Hey everyone,

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New year, can’t believe where the time has gone since my last post.

So as you all no I broke my big toe whilst on holiday back in October, I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much over an injury before!  I think it’s because I knew running would be out of the question for a long time and I haven’t known anything else for the past 7 years!

I got treated whilst abroad and then went to my local hospital when I came back, they told me it was a bad break and that I’d have to wear a very sexy foot boot ha ha for several weeks.  The tears started flowing again, especially because they had mentioned I might need it operating on.  The following day I went to see the doctor and luckily I didn’t have to have it operated on, but it would take a few weeks for me to be able to walk without the boot on.

A few days before Christmas I eventually could walk all the time without the boot, still limping though and I didn’t feel confident in putting my full weight on it but hey I was back in normal footwear.

As we all do, I drank and ate way too much over Christmas and because I wasn’t really training, the weight piled on a lot more than what it would do if I could still run.  I felt really down but thankfully my husband was amazing and tried to lift my spirits every time I got upset about not being able to run let alone train properly.

Fast forwarding to now and I am finally hitting the gym and have been since the beginning of January.  I did a little 5 minute jog a couple of weeks ago on the treadmill to see how it was and my whole foot and toe still hurt a little, but I was thrilled with getting 5 minutes done!  The week after I tried again, but I just couldn’t run it hurt too much I felt really deflated!!

Thankfully I have been able to do HIIT sessions on the watt bike, the cross trainer and the rower for the time being.  I have been really enjoying it and I think the weight is starting to finally come off ha ha, I think doing dry January has helped as well!!

To lift my spirits a bit more I decided to join a circuit session twice a week at the gym and I am loving it, it’s very much like HIIT!  It’s great because I can adjust the moves to stop them affecting my toe.

Over the last week the pain in my foot that I was feeling when walking has finally gone away, so I decided today was the day for another go on the treadmill.  I am absolutely buzzing I managed a 15 minute run with no pain and it felt amazing I could have cried ha ha!!  I no I still need to take it easy, but am going to try another 15 minute run later in the week and see how it feels again and just keep upping the time if it’s still feeling ok.

I really hope this is the start of me running again, I have missed it so much and have missed running with my club.

Fingers crossed I can write again next week and the running is still going great x

 

Hey all,

It was a bit manic after my half trying to get ready to go on a family holiday, I just didn’t have to time to write and tell you about my half.

When I woke the day of the half I felt really nervous, probably because I was doing it on my own and it’s a race that I have had so many ups and downs doing, more downs than ups! I arrived at the start line absolutely soaked due to the bad weather, so whilst waiting in the pen to start I told myself that I needed to listen to my body and go with the flow, so I didn’t feel any pressure.  As soon as I started I felt really good, but I’ve felt that before and ended up paying for it later.  I rarely looked at my watch, just made sure I was listening to my body and going at a pace I was enjoying and could cope with.  The rain didn’t ease up and in a way once I’d warmed up it was quite refreshing and kept me cool.  This time I decided as well as my drinks for fuel I would also take some gels with me and risk having a bad stomach just to make sure I kept my energy up.  They worked really well and thankfully no bad stomach ha ha!! The run was going so smoothly I really thought in a minute something is going to go wrong, but it never did and near the end realised I could really do a sub 2! I dug deep and used every last bit of energy to push myself at the end and I just did it 1 hour 59 mins!  I crossed the line and had to wait for my husband and kids to run over with massive smiles on their faces to confirm I had done it, my husband and kids telling me how proud they were and excited for me made me feel so emotional because I have waited a really long time to say I have done a sub 2 half!

We went to the nearest pub and had a celebratory glass of prosecco and after going home and getting changed had the biggest and best Sunday lunch ha ha!

I was still buzzing all that week and the thought of going on holiday to chill was even better ha ha.  Just over a week into our holiday I had only managed to do 1 run and 1 HIIT session when I stubbed my toe (sober ha ha) and broke my big toe.  I had to be taken to hospital where it was confirmed that I had broke it, I had it strapped up, was given crutches and told not to do anything training wise for at least 6 weeks.  I was absolutely gutted and burst into tears as not only could I not do much with the kids and husband now on holiday I can’t train.

After it sinking in I always think things happen for a reason and because my husband is always telling me to rest and I don’t listen I now don’t have a choice ha ha!  I have decided not to do any running or HIITS now until January, give it lots of time to heal properly and not go back too fast and for it to take longer to heal.

