Confessions of an EX Couch Potato

Hi Readers,

As we say goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016, I wanted to look back and reflect over the past year.  Also will let you know how this weeks training has been going, and my first appearance in Women's Running Magazine.

Raspberry Puddles...

Christmas time, mistletoe and wine....

OOOPS Hello!! Such a special time, with family and friends, lights glowing, alcohol flowing, singing, dancing... Or not if you are training for a marathon!

Thursday - Short run - 10m walk, 20m run, 10m walk.
Not a great deal to say on this, I completed it but found it tough, I guess Christmas festivities really do take a toll on your running.  After the run, a bath and a bit of house work, I went out shopping for a few last minute bits.  I didn't go out or drink as I had Panshanger Park Run Xmas morning.

BMC Week 3.. Is it any better than last?

In a word no!...

Monday - Rest Day, which was very handy after a very heavy night with the family on Sunday!  Didn't manage to move out of bed all day ...

Tuesday - 15m Brisk Walk, 5 x 4 Minutes steady effort run, 1 min recovery and 15 min Brisk walk... I HATE intervals, menstrual cycles, A certain dog and cyclist, wind, rain, and admitting I'm wrong and Richard/everyone is right, drinking copious amounts of alcohol just doesn't work when you are training even if it is 2 days later!

What a Difference a Day Makes...

..... 24 little hours....

So Friday night I managed to organise a big family meal for this Sunday.  With 2 of my 5 sisters and my only brother, also their partners and my nephews including 2 young babies!!!  I have never hosted a family meal, in fact to get more than 2 sets in a room at one time is especially rare as we all live so far apart.  So that's 6 Adults, 2 teens and 2 babies, all for dinner.... Well excitement can only last so long.

Just Not Happening

Hi peeps,

So thought I'd check in, but to be fair there is not much to tell on the training front.  It has been a really tough week and just have not managed to fit my training in.

So Monday was rest day, which was welcomed after the Sunday 10K.  My daughter had been to the urgent care center at the hospital on Saturday as she has been suffering with bad pain in her right side.  She was given antibiotics and told to go to GP if no better by Monday.  So Monday night saw us sitting at doctors for 2 hours to be given more antibiotics.

Olympic Park 10K

Hi!

So Friday I went to the gym before work, I was aching quite badly, so took it easy, just doing 5 mins on Cross Trainer, 5 mins on bike and 6 mins on treadmill alternating flat, uphill and downhill.

Then it was rest up time until Sunday.  Friday night I had my works do and decided to drive and not drink, at the tie it seemed like a god idea with my training and race looming on the Sunday.  However it only left me wanting to drink Sat night.  I bought a bottle of port and a tub of Pringles and set down to watch the X Factor final!  I was very naughty and ha 2 large wine glasses of port.

Half Way Through Week One!

Hi Readers,

So this week the training started for the Big Marathon Challenge....

Monday was really hard.... it was a rest day - Thank you Richard!  As it was the start I decided to weigh myself so that I can update you on what I lose through my training as this is my big goal, but as my muscles will increase and they weigh more I will also tell you my dress size.

I weighed 15 stone 6, and am a tight size 18.

Should Listen To My Own Advice!

Sooooooo .......

Yesterday you saw that I had a lovely day meeting the Big Marathon Challenge teams, and whilst I was there I believe at some point I was telling people about my local park run and how I probably wouldn't be doing it much over the winter due to the fact it was mainly trail, much gravel, grass and mud and I was scared I would injure myself....

But of course I never listen to myself and decided I wanted to get up and go run it this morning.  Here is my report...

Big Marathon Challenge - Meet and Greet

Hi everyone!

I want to tell you all about my meet and greet day in London!

So my day started at 6.30 am, I packed a bag and made my way to the station, just to find out my train had been cancelled, luckily it was only another 10 minutes to wait for the next one.  I got a train to Finsbury Park, and then took the tube to Victoria... MY WORST FEAR!!  I try to avoid rush hour and the London Underground at all costs, and never do it without the warm arms and distraction of my Fiance Rob.

Big Marathon Challenge

Hi all,

So the news....  I have won a competition to be a Big Marathon Challenge team member.  Women's Running magazine ran the competition and I entered by email, they wanted 4 women who had a guaranteed place in the spring marathon.

Exciting News Coming Soon!

Hi,

So I had some very exciting news today to do with my running.  I am not sure if I am allowed to share it yet, but cannot wait to tell you my readers.  So watch this space.  Hopefully I will be able to update after Friday!!

FBB xx

Furthest Yet..

Hi,

So as mentioned in my previous post, I had yesterday off.  My new items had arrived Thursday evening and I was so excited to try them out!

I had intended on going out early, however I ended up having to take my fiance to work or he would have been late after we had some in depth discussion.  Turns out when I got back I realised I hadn't eaten, it was already past midday, so I had  bowl of golden syrup porridge.  Left it an hour, did some stretches, and then off I went.

