February 2012
13 posts
Losing my ROJO ... then getting it back!
ROJO (running mojo) is a funny thing it seems to come and go with me but now that I feel like I have it back it’s not going anywhere!
Sunday was long run day and it just didn’t go well at all! I felt really sick and really tired and I had to keep stopping as the sickness was just getting worse and worse. I was hoping that once I started running it would disappear and I would feel...
Work in progress - focus on one goal at a time!
I got a great piece of advice last night from a fellow runner - focus on one goal at a time. I had been thinking of going for a 5km PB this weekend at a Parkrun but after some soreness and tightness in my calf decided against it. SAY NO TO INJURIES! After some thought this person was right, I should focus on one goal at a time - Edinburgh Half Marathon is the most important thing that is coming up...
Positivity and Improvements
This week so far I’ve only done one session with TBH and that’s it in terms of exercise - I know, I know very naughty of me! I had every intention of heading to the gym last night but as soon as I got in and prepared tea I just couldn’t be bothered and decided to eat chocolate cheesecake instead! This blog however is not to tell you what I didn’t do but what I have done so...
Planning and planning and some more planning
I’ve said this time and time again planing is everything so this week I’ve made a plan and I will stick to it! I guess a plan is only useful if you stick to it so I’ve put it in both my home and work diary and plan to tick off each session and each meal I have.
My training feels like it’s getting back on track this week I’ve ran 25miles, 12 of them over the weekend...
Wrekenton - An Introduction to Cross Country
So yesterday I took on my first cross country! The atmosphere is quite something when you turn up, there are lots of tents with members from all different clubs and you see people warming up, giving each other advice and checking out the course. I found the TBH tent quickly, left my bad and headed out to see what the course was like. Hilly was the first word that came to mind but from what I could...
More training and pre cross country nerves
Last night at the mighty TBH we did 7x2mins it was tough but I felt good and strong and pushed myself to keep going, looking at my Garmin I can see I pushed hard to start and got slower as the 2 mins went on for the future I’m going to aim to stay at same pace or get faster. Always looking to do better!
Feels fantastic to be back running and whilst this is only my second week back into it...
Is it the sessions you find hard that make the...
It’s been a very cold week in the North East and since I have the worst circulation it’s been an extra cold one for me! Monday I headed to the gym before work, I was surprised my legs didn’t ache after the long run on Sunday but I felt great - 20 mins interval session on the cross trainer and a mile walk/run on the treadmill. I tried a different gym than I normally go to and...
Chit, Chat and Running!
This weekend I volunteered at Parkrun, I don’t want to run it too much as I’m trying hard not to get obsessed with times and just get the time on my feet in. It was the TBH grand prix winter series so there were loads of friendly faces out on the course who I shouted random encouragement to as they ran past! Loads of TBH did fantastic getting PBs especially when it was sooooo cold. My...
Running highs and running lows
After a fantastic session on Tuesday night then a good session in the gym on Wednesday I was tired yesterday, I still put my kit on and headed out with TBH for an interval session - the dreaded 4x4mins. I’m not a huge fan of this session whilst I can see the benefits I always start out too fast so end up knackered and 4 mins seem to take forever! By the third interval my legs felt like led...
Goal setting for February
So I was starting the eat clean trial on Monday but it hasn’t all gone to plan I’ve had a few naughty things and well quite frankly it’s no good! So here is February and I’m looking for it to be fantastic! I’ve been thinking of setting monthly goals as I think it’s a good idea to break up big goals into smaller ones and after seeing how fantastically people have...
January 2012
13 posts
And so it begins . . . AGAIN!!
After a full week off the exercise wagon and healthy eating wagon due to a back injury an not being able to move without pain I decided to give the gym a go this morning to test things out. I turned up about half 10 after a breakfast of porridge and an attempt to be healthy and got on the treadmill or dreadmill as I like to refer to it. After a warm up for 2 mins I pushed the speed up to 10kmph...
Lessons learned
As you probably know (I’m fairly dramatic) I’ve put my back out! I think it’s a trapped nerve and it’s something I’ve had before, last summer but nowhere near this bad. I stood up yesterday from the sofa and stretched upwards and then collapsed in a heap squealing in pain on the floor! Nightmare! After lying on the floor for a few hours I knew I was going to have to...
