Paul Collingwood retires from Test match cricket

Paul Collingwood has announced his decision to retire from Test Match cricket at the end of the fifth, and final match in the Ashes series.

Collingwood divides opinion. He was never the most gifted of batsman. He never played the flashy shots. He never made the game look beautiful. However, with an average at over 40, and this achieved during some of the darker times for the England team,  he hasn't exactly done badly. He also scored runs when England most needed them, saving England from defeat on several occasions.

His bowling wasn't spectacular. He took 17 wickets I believe, and this is an okay return. He wasn't without talent.

Where he excelled was as a fielder. Bar Jonty Rhodes, I am yet to see a better fielder in my lifetime, and it will probably take a decade to find another. The number of great catches I can think of in my head mainly belong to this man.

The thing about Collingwood, and why is a fine example to people throughout the country, is he made the most of average talent. He wasn't the most gifted, he didn't have a god given talent, but he worked hard at all of his skills. There are better technical players he kept out of the side and this is because of the hard work and dedication he put in on the field.

He hasn't done bad either in terms of honours. Ashes winner twice at home, once away and a Twenty Twenty World Cup winning captain.

People mocked him, but when you look back on his record, he has been a superb servant to English cricket and we could do with a couple more players like him to have around.

Entered my first triathlon

I have taken the plunge, and decided to enter my first triathlon. I have entered the Newmarket triathlon which is a Sprint triathlon with the following distances:

• 300m pool swim
• 22k bike ride
• 4k run

I decided for a sprint triathlon for several reasons. It fits into my yearly schedule quite well. I can focus on this before starting to train for the Nottingham Marathon, and will give me an excuse to focus on other sports which can only be good for training and weight loss.

The run I'm confident enough with. I need to improve my times, but 4k will be fine. I'm yet to run 4k after doing the swim/cycle so I might change my mind having completed it! It also gives me a chance to focus on improving my speed at the shorter distances, like 5k and 10k. This will help with building a base for the longer runs later in the year.

The bike I'm okay with. The area is very flat and this will help. I've only been cycling for 1 week and did a 10 mile ride in an okay time. I wasn't tired, sore or out of breath so I can push a lot more here I feel. It wasn't the quickest time in the World, but compared to where I started running from, and where I will begin swimming from, this is a good base to start from.

The swim is the section which worries me. I've never been a good swimmer, and have always been a bit timid when swimming. I need to just get time in the pool and improve my technique. I can swim lengths already, but my technique is so poor it is like swimming through treacle at times.

My aim is just to finish. I don't see that changing.

Paying for companies to upgrade their services

Perhaps it is just me, but this is getting more common.

Today, I caught the train, and as most people are aware, the price has gone up. Over 10% on my route. This is to pay for new trains, improve the tracks and so on.

2 problems:

1. This brings it very into line with driving my car, so why catch the train?
2. I'm paying for a company to upgrade their services

The second point is the one I have an issue with.

BT are currently doing the same thing. Everyone in the UK who pays BT line rental currently gives them money which they are putting towards the cost of upgrading their services in the future to provide quicker broadband.

I cannot work out how this is fair.

They are businesses. They generate profits. They should pay for the upgrade from their own pocket, and then reap the benefits when they are finished. They should not be charging me more now to upgrade their services, and then charge me more for their super fast broadband or trains which arrive on time.

You don't buy a holiday, only to be told that they will build the hotel when they've had enough bookings, do you?

And, having paid my extra 10%, the first train of the year was late. No improvement there then.

The start of my triathlon training

One my goals is to complete a sprint triathlon this year, so I started some training. It actually began just after Christmas while visiting family in a local pool.

It began badly. I now see swimming is not only difficult, but I'm rubbish at it. I did 2 lengths to begin with, and then thought, I cannot do this. I carried on for a bit, and probably did about 9 lengths in total.

My running has conditioned me to not get tired, and I have the fitness to cope, but I don't have the psychology to do it. When I feel I'm getting out of breath while running, what is the worst that can happen? I stop. In a pool, or a lake, what's the worst that can happen if I get out of breath/energy; I drown. This was forever in my mind.

I will need to get some proper lessons in order to get some confidence, and improve my technique in the pool. I aim to complete my first triathlon in a pool in order to help this.

I have had a road bike for a while as I knew I wanted to do a triathlon, so it was time to get it out. I went out at the end of the year for a quick 6 miles to see how the bike worked and how I'd cope. All was good. I didn't really try and did 6 miles in just over 23 minutes. Not quick, but I was comfy and didn't really expend much energy. I could've gone much quicker.

I then went out for a 10 mile jaunt along one of my running routes, and really enjoyed it. Again, I stuck to the same pace but it all felt comfortable. I'm sure when I try to go for it I will find it tough, but at the minute, I just want to get used to the bike and riding again.

As for running, I will just keep ticking over. I do 3 sessions a week and I won't change this. I have a half marathon in March, and will continue to compete in local races to improve. I also plan to complete more Parkruns in order to improve my short distance pace.