My husband has come up with a solution for me to try and keep up with my fitness as he knows what I’m like, it will drive me mad not doing anything! So he is looking into a SkiErg machine where you can sit down and use a lot of your upper body.

Training wise my life will be pretty boring ha ha, so I’ve decided to leave writing my blog now until I start back in the new year.

Thank you so much for following me and reading my blogs see you in the new year xx

 

Yay I’m back, it’s been a while can’t believe where this year is going it’s crazy!!

As you all probably know from previous blogs I am doing the Birmingham Half Marathon, which is this Sunday 4 sleeps!  My training has gone OK, not as good as I thought it would go though.  I had been running really well and felt great, but as soon as I started doing the training it all went down hill!  I started off with 8 miles and it was one of the worst runs I have done in ages, the week after was the same I just couldn’t put my finger on why I struggled and felt so bad.  I should be used to these long miles now, don’t think your body ever gets used to it.

The last couple of weeks of training went a lot better, but I have really lost my confidence with getting that sub 2.  I have had to just tell myself that I might not do it and to just try and enjoy the day and not think about my time, at least it’s not that horrible full marathon again ha ha!

Unfortunately I didn’t get into the London Marathon again, I’m actually really gutted this year the last couple of years I have tried and failed I haven’t been that bothered not sure why I feel different this year, maybe I have the bug now after the 2 I have done.  I am really considering doing a charity place, just a bit worried whether I would manage to raise all the money they are asking you to raise.  I am looking into it and will let you know if I decide to, in the meantime if anyone has any recommendations of where the best places to stay are that would be helpful?

I would like to do at least one more marathon and London would be such an achievement, but not sure whether I could do the training on my own if Michelle decided she didn’t want to do another one ha ha!

I am still trying to fit my HIIT sessions in each week, but lately I have been really struggling to get motivated to do them.  I feel OK once I am doing it and feel great once it’s done, but god it’s a struggle to get started.  I think the reason I am so keen on still doing them is that I have saw such a difference in my running, my pace has really improved and it feels great.  Struggling with my weight though at the moment, I just feel like I’m at a stand still maybe I should just be happy with how I am and maintain it, but what woman is ever going to be happy with their weight ha ha!

As soon as I finish on Sunday I will let you know how I got on, wish me luck xx

 

 

Hey all,

It has been a very emotional, worrying and stressful few weeks due to personal reasons, but with the support of great family and friends and the fact that I have been able to get out and go running it has made things a little easier.

Just to get out and have a good run even if it was on my own to clear my head and de-stress made me remeber how much a good run can have a positive affect your emotions.  I could have easily slipped into that deep dark hole and can’t tell you enough how exercise whatever you do definitely lifts your spirits!!

I’m sure you saw I did the 10k race for life and came 5th overall, I was absolutely buzzing and really pleased with my time of 55 mins!!  I’ve done this route lots of times and it is a tough route especially as you have to do it twice for the 10k!!!  I was leading the race for a while, but silly old me was front at the start line and with the adrenaline pumping I went out way too fast, one day I’ll learn my lesson ha ha!!

I have been really luckily to have some beautiful runs in my local park with this gorgeous weather, it is a lot tougher in this weather but definitely worth it.  I really enjoyed the run I did with my two children, the run brings some of the local schools in the area together to raise money, it was a great cause and I got to do it with my daughter who’s 8.  It was only her 2nd 5k, she did really well and managed to do it in 43 mins.  My son who is 9 is very competitive (not sure where he gets that from ha ha) and wanted to beat his time and he did!!!  He did it in 26 mins, so proud of them both.

I have gone and entered the half marathon in Birmingham, I’ve done it about 4 times now and after my experience at the Birmingham full marathon I swore I would never do that course again ha ha.  But I noticed they have changed the course around a bit this year and just went for it, I am hoping for that sub 2!!!!

Think I’m going to have to start doing my long miles again to burn the calories due to this next month celebrating lots for my husbands big 40th ha ha!!!

Have a great week xx

Hey all,

Sorry I haven’t been writing anything lately, I’ve been so busy and thought a break from the blog would be a good idea!

Anyway I’m back now ;0) and have started to up my mileage again, strange as it may sound I have missed the long runs.

Last week I managed to get in 3 runs and ended up doing 23 miles over the 3 runs.  I am really enjoying my running at the moment and feel the fittest I’ve ever been.

