Week 2/17

Day 8/119

2014: 
I nodded to my feet again first thing in the morning (and last thing at night) and then it was off to the gym

Today's task was a 40 minute 8km/h jog and luckily there were plenty of free treadmills

On Saturday, prior to the 'average pace' debacle at the running shop, I had asked about the issues with my heals / achilles.

The background to this was that training for my previous, off-road race I was persuaded to try gel heal supports and they seemed to work pretty well

As this race was on the road, I bought new trainers and as I was told they had plenty of support, stopped using the gel inserts

I asked the blonde girl in the shop whether me stopping using them could have caused the problems and whether I should go back to them

She gave me a look as if I'd asked her to simultaneously tell me the square root of 3014 whilst sculpting a scale copy of the Mary Rose from a fine piece of cheddar, rather than asking her something pertaining to her job

Needless to say she was of no help so I thought I'd just give them a go again.....

....and it went rather well :-)

I'm not saying it was pain free - but it was a big improvement and certainly very encouraging for the next few weeks

Sit-ups and stretching followed and I'd started the week well

Day 8 - Done
Current Weight - 81.2kg
Weekly Weight Loss - 3.2kg
Total Weight Loss - 3.2kg

2011:
This snow and bad weather won't stop my enthusiasm and get me down, will it - to be perfectly honest it just might! I'm getting pretty fed up with slogging my way through slush and not being able to run outside. Still, I did a 40 minute jog and plenty of stretching afterwards. I need a few more people to join the gym so I can people watch my way through these runs - just so long as they don't exercise next to me - there's no need for that!!!

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Day 9/119

2014:
Is it wrong that when my alarm went off, the first thing I thought of was the deliriously happy thought that tonight it was my turn to have an early night and catch up on some sleep?

Yes - thought so, just checking.....

Pilates was the usual "how on earth does she do that?" fest and I had to  wait until the afternoon before I could tackle the day's task - 30 minutes on the bike - I upped the level from last week but still was nowhere near what I would consider a proper work-out

My dilemma is that maybe this is how it should be - ensuring that my legs are saved for the sprints mid-week and the weekend long runs?

It's either that or I'm just being lazy and trying anything to excuse myself

No excusing myself from the sit-ups and stretching but definitely no evening pilates today - today is all about the sleep :-)

2011:
I was up early to go to the gym this morning and Joss came with me for a workout. I realise now what I've missed by going alone when, as she stepped onto the treadmill and noticed me picking my own instrument of torture she said "oh you're doing the lazy bike today are you?". You just can't buy that kind of motivation. To be fair it would have been difficult to pick me as the one in training for a Marathon as she ran like the clappers for the time I was cycling. It was very festive though as I felt like I was being chased by Rudolf as the keys in her pocket were rattling so loud.

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Day 10/119

2014:
Pilates in the morning and then on to the gym

Today it was 8 (2 more than last week) 400m  "sprints" at 11.4 km/h with 2 minute breaks in between

It was the first time that I'd used the heal supports in my real running shoes and it felt weird - rather like I'd got a twig or stone stuck in my shoe so I did worry whether they were going to be the answer for the longer runs

To be fair it either got better as time wore on or I just had other aches and pains that distracted me

Sit-ups and stretching was hilarious though because someone was having a personal trainer where I was and although I don't know the trainer's name if I were to guess I reckon it would be narcissus

I don't think I've ever seen anyone manoeuvre a client so much just so that they could get a better view of HIMSELF in the mirror - oh the vanity

Went completely off the rails tonight with a couple of beers and a chip supper but I don't care - it was lovely watching the football

Not sure I'll feel that way at 5:30 tomorrow morning ......

2011:
Had a bit of a late night last night (and on a school night too!!) so have been feeling a little "tired" today and wasn't looking forward to training. Still, at least it means I get to leave work early so off I went at 3 for my 8 x 400m runs. Maybe this training is starting to kick in as it felt pretty good. The only problem came when the hot water failed at the gym without the gym knowing, hence no signs warning of this. I honestly thought I was going to pass out when the ice cold water hit me and because there were others having a shower (in their own cubicles) I had to refrain from screaming like a girl - but I so wanted to!!!!

