18 March 2014

Hi,

Well I completed the 5k.  It took me under 44 minutes, 2 seconds under 44 minutes but that was a great result for me.

I had given myself a time of 1hour, if I finished within that I would have been happy.

My husband and my best friend came to cheer me on.

I was ready to go, even tho I was super nervous and scared.  Me and my running buddy got to the starting line, and we were off.

The first lap was hard, I didn't think we were going to be able to do it.  We had warmed up properly and even did a short run to get the muscles warmed up and the blood flowing.  But my legs just didn't want to run.

I had to stop first.  Me, I can run, but my legs were telling me NO.  BUt we picked ourselves up and started running again.

The first hill was hard, running on the flat is obviously different from running downhill, so going up that hill made every muscle in my legs scream, but we kept going, cos after the uphill comes the downhill.  The downhill, and the flat bit after it gets quite a bit of the lap covered, and knowing that is coming up makes the uphill just that little bit easier.

The second lap was hard, but we knew we only had one more lap to go.

The third lap I thought the muscles in my legs were just going to get up and leave me there, flapping on the ground.  Every muscle was screaming at me.

But we kept going, we did the final hill, the final downhill, then it was the last run toward the finish line.

At this point we had been lapped by everyone we figured we were coming in last.  But we didn't care, we were going to finish and thats all that mattered.  But that last bit was hard.  Both me and my running buddy were sore at this point.  We were ready to give up and walk (or crawl) to the finish line.

But then one of our trainers came running back from the finish line toward us.  Everyone else turned to see up and started cheering for us, encouraging us, keeping us going.

The trainer came back and ran beside us, keeping us going, giving us that last push we needed to get over the line.

The cheers were so loud from everyone that had already finished that it felt like I had ran and finished first in a big race.

I did it.

I finished a 5k.

I was so proud of myself, and so proud of my running buddy too.

We went out after to celebrate and it was good.

But boys oh dear, my ankle has not been the same simce.

My muscles were fine, my hips were fine, but my left ankle has decided it hates running and keeps telling me very clearly.

I haven't managed to get to the gym since the race on Saturday, and I didn't go to training last night.

I am going to the gym tonight tho, and training again tomoro.

I am a runner now.

And I feel great (sore ankle and all!!)

4 February 2014

Last night we took that C25K and went right out of the park.  Now I don't know about you, but I was scared enough when I was running in the park, in the dark, where no one could see me.  When the trainers told us yesterday that we were leaving the park to run on the streets I kinda freaked a little.  People were out there, possibly people I know.  They might see me!!

But I pulled my big girl pants up and decided to go for it.

Me and my running friend were at the back of the pack, as usual, its where we like to be, and we were taking it easy.  We ran the first part of it in the park, then we came to the gates...it was time to GO OUTSIDE.  But we just did it, we continued chatting, then one of the trainers caught up with us and chatted for a while.  The trainers are so super encouraging, getting us to run a little further, or try a little harder.  We were going along nicely when we came to a hill.  It was a steep enough hill that I used to struggle walking it.  But I jogged it.  Right up it.  And I wasn't even wrecked when I got to the top.  The trainer had walked up it with my running buddy and when they got to the top they were all "Well look at you who ran up the hill".  I was buzzing!!!

We ran on and caught up with a friend who completed the C25K programme last time round.  She had heard, I still don't know how, that I had ran up the hill and was so excited for me.

Its great having support.  The people who are training us, and the people who went through the programme last time round are so encouraging, it just makes things a little easier.

If you are thinking about running, my advice is JUST DO IT. 

Yes it can be hard, yes you will be in pain, but take it at your own pace.

Don't go too hard, too fast or too much.

You can do it.

Cos I can do it.

And believe me, if you saw me you would appreciate that statement a whole lot more.

I am not the fittest person in the world, I am not the slimmestt person in the world.

But I try my hardest, I work at it, and I am getting there.

This isn't a race to be won quickly, its not a sprint.

This is an endurance challenge. 

I am changing my whole life.

I am becoming fitter every day.

I am running three times per week.

I will get there.

PS me and my running buddy are thinking of doing our first 5k race on 15th February.  EEEEKKKKK 

3 February 2014

Sometimes on rainy days I just don't want to get up and do anything.  My bed is cosy and warm, and I have everything I need within easy reach.  But work has to be done, so I get up and leave my warm bed and go out into the rain and cold.  I know we are lucky here, we haven't had all the snow and cold that America has been getting.  We also haven't been affected with the flooding that many parts of England have had, along with other parts of the UK.

