Tales of an ordinary life

Review of the week

2012-01-29T16:47:00.001Z

So this week my running and healthy eating efforts have been a bit pathetic!
I have ran on 3 days and walked on two. Total mileage for the week was 11.22. So in fact that isn't awful. I just need to be doing slightly longer runs and not missing any short runs.

My current total for the year is 55.3miles. Tomorrow a new week starts and I have renewed enthusiasm. I aim to get to at least 70miles total by bedtime next Sunday.

Photo a day day 29

2012-01-29T15:53:00.001Z

29th January 2012.
Soft boiled eggs and toasted multiseed bread for breakfast.

Photo a day day 28

2012-01-28T12:21:00.001Z

28th January 2012.
The cactus I saved from certain death! Currently living on the draining board in our utility room.

Photo a day day 27

2012-01-27T12:12:00.001Z

27th January 2012.
Raspberry ruffle bars bought yesterday at the Cadbury outlet store.
My Nan used to love raspberry ruffles back in the days when they were individually wrapped sweets available from the pick n mix at Woolworth's.
These always remind me of her.

Photo a day day 26

2012-01-26T23:02:00.001Z

26th January 2012.
New running shoes. They are a turquoise/baby blue type colour that doesn't show in the photo. Supposed to be £75 but I got them for £25 at the factory outlet store. Awesome :-)

Photo a day day 25

2012-01-25T14:02:00.001Z

25th January 2012.
Milo just after our walk.

Photo a day day 24

2012-01-24T12:59:00.001Z

24th January 2012.
My medal collection: Three years of Silverstone half marathons, two years of Swindon half marathons, one race for life and one London Marathon. Hope to add at least three more medals to my collection this year.
Think these are proof that a bit of grit and determination get you a long way. Also a big f you to those that laughed and thought I couldn't do it when I signed up for my first half marathon. Anything is possible if you believe :-)

Targets for this week and update on last weeks targets

2012-01-23T17:02:00.001Z

So last week I set myself four targets: go one day without eating any junk. Not quite achieved I ate much more healthily on a few days but still had the odd treat.
Get up to 50miles total. I had 6 more miles to do yesterday after work but someone was off sick so I ended up working 9am-10.30pm so didn't get the run in.
Lose one lb is done and
Apply for at least three jobs is done.

So targets for this week hmmm.

Target one: lose one pound in weight.
Target two: apply for at least five jobs.
Target three: 25miles total for the week. I think this mileage is quite ambitious but aim high is what I say.

Have a good week everyone.

Low fat orange oaties

2012-01-23T15:09:00.001Z

I made these using a recipe from the 'Best-Ever book of cookies' by Catherine Atkinson.

The oats I used were not toasted, I had no caster sugar so used light soft brown instead, no orange to use zest of and I ran out of honey so used less!

Recipe I was supposed to use below

Makes about 16
175g honey
120ml orange juice
90g rolled oats lightly toasted
115g plain flour
115g golden caster sugar
Finely grated rind of one orange
1tsp bicarbonate of soda

1. Preheat oven to 180c. Line two large baking sheets with baking paper.
2. Put honey and orange juice in a small pan and simmer over a low heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until thick and syrupy.
3. Put the oats, flour, sugar and orange rind into a bowl.
4. Mix the bicarbonate of soda with 1tbsp boiling water and add to the flour mixture together with the honey syrup. Mix well.
5. Place spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets, spaced slightly apart and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Leave to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

These are listed as being 110kcals per oatie.

Photo a day day 23

2012-01-23T12:49:00.001Z

23rd January 2012.
My awesome new mug. Looks kind of like a plant pot and on the side not showing in the photo is a picture of a very girly looking plant pot.

Photo a day day 22

2012-01-22T00:52:00.001Z

22nd January 2012.
Blister! And also to the right the almost healed remains of my blister from two weeks ago. (sorry if you are grossed out)

Photo a day day 21

2012-01-21T11:51:00.001Z

21st January 2012.
Overwintering cauliflower and broccoli. Slightly bug eaten but survived the frosts so far.

Photo a day day 20

2012-01-20T12:30:00.001Z

20th January 2012.
Bread rising in a covered bowl.

Photo a day day 19

2012-01-19T15:21:00.001Z

19th January 2012.
A box containing some of my cookbooks.

Photo a day day 18

2012-01-18T18:03:00.001Z

18th January 2012.
Muesli for breakfast.

Photo a day day 17

2012-01-17T14:57:00.001Z

17th January 2012.
Wholemeal bread I made in the breadmaker.

Photo a day day 16

2012-01-17T14:54:00.001Z

16th January 2012.
My friend slipped on some ice on the way to my house and bumped her car. Photo of the damage.

Goals for the week

2012-01-15T11:56:00.001Z

I am setting myself a few goals for this week. As in by the end of the day next Sunday. I have five shifts at work this week so need to use the rest of my time efficiently.

Goal one: apply for at least three jobs.

Goal two: get my total mileage so far this year up to 50miles.

Goal three: have one day where I don't eat any junk food.

Goal four: lose 1lb.

There we go! I needed to make some goals to motivate myself. They are reasonably easy to achieve goals but still require some effort. Hope everyone has a good week.

Photo a day day 15

2012-01-15T10:39:00.001Z

15th January 2012.
My mini lemon tree with mini lemons.

Photo a day day 14

2012-01-14T13:51:00.001Z

When I awoke this morning there was a mighty frost and it was -6C I took a photo of the winter wonderland type whiteness but it doesn't really show in the photo. Some places in the shade are still frozen now at nearly 2pm.

14th January 2012.

Photo a day day 13

2012-01-14T13:47:00.001Z

So this photo was taken yesterday and made it into the Facebook album yesterday but only onto the blog today.

13th January 2012.
My friend Amy with our baking: smartie cookie tray bake and chocolate cheesecake.

Photo a day day 12

2012-01-12T14:25:00.001Z

12th January 2012.
My Heart Runners welcome pack arrived.

Photo a day day 11

2012-01-11T19:26:00.001Z

11th January 2012.
My dinner: Chilli with brown rice.

Training

2012-01-10T14:55:00.001Z

So I am now in week two of my 16 week training plan for the London Marathon 2012.
I got my first blister yesterday. My own fault really as I am so untidy I couldn't find any clean running socks so just wore some normal trainer socks which don't come far enough up my heel so yesterday I had trainer rubbing straight onto bare skin for my run. Oops. Considering buying a couple more pairs of running socks anyway. Although I think I will wait until pay day as I am trying not to spend much money during January.

I have stuck to the training plan do far. Today is a rest day and I was considering going to an exercise class but that wouldn't be resting and my legs are slightly achy from yesterday's run so I have decided to give it a miss and save myself for tomorrows run.

I got my first sponsor for the marathon today :-) yippee and thanks very much to that person.

I am running in aid of the British Heart Foundation this year. A brilliant cause I'm sure you'll agree. If you would like to sponsor please visit virginmoneygiving.com/SophieCrees

Thanks. Also please repost the link if you can. I now have twitter so if anyone would like to follow me I am @Sophinda1

In other news I have been job hunting and general getting the house in order type things recently.

Hope everyone is having a good week x

Photo a day day ten

2012-01-10T10:30:00.001Z

So it's quite hard to think of something to take a photo of when I am not really doing anything interesting.

10th January 2012.

Some of the garlic I planted last week happily growing away.

Photo a day day 9

2012-01-09T10:35:00.001Z

9th January 2012.
Our small Christmas tree planted out in the patch of garden behind the garage that is normally left to its own devices.

Photo a day day eight

2012-01-08T22:48:00.001Z

8th January 2012. Me before my run this morning. With my lucky hat on and last years marathon finisher t-shirt.

Photo a day day seven

2012-01-07T08:25:00.001Z

Today's photo had to be taken early as I am going to work soon and will be there all day.

I am really fussy about how I have my tea so I give you day seven the perfect cuppa.

7th January 2012.
The perfect cuppa.

Photo a day day six

2012-01-06T12:54:00.001Z

6th January 2012.

Merlin my rabbit enjoying being out in his run in the sunshine and jumping up to sniff the camera.

2012-01-05T14:33:00.001Z

So I wonder whether in my resolution to update my blog at least once a week my posting a photo a day can count?

I now have the blogger app on my phone which makes updating easier. My laptop is old and slow so updating my blog previously required a lot more effort and patience.

Hopefully now I will do a general update at least once a week as well as posting photos.

I am a wee bit bored at this precise moment. The only shift at work I have this week is on Saturday so I have a lot of time to myself this week. I have done my job hunting for the day and I could do a bit of tidying but I'm just not in the mood.

I'm also in the I could read a book or do a jigsaw orwatch tv but I don't feel like settling to any of that kind of mood.

So I guess I'll just be bored then!

Photo a day day five

2012-01-05T13:14:00.001Z

5th January 2012.
Lunch. Homemade butternut squash and sweet potato soup with toasted gluten free bread.

At the moment I am having a gluten free week to see if it helps with my nausea and tummy pains.

Photo a day day four

2012-01-04T00:17:00.001Z

So I spent some of my evening making a slightly jazzy training plan chart. As it is now past midnight and therefore the 4th I took a picture and I give you photo a day day four and the caption I wrote for the Facebook picture.

4th January 2012. Princess Sophinda's Marathon Training Plan. Yes I have too much time on my hands. I feel it needs jazzing up. I may add some photos of previous races for inspiration. Once I find my cupcake stickers each completed run will get a sticker.

Photo a day day three

2012-01-03T12:30:00.001Z

3rd January 2012 Rain and wind here

Photo a day day two

2012-01-02T12:21:00.001Z

2nd January 2012.

My strawberry plant in flower and with strawberries on. Took this photo as it is completely the wrong time of year for strawberries.

Photo a Day 2012 Day One

2012-01-01T15:33:00.001Z

1st January 2012.
Some of the overwintering onions I am going to plant. A new year is a time for fresh starts, new beginnings and hope for the future. I feel that growing plants is in a way similar. So planting these is symbolic of the new year.

The last day of 2011

2011-12-31T16:13:00.005Z

So today is the last day of 2011. I wonder what exciting adventures I will have in 2012?

2011 has been a good year. Some things have gone wrong but overall I have been pretty content. I start 2012 not knowing what the future holds careerwise but hopeful that things will work out. I am fortunate to have stayed on at the job I left for my teacher training as a casual member of staff so at the moment I am working part time and bringing in some money. Long term I need to find a full time job that pays a decent amount so that I can get on with life and move out from my parents' house etc. Having the casual hours at my previous job is great as it means I can do fun stuff as I have some money coming in and it gets me out the house. I think if I did not have this I would end up feeling a sense of despair.

Anyway changing the subject slightly to goals for 2012/new years resolutions.

I posted some resolutions on facebook earlier. These include walk the dog more often (my Dad walks the dog most often so this is a do more of my fair share), run another marathon as long as I am well enough to train and take a photo a day.

I think I will also add blog at least once a week. Hopefully having a set target will mean I actually do blog more often.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2012 xx

It's nearly Christmas

2011-12-23T10:24:00.002Z

Wow only 2 more sleeps until Christmas. Is it just me or did 2011 go REALLY fast?

I still have presents to wrap and one missing present that I may need to replace but other than that I am pretty much ready.

I am looking forward to a nice rest over Christmas and spending time with my family. I love the family time over Christmas. Eating, drinking, playing games etc. It's brill.

Tomorrow I intend to take the dog for a nice long walk and then get on with my wrapping and whatever jobs my mother leaves for me to do whilst she is at work.

Exciting times!

Also it is my big sister's 30th birthday on Christmas day so happy birthday!

