Running thin....

...I'm finding it hard to get into the routine of updating this blog of mine, have never been a diary keeper.

The reason for my blog was always for me to look back on when I reach my goals, so I guess I'd best get my finger out eh!

I'm not going to go way back to last week, so will just role onthis week and highlight what I've done since yesterday.

Yesterday I cycled 15km in 28.26 minutes before breakfast, which I thought was quite good.....until today......when I knocked 2 minutes off - now that I thought was VERY good

Running and swimming tomorrow

Just realised as I was posting about tonight's events that I didn't post after my Race for Life on Sunday - how remiss of me.

I went, I far from conquered, but at least I completed it.

Managed my 5km in 36 minutes - not over impressed about my time, but hey - it's my first goal and I achieved it.

It was a fun day, well organised, however, absolutely scorching!!! The winner did it in 20-something minutes - I want to beat her next year - no, I'm not competitive!!

I now remember why I didn't post on Sunday after my race, I then returned home to sit in the glorious sunshine in the garden, with a few G&Ts and chilled! It was bliss.

THANKS EVERYONE FOR SPONSORSHIP, WORDS OF WISDOM AND SLAGGINGS! X

ONTO tonight now....just returned from a 15km cycle and I have to say, that was fab fun!

I really enjoyed that and could have done so much more too - looks like there's lots of fab cycle paths to be exploring in and around Gloucestershire - along the tow-paths, etc.

Had a day off yesterday, so now that's me back into it properly, less than 11 weeks to go till this triathlon, but I do have to say, I'm really looking forward to it!

Post again soon,
Cheers,
ME x

.... well, it's Race for Life Day today

Up nice and early to have some brekkie as race starts at 11am so just had a nice boiled egg on toast and a coffee and then I'm going to have a bit of melon and a little low fat yoghurt.

Didn't train yesterday, had a day of rest, which was lovely, but felt guilty for not training lol

On Friday night though I did my usual 5km circuit but it was baking hot out, I was tired and grumpy and had a time of 32mins. Also got cramp in my flipping calf so had to walk for about 3mins of that. I know I'm probably being a bit harsh on myself, but at the beginning of the run I thought it was going to be a real good one, but hey, 32 mins is still not bad I guess.

Looking forward to today although again, it's going to be a very hot one, so making sure I'm hydrated enough in the next hour.

Good luck to anyone else doing it

Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me.

This is like my first real goal in my training calendar, once this is out of the way, it's right into focussed training for my triathlon which is in 11 weeks time - yikes!!!

...well, I certainly felt that workout tonight.

Trying to work on my swimming so tonight we were pool bound following quite a tough routine:-

WARM UP 150m
EASY SWIM TO GET USE TO THE WATER

Like it says, this was easy

LEG KICK - 4 X 25 M
USE A FLOAT (IN FRONT) FRONT CRAWL LEG KICK

WOW I don't know why I thought this would be easy, but bejeesus, this was exceptionally difficult. Felt the burn BIG TIME

DISTANCE 2 X 200
AIM TO WORK ON YOUR BREATHING @ STEADY PACE

Managed the distance okay and my pace was pretty steady. I alternated my strokes between breast, front crawl and back crawl (my lazy option when I feel tired, I've always been stronger at back crawl for some reason) but one thing I cannot get is my breathing into a good rhythm I'll get there though - practice makes perfect.

DRILLS 6 X 25
CONCENTRATE ON HAND ENTRY AND LEG KICK

It was good having Scotti to spot me and spot weaknesses and areas I had to concentrate on, like my left arm Left shoulder is sore now, just from working it harder than normal, I think like some folk get a lazy eye, I've got a lazy left arm!

SPRINT 4 X 25
WORK TO INCREASE YOUR SPEED FRONT CRAWL ONLY

Enjoyed this, didn't think I would after already feeling the burn, well, I enjoyed it until the bit where my friggin' calf cramped!!!

COOL DOWN 100m
EASY SWIM - FOCUS ON YOUR BREATHING

Nice cool down and wow, did I feel like I had a proper workout after that!!

Note to self, buy a new swimming costume!!!! My tankini is no good and the bottoms are HOOOOOGE on me now and nearly fell off tonight

Goodnighty nighty folks

...wow, well, I'm really getting into this training malarky and better still really enjoying it.

My achievements for the last couple of days have been:-

Tuesday - Cycled 15.2km in 30 minutes
Wednesday (am) - Cycled 7.5km in 12 minutes (got chucked off the spin bike due to a charity fudraiser)
Wednesday (pm) (tonight) - 5km run in......30.42 seconds. I think on Monday my time was 31.30 seconds....going to start documenting my times more clearly now.

Really enjoyed tonight's run, my stride was better and smoother and I was able to run for much longer periods, really pushed myself at the end when I realised the time and the fact I could beat my previous time.

Tomorrow there's no running, I may cycle during the day at work if there's a spin bike free, but tomorrow night I have intensive swimming training to enjoy.

