After what feels like a couple of months – but is in fact 8 months – I have just passed my theory test.  This was initially booked a few weeks ago and I had nearly forgotten about it untill I had a reminder SMS from Google. Now I can honestly say that with absolutely no revision or practice since Dave and I installed the software back in January… it is possible to pass the test on car experience alone!

The front discs on my car were badly worn. They were rusted badly and had large ridges around the outside.  To ensure that the car was as safe as possible – and that I had the latest braking point as possible on the track – I ordered new set.

Grant’s car has racing pads, Goodridge braided hoses and Dot 5.1 fluid. The performance I noticed in his car last year at Le Mans was superb; the lack of brake fade gave a lot of confidence when heading for the bends. Though I have ordered standard pads, I felt a set of Goodridge hoses and Dot 5.1 brake fluid might give me a boost. They have been fitted and the system flushed and bled with the new fluid.

So far driving on the roads, I have noticed very little difference, though it is perhaps a little smoother. I very much hope that next week at Le Mans there are no surprises. Here is a ‘fingers crossed’ for consistent braking!

My big fruity plans to dive into fitness training again have been slightly diluted - back to water in fact - by my inability to actually do something. This is not to say that I go home and watch TV all evening after work. In fact, quite the opposite, I have been really busy with travel, home improvements and other commitments that fight for my attention. To be honest though, I cannot figure out why I find it so difficult to take 30 minutes and go for a run or a bike ride.

With some time off work next week, I am planning to try and get out running or cycling. This is in addition to continuing the “100 Push up challenge“. I found some great ideas and buckets of inspiration on this post at Zen Habits. It provides a lot of detail and is well worth reading. With any luck, just a few outings will help me build the activity time into my schedule. Of course, I may be busy and forget!

These crisps are supposed to be hot! I couldn’t tell! This is a test post from my iPhone!

As a record for ourselves and anyone else that might be interested, we have a page detailing the E46 M3 technical specs. We will update this page as and when we receive suitable information. If you would like to add anything, leave a comment here or use the contact form!

This is an authentic BMW M division advert.

There is a new shed in our garden to replcae the old one that fell apart. Keeping with tradition I created a timelapse of the build on my Canon EOS 20D. To test out the video quality from Vimeo, I have uploaded it here and embedded it below. I think that it looks good, especially considering that I uploaded a compressed video to start with.

EDIT: Updated video to HD version, you might need to let it stream a bit.

I have added some photos to the gallery. You will find new albums from a scuba diving trip to the Maldives and a short trip to Vietnam!

After picking up the car, nearly every corner that I drove around caused the rear LSD (Limited Slip Differential) to make a sound like a walrus mating. If you want the full story about this rather large can of worms and why I don’t think a local “non-BMW” garage did the work they claimed to have done - read the full article and check out the photos.

It is safe to say that the front tyres on my car were not safe! When I picked it up, they were well beyond the fine line of safety. In fact, as you can probably see from the photo on the left, the treads had vanished and were through to the canvas. Due to the uncommon size of the tyres (225/40/19), the local tyre fitter had nothing that would fit, therefore I had the opportunity to order the tyres of my choice!

The original Continental M3 tyres were not available. The Good year F1 Assymetrics are not made in 19 inch. My third choice was the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2’s! As these were available, they were ordered up quickly and fitted as soon as they arrived!

Voila! They are even filled with Nitrogen, a gas that will maintain a more stable pressure across a range of temperatures. This will aid handling and fuel economy… but who cares about economy on a race track!

To kick start the strength exercise habit again, I have decided to focus on something that I can do anywhere, even whilst travelling. This is quite important at the moment as travel for work was the initial disruption to my gym habit. My focus at the gym was to build up my core strength using the bench press which builds a lot of the upper-body muscles.

The site hundredpushups.com has put together a training program that requires you put aside a very small amount of time 3 times per week. At the end of the six-week program (variable), you should be able to perform 100 push-ups. This sounds like a great idea and since progress should be quite quick, it will be motivational and fun.

Before you can start on the program, you need to figure out your current ability by taking the initial test. I managed to complete 25 push-ups meaning that I am in the third column for weeks 1 and 2. I did not think I would get quite that high so I am quite pleased! As per the recommendation, I will start Week 1 on Monday!

After a few years looking and dreaming, I have just bought my first M car! A 2003 silver/grey e46 M3! I am quite pleased because, for the most part, it is in good condition. There are a few things that need attention, check out the dedicated diary page for this car! More pictures here!

Welcome to TrainTrail
You are invited to join us as we re-commit our efforts to improving our health, fitness and aiming for a positive work/life balance.

Like most of us (you know who I mean), over the years our level of activity has decreased as other priorities have taken over; kids, work, home, new partner, new sofa etc. We know that we should be doing something about our health and deep inside we really want to be doing something active; but somehow we never have enough time to get to the gym, go out for a run or even oil up the chain on that bike hidden in the shed… Well that’s where it was the last time I checked in 1991!

We have made a commitment to get fitter, healthier and make sure that we get the most out of life. A simplified lifestyle and appreciation for the simpler things can only make us happier. Right?

From what we can see; happy people live longer! As long as the Gods support our attempts to survive a little longer and we don’t get run over by a bus.

But what is this website all about? We figured that we need to commit to and stick to a fitness plan. That is where you come in! Apart from being able to read about our attempts, you can join in and become a part of the TrainingTrail community, sharing tips and feedback, working together. That is our commitment!

As we progress we will share what we learn, the good and the bad. Any suggestions, tips or products tested on this site are fully researched and properly tested, with input from professionals where required.

We are also working on some really cool features for the site, that will be available to you all over the next few months. As our tagline states, we want to keep our training on track… and we want you to do it with us.

Good luck!!

Shane & Mark

Over the week-end, there were 2 announcements made that deserve a quick mention.

Apple have upgraded Aperture to version 2.1

This is a quick update after the recent launch of version 2.0 and not only includes a number of bug fixes and performance updates but also adds a new plugin architecture. To demonstrate this, a dodge and burn tool has been included.

If you already have Aperture 2 installed, it is well worth hitting the ‘Software update’ button for this!

Adobe announce Lightroom 2

Hot on the heels of Aperture 2, Adobe have made the Beta version of Lightroom 2 available. This worked well for Lightroom 1 as the feedback from users prior to launch really helped focus the development based on feedback from ‘real’ users. Initially, the Library module has been redesigned and includes most of the features you can find in Aperture such as multiple monitor support.

For the first few weeks of riding, I was having a big problem with the ‘L‘ plate, it kept catching in the rear wheel and eventually rubbed itself down to an ‘I‘ plate. To try and sort this out, I have been buying a number of metal brackets to try and modify the rear end so that this doesn’t happen. I took apart the rear end today which was a learning experience in itself. After some fun and games, I came up with this nicely curved solution!

A bit of bouncing on the seat was done as a pre-ride test to see the result. So far so good… the ‘L’ plate went nowhere near the wheel. I guess the real test will be at the week-end when I go out for a ride with the lads!!