happy too its just not. We don’t need impressive stadiums and venues to get involved in things we enjoy, we just need to think. Cycle to work, go dancing with the girls, jog down beautiful park trails and swim in your local pool or open water lake. Accessibility and inventiveness is the key.

Pedalling around Manchester over the last month, especially in the fantastic weather we’ve been treated to has really shown me to the true extent to which you can gently stay active and entertained on two wheels. I’ve explored the North Manchester Canals on an old mountain bike in pumps and denim shorts stopping for a coffee and a picnic with those I love, I’ve crossed to the South side of the centre for a charity park music festival munching a prawn picnic on the grass before stopping for coffee & cake half way home and of course as mentioned I’ve turned into a commuter when the craving calls.

On Friday I took part in my first ‘Critical Mass’ to raise awareness for cyclists, particularly those often crossing the city on their daily commute. Recently I’ve met some lovely new friends through riding my bike and one of these was leading the initative. I began my evening with a coffee at ‘Pop Up Bikes’, a fantastic coffee shop set up on Corporation Street close to the MEN Arena. It offers bike repair and advice alongside gorgeous coffee, cake and friendly faces. You can actually cycle straight into the shop and hang up your bike whilst settling down on a comfy sofa to refuel, relax and even read if you like. I was there with some new-found friends, a lovely group known well by my boyfriend but who also just like a fun weekend's pedal and welcome anyone to the social setting. I’ve not clocked up many miles, just simply enjoyed every second of the sunny days with food, drinks and smiles galore. Whether its two miles or twenty miles, nobody cares. All that matters is that you’re making every second count...with a smile not a ‘LiveStrong’ snigger or smirk!

The actual ride began at St Peter’s Square. Over one hundred of us on all types of bikes from carbon race to basket based set off through the City Streets ‘en masse’ like one large articulated lorry. Vintage rarities and a speaker system trike even accompanied us as whilst obeying the rules of the road, the traffic was forced to pay attention to us and let us through as one. The atmosphere down the centre of Deansgate was incredible as the city’s citizens were forced to ‘look for bikes’, our horns, cheers and tunes sounding out. The pleasant people of Manchester reciprocated our waves. Cyclists were in the limelight. A positive fruity vibe brought to fruition.

To encourage more people to be fit and healthy, save money and smile through cycling will take members of the public, especially car drivers, to be aware of us on the roads. But also as cyclists we have a responsibility to maintain our own etiquette and stay safe.

The Critical Mass Hour’s Leisurely Tour of Town takes place on the last Friday of every month at 6.30pm so if you want to start cycling on whatever bike or trike you have or want to make it easier for us all to be safe to cycle on the roads then come and say hello. If you don't have a bike then look at the one I tried out below available to hire. A lovely man from Manchester Bike Hire was down at the Platt Fields Park BBQ held as a tasty terminus for the ride and let me have a go. I am seriously tempted to hire one for a bit fun on the next one!

But do you know what I’d like the most? For the man who drives to work to decide to commute by bike tomorrow, for the family set having dinner to plan a fun family explore of their local park next weekend and for the girls on their bikes with the baskets to stop by Pop Up Bikes Cafe for a cappuccino. Anyone can ride a bike.

Be healthy & happy through a whole heap of free fun. A beepity beep ‘bye bye’ from me for now J

Less is More...Spanish sunshine to Mandela's Morals

2013-06-30T17:30:00.002+01:00

Over the last few days, it has been said that the ex South African president Nelson Mandela remains critical but is now stable. Thousands have expressed well wishes towards him throughout the Media be they high profile statesman such as Obama or country citizens. All agree that he is one truly inspirational role model across the world.

It is suspected that his poor health is due to the tuberculosis he contracted whilst in his damp prison cell for 18 years. Mandela represented the African National Congress and fought to replace South Africa’s apartheid with a multi-racial democracy. From 1962 he spent 27 years in Prison for apparent ‘sabotage’ after previously being charged with high treason. In 1990 he was released and became the first black President, going on to win the Nobel Peace Prize. helping with numerous international peace negotiations, campaigns against HIV/Aids, and the 2010 Football World Cup Bid.

Then at age 85, he retired from public life. He wanted to spend more time with his family and friends and engage in "quiet reflection". In regards to future appointments, he said "Don't call me, I'll call you,".

This is what I strived towards on my recent holiday to Spain. I had initially planned to go with some friends but realised that wasn’t what I wanted. I needed something less but more. I needed some time on my own (the less) to have a complete break and bring my body & mind home reinvigorated, relaxed and ready to achieve the goals it needs to (the more).