There’s a tough route by me that is used for a fun run each year, it’s 8.5 miles and has a horrible hill near the end called Cardiac Hill!! I hadn’t ran this route properly for about 2 years, so I went and ran it on my own last week.  I really pushed myself and got the same time as I got 2 years ago 1 hour 18 mins!! I was really pleased especially after only doing the marathon 2 months ago.

I did 10 miles on Saturday and felt brilliant after, I’d had a great run and loved the feeling of getting back to the long miles.  This is going to sound strange but I can’t wait to do a half marathon now ha ha, really want to see if I can get that sub 2.  I haven’t booked one yet, but hoping to do a half Ironman relay with my hubby in September, so he would do the swim and bike and I’d do the run.

I’ve also started to go back regularly to my running club, it’s such a great social run each week and there’s never any pressure to run at a certain pace, which is good for me as I’m terrible at putting myself under pressure ha ha!!

I’m still managing to do 4 HIIT sessions a week with The Body Coach.  It’s been about 5 months now since starting to do them and I can definitely still feel and see the changes.  I do struggle some days to do them, I try and talk myself out of doing them but once I’ve done it I do feel so much better mind and body wise and it’s nice to do something different other than my running, because I do go through phases where I’m not enjoying my running as much.

My next event is a 10k for the race for life next month, I’m really looking forward to it as I haven’t done a 10k event in a long time.  I’m hoping to get a PB but I no it’s a tough route!

I have decided to definitely do another marathon next year (I’ve got the bug ha ha) I have entered the ballot for London and have decided if I don’t get in then I’m going to do Manchester again.  It was such a great event/day and Michelle is up for doing it again yay!!!

Have a great week x

Hey all,

How amazing was it watching the London Marathon yesterday, even sat at home watching it on the TV you could see how amazing the atmosphere was there.  I am definitely going to go into the ballet for next year!!!

I’m back running, well trying to anyway ha ha!  I had just under a week off after my marathon, not as long a recovery as before but I felt ready to get back.  My first run back was with my running club, which was lovely I had some really nice comments off the people there about my marathon.  I only managed 4 miles, it was a very tough 4 miles by the end my legs were so heavy I could hardly lift them, but I wasn’t expecting anything different.

I’m back into my routine now of my HIIT sessions and running 2/3 times a week, this is going to sound strange but I am missing the long miles, I just love that feeling at the end of a long run!  But I’ve got a couple of nice running events coming up over the next couple of months, a 10k and an 8.5 mile fun run which is a local run and is a brilliant day so I’m looking forward to that one!

I think I’m going to look for a half marathon as well towards the end of the year, really want to see if I can get a PB.  If anyone knows of any good flat ones let me know ;0)

Congratulations to everyone that did the marathon yesterday, you were all amazing!!

Speak soon xx

 

 

 

 

Hey all,

I did it, I managed my goal of doing a sub 5 hour marathon and it felt/feels amazing!!!

We travelled to Manchester on Saturday and Michelle had the perfect idea of going to the cinema in the afternoon so we could sit down and safe our legs for the next day ha ha.  We had the perfect meal on the night, a massive bowl of pasta and bread and OK just one glass of wine ha ha!

We had an early start on Sunday and because it was early, it was hard to force my breakfast of porridge, honey and nuts down but knew that I had to to make sure I’d got enough fuel in me.  When we got to the athletes village it was very cold and we struggled to keep warm, but as soon as we got in our starting pen and in the crowds we warmed up a little.  We had old hoodies on that we planned to throw away before we started, but we were so cold we ended up starting the run in them, it didn’t take us long before they were off and thrown to the side.

Our starting pace was perfect, we wasn’t pushing ourselves and could have a good chat and enjoy the crowds and support.  I did start to worry when I got to about 8/9 miles when my legs started to feel a bit achy and heavy and then the thoughts of how bad I had felt on my last one in October started to come back, I managed to push the negative thoughts to the back of my mind and actually said to Michelle I am not letting this f***er get me this time ha ha!!

I think I have previously said in my blog that I don’t like taking energy gels because they give me a bad stomach, but my hubby said at mile 20 I just needed to take them as I will need any energy that I can get.  I listened to his advice and I am so glad I did, I took the energy gels that they were handing out and they were really good ones I didn’t get a bad stomach off them at all, they definitely got me to the end.

