Yume No Chikara

An Update

2007-07-24T21:40:00.000+01:00

Just for bear!!

he-he I was very tempted just to say that but I shant!!

If, like bear, you wondered where I am these days ... well mainly on Fetch and RealBuzz as I can get to both of those places during work. Unlike the old days, when I was at college and the old work place, I can't chat all day and I don't tend to go online much at home.

Anyway that promised update.

Good News:

I won a 32" LCD TV!!
I'm running 6 times a week!
I'm using not wearing my HRM.
I'm averaging 20m+ a week now!!

Bad News:
Despite lots of running I'm still err lardy because I'm comfort eating constantly. My phone is by my side 24/7 and I am expecting a call any time, to be honest I am amazed grandma is still with us, so yes I'm expecting the call, dreading the call and stuffing my face. Good job I am running lots then really! I'm worried it will become a habit though so I am trying to adjust the eating, I'm trying to bring in lots of fruit and eat that, or low fat low calorie crisps/snacks. I mean eating 2 of those gives me 2 lots of "comfort" food but has less impact than 2 packets of McCoys or 2 kit kats. Neither are good though I know.

Training is, however, going great. I'm doing the HR training stuff and have done for about 2mths now. I started off swearing at my HRM and struggling to do 14:30mm pace. Now I am doing 13:10 pace and the best bit is .... my tempo runs!! I'm doing our normal 2.9m run in a smidge over 30mins now!

Racing wise .... my Race 4 Life has been postponed twice now!! I believe it will be on 12th August and I hope to go sub 32 mins but I don't know what the course is like, e.g. is it grass or path etc. On 16th September I am racing with v-rap in the Hydro Active in Brum. Another ladies 5K where I would like to get close to the golden 30mins. Over on Fetch I found out about a new 10k in September too ... it's just 10mins drive from me. It's a new club and a new race and so I am very tempted to show my face as a err "training run". Jules from work may also do it ..... having never raced before! He's also reading the Marathon News!!

Talking of FLM ... my entry is already in the post. I have applied through the ballot and bequeathed. If I still don't get in I will be asking Macmillan for a GB place and if all else fails, well I am rejoining my club next month! I WILL be at Blackheath next year and I will RUN not complete FLM08. I'll be aiming to raise at least £2000.00 for Macmillan whilst I am at it. Then that will be me done with London. It will conclude my desire to run London but not marathons or to get a GFA. After completing FLM08 I will have run it twice .. following grandad's death and then grandma's death (there is no way she will see 2008). So I will still aim for that fast GFA time .... it just happens to be the same GFA for Boston! Yep if I can get a GFA I will go to Boston with my mum (dad and hubby won't fly!).

Oh and as for work ... still loving it!

Oh look I can get in!!

2007-07-19T19:22:00.000+01:00

Sorry for the delay in service! My old PC was playing stupid and I have been unable to log into blogger! But 1 new puter later and I'm back!

Last weekend was the Trailwalker ....which made me re-read my 2006 blog and brought back many memories. I've read v-rap's and bee's and even slowboy's blogs and yep very emotional! BUT TW will not be for me in 2008 because 2008 is my FLM year

Grandma is very ill and I am amazed she is still with us. It's for her that I am running FLM08.

Since her diagnosis I've been running loads, and I am now averaging 20m a week. Loads to say but not much time so I will say TTFN and I'll be back!

Kick up the Bum

2007-06-13T19:42:00.000+01:00

Right no more sulking.
Time for being serious.
This is a proper blog from a proper aflete after all.

For those who don't know my grandma has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and has a limited time left. The emotional blog is elsewhere (mail me fetch mail me if interested).

This blog is now dedicated to lots of running. This Pixie will be running FLM 2008 for Macmillan Cancer Research. When I say I WILL I mean there is now way I will not be at Blackheath on 13th April 2008. I will apply via the ballot, bequeath, ask for a Gold Bond place and will be re-joining my club just in case! If I have a serious set back injury wise I will walk FLM but my goal is to run it all (apart from a hug stop at mile 17!) not just complete it. I also want to raise at least £2000 for Macmillan who were at grandma's side within 24 hrs of her being told the news.

I have 10 months. The next 5 or 6 will consist of lots of slow HR based runs, 1 club run/tempo run and lots of attitude.

This will be my story.

Gone Running ...

2007-06-06T22:42:00.000+01:00

... had some bad news tonight.

Not sure when I will be with you again.

Love

Pixie

What's Your Number?

2007-06-05T19:25:00.000+01:00

What's your number?What's your number? Mine is 9, no actually it's 10.

It's not my weight (I wish!) or my age or cholesterol level but sadly it's the number of people I know who have been affected by or lost the battle with Cancer. I'm hoping it won't soon be 11 - we're still awaiting results for my grandma.

Statistically 1 in 3 people will be affected by Cancer.
Statistically more people are surviving Cancer than ever before.

Looking at all cancers combined the five-year relative survival rate has now reached 50%. The survival rate in women (56%) is higher than that in men (43%) and this is also the case for ten-year rates (39% vs.52%).

This is great news and we want that survival rate to increase, but more importantly we want to help cure Cancer.

Events like Race for Life are an important way in which Cancer Research UK is able to fund its life-saving work into preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer. By sponsoring me now you could help more people survive cancer.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me - Cancer Research UK will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.So please sponsor me now!Many thanks for your support - http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/kim_sayers

And so ....

2007-06-03T22:50:00.001+01:00

Life is an odd one. These last 3 weeks have seen me bite the bullet and to the best of my ability start to train with my HRM. That's to say I am doing most of my runs at 70% of HR but I have still had the odd tempo run!

Running to HR is odd. I'm a slow runner and this makes me slower. I've always been slow and frustrated at being slow yet now I am purposely running slower than ever before! Yet these last two weeks something has happened. I've run more.

Each week I have done 2 doubles. This means I've done about 8 sessions of exercise in 6 days. May saw me do 54m which isn't a huge amount until you realise that this is the highest running mileage I have done since Jan 2006! The last 2 weeks have also been my highest mileage this year. In fact only 4 weeks last year had higher mileage and 3 of those included races over 10m and if you exclude FLM in 2005 only 2 weeks were saw higher mileage in 2005 too.

Fetch is a wonderful thing (I can get there from work for a start meaning I blog there too!)

I always assumed that I ran 20m weeks yet Fetch says ... since Jan 2005 I have done 3 weeks of 20m+ of running or 4 when you include FLM. The truth is I've actually been running 10-15m a week with most of the last 2.5yrs seeing weeks of 10-12m and very few of 15m.

One of the reasons I started running was to lose weight. Assuming the arbitrary value of 100calories per 1m you need to run 35m a week to lose 1lb on running alone. Given I have run off on average 1200 calories a week (probably less than that actually) and eaten about 1500 extra "because I've run!" it's hardly surprising I'm the same weight now is it?!

So where am I going with all this? Well running to HR may be slow (for now ... Mr eLbee assures me I will get quicker!) but I can run more often and therefore do more miles and therefore use more calories. I've concluded that I am totally useless at restricting my food intake so therefore I have to train more. This isn't actually a bad thing as more training means more improvement in fitness, tone and ultimately speed.

The down side is I have so much washing to do! I have some lovely chaff marks from my bra and HRM (cos I tend to slouch when I run meaning it all rubs on my flab!) I have to get out of bed to exercise before work when I can or use the tready at home late when I can't train before work. I like my bed too much so this isn't ideal!

In the 3 weeks since I started training this way most of my runs have been about 14:30 pace (oh so slow and even slow on the tready when I get hot so the HR goes up more) but Friday I did a run at 13:40 pace. Could I be improving?

In a months time I have the R4L which I will run as a tempo run. My last tempo run was just short of 3m but if I can run that pace I will get a PB. My goal is to get to 30-31mins for the 5K in September and onwards and upwards from there.

I'm in training. I'm happy! I'm enjoying my running and injury free.

Long may it last!

Keep smiling folks!

Hmmm

2007-05-16T19:45:00.000+01:00

Interesting few days.

Monday J was in for almost a whole day which is the 1st since December! He's officially still called up but off "sick" with a sore wrist (suspected carpal tunnel syndrome I think). It was nice to have the full team back together and with his return came the return of the boys and I going for our run.

I did put on my HRM but knew I wouldn't be using it properly! We did the normal route which gave me my longest run since January and it was just a few seconds of my 5K PB which was fab! The HR also confirmed that this was indeed a tempo run coming in at an average of about 85%.

Whilst off J had been advised from his RAF PT about using a HRM and had bought one - not used but he had one! So we spent most of our run discussing the use of a HRM - see I could still chat whilst running! Just! Still it was a very enjoyable run!

Yesterday I was back to being sensible because I was following the hard/easy principle of training and knew I had a 1hr PT session today! The run was more undulating than I thought and the odd thing was I actually enjoyed it! Yes I was crawling along but it wasn't an effort I wasn't stress breathing and yes it was good! >shakes head at self<

Today I got up, entered the Hydro Active in Birmingham (5k on 16th September) and toddled off to work. Lunchtime came and off to the gym I went.

15mins warm up on the tready followed by the next 45 mins of squats, lunges more squats and some upper body work interspersed with 2 sets of 5mins spinning on the bike (min 100rpm) then some crunches and stretching to finish. Boy was I glad to get back to work! My legs have a dull ache and my knees aren't too impressed!

To make me feel better I got a text from J this afternoon saying "My legs bloody hurt thank you!" he-he

The Return of the Bleep ...

2007-05-11T18:10:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, being Thursday, was gym day. Having worn my HRM on a few runs I was interested to see what it would read whilst doing a gym session. These always feel harder than my normal runs, and as such I expected to see a huge difference.

As I knew I would need a shower afterwards (the showers at the gym aren't great!), I changed at work and jogged over there. The session itself was then 10 mins on the tready (5@11mm + 5@10:30 pace inc 1% incline) then 10mins bike (5 mins easy 5mins@90rpm) and finally 10mins on the rower (2 sets of 3mins@2:20 pace 2 easy). Then a jog back to work.

I still had a slight touch of DOMS from the squats with the 5kg medicine ball but overall it wasn't a bad session. If I take the whole 45 mins then the av HR was 163 so only just over the golden 70% and looking at the individual bits only the tready was high (like 85%). So not a bad session.

Last night I went to show Gnome my dress and to my shock and horror it was no longer on the Monsoon website. As such I had no choice, I had to go shopping at lunch today to try and get it! This meant that today I also had to get up and run before work.

I staggered out of bed (having snoozed for 15mins), did the lunches then off to work. I strapped the HRM on and decided that today I would again stick to the 70% and I wasn't going to walk! Now Mr Parker says you should walk if the HRM bleeps for more than 30 seconds and so that meant I could keep going! In fact when it did bleep it took under 10seconds to drop below 160 again.

I didn't swear or shout out aloud today! (that surely must raise your HR!?!) but I did mutter almost constantly "it's not about pace or distance it's HR not pace". The result was another 2.4m run and no walking.

Whilst out I thought back to my last attempts to use my HRM and remembered that then I was told to run to a stupidly low 144. No wonder I gave up so easily before. 160 may be slow (about 14mm pace) but it's doable. I even passed some teenagers without it bleeping! Now that was brilliant! I mean sad and pathetic!

Come lunch I was ready to dash to town and joy of joys they had my dress! Even better I got the 12 not the 14 as that fitted more securely err up top! I also bought a little top too
so now I just need shoes, undies, jewellery oh and a bag! Plus somewhere else to wear my beautiful dress! Husband will have to have a posh meal for his 40th now just so I can dress up again!

I also need to get some heels to practice in as I don't have any and if I just get some for the day I will indeed fall over and look an idiot!

I fear I may be turning into a girlie! Help!

Sorry!

2007-05-09T18:22:00.000+01:00

Yes I've been a bad pixie and not updated for days. Sorry! I blame my inability to log onto Blogger!

So last week … Monday I had an awesome run! Loved it!
Tuesday was PT Session and Craig was late (15 mins so I'm getting and extra 30!) and he was nice to me and didn't kill me! As a result Wednesday I went out for my run full of the joys of spring and confident of another stonking run. WRONG!!

Looking at the stats it was the same a Monday, same distance and time (hey I am running to time!) and HR was similar but it felt awful. Really hard work and I was surprised it was the same distance it felt that bad.

Thursday's gym session was also hard and my calves were tight and my high from Monday had all but gone. Friday came and I was determined not to have a bad run and I didn't, I had a horrid horrid run. Slow, heavy legs and no strength and then teenagers. Big sulk and very down pixie.

Last week for a change I had actually worn my HRM. Looking back at my stats and it's a classic story from John Parker's HR training book. Monday fab run 81%, Wednesday not brilliant 80% and Friday pants awful horrid run …

This week ...

Monday I had a brilliant day out shopping in Brum for posh frock (coach's wedding) with v-rap and her 2 girls. (only ruined by a big nose bleed in Waterstones!)

Is this the Best dress?? I think so maybe possibly Oh I don't know!

Whilst with v-rap I was enlightened into the wonders of HR training and given the figure of 160. Now I've read the Parker book and it does make perfect sense, it's just I get bored trying to run to HR but as bee and v-rap both say now is an ideal time to try. Maybe I should.

Yesterday was my 3rd PT session and boy did Craig decide to be serious! 10mins warm up on the tready. Nice and easy at about 70% HR. This was then followed by some floor work split into 3 sets by 5mins of HIGH intensity CV work (80-90% HR). Loads of squats with medicine balls, lunges off and onto steps, then bridges using the gym ball. At the time my legs were killing me turning to mush within about 10mins!

This was all followed by crunches, reverse curls and planks before a nice stretch. There was NO way I was walking up the stairs to work! Just walking to work was hard enough!

By bed time I suspected DOMS would be about this morning and boy was I right! My butt is so sore! I can quiet happily say I worked my butt off yesterday! Still I got up and did my run today.

I have had my run extended to 35mins and given my chat with v-rap and bee and the state of my legs I thought a 70% HR run would be an excellent idea. BORING! If I hadn't had DOMS I would have given up within 10mins! I was literally and audibly shouting at my watch! I hardly warmed up let alone broke a sweat but I did manage to (coughs loudly) run about 90-95% of it all at a massive 14mm pace!

Off to read the Parker book to see if I can convince myself that this is, as the residence of the Cavern assure me, "a good thing" ...

Smiley Smiley Pixie in Training

2007-04-30T19:40:00.000+01:00

>bounces in as happy as a Pixie can be<

So training yes well err um ... THE PIXIE IS BACK IN TRAINING!

Oh and I'm loving it!

Last week I did 3 runs outside each one a smidge further in the same time so faster! Friday I was feeling all happy in the sun and did my 1st mile in 11:21! OK so I slowed after that but I was very happy! Today I was very aware of not doing a storming 1st mile .... and instead of doing 2.48m I did 2.62m thereby averaging 11:27!

I really focused on not giving up and dropping the pace - my phrase of choice was "the treadmill won't slow down or stop until you press the button at 30mins" and it worked! OK so my splits weren't supper even but they were 12:00 11:22 and 6:39 (10:40 pace!) so I didn't slow down! In fact today for the first time I actually started to believe that I would get a PB at the RFL in July and that the 5k in September may just may be near the golden 30mins!

I'm really enjoying being back out there, in fact yesterday (rest day) I wanted to go for a potter but schedule said rest and I had done 6 sessions in a row for the first time err probably this year!

Talking of this year ... last week had my highest running mileage of the year and April was my highest mileage for the month this year too! In fact in week 16 and 17 of 2005 and 2006 I clocked up zero miles so that must be an improvement!

So yep I am back in training and loving it!

Oh and as a side comment - looks like slimming lady is dropping work due to falling numbers.

Hmmm Strange Girl!

2007-04-26T22:17:00.000+01:00

Yes I think I must be a bit strange! Ok so as princess said PTs do seem to push you when everything says no (I'm sure it was the smile and muscles mind!) but today I still had a slight hint of soreness.

Schedule said 30mins in the gym so off I went. Another 10mins on the tready, bike and rower. All were OK for the 1st 5mins then required focus for the last 5mins. Craig was in the corner with another client and somehow this made me carry on! It was as if him just being there meant I HAD to do it otherwise I would be insulting him! Then again in a strange way when I finished and strolled back to the office (tee off flashing flesh (sorry!) due to being a tad over warm!) I felt rather smug and happy! Yes I was suffering from lack of recent exercise but I hadn't given up!

This week I have done 2 outside runs of 2.45m or 30mins. Last week I also did 2 runs. This week I am now thinking .... 72 days until RFL .... I could get a PB ... wonder if I could get to under 11mm pace? See strange! I'm only just doing 12mm pace and not even doing race distance and I'm thinking of PB's and dropping over 1min per mile off my pace!

As for marafuns - yes Benz I agree FLM is awesome (Bear wrote a perfect post) and I do want to do it again but I am so useless at fund raising that a gold bond place is a definite no. If I get a ballot place I will raise funds but just what I can without any pressure.

Talking of funds ... sponsored slim. Well we did have a lovely lady from Rosemary Conley start at work but the enthusiasm at work seems to have dropped dramatically and she wasn't here this week. I think she may just may pull out. Which means back to trying to motivate ourselves.

This week has been a bit of a mere food wise because I dropped some habits over the last week due to holiday and courses and getting back into them and a new much more active exercise schedule has thrown me big time. I think I am where I was at the beginning of April which is good as in any weight I did gain has gone but I am annoyed at myself. I mean I could have lost some weight surely?! Anyway I have been doing a food diary for Craig this week so I will see what he has to say! I WILL get there!

Right off to pack kit - 30mins run tomorrow plus Sainsbury!! Also need to locate clothes for work! So Nite All!

PT Session

2007-04-25T19:48:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I had my first proper PT session. Having been wished luck the day before and having struggled to get out of bed Monday morning I was sure I would over sleep. This meant a restless night of "what time is it? Have I over slept?" which was hardly ideal but did mean I was up, dressed and able to have some tea and bread before I headed to the gym and I got there early!

Having got there early I sat on the recumbent bike for a few minutes gently peddling to wake up my legs which were sure they shouldn't be working at this time! Then it was time!

The clock turned to 7:30AM and Craig turned with a huge smile and lured me onto the treadmill!

Ok so normally I do 10-12 mins at 11mm pace. So we start at 11mm pace, then after 5mins he ups it to 10:30 pace then again after another 5mins to 10mm pace! By this time I was awake and struggling so I was pleased at only having to hold the 10mm pace for 3mins following it by a 2mins walk. So 15mins on the treadmill doing 1.31m and already I am hot, dripping with sweat and wanting to lie down!

Next resistance work. Starting off with 3 sets of 20 squats on the gym ball (up against the wall) followed immediately by 1min of using the stepper whilst holding weights. By the 2nd set my quads were starting to ache, by the 3rd set they were turning to jelly!

Now worries! Legs can have a rest whilst we now do 4 sets of 15 press ups on the gym ball i.e. arms now get to turn to jelly! Then back to do more work on the legs with static lunges and squats with weights of the stepper (hard to explain). I have never been so pleased to go for a stretch as this meant A time was up and B no more muscles turning to jelly!!

My legs don't feel too bad now so I should still be out for my scheduled run tomorrow but my triceps are aching! I really know I have worked and worked hard! Definitely getting my moneys worth! Still if I want to lose weight, tone up and do London again I need to work for it!!

Today I woke up to a mild case of DOMS and a 30mins run scheduled. Again I was at work early meaning a pre-work run. I chose a flatter route today expecting this to be a struggle and it wasn't fantastic (the last 5 or so mins were indeed hard!) but I managed another good run of just over 12mm pace which I am pleased with!

This afternoon though the legs had more of the wonderful DOMS feelings! Hmmm I just hope this is worth all the effort!! :-D

V35 in April 2008

2007-04-22T15:52:00.000+01:00

13th April 2008

Yes that's next year's Flora London Marathon! As I write there are probably still people out there on the course (Lloyd Scott for one!) and here I am thinking of 2008. I'm not wishing my life away honest I'm focusing! OK so there is naturally the little issue of actually getting in to FLM first but it's something to aim for!

Today I watched the TV and felt all the emotions of 2005. The tears were in my eyes and to be honest I was sorry I wasn't there, even as a jealous supporter.

Unlike previous years I wasn't totally glued to the sofa. I wanted to move about, I actually wanted to be out running if I'm honest. I don't think this is a sign of FLM losing it's shine for me I think it's a sign that I want it more.

If I enter FLM whilst I focus of weight and basic fitness then in 6 months when the "You're In!/Not In" magazines come out I will be in good shape. I'm not going to even suggest I can get into FLM then run a GFA on the day (stories from today show that you can never predict what happens at FLM) but I would like a considerable PB. If I don't get a place then I train, do some good halves and find a nice autumn marafun!

If I did get in then FLM 2008 would be my first race as a vet!

As the advert says:

"What's the point of having dreams if you don't make them come true!"