PB Girl
Exciting news to share on this windy Saturday! Today I ran the 2nd Anniversary Parkrun and took 1min 54sec off my previous Parkrun PB. New PB of 29:03. I’m so happy to get under the 30min mark and cannot wait to keep getting that time down. The conditions were ok, but not great. It was quite windy and as I passed the 4km mark the wind was right in my face and I found it hard to get my...
Back from illness
I’ve been off everything the last few days, I’ve had a bug that seems to be making the rounds so was stuck in bed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday not pretty but I did lose 5lbs so every cloud and that!
Even though I’m not fully back on food and my appetite is a bit surpressed (I’ve been living on beans on toast) I thought I would put the trainers on and head out for a...
“It’s hard to beat a person that never gives up.”
– Babe Ruth
The reasons I love running
Today is a bit of a self indulgent post as I would like to share the reasons I love running. After a cracking session with Tyne Bridge last night, I found myself elated and reflecting on the reasons I love running so much.
Runners high - the feeling I get when I’ve ran particularly far or fast or just made myself go our running when I didn’t feel like it and the little buzz it gives...
Turning negative thoughts to postive ones
I’ve been suffering a bit lately with a negative mindset. I’ve been trying desperately to get back on track with my diet and whilst I’ve had a few good days this week (since Sunday) I’ve still been struggling. I’m not sure what exactly it is, it’s not that I crave chocolate and sweets but I don’t feel satisfied with my meals. I think it’s down to my...
Getting back into it
Last night I returned to harriers and it felt great! I can’t sell the benefits of running with a good running club enough, I love running with Tyne Bridge Harriers as they are so supportive and push me where I wouldn’t if I was running on my own. The session last night was 4x4 minutes and for the 4 minutes I pushed myself to run a bit faster than I would normally. I haven’t...
Got my ROJO back!
Well I’ve got my ROJO back - my running mojo! After cycling to and from Newcastle Parkrun yesterday and volunteering I started to feel more positive about the injury I’ve been frustrated by for the last 2-3 weeks. Cycling allowed me to exercise pain free and I got a bit off a buzz off it. It was fairly hard as quite windy and I had a few hills to contend with, I did 7 miles part of me...
Not the best start to 2012
I haven’t poseted anything in a while because well quite simply I’ve had nothing to post!
My knee is still causing me pain when I’m running so after trying last Thursday to run through it I decided to take a week off. I’ve had a sports massage (which hurt like hell) and completely rested and thought I would try a run today … with no luck! Still in pain and felt...
December 2011
37 posts
The End of 2011
I have so much to be thankful for in 2011! I’ve lost weight, finished the first year of my degree, started running and completed a few races, and I’ve had amazing people beside me all the way :)
2011 has been good but I think 2012 can be even better! I’m not making new years resolutions but new years goals, things I want to work towards and achieve. I’ve posted some of...
The Half Marathon Journey begins
Well I’m still in pain with my knee! Got to about 2miles and my knee started to hurt so I stopped, walked back and iced it when I got home. Feels better than last Tuesday so hoping that by taking little steps I can start running pain free - I can dream!
It was a shame the pain came on because I was feeling fit and strong and I could have pushed to run a bit quicker. Going to see how the...
Runner's Problems - SOLVED!
The title is a little misleading I am not here to solve every runners problem so I’ll get that clear from the start! This post is about the fantastic service I received at Sweatshop today and the things I found out about my lovely feet that keep me running. The main reason for going to sweatshop was to get my badass leggins for all the races coming up next year so that I won’t be...
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The Final Results
Feels like I should have some X Factor type music on or Dermot to announce the results!
10 Day Christmas Fire Up completed - it was hard, I’ve almost cried, passed out and been sick, I’ve got up super early every morning to put myself through ‘Insanity’ and yet I’ve had more energy, eaten less rubbish (second week not included) and most importantly lived to tell the...
Day 10 - Back fighting, well almost!
