OMG what have I gone and done now?

I HAD made peace with the fact I wasn't going to be fit enough to participate in my planned Duathlon and Triathlon in April. I WAS just happy that I was actually managing to get out and run! I THOUGHT "who needs to cycle and swim anyhow"?!  

Then this morning I woke up to snow! This put paid to my idea of going for a run ... and so instead I settled down with a coffee and my laptop and decided to browse for forthcoming events.  I soon stumbled across an event that I hadn't seen before and was inspired by it ... a little too much ... before I knew it I had booked a place.  

What? I hear you ask!  On a  novice ‘time-based’ triathlon.  

I am familiar with the terms used in the Tri World to describe different distances such as "Super Sprint",  "Sprint", "Olympic", "Half Iron Man" and "Iron Man" but "time-based" was alien to me.

Apparently,  according to the blurb this event is aimed at the novice athlete (that's me!) aiming for their first multi-sport achievement (again that's me!).  I was beginning to feel ever so slightly excited and started to think that this event had been made just for me! 

What nailed it was ... I won't be last, it is actually impossible to be last! How? Surely someone must stagger across the line last I hear you say!

Apparently not ... and the level of effort I put in is completely in my control!  

The aim is you swim as far as you can in 5 minutes doing lengths in a swimming pool,  you are then guided through the transition process from swim to bike before you bike as far as you can in 15 minutes on a tarmac circuit.  Finally you are guided through the transition process from bike to run and then run as far as you can in 10 minutes on a grass course. 

My main fears of a triathlon are the swimming and the transitions!  But this event has very little swimming in it and it appears to give you a good taste of what a real triathlon would be like enabling me to experience transitions first hand without the pressure I would have in a "race" event. 

The distances covered in the short time slots will be minimal but I am viewing this as the first step on the triathlon ladder, which will hopefully build my confidence and enable me to progress next year onto "proper" events when I am fully fit and have had longer to perfect my currently appalling swimming technique and times!


Its only 8 weeks away on the 11th May in Blackpool! 

YIKES! 

 I actually feel excited about it rather than intimidated!

Another reason to stop stuffing my face with cake and get fit!

On that note ... What have I been doing this weekend to increase my fitness?  Some good things, some bad!

On Saturday, as it was a non-running day I decided to have a blast on my turbo trainer.  I have a couple of Spinervals DVD's which I really enjoy and the one I chose to do on Saturday is interval training and exceptionally hard!  It is a 2 hour training session but I only ever manage about 40 minutes of it at any given time.  Perhaps when I bought it the title "Have Mercy" should have given me a clue what I was getting myself into! I managed 8.03 miles in 32.35 minutes which can be viewed here! 

This session is perfect exercise for my ankle as its all about speed and high cadence rather than hills and hard gears, so there is very little pressure on my poorly ankle.  After this I went straight into my final day of the core challenge and managed to do it in 11.30 minutes!  Very chuffed with that after the hard cycle workout and then I stretched by doing my physio exercises!  

After a shower and rest I then managed to climb a fell. For the past couple of years we have been trying to do the Wainwrights - which is to climb all 214 fells covered by Wainwright in his seven book series "A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells.

Me at the top of Loughrigg fell with views over Grasmere.

We have been thwarted by injuries, first my husband's knee then my ankle. Today we successfully managed to climb one of the lower ones, Loughrigg Fell which has an elevation of 335 metres. Although it was fairly easy going up with a fairly well trodden path, coming down was fairly tricky and I was worried about my ankle, but thankfully it was OK! I managed to walk 3,97 miles and you can view this walk here!

19 wainwrights climbed - only another 195 to go!

All the good I had done was soon undone with a Chinese Take-away and copious amounts of alcohol but hey ho there has to be some perks in life!

Today, I got a big surprise when I opened the curtains to be greeted by white!  Yet again there had been a big downfall of snow during the night! 

I have already told you what happened because of this bloody snow (tri booking)... but later in the morning the rain started and the snow started to go ... so I was able to RUN!

The plan was to do 4 miles but I underestimated the distance and ended up doing 4.68 miles which can be viewed here. 

