Yume No Chikara

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

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 (t

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 o

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 c

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 (

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!!

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 10m

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 ba

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

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!!

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 w

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

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 w

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 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 u

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

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 t

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

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

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 l

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

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

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 so

"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

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

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 tha

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

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!

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

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 ab

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!

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

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 th

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

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!!

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

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

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

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 p

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 un

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 o

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" wo

>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

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

>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 u

[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 leas

[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

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 m

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 b

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 w

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