Race for Life 10k

Forgot to mention, Mel and I are thinking about doing a 10k Race for Life in July. Something nearer to aim for! Exciting! Trouble is, it will be another thing to raise money for which is great in theory. In practice however... You only have to look at my justgiving page to realise how difficult it is.

Make the effort...but I don't want to!!

I'm tired today. Still full of cold and feeling meh but that irritating little person in my head was moaning. 'You are going to work out today aren't you?' 'You can't seriously be thinking about missing another day??'. Meh. I gave in because the little voice was starting to sound panicky. No More Trouble Zones done. No running today because it's Easter Hols and the kids are here. All. the. time... Meh.

Feeling hot hot hot

Despite both Mel and I being run down and feeling rough, we tried our best. Distance: 4.44km, time: 40:29, pace: 9:07min/km, speed: 6.58km/h.  We went a different route on our run today, again taking in the lovely Ropner Park and passing by some of the gorgeous houses backing into it. I was concerned at first that people would be mean and shout rude things at us but you know, people round here are really friendly  we get a lot of positivity and encouragement.

Really warm now! It's like I'm wearing an electric blanket. I love my coat. It's bright pink as you can see in the photo. This is the one where the zip broke last week or whenever it was.  Seems ok now. Plus,  it's looser on me! Yes! I'm loosing my tummy!! 

I noticed today that I can really feel my tummy muscles working when I run, which is great. You know I really think my core work outs are paying off.

Question. If I'm not wearing my coat in summer, what do I do with all my stuff? Asthma pump, keys, tissues etc?

No More Trouble Zones. Jillian Michaels kicks butt!

Just done shy of an hour of concentrated trouble zones workout. PHEW! I'm seriously shattered! I haven't got this on DVD but I found it here on youtube! Awesome! I love Jillian Michaels. For those who are thinking, who on earth is this woman going on about. Here's a link to here webpage. She was/is one of the trainers on America's Biggest Loser. The first DVD I came across was 30 Day Shred and it worked wonders. She has a huge following and there are some great Facebook communities offering support and advice to others following her regimes. I've done loads of exercise dvds and hers are top of my list at the moment! Right, I'm off to recover in a dark room...

Another day, another fab run

I ran with MapMyRun! Distance: 4.32km, time: 40:24, pace: 9:21min/km, speed: 6.41km/h.

Woo hoo.  Feeling awesome! Mel and I were buzzing afterwards!

Tired feet, and some advice needed

Ran 3.68 km today with Mel and we were joined today by her significant other. We did some good incline practice and took in the lovely Ropner Park on our way round. Was a cold but lovely morning.  I used bugmiles app to track it but there was a problem with their server so it won't show me the route. Grrrr.  Have just downloaded Map my Run to see if that does better.  If anyone has any suggestions of good apps,  please let  me know!

Oh and my karrimor jacket zip broke on the way round. Managed to get it unstuck but may have to get a better jacket.

Lastly, my hands sweat so much when I run, what can I do about it?? Any advice will be gratefully received.

Product Testing Arla Protein

I recently signed up to product test Arla Protein through Bzzagent. It is basically a high protein quark based product which gives you 20g of protein per pot. I tried the only one they had in my local large Tesco, raspberry. Now I like raspberry yoghurt, I like Greek natural yoghurt which can be a little sharp. I hated this unfortunately. The after-taste was awful so I had a couple of spoonfuls. My 3 year old liked it though! Nice idea but I'll stick to eggs for a quick protein snack next time.

Jillian Michaels kicks butt

I still have a poorly child here today and was going to just sort out the house and call this my day off. Then my running partner in crime, Mel posted on fb that she was at the gym giving it some. Made me feel quite lazy so I thought I'd better get off my butt and get on with it  So, another day, another workout. 

Today I fancied mixing it up a little so tried Jillian Michaels' "Killer Buns and Thighs". It kicks some major butt! I'm absolutely niknacked.  I got through it though, I didn't phone it in! Even if I was flailing around like a beached whale at times.  Fabulous to see even the hardened gym babes on the dvd struggling through some of it though!

I was observed by my 6 year old who, when I'd finished (and was preoccupied with trying to move without collapsing),  said, shall we do level 3 now?.... and on that bombshell. . Goodnight!

Had a great run with Mel yesterday and was going to go again today but the eldest is off school with a temperature so had to be content with Ripped in 30. Upped the hand weights today. Gotta love that burn. Saw this article - 14 Reasons Women Should Never Lift Weights. Made me laugh.

This is 40. Well, this year is 40.

I was supposed to be going on a run this morning but British Gas have been round to install loft insulation, plus I have my eldest son off school with a sore throat. It'll have to be a work out this arvo after a friend has been round for a cuppa. I get a bit panicked when my plans have to be changed. It is the same feeling I get when I procrastinate.

As I said in a previous post, I am trying to get fit for me. A lot has to do with self esteem issues. A lot has to do with getting older and fearing death (for some reason I have become more fearful as I've got older. Perhaps it's just because I have kids). I used to joke about being old because I am older than most of the school run mums. It doesn't feel so funny at the moment. This year is a biggie age wise. This year is 40. I actually feel ok with being 40.

I'm not a girly girl. I don't wear make up every day, I bite my fingernails, I prefer jeans and converse to skirts and heels. Goodness, the last time I wore heels I nearly broke a leg. This ageing business though has got me thinking that maybe I should be taking more care of myself.  Perhaps this is another reason that getting fit is more important to me than it has been in the past.

