90 Days To Go: Virtue is its own reward...

... but bacon and cheese sandwiches, not to mention the odd donut or piece of shortbread are always appreciated... I have taken to the "reward" culture with gusto and shall now have to reign myself in a bit - it would be quote horrific to be doing this much exercise but also be putting weight on...

Was supposed to do my full Pilates DVD today, but haven't got around to it... Will take away with me one of the 4 (!) Pilates books that I've borrowed from the library, and hope to start doing exercises daily. Core is weak, and not noticeably getting any stronger (but I'm not darkening that woman's door again!).

Went to another aerobics class today - very hard core, absolutely destroyed me. I didn't stagger my way home, but it did take me over twice as long to walk home as it did to walk to the class - slow and steady got me there in the end. This is obviously a good class to continue with for increasing my endurance, etc... I'm so becoming a "silver lining" kind of girl (it warms the heart, it really does).

This afternoon and evening I have treated myself to trying on clothes in my wardrobe that I've never worn (bought with a requirement to lose a bit of weight before they were comfortable). I have to now wear as many of them as I can in case I shrink to the point where they are too big! Can't afford a new wardrobe and so am grateful that I have quite a collection of clothes that I have not been able to get into for a while.

Otherwise, I decided to hang the newly framed picture on one of my pristine magnolia walls. Being me, this degenerated into random hanging of any and all pictures that I could find (strike while the iron's hot - or rather, while the hammer is to hand and you know where the picture hooks are). So I have now hung 7 pictures, one clock and a calendar. Not quite the entirety of that which needs to be hung, but enough to be getting on with, I think.

Off to pack for another business jaunt - hopefully to a hotel with a better class of gym... Or maybe I'll venture outside again, since it seems to make me faster (weirdness). But a day off tomorrow to be enjoyed first...

:o)

Running time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (cross-training day)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (have a heart...)
Fitness class: 1 (1 hour "Bodyattack" class - very hard work)

91 Days To Go: Well, that was a bit odd...

Preparation for running outside for the first time took a long while.... Had to have breakfast, carefully do some hydration, did a bit of Pilates, faff, faff...

The Curse of the Evil Podiatrist remains upon me: she put these hemisphere things under my arches (to make my toes spread out) and on Friday's run I thought that they'd moved and caused significant foot pain. They hadn't, but given my ever-present fear of breaking my foot (thanks again, ZG!), plus the fact that I spend all my time concentrating on walking straight (no duck-feet here!) I figured that I'd had enough of them and took them out of my trainers. That took another 5 minutes or so...

Finally left the house. Saturdays are all about the distance and not the time (sounds good, eh?!) and having meticulously planned my route I just concentrated on getting round it. Which is code for the fact that I jogged for about 3 minutes before I decide a short walk was called for. There were hills and stuff, it was windy... Anyway, I ended up basically doing my "run" at Scout pace (walk lampost-to-lampost, run lampost-to-lampost, repeat).

Wasn't too bad, included bits of road that I normally drive home from work and so I knew when I was nearly there... Displayed my excellent sense of direction by trying to cut though a park but actually running through it at a 90 degree angle and ending up running back the way I came for a bit (*sigh*)...

Got home and found out that it had only taken me an hour! Very confused now - really should have taken longer than that... I am obviously a speed-walker of some renown! Perhaps this is a new career path opening before me...?

Other than that, I also fitted in going to the picture framers and picking up my newly-framed print from Cambodia. It's only taken 4 years or so to get to this point - such things can't be rushed...

:o)

Running time/distance: 1 hr 8 mins/5 miles (jogging/walking)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (puggled)
Fitness class: 0 (15 mins of Pilates from the DVD, though)

92 Days To Go: Normal Service Resumed

So, back in the gym today, pounding away, miles now under belt, back on track... Sort of...

The Terminator was in the gym once more (almost comforting in his scariness now). He was there when I arrived (hard at work) and still there when I left (hard at work) - don't know what he's training for, but I hope it's something unbelievably challenging (like, running across Africa in less than a week) as otherwise he's deeply sad as well as scary. And I want his life to be better than that...

