I just thought I'd give you a cheeky little update on how my challenges are coming along as well as some future fun I have to look forward to!
Open Mic Challenge -
My lovely friend Lynne has given me a HUGE list of potential venues which is amazing, so now I just need to get my act together - literally!
I dug out my old school Yamaha keyboard and after a slightly distracted 5 minutes of playing monkey noises and elephant sounds I decided I should really learn to play an actual proper song, that people would actually want to listen to.
Now part of my problem is that I no longer remember how to read sheet music, nor do I own any music which would be suitable for this event, so my efforts so far have been a bit maverick to say the least! Mainly me listening to things on my iPod and trying to copy them bit by bit, and I've actually managed to get to the end of a song so far. The playing and singing at the same time thing is quite tricky though, I can only equate it to trying to pat my head and rub my tummy at the same time - does not compute! But I'm happy that if I keep practising I'll get there in some form!
And worse comes to worst I'll just play chopsticks and press start on the demo version of Little Brown Jug and we can have a good boogie!
Run Pickle Run -
I also have a pretty monumental challenge coming up which I haven't told you about yet! I've only gone and got myself signed up to do the Great North Run (shock, horror)! Now I actually started training for this back in March/April time, but I didn't want to shout about it too much at the time as I wasn't sure whether it was something I could physically do, I haven't ran since school and even then I didn't particularly enjoy it!
I've tried to stick at it, fit as many little runs in as usual with a big run at the weekend, which is all well and good except when I first started running my muscles would ache for days making it difficult to keep the momentum going. Now I seem to be at the opposite end of the spectrum, my stamina has improved, I can run more than a few feet without dying on my ass, but the training seems to be taking its toll, especially on my poor knees! It's got to the point where I can keep going, I'm happy to run and run as long as I have my iPod on me, but my knees seem to have other ideas!
This presents somewhat of a challenge in itself, as I only have 8 weeks to go until the big day where I'm expected to run 13 miles and at the moment I've had to force myself to rest after my last 5 and a half mile run left me in a knee brace walking like a pirate. I know, it's a good look!
Not looking good but I won't give up just yet, especially as I'm doing this for a cause which is very close to my heart, and people have started to sponsor me!
Speaking of which, if anyone would like to sponsor me for running 13 miles like a pirate please feel free, all donations are appreciated, just visit my sponsorship page here.
I'll keep you posted on how everything goes :)
Becky x
Showing posts with label Newcastle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Newcastle. Show all posts
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Monday, 25 June 2012
Pickle on the rocks...
The next challenge in my adventure came in the form of rock climbing, well bouldering to be exact, which doesn't involve ropes or harnesses...yippee!
I should probably take this time to point out that I'm rubbish when it comes to heights, something which seems to get worse as I get older and more aware. The first time I remember really panicking about being up high was as a child, I must have been quite fearless at the time as I'd used a lamppost to scale up to the top of the cemetery wall, all fine and good despite the risk of electrocution, however when I got to the top and had to think about getting down I was suddenly paralysed. I ended up lying rigid on the old stone wall, unable to move, with my little sister trying to coax me down and threatening to go and tell my mum (snitch)! I don't even remember how I got down, such was the extent of the trauma, I must have done otherwise I could imagine I'd still be there now, the crazy wall lady, living on moss with a lamppost as my only companion.
I also remember the first time I ever dared go off the "top diving board" at the Dolphin centre, for years it had scared me, I'd never even dared go up the ladders never mind jump off the damn thing! I was already scared of the diving pool as it was so deep I was convinced that a killer whale was going to get me....yes even as I child I had a very odd imagination...Anyhoo one day it seemed that I'd decided I was going to give it a go, I remember holding on to the bannister so had as I climbed up to the top, and still not letting go as I edged towards the end. I sat with my legs dangling willing myself to make the final push off the edge. I remember having to get up a few time to let other people go as I was holding the queue up so much. When I finally dared go, rather than jumping, I sat on the end and slid myself off. I was so impressed at my bravery that half way down I decided to take a huge gulp of air way to early, by the time I hit the water (hard) I'd completely ran out of breath and had to swim as fast as I could (also to escape the killer whale) to the edge of the pool where I emerged spluttering and red-faced. I never went off the top diving board again.