I have been pondering what to have as my new years resolutions/aims and goals for 2012. I'm still not decided so you shall have to wait and see.

baking, baking, baking

2011-12-21T11:17:00.003Z

Wow have I done a lot of baking lately. Mince pies, Christmas cakes, jam tarts, jam, cookie Christmas tree, angel biscuits, reindeer cupcakes, snowmen fairy cakes, cheese straws, rocky road, flapjacks, lemon and cream sponge, plain sponge, bran buns, wholemeal bread, chocolate roulade, chocolate fudge, chocolate orange fudge, chocolate mint fudge and two attempts at vanilla fudge that failed!

As you may have now realised I love baking!
Also not all of that was for me. Most of it was for events like birthdays or people to take to work etc. Some of the stuff is for when my lovely friends come over this evening for mulled wine, mince pies and nibbles. Can't wait to see them :-)

I love baking mince pies and Christmas cakes even though I like neither. I enjoy baking anyway and they are festive so it's double enjoyment!

I have one more thing to make and then that is it until after Christmas/the new year.

2011 in survey form

2011-12-11T11:40:00.006Z

Hi folks,

I have decided to do the year in survey form a bit earlier than usual this year. So here it is :-)

1. What did you do in 2011 that you had never done before?
Go to Zumba class, go to Body Combat class, teach a class, run a marathon, raise over £1000 for charity, pipe icing onto cakes, took part in a cycle challenge, grew lots of foods I had never grown before. At the moment those are all the ones I can think of

2. Did you keep your new years resolutions and will you make more for next year?

Resolutions were to socialise more: as in don't turn down offers etc. I feel I have achieved this one.
Run the London Marathon=Done
Run Swindon Half Marathon again=Done
Run Silverstone Half Marathon again=Done
Stop swearing=not done but I have cut down
Be ill less often=oops.

I haven't really decided what my resolutions are for next year. Maybe do a cake decorating course and work on my skills, apply for an allotment and get settled careerwise.

3. How will you be spending your new years eve?
At the moment I have yet to decide.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no.

5. What countries did you visit?
I just stayed in England this year.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Ooh I don't know. Maybe a little bit more confidence in certain situations.

7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
17.04.11 because I ran the London Marathon that day and it was AMAZING!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Running the London Marathon. Well training for it and doing it by myself :-) (had a lovely support team of friends and family on the day etc though)

9. What was your biggest failure?
I wouldn't say I had any failures particularly. My teaching course didn't work out because I was ill but I didn't fail.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes. Been poorly for the last couple of months.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Gosh I really don't know so going to go for the plunger cutters I got at the good food show. Snowflakes and flowers :-)

12. Where did most of your money go?
Possibly petrol although I don't have exact figures.

13. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Adele: Someone like you. Because it has been played on the radio A LOT and I always sing along.

14. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I don't think there is anything, I have been pretty happy this year and whilst I wish I hadn't been ill and had therefore done more of my course that is not something I can change and therefore I don't wish it.
I guess maybe exercise classes that I had to skip due to illness. But again that is a thing I couldn't have helped.

15. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I'm not sure on this one. Maybe being messy!

16. What was you favourite TV programme?
The Great British Bake Off. Brilliant show. Although also loved Kirstie's Handmade Britain.

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate isn't something I do, there are some people I dislike or feel disappointed in.

18. What was the best book you read?
Room. I forget who it is by but it is a gripping read.

19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I didn't really have one! (boring I know)

20. What was your favourite film of this year?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.

21. What did you do on your birthday?
Went to Millets farm in the day with my friend and then had a meal at home with the family in the evening I think.

22. What kept you sane?
My lovely friends and not letting myself be bothered about things I had no power to change.

23. Who did you miss?
Special people who are no longer with us.

24. Who was the best new person that you met?
There is someone who is not a close friend but is just one of those people who never fails to be cheerful. I also met loads of lovely people on my course :-)

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson that you learned in 2011.
Feel the fear and do it anyway. Don't worry about things you can't change. Look to the future and what you can do differently next time.

I have no idea what the year 2012 will bring but I hope that with a positive attitude and determination it will be a great year. I am excited for the future.

The first update in a very long time

2011-12-10T20:23:00.002Z

Hello.

Yet again I haven't updated in a very long time. I have been rather poorly and for that reason had to withdraw from my teacher training course. :-( this is sad news for me as I was really enjoying the course. Tough parts and all. At the moment I am working on getting up to full health.

Since I got over the worst of my illness I have been baking to keep myself occupied. I am starting to get bored of not having my usual energy and therefore not being able to do stuff. I haven't exercised for 8 weeks now. I really miss it. I was going to 3-4 exercise classes a week over the summer and then at least 2 classes once I had started my school placement. Hopefully I can get back to it in the new year.

I have had a lot of support from my friends with regards to having to withdraw from the course and also them coming over for cups of tea etc to keep me company. I am a lucky girl to have such great friends. :-)

There are two bonuses to being ill 13lb weight loss (although I've had my appetite back the last few weeks so now only 6.5lb weight loss) and I have got most of my Christmas shopping done as had time to shop online.

Don't have a lot else to say really as will just be trying to get better and ready for Christmas over the next few weeks.

Marathon number two!

2011-10-01T18:35:00.003+01:00

Hello everyone

I am a total blog neglector...I am currently training to be a teacher and am 4 weeks into my course and therefore very busy.

Anyway when I got home on Thursday I had a letter/magazine of acceptance to the London Marathon 2012. Woohoo.

Its really hard to get into so I know I am really lucky to get in again and am grateful for it.

I know some people say it is selfish to apply when you have already ran it once but there are many people who have done it loads and loads of times and frankly for once I think I'd like to be selfish!

I am so super excited.

I am going to start training now ready to start a proper training plan at the beginning of January. I would really like to get a better time this time. I am also intending to record my weight and waist measurements before my first run and regularly during training. I am going to record time spent running and distances and keep a diary so that when it gets to marathon day I can say I've spent X many hours training and covered X many miles.

I am so excited for this challenge :-)

101 in 1001 update and suggestions for a new list please

2011-08-27T13:12:00.002+01:00

My 101 in 1001 list runs out on 13th September. I thought now would be a good time to blog on how I got on and also to start writing my new list.

Items in bold are completed.

1. complete a half marathon (I have actually completed 4 of them in the time this 101 list has been going)
2. graduate from university
3. walk/cycle everywhere for one week. Not sure whether this has been done or not.
4. go on holiday abroad.
5. continue to give blood regularly
6. make baked alaska
7. make a gingerbread and sweetie house
8. type all the recipes out from Gran's recipe book
9. make the wartime fudge from Gran's recipe book.
10. go to the beach
11. make Christmas dinner
12. only eat homebaked bread for 1 month
13. make jam
14. learn some basic Italian
15. go sledging
16. learn to play squash
17. eat 5 a day fruit/veg every day for 1 month
18. eat 3 a day dairy every day for 1 month
19. complete a full marathon
20. go camping
21. go on the London eye
22. teach Milo to roll over properly
23. journal properly for one month
24. cook a new recipe once a month
25. join the bone marrow donor register: this is not done as I am not eligible but I did however have to enquire to find this out and am therefore calling this done as I would have joined if I was eligible
26. go crabbing
27. watch the sunrise
28. go horseriding
29. don't eat meat for one week (another I can't remember if I have done it one)
30. go ice skating
31. bake something for Milo to eat from the dog treats recipe book
32. cycle to Kimmi's house
33. climb a tree
34. make my own mulled wine
35. go to Scotland
36. go Carol singing with Laura
37. go rollerskating
38. buy someone some flowers
39. read all of The Lord of The Rings
40. go for one month without eating any chocolate
41. buy something with the £50 Nan gave me for my 18th
42. play the lottery ten times over the 1001 days
43. keep a record of everything I spend for one week
44. paint a picture
45. spend an entire day in my pjs
46. take part in a conservation project
47. eat oily fish twice a week for 6 weeks
48. take an evening class
49. get a manicure
50. go to York again
51. climb Ben Nevis
52. bake a cake for someone
53. make my own sweets
54. watch all 3 lord of the rings films in a row
55. make a massive sandcastle
56. go on a ghost tour
57. watch the Hunchback of Notre Dame
58. watch all of the Labyrinth
59. walk around Grasmere and Rydal Water
60. buy something designer
61. do karaoke again
62. have a weekend in a new city
63. make my own tiramisu
64. try yoga
65. make pretzels
66. get into my old jeans
67. customise something
68. get something from Tiffany's
69. make my own nutella type thing
70. spend one day a week off facebook for 6 weeks
71. enter more competitions
72. make flat chips
73. feed the birds
74. have a tapas night
75. read 101 books over the 1001 days
76. epilate my legs at least 20 times over the 101 days
77. do some regular volunteer work
78. go on a lot more walks to different places locally
79. go to Warwick castle again
80. go to Birmingham shopping
81. have a barbecue
82. cook over a camp fire
83. make a themed cake
84. make chocolate truffles
85. buy some more matching underwear
86. visit Stonehenge again
87. visit Liverpool
88. visit Blackpool
89. go at least one day a week without eating chocolate for 3 months
90. make my own cereal bars
91. throw a 3 course dinner party
92. learn to change a tyre
93. have a poker night
94. learn to play chess
95. throw a proper slumber party
96. visit Ireland
97. Learn to play 10 songs on the piano
98. see a Shakespeare play at The Globe
99. make a bracelet
100. go to a pub quiz
101. on day 1001 write a new list: I am currrently writing it and will definitely do

My beautiful garden

2011-07-13T19:44:00.007+01:00

Tomatoes growing

The courgette I harvested to go in my roasted veg for dinner

My coriander plant in flower :)

Growing my own is proving fun and (excuse the pun) fruitful. I have so far harvested two courgettes and there are plenty more at various stages of growth.

I have only got 4 tomatoes between my two plants at the moment but there are plenty of flowers on them which should mean plenty of tomatoes soon.

My pepper plants (capsicum) have grown more quickly since I discovered they should be watered twice a day and started doing so.

My runner bean plants produced their first two flower buds on Monday so I am looking forward to seeing some beans soon.

Carrots are still small but seem to be growing well.

I got some more herbs to add to my collection: curry plant, basil purple ruffles and chocolate peppermint.

I did buy an aubergine plant recently but it died :( I've been very lucky with all my other plants so I can't complain really, although it does feel like a waste of money.

I have done well though as the tomato plants and runner bean plants were given to me by someone who didn't have room for them so were pretty much free. I agreed I'd give them some of the produce to say thanks.

A Stressful day

2011-05-26T20:33:00.002+01:00

I just typed out a post about my stressful day. However upon typing it out I feel a bit better.
It was stressful but also got a couple of important things done.
Feel like I need another day off to recover now though!

Thoughts

2011-05-20T14:04:00.005+01:00

Hi everybody,

Here I am updating! Please don't faint in shock.

I am on a day off today as I am working tomorrow and Sunday. I got up at 8.20 this morning and put my rabbit in his run, fed him and changed his water. Then I had breakfast and read the paper for a bit before having my shower.

I went into town to get a birthday card for somebody and some food shopping.

I also got some compost for my plants. It was my birthday last week and I asked for herbs so I could make a herb garden. I was already growing coriander and thyme but I now also have garlic chives, basil, tarragon, oregano, dill, rosemary, sage, mint and parsley. Last week I planted the ones that were seeds and repotted the ones that were given to me as plants. I am also growing strawberries which I got in a set for my birthday, no signs of life yet but fingers crossed. I am growing courgettes, green beans and sweet peppers as well. Todays job was to thin out the pepper plants and repot them which I did. I was also going to repot my coriander but it looked very much like rain so I retreated inside. I'm really hoping to have a good crop.

I have eaten a lot of cake, sweets and big meals over the last week due to my birthday and my mum's birthday the day after. It was fun but I seriously need to rein in my eating habits at least a bit. Since the marathon 5 weeks ago I have put on 6lbs! I cannot carry on at this rate.