Mind Workout

2007-04-21T14:12:00.000+01:00

Today I was down the gym following the plan devised by the PT. On paper it looked fine but given all the gardening of yesterday (and one stiff back) and it was harder than I expected!

Warm up of 5mins on the bike (about 75RPM) followed by 5mins @90RPM.

Rower for 15mins at between 2:20 and 2:40 pace. Managed 3008m. Now this was hard work as I normally only do say 5-7mins so 15 was mentally hard as the time just went so slow! Ended up saying 1000m per 5mins achieving the 1st in 5:01 then the second by 9:59 which gave me a tiny negative split. I really wanted to do the 3km and thought I wouldn't so worked hard in the last minute. I finished breathing deeply and realised that rowing isn't all upper body strength, the old legs work too!

Finally 20mins steady run on the treadmill. The aim was 11:30-12mm pace but I averaged 12:44 pace. My legs were tired (CV fitness was fine!) and my back started to ache and 20mins felt like forever. In fact I tried to think of all the things I saw at FLM05 and to hear PT man encouraging me and looking at the clock saying "only another 10mins you can do that" etc. Yes it was hard but I was pleased to have finished and not walked but was a little annoyed at the pace.

Then I picked up Gnome who had been given a swimming award (more money for a certificate and badge to saw on the towel!) and drove home.

The garden still needs work as I had to give up yesterday as I was tired and my back was starting to ache (so today's ache wasn't a surprise!) but I haven't the energy! Oh and I have bread to make and the bread maker has died - not buying another one!

Tomorrow is a rest day and a "sit bay TV watching the BBC cover FLM all morning" day too! I'm sure Gnome can look after himself!!

Cya!

And so ...

2007-04-19T22:14:00.000+01:00

Firstly I would like to say I have not been near scales for 2-3 weeks and I am not desperate to get back on them! With Easter, my birthday (meal), Gran's birthday (meal) and a 3 day course in London (meals at lunch, hotel in evening) it may not be too great!

On the bright side I ran (twice) and walked (lots cos I kept on getting lost!). I did 2 runs of over 2miles and walked 3-5m on all three days. Given the heat and the stupid people giving out free papers and all the pedestrians it was hard work!

Today I saw Mr Fit PT guy. I told him my 2007 goal was lose 2st and take at least 5mins off my 5k time. Said what I was doing/had done and that my overall goal was a GFA. I should get a plan tomorrow but I think I will suffer! As an example:
On the tready today he made me do 6mins at 10:30 pace (after a 2min warm up and the 11min pace I normally try to maintain) at an incline because it was good for me!
Then there was the bike on a higher cadence than I normally do (90 RPM instead of 75) oh and the rower at a harder pace too.
Still if I get the weight off, stay injury free (I did tell him all my injuries!) and get faster then I'll do it!

Just so Bear doesn't worry!

2007-04-13T22:13:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow I am off traveling again! Yes back to Berkshire to the in-laws then mum's on Sunday.
Then London on Monday (to Wednesday) and back home Thursday!

So don't worry if you don't hear from me for a few days!

Thursday I have a meeting with the PT so I will update you on that Thursday night! I've discovered that the PT is a former GB triathlete. You know that gym tri I did? 24:43 for me and he did the best time in about 14mins!! Yes 1000m row, 2mile bike 1mile run in 14mins! Gulp!

I think I may suffer!!

Maybe I am a Goldfish!

2007-04-11T22:08:00.000+01:00

Well they are supposed to have bad memories aren't they?!?!

OK so diet was going great then there was last week off, birthday cakes at work yesterday and stress/panic eating today due to a presentation to do at work. I hate presentations.

So I must get my head back in line tomorrow as next week I have 3 days in London which won't be a lettuce leaf lunch (pub meals instead) and little exercise (no hotel gym this time) apart from the 1/2m walk to the course.

Anyway there is also another reason for being a goldfish. Today I went to the gym at lunch. As my presentation was after this I did a warm up then weights, toning and abs work to exercise but not get too hot and or flustered as I didn't think the red glow would look too professional! Yesterday I also did some CV work so it was cool to have an easier session today.

I drive home (no visit to the garden centre as I was dropping a colleague) and the weather was gawjus and the house was empty and >hangs head< I went for a run! My 1st proper outside run since the new year. OK so I've not lost all I said I would before i ran again but the weather was just perfect and and and it was lovely!

I walked at 1.85m (23mins) to read and reply to a text message and finished with a long (5-6mins) cool down walk (up-hill!) so the time was slow and I only did 2.5m in total but it was fab! Anyway RFL isn't that far off so I do need some running don't I!??!?!?!

Spring Clean for Bear!

2007-04-10T22:44:00.000+01:00

OK OK I'm sorry I have neglected things but those who can read (unlike Bear) will have realised I was away and hence the silence!

A quick run down for Bear. Last week:
Sunday: drive to mum's
Monday: walk down the Thames and crazy golf at Maidenhead
Tuesday: course in London. Parked at Fraggle's (thanks!) so got 1.5m walking in just getting to/from Reading station, plus I did some speed work round Paddington Station (thanks to train times) and a gentle jog down Fleet Street. All carrying a ruck sack. Had planned a 1-1.5m walk as I had to take my car to be serviced but dad meet me at the garage.
Wednesday: meet the lovely Fraggle for a day out with the little people at Lego Land.
Thursday: collected car (expensive) and then had to get tyres (more expense)
Friday: M&S shopping + garden centre
Saturday: tree climbing thanks to model plane landing in tree (failed to retrieve plane so dad cut the tree down!)
Sunday: birthday meal + wine! Monday: in-laws then home

So basically last week I did no exercise and ate a lot! Hopefully this won't have caused too many problems weight wise as I think I am at a good half stone off since Christmas! >beams<

Luckily I got lots of money for my birthday so I have booked my 1st PT session with Mr Mega Fit Muscled Tri man from the gym. He has a tough guy reputation so with a bit of luck he will beat me into submission!

I've also had a bad evening - hubby is on nights. Last week I was away from home and I have to admit to having missed him. I thought it was best to be away because he was on nights as that would allow him to sleep and Gnome to play. Tonight I've drained a half bottle of wine (left from Sunday) and released just how much I hate him working nights. Think I will need to get up in time to do the gym thing tomorrow morning!

Nite!

Whoops! Sorry!

2007-03-26T20:13:00.000+01:00

Sorry Yes I've been busy!

Also puter is dying of a virus and needs re-installing but Gnome is half way through a project! So sorry to anyone who has mailed me (Bear!) and thanks!

Also I played hostess to 2 speedy folks, have driven to Reading and played cheer leader for Gnome!

Yesterday Gnome did the Green Park Challenge at Reading. It's 3.3km and he finished in 20:55 which is faster than me! Bless!

I've also been busy at the gym going 4-5 times a week. I'm trying to get folks to give me money for my birthday for PT sessions there to aid in this year's weight lose goals. So far this week I have lost 4lb despite gaining due to courses. So slow but in the right direction.

Running has been restricted to 10 ish mins on the tready or max 1mile but it's good. I have to admit to feeling a tad emotional and jealous at both the Ashby 20 and Reading but I'm focused on losing the weight and that is what I will do!

I'm now on my 2nd week of Rosemary Conley as there is now a class at work. I lost 2lb last week and these are the pounds that count for the sponsored slim I am doing (It's for Macmillan if anyone wants to sponsor me!)

I'm off on holiday next week - 1st of the year and I need it! Work is great still but tiring! I am also doing 2 courses over the next 3 weeks both in Business Objects and in London (near Fleet St) for 1 day then 3 days. So busy busy busy!

Oh and J is back in the UK; there was 138 attacks on the base in Basra whilst he was there and the closest damage was 30ft away from him! He also has carpal tunnel syndrome and is hoping to be told to go back to work injured! Either way the latest he is back to work is the end of May so not long now!

Think that's all for now! I do update Fetch with all my training so if you are bored look there!! Cya!!

Quick Update

2007-03-15T19:40:00.000Z

Whoops! Just realised I haven't done an update for a while! Well I've been busy keeping up the gym work, playing mother and working!

Work remains great! J is almost back from Iraq (flies back on the 18th March but not back to work for a while) and remains in good health! I'm going on another course too! A request has gone in for 2 Business Objects course which are back to back in April at their Maidenhead office. This means I can stay at mum's for a few days again.

Tomorrow is Red Nose Day and I will be doing the gym's charity tri for a laugh! It's 1000m on the rower, 2mile on the upright bike then 1mile on the tready. I'm not expecting fast times but it's a good challenge! They did it for Children in Need so I will repeat it then to see how I improve!

Tuesday K and I at work joined the Rosemary Conley class which started to enable the sponsored slim. We're both aiming for 2st off before the end of October for the Macmillan Sponsored Slim with some extra pounds off if we want after that! So I know have lots of focus with a diet buddy at work!

Hubby has also said we will get a Wii if I lose weight, very much in the "yeah right" tone of voice so I have to now! I will also be asking for money for my birthday from all my family for PT sessions to keep me well focused exercise wise!

This weekend I will be supporting the lovely v-rap and the buzzy one who are running the Ashby 20 which is run by "my club" (yes the one I haven't been too for 2yrs!) and then next weekend Gnome is running Reading. He hasn't done any training 'cos he "runs about at school" and can do the distance "easily". It's only 2m and he did manage a 5k in the new year so he should be OK! We'll see!

PT Session!

2007-03-08T19:38:00.000Z

Here's what happened ....

Met PT Dave. Nice, young, my height (bonus!), blonde and muscles!

5mins warm up on rower whilst telling him I've run for almost 5yrs, done a couple of marafuns, want to lose at least 2st etc.

Then he tells me what we are going to do boxing!
Then some boxing "circuits"
then some weights

So 1-1 boxing (never done that before), 3 sets of 1mins doing punches then "Hooks" (?) with him holding pads. This made me sweat buckets, HR hit 192 and arms ached.

Then 2 rounds of:1min boxing against the kick boxing piler thing that stands on the floor1min stepping on a stepper then throwing 2 punches and stepping downthen 10 sit ups with 2 punches at top of the sit up. To say this was exhausting is an understatement!

My arms turned to jelly and even now, hours later, they ache and I've lost all strength!

The boxing was followed by squats using a gym ball on the wall, upright row, chest press and curls all on the ball oh and some other weights thing too which I can't remember what it's called! I was literally dripping like a tap!

So now I will tell mum I want money for b'day and will book in for 6 weekly sessions (get 6x 30mins for the price of 5 that way)! In the mean time I need sleep oh and some new arms!

the story continues

2007-03-05T18:11:00.000Z

I am such a good Pixie! Yes I am! No really I am! I've been very good and used my gym membership properly! Last week I did two lunchtime sessions then a longer session on Saturday.

Saturday I also did a stupid thing! I walked to the bottle back with 2 bags full of bottles and it's about 1m away, and Gnome was with me so it was a slow walk. Lord my arms ached when we got there! Still it's good resistance work! Then at the gym I did some more tready work increasing my running. I didn't have my HRM on (which I will dig out for a laugh!) but the tready HR hand rail readers couldn't read it! I got 192 at one point (after I reduced back to a walk for a minute or two) but whilst running it was too high for it to read!! I also did some core work and abs work and I have been trying to do this on each session to cool down almost.
Sunday I was again painting. It's amazing how much work it takes to paint some walls! I need to do the wood work next, then re-do the main coat so this means more work for a few more weekends to come!

Today I went to the gym. I've decided to do some benchmark tests and this is what I got: "Invisible chair" (lower body endurance) - 60secs !!!!!
Sit and reach - 13cm
Cooper test (tready) - 1.1m

I was really pleased with my tready run as that works out at 10.55 pace and I didn't walk! Yet Saturday I struggled to do 5:2 X 2 Plus an extra 2mins.
Thursday I have my PT session and I have already decided I will treat myself to the odd PT session with weight lose.

My goals for the next 3mths are to lose 7-10lb and get my mile pace to below 10 for the 12mins test. Also I would like to be able to run the full 5K without walking by then too. My R4L isn't for a while (8th July is 18wks away so if I can keep up the good work (and get a good position on the day!) I should easily beat my PB and look at under 11mm pace for the race.
Oh and tonight I have a visiting Duck!

Mini Update

2007-03-01T22:12:00.000Z

Well I've been very good ... I've been exercising, eating well and I've stopped snacking. I've even stuck to the no chocolate rule! I am however tired and run down with a sore throat so expecting the cold to hit any day soon :-(

Not sure about weight as I am avoiding the scales, but my determination has rubbed off an K from work. I was told she would never walk anywhere and that I would never get her doing lunchtime walks with me. Tomorrow she is joining the gym with me having come twice this week as a "recommend friend". We'll both be there twice a week.

Next Thursday I have my 1-2-1 with Dave the PT who also happens to be the gym's "exercise to lose weight" guru. From my brief chat today I was told "keep running outside, keep watching the food and do different things down the gym".

The lower impact exercise has made little difference to my weight but this break has allowed me to focus on food and has got me out of the snacking habit and watching my portions. Every time I think "oh I fancy a flapjack/choc bar" etc I stop and check if I am hungry and every time the answer has been no! I just fancy it but it won't help with my diet so I haven't had it!

So from that view the change was a brilliant success. I've also improved my posture and I'm much more aware of my body and I've even started doing some abs work and weights down the gym! So all great news and positive and yes I am still "in the zone" so to speak!

Today whilst down the gym, the bikes were in use and the rowers had mega slim fit girls on them and a work colleague (mega mega fit 6mins 40 for 2km on the rower!) was by the cross trainers so I hide on the tready. I walked for all of 30 seconds before hitting the speed increase. I did 5mins at 11mm pace, walked for 2 then 5mins again. I grinned, got off and did my abs work. I guess I did actually miss it. So I may just may add the odd bit of tready work in at the gym and see what happens. Watch this space as they say!

Oh and I won't be doing the Reading half but Gnome is doing the Green Park Challenge! It's 3.3km and he gets a tee and medal so is a very happy Gnome! Just need to get him doing some training before so he doesn't get DOMS like after his 5k on new year's eve!!

All's Fine on the Western Front

2007-02-25T13:52:00.000Z

So far so good. The plan is working well. No snacking and complete food control! Looks like I have lost the weight gained on my course and a bit too I think so happy. I'm even having those TW moments of "oh that's real hunger!" which is excellent!

This week I have joined the gym, had a CV and weights induction and then been to the gym alone (whilst Gnome had his swimming lesson). I hope to get my PT session next week.

This weekend I have been cleaning the hall walls and painting. 5-6hrs of cleaning yesterday and 3-4hrs painting today is a great workout I can assure you! Not actually got to cleaning the brushes yet mind as Gnome is installing XP on his PC and keeps on calling me! I feel a long soak in the bath coming on!

I Am NOT a Goldfish!

2007-02-19T20:01:00.000Z

Yes today started Operation Goldfish!
I've counted calories, took hot water and milk to work to make tea (money saved covers gym/pool membership) and I've joined the gym! The gym gave me a free bag with water bottle, tee and towel too which was nice!

Tomorrow I have my 1-2-1 induction and I also have a voucher for a 30mins PT session. The pool re-opens on Monday (has been closed for re-tiling) and they even have a running club taken by the PTs twice a week after work for when I start back running!

So plan is:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:- lunchtime walk.
Tuesday, Thursday:- lunchtime gym
Saturday:- gym whilst gnome swims
Sunday:- swimming with Gnome (aqua jogging maybe?)

Gym will include weights work, rower and stepper and bike. I never do weights so this is a great opportunity to improve in this area. As it's during lunch it will only be a short session so doing weights then will be ideal as I also won't get boiling hot and we all know more muscles mean more calories being burnt off etc! Again as I won't be working too hard I won't be allowing any extra calories for this.

Today I have downloaded my sponsorship form for my slimathon, I will be doing an online form too and I also signed up for the rosemary conley stuff at work which should hopefully start at the beginning of March.

For 2007 I have planned:
Lose 2st with slimathon - ongoing
Do 2.5km Swimathon quicker than last year - March
Do Leicester R4L in under 35mins to get a PB - July
Do Hydro Active in Brum in 30mins for another PB - September
Sorted!

Animal Magic!

2007-02-18T19:38:00.000Z

OK so I expect a few of you may be confused about the Goldfish.
Well let me explain.

Goldfish: Know for short memory
Elephant: Know to "never forget"
Gazelle: Fast and athletic

When it comes to losing weight I am very much a goldfish. I wake up full of good intentions, have breakfast and go to work. By the time I get there I have forgotten the diet. Then I eat something and remember it. Then ... the circle continues. So yes I am a goldfish with a short term memory for losing weight. I need to become an elephant and therefore remember that I am trying to eat less, eat healthy and lose weight. Elephants never forget and if I can remember and become more conscious of my diet then I will become that gazelle I want to be!

At the end of my course we were given a free gift. Not the usual pen and mouse mat ... no ... we got a "Fit Kit". This contains a body fat monitor, blood pressure monitor (that gives pulse), booklet (10 weeks to a healthier you - stop dieting, eat and get fit!) and a calorie monitor which is a pedometer that does stuff like work out how far you have to walk to work of X calories oh and is also a radio!

Is this a sign that I need a kick up the bum? I think so!

A couple of weeks ago we had a meeting about the charity of the year at work. Monday we are expecting an announcement about the sponsored slim, how to register and (I hope!) information about a Rosemary Conley class coming to work. Another sign?

Next week I am also joining the gym.

From Monday this pixie will be in deadly serious goldfish killing mode. The diet will be on full blast, the calculator, pen and paper at hand and I will be counting calories. As I am doing low impact exercise I won't allow anything extra for this. My target is 1500-1600 calories a day, 30mins exercise a day and I will allow myself a maximum of 150calories for a treat. This means if I want to drink wine at the weekend I will have to save my treats.

Wednesday is the start of Lent and I will be joining coach Spans in a NO chocolate stint. So when I say serious I mean it! I will take my weight, blood pressure, pulse and fat % with new gadgets (not sure how accurate these are but if I use the same tools then at least it will be consistent!), measure my waist (minimum may take other measurements!) and track them all. These will be tracked and I will keep you all updated with all of them along with my exercise targets mentioned the other week!

I'm looking at big breakfast, soup lunch and smaller tea using the "breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, supper like a pauper" theory. So large bowl of shreddies (about 400cals + milk) to start the day and mainly vegetables in my soup with small bread roll/pitta/bread portion and also evening meal with lots of filling veg. Any suggestions for anything welcome! I hope to make most of my soup rather than buy it too.

Overall I want to lose a minimum of 2st and up to 3st depending on how I feel/look. Then once I get there it's time to start smashing some PB's and chasing dinosaurs!

Animals ...

2007-02-15T22:37:00.000Z

I've decide I am a goldfish, but I need to be an elephant so that I can become a gazelle!

Ice Rink

2007-02-09T12:59:00.000Z

My house is on a hill and that hill doesn't get gritted. The journey to work yesterday wasn't much fun so given last night's freezing conditions I opted ('cos I can now!) to work from home today. Currently I am on my lunch-break!

I've enjoyed my day and got a lot done, mainly documents as I have to pay to dial into work (then claim it back) I first dialled in last night to test it then again at 7.40AM to mail in that I was working from home. It's a novelty! The hire car for my course also turned up which is good but they were unable to clean it because of the snow!! Just not good enough hey!

Back Down to Earth

2007-02-07T22:20:00.000Z

Well I can't sit on a fluffy cloud of "winner" happiness for ever now can I!?!

So ... Been out walking again today having failed to get up this morning to use the bike. It was far to cold (heating hadn't gone on yet) and I was tired. In fact I failed to get up for another 50mins and I have to admit I have felt more alive today because of it.

Lunchtime saw me out for my 3m walk in the crisp clean air and I still have hopes of 30mins on the bike tonight >failed again as tired and I want a nice hot bath and snuggly bed!< I really want to get in some doubles and up to the 90mins a day. I think the mornings are harder for me, I am not a morning person! Or it could just be that I have been getting up earlier for over 2 weeks and body is telling me this!

I will be joining the gym when I get back from my course, so that I can use it whilst Gnome is in his swimming lesson, swim more and also do 1or 2 classes (body balance and or body pump). Again this will enable me to consistently exercise more which is all part of the master plan!

In 150 days (yes that's a target date!) I have the Leicester Race For Life (entry paid for by work so I must get some sponsorship which they will then match!). I will run it all and aim for a new PB and a time in the region of 31 mins. The weight hasn't dropped as easily as I had hoped so I will be paying a lot more attention to intake (work is quiet today and I've been thinking "what can I eat" whilst also thinking "nothing as you aren't hungry" which is a good thing!). I will continue with my plan as it stands until the end of March and then I will start to introduce some walk/runs as I will need to run to get a 5k PB!