Anyway back to the bouldering, I went with a group, most of us were beginners which did quell my fears a little. We paid £15 for an induction course which meant we could at least be relatively safe on the walls, or at least less of a threat to the other (seriously cool looking) climbers. We put on our "special" shoes, ladies we could start a fashion revolution with these things, that's how stylish they were...and we were ready to go. We started out on the kiddie wall (yey) and our first task was to simply walk in a straight line around the wall, barely more than a foot off the floor. I fell off three times....not a good sign...
Once we had mastered the kids wall we progressed into the main room with the scariest looking walls ever, seriously how are people meant to climb upside down?! Our first tasks was a simple wall, nice and flat, nothing too fancy or complicated, we just had to stick to the blue foot and hand holds and work our way up. I sneakily shuffled to the back of the queue and watched my friends attempt to climb first, some made it look so easier, granted if you were taller it probably was, as a short arse I was already at a disadvantage with my stubby little arms. When it came to my turn I was feeling OK after watching other people who seemed to be as scared as me conquer their fears. I started to climb following the careful instructions of our guide "Spiderman" Dave on where to put my hands and feet, and I was fine until I looked down... I got stuck half way and suddenly my legs decided that they were made out of jelly, I wobbled and shook as I desperately tried to make my way back down the way I'd came towards the nice, safe, bouncy floor.
We tried out other walls of varying difficulties and I admit despite my rocky start I was starting to feel more confident, I was happy hanging about on the lower walls though I still couldn't get any higher than half way. The rest of the group were also starting to relax and have fun, it's fair to say we got a bit giddy with our conquests and I'd like to take this chance to apologise to my friend Gillian for putting white chalk hand prints on her bum...
So although I didn't completely conquer my fear I think it's something that will definitely improve with time, and I could see myself trying it again to see if I can actually get to the top now!
If anyone would like to give bouldering a go check out Climb Newcastle - http://www.climbnewcastle.com/ it costs £15 for an induction and it's well worth it to learn the basics and build up your confidence in a safe environment.
I'll let you know how the next session goes :)
Becky x
I should probably take this time to point out that I'm rubbish when it comes to heights, something which seems to get worse as I get older and more aware. The first time I remember really panicking about being up high was as a child, I must have been quite fearless at the time as I'd used a lamppost to scale up to the top of the cemetery wall, all fine and good despite the risk of electrocution, however when I got to the top and had to think about getting down I was suddenly paralysed. I ended up lying rigid on the old stone wall, unable to move, with my little sister trying to coax me down and threatening to go and tell my mum (snitch)! I don't even remember how I got down, such was the extent of the trauma, I must have done otherwise I could imagine I'd still be there now, the crazy wall lady, living on moss with a lamppost as my only companion.
I also remember the first time I ever dared go off the "top diving board" at the Dolphin centre, for years it had scared me, I'd never even dared go up the ladders never mind jump off the damn thing! I was already scared of the diving pool as it was so deep I was convinced that a killer whale was going to get me....yes even as I child I had a very odd imagination...Anyhoo one day it seemed that I'd decided I was going to give it a go, I remember holding on to the bannister so had as I climbed up to the top, and still not letting go as I edged towards the end. I sat with my legs dangling willing myself to make the final push off the edge. I remember having to get up a few time to let other people go as I was holding the queue up so much. When I finally dared go, rather than jumping, I sat on the end and slid myself off. I was so impressed at my bravery that half way down I decided to take a huge gulp of air way to early, by the time I hit the water (hard) I'd completely ran out of breath and had to swim as fast as I could (also to escape the killer whale) to the edge of the pool where I emerged spluttering and red-faced. I never went off the top diving board again.
Anyway back to the bouldering, I went with a group, most of us were beginners which did quell my fears a little. We paid £15 for an induction course which meant we could at least be relatively safe on the walls, or at least less of a threat to the other (seriously cool looking) climbers. We put on our "special" shoes, ladies we could start a fashion revolution with these things, that's how stylish they were...and we were ready to go. We started out on the kiddie wall (yey) and our first task was to simply walk in a straight line around the wall, barely more than a foot off the floor. I fell off three times....not a good sign...