In the McArthur Family Villa in Benalmádena Pueblo, I spent two lovely days catching up with family, being introduced to proper Spanish coffee, quality wine, magnificent meals and would you believe it, golf. Yes despite previously being sceptical about golfs ability to be a true ‘sport’ and shelving it in a similar category to darts, might this be the sedentary sport I enjoy in the future? We will have to wait and see! I’m complete and utter rubbish at it, but I love it and loved the sense of achievement in improved my shots with my Uncle’s help.

This is what I should be doing, I thought. Waking up each morning and thinking ‘what would I like to do today’, not thinking ‘this is what I should be doing or this is what I have to be doing’. I don’t HAVE to run or swim every day like others do, in fact my body has been asking for a few months to not do.

Living every day as if it is your last means that you should find what makes you smile. By being sucked into such an intense exercise regime and spending a lot of time around people who lived to swim, cycle and run every day, I had forgotten what a ‘normal’ life was. I say ‘normal’, I mean that triathlon is essentially its own world. I bet 90% of your work colleagues are amazed when you have cycled even a few miles to work, and then plan to cycle home or just been for a run twice in a week? When you are a member of a triathlon club and happy with a twenty minute jog, that is considered by others as just a warm-up. You can be made to feel inadequate or a failure and I often used to feel as if I had to match the expectations of others.

When my Aunty & Uncle left Spain after two days, I had six days to myself. I was free to do as I pleased. I had a six bedroom villa to myself stocked up with coffee, wine and food, a private 25m swimming pool, a vivacious village ten minutes walk uphill and a beautiful beach fifteen minutes walk downhill. I did still have family friends just a few doors down for nice evening restaurant company if needed, but I had the chance to refocus my head through a complete change of environment and blissful serenity.

I got the train to Malaga and explored the city in a horse-drawn carriage tour, had lunch on the beach, visited the Cathedral and had shopped in the markets. I wandered up to the village for morning coffees, afternoon icecream, an evening Tinto de Varano or a read of a good book in the Church Square overlooking the villas and coast below. I went walking with new friends in the hills, played more golf, had some lovely Spanish cuisine and never planned beyond the current day. I truly made the most of my ‘me time’ relaxing in the Villa’s luxury.

Back home with my cat Megsie and as Mandela decided at age 85, I am deciding the same at age 22. ‘Don’t call me, I’ll call you’.

I need to focus on what is important in life and that is me being happy and healthy. I’ve figured out a few plans including spending evenings after work relaxing at home with Megsie, cooking lovely meals to help me fall back in love with cooking, spending time with my close family and the few friends I can always count on who understand me completely. It is time to stop trying to run after everyone and everything and start looking after Nina again. ‘Nothing can bring you peace but yourself’.

I love waking up in a morning, making a bowl of porridge, watching the News and making sure Megsie is ok before getting ready for work, I love to read, I love to write, I love to coach and help others enjoy their sport. I will always still enjoy being active, but when my body is at a healthy weight I can pick and choose what I want to do and when to do it. If I fancy a swim on my own I shall, if I fancy cycling to work I will and I hate to say it but if I want to pop down to the golf course I am going to!

Make sure you make yourself smile each and every day. We work hard to live life well, we don’t live just to work ourselves into the ground mentally or physically. Just look at what Mandela has achieved after so much pain inflicted on him by others? He is an inspiration after working hard to make a difference to allow others to live free of pain. I cross my fingers that he will make it through the next few moments and months but if and when his time does come, his truly deserves to be laid to rest peacefully without pain after just five years of giving himself back his ‘me time’

I’m taking note of his example. That’s all for now, from Megsie and Me.

'A life lived in fear is a life half lived'

2013-05-25T22:31:00.004+01:00

‘A life lived in fear is a life half lived.’

The new film Great Gatsby begins with these words. I was sat ready to watch it with great trepidation. It had experienced massively mixed reviews, some criticising that Director Baz Luhrmann’s attempt to create ‘glitz and glamour’ had gone too far with others leaving cinemas beaming with smiles and satisfaction. I have the unfortunate need to always read the book first and so my main concern was that the story I knew and had loved would be ruined by a poor portrayal. To be honest films never beat the original work of literature so it was more hoping I’d like the interpretation of the characters and the storyline wouldn’t be changed dramatically. I wasn’t disappointed, I loved it...but then again it was two hours of Leonardo Dicaprio so it would have been rude to turn down such a ticket. Saturday evening bliss.