However it doesn't make it any easier getting up out of bed!

On Sunday R and I went for a run.  He bought me luvly new trainers and running clothes as an early Valentine gift.  So we had to make use of it.  We ran about 1 1/2 miles on Sunday and it was exhausting!  He is fitter than me and he does nothing.  It is both annoying and brilliant at the same time.

Brilliant cos then he can keep me at it, encouraging me and not letting me give up.

Annoying because he doesn't get tired.  I have been going to the gym for a year now, and running for four weeks.  And he is better than me!!

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH

It is week five of the C25K programme tonight, and whilst I definately feel I am getting there, I am not there yet.  However the trainers in the programme think we are all about 2 weeks ahead of schedule, which is kinda good. 

I am beginning to like running.  I'm not good at it, but it makes me feel good to complete the small goals I set for myself.  Just run to that next lamppost, just run until you reach the gate, just run until you feel you can't run anymore.....I hope that one day in the not too distant future I will be telling you all how I have run a 5k, I registered today with Parkrun, but that doesn't mean i am ready to do it just yet.  However R has said he will do it with me when I do decide to go for it.

It is so great having a supportive husband. 

28 January 2014

Last night I ran for one mile, without stopping.

One mile.

I didn't run fast, but I did run the whole way.  Well, I jogged, but that's just running slowly.

I remember starting to think about running last year when I joined the gym.  After six months at the gym some of the girls were thinking about running the marathon, and I thought to myself, I wish I could do that, even just run one leg of the relay.  But I wasn't fit enough.  I was very overweight and I jut couldn't run the length of myself, let alone run for 6 miles.

I kept working at the gym, I improved my fitness.  I am still overweight, but less so than before.

This year I joined a C25K programme.  They told me by the end of ten weeks I could run a 5k.  Thats 3 miles.  I laughed, and said, "Nope, not me, but I will try".  And I have tried.  I have went every Monday and Wednesday and each time I try a little more.

On Wednesday I was running for four lampposts and walking for two.  Then on Friday I went for a run with R.  He pushed me hard, and I ran for longer than I had before without stopping. 

So on Monday past I decided to see if I could run for a bit, we run along the avenue in Wallace Park, its about 1/2 mile.  I decided to try to run the length of it, and when I got to the bottom, I just turned and kept running.  I ran a mile and was so excited.  I then walked/ran for another two miles.

Me....three miles of running and walking/running.

Thats practically 5k. 

I think I can call myself a runner now..don't u?

21 January 2014

Short and sweet update for you all.

Yesterday was the most miserable day of the year so far, I hope you found something worth smiling for.

The 5th session of the C25K programme was last night, I upped my game (slightly) to running for three lampposts, walking two, for about half of the 23 mins.  It was hard, but I reckon I can push myself harder.  Next time (Wednesday) I am going three running, walking two for the whole thing.  It is 25 mins on Wednesday...EEEKKKK  I need to be running more than I am walking soon.  (Or I will never get there)

Have you ever tried running?  What are your tips for a novice?

My diet is going terribly, I am still so tired and grumpy all the time.  And hungry!!  All I do is crave carbs.  But i am putting my big girl pants on and trying again, trying harder and lets see a real difference this week.  I can do it for a week...can't I??

Update you all soon.

:-)

16 January 2014

The fourth session of the C25K programme was last night.  I rocked it!  LOL no not really but I am definately getting better.  I am pushing myself further and longer and just feel like I have more energy.

I have totally found that I work better when I have set myself specific goals, so training to do the Mud Challenge and to do a leg of the relay in the Belfast Marathon has given me something to train for.  And something to get fit for.

Talking to a girl today in work I was explaining how in three months I have only lost 2lb.  This is disheartening for anyone trying to lose weight.  I have to keep telling myself that I have lost nearly 4st now.  4 stone of blubber that is no longer around my organs or weighing me down.  No wonder I feel more like running. 

On the one hand not losing anything is hard, but on the other hand I haven't put any on either.

My clothes fit better.

I have more energy.  (usually, but this diet plan is making me tired)

I want to do more.

I know I am getting fitter.

