AWOL

Okay, I know, I haven't been around much lately. But it's not due to having given up - actually it's quite the opposite! I've just been so busy and I did actually suffer from exhaustion recently, so decided to lower the commitments in my life and make more 'me time'.


Okay, so, to update things: I have finished my 12 week initial run plan! YIPPEE! I can now actually run for 40 minutes and recorded my first ever time for a 5k - 40.02. It should have been 2 minutes less but I chose to run on another hot day and the heat just got to me so I made the wise decision to walk for 1 minute - twice during the run. However - even at 40.02 - with 2 walk sessions, it still put my miles per minute at just over 12 minutes - which isn't bad and considering that just over 12 weeks ago I couldn't even run for 1 minute!


So... the heat is on - it's the Adidas Women's 5k Challenge on 7th September and I'm getting nervous! My run number and final instructions have come through - although I hasten to add that my chosen charity appear to have abandoned me and haven't sent their instructions or shirt to run in yet! Talk about cutting it close! I just like to be prepared, I've trained hard for this and I need to have my plan sorted in my head in advance because coping with my social phobia in a massive crowd in Hyde Park will be a major thing for me!


Anyhow, to get to where I am I endured problems with my ankle - which went over twice very badly and in resulted in weeks worth of agony, also heat exhaustion has been a big issue for me - I just don't cope well with it, but since coming off my anti-inflammatories - the heat doesn't seem to affect me quite so badly - very strange!!


I love my running and am totally addicted - I love the high that follows too. However, I'm not so happy about not losing weight - in fact - I've put weight on!


So... once the Adidas Women's Challenge is out the way I am starting a new eating regime - I am going on the smoothie/juice diet!


I have just been out and brought a smoothie maker/blender:

It's the Kenwood Smoothie Concert. Is man enough to tackle ice cubes and all sorts. So I'm looking forward to making up some 'green smoothies'.

The inches aren't really shifting either- it slowed down to a half inch loss from various body parts for the last 2 months and I have no idea why. It's not even like I eat lots of rubbish and I don't eat that much either! But anyways, obviously I am at fault some where - so I'm trying to be more aware of my intake now. I love fresh fruit and so smoothies sound good to me - plus I get to control what goes in it - so less fatty stuff and all those added sugars you get in the shop brought versions! It also gives me something to do with all the extra produce from my allotment! lol

Well, this is just a quickie - to let you know I haven't vanished without trace and I am still here and hoping to get back to more inspirational blogging.

Feeling chipper!

Wow! You guys are not going to believe the progress I'm making! Firstly - yes, there has indeed been a change to my running programme and I have revised the details on the right for you to see! I had to change it because I found the other routine was too much for my knee and it required a slower build up of 12 weeks, as opposed to 8 weeks - plus, being overweight and really unfit I needed something to allow for a gentler start.

The new running programme was taken from Sally Gunnell's website - you can find the link for her website at the bottom of the run programme. and I can honestly say that since I have been on her plan, running has been more enjoyable and I've made astonishing progress!

I am now in week 4 and am currently running 5 mins, walking 3 mins and repeating 3 times.

I never EVER thought when I started running that I could run for even 5 minutes! To be honest, I struggled for 1 minute when I started but now I'm finding if I don't keep an eye on my watch - I easily go over my 5 minute run time! I have found my current 'pace' and am happy to sit in it, just 'trotting along' without getting too breathless and looking like I'm gonna die! lol

It's amazing! I have been weighing myself and I had lost 8lb - down to 15stone 8lb but after my birthday yesterday I fear I may have gone up to 15stone 12! lol But what the hell - it's my birthday and it's not like I'm slacking with my exercise!

Also, I am due to measure myself next weekend to find out what I've lost and I'm damn sure I have - my jeans are now loose and I am doing my belt up on the shortest hole - I'm really going to have to put more holes in it!

Also - I swear my boobs have got smaller - I guess I'll be able to find out for definite next weekend!

I have decided to weigh myself every Saturday morning and I measure myself once a month!

I am trying to aim for a weight loss of 2-3lb a week.

Also, I have entered the Adidas Women's Challenge! It's a 5k run in Hyde Park - London on September 6th 2009! So, I HAVE to learn to run 5k (this should be easily achievable with my new running programme). I am running on behalf of The Mental Health Foundation. I chose them because I suffered depression since my son was born - 14 years ago! I think it was more to do with the marriage I was in at the time though! Anyway, at one stage my doctor wanted me to go into a unit to get some rest and recovery, they whacked me up on all sorts of meds and I saw a Psychotherapist once a week. I also sought help for my social phobia & agoraphobia. Anyways, to cut a long story short - when my marriage ended in 2005 it was a turning point! My depression lifted and I no longer required medication - which they told me I would need for life! I am so happy with myself, with life and am happy to be doing everything I am. Running is also such a major mood lifter - I swear it is a better help for depression than any drugs they give you! So, all in all, I'm running for the Mental Health Foundation because of my own past issues and because mental illness has an unfair stigma which they are doing their best to lift and to educate people about the illnesses associated with mental health.

Well, enough gas bagging! Does anyone else have a blog so I might go and check yours out to see your progress too?

Oh and I am in the process of trying to use a programme to show my fitness diary on my blog - so you know exactly what I'm up to each time I work out.

Happy running folks!

Week 2!