I am thrilled to say that this is the first post injury run that I haven't been thinking about my ankle the entire time.  I actually forgot I was a recovering athlete and enjoyed my run even though it was raining and there was snow all around!!!

Which planet is he from...?

After a shower I went for a short but very, very muddy, wet, cold and slippy walk with the dog! It was only 1.98 miles but felt much further and can be viewed here.  I don't know what planet the weather forecaster for Garmin is on but it certainly isn't ours - I can guarantee the weather today was NOT 6C and sunny, 1C and snowy would be more accurate!

A non-running day tomorrow ... what activity will I choose?

Tune in and read tomorrow to find out!!!


ONLY 29 days to go until ...

Post injury miles and inch/weight loss since 9th March!

Running:  13.46 Miles

Walking:  16.48 Miles

Cycling: 17.13 Miles

Swimming:

Pilates: 1 hour

Core Strength Day 1: 14 minutes 43 seconds

Core Strength Day 2:  12 minutes 15 seconds

Core Strength Day 3: 13 minutes 20 seconds

Core Strength Day 4: 11 minutes 38 seconds

Core Strength Day 5: 11 minutes 42 seconds

Core Strength Day 6: 11 minutes 11 seconds

Core Strength Day 7: 11 minutes 30 seconds

7 DAY CHALLENGE COMPLETE!

Weight loss: 1.4 / 8 pounds

Hips: 0

Waist: 1 inch

Thighs: 0

Weigh Day!

This morning was weigh day to see if the past 7 days of exercise has done me any good! I have really enjoyed getting back into an exercise routine again and although I haven't eaten as healthily as I had planned I have still lost 1.4 pounds.  I am really chuffed with this, I have eaten my fair share of chocolates and cake this week so this loss is purely from exercising again!!  I remember now why I started running!!! I also took my measurements which weren't very impressive - only 1 inch off my waist and nothing off anywhere else but hey ho it's early days!  I know I don't have a huge amount to lose but I feel better about myself when I am that little bit lighter - also my jeans are more comfortable then too!  

I have had a hectic day at school today.  With it being Red Nose Day the children were asked to wear wigs or have silly hair styles which resulted in a class full of over excited children and very stressed staff! I was pleased I was able to run my stress off to keep me away from the biscuits!

My wig and me!

It has rained on and off all day today so when I got home and it was fair I seized the opportunity the go for my run. I ran 3.02 miles but it still felt very hard!  I wonder when I will start to feel fit again! However, apart from my fitness level being pants on a positive note, my ankle is holding up just grand and my average minute mile pace was my fastest post injury pace yet!  

 LIFE IS GOOD! You can view this run here.

Once home I did my core challenge workout which again felt impossibly hard but surprisingly I did it in my fastest time yet! 11.11 minutes! Followed by my physio exercises on my good leg!

Tomorrow is the 7th and final day of the core challenge!  I think I will continue with it a little bit longer!  Maybe not every day but alternate days to get my core stronger!

A month to regain my former fitness level and I WILL DO IT!

ONLY 29 days to go until ...

Post injury miles and inch/weight loss since 9th March!

Running:  8.78 Miles
Walking:  10.53 Miles
Cycling: 9.10 Miles
Swimming:

Core Strength Day 1: 14 minutes 43 seconds
Core Strength Day 2:  12 minutes 15 seconds

Core Strength Day 3: 13 minutes 20 seconds

Core Strength Day 4: 11 minutes 38 seconds

Core Strength Day 5: 11 minutes 42 seconds

Core Strength Day 6: 11 minutes 11 seconds

Weight loss: 1.4 / 8 pounds
Hips: 0
Waist: 1 inch
Thighs: 0

Return to Pilates.

Tonight I went for a short walk in the rain with the dog and ball!  I didn't go far - just 0.77 miles.

When I got home I did the core challenge and managed to complete the exercises in 11.42 minutes, only 4 seconds slower than yesterday! 

THEN it was off to Pilates! My first class since the 13th December - some 13 weeks!  I was a bit anxious about how my ankle would stand up (no pun intended) to the balance exercises. However, I need not of worried - I didn't feel any pain at all in my ankle.  However, I do NOW have stiff arms, achy stomach muscles and painful bum cheeks! But I enjoyed it!  Roll on next week!