Last night I had the option of eating at home or at the pub when we went for the quiz (some of my friends were back late from a conference and had no time to cook), I chose to eat before the pub in order to save money and be healthy. Everyone elses pub meals looked lovely but today I am pleased with my decision. It wasn't being unsociable as we were doing the quiz whilst the food came out and the focus was the quiz rather than going out for a meal as such.

I have vowed not to eat any junk today. I am also trying to spread out what I eat today. So far so good. Weetabix for breakfast then a tuna sandwich on warm granary bread that I made in the breadmaker. I'm going to have a banana in a little bit. For dinner we are having pork with wholewheat couscous and ratatouille. I may have mentioned our ratatouille before, we don't use any salt at all even though traditional recipes suggest plenty of it. We also put in sweet potato and some chilli powder and oh my it is delicious. Last time I made it I took a risk and instead of using oil to cook with I used some boiling water, I then worried it would not taste nice but it tasted just as delicious and I saved a load of calories. I'm really looking forward to our dinner tonight.
I am going to a barbecue tomorrow night so can enjoy the food more if I know I was very good today.

I have been cycling to work a lot lately which is cool as it saves money, helps the environment and burns calories. Win, win, win. I think it can be very difficult to exercise regularly when you work shifts. I have only been running once a week since the marathon. I want to get back into running a bit more often but at the same time I am really enjoying not having to go for a long run every weekend and not having to run x many times per week. I have been for a couple of bike rides for exercise and have some more planned so maybe I should aim to cycle twice a week and run twice a week.

Whilst I want to lose weight I also want to eat healthily and exercise because it is good for me.

Hello my name is Sophie and I am a marathon runner

2011-05-15T22:00:00.002+01:00

Hello!

I am officially a marathon runner. Four weeks ago today I ran/walked the 26.2miles of the London Marathon. It was hard, fun, sad, happy and most of all an amazing experience and a day I will remember forever.

I am still so proud of myself.

Four weeks until my first marathon!

2011-03-20T18:22:00.003Z

Oh my goodness. My marathon is only four weeks away. Last year when I had to defer my place to this year due to illness I was very upset as it seemed so long away. That time sure has flown by. It doesn't seem real that this big event that I have been talking about for so long will soon actually happen. Do I feel ready? Yes and no. I feel like I can do it but it will be hard and I wish I was fitter. I do think that however fit I was I would feel that so I am not going to worry.

I have got a 13 miler to do tomorrow then the next long run I will be doing next Saturday is 18 miles. The weekend after I run 10 miles, then weekend after a 50minute run at marathon pace and finally the weekend after is the real thing. I have followed a beginners/just get round training plan. I am aiming for between 6 hours and 6 hours 30minutes. At the moment life is about eating plenty of nutritious foods and looking after my body. I can't afford to be getting a cold or anything and my body needs the right foods to keep it going on runs and to heal itself afterwards. My mind boggles at the thought of running 26.2 miles and I am sure I will be emotional before the start, during and definitely after but I know myself, I know I will keep going no matter what because that determination burns inside of me. I can do this and I will. And it will feel great to show those doubters out there that I was right!

I can't wait to be able to say I've run a marathon. I have a lot of supportive friends and family and am so lucky to have them. I expect they will be looking forward to the time when I don't talk about the marathon practically every day!

I am running for the special care baby charity Bliss who are a great cause. If you would like to sponsor please comment and I will send you the link. Thanks.

Run run run

2011-03-10T20:16:00.004Z

Hello folks,

Yet again I have neglected my blog. I have just felt so busy all the time. I am training 5 days a week for my marathon which is in 5 weeks and 3 days time (wow that has come around fast) I am both nervous and excited. I am aiming for any time under 7 hours which will seem ridiculously long to most people but I will definitely be needing a few walking breaks and will be very proud of myself just for finishing. I ran a half marathon on Sunday and managed to run the furthest ever in my whole life without a walking break. Very proud of myself. It was nice as I ran with two friends who definitely motivated me and encouraged me. I think it will be tough not to have a friend to run with in the marathon.

Tonight I made a risotto for dinner, it was the first time I had ever made or in fact eaten risotto and it was delicious. Enough leftovers for 2 more meals which I am freezing for when I am on late shifts and need something quick.

I'm on the late shift tomorrow and it is then my weekend off. I am going out for a meal Saturday night and so far no plans for Sunday other than the 10mile run that my training plan informs me of.

I'm then working Monday and Tuesday before some annual leave I am taking to use up before the end of our holiday year (which is end of March). I have some plans with friends which I am looking forward to. I am also starting a beginners jog group next week as I am a qualified jog group leader. It will be the first course I have lead so shall be challenging but I think I am well prepared.

I hope everyone is well and that I update again soon.

Review of 2010 in survey form (better late than never)

2011-01-14T14:54:00.002Z

Hi Folks,

I'm afraid to say that yet again I have fallen off the blogging regualarly wagon. The next ten days or so are very busy for me and I have a couple of important events. After those are done I hope to blog a bit more often. For now I give you 2010 in survey form.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you had never done before?
Had an ultrasound scan, got a pet rabbit, went to spinning classes not sure what else! That is a bit of a random mix.

2. Did you keep your new years resolutions and will you make more for next year?
The two I can remember are cut down on swearing which I managed for quite a while but have since not done so well on and the other was to run the London Marathon which I didn't as I had to defer my place to this year due to illness.
My aims for 2011 are be ill less often, socialise more, stop swearing, run the Silverstone and Swindon half marathons again and run the London Marathon.

3. How will you be spending your new years eve?
I went to a masked ball at a club, it was good fun.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no.

5. What countries did you visit?
Wales.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
More energy and the ability to run the London Marathon.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
There isn't one particular date that will remain forever. Although my friend got married in the summer and I am sure I will remember that day :).

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
This one is difficult to say, losing a stone and keeping it off is good. Also getting better at running, training as a jog group leader and Nordic walking group leader were both daunting things but I am proud I did them.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I wouldn't say I had any massive failures but I was a bit boring this year due to tiredness hence my resolution to socialise more.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had ongoing problems at the start of the year which are now pretty much under control(yippee). I also had a few minor injuries. In December I had the flu pretty bad and fainted at work banging my head pretty hard.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
At the moment I can't think of anything in particular that I bought, I'm sat here with my latex free hot water bottle keeping me warm and I use that all the time so I will say that that is fab.

12. Where did most of your money go?
On this I am not sure, probably car stuff or food.

13. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Don't stop believing.

14. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Getting out there and living my life

15. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being ill!

16. What was you favourite TV programme?
One born every minute or biggest loser.

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate isn't something I do, there are some people I dislike or feel disappointed in.

18. What was the best book you read?
I can't even remember what books I read now sorry folks!

19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Not sure!

20. What was your favourite film of this year?
Shrek forever after, I laughed so much the first time I saw it.

21. What did you do on your birthday?
I went to work and then had a birthday meal with my family in the evening.

22. What kept you sane?
Sleep!

23. Who did you miss?
Friends that live far away.

24. Who was the best new person that you met?
My friend Amy, I met her in 2009 but we only really got to know each other in 2010 and she has become one of my best friends.

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson that you learned in 2010.
Be who you want to be, only you can make this happen.

Fat and Lazy

2010-11-01T18:42:00.002Z

I have become fat and lazy and put on 10lb in 3 months!!

So I'm not major lazy I just never stick to an exercise plan properly. My intention is to run 3 times a week as a minimum and some weeks 4 times.

My other problem is I am just eat eat eat eat eat. I am actually hungry though not just eating for the sake of it and frankly a piece of fruit just doesn't cut it and leaves me hungry. Muchos will power needed.

In conclusion I am stuck in a rut. I have the good intentions but struggle with the doing.

I'm Back!

2010-09-29T20:59:00.002+01:00

I haven't updated in so long. Sorry everyone. I've been exhausted again lately with my shifts. I have managed to fit in some runs including a 43 minute one in the rain today. It was raining before my friend and I went out but we went anyway and on the very last stretch as I was soaking wet anyway I splashed through the puddles like a child which was fun!

My next half marathon is a week on Sunday (10th October) and I'm really not sure what to think of that. I think I am at my fittest running wise but I do think I will struggle with the hilly nature of the course. I am looking forward to a photo of my friend and I in our finishers T-shirts and medals to be taken afterwards on my phone. New facebook profile pic me thinks!

I'm sorry that I'm not writing a longer post, as I say I am very tired and therefore concentrating is a mission. So for now it's farewell and hopefully I will update again in a few days.

752 kcals

2010-09-08T16:09:00.003+01:00

I went to the gym last night and burned 752 calories, hell yeah! Although I have to say I didn't feel like I had worked that hard. I spent a long time on the rowing machine going slowly so that was where I burned most of the calories. I hadn't been to the gym in ages as I had got bored of it and had been running and going to spinning classes instead.
Since my work shift pattern has changed I have barely been to spinning. I got into the habit of going every Monday morning as I always worked Monday evenings. But now I work 2 out of 3 monday mornings and seem to find an excuse not to go on the other Monday. However now we have got new spins bikes (I work at the leisure centre) we have more places on classes as we have more bikes. Also I now have a staff membership which means I can book onto the classes so I am more likely to get a space at busier times. So hopefully I will stop being lazy and go?! Watch this space.

My mum is kindly making homemade stew for dinner and when I popped in earlier it smelled delicious. It should be pretty healthy so I am looking forward to that.

I do have some other stuff going on in life at the moment but I don't really feel that now is the time to blog about them so that is perhaps something for the future.

I hope everyone is having a good week.

Bread Challenge? Done & 101 in 1001 update

2010-09-06T12:53:00.003+01:00

So my one month of eating only homemade bread ended yesterday. It was surprisingly easy to complete with freezing loaves I had made etc. However all I could think yesterday was I never want to eat homemade bread again. The last 2 loaves I made I put a quarter of the amount of salt the recipe stated which is great for the health aspect but they turned out a bit bland. I bought a loaf of wholemeal bread yesterday and I am looking forward to having my sandwich at work this evening on that bread. I think in future I will make bread more often as it really isn't that hard it just requires time if you are hand making it or only 5 mins of weighing if you are using a bread maker. Overall it was a good experience.

I am going to write an update on my 101 in 1001 list below.