At 18 miles I did slow down a bit, everything was aching especially my lower back, luckily Michelle had some paracetamol with her so I took one and it made such a difference, but there was still a gap forming between us so I told Michelle to just go for it and get her time because at the end of the day yes we went together and have trained together but it was a personal achievement for both of us.  To be honest I don’t think I would have been much company at all those last 7 miles as I went into a zone where my head could cope with still having 7 miles left ha ha.

As soon as I’d got a mile left I went for it, I had stopped a few times to stretch and take on the gels and because I had stopped my watch I wasn’t sure if I was going to get that sub 5.  As soon as I saw that finish line I smiled because it was nearly over ha ha, I crossed that finish line with my arms in the air, buzzing and the biggest smile on my face.  I didn’t actually care about the time as I had had a brilliant run and enjoyed nearly all of it!

I was walking round to where they gave out the medals and a text came through on my phone to tell me what time I’d done it in, 4 hours and 57 mins I threw my arms in the air and shouted yesssss, people must have thought I was mad that were around me ha ha.  I phoned hubby straight away and this time the tears were happy tears I was and still am buzzing!!

Me and Michelle found each other and she had done an amazing time as well 4 hours and 45 mins, we were both buzzing!!  We went and found a seat, got a beer that they were giving out (unfortunately non alcoholic ha ha) and took it all in.

As soon as we got back to the hotel we were both craving chips and had the best chip sandwich ever with a well deserved glass of prosecco!

My family have been asking if I’m going to do another one and I am very tempted ha ha!!  I can’t tell you how different this one was to the one that I did in October, I really hope that if I do do one again it feels the same as this one did!

Speak soon when I have got my legs back and I’m running ha ha xx

 

This time next week it will be all over and I will be drinking a glass of bubbly to celebrate ha ha!!!

I have just been away for a week so the training plan went out the window in a way, but I was sad and still took my running stuff ha ha.  If I hadn’t gone away the plan was to do a 10 mile run, but it was so hot where I was even first thing in the morning when it was the best time for me to go out while the family were still sleeping, but I still managed 6 miles on the one day then a 2 mile the day after so I still got 8 miles in over 2 days, which was enough in that heat.  I managed to also do 3 HIIT sessions as I still wanted to keep up with them and not lose my fitness before next week.

It was very difficult to stay on plan with food though, so I forgot that for a week and enjoyed myself ha ha!!

I was supposed to do 8 miles this weekend, but I didn’t get back off holiday until yesterday morning and came back with a bit of a cold and just haven’t had the energy to do it.  But I’m sure I’ll be fine, I think because of my experience last time it is worrying me a bit that I haven’t done enough but that’s just me putting pressure on myself!!

The plan for this week is an easy 3 mile run tomorrow and then probably another 2 mile at some point, just to keep our legs ticking over plus lots of rest and eating carbs ha ha!!

I can honestly say although there have been some down times after the long runs, I have really enjoyed this training and I really hope next week goes to plan!

Wish me luck and as soon as I’m finished next week I will let you all know how I got on.

Speak soon xx

Hey all,

There’s just under 3 weeks to go till the big day now arghhhh, I can’t believe how quickly it’s coming round, it felt like we were training forever last year!  My number arrived over the weekend, very exciting and becoming very real now ha ha!!

The training has gone so differently this time in a good way, it has definitely got something to do with the different food plan that I’m on and also the HIIT sessions that I’m still doing.

We did 20 miles on Saturday, I think we actually had every weather season ha ha, we had snow blizzards, winds and sunshine so we are now ready for anything!!  My legs felt really strong, I had no head dramas where I’m feeling negative and want to stop or feel like I can’t do it and finished feeling really strong and that I still had 6 miles left in me.  I was buzzing for about 2 hours after and then absolutely crashed ha ha!

The only thing I’ve found a little different this time is my mood swings, either the next day after a long run or a couple of days later I feel really low and tearful and can’t seem to get myself out of it.  I also feel like I’m coming down with a really bad cold, but then either the next day or the day after I’m fine and back to normal (my husband would probably disagree ha ha).  I have looked into this and apparently it’s called post long run blues, it’s quite common with people that do long runs and can take a couple of days to feel like your you again.  It’s not a nice feeling though and after suffering from depression a long time ago it does feel a bit like your in that black hole again and can’t get out.  But thankfully that’s the only downside to this training and believe me there are a lot of positives that come out of it.

Our plan for the next couple of weeks is to just take it easy, a 3 mile run today, lots of stretching and then a 10 mile run over the weekend.

Speak soon xx