When I got home I even did my physio exercises on my "bad" leg - I wasn't sure whether I needed to but decided to go for it!

Running day tomorrow - LIFE IS GOOD!

Oh yes weigh day too!  YIKES!

ONLY 30 days to go until ...

Post injury miles and inch/weight loss since 9th March!

Running:  5.76 Miles
Walking:  10.53 Miles
Cycling: 9.10 Miles
Swimming:

Core Strength Day 1: 14 minutes 43 seconds
Core Strength Day 2:  12 minutes 15 seconds

Core Strength Day 3: 13 minutes 20 seconds

Core Strength Day 4: 11 minutes 38 seconds

Core Strength Day 5: 11 minutes 42 seconds

Weight loss: 0/8 pounds
Hips:
Waist:
Thighs:

When will I be fit?

Today I did my Core Challenge as a warm up session before running.I locked the dog out the room first so he didn't try to lick me to death again! 

 I am finding the Plank exercises harder each day.  I'm assuming this is because the muscles are fatigued and eventually they will become stronger! However saying this, I completed the entire challenge in 11 minutes 38 seconds which is my fastest time yet!  

After this session I went out for my run.  The "Rehab plan" stated today I was to run 20 minutes slow. I ran for 21.33 minutes and covered 2.14 miles, which is an average pace of 10 minute miles. I think this run falls within the given criteria perfectly. You can view my run here.

 My foot felt OK whilst I was running but I felt very sluggish and unfit. I didn't come back after 2 minutes but boy I felt like it! 

I need to persevere and get my fitness level back to its former self! Although in the past I wouldn't have described myself as fit! Compared with now - I WAS!

I have to tread the delicate path between regaining my fitness and not pushing my ankle too far!  After recovering from my run I did my physio exercises on my good leg!

Tomorrow I am going to try returning to my Pilate's class and see how I get on.  I am sure it will be beneficial rather than detrimental. 

ONLY 31 days to go until ...

Post injury miles and inch/weight loss since 9th March!

Running:  5.76 Miles
Walking:  9.76 Miles
Cycling: 9.10 Miles
Swimming:

Core Strength Day 1: 14 minutes 43 seconds
Core Strength Day 2:  12 minutes 15 seconds

Core Strength Day 3: 13 minutes 20 seconds

Core Strength Day 4: 11 minutes 38 seconds

Weight loss: 0/8 pounds
Hips:
Waist:
Thighs:

Turbo Attack!

What a busy day I have had but I feel so much better already for getting back into this exercise lark - I'm feeling almost human for the first time in weeks!

This afternoon once I had finished work I took the dog out for a walk along the old canal path and river. It was a lovely bright afternoon although I had to be careful of not slipping on random patches of ice and snow which were still lingering on sheltered areas! I managed 2.38 miles which can be seen here!


Once I got home I went straight into doing the Core Challenge and I managed to complete this is 13 minutes 20 seconds which is slightly slower than yesterday's efforts.  I blame this on the dog getting over excited licking and jumping on me thinking I was playing some strange game with him! I must remember to lock him out tomorrow!



Later on I had my daughter's parents evening! A proud mummy moment. I don't care if people think I'm boasting (I am....shamelessly) but I'm so proud of my daughter today! She is in the lower sixth studying towards her A Levels. She did exceptionally well in her first set of AS exams and all the teachers are singing her praises! One even said they would love a class full of Jessica's ... hummmmmmmmmm not sure I would want a house full!

Once home I went on my Cycle Turbo Trainer and did some speed interval training in a very easy gear so as not to put any pressure whatsoever on my ankle. I really enjoyed being back doing "hard" exercise and managed 9.10 miles which can be seen here. I finished off with my physio ankle exercises on my "bad" leg!

By the way - I am feeling proud of myself too! 

Tomorrow is a running day! Bring it on!

ONLY 32 days to go until ...

Post injury miles and inch/weight loss since 9th March!

Running:  3.62 Miles
Walking:  9.76 Miles
Cycling: 9.10 Miles
Swimming:

Core Strength Day 1: 14 minutes 43 seconds
Core Strength Day 2:  12 minutes 15 seconds

Core Strength Day 3: 13 minutes 20 seconds

Weight loss: 0/8 pounds
Hips:
Waist:
Thighs:

Snow shock!

