Photo a day day 26

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 24

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 :-)

Marathon number two!

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 :-)

Four weeks until my first marathon!

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

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.

The one in which I get fitter

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!)

Internet was broken but is now fixed :-)

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.

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

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

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!

Silverstone half marathon 2010

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

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!

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

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.

A strange new me...

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

What a Difference a Day Makes

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)

Doing well

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

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.

Stories

I have a number of things to talk about today so I figured I would tell them all in one post. Several 'Stories' kind of.

A bottle of Wine

On Monday I went to work, a colleague mentioned something about my bottle of wine. I was confused, what bottle of wine was she talking about? I then thought well maybe it's a late Christmas present from somebody. I went to go and see and there was a letter there. Addressed to Sophie C c/o leisure centre. Now I'm thinking it must be from a customer or someone else I've had dealings with. I open the letter. Dear Sophie, Ref Employee of the month. I had been awarded employee of the month for my centre :-) that put a smile on my face! The letter went on to explain why I had been awarded it and ended with enjoy your wine, now that's my kind of letter!

A trip to the doctors

I went to see the nurse on Monday as the rash in my mouth had returned, she then sent me in to see the doctor. The doctor was not sure why my throat was so sore but said it was very red etc. She gave me antibiotics for 10 days and has ordered another blood test to test for some different things this time. I have been poorly all week as I have had this major sore throat and a stonking cold/fluey thing on top of it. I was off sick from work on Tuesday as I felt so ill, no energy and a bit dizzy too.

The Snow

I have officially been proved wrong when I said it hardly ever snows. On Tuesday evening it began to snow and snow and snow. We have the most snow I have ever seen in my life at the moment! Its supposed to snow even more tomorrow and Monday! I have been walking to work in it as I would have to dig my car out if I wanted to drive anywhere and the roads are so icy and dangerous.

Marathon Training

I completed week one of my training programme, then I got sick. I haven't been for a run for a week and a day. And I am not going today either. I am just coming out the otherside of this flu/cold and think it would be unwise to go running, however I feel REALLY GUILTY about this. It does worry me that I haven't trained for a week, but I just haven't been in a fit state to do any training. I have walked a couple of places other than to work this week and am finding my leg muscles ache, I think the slippyness of the paths means it takes more effort to stay standing so is probably pretty good for toning. So the walking is better than nothing. I have to say just a short walk to town and back one day this week really took it out of me. I kind of need some reassurance that it's ok not to train when you feel poorly and this one week off training will not affect my ability to finish the marathon? I'm also concerned I won't be able to do as much as the programme says next week, does this matter? Perhaps I should do some research, then again perhaps I should just not worry and do my best next week to do what I can.

A party

It was my friend's 21st birthday party last night, I almost didn't go because I was feeling so poorly, but I did go and had a great time. I think she did too :-)

A day of rest

Today I am having a day of rest, my body needs it, I think I will watch a dvd this afternoon and get an early night tonight. I will make sure I get plenty of rest next week too as well as getting back to training. I have been making sure I eat vegetables this last week to try and help get rid of my illness, however I have not been hitting 5 a day. My aim for the next week is to nourish my body and take good care of it. Although that's easier said than done, especially when there are 2 boxes of chocolates on the table I am sat at right now!

I hope everyone is having a good week :-)

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone!

May it bring you all health and happiness.

My aims for 2010 are to cut down on swearing which I am doing ok at but it's proving hard, I'm really having to think before I speak.

The second one is to run the London Marathon, today I completed week one of the training plan. I had to adjust the days slightly due to my work hours this week so I am a day ahead and did the Sat/Sunday run today. It was hard, it was however a beautiful day and there were lots of people out walking in the sunshine. Cold and fresh outside which I think is better than warm and drizzly/raining.

I weighed myself this morning and have just measured my waist. My weight was 12st 13.5lb (181.5lb). This makes my BMI 29.4, supposedly I need to lose pretty much 2 stone to be at the top end of healthy. I know that BMI shouldn't be used alone as a tool but still 2 stone is an awful lot to lose to still be on the top end of healthy. I'm not in denial but I've always been on the heavier side even when I was small in terms of dimensions etc so I don't think I would be healthy if I dropped my BMI to say 20 (and who knows how many lbs I would have to lose to get to that bottom end?). I don't know! urgh! Stupid weight. I have just measured my waist, properly and not pulling the measure really tight or sucking in or anything, 36 inches. Below 32inches is healthy for a woman, thats 4 whole inches I have to lose. I really hope I do and in fact lose more than that!

Apparently the average female stops her new years diet after 6 days and the average male after 8 days! Sticking to plans is one of the hardest things to do.

I am going to try and up my fruit and vegetable intake because I do not want to be getting ill even with a cold in the run up to the marathon (excuse the pun) as colds really knock me back and also have more fruit and veg because doing a lot of exercise increases the production of free radicals in the body so it's important to consume enough antioxidants to counteract that effect, of which fruit and vegetables are a good source.

I am going to have a quiet weekend this one, I am working 10 hours tomorrow and will then have a chilled evening hopefully and Sunday only 7 hours. After all the excess of Christmas I need to look after my body and get plenty of sleep etc. I think I will look through the cookbooks I got for Christmas at some point and see what goodies I can make out of them, perhaps not make anything for a while though as I am kind of off puddings and desserts etc. Maybe make something savoury in a couple of weeks when things have settled down a bit more. I will also probably spend some time reading the running magasine I got for Christmas.

Have a fab week x

A balanced diet

A balanced diet... a cup of green tea in one hand and a doughnut in the other? I wish! Wouldn't it be great if one good food choice cancelled out one not so good?

I had a good gym session this morning and was pretty healthy with my eating yesterday so I'm not going to feel guilty about my doughnut which for the record was disappointing.

The weather has gotten pretty cold the last couple of days, I'm just about to start some work on my computer and am seriously considering getting my hot water bottle.

Tomorrow I am meeting a friend who is back for this weekend for lunch, I'm not sure what I'll have but I'm not going to worry overly as I don't eat out very often.

Then this week I will be busy with working and exercising and don't really have any other plans so far.

Christmas is just around the corner, it seems to have crept up on me and I am not very organised yet!