For many years now it has been an ambition of mine, actually a dream of mine, to have a workout so intense that I develop the sweat patches around my neck line and back just like in the movies. I know what you're going to say, but I feel like I can aim that high. Well, yesterday I achieved this goal. I was up and out early and clocked over an hour on the treadmill, covering a cool 11 kilometres. I disembarked the running machine and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and there it was. "It must just be the pattern on my shirt" I thought, secretly excited. Once the room had stopped spinning I approached my reflection with trepidation, adrenaline pumping through my veins. I touched my chest and confirmed that I was indeed achieving my dreams. I was Rocky, the only thing missing was a montage.
As is often the case with achieving your dreams, the reality of the situation was not as spectacular as I had assumed it would be. I took over 600 pictures of the t-shirt, and have since had it framed, but I will never recapture that feeling of elation. If anyone would like to see it it now hangs above my bed, in a frame, with a simple message inscribed beneath it: Eye of the Tiger.
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Great News Everyone!
Pain gone in my foot? Check. Two months until the marathon? Check. No more pesky job to get in the way of training? Check.
Today was my first attempt at any sort of running in about two weeks due to the torn ligament in my foot. For the first time in ages I had the real urge to get out there and get running, but decided my safest bet was to go to the gym, just in case anything snapped... Thankfully, nothing snapped. I only managed a 5km run which was a bit disappointing, but I was beginning to feel a twinge in my ankle and didn't want to be out of action again for another two weeks. Encouragingly I wasn't out of breath and my heart wasn't beating out of my chest, so I think my cardiovascular fitness is still okay, I just need to ensure I don't injure myself again before the big day. I need to be going on longer runs as well, seeing as Sam is very impressively managing 2 hour runs at the minute!
On a non running note, yesterday was my birthday, and so I assumed I'd be feeling very rough today. However, a combination of incredible food from Chez Jules (courtesy of Sam), and some intense poker meant my stomach was well lined and I wanted to keep my wits about me. That meant that today I woke up without a hangover, hurrah! Oh, and I won at poker since you ask...
Also, for those of you in Birmingham, it appears the council are extending the offer of free gym membership and free swimming for the foreseeable future. See, I promised there was good news!
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Now playing: Neil Young - On the Way Home
via FoxyTunes
Today was my first attempt at any sort of running in about two weeks due to the torn ligament in my foot. For the first time in ages I had the real urge to get out there and get running, but decided my safest bet was to go to the gym, just in case anything snapped... Thankfully, nothing snapped. I only managed a 5km run which was a bit disappointing, but I was beginning to feel a twinge in my ankle and didn't want to be out of action again for another two weeks. Encouragingly I wasn't out of breath and my heart wasn't beating out of my chest, so I think my cardiovascular fitness is still okay, I just need to ensure I don't injure myself again before the big day. I need to be going on longer runs as well, seeing as Sam is very impressively managing 2 hour runs at the minute!
On a non running note, yesterday was my birthday, and so I assumed I'd be feeling very rough today. However, a combination of incredible food from Chez Jules (courtesy of Sam), and some intense poker meant my stomach was well lined and I wanted to keep my wits about me. That meant that today I woke up without a hangover, hurrah! Oh, and I won at poker since you ask...
Also, for those of you in Birmingham, it appears the council are extending the offer of free gym membership and free swimming for the foreseeable future. See, I promised there was good news!
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Now playing: Neil Young - On the Way Home
via FoxyTunes
Two months to go ...
Hello! Sorry for the lack of posts. Training has been going well ... last week I hit the gym on numerous occasions running 10k in just over an hour; altering my pace, from 'easy' to 'tempo' in a bid to improve the stamina. Oddly I've been finding indoor, on the spot running a little easier than the outside jogs. Perhaps it's the added pressure of people 'tutting' if you stop and walk? Who knows ...