Treadmill it is - too risky to brave the snow!

I went to bed last night leaving green gardens behind, I woke up this morning to a white wash!  I couldn't believe how it could change so much overnight!  It has been snowing on and off all day so I decided the safest option was to go on the treadmill for my run rather than risk another injury!  

However, I did have to risk slipping when I took the dog for a walk, although to be fair I didn't actually walk very far.  I took the ball and stood in one spot whilst the dog ran round like a lunatic retrieving it! I did 0.46 miles - it's a pity I can't attach the Garmin to the dog's collar - he probably did nearer 5 miles! You can see this here.

I was a bit apprehensive as I haven't been on the treadmill since returning to running and I wasn't sure how my ankle would take to it.  I prefer running in the great outdoors and always feel the treadmill is harsher on my legs but needs must!  

I started off doing my exercises for the "Core Challenge" and managed it in 12.15 minutes. I could feel my core muscles a lot more than I could last night!  They are obviously wondering what I am doing to them! I am still finding the plank exercises the most challenging and the raised plank one extremely hard!  It can only get easier!

 I then went on the treadmill for 20 minutes at a slow pace and managed a total of 1.98 miles on a 1% incline. This workout can be seen here.. My ankle actually felt fine the entire time and I felt more comfortable as I didn't have to worry about my ankle giving way and having to get back home! I am still very nervous about this happening when I'm out! 

 I finished off with my ankle exercises for my good leg!  I'm supposed to do alternate days for the physio's ankle exercises but now that he is saying do both ankles I am exercising my "good" leg on my running day and my "bad" leg on my non-running day!  I decided it was too boring to do both legs at the same time!

33 days to go until ...

Post injury miles and inch/weight loss since 9th March!

Running:  3.62 Miles
Walking:  7.38 Miles
Cycling:
Swimming:

Core Strength Day 1: 14 minutes 43 seconds
Core Strength Day 2:  12 minutes 15 seconds

Weight loss: 0/8 pounds
Hips:
Waist:
Thighs:

Hard Core!

Its a no running day today but I went for a walk this afternoon.  It was a lovely sunny day but exceptionally cold and windy with a few flurries of snow BBBrrrrrrrrr!  We went on the Ingleborough nature trail and then returned via a bridleway which was extremely rocky and uneven and hard going.  I was slightly concerned about going over on my ankle and hurting it but I survived!  It maybe helped that I had my ankle support socks on and my walking boots. Plenty of support for my weak little ankle!  We walked 3.48 miles and you can view it here.

 1000 Mile Support Socks - I have a pair in Black and White

I got the socks for running as they are supposed to provide firm support and targeted compression for stiff, weak or sore ankles. The website says "they assist in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of ankle injuries!" I am wearing them as often as I can  in the hope they do what they say on the packet!  I do have 2 pairs but maybe need more!

I have decided to do a 7 day Core Challenge! I think I need to strengthen my core to improve my fitness and strength and hopefully this will in turn lead me having a better running technique and prevent any further injuries.

The "Core Workout everyday for 7 days Challenge" has only one rule and that is:

No stopping between exercises

Today is Day 1 of the challenge and I managed to complete it in  14 minutes 43 seconds. I found the planks the hardest to do but I will perservere!  

As well as this I am still doing my daily ankle exercises as prescribed by my physio! I initially was only doing them on my "bad" ankle, but on Thursday when I went to the Physio he said I should do them on both ankles now so I don't become dominant or stronger on one side!  I think he was trying to say lopsided! 

My motivation is the thought that I will have a body like the model  above at the end of the 7 days!  Hummmmmmm I can dream!

34 days to go until Edinburgh R n R Half Marathon! 

Post injury miles and inch/weight loss since 9th March!

Running:  1.64 Miles
Walking:  6.92 Miles
Cycling:
Swimming:
Core Strength: 14 minutes 43 seconds

Weight loss: 0/8 pounds
Hips:
Waist:
Thighs:

Fresh Start!

I went for a run this morning and found it incredibly hard!  I felt very unfit and very conscious of too many wobbly bits wobbling!  Since injuring my foot in January I have completely changed my lifestyle and diet and I have only just realised it's time to change! I have eaten far too much junk food for comfort and probably drank too much alcohol too.