Weight is still my main goal for the year. I've lost 3lb so far (am awaiting forms from Macmillan for that sponsored diet which looks like it may become a corporate thing AND it looks like they are getting a Rosemary Conley class at work!) but I still have a long way to go. It may take a long time but go it must! After all Coach Spans is getting married in June and if I am lucky …. :-D

Next week I will be away for most of the week (so expect a long silence!) and I am popping down south for a course in SAS. Before I applied for this job I thought SAS was a bunch of top class and deadly men who went round the world saving people in the style of 007! In fact it's nothing to do with security or guns or fit men (shame!) but data. This will be my 3rd course since I started here which is a little under 6mths ago. I don't have anything planned after that mind!

We've also heard from J who has now flown out of the UK. His destination was changed from Afghanistan …. He is now somewhere hot, sunny and sandy. The country name has 4 letters and ends in Q, and he's in an US airbase in a place beginning with a B in the north of the country. Quote from his last mail:

"...my hearing (for sirens) is improving, and my sprint time is definitely getting better :) or should that be :("

Fingers crossed his next line won't come true "If I die here I will be very annoyed". Only 40days and he should be back in the UK. Hopefully that time will fly and he'll get back safer but not too much fitter and not a racing snake or I will be in trouble!

I'm a Winner!!

2007-02-06T22:22:00.000Z

YES!!! I have actually won something running related! I won a RW online competition to get a new sports bra! So one new Enell (crimson or ink) on order! Great news cos they cos over £40 by the time you add postage!

Other news ... exercise bike is now in the spare room and will stare at me every day as that is also where my hair and make-up "stuff" is!

Two Weeks In

2007-02-05T22:18:00.000Z

Doesn't seem that long but yes I've not run for two whole weeks. Normally in two weeks I would have run about 18m or 6 runs and about 4hours of exercise.

Here is my 2 weeks break down:

Walking - 19.4m in 5hrs 12mins
Stepper - 12378 in 2 hrs 45mins
1 swim - 1 hour

So that's 9hrs exercise or double my normal exercise. Result!

Weight has stayed stable but that's more to do with calories in rather than calories out! Posture/form has really improved in fact I think my figure is starting to reflect the improved posture. Niggle-wise I still have a few minor niggles (I wouldn't have run anyway I expect and would probably have sat on my butt). The front of my right hip has adjusted to upright walking but I still get the occasional niggle on the quad that 1st bothered me 3 weeks ago, but very minor and rare now. Calves are behaving too so all good. I have done some fizzio exercises but not too many and with the improved posture I have already noticed an improvement anyway which is a bonus!

Next week I am on a course and will be staying at mum's. In fact from Sunday this week until Sunday evening next week I will only have 1 evening meal at home. On returning back to normality I will be adding "food monitoring" to the campaign. The exercise is on track (getting more and more and working on doubles) so just need to look at calories in now. Still feeling positive which is another good thing!

Oh and now I need some advice and opinions. As Gnome is now at splash school he wants to swim more (and it's free for him now!). He also doesn't want me watching (I distract him apparently!) and the Ts & Cs say I can't leave the building, which means I can't go for a walk whilst he is swimming! I've looked into "stuff" and the gym next to work is the same group and does a corporate discount. This means I could swim at both pools and use both gyms and do classes at both for the same (ish) as I was paying for swimming alone last summer. Now the question is .... Body Balance and Body Pump? Views? Opinions? Any good? They don't have pilates but isn't body balance similar?

The good thing about this is I could swim before work when family life lets me, use the gym for 45-50mins whilst Gnome is in swimming lessons and also do a class or maybe 2 during my lunch breaks. Also there is Body Balance after work but not until 6.30 so I could swim after work and before class! Even if I just did 1 swim with Gnome and 1 gym (both at the weekend) it works out cheaper than "pay as you go" if I ignore the "admin" fee that is!!!

Anyway I won't do anything until I am back from my course (so in 2wks) so time to think about it!

So that's my review! All advice and comments, as always, welcome! Oh and Benz ... gardening is great cross training! There are Drs who do "green gym" referrals you know!! Now where are my seeds and books .... >wanders off into green hazed world<

Cross Training

2007-02-04T16:21:00.000Z

Ok so technically I'm cross training the whole time these days, that is if you still say I am a runner! If you say I am a walker just now then yes I've been cross training!

Over the week I have done lots of sessions, in fact I've done 2 sessions on a few days! My stepper has been used 4 times (7905 steps) and I've walked 7.1m (3 sessions) during the working week, not bad!

Yesterday I did no formal exercise. I did walk to the paper shop and butchers in the village. Then we all went shopping and marched round "Swad" (I got accused of walking to fast! That's a first!) trying to locate our local tile shop to get the kitchen finished. Local shop is closed :-( so we then had to waste some time before Gnome's swimming lesson. £50 later Gnome has new foot wear and it's time for swimming.

Later in the day we went off to Homebase and bought a load of paint (for me!) to paint the hallway and kitchen (boring but bright Classic Cream) and then finished the day off with a very naughty but rather nice meal at Pizza Hut! Gnome's 1st visit to a Pizza restaurant and yes he wants to go again "'cos the pizza is nice and the ice cream factory great!".

Today I've been a very busy pixie! I spent the best part of 2hrs clearing the remainder of the rubbish from the kitchen. This filled both cars meaning a family trip to the tip! I now need to hoover my car again but at least it's all cleared!

This afternoon Gnome wanted to go swimming. Knowing it was "splash happy" time (meaning lots of noisy kids with floats and balls) I decided to take my aqua jogger as I knew I wouldn't be able to do lengths. This then got left at the front door :-( so I ended up doing widths with a float doing kick work to try and strengthen my legs!

Weight-wise I'm not convinced I've done anything this week but I must be toning some muscles. I did notice towards the end of the week that my walking posture has improved a lot so that's a start! I do intend to try and increase my exercise, doing doubles most days and also get my exercise bike into the house so it gets used more.

Keep smiling folks!

Staying Focused

2007-01-31T19:48:00.000Z

Well OK so Monday I slipped but Tuesday I did 2 full sessions and today I did 2 half sessions. One thing I have really noticed is that my body is having to adjust a lot more than I expected it too. It's not the level of exercise or the impact it's simply my posture. For what must be the 1st time in ages I am concentrating 100% on walking upright and using muscles that aren't used to it.

The front of my quads and hips are stretching (especially my right side - the weaker side) and my butt is having to work. So surprisingly I have a few niggles but I know that it is use not injury so I am carrying on. They say it takes 21 days to form a habit so ... :-D

Work weigh-in saw 1lb off or 3lb in 3weeks which is good, slow but steady and that's what I need. I hope to, over time, increase my low impact sessions so that I exercise more too. On the whole my eating has improved with me being aware of hunger vs emotional eating. Today however I was tired very tired and head said SUGAR and caffeine. So I know I over ate today and what's more I also know it made no difference as I was still struggling to stay focused this afternoon even after eating and or drinking!

So overall I'm pleased and I will carry on with my quest!

Exercise is the Best Life Insurance Policy

2007-01-29T20:07:00.000Z

Just thought I would share that quote with you! I won't, however, tell you that it was said by Mr Motivator in his latest exercise DVD 'cos then you might think that I was a sad person and had said DVD which >blushes<>starts to burn up<.

Another good one is:
“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal;nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”
Thomas Jefferson
Now that is a quality quote and SOOOooo true isn't it!

Anyway last week. Thank you for the kind comments!
Now as a follow up I can update you on my week (well 6days):
Walked : 12.5m
Stepper: 2118 steps
Exercise bike: 6.4m

Not bad if I say so myself! This is a lot more exercise than I have been doing and I am working at a low level so hopefully this is not only burning calories but building base fitness too.

So as a follow on to this I have some targets for me!
By the end of April I want to have:
"Walked" the Grand Union Canal - 175m
"Stepped" my way to V-Rap's Cavern in Brum - 28m or 92,400 steps
"Cycled" the Trailwalker - 62m

Oh and lost some weight!

So this means each week on average ...14.m walked, 5m cycled and 7700 steps on the stepper oh and ideally a swim with Gnome too! So that's at least 5 walks (5 lunchtimes?), 2-3 lots of stepping and 1 cycle a week and a shed load of calories being used!

On a couple of days this week I could have easily have done nothing or I've been busy doing other stuff and considered using that as my 30mins but I haven't. I've been very focused on doing this 30mins. After all it is only 30mins so hardly taking up a huge amount of time. At present my bike is in the garage but I am considering moving this upstairs too (don't worry Duck I will leave room for the spare bed!!) as more incentive to use it.

Given the above targets I have to keep to my 30mins even when (in 2 weeks time) I go on a course and stay at mum's for a few days. This is important to me and therefore I need to push the excuses aside and (as the Nike ad says) Just Do IT! Having said that as I only had about 3hrs sleep last night thanks to hubby and had to do a panic/rush shop today (Gnome only has 1 pair of school trouser he declared last night!) so today's exercise was 40mins of trotting round the shops! I'm now too tired to do anything and just want to sleep! Sorry!

So ... how's the new plan going?

2007-01-25T07:15:00.000Z

Well actually it's good!
I did 2.6m walking yesterday and 3.2m today. I've also not suffered my normal "have run must eat" post run munches. This I think will be very helpful and hopefully will help break that habit!
Yesterday I decided to work out my rest heart rate, as I am useless at finding my pulse I put on my HRM and was delighted to get a reading of 48. Then for some kind or warped laugh I decided to wear it for the day! Now I only had it reading not recording so can't give you lots of stats but I did discover a few things.

Walking round the office I am nice and chilled with a HR around 100. Climbing the stairs (all 72) sees my HR shot up to 165 (and lots of heavy breathing). Driving is about 80-90. Now if I sit "normally" my HRM bleeps at me! It can't get a reading as I lean forward and slouch so much! So a HRM can also be a useful tool to help you watch your posture!

At lunch I went for my walk, the 1st part was a continual slight incline and from my "eyeball" technique of watching my HR I can advise my average HR was about 155. Base training is about 140-155 I think (MHR 206) so this is a good thing! I could even come out the other side of this with better fitness in a "base training" sort of way! Average HR for whole walk was 147 (last bit was down hill!) and I was walking a nice brisk pace of just over 15mm which is really pleasing, but I wasn't working too hard so I was able to go out today without worrying about anything other than the snow!

Whilst walking both days I have been paying much more attention to my "form". I really lean forward the whole time and swing my arms about in front of me therefore twisting! No wonder I get injured I'm a nightmare! So I took the time to think about the way I walked and what my arms were doing. In fact I soon realised that when I walk upright I actually use my butt muscles to walk! This I noticed as they suddenly said "hey we don't normally get used! What you doing?"
So all in all the last 2 days have been very productive and positive! Tomorrow I will be walking again but not so far as I have to include a visit to Tesco! My aim is 30mins of exercise a day - ideally more than once but hey once a day is a start.

Also without even thinking "I am on a diet I must eat less and east X Y and Z" I have eaten less and today I didn't even eat between meals. Maybe my head is really into this too! This is excellent news as A) I have told Spans I will give up chocolate with her for lent and B) she said she would sponsor me (with bonus if I am good!) for losing the weight! So now I have even more incentive!!

Update:
This morning I dragged myself out of bed (failed yesterday!) and I've done 30mins on my baby home stepper (2118 steps). This is for two reasons ... 1) get another lot of exercise in and 2) today's lunchtime walk will be less as I have my Tesco run to do!

Trail Separation

2007-01-22T19:15:00.000Z

It's no good I can't take any more. The feelings of failure, being demoralised and just feeling constantly useless. Never feeling good enough, never managing to get it right ....So that's it, I've had enough. I can't take any more. It's with great regret and heartache that I have to say yes to a trail separation.

The affair started in July 2002. I was approaching 30 and fat and frumpy and unfit. So on 4th July and I pulled on my trainers for the 1st time. Since then the lure of being hot and sweaty and out of breath has kept the affair strong. Through the years I've suffered heartache and pain, injury, joy and frustration. The love is there and it's strong but I can't take any more upset.

So ... me and running are having a trial separation. I don't want to split but it's no good. I can't take the mirror laughing at me anymore. I can't take the "impact ripple" of my thunder thighs, the chaffing from my bra or HRM and the niggling injuries.

Last week I ran but once and that was a bad run. I was sore that night and my leg is still not right. Yesterday I went swimming with Gnome and I could feel the leg and the occasional ouch was felt. I'm not happy. I've had (not mentioned here) a few back twinges lately too. These probably relate to what both fizzios said, poor core muscles, weak lower right back, twisting hips which in turn hurt hip (weak glut medious) and ..... just like that song about the skeleton. Everything is linked.

This leads me into the "so what next" bit. Well basically I need to get down and do those core exercises and fizzio prescribed exercises and strengthen my body. I also need to focus on weight lose. The fat feelings, the repulsion, the "belly in the way" feelings are getting too frequent. I'm getting really down (and that is so not me) and starting to hate myself. I don't want that.

So for the next 2 months I am losing weight. I'm not running. I will walk (power walk even) and still do my 3m in my lunch but aim for daily (less impact so less harsh on the body). I will swim with Gnome once a week and hopefully look to increase this too. I will also do my exercises and look to do 30mins on my exercise bike or stepper or hill walking on the tready at least 5 times a week. Doing less harsh exercise should mean I can do more exercise and therefore burn more calories.

My aim is to lose 1.5st before I run again. The longer I faff about not losing weight the longer I can't run for. I like running, I want to run so therefore I have to focus. This means that when I do pull my percepts on again I will be lighter and my muscles should be in better condition too and I will still have plenty of time to train for the R4L.

So that's the bargain. No more running until 1.5st has gone. My body has been warning me lately and I have to listen (heart working too hard, breathlessness etc). So it's lots of low impact exercise and sensible eating. I am going to follow the Paul McKenna way of thinking and only eat when I am actually hungry and question myself when my head says food required. I have no choice I have to do this for my health and my sanity.

Highs & Lows!

2007-01-17T19:49:00.000Z

Well been a bit of a mixed time since I last blogged!

The weekend was good! OK so I didn't run but I did have another great day at the Cavern and swimming with the Buzzy ones and Raptorites and Gnome!

Saturday I did a "lets empty the kitchen so I don't have to worry about time tomorrow" thing. Monday I had a sore quad. This I decided was a slight touch of DOMS (after I had cancelled my run!) from the kitchen clearing (think climbing on stool and going on tip toe of one leg (same one) to check cupboards are empty).

Tuesday (Kitchen day!) and I decided I would try a run alone so no pressure. Leg better but not 100%. This is my Fetch report:
"Really awful run, didn't run yesterday due to sore right quad (believed to be DOMS (el-Bee) due to kitchen work!) but wasn't bad today so thought it would be good to run it out. Solo run and horrid. Calves a little tight but not too bad, form awful (had to keep on relaxing shoulders) and was aware of quad. In the last 1/2m my lower right leg (half of calf and ankle) went numb and horrid (think thick lip at dentist) so walked most of last bit in. Stretch by hanging off calf and that hurt. Numbness took 10mins to go but feels tingly now I'm back at my desk. Quad also felt sore when walking upstairs but not in a DOMS way. Not sure about tomorrow's run."

That night my quad was really sore and I was less than happy. So today (still sore walking up stairs) I rested. I've cancelled my runs with LA this week. Have decided to rest and stretch and maybe have a short run (or two) at the weekend.

In the meantime I get to cross train with the mop and pail! Lots of cleaning of floors and cupboards before I even consider putting things back in my nice new kitchen!

Diet has gone to pot this week due to having no oven or cooking facilities! Pub meal last night, take away pizza tonight and team lunch at pub Friday! On a more positive side I may be doing a sponsored slim at work (hopefully a corporate slim) for Macmillan Cancer (they looked after hubby's Grandad before he died) and I will also be suggesting a walking club or running club to help increase staff fitness (fitness and weight are reportedly connected to cancer they say) and raise money too. The company gives the "charity of the year" £10,000 and then matches staff fund raising too which is brilliant!

Puddle Running!

2007-01-11T18:20:00.000Z

Yep it's been raining lots and lots and I was out for a run today!!

LA and I almost forewent today's run as the rain was fantastic this morning but come 11:55 it seemed to slow and by the time we had changed it had stopped. It was still windy mind!

We decided to do our normal route in reverse. The golf course we cross was deserted and water logged! Then we discovered the side gate out of the golf course was locked (no golfers so closed I guess!) meaning we had to double back and "jog" through the actual leisure centre!! I then realised that the road through the village was actually all downhill for most of the last mile meaning that there was a huge chunk of uphill to do!

Pixies are very bad at going uphill's (I'm not allowed to say Pixies don't do hills since TW or buzzy people shout at me!). I have no hill stamina what so ever (yes I know I need to do some hill work!) so I struggled. Once I was up the hill I made up the 20-30ft gap between LA and I and moved ahead in the short downhill to the trail.

The trail is just over a mile long and was one big puddle! No point in trying to avoid them so I just ran through them! Got very wet feet and a scratched leg from a branch but it was fun! Then at the end it was down some steep stairs and up a hill again. So having lead the whole of the way down the trail I fell back again going up hill!

We decided that trying to cross the field was foolish so went round the slightly longer route through the houses and then back to the office. Total time 40mins exactly. OK so not the fastest run or my best run but given we nearly didn't go as the weather wasn't nice (it stayed dry in the end!) it was a very pleasing run!

Tomorrow I cross train in M&S! Saturday Gnome has his 1st swimming lesson and he wants to go for a run in the afternoon too! I've already done 10m this week which is a pathetic number but more than I have been doing! So onwards and upwards!

I Been Running!

2007-01-09T21:29:00.000Z

Yep twice already and another planned Thursday and maybe even a short trot on Sunday with a buzzy one following a splashing session! >beams enthusiastically<

Ok so Monday. Got up and again massaged legs. Was conscious of last week's bad runs and running with LA. She had a meeting at 1 so I knew she would want to get on and run. As it turned out she was late getting to the changing (so I stretched and warmed up! >listens for applause< whilst waiting). It was wet and windy. The playing field we cross was wet (1" deep puddles everywhere hidden from view due to long grass!) and muddy so slippery. The trail had lots of puddles too and it was hard work! The legs held together well with minimal ache/tightness and I didn't walk at all! Time was 3mins slower than my best and about 60-90 secs off the average time. Hmmm.

Today LA decided we would do the slightly longer route. Down hill for the 1st 1-1.5m then uphill all the way home. Today was also VERY windy. Dry but very very strong winds. I just couldn't cope, I was running but felt like I was going nowhere. We've only done this route once and my 1st checkpoint (!! end of downhill section) was 2mins slower. After that I was just too shot to take advantage of any time we were sheltered. The other checkpoints were only 30secs out which I was pleased with! Again I kept running like yesterday but my legs were so tired! Also I think that both yesterday and today I was leaning into the wind as after about 20mins I had such back ache. I wanted to do the hands on hips and lean back pose like a pregnant lady does to stretch! Now this could be leaning into the wind or it could be body shouting "core muscles!" not sure which!

When I got back to my desk fate decreed what my 1st goal of the year would be race wise. The company (well our department at least!) are doing the Leicester RFL in July (? website not live until 5th Feb so date unknown as yet!) and yes I said I would do it! The Brum one was earlier this year so hopefully Brum will be a trot with Tinks, Leicester will be a proper race (31mins?) and then in September I will race the Hydro Active again (sub 30 by then I hope!). So training properly now

Week One Gone!

2007-01-07T12:30:00.000Z

Well it seems to have passed fairly quickly doesn't it, but yes we are now at the end of week one of 2007! Surprisingly I am not reporting failure left right and center! So far I have eaten more fruit and veg, run 3 times, stretched and done some abs work! I've also swum once and I will be doing a double today (morning run, afternoon swim) as Gnome wants to swim today!

This morning I have been out and done my 3rd run of the week. Three short runs see just 8.42m clocked up so this month looks like it will be short on the 40m, but consistency is the key and the last 2 years have seen a good week 1 and 2 then nothing!

Today's run was better than Friday's in that I didn't walk and the legs were less tight but was still slower than I had been running. I got up, made some tea then massaged my lower legs for 30mins. Drank my tea, changed and headed out the door.

The 201 wasn't playing ball today saying I had done 1m within 3mins! So I just ran. After Friday's effort I deliberately went slow and then slower (hence slow overall). I did almost the same route as Monday meaning the last 1+m was uphill. Not the best of routes but it's all roadwork, all very visible and there are 2 murderers on the lose in Derbyshire (hubby even suggested last night I didn't run). After a mile(ish) my legs were still tired and heavy but not as tight as Friday so I tried to pick up the pace. It was really really hard to do that but I gritted my teeth and dug in. I managed about a mile slightly faster before I dropped back to a shuffle run. But I didn't walk and that was my goal. The weather was wet and a bit windy so not great and as I headed back to the High Street I knew I had to go home. I was tired and there was no point in pushing it too much.

Once home I did some stretching and abs work, then had a nice hot bath (no ice for me!) and massaged my legs again. I think it is time I started to learn to love stretching and massage as my heel is getting that occasional bruised feeling just like this time last year and I don't want what followed now do I!