Jay Gatsby is a troubled literary invention. He was a talented, hard working individual but cheated by people he trusted. He had to fight for control but not in the right way. He retained good morals whilst all the time tracking and tracing his goal until ultimately he went too far and ruined his chance of regaining what he had lost all those years ago.

I see in this a lot of similarities to my own story. I trusted the judgement of those in higher positions suggesting a 50kg perfect weight to run but this ultimately led to my fall. A fall in both strength of body and strength of mind. Gatsby succeeds in wealth but in the wrong ways. I succeeded in gaining control, or I thought I did. But it was my mind’s demons that controlled my body, not me being in control of my own health and happiness in the right way.

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

Gatsby lets his life be led by a search to regain his lost love. The last two years have been a search for what Nina needs to be safe and sane in herself, for those who she can trust will stick by her through thick and thin and for a return to a normal relaxed life.

Gatsby tries hard to impress others with his strategically illegally gained wealth though whilst retaining good morals. I tried hard to impress at my job, keep all my friends happy and constantly about others opinions of me, worrying whether I was letting anyone down or angering them. Gatsby pushes too hard to get Daisy back and crushes his chance. I overworked, tried too hard and ended up returning to old habits, reverting to needing ‘recovery’ time once again.

But do you know the real difference? Gatsby didn’t get another chance after those futile years, he failed. I’ve been given one and I know that I am now succeeding in the right way. I’m gaining back my health and my happiness and learning what is important in life before it is too late.

I do not intend to get shot in a swimming pool don’t worry.

N.B. (If you have read the book or seen the film this will make sense, if not then please read the ending as otherwise you will think I’ve lost it!)

I actually think a life lived in fear shouldn’t be described as any type of life at all. To ‘live’ is more than just having a ‘life’.

My Open Water Inspirational Individuals, loving the leap.

2013-05-19T10:53:00.003+01:00

‘You really made me feel good and so proud of myself. Thankyou for the support on the bike and being so motivational and friendly’.

Could you ask for anything more on a Saturday morning? I don’t think so. Thankyou Donna for such kind words that really made me feel as if my coaching was making a difference. I was down at Pennington Flash Lake near Leigh with 'MyOpenWaterSwim’. They’ve given me the chance to coach four Novice Triathlon Training Mornings, continuing to coach the swimming thereafter on a Saturday and I’ve really enjoyed getting involved. But to be thanked and told you’ve made a difference to someone's confidence in sport and given them a smile is an experience in itself.

I’ve made a lot of mistakes in the past that led to a loss of my love of sport for four years and also a forced cessation of taking part at the moment. I don’t want others to ever have to go through such negativity or to be finding trying to achieve a goal a negative, boring or distressful experience.

Sport should be a pleasure and you should love what you do. If you don’t like running then don’t do it. If you want to give open water swimming a go but are a little nervous, you should know that others have been in the same 'boat’ so to speak, and have overcome their fears to enjoy leaping into a lake every week. MyOpenWater Swim endorses this by making it possible for all to take the plunge and I’m honoured to be a part of contributing towards that.

Yesterday was the second Novice Triathlon Training Morning run by MyTriathlon and we took the group of ten on a 40 minute bike ride around the country lanes of Leigh. This is where I spent time with the first two inspirational ladies. Liz struggled with her clip pedals initially and fell to the ground twice. Understandably this knocked her confidence and I remember only too well being on my first World Class Talent Programme Training Camp and stopping at some traffic light, toppling sideways as I forgot my feet were still attached to my bike...in front of the Brownlee Brothers and Ironman athlete Philip Graves. As a self conscious fifteen year old determined to succeed and impress, I felt like a squashed beetroot to say the least...a bright red failure!

But she got back on and I said ‘Don’t think about clipping in straight away, just rest your foot on top of the pedal and get your legs spinning before using your momentum to then have the time to think about properly securing it in'. Liz listened and it worked. I then pulled her back up to the main group, letting her sit in my drafting zone before cycling at the side of Donna. Donna dropped off the group a little so I sat at her side and we chatted about pedal technique, pulling up with the hamstring and pushing down with the quadriceps to avoid any dead spots in the pedal stroke. She had a great cadence and we stayed relaxed whilst working to catch back up and finish off the nine mile exploratory ride.