A highlight so far this week, has to be a mammoth (if I must say myself) jog on Monday! I made it to the 2hr mark, running anywhere I could around Sutton - mainly the park, including the torturous hill up to the Jamboree stone. The park is quite an interesting place at dusk it seems ... lots of rich kids terrorizing the place on their mini motorbikes, along with slightly lost dog walkers ... After the run, I headed back for a stretch and a shower. Followed by a feast of a tea courtesy of Joe - he cooked up an amazing veg chilli with a side of tortillas, garlic bread and rice! (lots of carbs to replenish the stores). Sadly no pictures this time!
To those of you who have donated so far, thank you! We are hoping to have a few fund-raising events in the lead up (I can't believe how fast it is approaching). Culminating in a massive BBQ - so watch this space!
Today I reckon I'll be going for a long swim. Might even try my hand at some aqua running!
A highlight so far this week, has to be a mammoth (if I must say myself) jog on Monday! I made it to the 2hr mark, running anywhere I could around Sutton - mainly the park, including the torturous hill up to the Jamboree stone. The park is quite an interesting place at dusk it seems ... lots of rich kids terrorizing the place on their mini motorbikes, along with slightly lost dog walkers ... After the run, I headed back for a stretch and a shower. Followed by a feast of a tea courtesy of Joe - he cooked up an amazing veg chilli with a side of tortillas, garlic bread and rice! (lots of carbs to replenish the stores). Sadly no pictures this time!
To those of you who have donated so far, thank you! We are hoping to have a few fund-raising events in the lead up (I can't believe how fast it is approaching). Culminating in a massive BBQ - so watch this space!
Today I reckon I'll be going for a long swim. Might even try my hand at some aqua running!
Monday, 14 March 2011
Beware The Perils of Self Medication
To continue where Sam left off, I have indeed torn a ligament in my ankle. I'm not entirely sure how to be honest, but I imagine to 9 mile run last Sunday didn't help, which is a shame because it felt great at the time! Needless to say I am in a fair amount of pain and won't be running on it for at least two weeks, so I need to focus on exercises to improve my stamina but don't strain my ankle. I'm thinking swimming might be my best bet here.
I was told by the nurse that it would get worse before it got better, which is never a great thing to hear, but luckily I'm on quite a lot of drugs. I'm taking something for the pain as well. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
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Now playing: Screaming Trees - Shadow Of The Season
via FoxyTunes
I was told by the nurse that it would get worse before it got better, which is never a great thing to hear, but luckily I'm on quite a lot of drugs. I'm taking something for the pain as well. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
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Now playing: Screaming Trees - Shadow Of The Season
via FoxyTunes
Sunday, 13 March 2011
A few steps behind ...
Hello! The past week has been a bit up and down with training ... On Sunday Joe and I managed 9 miles in less than 90 minutes! We stumbled back to club 530 to tuck into this amazing mound of food, yum!
Before setting off to see Killing Fields of Ontario play at the Yard Bird - They were really, really good (22-20s reminiscent?) and despite an aching calf I found myself tapping along!
The week turned a little sour as Joe's foot started to hurt a fair bit on Monday. I continued to hit the gym (me - rubbing it in?); a few days past and Joe's foot showed no signs of recovery. On Thursday we found ourselves in A&E! I'll leave it to Joe to recount the rest, but needless to say, he's having a break from training for the next week ...
So being Sunday aka 'the long run day" I had geared myself up for a 10/11 miler. Setting off in the company of my ipod and a bottle of lucozade (the sweetest drink ever made - blimey!), I was in good spirits. Soon however, I was faced with excruciating stitch and disturbingly 'clicky knees'. Not good. Whats a girl to do without a running partner to sing "eye of the tiger" when the pain hits in or play 20 questions to alleviate monotony? Well, WALK.
After a measly 30 minutes, having failed miserably, I gave up and walked.
I need to up my game somewhat ...
Before setting off to see Killing Fields of Ontario play at the Yard Bird - They were really, really good (22-20s reminiscent?) and despite an aching calf I found myself tapping along!