Skins Compression Clothing - Further review

I used the Skins compression clothing I have (Full Tights and Top) in a recent 10k. I hadn't used them before.

Benefits:

• Make you feel good. They made me feel like an athlete. 
• Keep you warm in the cold (and cold in the warm!)
• Look good! I had a few comments about how good they look.
• Trousers were very good

Cons:

• Had sore muscles after the event. Didn't wear them for long after admittedly and did run much quicker than normal.
• Top kept riding up while running, in the end, I gave up.

The last point needs some clarification. Having lost over 12 stone, I have a bit of a stomach due to excess skin from the weight loss. Now, compression clothing should be ideal to 'hold' that in. And it did, while I stood there.

While running, it kept going over the top my stomach and up to around my rib cage which was rather annoying and off putting. It did however compress on oncoming stitch I could feel!

It's almost like it only works on flat stomached people, and do they really need compression clothing?

Ely New Years Eve 10k 2010

As an Ely Runner, this is one of our home races, and was a race I wanted to run. It happens on New Years Eve, and is a great way to end the year.

The course itself is flat, with only one real incline at about 8k, and the first 1k is rather fast as it's all downhill. It is known as a quick course and has definite PB potential.

I wanted to run around 52.30 for the 10k, which would have meant I had beaten my PB by over 7 minutes since the last 10k race I did was actually my first; the Great Yorkshire run in Sheffield in September 2010.

I almost missed the start of the race as I had been helping out on the registration desk, and made it to the start about 20 seconds before the start as I had to get changed in the toilets prior to the start. Not the best start to the race!

I set off quick (for me!) and went through the first two miles in under 16 minutes, and the 5k mark in 24.09 (which was a PB by over one and a half minutes. I flagged around mile 4-5 as I had no one to follow anymore, and was running mainly alone. I also noticed sub 50 was gone, so backed off a bit.

I went up the incline at 8k with relative ease, having time to pose for this photo

The last 1k is back in the village, so there were a few supporters to spur you along. I tried to give it a quick finish in the last half a mile, but hit the field at the end which had turned into a mud bath and had to back off for fear of drowning!

I completed the 10k in 51.17, a PB by 8 minutes and 21 seconds. A great way to end the year.

Changes to Aims for 2011

Erm, I actually ran 24.09 for 5k during the Ely New Years Eve 10k race, so I might have to rethink running sub 25 for 5k as I did that a day before 2011, and in the spirit of fairness, I did not want to lie about it...

Unlike Jon Pennington who recommended I lied about it.

My Aims for 2011

These are not New Years resolutions as I think they are pointless as no one ever keeps them! These are the things I'd LIKE to achieve in 2011.

Sporting goals:

1. Complete my first sprint triathlon by May 2011, finishing will be enough.
2. Get some proper swimming lessons as I'm terrible and a little afraid of deep water if I'm honest.
3. Run sub 25 for 5k early on then sub 22 by the end of the year, if not lower.
4. Get my Heart Rate lower than 45 (currently 47), if not lower.
5. Run my first marathon (Nottingham Marathon) in September 2011. Just finishing will be enough.
6. Run sub 2 hours for my second half marathon in March 2011 at Silverstone.
7. Score a half century in cricket (If I get time to play!!).

Weight loss goals:

1. Reach goal weight of 12 stone 1 lb. Only 11lb to go now.
2. Maintain weight at correct BMI throughout the year.
3. Look into possibility of surgery for excess skin if I need it. Not currently the case, but you never know.
4. Buy a pair of 'Diesel' jeans just because I could never get my arse in them, and I always wanted a pair as my friends had them as a teenager, and they never fitted. Now they do!!

Life goals:

1. Start moving towards a new career. Sports? Photography? Both?

My Review 2010

The end of 2010 is nearly upon us, and in typical style, I thought I'd review my own year in a few brief bullet points.

• Lost my Granddad at the start of the year. Will always have a special place for him as he was a great man. If I could be a tenth of him, I will have done alright.
• Turned 24.
• Got a new job, then another!
• Started to run. Ran my first 10k. Ran my first half marathon. Joined a running club. Ran 320 miles since April 2010; not that many really. Barely scratched the surface. My 5k PB fell from 37 minutes to around 25. I am running a new years eve 10k, so hopefully will knock 7 minutes at least off my official time.
• Moved home.
• Passed my motorbike test, bought a motorbike and then sold it!
• Lost just over 7 stone in 2010, taking my total to now 12 stone and 5 lbs total weight loss. Just 11lb remaining and I'm done.
• In December, I went for my first bike ride and first proper swim in over 10 years. 
• Went to Bruges which is a beautiful town.

A lot has happened in 2010, and I've got a lot to look forward to in 2011. I've changed a lot in a year and look forward to changing more in the coming year.

How to remove documents from Blackberry

While viewing a document on my Blackberry, I was forced to download it (annoying in itself, I just wanted to view it!).

Once downloaded, it was a real pain to actually remove the document as it resides on the media card, and this isn't exactly easily accessible from the phones UI without going around the houses.