Once we had mastered the kids wall we progressed into the main room with the scariest looking walls ever, seriously how are people meant to climb upside down?! Our first tasks was a simple wall, nice and flat, nothing too fancy or complicated, we just had to stick to the blue foot and hand holds and work our way up. I sneakily shuffled to the back of the queue and watched my friends attempt to climb first, some made it look so easier, granted if you were taller it probably was, as a short arse I was already at a disadvantage with my stubby little arms. When it came to my turn I was feeling OK after watching other people who seemed to be as scared as me conquer their fears. I started to climb following the careful instructions of our guide "Spiderman" Dave on where to put my hands and feet, and I was fine until I looked down... I got stuck half way and suddenly my legs decided that they were made out of jelly, I wobbled and shook as I desperately tried to make my way back down the way I'd came towards the nice, safe, bouncy floor.
We tried out other walls of varying difficulties and I admit despite my rocky start I was starting to feel more confident, I was happy hanging about on the lower walls though I still couldn't get any higher than half way. The rest of the group were also starting to relax and have fun, it's fair to say we got a bit giddy with our conquests and I'd like to take this chance to apologise to my friend Gillian for putting white chalk hand prints on her bum...
So although I didn't completely conquer my fear I think it's something that will definitely improve with time, and I could see myself trying it again to see if I can actually get to the top now!
If anyone would like to give bouldering a go check out Climb Newcastle - http://www.climbnewcastle.com/ it costs £15 for an induction and it's well worth it to learn the basics and build up your confidence in a safe environment.
I'll let you know how the next session goes :)
Becky x
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
The hills are alive...
So challenge numero uno technically started towards the back end of 2011, having moved to Gateshead I really wanted to get myself involved in something musical. I always loved music as a child, despite my ability to stick with any instrument for a decent amount of time. You name it and I've had a go...violin, descant, treble and bass recorder, flute, trumpet, piano, keyboard, clarinet, the ocarina and I even attempted and failed to get a set of bagpipes to make any sound that didn't resemble a dying swan...So you can see why I was so keen to resurrect this amazing talent again.
Anyway, as fate would have it I happened to be walking past the monument in Newcastle city centre one sunny Sunday afternoon where I came across a samba band doing a street performance, the guy I was with at the time had previously been a member so we stopped to watch the show. After being utterly enthralled and having a good old boogie (I should probably point out that there may have been some alcohol involved) I nipped to grab a coffee from a nearby Starbucks only to find upon my return that I had been "volunteered" to join for a performance on New Year's eve.
This naturally lead to many weeks of me learning to master the bells, yes even hitting things in time with a stick provided a suitable challenge, I even managed to get so carried away that I broke a drum stick mid performance. The rehearsals lead up to the grand finale of us dressing up like crazed Viking types (super sexy look by the way) and parading our way through Newcastle city centre on New Year's Eve. I have to say even though I was home by 9pm, alone, with a chinese takeaway and a bottle of wine, I can happily say it was one of the best New Year's celebrations I've ever had.
If you would like to view (and laugh at) the videos from the performances on the day they can be seen on YouTube here.
Despite the eccentric oddness of it all when New Years Eve was over and done with and life returned to normal I found myself missing the adrenalin rush that you only get from being a part of something special, so the search for my first proper challenge of 2012 began...
Anyway, as fate would have it I happened to be walking past the monument in Newcastle city centre one sunny Sunday afternoon where I came across a samba band doing a street performance, the guy I was with at the time had previously been a member so we stopped to watch the show. After being utterly enthralled and having a good old boogie (I should probably point out that there may have been some alcohol involved) I nipped to grab a coffee from a nearby Starbucks only to find upon my return that I had been "volunteered" to join for a performance on New Year's eve.
This naturally lead to many weeks of me learning to master the bells, yes even hitting things in time with a stick provided a suitable challenge, I even managed to get so carried away that I broke a drum stick mid performance. The rehearsals lead up to the grand finale of us dressing up like crazed Viking types (super sexy look by the way) and parading our way through Newcastle city centre on New Year's Eve. I have to say even though I was home by 9pm, alone, with a chinese takeaway and a bottle of wine, I can happily say it was one of the best New Year's celebrations I've ever had.
If you would like to view (and laugh at) the videos from the performances on the day they can be seen on YouTube here.
Despite the eccentric oddness of it all when New Years Eve was over and done with and life returned to normal I found myself missing the adrenalin rush that you only get from being a part of something special, so the search for my first proper challenge of 2012 began...
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