No running tomorrow, final run on Friday before my first 5km Race for Life on Sunday and so looking forward to it

Oh and ...... tonight I wore lycra....yup, me,....... and I felt comfortable in it and seriously, what a difference it makes to training in restricting board shorts

WHHHHOOOOOOOSH

.....yesterday I managed 5km in the scorchhing sunshine in 31 minutes, which, personally, I thought wasn't half bad, really struggling to get a nice steady pace though, I'm either too fast so over-tiring myself or too slow, I'll get there I guess.

Then this morning I was out with the dog and ran for 20-odd minutes, so not sure of the distance, but it was nice and steady and even though lovely, bloody nippy cold, stopping to pick up poo is kind of off-putting though lol

Also started my new contract today and there's a gym onsite with lots of exercise bikes, so that's my cycling practice for my triathlon sorted.

I was going to do some weights and sit-ups tonight, but I've just realised the time so I'll make up for that tomorrow.

Good night all

Well, since I'm going to be doing a little fundraising triathlon in September, I thought last night was the right time to start my more all-round training rather than just running.

The Triathlon is to raise funds for LINC (Leukaemia Intensive Chemotherapy) and consists of 500m swim, 15km cycle and 2.7km run.

So, last night we (hubby joined me) ran from home to the swimming (2.5 miles) I didn't manage to run all the way, stopped for 60 seconds several times, but each time I'm managing to run for longer periods and we got there in 30 minutes, so not too bad.

We then swam 20 lengths (500m) and my time for 16 minutes. Now that is drastically bad, so I know I've got a lot of hard work to do. My swimming technique needs a lot of work right now, I'm not flowing properly, but with 12 weeks to go I'm sure I'll improve on both my time and technique.

We then walked 3 miles home and I'm very surprised I'm not sore today.

Hoping to get a cycle in before the end of the weekend too.

Have a fab weekend folks and cheers for reading if you've managed to read this far

Oh and I now only have 11lbs to go to get to my original target weight But I'm not focussing too much on the weight now, I'm just enjoying the exercise and eating healthy, which is just as well as I'm off out for both lunch and dinner today

....well, last night I realised hill running is a different kettle of fish completely.

Having neglected my training whilst in the Isle of Man for the TT for 9 days, I knew I had to get back into it pronto since my first race, Race for Life, is next Sunday.

So, first night I took the dog for a brisk walk for about an hour up and around our local hill / country park and for some bizarre reason, decided that the following night (last night) I would go up there for a run.

So, got home from work last night and off I went with Holly again, not the best idea in the world.

It is very hilly, so I know I got a good workout but I'm not sure it's for me. Uphill was better than downhill on my knees, but the ground was very very uneven and I really felt it on my ankles.

Tonight it's back to road running and hubby is going to join me for a 2.5 mile run to the swimming following by a good long swim and then a brisk walk back home.

Need to start varying my training more going forward as I'm now doing a Triathlon in September ON MY BIRTHDAY!!! I know, I must be mad, but I'll postpone my birthday to the following weekend I think.

Have a good day and enjoy the sunshine folks x

Well, just back from a fab run which I really enjoyed.

Recently I've just been running on grass in a local park to see how my knee has held out as it was playing up. Tonight I decided to go back on my road route and I'm pleased to say my knee was fine and dandy and I thoroughly enjoyed my run.

Seem to have found my stride and managed to run further each time than what I have in the past.

Only problem is, I thought I did a 5km run, but felt it was a bit easy, so when I came in, I had a look on the map and right enough, I came the wrong way home so did in fact only run 3.8km.

That'll be my blonde moment for the day over.

Been seriously thinking about running in the morning before going to work, but that would mean having to go for a run about 5:45am, which in itself isn't too bad, but thinking about having to eat before running and there's no chance at that time because I need to leave a good 2 hours after I've eaten anything before exercise.

Going to do some research to see what folks suggest as I've heard a bowl of cereal before bed is a good idea, but still trying to lose weight whilst I'm trying so don't want to be over-eating either.

Anyway, talking off food, I'm off to have some nice plaice on a bed of couscous, but if you have any ideas to share about eating plan when running first thing in the morning I'd be glad to hear it.

Cheers

Well, after having a little crash on my motorbike on my way into work yesterday morning and playing ping pong with several cars, by the time I got home last night I was well ready to go for a run to de-stress.

My run was fabulous! I really enjoyed it.

I went prepared with my iPod loaded with fast dance tracks and chilled tracks to change from running to fast walking. Set the tracks with 40 seconds for a rest and then changing between 1 and 3 minutes running.

I really enjoyed it and did approx. 5km in 40 mins I think, but that is just a rough estimate of both time and distance.

Knees are holding out well, no problems at all there.

I'm glad I'm enjoying it, I am having to push myself to do it, but not over-doing it.

I've got my eye on doing a wee Triathlon on THE DAY OF MY BIRTHDAY (I must be mental) which is 500m swim, 15km bike ride, 2.7km run. So I'll try training with that as another goal to achieve.

I'm loving this new me and really enjoying working on my fitness levels.

Have a fab weekend folks.