Update...

Have been to pool with Gnome, 'twas the happy splash session so lots of screaming kids with floats and ball throwing. This meant I didn't get to do many proper lengths so no distance to record just 1hr in pool! Gnome enjoyed it which is the main thing. He's not been to this pool before and it is where he will be doing his swimming lessons from next week!

Also I have been plotting and planning! When we moved 2yrs ago I put the small TV with DVD in the conservatory so I could use it for TV watching, ironing and exercise DVDs. Reality was TV watching and Gnome watching DVDs! It was in direct view of hubby's favorite chair in the lounge so prime positioning for him to rip the pish out of me! So I've moved it upstairs!. The plugs are in a better position for ironing, so I can watch my TV whilst ironing! Plus I have a door so can exercise in peace! My gym ball is there too and my mat is in the cupboard (with some light free weights) so now I can in theory at least, get my butt into gear! You know do some exercises DVDs and actually do some toning/stretching whilst watching the TV too! OK so it's just the 5 channels (and a DVD) but Gnome has his own DVD player so I can hide! Well that's the plan anyways!!

Welcome to 2007!

2007-01-05T21:09:00.000Z

OK so I'm a tad late on this post, I'll blame my course as I was away in Manchester for 2 nights with no Internet access! Right then resolutions? Hmmm Ok here goes.

Stop eating diet food - was sent a free sample of slimfast soup which was so foul I didn't eat it and when I looked at it the slimfast was worse nutritionally than Heinz Big Soup!
Run 500m in 2007, did 400m in 2006 and if I can do 40m per month this is 480m, just add a couple of races and a couple of good weeks and Bob's your uncle!
Aim to do the 5K swimathon (did my fastest 1m swim Christmas week - 43mins) This means I need to do some swimming! Gnome wants to do the Green Park Challenge at the Reading half marathon so I may see if I can swim this at Reading.
Drink more eat less lose weight eat more fruit (the normal!) Well you expected that didn't you! The ladies in the team attached to mine are doing a team "diet" as of Monday so I am joining in. This also means I will/have stopped WW. I have all the information I need and think I will get more support from the ladies I work with (and daily!) than a weekly class of people I don't know. Saves money too!
Max race of a half towards the end of the year so work on shorter distances and speed. I want to do the Hydro Active 5k in Brum again (with V-rap) and smash my PB. So that's a goal for September. Maybe do a half in October?
More consistency in running (aim for 3 runs during the week) see comments on annual mileage!
Pass probationary period here and try to get to a higher job grade during 2007
Actually read the magazines I buy and don't buy new ones until I have read the ones I have!
Do some extra exercise like stretches and toning. Said that before haven't I!

Today I went for a run. Well I went to the Post Office in my kit faster than a walk and proceeded back to the office in a longer route than required faster than walking! I had a parcel to post so took it with me. There was a massive queue so after waiting for a couple of mins to see if it was moving I carried on carrying my parcel! Well A4 envelope with stuff in not a huge box or anything!

The run today resulted in a "at least I got out" affair as it was really slow, more walking than running, legs heavy and tired and my calves tight. This could be due to the race or indeed the long drive to Manchester and back as I am not used to long drives. Anyway I wasn't a happy Pixie! My parcel wasn't posted, I skinned my knuckle on the handle of the security gate and it was slow with bad legs! I mean there wasn't anything positive about it really!

Tomorrow Gnome and I are shopping and swimming. Hubby is on weekends so if I want my 3rd run of the week then I will be out after dark (in my new reflective bib) tomorrow (hmm that will be a double) unless I can get up early on Sunday! Unless!

Anyways that's my thoughts for the year ahead! Lets see what happens hey?!

Bye Bye 2006

2006-12-31T20:12:00.000Z

That was the year that was as they say. I won't miss 2006. It hasn't been a brilliant year really has it! OK so TrailWalker was a definite high! Getting a new job was too but there was the car crash, the PF, the tendon strain and a huge dose of "CBA 'cos it's too hot". On top of that was was a half PB that was beaten by another PB, a 5k race which was my 1st 5K race without walking and then my best run of the year averaging 10:44 pace a few weeks ago.

That left me with an annual mileage of 397 that was just too close to the 400 to leave. So today I got up, dragged Gnome out of bed and headed towards the Cavern. After much discussion my car was loaded with Mr Speedy, Gnome, el Bee and Haggis and we were off to Lichfield for the Last Chance 5k and 2k fun run. Gnome and I were going to do the 2k but we got there too late so had no choice (coughs loudly and forgets the organisers offer of waiting for us) but to do the 5k! Gnome has only run one race before (the 3k a few months ago) and has never done 5k what so ever! I was happy to race 2k but less confident about 5k.

The course was tough. Wet muddy and slippery for 80% of each loop (it was 2.5 laps round a park) with a small amount of tarmac path. Road shoes were NOT ideal! Somehow I managed to keep trotting along and finished without any walking but lots of slipping in 35:18! A new PB (old one of 34:20 was SHORT!) so very happy especially as I know it would have been at least 1min quicker on roads. Gnome also completed the course very tired and red in the face. I was SOOOOOOo proud of him and I'm waiting to be told I am the world's worstest mummy once the DOMS set in!!

So 2006 finishes with 400m and a PB! Plus several hours in the company of some brilliant friends!

Tomorrow I am off to Manchester and a hotel where I will think my new year through and plot and plan! I do know 2007 will be shorter races, faster races, and hopefully the 5K swimathon but more on that Thursday once I am back and recovered!

In the mean time you all have an amazing new year and here's to a fantastic 2007!

I need an extra 3m ...

2006-12-29T19:43:00.000Z

Ok so it hardly sounds a lot and if I had put more effort into exercise rather than being a dutiful daughter and eating too much last week then there would be no talk of needing 3m! So this is what I have been up to lately ...

Tuesday I finished work at 4 and headed home. Car was filled, literally!, and Gnome and I set off. As I had finished early I was able to plan food at mum's rather than a maccy d which was good! Soon I realised that the journey would be slower than normal due to fog. Through Oxford I was almost navigating by the cats eyes in the road. It wasn't nice. Journey time just over 3hrs and 1 shattered Pixie.

Wednesday saw my 1st supermarket visit of the week oh and computer shop as Gnome broke dad's monitor! I mean found it broken!! hehe.

Thursday was a day at Nirvana! Nothing all day apart from chill and chat with mum oh and a 1m swim in my best ever time of 43mins!! >beams<

Friday, more shopping. Farm shop and Morrisons + 4.2m foggy walk run stagger (tired legs from swim!). Saturday, M&S and Macro. Sunday Waitrose. Yes mum was cooking for 40! Well ok 6!
Being dutiful daughter I hoovered every day (2 fluffy cats and a Gnome!) and emptied the dishwasher more times than I have my own at home! (5 times on the 25th!) So hardly the very relaxing break I expected especially as dad said "what's mum doing now?" every time she left the room and I was expected to investigate!

Grandma joined us on Christmas Eve ... it broke my heart seeing her this time.

Boxing Day we "moved" (think 2 full cars as hubby drove down Sunday) to the in-laws. More food and wine! I also joined mum-in-law on a walk both Tuesday and Wednesday so felt less lardy! Thursday it was home time via Fraggle's!

Presents for me ... Jamie Oliver cook book, kitchen knife set, full length mirror, jewellery box, chocolates and M&S vouchers. Nice one!

Hubby works for a firm who deal with biscuits and we now have 10 boxes/tins of biscuits! I hope to pass some on to v-rap this weekend!

Now this 3m ... well as I only did 1 run last week (had planned 3) my totals are low. I did 3.5m today and logged it into Fetch ... 397m for the year and therein lies the missing 3m!!! OK 397 is not bad given my bad year, and Fetch does include the TW 62m as that was a race so 397 is too high really! But add in all the walking for TW (at least 4 walks longer than marafun distance) it's too low for exercise!

Anyway now is the time to start pondering the year that was and the year to come ... :-D

Happy Christmas One and All!

2006-12-17T16:09:00.000Z

Yes I know there is technically one week to go but I won't be around much (if at all) between now and then!
So:

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!! May Santa bring you all you wish for!

Anyway, now for a quick update. Friday I didn't run not only because I needed the rest but because I need Calpol! Yes Gnome has decided now is an excellent time to get a cough/cold! Bless! So instead of a relaxing mug of soup over a good book (yes still reading the Competitive Runner's Handbook) it was a dash down the road to the very busy Fosse Park and play spot the parking space. Then dash to Boots (interval training slalom style), M&S, JJB and W H Smith (well thought I would grab a few last minute bits whilst I was there!). Followed by a dash back to the office.

Yesterday I was thinking of running and almost went out but stuff had to be done and Gnome was poorly so I stayed in. So today I was up and ready to run when I looked out and saw white icy roads. Typical! Anyway I was only planning a short one stopping at Tesco for a paper etc then a walk AKA cool down home. As I had this walk to finish with I started off in my jacket (so I could put it on when I finished running) but it wasn't on that long because it was perfect crisp sunny winters morning. Ideal for a long run! My legs however had a different idea! Combine legs that are still tired (recent increase in distance, number of runs and pace will be the reason behind this one!) and slippy roads and today's run was a slow steady one with a few walk breaks. Still 3m done which saw me increase my distance from last week by just under 10% so ideal!

This afternoon I gave blood so tomorrow I rest then Tuesday I am off home and working my lunch so I can leave early. Add that to the fact I will be at mum's/ down south for just over a week and as I said I won't be about much!

What I will be doing is carry on reading my I mean V-Rap's book and thinking about my training. The how what why and also the logging of information to try and see what I am doing. In addition I have an Oracle course in Manchester on the 2nd Jan for 2 days. So from Monday 8th Jan I will be working hard at work, running and body image and shape.

2006 has been a rough old year. 2 Halves, 2 PBs. 1 car crash, PF and a strained foot tendon. A storming TW and a new job. Very inconsistent training overall and I find myself ending the year at about the same weight, mileage and pace and I finished 2005.

So roll on 2007 and again I say lets make it a better year than this one!

I Need a Holiday!

2006-12-14T21:53:00.000Z

It's been a long time since I was off work - August in fact. The new job is great but I have been using my brain and concentrating so much I am now one tired Pixie. Fatigue is hitting home and affecting things.

Tuesday I was off and my brain said "take advantage of this time!" so I went swimming for 1hour. Yesterday I did, maybe somewhat foolishly, go for a run. The wind was very strong and my legs were tired so I recorded my slowest run in ages - beginning of October in fact. When I finished I was struggling to run (it was up hill into the wind mind!) and my heel was a little niggly. I had 8hrs solid sleep last night and still tired. I'm drinking more tea at work than I have for literally years (this I proving expensive so I will investigate the use of a thermos!) and I am in need of a break!

I'm supposed to be running with L tomorrow. I've said I am not 100% sure although I will have my kit, as my heel is niggly. Feel guilty about saying that and guilty at considering missing a run when I am not injured! But will running or could running bring on an injury?!???!
Next week will be easy as I am giving blood Sunday so rest Monday and I will rest Tuesday as I am driving home Tuesday night and don't want to be any more tired than I would be anyway! After that I am at mum's doing not very much apart from putting up the decorations, some food shopping oh and spending a day at Nirvana Spa!

I've started reading "The Competitive Runners Handbook" (borrowed from v-rap!) and the consistency factor is ringing round my head.

So do I run or do I rest? Well given I'm only here now 'cos I feel asleep watching TV I'm saying No to a run! Rest it is!

Sensible Head

2006-12-12T13:12:00.000Z

The choice was getting wet or getting wet. I opted for the wet but warm option rather than the wet, cold and wind swept option!

So 1m done at the pool including 2 goals being achieved and some board work. I said a while ago I wanted to be able to do 20 lengths non stop DONE and 10 lengths of front crawl non stop DONE!! So happy pixie.

Used a different pool today as I wanted to see about lessons for Gnome. It was a nightmare to locate the car park and once I found it, it was full to the brim with cars circling for spaces so I drove the 200m down the road to the free parking and nabbed the last space there instead!

The pool is old so not pretty or ponced up but it is clean and in good repair and they do Saturday lessons and Gnome can start this week! OK so he then has 2 weeks off but how good is that! My other option was the pool near work and a possible start mid February! So just need to get the OK from Gnome and a commitment to get out of bed for a 9:30 lesson every week until March (he will miss 1 week at half term mind). Given he wasn't going to have lessons up until about a month ago I think this is a good thing! Especially as he gets badges!

This afternoon is his school play (hence I am off work today) and I was going to stroll there and back but we have a drop or two of rain! If it stops in the next 20mins I will walk if not it's the car which will annoy me in a way as it's only in the village so I may just say sod it get wet and tell Gnome to get wet too! He was swimming today too so has a towel with him!! he-he I am such a harsh mother!

Consistency

2006-12-11T20:27:00.000Z

Today I woke up (having finally got to sleep) to lashings of wet stuff outside. I packed my kit and wondered if it would get used.

I had hardly slept so was tired meaning a missed run wouldn't leave me depressed! But at 11:30 boss pops her head round .... "12 OK for our run???" and I say yes!

We chose a different route today, down the 1/2m long drive, along the road then up onto the trail and to the back gate. The first 1m or more was predominantly down so legs took me along happily. Then there was a short steep up to the trail where I deliberately pushed ahead to enable me to walk as it was only 1 person wide! I had already decided this was gonna be hard! I was tired and the lack of rest was showing!

Along the trail I battled to stay with boss and ignored the demons screaming walk. I was working hard my legs were not happy but again at about the 2/3 mark I pushed ahead to allow a short walk! Down a steep wet slimy muddy slope to a road - I was being sensible of course!!

Then it was back to the office - where had this last hill come from? We'd been going UP since the start of the trail! I so wanted to walk! Phew a road to cross ... bugger no cars to allow a stop! I was never so pleased to see the changing rooms! Time 39:40.

Having got home I've tried to work out the distance accurately but can't get a high res map with the whole run on but it seems to be a smidge over 3.5m maybe 3.65 but we'll call it 3.55m not that I am fussy! This makes an average pace of 11:10mm. Looks like the consistency is finally starting to hit home!

Today's lessons :

I'm getting so much better at pushing myself and working hard.
I'm competitive really!
Hard work and pain are short lived.
Sleep is good!
Consistency works!

Glitter Everywhere!

2006-12-10T19:56:00.000Z

Today we finally got round to putting up the Christmas decs. I wrote some cards, made the lantern and started to glitter the snowman's hat! The carpet (already hoovered twice this weekend) is not covered in glitter!

To maintain the pretty coloured theme I have two kiddie plasters (1 red 1 yellow!) on my left hand (Sunday roasts are dangerous I tell you!) and the wrapping paper is ready for use.

Shortly I will settle down with the last of last nights wine and attach the wrapping!

I did think about running today but the weather was awful and my legs don't approve of the excessive board work I did in the pool yesterday! Tomorrow I will be talking my kit to work however and Tuesday as I am off I may do a longer run - or a short run and a swim at a potential swimming lesson pool!

Whilst reading RW magazine last night I did seriously consider a NYD 5m in Derbyshire and then thought NO I'm not up to race pace and I won't even look at races until I am consistently running 10mm pace. I even deleted the Reading Half from my fetch race profile.

Talking of decisions - WW costs me £5 per week and I have come to the conclusion I am not getting what I need out of it. I said I would give it to Christmas and I have near as damn it. Tuesday hubby has to go to work at 5.30 so I can't go easily and next Tuesday I am driving home. So I will follow the WW principles, weigh myself at home every Monday morning and stay focused by running more and joining the ladies at work in their NY diet.

Running wise I want to hit 4 weekday runs by the end of January and I also want to get back to weekend runs to combine with the Gnome weekend swim. If he starts lessons then I will do a 30mins run whilst he has his lesson. The weekday runs are important as they reduce my morning eating (don't want a stitch) and improve my mood (Friday I was on cloud 9 after that run!). If I take soup then I am also not eating excessively either. That leaves just evening meals to crack (portion control) and weekends (I do like a glass of wine but maybe that should be put on hold if it is slowing my weight lose plans?) If Bear can do it why can't I?

Anyway the wrapping is calling!

Oh one final word "WELL DONE V-RAP AND BEE" great race guys!

Stuff! Good Stuff!

2006-12-09T13:35:00.000Z

Oh now where to start!

OK easy one 1st ... I now have a size small but actually quiet large FLM top! Matches me rather large FLM finishers tee! This is good news as it doesn't mean I have to torment myself with deferring!!

Also today Gnome and I swam. He's not going to be up to the swimathon as the shortest individual distance is 100 lengths! The team event is 200 lengths! So next year then! In the mean time I will try and find him some lessons.

Now for the best-est news!

Friday I was tired, didn't really want to run but took my kit anyway. I was worried about being tired and running with L as I am so much slower than her. Work was busy so I tried to use that as an excuse to get out of running then to run a shorter route, but L being my boss as such said we were fine! When walking up the stairs in the morning my legs had felt tired. This was not going to be pretty! I had ended up walking on Thursday and this was my 1st proper week of 3 runs in months and this was back to back runs.

So off we went. The wind was sooooo much better today! We weren't battling head down! L started off quickly (she later said she thought we were going too slow!). We got to the 1st check point (as such!) and we were definitely up on Thursday. Now for Whistler Way, nice and sheltered but mind the fallen tree! My legs weren't happy and L was a bit ahead but I tried to stay focused. We passed some dog walkers and I snuck ahead. Got to CP2 ahead and only 15secs off the best time for that section - maybe it would be a good run after all! Up the woodland stairs and up the hill. I ran up fighting the urge to walk all the way - wow PB up the hill! Now a nice downhill section! Hang on L is behind me! I can hear her actually breathing! I know I'm working hard but it's not bad and I'm ahead and want to stay there!

We get to the leisure center. J's best time here is 26:39 and that's my target for before he gets back. He had joked I had to get to sub 30mins by the end of Q1 as my work target! We get to the corner and I hit the split button .... 30:35! OMG that's coming up to a 1min off my PB! What is going on! L is still behind. Now I am tired, my legs are saying walk but my head is saying "storming run keep going"

I'm still ahead! All the way back to the office. I'm pushing hard trying to stay in front of L and it feels like the end of a race when I'm actually racing rather than just taking part! I daren't look at my watch ... I reach the final corner, hit the button and stop. My heart is pounding, my breathing is heavy and I can't reply to the other runner heading off! My previous best had seen fetch say that 5k (this is a 3.2m loop) would be 34:20 as my previous best time had been 35:26. I looked at my watch .... 34:20!! OMG!!! New PB by over a minute and over 2mins faster than Thursday! What had happened! I didn't even want to run as I was tired! WOW!!!!

Needless to say I was a very happy beaming pixie for the rest of the day! This gave me an average pace of 10:44 and my BEST EVER run! Never before had I managed a run of that length and pace on the flat let alone with undulations! VERY happy!

L has now suggested we find some more routes. With hills to make us stronger and do some longer routes too. Who am I to say no to the boss hey!!

New Running Buddy

2006-12-07T21:33:00.000Z

J may have only left Thursday but by Friday I had a new partner sorted. We ran on Monday and again today and will be out tomorrow too probably (my 1st 3 run week for months).

L is my boss (well the boss of my boss to be accurate!) and hasn't run for a few months. Before our 1st run I found out some gossip about her and this is what I now know about my new running partner.

L used to be a county cross country runner!
Her best pace is 5:15mm pace!
We did the normal 3m loop - no walking (1st run in months?) and she didn't break a sweat!

HELP!! Looks like I'm going to have to start working hard on my runs!

Diet is not brilliant but the ladies at work have decided to do a team "diet club" in January and I'm joining, because of this and the cost I may drop the WW classes and just weigh with them and follow the ww plan. One of the ladies is about my weight and wants to lose the same as me. She doesn't exercise. In January she is also off on holiday for 3wks after that I will take her on a 3m walk during 1 lunch break a week and we will then aim to introduce her to run walk and then running the Race For Life in July time. So come Feb-March time I will be running 3 times a week, walking once and doing a run walk once (working up to twice) then whatever the weekend brings!!

Still no FLM mag for me so tomorrow I will call them as the phone message says we can call from the 8th! I'm sure I have a top somewhere in the postal system for me!

Today's run was wet and windy. Wet under foot with a minimal bit of drizzle then a downpour after we had changed meaning we had to run back to the office in the driving wind and ran! Monday L ran with me, she didn't know my pace or where she was going. Today she stayed in front of me most of the time (fox and hound style!) As we reached the top of the hill at about 2m she was about 30ft in front of me but I caught up and over took before the bottom of the hill! I can do downhill running me! Needless to say she was only a few inches behind me and soon passed me again! We did the 3m loop and with the wind and tired legs (don't know why) I had to walk some of the last 1/4m but still finished 20secs quicker than Monday. I can see her pushing me to a new PB before long!