The novices then took the plunge for the second week, with all now having forgotten their pensiveness and fears of the first week’s dip. Donna said ‘I like getting in now and I’m not scared of the cold but swimming breast-stroke in my wetsuit, I just can’t get to that yellow buoy and back!’. 'Yes you can’ I said. ‘Make sure you’re really utilising the strength of your forearms and kicking hard with your legs’ to power through the water. I know you can do it’. And do you know what? She did it.

Whilst Coach Nina cheekily settled down to observe them with a coffee in one hand and piece of home-made Tiffin in the other (can’t say I’m not looked after by the MyTriathlon Coaches & Crew, thanks Steve & Karen!), all were busy swimming their individual distances and twenty minutes later, out comes Donna giving me a big bear hug exclaiming ‘I did it, thankyou!’.

I’d done what I wanted to do. I’d instilled the belief and confidence in her that she could do it. I’ve always stuck by my motto of ‘a positive mindset makes all the difference’ and it really is true. If you think you can’t then your body won’t be able to, if you think you’re cold then you will be cold. If you think you can do it then your body has a hell of a lot more chance of achieving that aim, if you think of the positives of your swim stroke then you can objectively look at how to improve your weaknesses.

With an eating disorder, it is your mind that controls your body and distorts its feelings of needs. Once you’ve destroyed those demons, your head is clear when it is hungry and needs some fuel. It can think straight about what it wants and what it requires. It can look in the mirror and say ‘a healthy body at the right weight would look and feel a lot better!’. Your mind is positive that it can help your body refuel, recover and be happy for you when it has its calories for energy to enjoy and live life to the full.

Another lady who really inspired me was regular swimmer Ann Wheeler. She was paralysed only 18 months ago but swam 2 miles in the lake that morning and told me of her Great North Swim and other open water event plans to raise money for the Charity that aided her own recovery. Take a look at her fundraising page here (https://www.justgiving.com/Ann-Wheeler1/?targetdevice=desktop). That is true determination and achievement.

Finally, a big thankyou to Martin for posting such a lovely comment on ‘MyTriathlon’s Facebook Page’ – ‘Thanks for a very friendly introduction to open water swimming this morning and to Nina for some top technique tips’.
Martin has suffered an injury to his left arm and so has a much stronger right arm and can only breathe to one side. I recommended ensuring that his strong right arm didn’t cross the centre line to overcompensate for his weaker left. The ‘catch-up drill’ of letting your right hand meet your left at the front of your head being taking the next stroke would help to make sure his hand entered centrally and pulled back with a nice high elbow. But to receive such feedback from an athlete after only officially qualifying as a Level 2 Triathlon Coach in April was a big confidence boost and meant a lot. I hope this blog also shows how accessible and ‘open’, Open Water swimming is to all. MyTriathlon provides two hours of swimming, splashing and smiling every Monday & Thursday evening 5.30-7.30 and Saturday mornings 8-10am down at Pennington Flash in Leigh (Manchester/Cheshire). Families come down and sit on the grass or the in the Clubhouse, sipping coffee and munching the Sailing Club Cafe’s bacon butties or our very own porridge and tasty treats. Anyone and. Have you taken the plunge yet? Never think you can’t, only think ‘I CAN!’ I love to coach and whilst helping my own recovery, it is evident that I am helping others too. Not to mention, I understand people’s fear of the cold so Mytriathlon’s scull caps and open water gloves and socks and are flying off the shelf at the moment. You can pick up a 2XU one for just £16 and as the main loss of heat is through your head, if you’re struggling in the 12 degree water at the moment then take a nosy at these here. It definitely made my New Years Day 4 degree dip possible when my body weighed just 7 and a half stone!

Take the plunge and learn to love the leisure of leaping into a lake...you won’t regret it, will reap the rewards and will keep Coach Ninja Nina loving making that difference.

A smile is a curve that sets things straight.

The right actions are often expressed by the harshest words...

2013-05-15T07:22:00.005+01:00

Being told you can’t do the things you most want to do are possibly the hardest words to hear. Being told you can’t do what your head, heart and hidden demons want to do is even harder.

A few months ago I wrote a blog describing how I had to do a little less of what I love because deep down I knew it was right. Whilst I did a little less it wasn’t enough. Several weeks ago I was ‘instructed’ not to train by friends, clubmates and role models. I didn’t listen. Last week my angels and demons finally came to battle in my mind and I am happy to say the demons were destroyed just as I was told ‘we won’t have you back until you’re fixed’ by the club and people that I love.

To be ‘stopped’ from doing what you love is tough. It shocks you through suffering at the time, into realising that if these people didn’t care about you and weren’t worried then they would never ‘force’ a cessation of one of your main life loves on you for no reason.