Here is how I did it (Blackberry Torch).

1. Open Media app.
2. Open Sub menu, usually by pressing the blackberry menu key.
3. Click Explore (Could be something similar).
4. Click Media Card.
5. Click Blackberry.
6. Click Documents.
7. Select the file and delete.

Job done. Why a documents app wasn't made I have no idea.

Good luck

Hope it all goes well.

Less than a stone to go

Well, I jumped on the scales this morning, and was shocked to see I was bang on 13 stone. That means, I now only have 13lb to go.

When I started, to only have less than a stone to lose seemed an eternity away, and it didn't really seem possible. It does show that anyone who puts their mind to something can achieve anything.

So, I've now lost 171 lbs in total, or 12 stone and 3 lbs since I started. That means I've lost 48.44% of my body weight since I began.

My BMI was 52.1 when I started. My current BMI is 26.88.

I have lost 171 lb in 87 weeks, at a rate of 1.97 pounds a week on average.

How to calculate number of weight watchers points/maintenance points you are allowed

1 Are You:

Female Score 3
Male Score 9

2 How Old Are You?

16 - 20 Score 5
21 - 35 Score 4
36 - 50 Score 3
51 - 65 Score 2
Over 65 Score 1

3 How Many Stones Do You Weigh?

Ignore the lb, the number of stones is your score for this question.

4 How Tall Are You?

Under 5ft 4ins Score 1
5ft 4ins or above Score 2

5 In Your Day To Day Life Are You:

Sitting down most of the time Score 0
Occasionally sitting, but mainly standing Score 2
Walking most of the time Score 4
Doing physically hard work most of the time Score 6

6 Do You Want To:

Lose weight Score 0
Maintain your current weight Score 6

Add it all up and the result is your daily points allowance under the old system.

Maintenance points are not an exact science, and some people prefer to add their points gradually to find where their body reaches its weight loss/maintenance point.

Getting closer

Well, tonight I finally reached another milestone. I've now lost 12 stone 1lb in weight, or 47.8% of my original body weight for all you stat fans out their.

I've got 15lb, or 1 stone 1lb remaining to lose before I'm done. Then, I can put it all back on again!

In Bruges

Just returned from the Christmas market in Bruges after a quick day trip, and I have to say how lovely the town was.

It seems to have lost none of its original historic charm and architecture, and seems stuck in a time warp.

The Christmas market itself wasn't massive. Rather small infact, and I wouldn't recommend going just for that. However, the city is beautiful, and there are lots of things to do.

Price was it's very reasonable when you compare to other cities in Europe such as Paris, which is very overpriced. Boat rides in Bruges are probably half the price of those in Paris. Food and drink wise it's very much the same as in England where you can eat for a fiver, or eat for a hundred. Lots of choice.

Heart Rate

For the last few months I've been taking a daily reading of my Heart rate to assess fitness, and how its gotten better over time.

My current heart rate averages at 47 beats per minute, and even in the last month has gone from 54 to 47.

I don't know how low your heart rate can feasibly go (well, 0!). Lance Armstrong had an average of 32-34 BPM in his pomp. See how close I can get to that!

Shelter Advent Calendar - Intelligent Penguin

My good friend, Paul Allington, had the idea to setup an advent calendar to help the people over at Shelter.

In Pauls words:

This is really the first ever advent for us here at Intelligent Penguin and we thought we'd celebrate with a fun advent calendar! But with it being so unbelievably cold outside, we thought it only right to do something in aid of those that are having to suffer it the most.

http://www.intelligentpenguin.co.uk/advent

If you can offer sponsorship, feel free to get in touch with Paul directly.

How to reset Blackberry Torch 9800

Soft Reset

Press ALT + RIGHT SHIFT(CAP) + DELETE.

Wait a while, and a red light will appear and the screen will freeze. The phone will reboot.

It takes longer than expected when holding the keys down, so be patient.

Hard Reset

Remove the battery for 10 seconds, then reinsert and turn the device back on.

Weight loss update

Weight loss continues.

I've lost 11 and a half stone, 161 pounds or 73 kilograms in weight now. I have lost 45% of my original weight having weighed in at 353 pounds, or 25 stone and 3 pounds.

That means I am now onto the final 20 pounds of my journey. If it all went 100% to plan, it would still take 10 weeks to lose the remaining weight.

Skins Compression Clothing

Having recently moved jobs, I was lucky enough to be given enough money to buy a set of Skins compression clothing. I'd been after them for a while, but was always put off by the price. As I wasn't paying for them I saw no problem in handing over the money for them!

I purchased a long sleeve top, running tights and in an offer, you got a pair of powersox for free which was a nice touch.

I wore the powersox last night and even went to bed in them. Very comfortable. I woke up this morning and had none of the usual tightness in my muscles or knee which has been the case for a while. How much is down to the Powersox I don't know, but my legs feel better!

I'll be wearing the running tights tonight and I'll keep them on after to see if they help. I'll post a proper review then.