Sunday I went swimming with Gnome and he came back saying he was seriously thinking of lessons. The local pool only does lessons 3:30-6 weekdays so I am trying to find some on a Saturday morning. The pool by work does them but that is a good 30mins drive away! Still I would rather do that than him get lazy and fat! I could also go for a short run whilst he was swimming as the lessons last 30mins!

Think that's about all for now! Take care and sleep well!

Do you know what?

2006-12-03T16:13:00.000Z

I'm actually starting to think that maybe just maybe I will start to see my dreams happening soon! My last few runs have all been under 12mm pace in fact the last 2 have been closer to 11mm pace.

So my short term goals are now .... 10mm pace by the end of Jan 2007. My current 11mm pace is verging on proper runner rather than plodder and when I get to 10mm pace I think I can then be a proper runner verging on competitive.

I'm not in the least bit bothered about distance - I'm happy with my 3m runs at work and I want to get the time right down before I increase the distance. I have no races to enter so distance isn't an issue.

Still no FLM magazine but I am expecting my FLM jacket this week!

Oh and a HUGE well done to Spans who has just reported in as winning lady at The Grim!!

Lots of Updates!

2006-11-28T22:06:00.000Z

Kitchen update!
Sainsbury have been very slow and I've had to chase them but today they were very helpful! In fact they are concerned we may end up out of pocket so have even suggested a work around for us to get kitchen fitted without us then having to pay out extra for missing bits etc. Very helpful! So it's now down to us to make up our minds on fitters etc and take it from there! Looks like I may get my kitchen fitted after all but not until the new year now anyway! Still there is light and soon I will be able to use my garage and therefore treadmill!

Today I will be having my last run with J. He has just changed phones for the new Nokia 5500 (as seen on the Fetch site) and it looks cool! It comes with sports software that enables you to log runs, walks etc and calculates the distance covered by using a pedometer style measurement system. OK so this isn't hugely accurate (compared to a garmin) but it will be interesting to see how accurate it is. If it's good then when I get to change my phone (not for ages mind!) I may see if I can get one so I can use that to record my lunchtime walks too! OK it's true I just want another gadget!!

>Post Run Edit<
OMG!
Not sure what happened there then!
New PB by 1min 36!
Fetch works that out to a 34:20 5K which is my PB (set on a short flat course and this route is not flat or short!) So I am WELL happy! In fact Fetch says that apart from 2 1m time trials last year this was my best pace for 2005 and 2006 so probably a best ever! How happy am I! (The Nokia said it was over 4m and we did 8mm pace which would be lovely if somewhat of a lie!)
The weather was perfect, Ok so there was a few sloppy wet patches across the field and down the trail (J has now officially got his shoes properly muddy after 176m!) but perfect! Neither of us are sure what went right today … it just happened! Today's run was 3mins faster than last week and 2 mins faster than the week before almost! OK so we ran up the hill but that can't have accounted for all the time!

Oh well! Don't care! Most happy!

---------------------------------------------
Oh and for anyone interested … Tour De France is in London on 7th July 2007 doing a time trial on The Mall and in Hyde Park.

Oh and finally another 2lb off!

I Have ....

2006-11-27T20:13:00.000Z

One new arm band for I-Pod and new earphones for I-Pod so ready for action!

Tomorrow will be my last run with J. I've also finished all (grins) my Christmas shopping (OK so I have wrapping and cards to do but still!) which means I have no reason not to run at lunchtime now. So ….. Let battle commence!

Whilst driving home last week I realised that my "Work It!" CD that I bought to support the Olympic bid has some great up-beat running music! So I now have the music and the means to listen to it! Have also located the 2006 Work It! CD for variety! Both CD's are double albums and both have upbeat and less upbeat tunes so perfect for long slow runs too! Cool! Hopefully I will get to test this out this week - I think J is only planning one run this week as he leaves Thursday (drink at lunchtime) so I will have to get out alone defiantly once maybe twice. We'll see! If I don't do 3 runs this week then I will extend to 3 runs next week … I'm still to get back to weekend running!

It's All Me!

2006-11-23T19:52:00.000Z

No I am not meaning the blog which is of course all about me as it is MY blog! No seriously this is different.

Yesterday afternoon we had a corporate hug and amidst the "we beat/thrashed this target" etc there was a "motivational speaker". There was black shapes on white back ground which eventually formed a word (FLY) and "what can you make of what you see" (I saw the word fly straight away but then how many e-mails go round saying "what can you see!"?) and this lead into a long section on conditioning. I'm sure the whole speaker thing was meant to motivate us in our jobs but I came out thinking:

Who said I can't lose weight? ME!!
Who said I will always be fat? ME!!
Who said I am fat? ME!!
Who said I am a slow runner? ME!!
Who said I can't run fast? ME!!
Who said I'm a plodder? ME!!
Who said I will never be fast? ME!!
…. The list went on.
In fact it's true

… it's only me holding me back!

It's J's last week next week and then I am on my own when running. He's been good in that he's kept me running faster, and I want to keep this going and improve on it. My 1st idea is to look at running with music. So I am looking for an arm-band thing for my shuffle (beams at Fraggle) and head phones. Then I will look at various routes as my main route loses it's 201 signal being tree lined. Then there are different types of runs …short long fast hilly etc.
I can be thin and I can run fast! It's only me who is stopping me and it's only me who says I can't and it's only me who can change things!

>Post Run Edit<

Wow! 'tis very windy out there! And my legs are still tired from Sunday. Still I went out and ran! Only 1 more run with J now and today's run was again just under 12mm pace including walking so I'm pleased. There is lots of room for improvement there! Also I still haven't quiet got my new shoe laces right as I had a slight ache on my foot when I finished (same one that was bad recently) and the blister hasn't healed yet so that hurt too. Since I had my sore tendon the top of my right foot has been more susceptible to this so I will be looking for new methods of lacing shoes. So if anyone has some suggestions do let me know! Still good run and I am pleased with it!

Big Yawn!

2006-11-21T18:51:00.000Z

Boy am I tired!

It seems that the suicide took it's toll yet my legs seem to be fine (will report back on that after lunchtime run!). Bear also said he was tired yesterday so I am guessing that the change from less demanding road work to full mud work does make a difference and that when people say XC is "worth" more then this is why! I was in bed and asleep before husband got home last night!
Belly is still not 100% and Gnome has been complaining of a bad belly too. Lots of kids off at school yesterday and even after school club was cancelled due to staff being sick. Fraggle has been poorly too so I guess it is that time of year when the lurgy is doing it's worse.

Tonight is weigh in night … I gained last week thanks to the hotel etc and my scales showed at the weekend that I had lost that weight, but because it was bad belly induced weight lose I've gained some back with eating almost normally! Hopefully I will still see a lose tonight mind!

>Post Run Edit<

Well I went out and did the 3.2m loop with J. Only 1min slower than Friday which I am pleased with and surprised at. Had lots of walking and legs were tired. Looking at J's splits it was the 1st bit that I lost the time on whereas the 2nd bit when I was really feeling it was about normal! Running is an odd thing but it was perfect running weather with clear blue skies and was begging to be run in!

This afternoon my legs are tired! Having sat down in a meeting for an hour or so I stood up with a wobble!! Still it was a nice "have run" achy leg feeling!

I now have just 2 maybe 3 runs left with J before he is off to the RAF. I want to try and get up to his speed for when he returns which will be tough! I'll have to be disciplined and get out at lunch! I will do the 2 runs this week and next then once he has gone swap to Mon, Wed, Friday runs until Christmas. If that works fine and I am running consistently then in the new year I will consider adding a 4th weekday run. In the mean time I also want to swim at weekends with Gnome and try and get a weekend run in which hasn't happened for ages!

>Post Weigh In Edit<

Well only 1.5lb off but I am pleased with that as I have had a bug meaning that these last couple of days of eating normal have been replacing what I didn't eat! Still it is going the right way!

Weekend Wanderings

2006-11-20T15:49:00.000Z

Well what a wonderful weekend!

Since Wednesday I hadn't felt 100% in fact I am still not 100% really. My food intake was down and I felt full having eaten much smaller amounts than normal.

Saturday morning was home stuff … shopping, washing etc and then I popped over to Brum to see v-rap, bear and leon. They had just been off looking at bike porn … I mean been to the bike shop and running shop!

We had some lunch and walked it off with a brisk 3m walk to Sutton runner who seemed pleased to see v-rap and leon. Had they been before then?? :-D hehe

We all came away with purchases and wandered down the road a bit further for a drink before we headed home. I was still feeling very full and had a bit of a belly ache.

Tea was soup and home made bread. Lovely bread too but I only had 1 slice and none of the Green and Blacks that was on offer (see I said I wasn't well!)

Saturday night being pre-race night was a restless "have I slept through my alarm" night with my 1st waking up at 12 midnight. Needless to say when the alarm did go off at 7:30 I was a tad tired!

Breakfast was a bowl of cereal and that made me feel stuffed again, but at least by now the belly ache had gone. Then off we went.

Once at the race we went to locate hot drinks. It was a perfectly crisp morning, slight touch of frost in places and clear blue skies.

We changed and headed for the start. We weren't quiet sure which way the start was as there was just a gaggle of people on the side of a slope! Soon we knew mind as everyone shuffled forward and I realised that I was still stood with the others and WAY ahead of myself pace wise. As we made our way through the gate I moved to the side so I could run my pace and not trip anyone up.

Within the 1st 10mins there had been 2 congestion induced walk breaks! Then we hit the slippery, sticky clay like sloppy mud. Nasty energy zapping stuff. I hated it and had to walk a lot because it just killed me! The hot chocolate I had pre-race to warm up was also reminding me why I don't normally drink pre-run!

When the route was trail or track or road and not mud I was running well as long as it wasn't an updulate! I saw Leon and the others at about half way for me. All going strong. Shortly after this my legs and body reminded me I hadn't run that far let alone off road for ages and I slowed to a shuffle and sulked. 3 people over took me and I was doing the "see it was silly to run" thing. Then we had the water splash. I had caught up with the 3 who over took me, and passed them as we climbed out. I was happy again. Cold, wet with soggy feet but happy. Then they passed me again :-(

I was trying to remember how far to go. I was very tired and slipping back. I was sure I was last now. I was walking more and more. Then I managed to stay running for more than 10ft at a time. I had a second wind and I started to think I was actually getting closer to the 2 ladies who had passed me twice already. Yes they were being slowly drawn in!!! I passed them before the stairs! YES!!! 122 stairs later and Leon is stood waiting for me! I knew I was almost home and the ladies were behind me!

As we went onto the field I looked at my watch. Nope I hadn't beaten my 2004 time … hang on I could, we started 2mins late!! I headed for the finish and YES!! A new suicide PB by 2mins!

Bear and v-rap arrived with hot chocolate and we went back to the car! Post race re-fuelling back in Brum was then a nice eat-all-you-can curry!! Then home to my boys another hot bath and bed! I was a happy but tired Pixie!

Today I have looked in Fetch and seen that my last 10K run was at home (flattish and track) 2mths ago and less than 1min faster! Very happy smiley if some what tired Pixie!

Slowly Does it ...

2006-11-18T12:14:00.000Z

So there I was getting back into action … running well and looking to getting back into the WW thing and well ….. Left over takeaway curry. Wednesday night I used Imodium for it's proper reason for once and seriously worried as to if I would be able to make it into work.

In the end I did make it to work, although I was very tired and eating a lot less! I even ran yesterday (3.2m again in 37mins again {and I beat S to the end of Whistler's Way (note I then died)}) then I got home and fell asleep. Tea was a few water biscuits as that was all my belly would take. I felt fine just had a sore belly. It's still not right today and I am still tired. I didn't get up in time to do the TRI and so didn't do it. I was too tired anyway and I am racing at the weekend. I suppose I could have done it at lunch as I had kit with me but instead I went shopping!

My next course for work is Oracle in January; car and hotel booked today. The course will cover most of the requirements for an exam so I am thinking of doing the 1st 2 exams to get the basic Oracle qualification. I'm not intending to leave here (well not for a few years at least!!) but it is good to get and will help with my job too. Also trying to get Fedora 6 to work at home but I fear the download (all 6CDs) may have failed. I can buy them (may do that) online or I could buy a magazine with the DVD on but Gnome has the DVD player so can't do that! Feeling very positive about work just now which is good and it isn't manic, just nice and relaxed here so no stress and pressure. Speaking to S from the old place and well I feel for them. Sounds like a complete nightmare there.

Back in the land of the living …

2006-11-15T20:16:00.000Z

Or am I?!?!

I've been tired since my course and tired Pixie people look at food for energy.

It was WW last night and to be honest I was expecting a 2lb weight gain, despite all the exercise I did! In reality the scales said 4lb gain. I was shocked and annoyed. On reflection I did have a late lunch because I ran at lunch which was a lot of soup (2 large mugs) and a further load of drinks as I was thirsty and tired and trying not to eat! So I should have expected it to be higher but it didn't make it easier.

Whilst in London I bought myself some nice new bling chav shoes and yesterday I actually got to use them. I wasn't pushing and did take walk breaks (was with J) and came in at just 8secs off the 3.2m loop PB. The only down side was the shoes now have less shine and I have a hint of blister. It's in the same place as I had the other day so I think it is new shoes rather than wrong shoes related.

Tomorrow I will again run with the boys at work - not sure if it will be the shorter route or the longer one but expect it will be the longer one! Depends how we feel! J may be after a PB (he missed it by 2secs last week!) so I may potter alone!

Then Friday ....! Well the local leisure centre to work is doing an indoor "triathlon" for Children In Need (row, cycle and run) which J, S and I are interested in. It's 1km on the rower followed by 2m on the exercise bike and 1m on the tready with a donation of £3 so why not! Could be a laugh!

Sunday of course is the Suicide! Now from my last 2 runs Fetch has predicted a 10k PB in the making but the Suicide is not PB territory! It's wet, muddy and fun! I did 1hrs 28 in 2004 and would be happy around that time but naturally would like to beat it!

Christmas shopping is almost done as I am able to pop to the local big shopping park at lunchtime so haven't had to take time off this year. This is good as I don't have much holiday having changed jobs but I still have some time! Thing is I don't feel like taking holiday as such as I still enjoy work!! I will take a day off for Gnome's Christmas play though!!

Home Sweet Home!

2006-11-11T08:59:00.000Z

Well what a week!

Monday I went for a run at work (alone) as i wanted to start !the battle against too much food in London! ASAP! I did my 3m loop, was meant to be the shorter loop but it just felt good so I carried on! I even ran 95% of it (just climbing up the woodland style stairs). I finished thinking I had a PB on that route by up to 1min! I got back and checked fetch and it was a PB by 2.5mins!! It just felt good! One of those runs when everything works! I didn't feel tooo puffed and foot only niggled at the end!

Train to the big city was was fine and I got to the hotel in 1 piece. You don't get much for your 4stars in London do you!

Each morning (well not Friday!) I got up at 6.15 and swam then after breakie etc I walked the 30mins to the course. I walked as much as possible (see above battle!) as salad seemed an alien creature to my hotel!

I meet Leon on Tuesday, Coach Spans on Wednesday and Treacle Tart on Thursday! Bought new shoes on Thursday too!

The course was good but boy was I exhausted by last night! Brain was/is swimming with brackets of all kids, $,*,# ! etc but I had fun and have exercises I can do at home if I stay enthusiastic!!

Right I need a wake up shower and cuppa tea! Cya!

Going Away!

2006-11-05T16:24:00.000Z

Tomorrow I am off for my course in the big city.

I have pre-paid train tickets with reserved seats and a posh hotel waiting at the other end.

I'm also nervous! I hate traveling alone, have never been in London alone and I'm doing a scary course that will probably make my brain hurt.

I've packed swim suit and some kit (damn forgotten shoes!) and have no space left (bugger what about my running shoes?).

I won't be online at all for the next week!

Today has been testing. I wanted to shop early, take Gnome swimming and do some gardening. Gnome had homework to do and due to his avoidance and sulking tactics (must be in the blood!) it took over 21/2 hrs to do. It wasn't hard just some fractions. I therefore couldn't leave upstairs because when I did he sulked, stopped trying or played with cars. Net result was shopping at 2pm, no swimming and no gardening. But I did defrost the freezer during the 1st hr of homework and finished stripping the wallpaper after that, then hovered up the mess meaning lunch was at 1:30 for me! I'm shattered and the garden will have to wait. I sat down for my 1st cuppa tea at 3:30.

Packing is now done so all I have left to do before I go to bed now is finish the washing, do the ironing, change the beds, cook tea ....... I think my week away may be a rest too!

For Various Beady Eyes

2006-11-04T15:26:00.000Z

To clarify yesterdays post with some well thought out facts!!

Lose Weight
- Carry on a WW, get off 1 stone by Christmas (4.5lb down now) ideally get 10% off by Christmas (16lb) for WW 10% award!
- Gentle exercise most days so as not to think I need more food! Such as walking for 30mins at lunch when not running.
- Use "£ for a Lb" tin to fund new clothes/kit and keep me going!

Basic Fitness
- Aim to use stairs at work (all 72) 4 times a day and be able to run up them all by Christmas
- Get back to swimming 20 lengths without a break - up to 10 front crawl.

Have Fun
- Join pool for both Gnome and I when I get back from my course
- Take Gnome swimming at least twice a week, 30 mins serious 30 mins playing per session
- Get Gnome running (well he has the shoes!)
- Do team swimathon with Gnome in March, if possible do 5k swimathon myself too (not sure if time will allow this!)

Shorter Runs
- Work running routes vary with a max of 3.2m
- Aim to run 1 short route fast (1.5-2m), 1 long (3.2m) and 1 various (hill work or various route) a week at work by Christmas
- Max 10k run at weekends

Improve Time on Short Runs
- Aim to beat S at work to various points like J does!
- Aim to be at the same pace as J for when he returns from service in April/May (that means improving by about 7mins over the 3m course!)
- Aim to run whole of 3m course (including the hill that J fails on!) by Christmas

There! Are you impressed! I am!!

Little Steps

2006-11-03T19:46:00.000Z

I've been thinking a lot lately and various things that various people have said have been revolving around my head!

FLM was always entered as a "collect the rejects" exercise, I'm still not convinced that I have a place anyway (have to wait for the magazine for that!). I've always wanted to lose weight and the recent foot injury has really kicked my butt and highlighted the importance of this. I've always wanted to be a good runner and dreamed of a GFA.

Spans said to me a while ago when I had a fleeting interest in Abingdon :
"Do you really want another 6 hour marathon?"
Leon said in a recent comment :
"One goal at time ... choose which one is most important to you....."

I went for a run today! I did 3m with J at work. It was only 1min slower than the same run some 5-6 weeks ago which I am delighted with! Foot is fine (but have a hint of blister!) but I am no where near working towards a decent half let alone a full marathon but I have the Suicide in 2 weeks and this was a really confidence building run!

At this moment in time (and I am sure I will have doubts when the magazine comes out!) I have decided to do the following:

If I get into FLM DEFER
DNS Brass Monkey
Lose weight
Improve basic fitness levels
Have fun
work on shorter runs
Improve speed over these shorter runs then increase distance!

I've said it before, marathon training at my current pace is hard work, takes too much time and is not a good thing for me, my body or the family. I intend to stick to my guns and do a marathon when my body is ready for it. This may be next year or 2008 or whenever, I don't know. I do know that if I am in FLM and did it I would be slow and that would take away from the joy that it FLM. I don't want to complete FLM I want to run it!

Oh and as for the shoes … I haven't bought them yet because I wanted to try a run in them and also didn't want them taunting me whilst I was injured!

So now what?

2006-11-02T19:51:00.000Z

I am so confused! I was expecting to not get in and that my cheque would be cashed next week. The RW list shows loads of cheques on the 31st then 2 on the 1st and now more people are saying it's cashed!Are the 2 the lucky ones from the 1000 ballot? Or just slow from the main ballot!

Told husband last night that it looked like I wasn't in and as I couldn't sleep I planned my life (as you do thereby stopping you from sleeping even more!) and now I just don't know!! I know I have to wait until the magazine comes out really but that's not for another 3-4 weeks!!

Last night I was planning a good 6mths of proper training, it was all about weight lose and fitness. I was going to DNS Brass Monkey as I was/am unlikely to get the time I want. I wasn't going to enter Reading or indeed any races until Mid year. Just train hard (swim and run and pool run) and get into top shape. I wasn't in FLM so there was no reason to worry! In fact I was so sure I wasn't in that I decided that if I did get in I would defer! I was going to become the lean mean running machine I wanted to be and follow v-raps steps into being a faster runner!

Now I am confused! There is a chance that this is the 2nd ballot but then it could just be the jumper for me! You see having missed out on the RW buzz I'm out of touch on the last conspiracy theories and dates so I'm just going to have to wait and that is so not fair!

This all boils down to one thing! I need to get moving! I need new shoes! If I start moving now I gain an extra month of fitness. If I am in then great I have a good start, if I am not in then I have lost nothing!