Started with a speedy walk to warm up and then just as I was approaching the cycle path I started my watch eager to see how quick it would get GPS... Seconds!! Seconds and it told me to run, no hanging around street corners under lam-posts for me anymore!

Beautiful Moonlit Run

Good Evening!

I am feeling energised, clean and happy, can only mean one thing, I have been for a run and enjoyed a steaming hot bubble bath!!

When I was driving home from work the moon looked so beautiful, it was huge and looked stunning against the dark black sky and yet almost mysterious with smoky clouds glistening over it at times.  I couldn't resist getting out and enjoying it.

I'm Back!!

Hi all,

It has been some time and I guess you think I had done a runner (pardon the pun).  But no, I took some time out to let my legs rest as I think I had a bit of the dreaded shin splints!  I guess when you are new(ish) to running, are overweight and extremely unfit you should expect to have to take it easy to start.

I have also been very busy with Uni work, have had to do various assignments, day schools and exams.  Also the fiance and I have been checking out more venues for our wedding.  BUSY BUSY BUSY!!

What a Washout!

Hi,

So after my ParkRun on Saturday, I spent the rest of the weekend studying hard.  I had fallen behind with my uni work.  I am studying for a degree in Networking with the OU and had an assignment due in by 12 lunch time today.  I was 3 and a half chapters behind where I should be so needed to get a move on.

I spent all afternoon Sat and all day and evening Sun, and still was almost 2 chapters behind.  It is very heavy paced and with having a full time job, trying to run, a teenage daughter, a fiance, dog and trying to plan a wedding I decided I had probably taken on too much and wanted to give up.

ParkRun

Hi,

So I haven't been able to get out since Tuesday due to working late all week!  But have managed to do my local Parkrun (Panshanger) this morning.  It was quite tough and I did have to walk/run, but not allowing that to disappoint me due to the course itself.

The course is mainly trail, has a slight accent for the first 1.5k, through wooded area, and a large stony path through a field.  It is then quite flat for 0.5k along grass and mud with a small relief of a road and decent for a few 100 meters. Just as you hit the 3K mark it has a nice down hill stretch on grass followed by a small stretch of off road type road before leading to the final 1.25k which is mainly grass/mud and finishes with a steep (although short I'd say 20 metres) hill to finish line.

This was my forth time completing it and I really wanted to get it under 40 minutes, however as I was on the final 1k stretch I really didn't think I was going to make it,

Chuffed to bits, I came in at 39.15!!  New course PB for me and now a new milestone to make and beat, Sub 35... Will take some time but hopefully I will get there.

Going to see how my legs feel tomorrow but would like to try getting out again, but if not I can get out before work next week with the clocks going back (so should be lighter at 6am) and not having to be in until an hour later than usual.

Happy weekend all and Happy Running!
FBB
x

A not so very attractive picture of me
running up the final hill to the finish line!

Time out

Hi,

Well it hasn't been the best week!  I haven't blogged because there was nothing worth blogging about.
I have been down right miserable.  My leg injury meant I couldn't run so I was depressed, so I ate rubbish to make me feel better, only that made me feel ill, which in turn made me more depressed, which in turn made me eat more and so the circle turned...

Last weekend I went to Oxford and watched my fiance run the Abingdon Marathon, it was a great marathon to spectate at as I was able to get right by the runners and support them.  He has been aiming for sub 4 for a long time, and had disappointingly run in 4:00:02 at Brighton earlier this year.  However he had trained far better than ever for this marathon and was hoping for 3:50.

I saw him at mile 10 and 19 and he was smashing it.  I then had to grab the car, bomb it up the A34, park a mile and half away from the finish line and run/hobble as fast as I could on a gammy leg to see him finish.  At one point someone congratulated me, they actually thought I was just finishing the marathon..(to be honest I felt like it!)  I made it to the finish line with just 2 minutes to spare as Rob sprinted round the race track to complete the marathon in 3:44, an amazing achievement.  I was so proud, normally I wont go near him until he has showered but I jumped on him and gave him the biggest hug.

We went for a drink and some food and then drove the 2 hour drive home.  I was quite tired and waking up the next morning only darkened my mood, I was so impressed with what rob had done and seeing all the runners it only heightened my lack of running.

So here we are to today.  Work was ok until yet again I realised that I had to stay yet again for an extra 2 hours.  It didn't help my mood that the personal stress  I was experiencing earlier in the year had reared its ugly head again, I had been called yet more names.  I got home at 6.30 pm very frustrated, but it pinged something in my head.

I went out for a run, my first in over a week, I went out with no intentions other than to take it slow and try to make 3k if possible.  Just a light jog to see how my leg was.

The first 2k was hard, and I just kept thinking try to get 3k without stopping.

I made 3k and thought to myself try and go 3.5 now you are here, then 4, then it was c'mon you can make it to 5k now, its the furthest you have run without walking before so I kept going.