This year is supposed to be the 3 Rs - running, reading and writing. Running is happening (on and off), writing isn't (must do something about that), but I have the reading thing completely covered. Getting through lots of books, never out of the library, all good... Except I'm actually starting to feel reading fatigue (never happened before!) and might need to schedule myself a little holiday to recover. After I've read my latest book - can't really beat a book with the tagline "A novel of vampires, werewolves and Egyptian thingamabobs". Thingamabobs is a word which simply isn't used enough!

According to the all-but abandoned schedule I'm supposed to run 10 miles tomorrow... Yes, well, that's not going to happen, is it? I figure if I can get in 4 miles, possibly 5, then I'll be doing enough to be getting along with... Just need to plot a route with minimal uphill sections (and those all at the start of the run)... Much, much easier than it sounds! Still, I do love a challenge... It's an illness...

:o)

Running time/distance: 44.5 mins/3 miles (running 3 miles @ 3.5-5 mph)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (hmm, might need to re-visit the cross-trainer...)
Fitness class: 0

93 Days To Go: Aerobic Shenanigans

God I love aerobics... Had forgotten that, and started to think that the deep loathing that I have for running applied to all cardio exercise... But, no, looooove aerobics.

Not sure why anyone would slog there way through 5 miles of running to enjoy a "runners high" when you can do aerobics for an hour and bounce out at the end all upbeat and virtuous... Feeling much more positive about the whole exercise thing (although noting that it's still been a while since I actually ran anywhere...). Must do more aerobics!

Otherwise, my 3-day trip for work wasn't of much use in the running stakes. Tried to go for a run on Monday night (having deliberately selected a hotel with a gym) only to discover the gym had one treadmill and one cross-trainer and both were already in use. Grr! Thought about running outside, but was properly knackered and so went for dinner instead (loading on carbs and proteins - it's important. It is!). Then I went for a quick mile-long walk - vague attempt to at least do some exercise.

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent largely sitting on my backside, sadly - am sure that it has already expanded back to pre-pre-training size. Dammit!! Did have a very pleasant Tuesday evening though - thanks to KT and CE and family. :o)

Shall continue to completely ignore the training schedule that I'm supposed to be following and go for a run tomorrow night... Honest, I will....

Only other thing of note this week is that I have yet again given up chocolate for Lent. This is generally the cue for everyone in the office to bring in lots of chocolate cakes, but I shall cloak myself in virtue and resist...


Onwards!


:oD

Running time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (boring...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (yawn...)
Fitness class: 1 (aerobics, 1 hour, yay!)

97 Days To Go: Service Interruption...

So, 16-week training plan to get ready for the marathon...

For most people, this involves running in weeks 1 and 2... For me - not so much...

Week 1 - meh, busy, hate running, blah, blah (week off)
Week 2 - don't feel well (another week off)
Week 3 - about to start, hopefully with some running!

So, to summarise, in the uphill challenge that is me preparing to run a marathon (cue tears of laughter) I've so far managed to not do 2 weeks of training and thus make everything that little bit harder for myself... Genius!

Recovery plan - do some running this week (just do some), start doing at least one cardio-based exercise class a week (just in case I slip on the running again), actually use Pilates DVD (not risking the class environment again for a bit)... Simples!

Was supposed to run 9 miles yesterday per plan - comedy! I'm still waiting to reach the dizzy heights of 5 miles (and the promised "runner's high")... Maybe next Saturday... Hopefully at least before May!

(@_@)

Running time/distance: 38 mins/2.5 miles (here we go again...)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (yawn...)
Core strengthening class endured: none...

109 Days To Go: Oops...

Ah, well, you see, the thing is...

Was supposed to run 3 miles tonight - first run of training! Got home, spent a goodly while mapping out the perfect route (no, can't go that way, it's hilly...) and getting dressed (hello Nike top with thumb holes; hello new running jacket!) and preparing to run OUTSIDE!

