Saturday 29 June 2013

Strawberries and Creams at Wimbledon

So Wimbledon tennis has arrived again. Means another year has passed since we saw Murray cry. The  final in 2012, between Federer and our only chance, Murray. That match or rather since that match, my personal view of Murray has changed. I only saw him as this moody teen, who constantly looked like he was having an argument with himself. But that intense final (admittedly, I didn't mind who won. It was a good match regardless), when Murray cried when he didn't win that £1million-odd prize, I almost cry. Almost. First time, I felt his pain. I also began to like him.

Being under that huge amount of pressure from the UK public must be terrible. Every year, we have this huge expectation and hope, 'this is Murray's year' and when he fails us, we are such shit losers and supporters; we completely denounce him. The minority will argue that Murray was born in the wrong generation, being up against the best right now and to be even in the final is a huge achievement. Blah blah. The majority want him to give us that win.


This year may be different. He has won the US Open, so any doubt of us thinking he wasn't capable of winning a Grand Slam has gone. So why do I feel he must now win Wimbledon? My hope of him winning is greater then before. Hmm. Just win Murray? Then the UK public will forever be happy. This could be your last win in your career but you will be seen as a legend (most likely eventually knighted). You can see how the honours system works - quite predictable. Also, quite typical; one last win and we will hold that win for the next 50 years. We should strive for continual success but most don't; most hold onto that past happiness which defines them until they die. (Opps, enough about my loser of a housemate!)


What I am a bit confused about is, Wimbledon holds one of the four Grand Slams; it offers the highest prize pot; has all the traditions yet we don't 'produce' enough numbers of good tennis players?? We pin so much hope on a few and yet, I don't hear much on investment into the future players. When Henman retired, I thought that would be it. No more UK representatives. Then Murray came. Yay. Henman and his bad teeth was quickly forgotten and Hill became Murray Mount. But that was 5/6 years ago. We need more. I know I am forgetting becoming a tennis player starts at a ridiculously young age but all we need is more than handful of hopefuls. ( You can clearly see I am a tennis watcher than a player!)


I am watching Robson play right now and I can see the pressure we have piled onto her shoulders. She has already reached her personal best this year so any progress, is an achievement. However, many friends and media have pinned her to win this year. ha ha. My money is on Serena. Even though, I don't particular like her dress sense but she is a beast on the court!


I tried to watch Wimbledon this year by attempting to get some ground admission passes. I queued for 3 hours and I hardly moved. In the end, we decided we would only catch the last hour of play, so skipped to the pub instead. That was a good choice as we managed to see the Federer match. Ugh - the pub was tense as Feds lost. I was clearly Team Federer.


Another question I have for the LTA, why are your staff (those in the green polos) all pretty hot and look like they came from the A&F factory? They have the looks, yet completely lack any personality. I queried to an Liam Hemsworth lookalike, why they didn't give live updates on their website about 'The Queue'. He started blankly at me. Rude. Or either they didn't program him correctly.


One last thing, Wimbledon Tennis (once inside the grounds) need to sell whipped cream. Strawberries and dripped cream isn't good!! How can one eat the cream? By licking the bowl? Classy.


Let me know if any of you manage to watch Wimbledon live at the grounds and do tell me if you see that Liam Helmsworth lookalike. Slap him for me?


Saturday 22 June 2013

So I started running...

My trainers aren't that clean now...
I started this whole running business after my exams (doing some professional exams, just to add to more study time straight after University. Yawn) in December 2012, and have been quite good by my standards. This meant I actually went once a week. This progressed to twice a week. Go me.

Have I lost any weight? Has my body changed? You do assume that from doing no exercise to running averagely 20km (13ish miles) a week will do something to you. Those newspapers and professionals LIED. Wait, my calves have become slightly wider. Completely went the wrong way for me. Even my sister noted I 'looked bigger'!! So in conclusion, running does nothing.


That being said, I have become a tad addicted to a good workout. Your sweaty hair, front, back, bottom and your trainers emitting its own perfume, I love it. I probably look shit but every time I walk back home, I feel more alert, adrenaline is running through me still, I could run more. First time in years, have I felt running could become 'my thing'. I never excelled in sport, although I play Tennis and Badminton occasionally, so to find out that I could outrun (stamina wise) most of the people at my gym is a really good feeling. Makes me all tingly inside. 


I do those annual 10km runs and because, my calves have gotten bigger, I decided to register for the Great North Run this year. This probably will be a bit challenging because training such as running on a treadmill for 2 hours or so, really doesn't appeal. I hope my willpower will be enough to carry me.


Strangely, there is a KFC right next door to the gym. The smell always catches my nose; it's like a greasy cloud of juicy chicken hovering over the gym. You want it but shouldn't. Similarly to the fact you see the hairs on their chicken wings but still eat it.


Anyway, I thought I share a few pointers to those starting to run or interested. Probably not as helpful but hey ho.


- Try to poo before a running session. You heard that right. Poo. There have been a few occasions where I am passed my 5km, and all of a sudden, you need to go toilet. Really badly. It really isn't a pleasant feeling. I just turned 25, you'd think I have good bowel control, but there is a distinct feeling you could crap yourself. But I haven't yet. Why didn't anyone tell me at the start?!

Also, if you are generally constipated, running really encourages you to poo regularly. It helped me. (Sorry, too much information?)

- Do not wear T-shirts. I never understood those people at my gym wearing short sleeves. My armpits need to breathe. I feel restricted in short sleeves. However, don't wear crop tops or just your sports bra. OK, some of you have a good flat stomach but please, don't show it off. It's off-putting and I'll judge you

as a bit of an attention-seeker. Its a gym, not bloody dating club!

- Do not wear makeup. Why would you do that? Does your face not sweat, do you not cry tears of salty goodness? I have seen too many ladies at the gym with their face slapped on. 


- Invest in good pair of trainers. My first cheap pair kept giving me blisters and it never has the time to heal as it is always in socks! Also, don't tie your laces too tightly.


- Don't look at other people's monitors. Most gym-ers do. I feel this should be gym etiquette along with if I am stretching in awkward positions, look away! I am probably in the minority - I just hate people looking at my time, speed or how far I have ran. Focus on your own running! I went yesterday, and this woman eventually stops running, pauses her treadmill and turns to face me and occasionally drinks from her bottle. This went on for about 5 minutes. Awkward for me, less perhaps for her but I still beat you. Ha! 


Even though, running didn't transform my body into that of a goddess, I do enjoy it. It balances out the amount of junk food I eat and somewhat given me a boost of body confidence. Plus, I can't get out of it now - I have my 20km in a few months to look forward to. :/





Thursday 20 June 2013

First blog entry - The pressure and disappointment



Yes, I drink hot water!

Not sure if I like the first entry of a blog, you feel like there should be an introduction but it'll be a bit lame if you did one. Nonetheless, I should attempt to...

Inspired by the popularity of these blogs, I decided to do one myself. Never kept a diary, and it seems this may be a perfect outlet especially for those days when you just want to write to the world. Ah. Like your footprint in the ever-growing world wide web.

The blog I guess, is for my thoughts I need to spill out and share and hopefully, some like-minded or not so like-minded people to discuss with. Topics may be current affairs, my attempts to do DIY (something I am keen in get into!),hobbies, or fashion-related and blah... :)