It was a bit slower than my fastest 5k but I was ok with that, only when I got to 5k I felt good, really good and wanted to keep going so I thought see if you can make 5.5 your best yet, 5.5 came and so did 6k, by this point I felt really into my stride and that I could keep going.  More than that, I wanted to keep going, but in the back of my head the thought that my daughter hadn't had dinner, the fact I was staying close to home in case my leg went and the bordom of the same loop I stopped at 7k.

I had run without walking 7K!!!  2k further than my best non stop run. My time: 57:49

I finally feel like I am a runner, 

I enjoyed it, 

I feel amazing, 

I can do it, 

I can and will run the London Marathon 2015.

Cream Cakes and Curry

Hi

Not a good day today!

So work was OK, day went rather quick, had a fair bit of niggles in the right quad, and my knee gave out a couple of times.

Had been ok with food until I found out I was meant to be staying late for a CPD session at work!  I had wanted to get home as my daughter (who has been going through a few issues at school) had her meeting and wanted to get home to see how she had got on.  So it put me in a mood.

Walked into hall for CPD session to a large table full of sandwiches, picky bits and Italian Cream Cakes!!!  Well you know what happened then.. I ate and ate and ate and ate, the cakes were soooo good.  I did have 2 fruit sticks but guess that doesn't balance out.

And as I write this post my wonderful fiance has just served Chicken Tikka Marsala, naan and poppadoms!!

Add that to the fact I couldn't run due to right knee/quad, a very bad day :(

That is all
FBB

Spiders and dogs noses!

Hi,

Its that time of year where my house is frequented with many large fat 8 legged creatures, and I am petrified of the things!

Last night the other half had just removed another from behind the TV when from the corner of my eye I saw a large black movement by the sofa arm I was leaning on.  I jumped so quick and twisted my knee in doing so!
OMG the pain, I am not sure if the damage was all sustained from the quick movement or whether it was to do with the muscle in the top part of the leg which had felt a bit tight since my runs.

Either way I spent the next 10 minutes almost crying, pains shooting up and down my leg, the worst part of it was the big black movement that mad me jump was my dogs nose!  I hadn't realised he was laying on his bed next to the sofa and had jumped up because Rob had moved.

Have felt some pain today, so am concerned ill have to put off running tomorrow and rest it some more.

On a brighter note, Monday is almost over so only 4 days until the weekend, when I'm off to Oxford to watch Rob run Abingdon Marathon.  He is hoping for ABC times (always have 3 times, your dream time, the time you happy with and then the time you will be unhappy going over.) A: 3:50, B: 3:53, C: 3:59:59.

I think when I get to London my ABC will be A: Finish to get Medal, B: Finish C:Dont Die!!

Happy Monday all.
FBB
(Fatty Boom Boom)

Adding in a bit of variety...

Hi, Knowing that in the past I get very down when I cant match or better a previous run, I went out with the mind today that I couldn't run the whole 5k without stopping at the pace I did on Friday. For a couple of reasons, it was slightly later in the day and was warmer (I prefer to run in cold and rain) and it was only 2 days after I had run said 5K so I was quite stiff and achie still.

I also knew that if I went the same route no matter what I told myself I would still be disappointed so I decided to go a different route that I knew would be harder, that way I couldn't compare the runs. My Friday run, other than the down hill at the start was pretty much flat and straight path all the way. Today I added in more hills, a run through two fields of slippery muddy grass, and 3 gates I had to open and go through as well as 2 step over gates.

 I felt quite stiff to start but soon got into it, but had to walk a little at just over 2.5k, but only for about 20 meters. I was feeling pretty good, and when I got to 4K I knew that 3 of my splits had been under 8 mins although one was around 8.5 mins, I could still do the 5k in under 40 minutes.

So I was very pleased when I sprinted the last 10 meters and made 5.01K in 38:28.

 Now I just have to try fitting in runs during the week before or after work, and maybe a long one at the weekend. Feeling good about the running, have done some wedding planning also this weekend so now down to uni work, yes as well as a full time job, a fiance, a 15 year old daughter, a staffie dog, and running I am also studying for a degree at home with Open Uni!! I am starting to think I am just a little bit insane!

Happy Sunday all :)

 

Feeling Tired

Hi, So after feeling euphoria yesterday, today I am feeling very tired, tight and achie. Kind of want to go out for a run but know I should leave a days rest in between. Have joined runners world forums, and also have downloaded the pod casts for the couch 5k+ to help with increase in speed and stamina. I would recommend the couch to 5k pod casts to anyone who wants to start running. I used them to start with, I admit I never finished the course as such but did make my own plan with my own music around the plan from the NHS website. I will add the links now. Elle

Smashed It!

Hi all,

So this is my first post, and what a post to have as my first!

So this morning I went out for a run, no intentions just needed to get out before work, I went 5K, and 

I RAN THE WHOLE 5K!!

I made it finally, and I smashed it out in 36:46 a major personal best for me!!

I am so proud of myself, my legs are feeling a bit stiff tonight though, I almost want to reward myself with some wine but I wont, even though it is Friday night... oh hold on its Friday night?! Sod it I deserve a glass of wine, I have been very good with food all day.

Happy Weekend all, and happy running.

Elle xx