Items in bold are completed
1. Complete a half marathon
2. Graduate from University
3. Walk/Cycle everywhere for one week
4. Go on holiday abroad
5. Continue to give blood regularly (I am currently not allowed to give blood, however I was doing so prior to illness so if I am allowed to give again I will do so regularly and if I get to the end of the 1001 days and haven't been allowed to I will still count this as done.
6. Make baked Alaska
7. Make a gingerbread and sweetie house
8. Type all the recipes out from Gran's recipe book
9. Make the wartime fudge from Gran's recipe
10. Go to the beach
11. Make Christmas Dinner
12. Eat only homebaked bread for 1 month
13. Make jam
14. Learn some basic Italian
15. Go sledging
16. Learn to play Squash
17. Eat 5 a day fruit and veg every day for 1 month
18. Eat 3 a day dairy every day for 1 month
19. Complete a full marathon
20. Go camping
21. Go on the London Eye
22. Teach Milo to rollover properly
23. Journal properly for 1 month
24. Cook a new recipe once a month
25. Join the bone marrow register ( I enquired about this but am not eligible as I have a latex allergy however the good intention was there and I put the effort in to contact them therefore I am calling this one done)
26. Go crabbing
27. Watch the sunrise
28. Go horseriding
29. Don't eat meat or fish for one week
30. Go Ice skating
31. Bake something from the dog treats recipe book for Milo
32. Cycle to Kimmi's house
33. Climb a tree
34. Make my own mulled wine
35. Go to Scotland
36. Go carol singing with Laura
37. Go rollerskating
38. Buy someone some flowers
39. Read all of the Lord of the Rings (I am starting this one today)
40. Go for one month without eating any chocolate
41. Buy something with the £50 from Nan for my 18th
42. Play the lottery 10 times
43. Keep a record of everything I spend for 2 weeks and what on
44. Paint a picture
45. Spend an entire day in my PJs
46. Take part in a conservation project
47. Eat oily fish 2 x per week for 6 weeks
48. Take an evening class
49. Get a manicure
50. Go to York again
51. Climb Ben Nevis
52. Bake a cake for someone
53. Make my own sweets
54. Watch all 3 the Lord of the Rings films in a row
55. Make a massive sandcastle
56. Go on a Ghost tour
57. Watch the Hunchback of Notre Dame
58. Watch all of the Labyrinth
59. Walk around Grasmere and Rydal Water in the Lake District
60. Buy something designer(my glasses are)
61. Go to a Karaoke night
62. Have a weekend in a new city
63. Make my own tiramisu
64. Try yoga
65. Make pretzels
66. Get into my old jeans
67. Customise something
68. Get something from Tiffany's
69. Make my own nutella type thing
70. Spend one day a week off of facebook for 6 weeks
71. Enter more competitions
72. Make flat chips
73. Feed the birds
74. Have a tapas night
75. Read 101 books over the 1001 days
76. Epilate my legs at least 20 times over the 1001 days
77. Do some regular volunteer work
78. Go on a lot more walks to different places locally
79. Go to Warwick Castle
80. Go to Birmingham shopping
81. Have a barbecue
82. Cook over a camp fire
83. Make a themed cake
84. Make chocolate truffles
85. Buy some more matching underwear
86. Visit Stonehenge
87. Visit Liverpool
88. Visit Blackpool
89. Go one day a week without eating chocolate for 3 months
90. Make my own cereal bars
91. Throw a dinner party with 3 courses
92. Learn to change a tyre
93. Have a poker night
94. Learn to play chess
95. Throw a proper slumber party
96. Visit Ireland
97. Learn to play 10 songs on the piano
98. See a Shakespeare play at The Globe
99. Make a bracelet
100. Go to a pub quiz
101. On day 1001 write a new list

22 items completed so far, Day 1001 for me is 13th September 2011.

The one in which I get fitter

2010-08-24T21:17:00.003+01:00

I went for a run this evening. The only time I stopped to walk was crossing a couple of roads where there was traffic to avoid. I then walked another 5 paces after the last road I crossed while I had a few sips of water. Prior to today and despite having done 2 half marathons before the most I had ever run without walking a bit was 2 miles. This evening I made myself keep running and keep running and kept giving myself a you can do it you are strong each step you take is one less left kind of pep talk and I ran 3.05 miles. Which is more than a MILE more than the most I have ever ran without stopping to walk. Previously I have been more of a run/walk person. Today I finally feel like maybe I actually might be able to be a runner (not professionally but you know actually get half decent at this running thing). The training plan I was going to use for the London Marathon this year (before I realised I wasn't going to be well enough and deferred to 2011) required you to have been running for 30mins 3 times per week for 3 months I think it was. The training plan I believe needs to be started either the last week of December of 1st week of January. Being as I managed to run for just over 30 today (yes I am slow paced!) I think I am going to be on target if not just ahead for that training programme. This makes me happy as I am actually improving and hopefully I will manage to keep up training regularly.

I do have a half marathon in October and I do think I am unlikely to do as well as I had hoped when I signed up but at least it is having it's purpose of getting me doing some training. The half marathon is very hilly which is what concerns me. I will be happy to finish and am hoping for a similar time to my last half marathon which was on flat ground. I still have time to get fitter before this half marathon and I think now I know I can actually run a reasonable distance without stopping I will be more motivated and self believing.

I also enjoyed my run this evening as I had time to myself just to think about whatever happened to pop into my head. By the end of it I was singing a song in my head although I can't remember now what song but it had the word step in the bit that was going round my head. (Probably to do with the aforementioned pep talk!)

A fun weekend

2010-08-15T18:08:00.002+01:00

This weekend I have been to a friends housewarming party. She moved 5 months ago, but has only been in her new flat for 2 months. I had a great time but I am pretty tired right now!

I have managed to stick to my homebaked bread challenge so far. It is interesting as it does involve a bit more planning and thinking ahead to make sure I have some bread.

I have a couple of social events coming up this week that involve some not so healthy eating but I am not going to worry about it and am going to just make sure I eat as healthily as possible the other days. I am on all earlies this week so am going to cycle to work every day unless it is raining very hard. I have got some cycle gloves to protect my hands from the rubber on the handlebars. My eczema on my hands has been pretty bad the last week or so despite not having touched anything that I know is rubber for well over a month. I'm hoping they are starting to heal right now. It did get me a bit down on Thursday as they were just so sore and itchy and kept bleeding.

So anyway my plan for this week is exercise and eat healthily as much as possible. I have decided today that my aim to get back into my target size of clothes is the end of the year. Which gives me four months which means I only have to lose a tiny bit each week. I could probably do it sooner and I would like to be skinnier sooner but this aim is realistic and leaves room for those days when you just can't motivate yourself.

Simple things that make me smile

2010-08-07T13:19:00.002+01:00

I wrote this list a while ago with the intention of posting it but have only just got around to posting it now. It is of simple things in life that make me feel content/happy.

Shade on a hot day
Freshly brushed teeth (so smooth!)
Finishing a good exercise session
Cuddles with my dog and my rabbit
Feeling good in an outfit
Singing along to the radio at the top of my voice even though I'm rubbish at singing
Singing in the shower
Sunshine
Sitting doing nothing whatsoever for a few minutes (time to think but about nothing in particular)
Finishing everything on my to do list
Dancing like nobody's watching
Improving at something
Making somebody smile
Doing a good deed
Knowing exactly what your friend is thinking just by exchanging a look

There are many other things that make me smile but these are just the simple, small, momentary things that enrich life.

New stuff

2010-08-05T20:26:00.002+01:00

I went to a big sports shop today and got some cool new running gear. I got a top, a sports bra, a water bottle and some trainers just to wear to work. They are all pink to some extent!

At the moment I am starting my only eat homebaked bread for a month challenge tomorrow. I did start on Tuesday and then forgot today when I was out and ate some bought bread oopsie. I put less salt in than the recipe says in order to make it healthier. The challenge is on my 101 in 1001 list and the idea is it is a way to cut down on salt and surely has to be healthier as it only contains the natural ingredients.

I went for a hill run on Tuesday and it was wicked hard but also immensely satisfying. I also downloaded the runkeeper app for my phone earlier this week which is pretty cool.

When I weighed earlier in the week I had put on weight but had a lower body fat percentage which surely means I have put on muscle so :).

This post is really jumpy all over the place type but I am tired so you will just have to accept it.

A quick post

2010-07-28T11:57:00.001+01:00

Hello Again,

Quick post here to say I went for a run again this morning, a short run as I had achy legs. Tomorrow is a rest day so they can have a recover tomorrow.
Hopefully I can have several healthy days and see a weight loss next week.

Welcome back weight loss mojo

2010-07-27T11:45:00.003+01:00

I have my weight loss mojo back! This morning just before I got in the shower I had this sudden surge of determination. A feeling of I want to do this I can do this I am determined to get back in control of my eating.

I feel really positive right now.

I went to spinning this morning and I don't think I have ever sweated that much, it was hard going. But when I push myself I always feel so gloriously pleased with myself afterwards.
I also went for a run last night which really seemed to upset my joints. During the run at some point each of the following hurt, both ankles, both hips and one knee. My left hip seemed worse and sure enough today it is sore still. It survived spinning with only the odd twinge. I am hoping it will hold out for a run tomorrow and then Thursday is a rest day so recover then.

I have decided to have some chilled out, lazing about, me time before work today. I am relishing in the fact that I am going to make my lunch and then sit on the sofa watching trashy tv until it's time to get ready for work. Bliss!

Ultrasound

2010-07-22T21:07:00.005+01:00

Today I had an ultrasound scan on my salivary glands. I thought I would write about my experience here.
We went to a hospital in London for the scan, we allowed plenty of time for delayed trains etc so arrived early.

We made our way to the waiting room and sat and waited, whilst we waited there were quite a few babies waiting to go in and the one nearest us was so cute and very young, he also pooped his nappy twice in 5 mins! And I tell you I have never heard a fart so loud as came from that baby's bottom. It made everyone laugh in the waiting room his mum included.

Anyway after a while I got called through, the room is darkened and I had to lie down with my neck extended slightly. There was a lady scanning and 2 or 3 men in there too. I felt a bit awkward just sort of staring at the ceiling trying to keep still. I know it sounds silly but whenever I try to keep still I always get twitchy and also I was concious that they were looking at me. Then I really wanted to swallow and wasn't sure whether I should as she was scanning my neck at the time. I was also surprised at how thick the gel they use is as I expected it to be a bit thinner. The scan was over pretty quick, then one of the males said it looked pretty much normal but he would have a quick scan too. He showed me one of my glands on the screen and being fascinated by medical things as I am I thought it was pretty cool. Then I got some tissue to wipe the gel off and went on my way home.

My mouth rash has been there the last few days so I tried to get a photo but again I just can't get a good enough one on my camera. I have used the steroids for the first time today so we shall see if that has any effect.

Post number 100

2010-07-21T14:27:00.003+01:00

So this is my 100th post on this blog! Quite what I have written about for 100 posts I do not know.

When I weighed myself on Monday I had lost 2lbs :-) I did do a lot of exercise last week so I guess that made up for my not so healthy eating.

I went for a run last night despite feeling really tired because I was feeling guilty that if I waited until today I may not have been able to fit in the 3 runs I wanted to this week. So I went last night and I did really well. I am going to go for a run tomorrow night if I am back from my hospital appointment in time. Then I am thinking Saturday morning for the final run of the week. I hope my guilty conscience does this to me every time so I never miss a run.

I have been very hit and miss with eating. I had a nice nourishing lunch but then I had 2 cookies so I feel like I have ruined it. I feel a tiny bit blah at the moment about healthy eating as I don't feel very inspired about what healthy foods to have. Although cherries were half price today so I bought a box and will take half to work today and have the other half another day. I think variety is the spice of life and I often fall down by buying the same fruits several times in a row and getting bored of them.

Despite my complaining about my eating etc I am actually feeling pretty content right now.

I don't think I have a lot more to say other than here's to the next 100 posts.

Sophie Queen of the Exercise

2010-07-18T20:17:00.002+01:00

This week I have been for 3 runs, 1 bike ride, 1 spin class and 1 hour long walk. Now I just need to keep up the exercise, I want to be going for at least 3 runs a week until after the marathon.

The problem with all these things healthy eating and exercise is sticking to them long term. My running seems to have improved which is why I am a bit more enthusiastic about going for runs.

This week I have work every day, Mon-Fri and also hospital appointment on Thursday, then the weekend off and it is my friends birthday so we are having a bbq :)

Ok I am getting rather distracted from blog writing by facebook chat. I will leave the post at this for now.

Hope you are all having a good week.