Got outside. It was cold, it was dark, I was tired and very hungry and I hate running... I did 0.25 of a mile and then went home and had dinner... *ahem*

Will try again tomorrow night - might eat dinner at lunch and try to go for a run as soon as I get home.... Can't do much about the cold though... Pah!

In other news, have decided on a tactic to defeat the Pilates elite (have ordered Pilates DVD, which I shall "enjoy" post run tomorrow, and ordered lots of books from the library). I'll not be unprepared next time... Although, I now have a Pilates class booked Saturday and Monday, with a nice dose of yoga booked for Sunday.... I fear that yoga is likely also to be for those who already know how - but I thought that I'd give it a try. Variety, and all that. Might have to go for a swim on Sunday too - cross-training, you know...

*sigh*

:o}

Running time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (oops!)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (yawn...)
Core strengthening class endured: none...

110 Days To Go: Adventures in Pilates 1

Go forth, said the Evil Podiatrist, invoking her Curse, and strengthen your core. Pilates classes shall be the answer to all the problems with your glutes (she was rather obsessed with "glutes"...).

Off I toddle today (leaving work early and everything), filled with bright-eyed enthusiasm for my first Pilates class (MUST NOT LIE - I was at best interested to see what it would involve).

Sadly, the terribly-good-at-Pilates lady who was taking the class had not been briefed by the Evil Podiatrist of my need for Pilates. She appeared to want to "teach" a class full of improvers who were well-versed in the arts of Pilates - by the end of the class she seemed to have realised that none of us were this good, and actually started explaining things a little better, but anyone lacking in confidence and/or motivation (erm...) had frankly had enough by then...

A selection of quotes from the front:
"Is there anyone here who hasn't done Pilates before? Ah, well, you really need to go to a beginners class because you won't know what any of the positions are. This is a general class." [They don't do beginners classes. And, exactly what is her definition of "general"?!]
"Beginners, don't even attempt this position, you won't be able to do it." [So, we'll just sit here and watch then...?]
"If you're not finding this really difficult to do then you're not doing it properly. You need to be using your pelvic floor." [Genius. Any more direction than that? Any at all...?]
"You need to sit up really straight. Some of you, you really need to look at your posture - you're developing what they call a Dowager's Hump. It's really very important that you pay attention to what your body is doing." [Chicken and egg - isn't Pilates supposed to make you more aware of what your body is doing so that you can correct things etc? Did I miss the entrance exam for this class or something?!]


I paid money for that level of abuse! I'll admit, bits and pieces (when I could actually work out what we were supposed to be doing) were quite hard work, and if she hadn't spent so long spouting gibberish she knew that we couldn't understand I might have learned enough to do some practise at home. As it is, I'll be glad to get back to duelling with Darth Treadmill (he, at least, doesn't vocalise his abuse)...

On the plus side, I got my money-off card which means that I can now sign up for classes in advance (and more cheaply). Oh, and sadly I'm travelling the next 2 Mondays and so won't be able to attend any more of her "lessons" for a few weeks...

Running time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (day of rest)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (day of rest)
Core strengthening class endured: Pilates, 1 hour

112 Days To Go: Farewell to Pre-training!

(Writing from the future...)

So, final 5km run.

Went OK, apart from the Curse of the Evil Podiatrist struck after a mile when my calf started to hurt. Can't work out whether this is because I was due some pain, or the whole "practise walking straight" thing is waking up muscles which normally don't have to do very much. (Calves still sore 2 days later, although less so.) Not sure if best plan is to continue with the attempts to "correct" my walk (assume pain will pass) or just stop with this nonsense altogether (really need to actually be able to run in the coming weeks!)... We shall see....

Apart from that, Saturday was a day of fun and japes, with much drinking done in the evening (happy birthday ZG!). And I didn't have to count how many drinks I had!! Oh, the freedom....

Farewell Pre-training it's been... Well, not fun, but OK... Roll on Training! (Which looks very, very not fun...)