Day 10 has arrived the final session before the fitness test and weigh in tomorrow morning at 6am. I have definately lost inches and can tell the difference when I look in the mirror. I don’t think I’ve lost lots of weight as I haven’t stuck to the diet as rigidly as I could have (it is Christmas after all) but hopefully I’ll see a difference in body fat %!
After not being...
Day 9 - :(
Last night did not go how it was supposed to! I was all pumped up for my 5km race with TBH and since it was a handicapped race I was in the first group to go - got about half a mile into it and my knee was pulling felt strange like I’d twisted it but thought it would away once I got into it. I thought wrong I could still feel it as we crossed the swing bridge and as I descended onto the...
Day 8 - Going Strong!
Today was another new circuit and my god it was tough! Full body drills are a killer - starting from standing jump down into a press up position floor sprint for 8, then moving press ups, then in and out abs and back up! We had to repeat this a couple of times - I could only manage bits and pieces before having to lie on the floor, but if I think of day 1 I doubt I would have even been able to...
Day 7
Today was a 6am start, I just got there on time! I’m scared to get a strike and so far have been there on time and not missed a session.
We did a 40 minute cardio session and I was determined to push myself as much as possible it was hard but I felt fantastic afterwards and have done all day! I would encourage anyone to try this or even just a new challenge it’s amazing what the...
Day 6 - Rest day
Today is my rest day from the 10 day christmas fire up! Looking at my body in the mirror I do think my shape has changed a little so fingers crossed for weigh in on Friday!
Epic diet fail today I’ve had bread galore and homemade chips :( I feel pretty sick now so back on it tomorrow! Need to be really strict so I can hopefully shift some lbs as a nice christmas pressie to myself.
6am...
Day 4 and Day 5
Firstly I apologise for not posting yesterday but I had my work Christmas party ad had to be out at 3 not getting back in till late!
Yesterday was a 6am start (I don’t know how I’m doing it either) and we did a 40min workout was tough but I felt really good after and I think my body is starting to get used to the level of intensity, I didn’t have as sore of legs as I have had...
Day 3 - getting there
7.30am start for our ‘insanity’ session, we started by doing 30mins of intense cardio - push ups are still my enemy and had to do them on my knees I can’t do big boy press ups … yet! We then went on to intense abs and that was super hard the lower oblique planks were a killer (search YouTube for insanity workout and you will see what I mean by hard)!!
I didn’t feel...
Day 2 - Ouch!
DOMS! Serious muscle soreness going on today after this mornings session. I felt ok and managed the majority of it but at one point had to get some air as was feeling very dizzy and a bit sick. We did lots of different exercises at high intensity with a short break to have a drink and take a quick break. Was great to have someone there to push me and shout at me - made me keep going and not give...
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Day 1 Insanity
I survived - just! I now know why they call it insanity - first of all you have to be insane to do it and secondly the program is insane!
We started by getting weighed and were given our weight, body fat % and hydration %. We had photos taken of our front, side and back and then we got into a space to begin the fitness test.
I thought I was of average fitness being a runner and spinning a couple...
Pre-challenge excitement/nerves!
To say I’m excited would be an understatement, I’m really looking forward to taking on this new challenge tomorrow and I will try to keep my blog updated everyday! I’m also really scared!! After checking out some videos on you tube of the type of workouts I’m going to be doing, to say it’s going to be hard is an understatement. But then if I stopped when things got...
The Next Challenge
I mentioned earlier this week in my blog about searching for new challenges and that I had found something that I was going to try to help make me fitter and stronger. The name of this new challenge is …
INFERNO 10 Day Christmas Fire Up!
Due to start on Tuesday at 7.30am (13/12/2011) and last for 10 days I will (as the facebook group describes) be completeing 10 days of intense, hardcore...
Newcastle Parkrun - Hello PBgirl
Today I got up early after a cracking nights sleep for Newcastle’s 100th Parkrun. I was planning on cycling across but it looked rather icy when I looked out the window so decided against cycling, wrapped up warm and decided to take the car!
I got to Exhibition Park about 10 mins before the start so jogged to the start line to warm up. The gun went off and I started my Nike+ (more...