I'm in London next week and Spans and I will hopefully pop into the Sweatshop in Covent Garden so I can do a run test on those shoes I want before I order them from online!

In the mean time I wait ... 3 weeks isn't that long really! Is it?! Nah! Didn't think so! If I am in then I want sub 5hrs so if I get in I will see what training happens and I won't rule out deferring I mean I'm not even running at this moment in time and haven't done so for a month!

Hmmmm Arrrggghhh!!!

Brain Ache!

2006-11-01T20:11:00.000Z

Oh yes the Pixie has been learning again! This time I have ventured into the big bad world of Business Objects! Nice looking tool but lots of odd quirks and special ways to do things. It's doing my head in! I've even resorted to reading a manual or 3! How bad is that???!!??!!
Yet again I did not check my bank account for FLM cheques today but I can confirm my mortgage has gone out as it should at this time (thought I should check that!! Hehe) As a side point this was the only transaction today!

Also I have been off out and about in the locality of the office with J! Nice 3m stroll "round the grounds" which turned into "round the village" on one of our running routes. I changed into my Saucony's for this and foot was fine but again I knew it was there but not hurting. I am also now sure that the main cause for the tendon issue was having my laces too tight because if I tie them as I used to it hurts!

Tomorrow I am on a "Lunch and Learn" with some Marketing Council so I doubt if I will manage a walk which isn't a bad thing because as we all know rest is a good thing! Then Friday will be about 20mins (more if it goes well!) of walk run round the grounds as they are on nice soft ground with no roadwork!

Winnie The Pooh Said ….

2006-10-31T20:19:00.000Z

"isn't it funny how bees like honey …."

Well I have a similar thought …. "isn't it funny how 1 small bit of exercise changes things!"

Yes it's 4 weeks tomorrow since my foot went OUCH. Since then I have done Nowt. Sunday I went swimbling with Gnome and that seems to have done the trick!! Yesterday I had to do some shopping at lunch but by parking 10 mins walk away from the shop I got a nice walk in!

Today (drum roll please!) I went swimbling before work! Did 1.2km and in my 3rd fastest time of the year! (Beams 'cos she has not swum lengths properly since well before TW!) Then at lunch I put on my runners and went for a 25-30mins walk in the rain! Beaming from ear to ear cos it was good! A couple of short jogettes found the foot niggle was there but not hurting as such. Also seems OK since I have returned from my walk which is nice too!!

So plan … tomorrow another lunchtime walk (no more pre-work swimming this week as I am on the school run), shorter walk Thursday (lunchtime "meeting") and Friday if all has gone well then I will do some proper structured walk run!! At the weekend I will take Gnome swimbling, there is also a 1m fun run on Sunday which he had said about doing. Maybe we will maybe we won't! Who knows!

Next week I am in London … with swim suit in suit case for a daily swim and hopefully the hotel will have a tready too for a walk run on as well! Suddenly the Pixie is feeling all bouncy and ready to go!

Oh and unlike a certain buzzing creature my cheque has yet to be cashed!

Final Oh ... another 2.5lbs bites the dust! :-D

Hmmm

2006-10-29T20:09:00.000Z

Just looking back ...

Now according to that ... (Dec 2005) I would be lighter, faster and healthier!

Well lets see:
Lighter - Not yet but working on it!
Faster - Not even running!
Healthier - well yes less colds but err bit of an injury problem this year!!

Today I went swimming with Gnome. The little darling did really well but has also developed a bit of a belly! Now normally this means he will shoot upwards but this belly has been around for a while! So .... me finks it's time for more exercise!

If he still has this belly in month or so (i.e. he hasn't sprouted) then we I mean I will be taking him swimming 2 maybe 3 times a week, which means after work (feels tired already!). Which to an extent isn't bad because it will help me too and he likes swimming plus I did say I was considering the 5k swimathon didn't I! I will leave it for a month because A I have no energy and B I still think he is due a growth spurt!

He has proper running shoes now (well he has wide feet so they fit better than normal trainers) so once the kitchen is done then him and me can do the tready/exercise bike thing too. Talking of which, does anyone know how late kids can exercise without it being an issue?? I mean if he has his dinner at 6 can he walk/run on the tready and/or use the exercise bike for 30mins at 7:30-8 without him having sleeping issues?

Zonked

2006-10-27T22:00:00.000+01:00

Well I am! Totally zonked. Woke up at 2am with belly ache, was still awake at 2:30 so checked my bank account (no cheques being cashed), changed the bed (save me doing it tonight), read and still I was awake! Then the alarm went off at 6.10 and I so didn't want to get up but knew if I stayed "for 5mins" I would fall back to sleep! So I got up again!

So ...Cheque watch continues … don't think anyone has had theirs cashed yet, and people are expecting tomorrow to be D-Day from what I can gather! Not that I am in the least bit bothered if I get in or not … I'm after the reject count (new start as I didn't enter last year - Doh!) and the "sports jacket". I have no doubt that I will be there anyway at mile 17 if not at Blackheath! Glowing green at not being running I expect but there! Unless I can't get a Gnome sitter (he's not coming as he would be a bored nightmare!) in which case I will spend all morning glued to the BBC! But as we all know that just isn't the same is it? You don't get the same sights, sounds and smells as actually being there. The emotions of willing people on, wanting them to take your sweets (that sounds soooo dodgy!) knowing it will help them later. Admiring the speed and grace of the fast runners and the determination of the slower ones and as for the ones in wheelchairs - total respect! >wafts off into own dream world<

On a brighter side the cold is improving already! Phew! So maybe I can get some exercise in soon!! …. >drum roll< I've been for a walk!! Yes indeed I have! The last walk I did resulted in me limping back to my desk but today I walked round the "estate" and although I knew the soreness was there I wasn't limping or altering my gait/foot fall!

The problem with getting fresh air and having lost fitness and having had little sleep is that this afternoon I am struggling! My eyes are heavy! J is busy doing important stuff so I've been left to my own devices and I am too tired to do much! I've been wanting to eat but instead have had some WW mints. I've even walked downstairs and back up all 72 stairs again! I think tonight will be bath and bed for sure!

Tomorrow Gnome comes home complete with the in-laws so mass tidy up, clean, iron, do washing etc! So I had better sleep tonight! I also need to fit a shop in just in case I need to feed people! If Gnome had come home tonight I could have seen v-rap and Josie Jump and Aim High! And all the kiddies but I can't. :-(

Slowly Does It

2006-10-26T20:15:00.000+01:00

Well I had a great post all written out ... on e-mail ... at work ... and forgot to mail it so I could do an update!! D'oh!

Anyway it went something like this ....

Back in Training!! Well not really! Well sort of! See the foot is a lot better, still there if I do too much but I can now walk properly and use the stairs again. So stair training is back on the books! Did them 4 times today! Tomorrow I will be trying a walk at lunchtime. Just a short one mind, round the "estate!" to look at the wildlife on the lake!! (LOL sounds like a country manor!)

Cold is progressing nicely, now sneezing and sneezing and sneezing some more! Oh and I have a nice red sore nose too! But not the slightest inclination to take time off work! I must like my new job!

Cheque watch continues, not that I am bothered at all! I mean I don't really want to do FLM! Honest!!

After that I have forgotten what else I said! I wrote a lot more at lunchtime! Honest! Still I will try again tomorrow - after I have checked my bank account another half a dozen times!!

Can't be that ill can I?!

2006-10-25T22:57:00.000+01:00

Why not? Well firstly I didn't even consider calling in sick (or is that just I actually enjoy and like my job now?). Then I am also cheque watching (sad I know!) and finally I've been hunting training plans down for Brass Monkey!

Oh and I think I have located the muscle that was hurting on my "calf" - brevis longus. I bought a magazine and there was a picture of a leg and there was my aching muscle! Glad I'm not going nuts and there is a muscle where it was hurting!!

Cold is progressing well! Reduced appetite meant I haven't eaten tea tonight as I am not hungry. I had LOTS of soup for lunch with a pitta and later a packet of crisps so I won't starve! Sensible head says I should eat as I want to lose weight sensibly but then if I'm not hungry why not just listen to my body for once!!

So anyway, I'm tired, bunged up so can't breathe and have achy eyes which all equals bed time! So Nite all!

Sniffles

2006-10-24T21:25:00.000+01:00

Well I have some good news!

Lost 2lb despite a weekend of being fed and a day in a workshop facing a bowl of jelly beans! So very pleased!
Foot still lingers but still no drugs!
Still resting well!
It's TOTM!

OK so you're confused! Why is resting and TOTM good news? Easy! I also now have a stinking cold so can't ran anyway!

Arrgghh! Head feels like it wants to explode! Nose has that stuffy not quiet blocked thing going on and my eyes ache. Maybe this is why I was feeling so tired and drained at the weekend!

Felt like eating some stodge but instead made some home made soup for tomorrow (hot stodge and low calorie/fat food ideal for "warming up" when feeling pants!). Instead I had Butter Nut Squash "wedges" which is actually roasted BNS but they were really nice! Think I may have them instead of roasted potatoes with Sunday lunch (point free on WW you see!).

Workshop was Ok today. Lots of presentations to do and "being observed" so major wibbles and embarrassment meaning I had a fist fight with the jelly beans .... they won and after far too many E numbers and far too much sugar I calmed down! Note to self jelly beans and nervous Pixie do NOT mix!

No Duck in the end as her shoulder is very sore so she is back to the Drs. To a degree this isn't a bad thing as I can now go and soak in the bath then flop in bed! (Yes I know it's only 9:30 but I have a cold!)

Sweet dreams all!

A New Week

2006-10-23T20:15:00.000+01:00

So here starts THE week … when madness hits the forums. All those questions about cheques with people trying to work out when they will be cashed and what that implies! Are they in? did they bequeath? Oh so much excitement! So many questions! The madness will run for days and days, maybe even a month or more!

And I'll miss out on it all :-( as I don't have access to the forums at work. Yes I can check up at night but it just isn't the same! The buzz isn't there! So even if I check my bank account 20 times a day it won't be the same. Without the forum I can't share the tension and excitement and grief/sorrow or joy at the outcome! Yes J and S are runners but they don't race so don't care about FLM entries!

Anyway I have to say a MASSIVE WELL DONE to v-rap for a storming run at the weekend! If she carries on like that she'll be running a GFA time at FLM itself! Very inspirational! A 47minute PB for her! Mind you with my PB being 6hrs 43 I should be able to beat that!! Haha! Hehe! Obviously I first need to actually start running, then do some consistent training, lose weight, get faster, get in the miles oh and get into a marafun!! (note to self check bank account tomorrow!)

As for me? Well foot is feeling better and I haven't taken drugs today but I still know it is there. I am hoping this means that I may be able to try a walk by the end of the week and maybe just maybe a walk/jog at the weekend??? Who knows! Hope so as I am getting frustrated! I'm sure the tiredness also relates to lack of running in the fresh air and BM is getting closer! If I can start to jog this weekend or the early part of next week then the Suicide Sixish is on! OK so I will be really slow but I don't care! It's fun!

I've been massaging my calves lately as I have tight calves most of the time and they also say that extensor tendon issues can be related (isn't everything!??!!) and add the trouble sleeping I will be adding some stretches in and maybe some basic yoga (from a book as I've never done any classes!) Either that or herbal drugs!

Gnome is away with the in-laws this week and hubby is working nights so I don't expect much sleep :-( I am, however, having a flying visit by Running Duck tomorrow on a stop over visit to view a university. Well I think I am!! Apart from that life is it's normal jolly self!

Lonnnnnng Weekend

2006-10-22T20:29:00.000+01:00

Been home south for the weekend. I hadn't realised just how tired I was until I started to drive home. I shouldn't have really I was zonked by the time I got there.

Problem was not helped by mum wanting to chat so didn't get to bed early then Gnome woke me at 7.15 so Saturday I was still zonked. In fact I didn't get to see Fraggle and the boys because I feel asleep.

Drove home tonight and still tired, think I am either coming down with something or need to get some herbal sleeping things to make me sleep more!

Anyway it was lovely to see all the family but that was all I did!

Work is the same but J has now had his papers. He is off as of 1st Dec for 6.5 months! Better get learning then!

Apologise for bad maths ... above is now amended for Bear and hopefully I will be amending is again on Tuesday night!

Foot is getting better and taking less drugs but it did not like the long driving :-(. Hopefully I will be swimming this week but I won't guarantee it!

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

2006-10-19T21:16:00.000+01:00

I am SOOOooooo tired!

Firstly let me just say X-Ray was clear so 2wks off and then try again!! Yippeee!

Second, as you can see from above I have returned to WW. Well I can't run for 2 wks, then have a wks course making 3 weeks of seriously having to watch my food! If I follow a sensible plan I should lose within those 3wks, get all motivated and carry on!

As for being tired? Well I think it is a combination of brain working with new job (which I still love!) and lack of sleep (hubby on nights) combined with lack of fresh air due to no running! In fact I am so tired that it's now 9:15 and I am getting ready for bed! How sad is that?!??!!

Tomorrow I have a nice long drive as I am off south. Gnome is on half term last week so I am seeing all family members and leaving him there! So I need to try and be awake for that!

I really want to get some swimming in or cycling next week but the way I have felt these last 2-3 days I doubt if I can get up in time to get to the pool or get the bike out of the garage and on the car! I will try but like Spans I am definitely feeling the effect of swapping jobs!

Tuesday I have another workshop too. So that's more time away from the desk and more time with biscuits in my face! I am pleased to say that today I declined a chocolate so who knows!! Oh and I will also be seeing Duck on Tuesday too! Oh and doing my 1st proper WW weigh-in and then having a Chinese!! Whoops!!

In the meantime ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Nite!

To Go or not to go!

2006-10-16T22:00:00.000+01:00

That is indeed the question!

This morning I went to the Drs and got an appointment for this afternoon. Very pleased. Get there and Dr has a prod and I squeal as I had on Saturday when v-rap prodded! GP does not think it is tendons as I have too much movement and it's very rare to get tendon problems there he says. He thinks yes it is probably an SF. Between his words I read "take 6wks off and if it still hurts we can look at it". His actual words "get and x-ray" I said only 2wks? would it show? He said "if it is a SF then it should be repairing and some bone should be visible after 2weeks, otherwise you have a problem". I mentioned a bone scan as that would show and he said he couldn't authorise it but the hossie could so if I went there and they thought I needed one then fine. Sounded like "I am not really sure what it is, have an x-ray to make it seem like I am being useful and come back in 6wks if it is still a problem"

So I went to the hossie. I have a letter for A&E to avoid the queue. There is lots of people there so phew I have a letter and can avoid the queue! receptionist ... "do you have a green form?" No I have a letter! "You need a green form ... 3hrs waiting before you will be seen then a wait for x-ray. Green form means you go straight to x-ray" Oh joy! Wasted journey (hubby is on nights and I can not wait that long!) and paid for car park! Grrrr

So now what. Do I go with the gut instinct and not bother with the x-ray? Perhaps call the x-ray dept and ask if they can authorise a scan in which case go? Or do I just say 3-4wks off 100% then see what foot says knowing I could need 6-8 weeks off? Everything I read about SF says 3-4 weeks minimum before they show on an x-ray

If I am not running I need to do something. I've found a gym and pool next to work if I can go which I think I can. The suicide is probably off (that's in 4wks!) and BM is looking shady especially if I need 6-8wks off. So I need to lose weight (that will help the foot!) and try to maintain and improve CV fitness in a totally none impact manner.

Talking of which the swimathon starts on 22nd March ... maybe I should target the 5K (for the medal!)? Take my bike to work? Swim pre-work when I can and cycle when I can't?? Hmmm brain overload!!

So there it is ...

2006-10-15T19:45:00.000+01:00

I've been running since 2002. I've been no lighter than 10st 10lb and currently am about 11st too much! Not my heaviest but not good! Since starting running I have had the following:

Jan 2004 - tendon strain in right foot
Jan 2005 - stress fracture/reaction in right tibia
Jan 2006 - Plantar Fasciitis in left heel
Oct 2006 - tendon strain? Stress Fracture in right foot.

The consistent factor is weight. So there it is if I want to carry on running I have to lose weight. Many people who are heavier than me run faster, further, more miles etc (Fat Buddha does IronMan events) but my body obviously does not like running at this weight.

I don't want to give up running so I have no choice. I have to lose weight. So either Tuesday or Wednesday I will be going back to WW and telling the boys at home too.

Tomorrow I will see the Dr ( may just be able to make an appointment). At lunch I will also visit the local (to work) leisure center. I think it will be too far away for a lunchtime swim but ideal for a pre-work swim, and husband's shift pattern means that I should be able to start doing that next week for a few weeks. I can then use the bike storage at work for lunchtime cycles. When I am not cycling at lunch I will take soup to work and when I am it will be sarnies or pitta bread and lots of veg etc.

I might as well take this opportunity and who knows I may be a stone lighter by Christmas and fit enough to do a decent run at BM in January.

Back To The Pool Me Finks

2006-10-14T17:46:00.000+01:00

Well I may not be able to afford the posh gym but there is a local council pool/leisure center just next to the business park. They have a pool. So I will be checking that out and soon.

Why? Well V-Rap did the Dr thing and made me go big OUCH. Her conclusion was "see a Dr and ask for a bone scan. Probably a tendon strain but can't rule out stress fracture of the metatarsal" i.e. keep on taking the drugs, slap on a tubi grip bandage and no running until it's better which if if is a fracture could be 6-8wks. Husbands comment was ... all these injuries you should stop running!

On the brighter side I have seen some lovely kit in Sutton Runner and I knew which shoes I want and very bling they are too! Oh and Gnome has some bling shoes too!!

hmmmm

2006-10-12T20:43:00.000+01:00

Well I took diclofenac again today and by lunch the foot felt better ... still there but not hurting. Anyway you always have the "it's there" feeling when something has been "wrong" don't you! Seeing as it was such a lovely day I went for some fresh air. Foot was fine! So I walked further. Got back and foot not so fine by the time I was at my desk. huh!

Still have a bump, hopefully v-rap will be able to advise me 'cos I am not a happy pixie at all.

Work is great though. Jan course was almost cancelled but is now in Manchester instead of London! I've been playing with scripts again too!! I've had one script update go live today, hopefully another tomorrow and will be updating our tracking system to go live tomorrow AM as well! >beams pathetically<

All really good. The only downside is I feel awful about not running and my weight. I'm seriously considering a proper return to WW on Tuesday and given it at least until Christmas. Not running this week has seen my eating go again and I feel like I have gained those 2-3lb I had lost. Most fed up. If I do join it will be a full on public thing. Will also need to find some other form of exercise if v-rap says carry on resting. I can't just run and stop. Swimming isn't so easy these days with new job (why oh why doesn't the flash gym do swim only?) so must fins something and do it. No excuses, especially if I do get into FLM!!

Hmmmm

2006-10-11T19:51:00.000+01:00

Grumpy Pixie ... foot still hurts.

That's a week now. Still on the brufen and still resting and still hurting. Today I tried my boots thinking that as they aren't so close fitting over the top of my foot that may be better ... wish I had brought shoes too cos yes the top isn't causing pressure but they are now hurting more!
I did, however, get a big smiley feeling this afternoon as my manager said some work I had done was excellent!

Then to make me feel better Oxfam called ... we haven't got to the £1000 and when will we? Bless them they even said if we don't get the £1000 then people may not be allowed to enter in 2007 even if they have done TW before and paid in full before! We're £230 short thanks to a combination of team member swap outs (twice if you recall) and unemployed team members. Can you do another team event? they asked! Car boot with all proceeds to Oxfam? If I had changed jobs before the TW I could have got money off work but now I can't (the old place ignored my requests!) So now what? Any ideas?!

This has done one thing for sure ... I WILL NOT be doing Trailwalker again. My Dragon is dead I have nothing to prove.

Also won't be doing the Moonwalk because it is just 3wks after FLM and if I do get into that (find out in about 3wks via bank account!) then I won't want to do another marafun so soon! Anyway the entries were a nightmare last year and they open before FLM closes and will be gone in 1 day so CBA!!

PS diclofenac works better than brufen but foot still hurts!

A Couple Of Updates!

2006-10-10T22:24:00.000+01:00

Monday:
It's going to be a long week I think!
Two reasons for this ... or is it 3? Anyway, J is away this week (trope movements in France!), foot is still hurting (have a lump on the top of my foot (about the size of a 50p) and minor limp cos it hurts when my toes flex) and I'm trying to watch what I eat (failed already due to being attacked by a blueberry muffin!) especially as I am not exercising this week (think the remainder of the hall wallpaper may die!)

Bear has seen a picture of where my foot pain is and he also came up with the Morton's neuroma thing. Have read a few articles and they all mention pain on the ball of the foot but mine is the top of the foot so I am hoping that it's not that (as that needs needles and or ops!). I'm hoping it's just a tendon sprain, but the other option is a stress fracture (not again please!). In 2004 I had a tendon strain, same foot and area so I'm hoping it's just a weakness I have there. The "feels like it's been stomped on" pain is the same but I can't recall pain being so consistent.