:o)

Running time/distance: 50 mins/3.1 miles (running 50 mins @ 3.5-5mph)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (in far too much pain...)

113 Days To Go: Body is Willing, Core is Weak

So... Saw the Podiatrist today for my gait analysis.

Once she got over the fact (*sigh*) that there was nothing wrong with me (apparently people only usually go for gait analysis post injury - prevention is better than cure, says I), she conducted the analysis quite speedily (useful, since she was 15 mins late. And me turning up 15 mins early too...).

Summarising the results: I walk wrongly (sort of like a knock-kneed duck), my hips are stiff, and my core is in need of significant strengthening. And people wonder why I'm single...!

I have to go to Pilates classes and the like to sort out my core (basically, my ass can't keep up with the rest of me and needs work. Not that she quite put it that way....). That'll sort the stiff hips too.

The duck-walking... That was less clear. When I'm walking/running, I have to do 100m (how far is that?!) making one foot land properly (i.e. straight ahead); and then presumably repeat for the other foot. I don't know if this is supposed to cure the problem or simply improve my foot-placement. I don't know how often or how long I'm supposed to do it for. I do know that it's supposed allow me to run more powerfully (I was ever so worried about the power of my running) and to stop callouses forming on the balls of my feet (she really didn't like them - she'd have been much happier if they'd been causing me pain. I really wasn't ill enough to be of interest to her - although she was mildly interested for a moment or two when I mentioned my DVT).

I have spent today practising the "walking with a straight foot" thing on my right side, and now both legs hurt and I've become an object of fun for my work colleagues (see the mad woman sort of limping around the office, staring at her feet!). At this rate I won't be able to walk by the end of the week, let alone run, and I'll have developed curvature of the spine from staring at my foot to make sure that it's straight! Hmmm - perhaps that is her cunning plan..?

Still, the video analysis was pretty cool, and she randomly offered me some insert things for my trainers ("take these! Go away, healthy person!"), and so I don't feel that it was money wasted.

If all else fails I shall embrace my duck-footed knock-kneedness and soldier on - I don't think that it's actually all that much of an issue, it would just be better if I walked like a normal person. Like so much else... Normal has never been my forte...!

;oD

Running time/distance: 0 mins/0 miles (day of rest!)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (day of rest!)

114 Days To Go: The Ending of the Beginning

Noticed a sign today outside a pub advertising "Freshly ground coffee from North Berwick". Yes indeedy, it is a little-known fact that one of the world's best and, er, most famous coffee plantations is in sunny North Berwick.... Although that could be not so much "unknown" as "untrue"...!!


And so the end of Pre-training is in sight... Just in time, as the Edinburgh Marathon people have reminded me, for Training to begin!! Endless joy...

The Terminator was again in the gym tonight, but this time I actually saw him finish and leave! Admittedly, that probably means that he'd already been on the cross-trainer for an hour before I got there, but still... He has limits! And he doesn't live on the cross-trainer! Useful information... Have noted that he never uses the arms on the cross-trainer (and is therefore basically running on (and on) without impact) - personally, I would use the arms (it's harder, and sort of the point) but whatever works for him... (Another few weeks and I'll be sneering at his lack of stamina and all fear will be gone! Well, maybe...)

Today's "run" has settled the issue for Saturday's 5km, I think - I will undertake said 5km in the gym, at a nice easy pace (to stop the on-set of walking), and not turn off the incline when it appears (oh, the guilt...) and then see where I end up. And then I'll go out and undo all the (very) hard work so far and imbibe far too much (quite possibly leading to some sort of ridiculous incident which damages my nothing-wrong-with-them knees and means that this whole lark comes to an abrupt end). Looking on the bright side as ever... ;oD

Off to the Podiatrist to waste yet more money - erm - have my gait analysed tomorrow. And so even though tomorrow is a day of rest (thank you! thank you!) I may yet post an update.

:o)

Running time/distance: 45 mins/3.1 miles (45 mins running/walking @ 3.5 - 5mph)
Cross-trainer time/distance: 0 mins/0 km (have a heart!)