It begins again

2010-07-08T14:48:00.003+01:00

So I haven't had a routine for exercise lately and I seem to have been hit and miss with my eating too. Today I have decided to sort it out. I am thinking that I will give up chocolate for a week (maybe a month?) ok a month, to help me focus on healthy eating, I'm the sort of person that if I give something up I stick to it if it's something I really want to do. I think this will be a good challenge for me. That does still leave plenty of unhealthy stuff for me to snack on but I think no chocolate will help greatly. What I need to do is plan.
I have already sorted what I am taking to work for my dinner this evening. I am going shopping in the day tomorrow as it is my day off and have planned what healthy thing I am going to grab for lunch. I am out for dinner tomorrow night so am going to enjoy that and not worry too much then get back to normal over the weekend. I will hopefully have the energy to go for a run tomorrow morning before shopping. I say hopefully because I have been very very tired the last couple of weeks.
Yesterday I had a hospital appointment about the problems I have been having with my mouth and throat. It was originally on Friday but was brought forward. I am pleased I went as it was useful. I don't have a definite this is what it is yet but I have some new stuff to try and am going back in 3 months. In the meantime I am to try and get a photo of it when it is bad (every time I have tried before it's been too blurrry) and to keep a diary. I do actually have a spare diary for this year as I ended up with 2 so maybe I'll just jot down each day in that how my mouth is etc.
I have a busy few weeks coming up (maybe even couple of months?!) so will have to make the effort to eat well, exercise, look after myself and of course blog more often. I really am neglectful of my blog a lot of the time.

Internet was broken but is now fixed :-)

2010-06-25T21:19:00.002+01:00

So our internet has been broken and I have also had a crazily busy couple of weeks. Right now I am super tired and feeling very much in need of some chocolate.
I seem to have been eating lots of fruit and veg but also slightly more cakes, chocolate etc than I would like to.
This weekend my brother and his girlfriend are moving in with us until their house they are buying has all gone through so it's all hands on deck to get them moved in and sorted.
Next week we are dogsitting which means walks for us. I also need to get stuck in with my training for my next half marathon.
This week has been a bit stressful and right about now I am not going to worry overly about how much chocolate I have eaten or a lack of exercise (I have been cycling to work though). I going to try and get back on track next week. And get training for my run.

Apologies for the shortness of the post I am trying to watch tv and type and have done so much its almost like its easier to not mention any of it then to try and think about them all and get them down. Perhaps I will update on those in a few days when things aren't so hectic.

This week

2010-06-13T19:36:00.003+01:00

I really couldn't think of a title for this post so I just went for an easy one! Monday was back to work after my holiday, I got quite a bit of work done which was satisfying. Tuesday I'm thinking right now that I did something before work but I can't for the life of me remember and am now not even sure I did do anything... Wednesday I took Maisy to the vet for her 2nd vaccination and then I made muesli muffins before work. Thursday I worked the early then went to the gym. Friday I worked the late and had my eyebrows waxed before work. Yesterday was our Uncle's 65th birthday party which was nice. My cousin commented that I looked like I'd lost weight and that I looked toned. (thanks!)
I did have 2 slices of cake at the party but they were oh so worth it! Then last night we watched the England vs USA football match. I seem to remember complaining I was bored 20mins in but by the end I was getting very into it lol!
Today I went for a run which I enjoyed. It was only for 20minutes and there was some walking involved but it was good. I need to build up to running the whole loop and then lengthen the loop. My next challenge is a half marathon in October so I am training for that at the moment. This Friday I am having some patch tests put on to test for environmental allergens, the main aim being to see whether I am still allergic to latex. I will not be able to exercise when they are on as they easily come unstuck and exercise=sweat etc. So my plan is to exercise this week in general, some running, some cycling then next week after the patches have been taken off try and get into some routine with exercise and train regularly up until the event. Of course things don't always go completely to plan.
Once all that is over I haven't really got many plans, I have a wedding this weekend to go to :-) (with my patches on!) and have been busy the last 4 weekends but after that I don't have any specific plans as yet. Which will be good in terms of training.
There is an exciting opportunity to take part in a charity bike ride that is in 2 different countries and kind off off the beaten track. I am waiting to hear back with more information. I really want to take part though, it would be the trip of a lifetime. Thats the story for another blog when I know more about what's going on with that.
I have eaten some really healthy things over the last week and had a couple of different fruits to take with yogurt to work, but I have also eaten more unhealthy food than I would have liked to. I'm hoping to have my eating a bit more under control this week as I really do not want to put on weight. I think once I get into exercising regularly again I should be seeing the number on the scales go down. I really want to get into the 11stones, the 12s seem to have lasted forever.

A fabulous week

2010-06-06T16:07:00.003+01:00

I have had a brilliant holiday. I really enjoyed it. We got back yesterday afternoon and then last night was my friend Amy's hen do which was awesome! I have also somehow managed to lose 2lbs! Must have been all the dancing last night.

That's about it for this post as I have had very little sleep.

We're all going on a Summer holiday...

2010-05-28T09:43:00.003+01:00

Tomorrow I am off on my holiday. Whilst I know blogging about it may be advertising to potential robbers that is not a problem for me as there will still be people left at my house whilst I am away.

Today I need to drop something off at work that I forgot yesterday, then I am going to do some baking (flapjacks and fairy cakes) naughty I know but if you can't have a treat when you're on holiday when can you. Then I must pack! I also need to clean the rabbits hutch out.This evening I am off out for my friends sisters 18th birthday. We aren't going to stay out too late due to having to drive to Devon in the morning. Nor will I be having much alcohol, I am going to really play on the safe side with alcohol as I always do when driving is involved the next day.
I do have the day off today as were I not on annual leave I would have been working the weekend. I wouldn't have booked today off if I were due to work but it has worked out quite nicely that I do have the day off.

In other news I have been for 3 runs this week, actual outside runs and I have improved my time already. I was very impressed with how long I ran without stopping on Wednesdays run, I think the key is to run slightly slower. I have enjoyed the runs.

I'm not sure how nice the weather is supposed to be when we're away but fingers crossed it won't be too bad. My plan is to enjoy the holiday and then get on with being healthy, training for the upcoming runs and losing weight once I'm back. I am going to set myself a couple of post holiday resolutions once I am back.

By the way I got into a skirt the other day that I haven't fitted into for a couple of years and it was slightly loose :-)

Have a fab week all

Enthusiasm

2010-05-20T21:31:00.002+01:00

I have been bitten by the running bug...well sort of, I haven't been for a run for a while as I have been doing loads of spinning classes instead but now I fancy doing both running and spinning. I need to get back into running. In all honesty even running a mile is a struggle for me.
I decided I would like to do an event around Autumn time so have signed up for this half marathon. And then today the entries for the only half marathon I have ever ran before (I have ran the same one two years in a row)opened so I signed up for that too, I think I may count as a regular at it now!
I am looking forward to the new one as it goes out through countryside and involves hills etc too. I am hoping to get a personal best for it despite it being hilly, I am hoping this time I will actually manage to stick with training. As for the one I've done before I really wouldn't want to miss out on a place so I've signed up!
I am looking forward to both of these challenges. I think it is good to have something to work towards. Lately I have had my holiday as motivation but with it now being 8 days away it is hard to become motivated for that as it seems too late for much of a difference to be made. I am happy with how I look in my bikini but would prefer a smaller tummy.
I am really enjoying exercise at the moment and love to see myself get fitter. I can't wait until my running improves and I can actually run for more than 2 miles without stopping. I actually think that would be a first for me as I have always been a run/walk kind of person.

In other news I had a nice birthday, my rabbit has been sexed as a girl so the name I chose is staying and I'm sorry it's taken me more than 2 weeks to update!

Maisy, food, exercise...

2010-05-05T17:20:00.007+01:00

I got my baby rabbit on Monday evening, she is called Maisy until such a time that I find out she is actually a he! Lol. She is such a sweetie and has now got a favourite spot to sleep in in her run which is v cute. I'm looking forward to many years with her companionship.

My eating has been a bit unregulated the last couple of days, I wouldn't say I have gone mad but just not been particularly watchful. I reined it back in today. I did go to spin class yesterday morning but didn't feel particularly satisfied with myself afterwards as I found it really hard and didn't feel like I had done as well as I could have. Better than staying in bed I suppose. Plan is spin again tomorrow night and then I'm not sure when I'll get time to exercise over the weekend. Then Mon and Tues spin and not sure any further than that. Tuesday is my birthday and due to my working some extra shifts I have it off. I figure I will still go to spin as I probably wouldn't have got up to much in the morning anyway. Then home and shower followed by lunch with my mum and sit in the garden if it is nice (please be nice) then in the eve I imagine we will have a family meal at home. I am going out for a meal and to the pub on the Friday evening. This is the first time in 3 years that I have not either had an exam on my birthday or a few days after which has meant the last few were quiet ones. (I did have a party a couple of weeks after my birthday last year as it was my 21st birthday).
With all the birthday eating I can see next week may be a not losing weight week. However I am going to carry on doing plenty of exercise and try to eat as healthily as possible when it is not my birthday or meals out etc. My mum's birthday is the day after mine so there will be lots of goodies about but I shall just have to limit the amount I have.

So the rest of this week: tomorrow work and then probs spin, friday doctors appointment and friend over for lunch, Saturday and Sunday work and probs quiet evenings to save my energy.

Sticking to it

2010-04-30T21:53:00.003+01:00

Since Monday this week I have lost 2.5lbs yippee! I have managed to stick to healthy eating with only one or two minor slip ups. :-) I'm so pleased. I am going to keep it up. Also I have really been hitting the exercise lately and am intending to keep that up too. I am really enjoying all this exercise although admittedly I feel like I've enjoyed it afterwards rather than during. If I'm enjoying it during I'm probably not working hard enough!

In other news I am going to be a mummy to a baby rabbit :-) I am so looking forward to it. I just have to decide on a name...well and get all the stuff for it.

This post is pretty short as I am very tired after not sleeping so well last night so am just off to bed.

Marathon thoughts

2010-04-25T15:30:00.003+01:00

Today was/is the London Marathon. The one I would have ran had I not been ill. The one next year is rumoured to be on the 17April. Given that I deferred so have a definite place I have less than a year to go. Watching it on TV I was in awe, and also kind of like how can somebody run for that long!
I feel excited for running next year. 51 weeks to go which means I need to add a mile every 2 weeks or so as I am going back down to 1 mile to get really good at it. I know I won't end up training perfectly every week. Advice is you need to be able to comfortably run 15 miles a month before. At the moment I am struggling with running small distances. I have done loads of exercise over the last couple of weeks. I think for the time being I will continue with spinning classes, bike rides, general gymming and treadmill running to work on my general fitness and start to build up my running. Nearer the time I will focus more on running but if I just do running at the moment I can see myself getting bored of the training. With how much I am loving spinning classes I should definitely keep them up.

Over the last few days I have not been eating so well. I need to rein that in. Next Sunday I am going to a barbecue so my plan is when I want to eat more than I ought to during the week to remind myself that I can eat what I like on Sunday if I stick to healthy eating during the week.

My holiday is just under 5 weeks away so I must stick on the straight and narrow.

Back to the marathon, I am interested to see how my body will change in this 51 weeks. How it will become stronger (I hope) and smaller (I hope). I really hope I do not get ill this time around or injured. I think I will measure my waist and take my weight first thing in the morning sometime soon and record it and then check again just before the marathon. It will be interesting to see what can be done. I am so looking forward to the challenge. By starting training now it should be easier as the distance increases will be more gradual.

It's just me and you now body, we can do it, a bit of determination will go a long way.

Congratulations to those that took part in the London Marathon today and for those who wish to enter the ballot opens on 4th May.

Good times

2010-04-15T20:03:00.005+01:00

I have had a miraculous recovery from possibly the worst cold I've had in years :-)woop go immune system.

I had a grumpy moment this morning but am feeling much happier right now. I went to spinning class this evening and thought about what had annoyed me during the speed trackswhich kept me going. I am totally loving spinning classes right now.

I think this week is likely to be a weight loss week as I haven't been snacking as much during the day and despite being ill I have still exercised.

Tomorrow is my day off and I might go to the gym dependant on how much my legs ache.I could feel my bum aching during spin today which is the first time its made that area ache. I am definitely benefitting from the endorphins today. My grumpy moment only lasted about 10 minutes earlier but I felt even more cheered up after spin.