So I am telling myself not to worry about the non weight loss.  When it is ready it will come off.  I am not on a diet, I am changing my whole life.  My fitness levels are increasing and I am creating a healthier person.  I will live longer.  I will live healthier.  So, if it doesn't come off straight away, that's okay.  It took a few years (like 20) to put on, if it takes a few years (like 2 or 3) to come off then that's okay with me.  At least it is coming off.

People in work keep telling me how much of an inspiration I am to them, me, the girl that sat on her ass on the couch eating for way too may years, has now become a fitness nspiration to others.  My answer is always the same "I'm not there yet, but I am getting there".

I like that I can jog up the three flights of stairs in work without feeling like I need an oxegen mask at the top.  I like that I can even contemplate doing a 5k run.

I am getting there.

It feels so good.

Find your good thing.

Find the exercise that you don't hate.

Find the goals that stretch you, but don't make you feel bad for not getting there.

Don't set specific weight goals, set fitness goals.  In four months you want to be able to.......run 5k?.....squat 30kg?......benchpress 60kg?

Find a goal, tell people, then just do it.

If I can, anyone can.

:-)

15 January 2014

Hi folks

Well it is official, my diet plan is made to make me hungry.  I don't know if I can continue this, I am starving.  No carbs except in the evening time, and even then it is only a palm of the hand sized amount.  Loads of green veg, and plenty of protein.  And that is basically it.

I get that it is good for me.  I get that it has all the nutrients my body needs.  But I am HUNGRY!!

It is not going to be sustainable for me in the long term.  There is no way that I want to continue eating like this for the rest of my life.

I am on day three and all I can think of is on Sunday I get to eat a cheatmeal. I am planning every last morsel of that meal.  I am allowed to eat for an hour, after that I must leave the table.  An hour.  A full hour of eating.  Bring on the carbs!!!  I am thinking of going to get BBQ food at Bubbacue.

Bubbacue #cheatmeal

On the otherhand I am still in training for the 5K.  I am doing a couch to 5k programme and tonight will be the fourth night.  Twice a week we jog/walk/jog/walk building up the time and the distance, until at the end of a ten week programme we should be able to run 5k.  I can definately see that I am improving, but I am a long way off running 5k without at least 100 breaks in the middle of it!!

I love that my attitude toward exercise has changed.  We were talking in work the other day and were discussing PE class at school.  Then all we wanted to do was get out of class, to be excused from doing any type of exercise.  Now I go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week and have started a C25K programme.  Where did that come from??

I have indoor trainers and outside trainers.  I own hiking boots and outdoor waterproof clothes.  I have climbed a mountain and am in training to do a 5mile mud challenge assault course in April.

Life is good.

7 January 2014

Last night I went to the C25k program.

I was expectting it to be hell, as I haven't ran/jogged/done anything like running since I was in school (25+ years ago).  However my year of going to the gym must be doing something, as it wasn't as hell as I thought it was going to be.  In fact it was okay.

We did some talking, where the guy taking the 50+ of us who turned up for the first session, in the cold and wind, explained what would be happening.  He explained that we will only ever have to go at our own pace.  He explained that it won't be the instructors pushing us, but we will be pushing ourselves.  He explained how if we commit, after three weeks (of twice a week) we will see a big difference in our fitness levels.  He talked to us about now going too hard.

He stated there are three paces of running:
1. An easy pace where you can carry on a normal conversation with someone beside you.
2. A steady pace where you can carry on a conversation, but it is hard and you only speak in 1 or 2 words at a time.
3. A fast pace where if the guy next to you starts a conversation you want to punch them.

I laughed, so did most of the people there, but I figured I was never going to be at a point where I would be running that hard.

Then we did some stretches and then we set out for a jog.

He stated that we could walk the distance, jog the distance or do any combination, but to keep at a pace where we could chat to someone next to us.

It was a 10-15 minute distance, and I think I jogged about half of it, walking the rest.  It was hard, but not too difficult and to be honest I didn't push myself too hard.  I definately could have worked harder, but it was my first time so I didn't want to kill myself. 

After that we went back to the start position (and I wasn't last back, YAY!!) and we did more stretches and that was it.  My first hour training for the C25K programme.

Its hard to see that after 10 weeks I could actually run 5K but we shall see.

Have you tried this programme yet?  What do you think of it?  I'd love to know.