The week turned a little sour as Joe's foot started to hurt a fair bit on Monday. I continued to hit the gym (me - rubbing it in?); a few days past and Joe's foot showed no signs of recovery. On Thursday we found ourselves in A&E! I'll leave it to Joe to recount the rest, but needless to say, he's having a break from training for the next week ...
So being Sunday aka 'the long run day" I had geared myself up for a 10/11 miler. Setting off in the company of my ipod and a bottle of lucozade (the sweetest drink ever made - blimey!), I was in good spirits. Soon however, I was faced with excruciating stitch and disturbingly 'clicky knees'. Not good. Whats a girl to do without a running partner to sing "eye of the tiger" when the pain hits in or play 20 questions to alleviate monotony? Well, WALK.
After a measly 30 minutes, having failed miserably, I gave up and walked.
I need to up my game somewhat ...
Friday, 4 March 2011
To Hell With Good Intentions
It's Friday! And I'm not running...
This week has been much better than lasts week's cold afflicted muscle pulling mess, with a swim on Monday, some intense army strength exercises on Tuesday and a satisfying 40 minute run on Wednesday. Thursday was a day off due to some serious muscle pain, and I think I'll give myself today off as well as we have the usual massive Sunday run planned.
In terms of fundraising, this Wednesday is our Flash Mob at the Birmingham Library! At the moment there's not too many people showing an interest, so please, if you're in town on Wednesday just pop along for two minutes! And if you can't make it, please give us money!!! Every penny counts. We are also trying to organise a charity gig upstairs at the Island Bar at some point in the next month or so. I will post any details on here as I find them out myself, but if you'd like to play please let me know and I can guarantee you'll be on the bill! We're looking for bands, comedians, magicians, anyone entertaining really. Also if you are creative or foody, some cool stuff to sell or raffle off would be much appreciated.
Can you tell we're desperate for cash?!
This week has been much better than lasts week's cold afflicted muscle pulling mess, with a swim on Monday, some intense army strength exercises on Tuesday and a satisfying 40 minute run on Wednesday. Thursday was a day off due to some serious muscle pain, and I think I'll give myself today off as well as we have the usual massive Sunday run planned.
In terms of fundraising, this Wednesday is our Flash Mob at the Birmingham Library! At the moment there's not too many people showing an interest, so please, if you're in town on Wednesday just pop along for two minutes! And if you can't make it, please give us money!!! Every penny counts. We are also trying to organise a charity gig upstairs at the Island Bar at some point in the next month or so. I will post any details on here as I find them out myself, but if you'd like to play please let me know and I can guarantee you'll be on the bill! We're looking for bands, comedians, magicians, anyone entertaining really. Also if you are creative or foody, some cool stuff to sell or raffle off would be much appreciated.
Can you tell we're desperate for cash?!
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Achoo! Then Run Some
"Jeffrey Restuccio using the Stance, Beginning Position. Note the front knee is bent in the direction of the hoe".
(Taken from http://www.ritecode.com/aerobicgardening/)
Hello! Sorry for the sparse posting of late. Last week was a bit empty of training as I came down with a MASSIVE (for some reason that word reminds me of the 90s) cold. It has, however picked up again the past couple of days as sneezing fits have diminished.
On Monday I headed to the gym and ran on the spot for 45 mins - including 15 mins of sprints and recovery runs, or Fartlekking as they like to call it. It felt suprisingly good considering I hadn't done anything for a week...
Today, I did a bit of ahem "Cross training", though perhaps not in the conventional sense. It comprised of a couple of hours of gardening & many hours of shaking a chocalho for Bloco Louco. Okay, for the benefit of those whom are dubious that a bit of digging actually constitutes training, surely the fact there is a National Gardening Excercise day is enough? It's the way forward according to Jeffrey Restuccio amongst others. Sadly I was unaware of his 'Stance' and 'Lunge and Weed' exercises at the time, but maybe I'll give it a go should the opportunity arise ....
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