Health Costs

This exercise lark is turning out to be more expensive than one would think.

The detox and absence of alcohol would lead one to expect savings in dosh, but the increase in physical activity has its own secondary spending effects.

Pushing one’s body to the edge, and setting targets such as the triathlon, quickly leads to the accumulation of entry fees! Then there is the investment in technology. Shaz, having rejected her cheap compression hosiery from the Warehouse, has taken to her “Skins” like a duck to water. She assures me that a set would quickly deal with my post run aching muscles syndrome.

We have also bought into the sports drink argument. I have accepted the scientific basis for the use of the drinks, but never thought them worth the trouble for my circumstances. However, with the running distances lengthening, and the hot weather at the moment, they have reached the conscious zone. The result: purchase of drinks bottles with straps around them to allow you to run with it in the palm of the hand all the way. The alternative would be to hire a teenager each time to stand in opportune spots to give regular refreshments.

Then there is the new pair of runners for EQ, Joe and his specialist bike jersey, let alone looking for “new” bikes on Trade Me.

May be cheaper to return to the wine?

Summer arrives-sporadically

Summer seems to have arrived. Last week was sunny and calm. Beautiful. So much so that it was hard work running home after a swim on Friday evening. Saturday was more of the same; beautiful morning to watch Isaac play cricket, and then run the streets of Khandallah in 27C.
Oh how it changed on Sunday. Southerly gale, heavy rain and a drop in temperature to 14C. The hard rock runners were out there though, SQ with better protection for the legs-Skins are in.

The boys were away up the coast having more sunshine and fun, while EQ was out at a party on Saturday. So M&D had party time……..A trip to the flicks again to see George Cloney in action. Apparently it was worth it just for George. I enjoyed “Up in the Air” just as a cinematic experience.

Anyway, summer must be coming-the schools go back this week!

Team Quirke

Today is a holiday in Wellington. No lying in bed for us, it was up at 5-45 to take part in on of the Scorching Bay Triathlon series. We did the short form, with Joe doing the duathlon form-no swim but extra run.

 

 

Our experience and equipment was of a lesser standard than some of he competitors but we all finished and I think, all did very well. I beat EQ of course, despite my appalling swim. I made up for it on the bike but did have a bike much better suited to riding on the road than she had. It was my old racer that I have refurbished. The same bike I used for my only previous Triathlon experience in 1997 at Crystal Palace. Joe did very well, and came home before EQ. We all enjoyed the event, and it inspired Shaz also. So, we are looking forward to further events later in the summer (when it arrives of course). Plan is to step up to the medium distance but will have to do some serious swim practice. It was choppy today, and plenty of sea water went in the mouth. This could all be very expensive. Not just the entry fees, but also I can see demands for new bikes coming.

This is part of the current Quirke detox programme. We are feeling healthy and virtuous currently. Will keep you posted on our continuing levels of healthy behaviour. Maybe the equivalent to a London to Paris cycle will eventuate, though upgrade in equipment may be required. I do not think there is any kryptonite in any of our bikes, or muscles for that matter.

 

Off to the flicks again

For the purpose of fulfilling wife-husband bonding time, there was another trip to the movies at the weekend. We have been sitting on some free tickets for months that were given out at work as a “thank you” for all the hard work at the time of the “swine-flu” response.

So off we went to the Hutt to see Sherlock Holmes, as recommended by the knowledgeable Mrs. Q.

I thought it was a good film, and as Sara says, directed with blokes in mind. The action and comic angles worked well, and thought the slow-mo sections were cleverly used. I liked the fact Watson was not portrayed as an idiot, and Holmes was not a lovable character.

So thumbs up to Madge’s ex.