I'm starting to think that it will still be sore at the weekend :-( and that longer rest is required. If so I will take my bike to work (they have a bike store) and do 30mins a day ish. Swimming is the other option but not practical now as the pool is in the opposite direction to work.

Tuesday:
Lots of birthdays and people moving departments and coming back from holiday so lots of nibbles about and Pixie's have no willpower :-(Grrr. Healthy eating hmmm... think my head has heard me think "reduce food" and decided to be a teenager and rebel!

Foot is possibly feeling a bit better ... followed Spans advice and massaged the bump which means I am now doing less of the half limp thing but it's still most certainly there!! Problem I do have now is that I'm the type of person who is motivated to run but other exercise doesn't have the same pull so having the pool the opposite direction and the bike hidden ... well I just don't find myself chomping at the bit to do anything about it! I guess if I knew I would be off running for a long time then that may be different as I would know I had to do something about it! Maybe just maybe it will be better for the weekend? In which case I think a week or two of walk run again to try it out (did I hurt it with my faster running with J on different terrain?). Another odd thing I have noticed about my foot today is that the actual pain/bump when examined is near the toes yet when I walk the pain I "feel" is where you would have laces on a shoe, kinda like deferred pain as such. Very odd!

You know thinking about it maybe this lack of non-running related motivation is the problem behind my change to healthier living. If I can't reduce my food intake I need to increase exercise. Now when running I manage to maintain my weight so if I could do more exercise maybe I would lose it and then maybe the desire to eat better etc would follow? Hmmm that may be another way of tackling the issue ... will look in to that I think! According to here using my stepper for 30mins every day will impact nicely on my calories so all I need to do is kick myself into using it! Perhaps with my light dumb bells too!!

Work wise I have my 1st project to be working on and have even created a UNIX script (using a template but hey it's a start!) I'm reading through 2 O'Reilly books (in HTML format) namely "Learning Vi" and "Learning the Korn Shell". So brain is working lots and life is good!

Grrr

2006-10-08T14:54:00.000+01:00

I hate being injured ... when I get injured I do stupid things like clean ovens and hack trees!

Yes I'm bored so having to find other ways of exercising (keep it clean folks!) especially as my butt would not appreciate hours on a bike! Not that I can get to my bike at the minute anyway!!

Further inspection of the foot confirms that the pain is indeed on the "knuckle" area of the middle toe. It's sore like a bruise so I think I may have just run uneven and twisted it or something. Mind you resting doesn't seem to have made much difference. If it is no better by the weekend I may ask a very nice friendly Dr what she thinks!

Next weekend I hope to go shopping with v-rap and Gnome! I want new shoes (think the sore calves and foot are shoe related!) and gnome wants to do some fun runs (there is a 1m fun run 20mins from home next month) and he needs new trainers and has his mum's wide feet and NB do wide shoes fitting for kids so.... :-D Plus I should get my 1st pay from the new place Friday too!

Oh the UNIX course was cancelled so now on the same course, same place (Bishopgate in London?) just 2 weeks later ... 7th Nov for 4 days.

Having settled into work now, my only problem is that J has an unhealthy chocolate problem! Kit kat for breakfast sort of thing! Mind you seeing as he can run faster than me .... it's OK I won't try that diet! but I do think that it's time to settle down and look to lose some weight properly (have lost 3lb in the 3wks I have been there without trying). Add that the FLM entries close in 2wks so cheques will be cashed within 3wks .... I'm sure I am in cos I only get injured when FLM training!! Oh and there is the Suicide and BM to train for too!! Bear has inspired me so why not!! So tomorrow my lunchbox (taken one of those most days!) will be nice an healthy ready for the new me!!

Remember this?

2006-10-07T08:25:00.000+01:00

Yes I'm back on the bench :-(
That sore foot thing on Wednesday... well it's still here. In typical bruised fashion it hurts more after a period of sitting down/sleep and I've been popping the brufen. There is a slight swelling too.

Don't think it is laces ... on closer inspection the pain is (looks at google ... gives up and picks up "how to run injury free" instead) on the sesamoids area of the err middle phalanger (??? impressed hey!) In the same location where you would get morton's neuroma but the description is wrong so I don't think it's that!! (oh the perils of a little knowledge from a book or the web hey!)

Anyways this means I'm on the bench. No running. I have 4 or 5 weeks until the Suicide Sixish so no panic, I will take 1 whole week off regardless and see what happens next weekend. Also think I will get some new shoes with more cushioning.

Now all I need to do is locate my bike and/or exercise bike from the depths of the garage under the kitchen boxes!! I may be some time!! LOL!!!

Update if Blogger Lets me!

2006-10-03T20:22:00.000+01:00

I had a lovely long update for you but Blogger ate it!

Anyway here is the short version!

Saturday ... plan was 10k wasn't it? Yes well NO that just didn't happen. Everything went wrong! 201 wouldn't charge, ate too little, drank too little, PF niggled during morning, Timex batteries died after 1m and tightness in lower leg muscle made me walk then finally change the 10k run into a 5k walk. Not happy.

For the medical ones out there .... left leg (one with PF) outside of calf gets really tight. Can feel like a bruise when I get home. Tight for 20-25mins then will go. Makes me walk and want to stretch as it feels so tight but hurts to stretch. Doesn't seem to happen when walking. Have had sports massage (3wks ago) and that doesn't seem to have made any difference. Ideas? Shoes? Surface? Too much too soon? Faster running and body not used to it after mainly walking for months? Weight? Warm up? Stretching?

Sunday I hoped to go out and try again. 1hr of ironing and 2hrs of stripping wall paper and PF was very unhappy so no run.

Monday I ran ... much better than Saturday but still the same tightness but 2.4m in 31mins.

Today I've been on a "new starter workshop" which included lovely hot meal and err Danish pastry with my morning tea!!! Got back to my desk and was told that I will be doing a Unix course in err 3wks! Oracle course in Jan and if all goes well SAS in Feb!! How cool is that!

On the down side as such my ex-work mates got told yesterday that they may not have a job by Christmas. How glad am I that I left?!?!

Warning! Brain at Work!

2006-09-29T20:28:00.000+01:00

Pixie Brain at Work! Yes this is serious! I think I may be in danger of actually using my brain properly!!

So I've been in this role 2 weeks now. I've re-discovered UNIX, had to try and work my fingers round VI and a new Oracle DB and today I used SAS!! Twice! Totally different! Totally scary and weird!

Still this is a Good Thing!

I even had a 1-2-1 today! I've only been there 2 wks! I was at the old place for 5.5yrs and had a total of about 5! They were talking about how to succeed and archiving good stuff (I have my 1st mail (sent to manager so not seen it yet!) saying a big well done and thank you for work!) and they talked about achieving stuff and pay reviews/rises and training courses! All alien words in my old world!!

So review of the 1st two weeks .... FAB!!

I've run 3 times this week - twice in company. I've learnt stuff, lost some weight, made new friends and really feel part of the team! So pleased!

Tuesday I even have a formal "New Starter" workshop were I am "Out" for the day with lunch laid on and stuff.

So yes things are looking great!

Oh and this weekend I will be running - well I hope so at least! Longer run say 10k. Oh and some wall paper stripping too.

Another Day Another $

2006-09-28T19:02:00.000+01:00

>Pixie flops half asleep onto chair<

Last night I decided that it would be a really good idea to strip some more of the hallway wall paper off. I was already tired from the brain usage in new job and then running two days in a row so maybe not my best idea! I slept well mind! Bit too well as I had no recollection of the alarm going off and nearly ended up being late!

Anyyyyyway … I got in with kit and I'm half asleep! It's taken 2 large cuppa teas at work (total 3 for the morning instead of normal 1!) to make me feel even half awake! Brain is definitely in go slow mode! Think it will be a bath and early night for the Pixie tonight!

Lunchtime … run with the boys (!!) Well I ran with J and S played chase again! He caught us within 19mins then stormed off into the distance!

Today was much nicer running weather and J decided I should do a longer run so he could show me more routes! Fair enough! Whilst out we chatted about his RAF stuff, how often does he get called up etc etc. Well I asked the odd quick gasped question and he answered in detail!

The 201 lost signal as we were under some trees and when we came out it read 29mins and just under 2m, by the time we finished it said 38:34 and 2.78m with the 2nd mile taking 16:41 … I think not! Estimating 12mm pace (from the 1st mile at 12.11 and the last 0.8m in 9.41) this makes it over 3m so a 2006 5k PB!! Again the calves ached and were tight but this went after about 20 mins and after that I was running fairly strong and it was good! Over all it was again a good run and nice that J is taking the time to show me where to go and where routes go etc. Once back at the office I looked on the map and he showed me where we went meaning I know for when I run alone. The run for him was about 5-6mins slower than his normal time, but as he said he finished knowing he had run but not knackered so good for both of us!

When we got back "home" J had missed a call …. Potential RAF call up! In November! For 4mths! So if he does go I have 5 weeks to learn everything! Arrrggghhh!!! Minor stress! I mean if he goes I am in such grief and will have to have some very intensive training. Without realising I was worrying about 1 or so hours later I noticed I had the tell tale belly pains of stressing. So out came the colpermine before it got worse. I know that if he does go they can't expect miracles of me having only started last week but still! Also if he goes will my chances of training course(s) this year get knocked on the head? Last time he was away (2004 for 8mths) the company got someone in but with 1mths notice, oh I don't know! No point worrying about what you can't change hey!

Now do I potter alone for a short one tomorrow or not? Ok maybe not but what I will do ... as it is "dress down Friday" is go for a longer walk ... maybe even walk the 2.4m we ran on Tuesday?

Maybe?

2006-09-27T20:10:00.000+01:00

Just maybe my mojo is back! You know what I did today? I runned!! That's twice in two days!!

This one was a solo affair, just me, my trainers, the 201 and the roads.

Plan was a structured walk/run and short run. Reality was a run ... oh this is fun ... run ... oh tired... walk.. run ..walk .... >looks at watch<.. oh I can do a bit more ... oh no people, must look good... cool downhill .... SPRINT!!!! Yippeee fun!!...>looks at 201 sees pace 8:30 beams<... >breathing hard<>looks at watch<... oh must get back.. run/walk/run and relax!

I'm sure you get the picture!

So in total today was 2.35m (so a smidge shorter than yesterday) and 30:46 so a tiny bit slower at 13mm pace (ish) not 12 but hey it was meant to be a slower, shorter recovery sort of run! I got back to the changing room, sat down and finished my drink. The other lady in there said "I know it's horrid ..." (I'm thinking ... weather wasn't bad! Run was good!)"... I hate running". I just smiled!

J was impressed I went out today and hasn't cancelled tomorrow so maybe 3 in a row for the pixie???!!!

So what did we learn today? Pixie can run faster! Pixie enjoys running! Pixie needs new shoes (roll on payday!) Running is fun! Oh and 1 last thought ... running at work is now like running at a club but without needing to go to a "proper" club! I like it!

Wow! Munchtime Running!!

2006-09-26T19:40:00.000+01:00

>beams foolishly<

Today I was scared! Nervous. Excited. Worried and generally wibbling. Today I would be running with the lads! Would I look like a slow fat slug? Would I be able to keep up? Prevent J from doing his thing? .... there were so many things going through my head. Part of me wanted to say I would do my own thing. Part of me said don't be daft.

I work with J. He's my team colleague and mentor and sits next to me and shows me the ropes and he's a great chap! RAF reserve (working at my place for 20yrs) and therefore fit. Best run on the 3m loop was 26mins. Then there was S (working at my place for 30yrs!) who normally does 6m in his lunch run! He plays chase and catch up.

Most of their runs include "whistlers way" which is a dis-used rail way line (not dissimilar to the Ivanhoe Way) so great for running on but not easy to pin point on the map. J was going to take me there then I could either "bimble" with him or do my own thing.

We ended up bimbling along at a pace faster than I had been running! He was happily saying how pleasant it was doing an easier run etc and I added the odd word thinking "breathe!"

It was actually a nice run! Great to have someone to chat to and also someone to kick me (or me him!) out of the door. Relaxing but hard work too. The run did J good as it was easier for him and me good to make myself work and I don't do that as a rule!

The weather was a lot warmer than I expected and I didn't have my comfort blanket i.e. runners aid bottle! J is the same! He also didn't have his and neither of us liked it! It's not so much the drinking thing it's just refreshing your mouth and adding moisture and in that heat we needed it! The heat also made me realise how hard I was working! My calves, again, had some tension ... new shoes calling me finks and my legs are still feeling the effect of my daily stair climbing sessions! So overall I was really pleased ... 2.4m in 28:48 so 12mm pace which is one of my bets runs over that distance all year! In fact I did 3m at 12:03 pace in April and prior to that it was January!!

Tomorrow J will not be running (he claims to be old and needs the rest). He wants to get back into the 2 runs at work a week thing so we will (yes we!) run again Thursday. I however may go for a shorter slower solo run tomorrow just because I can!!

Today whilst changing I saw a total of 8 or 9 other runners and J informed me that Tuesday and Thursdays are the quiet days!! S runs every day. One chap in our area runs the 7m to work and then home again every day! Looks like a healthy bunch hey! Plenty of encouragement too! Another good thing with the move!

So over all my opinion so far of the new place is Top Class! Glad I left the old place!!

I'm here! Really I am!

2006-09-25T20:36:00.000+01:00

[waves madly]
Hello!!!!
I'm alive! Honest!

Well work is brilliant and I almost don't notice the lack of forum access! I can get to RW articles! Also Fetch (and fetch mail) but not the forums or my mail so if anyone wants to speak then it's evenings only or Fetch!

Training has been well err nothing since last week's 1 run! But I did walk round Roman Silchester with Gnome on Saturday! It was very nice and warm and only 2.8km but took us ages! Gnome is going off the idea of walking Hadrian's Wall now!

Now here are my excuses for not running at the weekend:
Friday I didn't drink enough with the drive down and late night and I had a restless night with "crampy" legs so felt awful and tired 1st thing Saturday; then I was waiting for husband; then it was too hot; then we walked the Roman wall! Then I drank too much to get up early enough to run Sunday before the family do!!

BUT tomorrow I will be going for a run with "the boys" at work! Well at least they will take me to the trail as it is hard to pin point where it is on the map!! The slow lads take between 26 and 30mins to do the 3m course! The fast boys run 6m in their lunch!

I went for a walk round the grounds today ... took to 201. The path round the grounds is 1.25m! I will try to do a 30mins run 2-3 times a week, looking to slowly increase distance not time and therefore allow for a quick change and shower! Today I saw 5 runners from work, 3 of which were running together!

Apart from that not much more to report! I AM in Brass Monkey!! Yippeee! Also the Sucide Sixish and they are my only planned races. Once I have my 1st salary from the new place I will also look to get some new running shoes. Oh and so far the work snacking has plummeted so fingers crossed that will continue and combined with some running then maybe just maybe I can start to get into shape!

Speak soon!!

News from the Back of Beyond

2006-09-21T19:57:00.000+01:00

[looks at last update] hmmm sorry been a bit lapse! So lets have a quick review ... started new job on Monday and well 'tis good! I'm really pleased so far and think this is going to work out an excellent move! Monday arrived and I got there on time despite life being awkward 1st thing! The first "job" was to be shown my "new starter handbook" and a walking tour of the buildings which took about 45mins!! My desk is on the 3rd floor of building 3 and since day one I have, so far, used the lift twice. I've started "office hill work" as there are 72 stairs to my floor!! Well if Bee can do hill work on the tube why can't I!? Ok so my hill isn't as big as Bee's hill but then I am only a pixie!! The building is "cash free" so getting drinks etc is all on card ... as I didn't have a card the boss bought me drinks and even a kit kat (which is still in my desk draw (beams)[edit ...what kitkat?] which made me feel very welcome and looked after! I also got taken out for lunch (at the posh gym!) which was very nice!

The chap who I will work with (my mentor) is also a runner so the team appreciate runners! He tries to run a couple of times a week so showed me the seperate changing facility (bike store and showers) and has now shown me some maps of where he runs! He's faster than me (most are!) but runs shorter distances so was impressed with my 10K last week even though it was a snails pace!! This means I can run at lunch once I have settled down! Cool!
So all in all a great 1st day!

Tuesday was similar... apart from the meal out!!! I even did my 1st piece of work! I'm slowly getting to know people and I'm starting to "put things together" so to speak. Wednesday was again in a similar vane.

Each day I have done the stairs about 3 times (min) and last night I went home and decided to go for a run. Mile 1 was great (11:44 so faster too!) and then it went totally wrong! I had a nose bleed that just kept on drizzling and the legs just laughed having been doing so much "hill work". So 3.4m in total and slowly but I was pleased because I wasn't even expecting to go out at all this week!!

The only negative for the week is that the kitchen that is in my garage was not fitted. Work should have started on Monday but the company has gone into administration ... at least we have the actual goods and paid on VISA so fingers crossed we can get something back for the fitting.

This weekend we are heading down south and house sitting at mum's where I hope to get at least 1 run in. Ideally I will run tonight then Saturday and Sunday but we will see!

Oh and incase anyone thinks I am being very quiet ... no access to forums or webmail at work or blogger! Which means I have to actually work but that's a good thing! I've even eaten a LOT less than normal so things are looking up!! "speak soon"!!!!

So that's that then ...

2006-09-15T22:57:00.000+01:00

I am gone, outta there left! I left early did some shopping in town, then a food shop with the plan of getting in a longer run in the afternoon. By the time I got home it was later than I planned and I needed food. This meant that I was not able to get a long run in and a shower before Gnome needed collecting from school!

After last week's fun run Gnome had mentioned he would do another. I found one in Shepshed of just 1m and suggested he "trained" for it. He said he couldn't run with me 'cos I run too far so I decided to find a route of about 1m for him! This meant my walk to school and home took almost 2m (1.88 to be exact - yes I did take the 201!) and so that was my warm up!

I dropped Gnome off home, slurped some squash and went straight out again.

I've been looking in my Fetch log lately and well my mileage has been very low!! The last 2 weeks I had actually managed double figures!! Yesterday I did 4.3m which had been my longest run for about 7-8wks. So my thoughts of taking the opportunity to do a long run of say 10K was probably stupid but it had popped into my head and stayed there!

The 1st mile of my run is probably 50:50 up and down. I thought I would try the run a mile then walk a minute thing. I did mile one in 12:30. Whopps. I had my walk and started again only to find that someone had a fire going. I was breathing hard and images of my TW stress came rushing into my mind. I walked. Somehow despite these 2 walk breaks I managed mile 2 in 12:38. Something was going to give and soon!

Mile 3 shows as over 15mins but I did stop to remove grit from both shoes and not stop my watch. It was now that the legs started to moan and I realised that I had been a tad foolish! 10k is a long way when your previous runs had mainly been under 3m!

I thought I would try 1/2m then walk 1min oh and walk up hills! Which I did and then did 1/2m in about 5:30 ... good job there was a hill to walk up when I stopped!

Then came mile 5. I was shattered and just wanted to be at home in a bath. My head was saying "STUPID! Do a long run like this and you've already walked for almost 2m as a warm up!". I didn't care. I walked a lot (well it was up hill!) and the 10k idea had gone.

Mr garmin said that I picked up in mile 6 but then there was a lot of down hill! You see I turned towards home and when I got the end of my road it ready over 5.5m and well yes head said "just do this loop here and it's 10k" so I did!

Total distance 6.2m in 1hr 25 so very pleased! The weekend will be rest, probably Monday too seeing as it's the 1st day at the new place!! As for now? Chill time!

So Long and Thanks for all the Fish

2006-09-14T21:35:00.000+01:00

This afternoon I sort of said good bye. There are well no managers in tomorrow so I was given my card and gift today (a book voucher - shop version not Amazon!). I will go in tomorrow but not for long. I feel a little sad but then I guess this is to be expected having worked there for 5 1/2yrs now.

This is what I bought and this is what I will be reading over the next few days and taking with me on Monday! The O'Reilly books are always very good and well respected in the techy world so I don't think I can go wrong with this! It's more than a beginners book as it assumes some basic knowledge which I think I have!!

I'm looking forward to Monday. To the start of my new life! Someone described it as going to a new school and that's how I feel! Excited but scared! I have new people to meet, names to remember, facts to remember. New skills to learn and everything! They did employee another person at the same time, so hopefully their contract was delayed too and we will both be starting together on Monday!

I've told husband that I can't join the gym ... sensible head says however lovely it wasn't I can't (Gnome is not impressed as he really wanted to go! I expect he will forget this fact very quickly). This meant I also said that I will be running straight from work (tready is there for that reason isn't it!) as I pointed out I may not be able to run at lunch blah blah blah blah. He seemed fine with this! The boys have sausages/burgers or chicken nuggets maybe pizza 2-3 times a week when dad cooks so these will be my running days.

