Things that Pop into my Head

Marathon Running Tips

Source: hazel eyes
Monday 15th March 2010, 3:57pm

Long distance running is pretty hard on the legs. There are a few easy steps to keep the training as injury free as possible.

Training for a long distance running event, such as the London Marathon, can be prett gruelling, especially if you haven't done any long distance running before.

Below are some tips taken from http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/fitness-lifestyle-guru/2010/03/marathon-2010---5-ways-to-beat.html to help with 2010 marathons.

• It is probably too late in the day to get new trainers and I would assume you are all wearing the shoes that will get you around the 26.2 mile course. Something as simple as ensuring the laces are pulled tight will help keep your feet supported and reduce the chance of blisters.

• Make time to stretch after your runs, it is as important as any other part of the process. Find a space where you can sit and lie down after your run and take your time in each posture. Breath deeply through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Seven breaths per stretch will allow you to improve your flexibility. Upper back and chest should also be stretched as well as your legs and glutes. If you feel pressured with time, attend a yoga class at least once per week, this will help you.

• Invest in a couple bags of frozen peas and always have them in the freezer. Putting ice on an injury is a well worn process, this helps reduce inflammation by constricting the blood vessels and helping reduce pain. As a ritual, you could lie on your back with your legs raised on the sofa and pop a bag of peas both on top and underneath your achilles and calf muscles.

• Get yourself a sports massage to help with your recovery. The jury is out as to whether massage actually helps with performance. As a way to reduce tightness and as a feel good process it really helps. You could massage your own feet and calf muscles after every run, it may sound daft but it really is time to worship your feet.
  

• Taking a few days off from training to look at the bigger picture of actually finishing the race may not be such a bad idea. Missing one or two runs at this stage and replacing them with a swim or a bike could be benefical. A combination of exercises that are non weight baring will help your body recover. Obviously do not miss your long runs but maybe supplement a couple of the shorter runs.

The rest of the Mirror article has some more useful tips.

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Etihad BusinessConnect

Source: hazel eyes
Wednesday 10th March 2010, 12:32pm

BusinessConnect is Etihad's new initiative to enable SME's to get more value from their travel budget.

Companies enrolled in the scheme earn miles on Etihad's flights, including those operated by their codeshare partners, meaning whether it is a flight to Mumbai or an internal flight to Manchester with Flybe, both will earn rewards. The account can be managed online 24hrs a day by the company's BusinessConnect members or a designated travel agent.There is a 5,000 miles bonus for activating an account which ends on 30 April 2010.

Features of the scheme include:-

• the business will earn 60% of all Diamond First and Pearl Business class miles earned by employees, in addition to individual employees receiving their normal mileage accrual;

• the business earns 30% of total miles flown in Coral Economy class, in addition to individual employees receiving their normal mileage accrual;

• BusinessConnect members can redeem their miles for free flights, upgrades and a choice of over 1600 rewards; and

• All miles are added together to start earning rewards faster.

SME's in the UAE will be entitled to further benefits of the Etihad Guest Programme, including:-

• lounge access;
• excess baggage allowance;
• limousine transfers;
• fast-track immigration; and
• priority boarding and baggage reclaim.

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Virtual Dressing Up

Source: hazel eyes
Friday 5th March 2010, 3:54pm

Wouldn't it be great if we could see what clothes looked like without trying them on?. The reality might not be far away.

Researchers in Berlin have developed a 'magic mirror' that enables shoppers to see themselves wearing different items of clothing without getting undressed.

Sounds fantastic, no more wasting half an hour trying on 3 different dresses with 6 different lingerie sets - this computerised mirror takes a life size 3D image of the body and allows us to virtually try on any outfit.

"Our goal is to be able to dress people virtually," said Anna Hilsmann, one of the mirror’s developers at the Heinrich-Hertz Institute in Berlin. The new technology is one of a range of body-scanning techniques that could one day lead to an electronic version of bespoke tailoring.

In the future, all we'd have to do would be to visit a shop and get measured, then just order clothes online or at the store. Clothes would be made to the correct specifications, with no more sending stuff back because it didn't fit. Bloomin marvelous.

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Spain Easter Car Hire Hotspot

Source: hazel eyes
Tuesday 2nd March 2010, 4:57pm

Spain is shaping up to be the most popular place to go this Easter.

Car rental bookings for Easter are showing once again that Spain is the most popular destination. Spain car hire could become more difficult to book late as a result.

Seville is particularly popular over the Semana Santa - or Holy Week - period as its celebrations are so impressive.

The advice is to book car rental as far ahead as possible in advance to avoid disappointment. The Andalucia region is beautiful to visit, many tourists hire a car just to enable them to see as much of it as possible.

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Liz Hurley's Revealing Dress

Source: hazel eyes
Thursday 25th February 2010, 3:33pm

Liz Hurley attended the Love Ball charity fundraiser in quite a revealing outfit.

Liz Hurley is no stranger to attracting attention. In 1994 she wore 'that dress' to a film premiere. Held together by safety pins, the dress and her created quite a stir on the red carpet with then husband Hugh Grant.

Now, 16 years later, age 44, she arrives the the Love Ball charity fundraiser wearing a sari without the traditional lingerie - namely a crop top known as a Choli or Ravika. Noone but Liz can be sure whether this omission was deliberate or not, to be fair it might not have been so obvious under normal lighting, flash photograph would definitely have exaggerated it, but then again, one might be forgiven for thinking that her Indian textiles husband Arun Nayar would have been aware of the potential problem.

If I look half as good as her at 44, I'll be pleased.

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