The thing is, I still feel relatively young. I don't feel ready to don the Miss Mary of Sweden. That's why when someone recently called me 'young lady' and someone else immediately said 'young??', It was a bit of a realisation that actually, to that person, that early 20 something year old, I'm not at all young!

ps. do you have FB mates who only ever comment on your status to correct you on something? Really really annoying!!!

I've set up a Just Giving Fundraising page. Mel and I are running for the Butterwick Hospice. Mel currently works for them and I have previously volunteered for them. They are an amazing charity. Their mission is to care for as many people as possible of all ages who are living with a progressive life limiting illness. All services are provided free of charge to those diagnosed and their loved ones. They have three hospices, one in Stockton, Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland and the Butterwick House Children's Hospice in Stockton. 

This is the first time I am publishing the page. I haven't shared it yet as to be honest I thought people would laugh at the fact that I am doing the run. It's the same reason I suppose that I haven't shared this blog yet. I think I will now though. Afterall, what have I got to lose? Oh yeah, dignity, self-esteem etc etc......

Music to watch the world go by..

Everyone has their favourite tracks to work out or run to. I mean they have CD's specifically marketed for these purposes! They are mostly high energy pop/dance/hip hop or whatever. When I was painfully bored doing exercise DVDs, to the point where I felt if I heard the nagging instructor tell me not to phone it in one more time, I might kick the TV, I turned the volume down and played Johnny Cash.  I have quite eclectic tastes and my list doesn't begin to sum up the kind of musical influences in my life but here is my running list as it currently stands (it's long and I don't shuffle...so ner!):

Don't Fear the Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult

A Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash

A Little Respect - Erasure

All Over the World - ELO

Bicycle Race - Queen

Borderline - Madonna

Cold Day in Hell - Gary Moore

Country Road - James Taylor

Don't Bring me Down - ELO

Don't Stop Me Now - Queen

Down with the Trumpets - Rizzle Kicks

Drop the Pilot - Joan Armatrading

Games Without Frontiers - Peter Gabriel

Happy - Pharell Williams

Heart Skips a Beat - Olly Murs

I walk the Line - Johnny Cash

I'm Still Standing - Elton John

Let the River Run - Carly Simon

Like a Prayer - Madonna

Me Myself I - Joan Armatrading

Oliver's Army - Elvis Costello

Rent - Pet Shop Boys

Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash

Rosie - Joan Armatrading

Solsbury Hill - Peter Gabriel

Something in the way - James Taylor

Take it Easy - Eagles

Voulez Vous - Erasure

Sweet Harmony - Beloved

It's my Life - Bon Jovi

Blaze of Glory - Bon Jovi

Don't Leave me this Way - Communards

Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits

The Boys of Summer - -Don Henley

Turn to Stone - ELO

Is she really going out with him? - Joe Jackson

California - Joni Mitchell

Five Miles Out - Mike Oldfield

Carey - Joni Mitchell

Graceland - Paul Simon

Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel

Surfin Bird - Sha Na Na

Sometimes you need a faster beat, sometimes you need music with determination, sometimes I like to sing as I run along... at least people know when I'm coming...

It's a crack, I'm back and I'm standing on the rooftop shouting out, BABY I'M READY TO GO!

Ok so I've been naughty and not posted as promised. I give you my word that this will change.

It has only been this past week that I have got back into it. I blame the snow and ice, being tight chested and being super busy. pathetic excuses I know!

For the past 2 weeks I've been doing the 30 abs and squats and Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30. I have done the 30 Day Shred before but to be honest when I tried it again, I was bored senseless so needed something new and Ripped in 30 has sparked my enthusiasm! I ran last week by myself and I have to say I really struggled and it made me a bit panicky. I mean I'm only on week 5 of Couch to 5K and I only have until September to get GNR fit. I knew I had to up my game.

Of course I was a little silly and didn't eat before my run last week which wouldn't have helped much. Today I had crunchy nut cornflakes. Yes, I know. Not very healthy but I was running (ha ha) late and couldn't be bothered to cook eggs.

Since my last post I have changed my diet a bit. It's not for any particular health or moral reasons. I've just decided not to eat meat. I've gone off it. I'm not a vegetarian, I'd like to point that out (it's a waiver in case I fancy a bacon sarnie) but I am choosing for the time being not to eat meat. It's not alien to me. I was a veggie for 10 years when I was younger so have slipped back into it with ease. It helps that I like veggies I suppose!

I have to say I am struggling for meal inspiration though. I've tired out my very old Vegetarian Society cookbook from back in the day and am struggling to find something else. I don't like tofu, I don't mind soya or Quorn (Quorn is made here on Teesside btw) but what I dislike about veggie cook books is there is a lot of the same recipes. Not that I was anything gourmet. I can't be bothered to go to loads of effort. Just not nut roast this and tofu that. Personally I love lentils and would be happy with those every day if it were not for unfortunate side effects!

I've brought a book called The Meat Free Athlete. I've not had a chance to delve into it yet but hopefully when I skip past the Americanisms there will be things I can adapt for over here. Plus it gets a great write up on Amazon so I had to try it.

So I digress. Today Melanie (my running partner in crime) and I went for a run. I've uploaded a selfie of me afterwards (I'm sure I read that that means I'm a psychopathic or something?!). It's a cold day today and pavements were a little slippy but it was great to get some fresh air and blow the cobwebs away. Plus, you know, it's great to run with someone else, helps control breathing, it's less boring and time flies.

Now I'm going to shower because I'm sweating like a porker. Laters!