In other news I dyed my hair yesterday, it is plum,in some lights it looks very dark brown and in other lights purple. I totally love it! I wasn't sure earlier but it looks much fresher and now I don't have roots. It's probably the darkest shade I have ever had my hair.

Also on my day off tomorrow I am going to do some baking with my mother. Peanut butter squares which I have never had or made before and something else as well I think although I'm not sure exactly what the 2nd lot of baking will be. I'm looking forward to a chilled out day :-)
I'd better not eat too much of the stuff we make. We can always freeze some and give some out to people we know.

I am working this weekend which I don't mind as I can usually get quite a bit of adminy type things done on the long Saturday shift. I probably won't do much Saturday night and then work again Sunday until 3.30. We have a charity spinathon on on Sunday at work, there are 6 1 hour classes. The last one is at 3.30 and I want to take part so I am going to have to get changed and run in there bang on 3.30.

I haven't really made any plans further than that so far. Just to keep plodding on with trying not to eat too much and to keep up the exercise. I feel that being a healthy weight is in sight now and just around the corner. I don't know how long it will take me to get around that corner but right now I feel it is within grabbing distance and I can do it :-)

Smiles all round :-)

Energy

2010-04-11T18:43:00.002+01:00

On Thursday evening I went to spinning class. During one of the faster tracks I looked at the other participants and saw their legs going really fast and yet I didn't seem to be able to make my legs go that fast. Suddenly I felt an anger deep inside me and I was pedalling really fast, that was a good stress reliever.
On the way home I felt energised so when I got home I got my bike out and went for a 10 mile bike ride just because!
I have got a cold right now which is possibly the one I thought I was getting a few days ago that never quite came to anything. So my energy levels are now low. I am going to see how I feel in the morning before deciding whether to go to spinning.
My blood tests came back normal by the way so I remain a mystery.

In other news I have booked my holiday! I go in just under 7 weeks. We are going to holiday in England it will be rubbish if the weather is bad every day. So that gives me something to aim for to make the exercise and healthy eating worthwhile. I really can't wait for holiday, although I can really as it gives me something to look forward to :-)

Thoughts

2010-04-05T18:47:00.003+01:00

I have had a good Easter weekend, we had a nice family day yesterday. I ate quite a bit but not a ridiculous amount. I did go to the gym yesterday morning so am not feeling too guilty.
I will be hitting the gym in the morning before work. Its TOM at the mo and I am feeling grumpy so will be having an aggressive (ish) run on the treadmill.

I get my blood test results tomorrow which I have to say whatever they say I may not be happy. Odd as that sounds I want them to find something wrong so it can be made better. 7 months of a sore throat and feeling under the weather is not fun. I was thinking earlier I cannot remember the last time I did not feel tired. It was possibly in November when I was on iron tablets for the first time, I remember feeling the best I had for a long time about then. This time on the iron tablets I don't feel much different and I am taking 3 a day not 2. Thing is if my blood test shows a likelihood of coeliac that isn't good because I don't want that, I like eating too much to not be allowed wheat, rye or barley! If the blood tests come back clear I guess it's back to the drawing board. The throat is still rashy and has another big whitey yellow spot at the mo so it is definitely not just me thinking I have a sore throat. And it definitely needs to be sorted out if possible. I have become a boring person who lives for the moment she can go to bed and sleep! Well not quite but my social life is definitely not quite the same. I am still doing stuff but it's often a compromise as in come home earlier or do something not quite so exhausting. Some days I am so tired I feel actually excited when I realise I have got everything done and can go to bed! This is just me thinking out loud here. I will update you guys with the news. I'm just sort of beyond knowing what to think really.

In other news not a lot to report, working all week as next weekend is my weekend off yippee!

Hope you all have a good week

I will...or I won't

2010-04-01T18:41:00.003+01:00

One day last week I wrote myself a list of sentences starting with I will...

I had been intending to share it here at some point and decided now was the time. However I can't find the notebook I wrote it in. The list was to make me feel more determined about things in life. Perhaps I should have added I will be more tidy and then maybe I would have the notebook on me now!

So an update in bullet point form:

My sat nav sent me a different way to the course today than it did on Monday resulting in me being convinced I'd put the wrong post code in and was going to be hideously lost and very very nearly crying on the way there.
The big spots in my throat have gone and the rash on the roof of my mouth is there instead.
Tomorrow is Good Friday which is also a bank holiday, I am working it (we take it in turns to work bank holidays and I do get another day off at some point instead and also get to start an hour later than usual so bonus points for a slight lie in.)
Tomorrow night I am going out for dinner and then a few drinks.
Saturday night I am working.
Sunday we are having a family lunch and I am really looking forward to it.
When I last weighed I was a mere 0.75lbs away from having lost 20lbs.
I am currently wearing some bottoms I forgot I had and that were tight last time I wore them and dug in, they are now comfortable.
I am seriously lacking in motivation this week in terms of eating healthily and exercise,(I'm thinking this is probably PMS so am just going to try my best and look forward to a less grumpy time of the month)

Have a good week everyone

Various

2010-03-29T19:45:00.002+01:00

I have felt like I am coming down with a cold for a whole week now. I am very tired most days and feeling like I want to go to bed at like 7pm! The spots in my throat have started to go down a little bit which is good.

Today I was on a course for work which means I am not working this evening. It is nice to have it off. I am having a very chilled out evening and then I'm going to get an early night.

I have broken my routine of exercising 3 times a week this week as I had last Wednesday off of the gym and then today could not go to spin due to the course.

I kind of feel very apathetic about healthy eating at the moment, I have been so tired that I couldn't be bothered. Although I did make a couple of kick ass smoothies over the weekend to try and boost my immune system. (and my eating hasn't been that bad)

I have my blood test tomorrow and then work, Wednesday I'll probably go to the gym before work, Thursday the 2nd day of my course, Friday work, Saturday work, Sunday I have the day off and we are having a family roast dinner as it is Easter.

I think this week will be a case of trying to get my energy levels up and also get lots of my to do list done.

I am going out on Friday night which is good as my life seems to have been lacking in fun lately.
I feel I don't have the energy to blog properly at the moment. Hopefully I will feel better soon and get back into blogging properly.

Another loss

2010-03-24T19:59:00.003Z

I was down another 1.25lbs when I weighed this morning. I had stayed the same weight the last 2 weeks so I am pleased. I did actually do a cheer gesture with my hand and say yes!

I went to spinning again Monday morning and I worked hard and I loved it. Bonus points for cycling there and back!

Eating has been a bit strange this week. I haven't had much fruit and veg but I also haven't had loads of rubbish. I think I seriously need some more ideas for things to eat because I am so BORED with what I eat at the moment. I need to think of some new things to take with me for my meal at work. That is where I am struggling.

I am doing one days overtime this week, which will lead to a bit of extra money in Aprils pay (not much after tax though). I am trying to save up as much money as possible though ready for when I move out and I figured that as I didn't have any plans for that night I would say yes and make some use of the time rather than sitting at home bored.

At the moment I have a couple of spots in my throat which are sore. I seemed to be doing better the last few weeks having less of a rash but have had some spots under my tongue for 2 weeks that weren't much bother but these ones are making my throat really sore. I have my next blood test on Tuesday and then it is usually a week for results (they are often back sooner but they say to allow a week) somaybe that might give me some answers and then again maybe not.

I am not up to much this week, just ticking over, it is my weekend to work both days so I will be busy busy and hopefully will get a lot done at work.

My room at home is a serious mess so I am going to tidy it and also sort through and see if there is anything I can get rid of.

A quiet couple of weeks ahead in terms of social life I think, but on the bright side a good opportunity to save money.

A short post

2010-03-20T21:22:00.002Z

I am feeling super tired. I went for an indoor picnic at my friend's today as it was too rainy to go where we had planned to go. It was fun. But seriously I was nearly asleep at 3pm. I am feeling a bit under the weather.

Early night for me I think. Tomorrow I am marshalling a charity run, I really hope the weather is ok.

I will update properly another day.

Silverstone half marathon 2010

2010-03-15T11:44:00.004Z

This is me stretching after the race

This is me just before the ten mile marker (the one in the pink hat)

Today I ache and I mean ACHE! ouch. My hips are especially sore. That half marathon was hard. It has confirmed to me that it is sensible for me to defer my full marathon place to next year.

A summary of the day yesterday:

I got up and showered, dried my hair, dressed. Had a small bowl of porridge for breakfast as I wasn't that hungry. Went to get my socks and could only find one running sock, realise I should have been more organised but also thought they were both together. Find running sock. Finish getting ready. Leave house at 9.05am.

Arrive at Silverstone at 10am, get out of car, realise there is a really strong and bitterly cold wind.

Walk the half mile to the start area, grab some free lucozade and a pace band. Sit sipping lucozade and waiting to meet my friend. Friend arrives, we eat some jaffa cakes and a mars bar, go to the loo, drop bags off and then go to the start line.

And then we were off, it took us 5 minutes to get over the start line.

The first 2 miles seemed easier than last year. I did then stop to walk for a bit and found it a struggle to even walk at a normal pace. I got an agonising pain in my right shoulder and just below which left me unable to run for a bit. Eventually I ran a bit more. Soon I saw the first water station which I was so pleased to see. The first few miles I was on target if not a bit ahead for a finish time of 2 hours 30.

However I became very tired, usually when I run I struggle with my breathing but this time it was my legs aching a lot that set me back. I used the tactic of counting my steps to make myself run. e.g run 100 then walk a bit. Between miles 5 and 6 the wind was at it's worse, it was blowing directly towards me and at one point I was going barely faster than walking as it was so strong. It was the sort of wind that makes you feel as if you are going to get blown away.

I carried on with my walk/running and came to the only hilly part of the course, 2 very steep bridges. I jogged (yes jogged) up the slope and powered it down the downhill bit (that bit was fun) then I found the toilets and I have to say I really needed to use them, I had been needing to go since mile 4!!

I kept telling myself to dig deep and push myself but I have to say I had nothing left in there to dig deep for. I was exhausted. Just after my toilet stop I began to limp. I had a sore foot that had begun to niggle on Friday evening but I thought nothing of it and assumed it would be fine.

It only seemed to bother me for a mile or 2 and then I forgot about it. There was a lucozade station just before mile 10 which I was so grateful for (there was also an earlier one and 3 water stations). Then I began running again when I looked and saw my mum and dad up ahead so despite getting really out of breath I carried on running and they took a couple of photos.

The next mile or 2 are a blur, I remember wondering where on earth the 12 mile marker had got to I swear I had been running forever before I got there. Then it was there, 1.1miles to go. I don't remember much of mile 12 other than a brief conversation with another runner, and going look that's the 13 mile marker. The crowds around the finish were cheering and I heard my parents cheering for me. At exactly the 13mile marker I didn't think I could go on, I felt faint, I wanted to stop to walk but everyone around me was running and I was too embarrassed to walk so I ran and somehow made it over the finish line. I stopped and for a brief moment thought I was going to faint. I took a deep breath and walked over the the ramps to get my timing tag removed from my trainers. I don't remember what the person said to me but whatever he said it was what I wanted to hear.

Along the course the marshalls all clapped and shouted words of encouragement. The ones that I actually found the most useful were the ones at the very last water station.

After crossing the finish line I felt myself well up and I very nearly cried, this years half marathon was much much harder than last and I felt more proud of myself this year.

I walked down the track and picked up my finishers bag, I put my medal on and got my photo taken. I exited the track and picked up my bag, then saw my friend who had also taken part and my family. We had a hug and I drank some of the milkshake in the finishers bag, I put warm clothes on, we said goodbye to my friend, I went to the loo and then we walked the half mile to the car park.

I ate half a sandwich in the car and text a couple of people, when we got home we had dinner (although I didn't have much of an appetite) then I had a bath and quiet evening before a very early night.