The office has one of these fancy cashless systems and my plan is to put say £40 (£10 per week) on my card and that's it. Meaning I must take my own lunch (soup or sandwiches), unless of course they have a salad bar and it's stupidly cheap!.

I intend to walk most lunchtimes around the lake as apparently there is a 3m walk (I will use the 201 to confirm this mind!). I've also checked the map out and think I may have found a better way into work to avoid the main road into Leicester but need to check this out!

I'm very positive about this move and can see myself staying for some time if it all works out how I hope it will!

In the meantime I have a long run planned for tomorrow and shopping leaving me the weekend free to do the kitchen! But no ... to bed! Nite!

How Odd?

2006-09-14T12:07:00.000+01:00

Today I am feeling odd, almost low. It's a strange feeling kinda sad and depleted. I'm guessing it's related to the fact that I am just 1 day away from being EX staff here. Could be the damp, grey weather or my weight too I guess. Maybe a combination of the lot!

One thing that I do know I need to do, and v-rap hinted this yesterday, is get serious. I'm not going to get slimmer or faster or fitter or anything without putting in the work myself. Only I can do this.

I am expecting the 1st week or 2 at the new place to tire me but it may not. If I have time to watch TV (which we all have to agree is crap most of the time!) then I have time to exercise. I need to be proactive and productive and really knuckle down. No excuses. Just do it (as Nike say!)

So that's what I did!

Before lunch I had a chat with Leon ... always Mr Sensible and you sit there nodding thinking "I know this! It's common sense and sensible! So why don't I!?" Anyway we chatted and with his words lurking in the deepest darkest depths of my mind I went back to (coughs) work.

Then the time came for my final munchtime run. Yes after over 2years this was it. I have just one day left and that will most likely be a lunchtime diet coke farewell drink.

So off I went. Without having a plan I realised I was going to keep running as long as possible. I varied the route so had no idea where the mile markers were. As it is Thursday there is more traffic with the market being in town. This meant I had to wait for traffic lights at the roundabouts. So apart from these micro stops I carried on. Mile 1 was slow, mile 2 was less slow and mile 3 was the fastest mile. Mile 4 and I had to walk/run because I was tired. I could feel my shoulders tightening and raising and I was starting to slouch and do my waving hands thing!

In total it was 4.3m in 1hr 50secs and I was pleased and my timing was spot on! As I stopped and walked to the office it started to rain. By the time I has walked upstairs it was torential rain!

So that's that then ... my last run in town. Gone. Done. Dusted. Over. Tomorrow it will all be finished.

Last 3 Days ...

2006-09-13T09:55:00.000+01:00

before I go and I've just been given permission to tell a sales person that the work they wanted to do is "not my problem"!! That was good!

Also got a leaving card from the people in the Windsor office which is nice as I left there just over 2yrs ago. Bless!

The card reads “Leaving? Are you sure you want to go ahead with this? Just look at what you are leaving behind … OK point taken!”

My entry for Brass Monkey went in today! So now is time to start running (not pottering!) and start thinking about that shiny new PB! So I'm out pounding the streets of Loughborough today come rain or shine (and looking out of the window it looks like rain!)

I am expecting to be very tired in the 1st few weeks at the new place but hope to still get some running in ... the tready may come into use as it means I can easily do a run and if I am tired I can stop and shower without having to keep going when I can't!

This weekend I will be cross training ... need to empty the kitchen and utility room for the workmen which also means that by the end of next week I will also be able to get to the tready as it is currently hidden behind a pile of boxes!!

Run Edit:

OMG what was that?

Well this morning I looked out of the window whilst sat here at work and the sky was black. V-Rap in Brum had reported ran so all in all I was expecting a wet run. How wrong was I! Boy it's warm out!

Plan was a steady but continuous run. Warm up of 5mins walking ... done! Then I started to trot. Felt awful and calves ached still. After 5mins I walked, mainly due to the traffic at the roundabout! I then decided sod it I would just run how I felt. So off I went running faster but naturally this meant I was going to run walk as my aerobic fitness could not cope with runnng continuously at that pace.

As I ran my mind wandered (as it does when we run!) and I started thinking "I'm really leaving! This could be my last run round here! Oh God help! Can I do this? Panic? Why am I leaving? Would it not have been easier to just stay? ....."

As these thoughts rushed through my mind my pace quicken, then I got to the arrgghhh can't breath stage and walked. I would walk and wander and think then realise I was still walking and start running, then run too hard .... etc!

When I was actually running it was good! A good pace and form was good (I think!) but I walked much more than planned so overall distance is low!

I was also thinking about running once I move, and trying to fit in any training! Losing weight, Brass Monkey, trying to run, get fitter .... yes my mind was in major over drive!

Now I just need to collate those thoughts and form an orderly plan and try to keep to it! Help!

So lets get this right ...

2006-09-12T10:43:00.001+01:00

We're runners ... we take care of ourselves ... and we pay to be hurt!?!!

Yep last night it was time to see ouchy hurty lady! She agreed that yep my calves were tight and today I feel bruised!

Yesterday poor Gnome was feeling the effects of his run (bless) but that didn't stop him going swimming with Boys Brigade last night! They only got 30mins mind as there was a MASSIVE storm! There was a power cut at the pool and so much rain the outside pool flooded and leaked into the male changing! Today I had to drag the poor love out of bed to get him up for school!!

Later that same day ....
Coach Spans insisted that a gentle walk run would do my legs good and given I had brought my kit in I thought I would give it a go.

As my calves were tender I did 10mins of walking warm up and then 7 sets of 3 Run 2 Walk and then a 10mins cool down. OK so I was out for 55 mins and pushing my lunch "hour" but no one is paying any notice of me and I have no work so why not!

The run was just a gently run and I guess it was say 12mm pace maybe more maybe less, I wasn't interested to be honest! There were moments when my calves were still tight (but no worse than before!) but as I was doing walk run they weren't bad. It was a nice run, warm and calm and relaxing.

I'm hoping that todays tightness is post massage tenderness but I will keep my eye on it and consider a trip to Sutton Runner with v-rap (my local running shop is pants and I don't know where any others are!). I may try some different shoes too.

I've been wearing Saucony 3D Grid Hurricanes since October 2003 when DogWalker at Up and Running in Watford told me I over pronated by 5% and as I was marathon training I should wear a more supportive shoe. If I wasn't then neutral shoes would have been OK as I don't over pronate that much. Prior to this my worst injury was a blister.
Jan 2004 I had a ligament strain next to my metertarsal so defered from FLM04.
Feb 2005 I got the stress fracture (but completed FLM05!)
Feb 2006 I admitted I had PF.
Are these niggles/injuries related? Don't know! Worth a try mind! What do you lot think?

Busy Weekend!

2006-09-10T19:50:00.000+01:00

Saturday:
The plan today was to see posh gym at new work place and then swim oh and do food shopping.

New gym was amazing! It's expensive mind and if I don't use it then a big waste of money. If I lived close by I would!

There is:
10+ racquets courts (in and out)
full gym with TV screens on all CV machines
separate core workout section (medicine balls, floor work area etc)
separate weights
separate treadies and cross trainers for "classes"
studios for spinning/pilates/yoga
KIDS gym! Full CV and weights for kids!
Kids sessions of cricket/basketball/footy/hockey ......
4 pools
2 hot tub things etc

The list goes on!

Problem is there is the question of will I use it. I am not sure of how things work at the new place, plus there is hubby's shift. So despite loving it I think it will be a no :-(

I will, if I can run at work or even at work before work and shower there. After all in order to improve your running you do need to run!

I am also thinking that for the 1st few weeks of the new place I will be shattered anyways!

I am also thinking of going a new club (once I am back running properly and recovered from change of job!). Rather than going back to Ivanhoe Runners (who implied I should speed up!) I will try Desford Striders as I drive through Desford to get home from new place.

Following gym visit Gnome and I spent an hour in the pool. Can't say we actually "swam" but we did have fun and burnt calories!

Sunday:
Wow busy day for me today!

Gnome and I left home for Lichfield at 9:30 by 10 we were there.

We meet the others (v-rap + 2 raptors + au pair and Aim High! + 3 buzzlets). I entered Gnome for the 3k fun run and being in civvies I was to be chief in charge of coats.

The 10K headed off and then 10mins later it was time for the fun run.It was then that Princess (4) decided I could hold her hand and go with her! So rucksack on back and in frees and normal bra and cotton shirt and BM sweater we were off ... my ideas of a nice walk were shattered straight away!Princess declared with the biggest grin "It's a fun run ... we're having fun and we're running!"

She ran most of the way bless her and beat one of her brothers (who wasn't trying!) and the 2 raptors (who were hot and had stitches and yep weren't trying too hard either!) She beat them by a fair way too! and was so happy!

The 2nd half was "you is going to be beaten by a 4yr old!" but I didn't care!

Her oldest brother finished in a stonking 16mins! (37th) not sure of our time.Gnome was 2nd in and very happy with his 1st running medal and is interested in doing more fun runs.

The adults both came home with PB's too! An amazing day and great race. One for next year's calender.

So back at v-rap's Aim High! takes me for a potter. It was very hot by now and having seen him finish just over 41mins I was impressed he wanted to go out again! Bless him!

Again he took the time to chat to me and help me with hints and tips on style etc We did a 2.88m solid run HR maxing at 193 av 184. I was well tired and would have walked very early on if he hadn't been with me!

Will rest tomorrow!Also have OUCH massage on calves at 5 so gentle short run Tuesday maybe!

The Countdown Continues

2006-09-08T10:26:00.000+01:00

This time next week and I will be on my last day at work! Yippee! Not that I am counting!

I'm looking forward to the challenges and the changes ahead ... I think I need it becuase at this moment in time I feel like my brain is slowlt dripping out of my ears!

Last night we had a "not quite left" leaving meal ... a very nice curry with just a few friends from work. It was nice to have a giggle and a bitch!

Today I feel just slightly err larger and intend to go for a run at lunch!

Lunchtime Edit

So my last two runs have been less than pleasing so today I decided that I would step back and repeat Tuesdays 3:3 rather than pushing ahead. I continued to think about this idea as I trotted today and I have decided that I will repeat this 3:3 for another couple of runs until I am feeling totally comfortable and the pace is consistent and ideally about the 10mm pace.

Today's run was so much better than Tuesday! The pace was better and more consistent across the whole run. Like before I didn't do the 4 sets but 5 (then 90 extra seconds cos I miss counted!). As before I still had the tight calves but not as bad as there were on the last two runs. This is something that I need to speak to the clever people about and if anyone in blog land want to comment then that's just great!

Since I started the walk run thing I have been running my run slots at arround 10mm pace. The shorter ones (1 or 2mins) where under 10mm pace and now they are 10-11mm pace. When I was doing the shorter runs up to the 2R:4W session I had no tightness. My two slow but continuous runs at the weekend again no tightness. This week were the run has stepped up to 3+mins and the walk reduced to 3mins I have had tightness. So is this the weekend's efforts or body adjusting to faster running?

So again I started with a 5mins walking warm up before I changed to the run:walk part of my plan. As I've already mentioned my planned pace is to try and stay on or arround the 10mm pace. I want to be able to get to the stage where I can run for, say, 30mins at that pace without walking before I embark on a plan for Brass Monkey. I would like a stonking PB there seeing as it is a PB course!

Additional Edit
Sports Massage booked for Monday!

Almost Leaving Do ....

2006-09-07T11:59:00.000+01:00

Well following 2 "not so good" runs today I am resting. The problem is I am also having an "almost leaving curry" tonight and I've had a bad attack of the M&S bakery so tomorrow I have to run!

That's the best I can do for today I'm afraid! Sorry!

Well? What Next?

2006-09-06T07:54:00.000+01:00

I'm going to try and slowly increase my exercise. I have 2 minor goals ... firstly to be regularly doing over 20m p/w (and not stop when I start the new job!) and this leads into my second goal of (hangs head shamefully!) beating Zina at the Suicide Six(ish).

20MPW is something I have never achieved more than the odd week when training for, or doing!, a marafun. I normally hover around the 15m mark. Currently I am struggling to get to double figures! Ideally I would like to get to the stage of being able to run 25-30mpw but that is something that would have to come with speed as plodding that distance is well time consumming! Also running more will use more calories and hopefully lead to some weight lose.

Zina did her 1st run with Leon and I on Saturday and is a natural. 1st run and she does 3.5m without walking. This girl is only going to get better if she trains and given where she lives she will train! OK maybe beat is too hard a word ... lets just say I don't want to be eating her dust or mud as the case may be!!

Today I will be upping the odds ... schedule says 3 sets of 5run 3 walk. Yesterday wasn't a brilliant run so hoping today will be better. Did ponder repeating yesterday but I'm not a total novice and appreciate bad days happen so shant!

Saturday I am visiting (with Gnome) the gym at work ... it's not cheap even with corporate discount, but if it has lunchtime classes in pilates or yoga etc I may do it. That way I can work on some core strength as I just don't do it at home! Also I could swim or gym before work if I can get out of bed in time! Anyway that's all ideas for now ... lets just see!

Post Run Edit

Pants that is all I can say! MAJOR pants! Nessie lied! She said it was the law that I would have a good run today following yesterday's not so good run and in fact it was worse!

Went out feeling nice and positive and looking forward to my run. I knew what the plan said but the sun was out and I had no work to do so thought I would potter for a longer time anyway.

Being sensible I walked for 5mins to start with. Then ran my 5mins then due to tight calves I walked to the mile marker then stopped and stretched. The calves were having none of this losening marlarky and stayed tight for the rest of the run and caused the 5:3 plan to be abandoned.

I tried 4mins running, then 3 then just gave up and did 1:1 just to get back to the office. Not a happy pixie. Will repeat this in fact I may repeat yesterday's 3:3 when I next run which will probably be tomorrow.

Still I went out, I ran and I burned some calories and got some (coughs) fresh air! So not all bad!

I Wish ...

2006-09-05T09:57:00.000+01:00

I was on garden leave.

I have 9 days left and I'm being given next to no work and not even been asked for help so bored and wondering why I am here!

So I am sat here twidling my thumbs, googling UNIX and Shell Scripts etc whilst looking at books on Amazon and O'Reilley. I have a wish list of 3 books now.

Yesterday I did nothing, well a bit of shopping at lunch and that was it. I did walk to/from Boys Brigade to collect Gnome but exercise wise that was it. Well it was a rest day!

Today I have my kit with me and intend to potter at lunchtime. Well why not!

Edit

Well today was one of those runs when you just do them. It's not nice or pretty but you just do it and get to the end.

201 on wrist I went off full of the joys of someone who ran all of her last race (however slowly!) ... I soon discovered that my legs were still tired from the weekend. Something that I was surprised at as I rested yesterday.

I headed for the canal and once there skirted round the family of swans that were positioned on the path and hissing at me! Then off I went 3 run 3 walk and this was to be repeated 4 times according to the plan (not the 5sets I did last week!).

1St rep and my legs shouted .... "TIRED" and my calves felt tight. I could tell this was one of those runs and I just had to accept it. This rep had been at the pace I was trying to achieve but I could tell it was not going to be maintained! So the idea was to just run at an even pace, watch style and try not to crawl!

As I was thinking about the above and ignoring the tightness in my calves I also wasn't counting properly! I had done 3 sets before I turned round! This meant I was further down the canal than expected (logically!) and as a result I ended up doing 6 sets. Well the last set was 20 seconds short as Mr Swan was very upset by my presence! So much for my "follow the plan - 4 sets"!

After the 1st set the rest of my runs had been much more steady than normal and I was pleased to see that my "too tired to run" pace was between 11:30 and 12:30 pace which is an improvement from where I was.

Over all the distance was 2.92m in 44:46mins. I had to stop after the 3rd rep and stretch my calves as they were that tight. Even a stretch for a count of 5 made me grimace so it took a while to get back in to things.

So a bitty run but a run all the same. Will be back out tomorrow ... lets hope it's a better one!

Update Time!

2006-09-04T10:02:00.000+01:00

Well what a busy few days!!

Friday:
Munchtime potter as reported below!

Saturday:
Off to the Cavern! To reduce maternal strive once hubby was awake I did the domestic godess bit then a quick shower and off to see the lovely v-rap + kids and Leon + kids! It was never going to be a quiet weekend with 6 kids was it!!

I got to Brum mid afternoon and after a nice cuppa tea and a slice of banana cake there was a group decission of a visit to the pool! V-rap now has the additional help of Zina, who is a lovely young Hungarian aux pair, and despite the weekend being her time off she joins the rest of us in a family trip to the pool!

Not being prepared for a swim I borrowed a cossie! The pool complex had several pools which meant that the kids could play and the adults took turns to do lengths. Not sure how many I did, probably about 40+, and without my prescription goggles and nose clip it felt odd, but I think I did well! I even managed to master the nose breathing thing by then end which I was pleased with!

On our return to the Cavern it was bags down and kit on!! Zina has already been swept up in the delights of running and had visited the Sutton Runner on Friday with v-rap! So Zina and I went for a slow (phew!) potter with Leon who did the gait watching and style instruction. He's very good! We did 3.5m in about 46mins (Leon has the stats!) without walking which I was pleased with! Zina did brilliantly! 1st run and 3.5m non-stop!

Leon advised that I have a weird right leg swing going on (wasted energy), shoulder rotation (not good! Need to improve that!) and breath in a shallow fashion, especially when tired which would explain the asthma like symptons (despite the machine saying I don'thave asthma!). So lots to think about!

Leon, and then v-rap, went out for seperate faster runs after!

Sunday:
As is now expected before a race I did the "panic I will over sleep" thing so had a restless night. I was up at 7 and made a cuppa tea then read one of Tinks books!! V-rap did us a fantastic bacon and sausage breakfast with homemade bread! Oh and we were joined by Mints, mini-Mints and their neighbour Jo.

I was calm at this time as I had it in my mind that the start was at 11am so when we strolled to the start (well I strolled totally chilled!) at 10:25am and they were all lined up I remarked that they were keen! It was a 10:30 start!!!

Lots of walkers, from the front to the back. Strolling as if it was a Sunday afternoon walk in the park. This meant that I was struggling to "run" and kept on hoping on and off the pavement.

The course itself was more undulating than I expected. With my reduced fitness I was not expecting a fast time. In fact I was expecting anything between 40 and 45mins. On the day my goal was just to run it all with no walking as that was something I have never done and as I wasn't worried about the time it was a good time to do this!

In reality I ran a very even pace! No starting sprint only to crash and burn. No "gonna give up and walk this hill" and I didn't carry water either (my comfort "blanket"). The weather was hot so I wasn't happy not carrying water (but the body does not need water for a 5k!) but I did it!

As I spotted the finish I picked up the speed. I passed many people (beams) and kept the pace going. We rounded a corner then I spotted v-rap and Leon (plus 5 kids and Zina!) and I checked my watch. I had 18 seconds to get to the finish! I picked up the pace again and finished in 39:59:45! Yippeee sub 40!! just!

Having collected my goody bag and medal I poured 500ml of water down my back and downed another 500ml as a drink! I declined the Hydro Active because even if they are the sponsors you just don't need a sports drink for a 5k! We waited for Mints and then strolled back to the car.

Back at the Cavern v-rap "threw together a quick soup and crumble!" It was gorgeous! Proper runners food!!!

Once Leon and his gaggle had gone the rest of us then went for a walk! Zina joined us so she could find out where the train station was and also to losen her legs. Tinks had declared she wanted to do the race next year and/or the race for life. I may have to "adopt" her so she can plod with me whilst her older and faster sister runs with mum. With this enthusiatic nipper in tow we went for a walk. About 4m I think so a nice losener for my legs as well as Zina.

Once I got home to my place I then mowed the lawn as the recent rain had made it spring into life! So a very busy and active few days! Today I will rest!

Today's Challenge!

2006-09-01T08:10:00.000+01:00

The challenge today is to remove the remaining 8 teacakes from my desk and deliver them to the Cavern tomorrow! ALL 8!

I also intend to do a munchtime potter ... I have a new kit bag which is a lot bigger so can also carry a large towel meaning no more "oh it's raining" excuses for cancelling runs!

It's a short run of 5 sets of 3:3. Nothing more or less (apart from warm up/cool down walk!) as I am (coughs loudly) racing Sunday!! I will report back later!

Edit ....

First - teacakes hidden in carrier bag out of sight and ready to go home!

Also I am pleased to report that I have run!! I did the full 5 sets and realised when I got back that it should have been 4 sets! Which explains why the last one was so hard! Still as Spans says it shows I could do it and extra sets are never wasted!!

First few sets were good, sub 10mm pace and the 3mins walk was enough to recover. The 4th one was harder and just over 10mm pace the last was about 11:20 pace!

Hope to do a short run with Leon tomorrow and have a natter. I don't pronate much and I am wondering if the shoes I wear may make issues worse rather than better seeing as all my injuries have been lower leg! So it will be good to have someone watch me run.

Sunday is race day!