Pre-Race Stress has started already....

This week’s runs have been hard (and I’m only 2 runs in), I’ve had a dramatic turn in events and now hate running again….so I’m giving up, not doing the half marathon and never running again!

Just kidding… I've invested too much time to give up now, plus I can’t give up this easily, and my running trainers are so damn cute I can't not wear them.

I need to carry on plodding (also known as ‘running’) along and get as close to 13.1 miles ready as I can in this time. But I’m absolutely stressing out about it, and it’s pretty much all I think off at the moment, it’s become my new unhealthy obsession. I’m spending more time on the runners world website than I am on BBC news (apparently something is going on in Scotland – or should I say not going on?). I’m going through, writing and re-writing training plans for the next 3 weeks. I’m working out all my potential times (which is complete guess work as who knows what I’ll be like on the day?) and the worse thing about all this stressing is that its interfering with my sleep. I keep dreaming that I can’t make the first mile – wake up at 4:00am, and then can’t get back to sleep. 

ARGHHHHHHHHH – who knew it would be this stressful? I’m a crumbling, sweaty mess – I’m not very good with stress.

So for the moment, I’m going to stop thinking about the end goal – and just focus on training for me, because I want to be able to run these lovely long distances, without the pressure of anyone timing me or watching me; just me in the park with my trainers and ipod, enjoying the fresh air, greenery and thinking off all the calories I’m burning off, so I can eat cheesecake.

This weekend’s runs are looking like this (there has been a slight change due to bad runs this week):

Friday – 10K

Saturday – Gym session; some cross-trainer and treadmill time (90 mins in total)

Sunday – the plan was to get to the pool, but it’s closed for a gala – so I’m going to enjoy the last of the warm weather and head out trekking around Oxford, in order to stretch my legs for a nice long run on Monday.

The first four...

If  you follow me on Twitter you would have known that from Monday 14^th July 2014 things got serious – serious in the sense that it’s just over 12 weeks to the half marathon. 12 weeks seems like ages right? That’s a whole 3 months, a quarter of the year, plenty of time to build up to 13.1 miles. But a big lesson I've learnt about turning a year older, is that time flies by…like literally you blink and it’s the next month (what happened to June?).

So it's time to step up the training, form a routine training plan and give up alcohol (except for my four scheduled alcohol-allowed events; this weekend, Machofest, Kyle’s birthday and Carnival), the rest of the time I shall be T-Total (and probably quiet grumpy and boring on weekends now).

The Training Plan:

I’m using a mix of training plans I've found online and fitting them in between my body pump classes (as we've got to keep the muscles strong and lean right?). As it’s just over 12 weeks, and I’m away this weekend (it’s a surprise trip, so I don’t know if I’ll be able to go for a run whilst I’m away, hence the '?' in my plan) I shall be repeating week 1 twice – it will also help build  the plan into my routine that I have to stick to for 12 weeks. I’m notoriously bad at sticking to things, so hopefully shouting out about this on my blog means that it’s making me accountable for it, and I have to do it, plus its for charity and I’m running with a team, and I've told loads of people, and spent a lot of money on running shoes etc, etc.

Monday's are the toughest day, and I originally had the 30 minute easy run on a Tuesday, but trying to move the day after a Body Pump session can be tough (I barely make it up the stairs at work), so I've put my two rest days the days after body pump. It's also an easy run on the Monday (as legs are still recovering from Sunday's long run), so I can do it just before my body pump class on the treadmill, in the comfort of an air conditioned gym.

As I have created the plan, and I’m not a fitness expert I shall be changing and adapting it as I see fit (with the 13.1 mile goal in mind). I should probably run this past someone who knows what they are doing; so if you are an experienced runner/athlete/personal trainer who is reading this and can see massive flaws in the plan – give me  a shout.

I’m not going to bore you with the full 12 week plan so far (partly because it scares me a little to look at the full 12 weeks at once), so I’m just going to post the first four weeks on here.

