Running totals for the week

Finished off a great training week with a 5 mile easy run in high winds! This brings my total mileage this week to 18.92 miles.

Made a decision to take off another 20lbs before the May Marathon- I need to shift 10lbs for aesthetics anyway and an additional 10, whilst keeping me in the acceptable range for my height, will make running a long distance a bit easier.

Starting a 30 day lunge challenge tomorrow and am going to be doubling my weight workouts to improve my strength and build muscle.

Tough day at work?

This time of year is manic for everyone. Instead of coming home and collapsing on the sofa I broke my rest day training plan rule, slipped my trainers on and went straight out for a 30 minute run round the village. Instantly better. I broke no records, won no medal but got myself ready for a restful weekend and cut the cord between my work life and my home life.
I love running.

Sleep, sleep and a quickie at the gym

I use a Fitbit Surge to help me train and stay accountable. I aim to average 15k steps a day and it has been invaluable in my fitness and weight loss campaign over the last 12 months. Since using my Fitbit I have lost 80lbs and have literally gone from morbidly obese couch potato to a little bit overweight and someone who exercises daily. 

The Surge has a great feature- it tells you how well you have slept and records how many times you have been restless or actually awake. I aim for 7 hours sleep each night. Last night I got 8 hours. Still woke up feeling dog tired and that feeling persisted all day. Sometimes my head tells me to sod the workout and stay in bed/on the sofa/watching TV. I still got up and did a half hour treadmill run first thing- sometimes the mind is weak and the body just has to turn up and do its stuff. Today was one of those days.

Today I made over 18k steps. Despite feeling like a longer sleep this morning I am still one step closer to being ready for my marathon next Spring. Tomorrow I will feel a bit more alert, but today was good enough.

Think you can't run fast?

Join a running club! Ran 5k with my local village running club. Nailed it in 34 minutes 27 seconds. Not a fast time by other people's standards perhaps, but I am proud of myself. Yesterday I did treadmill run. I want to get to 12 minute miles for my marathon race in May, so I am aiming for faster shorter runs in the week and longer easier runs at the weekend.

Really pleased with my efforts this week. Avoiding injury is a major focus this winter so I am stretching out after every run. An obvious point perhaps, but something I ignored in my early training. No muscle or tendon problems so far this month- good stuff.

Good morning rowing machine!

By 6:45am I was on the rowing machine at my gym. Quick warm up then incline training on the treadmill and crosstrainer. 6kg dumbell bicep curls and 4kg tricep dips.

Today was a non-running day. I have learned over the last few months that, much as I like to run, I cannot get away without doing it very day without a break. In the last 6 months I have had plantar fasciitis and a peroneal tendon injury and it has affected my training schedule. Now I take two days a week to cross train (do something, anything, other than running) and one day where I just walk my dog.

Tonight I walked my dog- bloody freezing out- but it is the highlight of my day. His enthusiasm for getting out and about regardless of the weather reminds me that I should be delighted to be able to get out and move. I am blessed. And getting stronger every day.

From fat to fit

A year ago I weighed nearly 250lbs. Today I have just got back from my 5th run in a week. I weigh just under 170lbs and feel generally amazing! Last month I found out that I am beginning the menopause at the relatively young age of 43. I feel very mixed about it- I have completed my family and my boys are now young men. I don't want another baby (well, not really) and periods are a total pain in the arse. It feels weird to be heading into middle age when I still feel mentally the same as I did in my 20s I suppose.
Anyway- I have entered a marathon in 2016 and I have planned a training schedule around achieving a time of about 5 1/2 hours. I run, but I ain't fast! This blog is going to be a record of my training over the next 6 months or so.
Before starting running I gradually built up my fitness by walking. It started off with a mile, then a bit more and then a bit more. I did several long distance walks earlier this year and joined a gym. My greatest joy at the moment is a long walk with the dog and a little jog around in the countryside where I live. My weightloss was a by product of wanting to be fitter and healthier. Exercise is my therapy now.
Today I ran nearly 4 miles; it took 50 minutes and my emphasis today was maintaining form and keeping my heart rate under control. Average was 138bpm. First frost of the year meant that I wore three layers and gloves. I am not fast but this time last year I couldn't have walked a mile without chronic back pain and breathlessness. I feel very motivated today.