I have 5 weeks before the Edinburgh Rock n Roll Half Marathon.

I can only be the best I can be if I am fit and healthy!

I know I am not going to get a PB and my goal at this moment in time is to finish and be proud of the fact I was determined enough to succeed.  


I am going to use the next 5 weeks to regain some fitness by doing core strength exercises, walking, cycling and swimming as well as continuing to lengthen my runs. My ankle won't hold up to too much running at this point so cross-training will be an important part of my training plan.

As well as this I am going to follow a healthy eating regime and hope to lose the 8 pounds I have put on whilst feeling sorry for myself!

 As I mentioned earlier I went for a run this morning - my longest distance since my injury, I did 1.64 miles in 16 minutes. You can view this run here!  It was a wet cold morning but I wasn't going to not go - after all I have spent the last couple of months desperate to run.  So now I can I will whatever the weather.

This afternoon it was still raining but the dog still needed to be walked!  We braved the wet and cold and did 3.44 miles which can be seen here.

To motivate myself I am going to keep track of my mileage here, and any weight or inch loss.

35 days to go until R n R! 
Post injury miles!

Running:  1.64 Miles
Walking:  3.44 Miles
Cycling:
Swimming:
Core Strength:

Weight loss: 0/8 pounds
Hips:
Waist:
Thighs:

Success Always Starts With Failure (apparantly)

I went back to the physio tonight to have some more pain inflicted upon me, but it's a good kind of pain!  He did some deep muscle work which at the time seemed particularly ouchy but afterwards felt good!

He says I am healing nicely and the good news is I can continue to up my mileage as long as I remain relatively pain free.  These early runs are very important building blocks which will define the future apparently!  I need a rest day tomorrow to allow for recovery after the work he did on me tonight and then on Saturday I can do a 16 minute run, Monday 18 minutes, Wednesday 20 minutes, Friday 25 minutes, Sunday 30 minutes!!! Whooooo Hooooooo slowly, slowly getting there!!!


I have realised that due to losing 2 months of training, fitness and confidence it is now the appropriate time to review and adapt my fitness resolutions for 2013! Apparently success always starts with failure! So I am going to adjust the time frame for my ultimate goal's and set micro-goals to keep me on track whilst I fully recover and regain my fitness. 

My initial goals for 2013 were to:

• Compete in a duathlon.
• Experiment with off-road running.
• Run another Marathon and improve my time: aim for a sub 4 hour time!
• Run a sub 50 minute 10K road race.
• Run a sub 1:50 Half Marathon
• Compete in a triathlon.
• Run 12 races in 12 months (one each month)

During my darkest moments shortly after I first became injured I think I announced I was totally dismissing the idea of completing a duathlon and a triathlon.  However, on reflection I feel I would never forgive myself if I gave up so easily so I am planning on moving these goals to 2014 and use 2013 to train towards this and get fully fit.

I still plan to experiment with off-road running once my ankle is strong and stable enough to take the uneven surfaces but will delay entering any trail events until 2014.

I have already entered The Yorkshire Marathon in October so that goal remains unchanged, along with my goals to run a sub 50 minute 10K road race and run a sub 1:50 Half Marathon.  I will use my early races as training events and aim for these PB's later in the year.

The goal of running 12 races in 12 months will HAVE to change to 12 races in total for the year not one a month since I am now 3 months in and I am still not off the mark!

I am back to feeling fairly positive again and I am longing to get my teeth back into a training plan ASAP!

BEWARE Vicious Dog!

Tonight I went on my third post injury run!  I was at work until 6 o' clock so I was forced to go out in the dark. Ankle felt fine and everything was going well until I turned into a street and was greeted by a big snarling growling dog.  My thought process was 
a) turn around and run back and risk it chasing me and biting my bum whilst I'm retreating! 
b) run like hell past it but then I might injure my ankle further! 
c) walk past it and hope it calms down.  

I chose option C but unfortunately it wasn't so easily placated.  It snarled infront of me whilst it walked backwards, until I finally managed to get passed it but it continued to follow me snarling and growling behind me until I got to the end of the street where it went the opposite direction to me thankfully. I then started running again.