Overall I am pleased with myself for doing the half marathon but I am definitely going to do more training before the next one!

The elite athletes were interviewed afterwards so my mother tells me (I was still running) and they all said the weather made it particularly hard.

I didn't finish in 2hours 30 as I had hoped but I definitely beat last years time. I haven't had my official time yet but I think I shed about 3-4 minutes off. Not what I had hoped in advance but when I was actually taking part I realised just how hard it was and was happy to let that aim go. That aim is for the future.

EDIT: my official finish time is 2 hours 49 minutes 2 seconds which is 3 minutes 54 seconds faster than last year. Also the wind was 24mph! No wonder it was hard

Thoughts the day before the half marathon

2010-03-13T13:17:00.005Z

This time tomorrow I will be running the Adidas Silverstone half marathon! It is due to start at 12noon.

I am currently experiencing mixed feelings. Excited and determined and nervous. I am hoping it won't rain, nor be too hot.

I have got a hat to wear this year which will be good if it rains as should shield the lenses on my glasses from it and also be good to protect my scalp etc if it is sunny. I am going to wear suncream this year after getting sunburnt last year.

I am going to be wearing a lot of pink so it seems, I have without planning to ended up with a matching outfit. I feel good in it so fingers crossed I will stay comfy.

I really, really want to get a better time this year. I would like to shed 10-20minutes but I don't know that that is very realistic with everything that has been going on in my life lately and distracting me from training. My time last year was 2 hours 52 minutes 56 seconds. I am definitely aiming for under 3 hours again. I just have no idea. I think I will be disappointed if I don't do better than last year.

I don't know whether having done one before and knowing I can do it will help. I hit the wall around mile 2 last year and was completely freaking out, wondered who I was kidding etc etc wanted to quit but somehow I got through it and ran/walked the 11ish more miles and completed it. I am expecting I may hit the wall this year and be thinking yes I've done one before but I haven't done enough training this year cos I was ill and have I done more or less training I don't know etc etc etc. Hopefully if I expect it when it happens I will be able to deal with it ok. Although it'll still be a bad moment I'm sure.

If I can put the determination and sheer ROAR I am feeling inside of me right now into my running then I will hopefully beat last years time. I think there is no way to know how it will go until the day and the moment. I will feel so pleased with myself if I beat last years time. Truth be told I would love to get 20minutes off my time but I know that may not be realistic. However anything is possible and I am going to give it my all, self motivation YOU CAN DO IT.

If nothing else running a half marathon burns a good few calories and I get a Tshirt and medal when I finish :-) See you guys on the other side.

Bye bye inches!

2010-03-09T12:59:00.005Z

On the first of January this year I wrote a post and explained about my waist size and how healthy for a woman is deemed to be 32inches or less. I remember thinking I have no idea how I will ever get that small etc. Well I have just measured my waist and it is 32 inches!!! Yippee.

From my heighest weight I have now lost 17lbs, I don't know exactly when my heighest weight was but progress is progress thanks very much.

1st Jan my weight was 12st 13.5lbs, however for quite a while between then and now I weighed 13st 1 -13st2.

Today I was 12st 7lb.

So it has been a slow journey, but I have got into the healthy zone in terms of waist yay! I am going to keep going, I want my tummy to be toned rather than doughy.

I have just been food shopping and got some mainly healthy foods. My meal tonight at work will be sandwich, carrot, apple and yoghurt. Lunch is pasta and breakfast was muesli.

Not much else to report, had some more news from the docs yesterday am low on iron again and am getting tested for coeliac too, when/if I ever find out exactly what is going on with me I will let you guys know. There's been many a theory so far. Touchwood my throat is not too bad today :-) and my energy levels have been ok.

Plans for this week are gym with friend in morning tomorrow, then work, Thursday day off, help someone with something for a bit, go shopping with friend, Friday work then think I am doing something with my friend who's birthday it is on Thursday. Saturday eat lots of carbs! Sunday run half marathon. Monday spinning if my legs are up to it (probably not!) followed by work.

Have a fab week all, one of these days I will get around to commenting on other peoples blogs a bit more x

Fun times

2010-03-07T16:38:00.003Z

I have had a good week this week, I went on a mini holiday and then on Friday went out partying.

Tues-Thurs I was staying with a friend in Cardiff, we ate out, we shopped, we ate out again, we gossiped, fun times. Unfortunately my energy levels were a bit low so we didn't manage clubbing or anything but I had a great time anyway :-)

Friday night was a friend from works leaving do. We went out for a meal and then to some pubs. I did say I wasn't going to drink much. However I ended up roaring drunk (oops). I got in at 3.30am and after 3.5 hours sleep managed to get up and get through my 10 hour work shift and get everything I needed to done (go me!) I had a really good time and don't drink often so am not going to feel bad. Have to say I have no idea how I had the energy to stay out that late.

I am running a half marathon next Sunday so am going to be getting plenty of quiet time and after going to spinning tomorrow morning will only exercise lightly until the big day. I have absolutely no idea what sort of time I will get what with getting ill having affected my training. I am not worried as long as I'm not last! I kind of wish I had done loads of training so I could get a better time, but regrets are pointless and I wasn't well enough to train fully. Getting a better time is for another half marathon, if I do get a better time than last year this time then that's a bonus.

Zzzzzzzz

2010-03-04T18:27:00.003Z

So I have just got back from a couple of days away (which was muchos fun) and am pretty tired.
Have eaten out a lot and am off out for dinner again tomorrow night. I am going to enjoy myself and worry about the calories on the 12th of never!
Its ok to eat what you like some days as long as it's not every day. I have enjoyed myself on my little holiday and I intend to enjoy myself tomorrow night. Eating healthily again can start on Saturday.

I have a super hot new dress to wear tomorrow night. I can't wait.

Sorry for the shortness of the post but I have been a busy bee today and am too tired to blog in detail about things x

Disappointing news

2010-02-25T22:09:00.002Z

Ok so I just typed out a long and heartfelt entry and then clicked publish post and the bloomin thing didn't work and my entry is lost! Not what I need right now. Start again!

It is with great sadness that I must announce I am having to defer my place in the London Marathon to 2011. If you are ill or injured you can defer for a year(only once though so I'd best not be ill again next year!)

Some of you may be wondering where this has come from. I have mentioned on here several times about feeling ill, sore throat etc. There has also been times when I have intentionally not mentioned feeling ill as I do not want my blog to be a complete whinge!

Since the beginning of this year I have had 2 weeks off training due to being ill (thats about 25% of the year so far!!) This sore throat has been bugging me for 6 months! sometimes it's not too bad, others I feel completely S**t (faint, sick, no energy whatsoever). Several people had asked me whether I was still going to do the marathon as they knew how rubbish I'd been feeling and I said yes because I was determined to do it. However after a serious chat with a friend who is also an exercise professional and also taking advice from a couple of others I realised deferring was the most sensible thing to do. How I hate being sensible though!

I have shed a few tears (and more!) about it today, considered not deferring and then decided to move on, train for next year and don't look back. This gives me 14months and I am going to go right back to basics, not running far to start off with and build up to try and help my body recover. I have found a couple of shorter races for later on in the year for me to work towards. The silver lining of this dark cloud is that I should hopefully be able to get a reasonable time next year. If I had tried to do it this year for the sake of it I think I would have struggled to finish in under 7 hours if at all as right now I can barely run a mile or 2 without having to stop to walk or feeling ill!

I hope you guys will understand and support me in my (longer) journey towards a marathon.

I kind of feel defeated, a let down, and a chicken. Like I've taken the easy way out.

Have a good week x

A challenge overcome

2010-02-23T11:36:00.002Z

So I did something yesterday I am proud of, I went to my first ever spinning class! This is especially great for me as I have never been to any sort of exercise class before due to feeling worried about not knowing what to do/making a fool of myself.

I was thinking I would take up spinning after the marathon as a way of keeping up my fitness. However 2 work colleagues were going to go Monday morning and persuaded me to come with. I figured I didn't want to go by myself first time so would go then. However neither of them showed up! I went ahead and did the class anyway.

The instructor was lovely and showed me how to set up my bike etc and was really helpful. During the first track I started to tire and get out of breath and wondered why I had thought I could do it, how stupid of me to think I was fit enough etc. Somehow I managed to continue and finish the class and in the end I really enjoyed it. I will definitely be going again. I think whilst I am still training for the marathon I will go to spinning once a week and then once I have done the marathon perhaps go a bit more often. I'm proud of myself for breaking that barrier and going the first time.

My Day today (so far and the rest of the day plans)

2010-02-20T16:45:00.002Z

Wake up, breakfast, go to gym, run/walk 12k on treadmill at planned marathon pace, chat a bit to friends in gym, home, lunch, long hot bath with new yummy smelling bubbles, wash hair, get out, dry hair, get dressed, chat about stuff, read paper, do tiny bit of housework, cup of tea, read runners world mag, decide to start running journal in a spare diary I have, start said journal, go on internet, update blog, laze around a bit, have dinner, get ready, go out, cocktails, giggles, home, bed, sleep, wake up refreshed and happy!

Back to normal...

2010-02-18T16:00:00.002Z

So I am back at work now :-) this week has gone well so far. I am feeling pretty tired today but have nothing on for the rest of the day so am going to relax.

I have really got my appetite back now and am wanting to stuff everything in sight! Not good but then I have also just realised that it might be pre-menstrual hunger (sorry for tmi!)

I have been knocking back the veggies and fruits. I am finding some things hard to swallow at the mo which is annoying, but it's more stuff like breads, raw carrots etc.

Am back to exercising which feels good, gonna do an 8 miler on Saturday or Sunday in accordance with my training plan. I can't wait, will feel really satisfied and pleased with myself after that.

Not much else to report really, just trying to get back to normal...

Will update soon with more info x

10 weeks to size 10?

2010-02-14T11:40:00.003Z

I have a plan, today is my last day of rest and getting better (well last day off to do so, I hope to continue to get better after today) Tomorrow is back to work and back to training.

As of today it is 10 weeks until the London Marathon, 4 weeks until the half marathon and 2 weeks until the 3 hour aerobathon I am taking part in. This week I fitted into a pair of jeans that have been too small for the last 2 years. Not just fitted but managed to wear them all day. They are a UK size 12. I could do with being a tiny bit slimmer to fit them nicely. Anyway I digress, Yesterday I got my old size 10 haven't fitted for 3ish years jeans out just to prove that they were stupidly small and would never fit again. I looked at them, I held them up against myself. Hmm, maybe they aren't impossibly small. This morning I was thinking, 10 weeks til the marathon, 10 weeks is a long time, long enough to get into the size 10s? I hope so. You are now reading about a girl on a mission to be a size 10 by the time of the marathon. I have no idea how many pounds I need to lose to get to that size but I know that it is doable in the time I have and I will still be able to lose sensibly. No crash dieting.

The fact I will be doing a lot of training is what makes me confident. I want to be healthy, I want to be confident in my body whatever I wear not just in 'some outfits'.

I also measured my waist today, since the 1st of January I have lost 3.5 inches. Over the last couple of weeks I have been much more in control of my eating. If I continue with that level of control then size ten should be doable. 10 weeks is a long time but it also isn't. I am hoping that now I have such a goal and have made it public then I will be accountable. Please willpower stay with me!

In other news my mouth/throat has healed up a lot more, energy is still low but getting there. I'm looking forward to going back to work tomorrow and getting back to normality.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone and have a great week x

Can you say hungry?

2010-02-13T12:11:00.003Z

Man am I hungry!

I seem to have my appetite back although it is not quite normal. I put a tiny bit of weight back on and have now maintained a loss of 6lbs since starting to feel quite ill last week.

I feel a little bit better but am still really struggling with my energy levels. I go back to work on Monday and am going to start back with training then too. I know I must not go mad and to be honest I don't think I will have the energy to go mad doing loads of exercise.