I looked into the mirror and the sight still wasn’t good. I had massively reduced my sporting actitivity ever since the day I failed one of my Banking Investment Exams. For two months I had been up at 5am, gone for a swim, cycled or ran to work, studied, worked, studied, gone back home late in the evening or socialised with friends. Every single day was the same. Even at weekends I was up early so I could study but still squeeze in some exercise and social time. It simply wasn’t maintainable for my little body.

I sat in the exam, tired, drained, unable to focus and just didn’t have the energy to go on. Simple as, I failed it. But what did I expect? I collapsed on the doorstep of a long standing friend whom I’d almost consider as a second Mum and Sister to me and finally it all spilled out. I’d pushed my body beyond what it could take, I’d tried to reduce the sport but had become fixed into a routine. My eating habits had begun to revert back to silly, inadequate choices for my energy providing calories but this lady understood. She listened, she was honest, she drew on her own experiences to help my angels overpower the demons. Even better, she cooked me a lovely dinner...and gave me my new house cat Megsie. A 3 year old rescue cat who has suffered in her own life previously, she is now my world and I don’t think she realises the difference she has made to my life.

I have finally adjusted to the seemingly harsh words spoken by friends, colleagues and others. I have stopped sport altogether whilst my body recovers. Your health & happiness are much more important than feeling you have achieved control of your stress and worries by ‘mastering’ and maintaining a strict regime’. My Managers at work have instructed no more working hours than the usual 9-5pm (although I might push it to 8.30 being a natural early-bird). You don’t live to work, you work to live.

At this point I want to apologise to those who have been preaching to me for so many months. I am sorry I lied, I am sorry I didn’t listen. But actions not words are now the only way to prove to you that I have finally taken heed of your advice. I Love you all tremendously, as my close friends and family you mean the world to me and thank you beyond all words possible that you had the courage to tell me the harsh truth rather than hide it from me.

I get up in a morning, have my coffee and porridge with my gorgeous cat Megsie who sleeps on my bed each night, make my lunch or do any bits of housework, a quick email/social network catch-up then wander into the city centre. 8am brings time for a Starbucks or Nero coffee and newspaper flick-through then into the office to work hard but enjoy the day with my team from not being drained from a ridiculously early morning swim and study session! I have my evenings to myself now always. I can have friends over or go out for dinner, finish off a novel or cook something tasty whilst writing a new blog.

A further love of my mine is to publicise the great new coaching opportunity I now have with 'My Triathlon'. They’ve given me the chance to coach their four Novice Triathlon Training Mornings at Pennington Flash in Leigh (location of IRONMAN UK in Bolton) for the next month. I love helping others see how much you enjoy your sport, how non-scary open water swimming is and how accessible and easy it is to get involved with triathlon. They are running three open water swim sessions alongside a Triathlon and Swim Series in June and I hope to coach more with them now I have more time to commit to helping others whilst preserving my health.

Similarly, it has been an honour to have Manchester Triathlon clubmates asking for swimming tips and Twitter Followers from across the country messaging me for swim sessions and advice. I love to give help further to my qualifications and experience and usually the only thing I request is to be treated to a nice cappuccino if ever we meet-up to discuss! If you’re in the North West and fancy popping down to Pennington Flash on Mondays & Thursday from 5.30 or Saturday mornings from 8am then please do and bring the family. We have a lovely clubhouse with hot showers and revamped cafe menu of hot drinks, porridge, soup , fruit and tasty treats for after that chilly dip in the lake and it is great fun for the whole family to come down and have some time in the outdoors. That is what sport should be about. For me at the moment, walking to work now and then is all I can do. Harsh words have become a reality but it is my own fault and now I have to sort myself out and get right.

But look at the good that has come of it? A fantastic opportunity to coach each week, more energy to work well, more time to relax with family, friends (and my cat!), more time to read, write and also intriguingly, I failed the exam by just one mark and so I have now been given a re-mark and a ‘pass’ given my illness.

Maybe bad things happen for a reason? I failed my exam to make me realise what I was doing to my body, it led to me changing my whole life and mindset it led to me adopting a beautiful cat, I’ve had lots of time to spend with my loved ones and a fantastic coaching opportunity has come up. Despite my body still not looking or being quite right, I know I am on the mend. It’s hard to go against your past habitual routines, but sometimes you just have to.

The right actions to take are often expressed by words that are the hardest to hear.