I seriously thought I was going to end up bitten!  There was no owners around so I don't know if it was an escapee or a stray! 

I was relieved to make it home without anymore incidents. 

I managed 1.46 miles in 15 minutes and my route can be seen here.
My ankle is slightly sore now but I am hoping after having ice on it it will recover well.

I have an appointment with my sports physio tomorrow to see where I take my running from here and how far I can push myself without doing anymore damage.  I'm alittle bit worried he might say stay at this low mileage for longer.  I have a half marathon planned in 5 weeks and a 10 miler in 4 weeks that I need to get fit for! 

I am willing to sacrifice the 10 mile race in order to be in the best possible condition for the Edinburgh Rock n Roll Half Marathon. Even if I have to run it slowly I WILL-  I just really want to finish it and get the bling!!!

Allowed out - again!!!

All this exercise is getting a bit much - I was allowed to do another short run tonight!!!  WHOOOOO HOOOO!!

It's been a beautiful day, bright and sunny but still chilly.  I finally feel like spring has sprung!  

Life feels so much better when you have sunshine and lighter evenings - or is it because I am running that I feel better?

I saved my 12 minute run until after I had done the ironing and sorted out dinner!  A little bit of me time as my reward!  

So second post injury run - how did I do? 

I decided to run a different route to the one I ran on Saturday just to spice things up a bit!!  It's very difficult to plan a route for a 12 minute run!  There isn't much scope and I did consider running 6 minutes then turning around and coming back but thought this would be slightly demotivating! 

It probably took me longer to get ready than the time I actually spent running but I wanted to feel the part and wear the gear! So with muscle rub rubbed in, heart rate monitor on, my new skins (first outing!) on, my Garmin set and the satellite found I was eventually ready and off!

My ankle felt so much better than it did on my first post injury run on Saturday, and it was only towards the end that it started to niggle!  I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!

I was impressed with my timing too - my prescribed 12 minute run turned out to be 12 minutes and 22 seconds, not a bad time estimation for the route!! You can view my run here.

So my next run is on Wednesday, climbing steadily to a grand total of 14 minutes! 

Bring it on!!!

I'm BACK!

After 43 days of enforced rest I ran for the first time today!!! Boy did it feel good but hard work!!! Its amazing how it takes years to build fitness up but it soon goes in a flash! 

I was extremely nervous about going out as well as excited!  My Physio said to do a short 10 minute    S L O W run!

Natural Hero Ginger Muscle Rub

I used Natural Hero Ginger Muscle Rub to warm my muscles before I ran.  

The first few minutes were fairly painful and I did think I wasn't going to last the full 10 minutes, but I gritted my teeth and the pain eased.  

Natural Hero Cooling Spray

I don't think I could have comfortably run any further but it felt good just to be out there again. 

As soon as I walked through the door I iced it for about half an hour, before getting a shower and then I used the Natural Hero cooling spray which seemed to work really well. I still have a very cold foot! 

I'm feeling invigorated now and itching to run some more, but will follow my physio's instructions! Monday is my next run - another lengthy one at a whole 12 minutes! If I take it easy now I'm hoping to make a good recovery!  I never want to go back to where I was!

You can view this first run here!

Back from my run - HAPPY!

TOMORROW is the day!

Well it's the first of March and I spend the entire month of February doing absolutely nothing!  

Only one more day to go until I can go for my first little run since becoming injured!!!  I am so excited I could pi** glitter and poo rainbows!!!  Whoooo hooooo!

I was beginning to stress yesterday as my ankle seemed to be particularly sore so I rang my savior (physio) and asked him for advise!  He said to keep icing it and to keep up with the exercises prescribed and as long as its not swollen tomorrow I can still run!!!!

Well with my enforced no running period I have put on 4.2 pounds in weight, my body fat has increased by 2% and the most shocking one is my resting heart rate has gone up by 15 BPM!!! 

What I don't understand is I thought your resting heart rate increasing was a sign of over-training and I have sat on my backside for weeks so how does that work?!!!

 I run to eat and drink in excess, and enjoy all three!!  I can't wait to get my miles back up and my weight back down!!

More miles means more wine!