Want to join me? I mainly run just after work around 6:30 / 7pm in East Oxford - so drop me an email / comment / tweet and we can meet up :).

I'm still Standing, well running....

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, and I’m going to use the lame excuse of not having enough time,  which I hate as an excuse. Everyone has the same amount of hours in the day, choosing how you spend them is what makes it matter. With that in mind, I have been choosing how to spend my hours not updating my blog, as I thought generally no one really cared about, but lately a lot of people have been asking ‘what happened?’, ‘are you still running the half marathon?’, ‘how’s the training going?’. So I thought I’d give you an little update with what is going on.

I genuinely thought no one read my blog, or cared that I was pounding the pavements, eating healthy and generally improving my well-being; aren’t we all trying to achieve that? – so I thought this ole’ blogging malarkey was fairly boring to the reader. But then I realised that it’s a bit like a newsletter (or extra-long facebook status) for your family and friends, to inform them of what exactly you are getting up too; especially the ones who are a little far afield and we don’t have that much time to catch up with.

So, YES – I am still running a half marathon, I have signed up, I have told people, I've even encouraged a whole team of 8 of us in the office to run with me for charity, there seems to be no turning back, I’m in this for the long run (pun intended).

The Beautifully Flat Dorney Lake

Training is happening, though the schedule at the moment is not very structured - and with the crazy amounts of pollen this year, training shifted to the treadmill for a while. But thanks to Boots and a new anti-hestamine I am back in the great outdoors. With 3 months to go I’m having to devise a more structured (but not too boring) training plan that will get me to the finish line. So from this Saturday we are in full time half marathon training mode (FTHMTM). FTHMTM starts with a 10K jog on Saturday morning, around Dorney Lake, which is twice around the lake, it’s a nice flat, scenic route and a great way to start a birthday weekend.

How are you kicking off your weekend?

Focus, Focus, Focus

It’s been a bit quiet on here; which either means I’ve given up and failed completely or life has been so busy that I have not had time to update my going-ons. Fortunately it has been the latter.

Last week at work was hellish and super busy, lots of late finishes in the office, lacking in energy, not exercising and making bad unhealthy choices – also known as falling off the wagon.  But now I find myself in the middle of a new week, 2 workouts in and lots of healthy clean eating back on the cards – officially back on the wagon.

‘Falling off the wagon’ comes round a little too easy; there are many triggers that can cause a fall. As I’m starting my health journey, clean eating and training had been one of my main focuses; but as a busy week at work was brought on by  a looming deadline at work, my overall focus for the week was the project I was working on in the office, and not my training plan. This temporary focus then caused me to take a step back from my loving friends and family that are my support system, as I was too stressed to have proper chats with them and reach out to them.

So with one little trigger of work; it became a tumble weed of other excuses. With 5 months to the half marathon I can’t be losing my focus on running too often, so from today I pledge to make healthy eating and half marathon training my main focus in life, finding time and not having lots of excuses. I'll update you later in the week on how I am planning to stay focused in more details. 

1 hour is only 4% of your day. 

On to the Next RUN!

5:55 am – I’m awake as a lark, with the sun shining through I was looking forward to getting out in the fresh air and stretching my legs, with an easy 5K to start my day. I got dressed, headphones in and headed out the door. It had rained a little bit over night, so the ground was a little damp, but I wasn't too worried as the majority of my route is on pavement. So I warm up with a brisk walk to the start point of my 5K route and started running.

This is where is all went wrong, it started getting a windier and rain was spitting down a little – my first thought was nice, when I get really into the run, the rain will be welcoming and cooling and this wind is fresher than any air conditioning unit. As the run progressed I started getting wetter and colder, and felt like I was just dragging my body through the empty streets of Oxford. I powered through, because I’m determined not to give up easily, but it was tough. When I got back home, I felt disappointed with my run and my immediate thoughts were I best go for another run this evening, to make sure my running mojo is back, and to fall back in love with running after our temporary fall out this morning.