Tales of a Fresh Start...(If you like this it will be moving to a new blog site under a new name so please send feedback) x

2013-04-29T12:06:00.002+01:00

Tales of a Fresh Start

(Let me know what you think as it will be continuing on a new blog / page if you think you might want to read the next entry!), Thanks, Nina xx

My name is Megs and I’m...well I like to think I’m four but in truth I am probably nearer three years old. It’s tough remembering when nobody makes a fuss of you on your birthday or you don’t know your own Mum. I do think it is important to be mature for your age, especially when you have a lot to deal with in your first few years.

I don’t really know my parents. I was brought up with nine others in a pokey flat. My carer wasn’t a bad egg don’t get me wrong, he just seemed too old and tired to properly look after us. We didn’t have much space to play and before this week I’d never had a meal off a clean plate. The two room flat didn’t give me any room to explore, especially with the others often sat on the sofa with me. I didn’t get on them very well, my diet and health were poor and I clearly needed a better life.

But then things started to turn around for me. I was suddenly taken off the hands of my clumsy carer and arrived at the home of a couple I knew were good eggs right from when I stepped foot in their living room. I was tentative at first, don’t get me wrong, because when you’ve had bad experiences in the past you don’t easily offer new people your trust. But they invited me into their home and let me explore the enormous space. Wandering around, there was a large living room, hallway, kitchen and even stairs! The stairs looked a bit much for me to attempt to clamber up just yet on my own so I stayed in the living room and sat on the edge of the settee. Then I saw that I did have the company of a step-sibling too. She had brown-y blonde hair and looked very confident and quite a bit older than me. I decided to keep my distance at first being a little wary of how she might react to me being a new addition and settled down for a nap.

Before I knew it, I heard a loud ‘ding dong’. I’d never heard in my other pokey place. But then again this new home was an absolute palace. The carpets were clean, there was so much space and I’d already let myself be treated to a cuddle, my hair brushed to make me look and feel so much nicer and fresher than throughout any of the first three years of my life.

‘Ding dong’. I hid behind the living room door as the lady left the room. The nice man had left quite early this morning looking very smiley and smart. I don’t know where he was going as my last carer never left the sofa let alone the flat. To be fair, I think he was quite a bit older but no wonder he never helped me to wash or fed me themselves, he couldn’t even manage it for himself.

In wandered another person, a young slight blonde girl. She looked in distress so I stayed cautiously where I was. The lady and the girl settled down on the sofa as I watched from my corner. After a while, they both looked happier and the girl seemed to have more vigour and energy clutching mugs with smoke coming from them. They sure smelt good so couldn’t have been medicine. Maybe the cure for the young girl was the company of the nice lady? It had sure been mine over the last 24 hours. Maybe they would let me try some of the nice smelling hot drinks so I wandered over to them.

Straight away I felt at ease as they gently gave me cuddles and attention without seeming scary or hurting me. Later on, the girl left. I’d had a lovely day getting lots of attention and feeling much healthier and happier already with some nice things to munch off clean plates and time to stretch my legs toddling around in a relaxing atmosphere. I still kept my distance from the step-sibling just in case. I wasn’t sure on her yet and she snobbily sat at the far end of the room from me before being going out. I didn’t want to go outside. I was happy in this nice warm new home.

But it wasn’t long before that all changed again. Suddenly, the nice lady and man took me on a trip. It wasn’t a long trip but I was happy and they seemed so too. Why was I being moved from this home? It perfect!

But do you know where we went to? The house of the young blonde girl! I was a bit uncertain at first as when I toddled in I realised that it was a flat again like where I’d spent the first traumatic years of my life. However, it was completely different. The hallway opened onto a large living room with lots of space to sit down. The kitchen connected onto it so I could wander straight into it when I wanted something to eat or to explore. What’s more, I had my very own room for the first time. It was a lovely long room with a big window at the end and a sofa with cushions and throws that I had all to myself. I was in awe of what I was being treated to, let alone the toys on the nice soft carpet too.

So I’m here now with the young girl and have been for a week. I’m happier and healthier through having a lovely place to live, being looked after properly and lots to see and do from this 9^th floor flat. The girl does go to work each day but we always have breakfast together in the morning, dinner at night and I like to sleep quite close by her. She makes me feel safe and I know she cares about me although I wish she’d stop putting a camera in my face. I’m not always looking my best when she takes a photo of me!

Oh and did I mention? I’m a cat. Read my next blog for tales from my first week and further months to come with my new Mum.

Miaow.