My plan is to make sure I get plenty of rest over the next couple of weeks and carry on with my fruit and veg etc to really try and kick this thing. Or at least the non-sore throat symptoms. I don't think that eating lots of fruit and veg is going to do the trick on the sore throat.

2 more days to really rest up and try to gain some energy. Tomorrow I am going to be super lazy!

I hope you guys have all had a good week.

The one in which I feel a bit more human

2010-02-11T13:34:00.002Z

So I feel a tincy wincy bit better dare I say it. I have had loads of rest so have a bit more energy than I did at the start of the week. I also have a bit more of an appetite. My throat is still 'interesting' though.

I'll be honest and say I am a bit bored of being off work but I know I need this time to recover and recuperate and with how I feel at the moment I don't think I would last even half a shift at work.

I am going to have a quiet afternoon and maybe watch a dvd or 2. Have to see how I feel. I have been having 2 naps a day the last couple of days! I am actually like an old lady especially with my aching hips...

Thanks for the get well wishes everyone, I am hoping to be back to some kind of normal by Monday when I go back to work and am then going to build back up to exercise slowly.

Going down

2010-02-09T11:28:00.002Z

Well after last weeks loss of 4lbs i have now lost another 2.75 lbs bringing my total loss during February so far to 6.75lbs.

I have really lost my appetite at the moment, sometimes I am really hungry but at other times of day I am not and feel nauseous (spelling?), last night I had a small smoothie whilst waiting for my dinner to cook and that was it I was full!

I visited my doctor again yesterday about the good ol sore throat, and my feeling exhausted all the time lately (also joint pain, stomach pain, headaches, dizziness, being a grumpy cow). I have pharyngitis again and have probably had/have a virus as well and a combination of the two is making me feel pants. Not fun although it does work well for the weight loss. I am off work for the moment and am really hoping this week of rest and smoothies and vit C and zinc will really help me to feel better. We are still, not sure what is going on with my throat, it is still being investigated. When I know I will let you guys know!

I am going to get lots of sleep and eat what I can that is nourishing and hope to have more energy soon.

I hope you guys are all well and not bored of listening to stories about my sore throat!

10 weeks and 5 days until the marathon!

yo-yo scales

2010-02-06T17:51:00.002Z

Between Sunday and Thursday I lost 5.5lbs, since then I have put 1.5lbs back on which means over the last 6 days I have lost 4lbs!

To be fair losing 5.5lbs over just a few days is not healthy. I don't really know how I lost it as I was still chomping down plenty of chocolate! I think it might have something to do with my being a bit under the weather of late.

Today I went shopping with my friend and got a lovely dress and some other stuff like a cardi, tights, underwear, leggings and a top. and I didn't even spend that much. I really feel like we shopped til we dropped. I am having a quiet night in tonight, I really need it, my energy levels have been so low lately.

In other news I have signed up to take part in a 3 hour aerobathon at the end of February for charity. I must be nuts I have no coordination whatsoever!

A strange new me...

2010-02-02T19:39:00.002Z

I kicked butt today with my exercise, I walked the dog in the rain this morning.

I went to the gym this afternoon and I ran at a faster speed than I used to, I ran at this faster speed without stopping for longer than I run at my normal speed without stopping. I came home and decided to run up and down the stairs 5 times just for the fun of it! Then later on I ran up and down another 5 times because I was cold and figured I may as well warm myself up and burn some calories. Now I know there are other ways to warm up and burn calories but well I'm single at the moment ;-) so running it is!

I haven't done too badly with eating today either. I am also much more restrained at work, haven't been raiding the biscuit tin and am barely ever buying things from the vending machine.

I am feeling really determined right now to get on with my running training and to really push myself. I am aiming to finish the marathon in under 7 hours. This may sound ridiculously long, that allows 15 minutes per mile and an extra half an hour ish for what ever reason. That will still be a challenge for me. I will be walk/running it. So my training's aim is to get me to be able to run as much of it as possible. When I did the half marathon towards the end I was so tired I was counting my paces and running 200 walking 100 etc. I know this is the way I will get through the marathon walk/running, whether it is walk a mile run 2 or what I do not know. I have never been someone who is good at sport or who is particularly fit. Running is a challenge to me whether I am running a mile or 26.2 of the bloomin things! I crave the challenge and can't wait to knock this marathon dead in my own slow and steady way. I will feel mentally AWESOME as I cross that finish line (and probably rather emotional too). I can't wait for the hugs with my family and friends the first time I see them after the marathon. I hope they will be super PROUD of me. Little old me the one who always made excuses not to take part in school PE lessons.

11 weeks and 5 days to go... :-) 11 weeks and 5 days to kick butt and make mine smaller! woohoo!

Could you tell I'm in a good mood?!
Love

Lazy day

2010-01-29T11:16:00.003Z

Hello!

Sorry for the lack of posts, I have been pretty busy and also have a hand injury (mainly my thumb) which makes typing or indeed doing pretty much anything painful. Luckily the swelling is starting to go down now and it's less painful and yes before you ask there is almost always something wrong with me!

This week seems to have passed in a blur. Today and tomorrow are my days off. I might be seeing a friend this evening, I will be having a lazy day up until that point and if I am not seeing her then I will just carry on with my lazy day! I am seriously in need of some rest. For some reason I never quite manage to have the relax time I intend to.

My eating has been going quite well I think. However when I injured my thumb and felt faint I did have a cup of tea with 4 sugars! My friend made it to try to stop the faintness, the faintness did go away so it may well have helped :-) I felt so sick that I didn't end up having any dinner that night. So I guess that cancels out the sugar in the tea. lol.

Exercise has been ok, lots of dog walks, I am intending to go to the gym tomorrow morning for a run, or run with the dog on his walk. The problem is that the places like the fields where we can let the dog off his lead are too muddy to wear anything other than wellies and I couldn't run with him on the lead as I don't think it would work out too well!

I am going out for drinks tomorrow night, I can't wait :-) I won't go overboard but it will be nice to go out.

Have a fab weekend x

What a Week

2010-01-24T19:55:00.002Z

I have had a crazy week, can't go into full details here but I have been so busy! Tomorrow I have a day's holiday from work and have lots to do. But at least I don't have to get up at 6am to walk the dog. In the evening my friend is coming over who I haven't seen for ages, can't wait :-) I am going to cook us fajitas for tea.

Erin gave me this :-) thanks

The Rules
post 10 things that make you happy
try to do at least one of them today
and pass some lovins on to 10 other bloggers

1. Eating healthily and resisting temptation
2. Helping other people
3. Taking my dog for a long walk
4. Laughing with friends
5. Sunshine
6. Pushing through the pain and achieving exercise goals and thinking about the marathon
7. Baking makes me feel very content
8. Singing in the shower
9. Cuddles :-)
10. Dancing like nobody's watching :-)

My answers there are very brief but it does what it says on the tin.
So who to award this to?

Emma
KK
Girl Stuck in a Rut
June
Melissa
LittleMissFattyPants
Merys

I have decided to leave it at those 6 as most of the blogs I read are written by men who may or may not appreciate the girliness of the award!

I'm off to lie on the sofa and watch sex and the city on boxset :-)

What a Difference a Day Makes

2010-01-21T17:01:00.002Z

Phew I am feeling so much better today. Much less stressed.

I did some voluntary work last night to do with nutrition and I really enjoyed it. I will definitely be helping out again each week that my work shifts permit it.

I have 3 more days of work before my next day off, I am looking forward to the day off but am also quite happy to go to work and get all my admin type things done too. It's really satisfying to tick things off my to do list.

I did manage to get my early night last night, think I was about 5 past 11 so slightly missed my target but much better than usual. I am going to aim to be in bed by 11 or quarter past tonight too. I do find tiredness really affects my mood causing me to be grumpy and irritable. I have been really hungry all day which I now realise could be related to the fact that I am still pretty tired. I think I should have taken a more substantial lunch with me to keep me going.

I am having a quiet night in tonight, then gym or outside run in the morning before working the late shift. It's an extra shift so more money yippee! (I am trying to save as much as I can here and there for the future when I buy a house, admittedly by the time I've paid tax it won't be very much money at all but it all adds up)

Strategies

2010-01-20T15:17:00.003Z

I have been feeling rather stressed the last few weeks, I have decided I need to do something in order to feel more in control of things and less stressed. I am going to write a list of things I need to do to feel less stressed. I think a problem of mine is reading too much into things people say and thinking they mean a hell of a lot more by it than just what they said.

I need to get in fun time, relax time, going to bed at as sensible a time possible, this will all help me to get more things done both at work and at home as in chores etc etc as I should be able to concentrate better.

Once I get in tonight I am going to have some wind down time and then aim to be in bed ready to sleep by 11pm. Ideally I would be in bed before this but as I usually don't end up ready to sleep until after 12.15 I think 11pm is a good aim.

I know I just need to calm down and logically work my way through everything that I need to do and get on with it rather than worrying about it. If all goes to plan I should soon be feeling a lot less stressed.

I feel better knowing that I am doing something about it, I'm not entirely sure what I need to put on my list but hopefully that will help.

Changing the subject, we have snow again!!!

Man am I tired

2010-01-19T21:21:00.002Z

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, cough! gasp! sorry did I just doze off there?!

I am so super tired, I am definitely going to bed early tonight.

I have been doing reasonably well with my eating the last few days (yay). Exercise has been going well too, I am achy tonight.

I've got a doctors appointment tomorrow, but am not sure whether my blood test results will be back yet and even if they are I may still remain a mystery.

Not a lot else to report, as I mentioned at the weekend I have a busy week this week. I just need to get through it and get as much stuff done as possible. I'm finding it hard to concentrate lately.

Back soon with hopefully something more interesting to say

Doing well

2010-01-16T20:27:00.003Z

I am feeling so much better and am doing well on the rules I set myself.

I have stuck to the rules so far. I am having 2 chocolate free days at the moment so that I can allow myself some tomorrow as I am going to a friend's for a movie day and want to be able to have some in case there is any.

I went to the gym today and did 55mins on the treadmill. I didn't run for particularly long as I was struggling to keep up the running. I'm still pleased with my efforts though.

Tomorrow as I say I am going to my friend's for a lazy day, I can't wait, will be great to have a good chat, I saw her on Thursday but felt like we had so much left to talk about!

This next week is going to be mad, I am working an extra day this week and then on my one and only day off am very busy with a doctors appt, then helping someone out with some stuff, then helping out with something in the evening. I have a day off Monday 25th, think I'll be exhausted by then!

I will be dogsitting as of next weekend for 3.5 weeks so will be getting a lot of exercise walking him and following my training plan too.

As well as sticking to the rules I have found I have not eaten as much in general the last few days and in fact when I tell myself it is a chocolate free day I don't even find myself wanting it very much. Long may it last!

The Rules

2010-01-12T13:47:00.006Z

So I have set myself some rules:

I must have at least 1 portion of fruit and/or vegetables with each meal I take to work.

Chocolate is now allowed no more often than every other day. (skinny cow hot choc is allowed if needed)

That's about it on the rules for now!

Yesterday I went for a run, I walked to the park and ran around there as it is still snowy rather than compacted into ice like it is on the pavements. Tomorrow I will probably go to the gym or run round the park again. It's gotta be good for me as it's harder to run through the snow.

I am really struggling with hunger which then leads to me eating chocolate. I swear chocolate is the only thing that fills me up for very long. I'm going to need some serious distracting. It's pathetic how much I struggle to control what I eat.

Must try harder!

On the plus side I visited my sister who is stuck inside cos of the snow and made us a yummy and healthy stir fry for lunch. I'm taking the leftovers to work for my dinner. I'm going to take a banana too and just hope I resist the urge to munch the biscuits out of the biscuit tin at work.