Whilst pondering life in the shower, I was shocked and impressed at myself. The old me would have probably given up running after than run, and not be planning my next one.  I’m not sure if because during the last few weeks my attitude to facing challenges has changed, or the fact that I have signed up for the half marathon and told people about it, so I have to deliver. I’d like it to be the change in attitude, but I fear the latter is my biggest push.

I’m going to put this run down to bad weather fueling a bad attitude,  producing a bad run. But a bad run is still better than no run, and that for me is a victory within itself.

So as Jay-Z Personal Trainers says…on to the next RUN!

New Month – New Challenges

My alarm is set for 5:55am from Monday to Friday – I don’t make it out every morning to go to the gym or for a run, but I manage to make around 3 mornings a week on average, combined with a boxercise class and an outdoor run on the weekend, I’m hitting my 5 workout a week target.

So with the number of workouts sorted and being the 1^st May (New Month – New Challenge), time to start the half marathon training, and to push me along I’ve only gone and signed up for the Oxford Half Marathon on the 12^th October. AHHHH!!!!!!!! 

However I am up for the challenge, and I’m going to do it, and going to ACE IT!

With just under 6 months to go – I have hopefully got enough time to get fit & ready and do it in a decent time. Instead of laying out a 6 month plan, I’m going to split it into a monthly plan. Really long plans do not work for me – I see them as far too daunting, and give up too easily. 

So the May monthly plan:

• Sort out my running technique - as my shins are hurting a little after a run
• Get proper running shoes
• Run outside more (don't be a chicken and get off the treadmill)
• Keep to 4 runs a week

It's not much really - but 4 weeks goes so quickly,  before you know it, its the end of the month and I've only done one run outdoors.

Try Something New Thursday

Getting to the gym for 6:30am is tough, especially when I only have an hour and I have to make the most of it. I usually aim for a 500-600 calorie burn in that hour, but this morning I just wasn’t feeling it. I got on a cross-trainer (the wrong one too – as my favorite one was being used) and I really couldn’t face an hour on it today (as was planned), so I thought I’d do 30 minutes, see how much I burn and go from there. At the end of the 30 minutes I was feeling great – ready to challenge the world (thanks endorphins!), so I thought I’d do something CRAZY and go on the bike.

I HATE the bike, it’s stupid, gives you a sore bum and is just god damn boring. However as it's ‘Try something new Thursday’ (which is something I’ve just completely made up but quiet like), I thought why the heck not, let’s get the next 200 calories burnt on the bike. I didn’t have much time left, or I’d have to forgo straightening my hair today (I just wasn’t in a curly mood), so I ramped up the resistance to get the max calorie burn and went for it – watching the calorie number and not time or speed (bad Mandy :() – but I did it, 20 minutes and 200 calories burnt. Legs felt a big jelly-like but it was fun, challenging and I may even do it tomorrow morning. 

In the theme with “Try Something New Thursday” – I’m also going to double workout today for the first time in my life. In hoping I finish work on time, I shall be spending part of my evening with Zoe at Boxercise, hating my flabby bingo wings with every punch, but enjoying the garage beats the instructor provides and laughing at my lack of co-ordination. Then following that, if energy and time provides I’m going to make The Kitchen Shed’s clean eating Hot Cross Buns – a little after Easter, but when it comes to sweet treats there is never a wrong time of year.

Are you trying anything new today - great day to start! 

Surround yourself with people you love

Being healthy is not just about eating well and exercising, don’t get me wrong, that plays a big part of it – but it’s not all. You have to be healthy and happy with yourself as a person too.

Life is a journey, along the way you will find people who have a positive effect in your life and people who have a negative effect. Try and focus, spend time with and love the people who have the positive effect in your life, they are the ones who help in the make you feel happy.

So as a little dedication to some of the people I love in my life I’m going to write about the people who have a really positive effect in my life, and use this as an excuse to show off how AWESOME my friends are.