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Day 11/119

2014:
Well I think you can guess how I felt - rubbish

I struggled through pilates and then went completely off piste, as they say

Today was meant to be a gentle jog but as I will be mostly drinking on Friday night I've brought the week's long run forward to Friday morning so today I thought I'd give the legs a rest

Weights was my torture of choice and on my phone I had written how heavy the weights were for each exercise (from 6 months ago) and I couldn't get anywhere near those levels

I was afraid someone was going to hand me the pink frilly dumb-bells next so I scuttled off for sit-ups and stretching

As an added bonus we had a former work colleague come into work to teach me and a couple of other old gits some core strength exercises and it was a real boost to the confidence

Not that I was any good - don't be ridiculous

It was just that the others were just as rubbiah as me - they say misery enjoys company - well that can be levelled at ineptitude as well

No late night pilates for me - tonight is all about England beating Uruguay - well, I can dream.....

2011:
It was a rest day today which was just as well as I'm feeling rough. The cough's back and doesn't look like going away anytime soon. Added to that I've just found out that the gym is closed tomorrow which mucks up the weights I was planning plus it's still too slippery to run outside. I know it's Christmas so should be full of festive spirit but if it doesn't warm up soon it could all get a bit tricky.....

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Day 12/119

2014:
Well it wasn't a dream was it? It was a blooming nightmare - thing is I don't even know why I'm surprised

The alarm went off at 5am and I had an hour to wake up, limber up, grease up (anti chaffing) and get on the road

I had a brief heart in mouth moment as my sparkly gps watch took forever to find a satellite signal - I genuinely thought I'd mucked it up when I upgraded the software but luckily it eventually kicked in

Off I trot then and having given the signal the night before to my mum to hang the water on her fence post at the 3 mile stage - I was feeling confident

Today's task was a nine mile jog at a ridiculously slow pace

This is what happened last time - I remember thinking "what if I just get used to this slow pace and it becomes my normal pace?"

Last time my solution was to ignore the plan and run quicker, which is why I lined up at the start so full of injuries

So this time, I'm sticking to the plan - I never was much I a maverick, anyway

This is still a tricky decision to stick to though because not only is it difficult to run at below normal pace, you suffer hugely at the hands of the spectator 

You have people that are walking the same direction as you that keep looking back wondering why you haven't overtaken them yet - and they look on fearfully as the overtaking process takes so long they think you've joined them

Then you have the people coming at you - who have plenty of time to study you as you shuffle toward them - each with a look in their eyes that says " you poor fella - is that all you've got?"

I'm countering this with a mantra under my breath that goes something like "forget you - I don't even know you anyway"

I did the 9 miles in 10:30 mile pace (still too quick) and it was only the last I/2 mile that had my Achilles tweaking as it was a steep incline to the finish

Much better than I could have hoped - but still a long long way from where I need to be

2011:
So, the gym is closed and I'm due a 30 minute workout of something other than running. It took some pondering but I came up with the ideal solution - leave work at 12:00 and go straight to the George. Barging your way through masses of revellers and carrying those very heavy drinks must count for something. Plus having a bladder the size of a pea meant that one way or another I was constantly on the move -oh well, there's always tomorrow

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Day 13/119

2014:
Last night was wine, rum and Chinese night with my sister and brother-in-law - thank god for rest days .....

2011:
Today I'm scheduled a 9 mile run. 2 things against this: 1 The pavements are too slippery to run on and 2 I now have fully fledged man cold. I can't breathe through my nose (I know, I know no cold could be that big), I have a headache and it feels like someone is sitting on my chest. I hit an all time low this afternoon as I ate (but could not taste) the best looking Christmas dinner ever and then had to go to bed. Happy Christmas one and all

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Day 14/119

2014:
Well, I've let myself down, haven't I

Not only did I do no exercise whatsover, but I also has a belly-busting carvery at lunch and wine in the evening

If only training was really like this

I feel I've undone all the good work achieved and seeing as this is only week 2, it really doesn't say much for my willpower

I will get my comeuppance tomorrow as it is weigh in day and I fully deserve what I get

Still - 15 weeks to go - if you're going to muck it up do it when there's time to recover

2011:
Today is a rest day and believe me that's all I'm capable of. Still feeling shoddy, still can't taste anything, still needed to go to bed in the afternoon. Tried a couple of glasses of wine but that just made me feel menapausal as I came over with hot flushes. So want to stay up and watch the cricket but just can't do it