Well, Monday I upped my running to Stage 2. Which is run for 2 minutes, walk for 1 minute, repeat 7 times.

To start with 2 minutes running didn't seem too bad but by the 5th repeat I was beginning to feel that 1.5 minutes would have been a better step up! lol.

During the last repetition my knee started grumbling. Back home the pain was nasty! I iced and elevated etc as per usual but it really wasn't good!

It also continued to grumble on the rest day so more RICE followed.

Managed to depress myself by reading online about how you're not supposed to run with Osteoarthritis.

Yeah well, all these people against it have obviously never had it in their early 30's and been told the NHS won't operate and basically you have to sit there and watch your life waste away whilst you get fat and unfit and are unable to do anything about it.

Well, stuff that! I consider myself to be running sensibly but I'm not going to waste my life.

Running has been a 100% improvement on my depression anyway and I do feel fitter already and I know I am going to lose weight and tone up - which will help me when I do eventually have an operation right?!

lol

Anyways, I am going to see my doctor today (If I can get an appointment) about some other things anyway, and I am going to talk to him about running with my knee.

In the meantime I have decided NOT to run today - as planned and shall down grade my next weeks sessions to run 1.5 minutes, walk 1 minute, then the following week go back up to run 2 minutes, walk 1 minute. Basically repeating a week but I am being sensible about it.

Am just gutted that my knee has messed up this week. I think it was actually more to do with the camber of the road - I did have to move into it several times to miss large tractors down the narrow country lanes. My knee is feeling a bit better today and there is no heat or swelling, so will just allow an extra day or two rest before running again.

Stupid fields!

OMG!!! I decided to try running across a field as everyone keeps telling me it'd be better for my knee! Running across the field was fine but then I had to run along the top edge which was soft - I guess I sunk about 3 inches at least, not to mention the 30cm high crops to leap over and then the uneven bits. Result was a twisted ankle and actually more pain to knee. I also found the styles a real rhythm breaker.
My conclusion is I'll stick to roads. I will avoid holes and serious cambers and look for tarmac not concrete areas and obviously be sensible.
I will try fields etc again when my legs are a bit stronger and I am able to do hill work comfortably. Living at the base of the Chilterns, the best footpaths and bridleways are up in the hills. I will use them once I have been running for a bit longer.
I might have a run at the local Woodland Trust area as the going is generally good although obviously still some hills.
So yesterday I ran about 3.5 miles (well, actually did the walk to run programme of 1 minute run, 90 seconds walk, repeat 8 times.)
Today I walked 2 miles at a steady pace as my knee and ankle aren't 100%.
My next session will be Sunday. My Other Half is doing a 10k race so I shall go and do my session whilst he's out doing that. It will be my last stage 1 session. The week after the routine changes to Stage 2 - Run 2 minutes, walk 1 minute repeat 7 times.
I'm looking forward to it as I am comfortable at running 1 minute and actually find the walking part a bugger because it breaks my stride. I just manage to get into a comfortable running style and then have to stop to walk! lol Never thought I'd hear myself say that!
I surprised myself yesterday as I encountered a hill (quite a steep short climb) and as it happened, my run part coincided with the hill. So not one to shirk my task, I ran up it! I actually managed it okay and didn't get out of breath until the top! That's amazing because only a few months ago I couldn't even walk up that bloody hill without getting seriously out of breath!
I have been walking 3 times a week now for about 2 months and it has been a great preparation for the running.
I shall have to miss my swimming session next week as I'm off to Kew gardens - plenty of walking involved! lol
Oh and yesterday I found I was quite light-headed after my run and not feeling very well for the rest of the evening. The reason I believe was due to not having any lunch. I finish work at 2pm and so run straight afterwards as my son gets home from school 4.15pm on a Wednesday and I like to be here to greet him. I didn't fancy running after eating as I wouldn't have enough time to let it go down properly. I don't eat at work - don't think I'm aloud a lunch break because I'm only there until 2pm. I am going to have to take in a cheese roll on the days I'm due to run and scoff it somewhere secretly! lol I don't want to feel light-headed like that again!
It's just so hard to fit it all in and be a single working mom!

Off the starting blocks!!!

Well, yesterday saw my first effort at the walk to run routine. I decided on a route that was a total of 4.5 miles approx and walked the first 10 minutes or so. My lower shin felt a bit sore at walk but that's sometimes what they do when I walk. I decided the pain wasn't too significant and I'd see how I got on at a faster pace.
I was surprised how quickly the first 1 minute run went, a bit disappointed maybe too! lol
My shins felt fine whilst running but ached a bit again when walking.
Was very pleased with the new Shock Absorber bra! I kid you not - my boobs are as big as Jordan's and trying to hold that lot in together is a mean feat and I have always felt uncomfortable when going any faster than a walk but the new bra was ace! Limited bounce and felt so comfy!
I soon racked up my first session and found I was only half way round the 4.5 mile course, so therefore had to walk the rest back home. Which wasn't a bad thing but I admit I had to fight the urge to burst into a jog again! But no, I'm going to stick to the plan and not break it in any way, shape or form!
My Osteoarthritic knee ached quite a bit later on that day but this was relieved with my knee support and today it isn't too bad.
Have to admit to feeling quite hungry last night and today! lol Don't worry, haven't gorged on anything I shouldn't have!
Tomorrow sees me walking a 3 mile round route. Walk only!
Should have gone swimming today but decided to rest my knee.