Amanda

All great people are named Amanda – it’s a fact that my best friend Amanda will agree with me. This girl is AMAZING, a pillar of strength, a heart of gold, amazing baker and awesome dancer. For me spending time with her is complete therapy for me, as she has such a fresh outlook on life. 

*she also has an awesome blog which you should follow here

Beth

Summing up most people in three words is hard – but with Beth it’s the easiest thing ever. Crazy. Happy. Lovable. Everyone needs a Beth in their life, just for the positivity she exceeds out 24/7. I’m pretty sure ‘because I’m Happy’ was written just for her. Your never sad when Beth is around as her happiness is infectious. She’s also great at giving advice and has always got your back.

Zoe

Inspirational, motivated, determined and amazing taste in music – who wouldn't want to be her friend? If this girl wants something, she doesn't let anything stand in her way and goes and gets it. She’s also not afraid of telling everyone and everything as it is, what you see is what you get with her and I love that (especially when you’re trying on clothes). A great workout buddy, drinking partner and makes an awesome cup of tea – everyone needs a Zoe in their life.

Mat

Who would have thought the boy who use to scribble all over my homework diary turned out to be like a brother (even my Mother worries about him). He’s my go-to bloke when I need a rant, moan, artistic advice and a bitch. Before twitter he was the one I would text my general moans about throughout the day. He’s the boy I tell everything too, and even if we haven’t spoken for a while when we’re together it’s like we’ve never been apart. He’s always finding strange new bands before they make it main stream – keeping me one step ahead of the charts.

Kyle
My boy, my love, my pillar of love, hope and strength - more on him soon.

These five people are literally some of the best people I have in my life. There are lots of others who contribute to my life – especially my family, but more to follow on them soon. Love you all X 

New Goal Post

This is a Goal Post,
and also a little bit of an excuse to rub in that
 my team are probably going to win the league.

It's the Easter Bank Holiday Monday, I've had such a lovely 3 days off so far. I've spent time with family from near and far, spent time with my best friend who I don't get to see too often and caught up with some very special friends from uni. 

With all that happiness and socializing I've kind of let the healthy life choices slip by - I have been for runs and power walks, but I haven't been great at keeping up my water intake and I've not been very clean with my eating. So from tomorrow it's time to get back on track, and I currently feel a little bit like this..

I wouldn't say I'm very religious, but I am Catholic, and even though I don't follow the 'rules' very closely, one rule I seem to follow every year is giving something up for lent. This year I gave up chocolate, bread, pasta and white rice - partly as a sacrifice as I love sugar and carbs, partly on my way to getting the clean eating as more of my day to day routine, and it worked. Lent kept me on track till Easter Sunday - it was my goal day to work too and I stuck to it, I'm not great at sticking to things but when I let everyone know I've committed to something, I generally stick to it.

So the next goal date is Friday 23rd May (this is the Friday of the second bank holiday in May). This gives me 32 days or 4 weeks 3 days to introduce new habits into my routine.

So what do the next 4 weeks have in store for me? 

• I'll be getting back to bread, pasta and rice - but keeping everything brown and wholewheat from now on. White carbs are OK in small quantities, but generally contain a lot of sugar, leaving my feeling lethargic and hungover, so brown is best for me. 
• 5 workouts a week, 3 early morning gym workouts and 2 outdoor runs a week - with no excuses, I will find time for it no matter what. This is all part of my half marathon training (post to follow on that shortly).
• Cutting back on caffeine and drinking more green tea, in a bid to be more naturally energised and not relying on coffee and tea to fuel my day.
• Early nights - to keep myself energised, help my muscles recover and just feel rested I need to get to bed by 10pm every night. Going to bed at 11:30 / 12:00 and waking up at 5:50 seemed to really take its toll on my last week. 
• I'll also be keeping up my 3 litres  a day water intake, cutting back on sweets and chocolates, (if I have a craving I'll be reaching for a piece of dark chocolate) and generally keeping it healthy and clean.

I'll keep you updated with how these new habits are going through the next four weeks :).