2 Week Challenge #Running

Gosh, where did last week go? Despite a crazy week I managed to run every day apart from Friday & Saturday - I know, I know, but you know what I'm not considering it a fail on my initial intention....

On Friday morning  I was being filmed for a TV programme (I can share here in a few weeks time - exciting!!!) and in the afternoon me and Mr.L went to Manchester to see one of my favourite bands - 'Hurts' at Manchester Academy & had a wonderful time. Not sure of you have heard of them, they remind me of the 80's! My era!

Saturday I had the usual running around and in the afternoon a 2 hour meditation session - I wasn't going to spoil the benefits of that by then putting my trainers on!

I ran a lot in the dark, be it morning or evening, although one evening it was light enough to run without a head torch - the light is slowly returning!

I think it did me good to have 2 days off as yesterday Mr.L dragged me out on a mystery run. We ran together at a lovely leisurely pace along the canal and did 8 miles. So, so happy with this. Sometimes I lack conviction that I can do it, despite doing a half marathon last year and he sees this. If he had told me I was doing 8 miles I'd have said no!

So here just a few picture of my run yesterday, you can see other running adventures here on Instagram! Here with my ever faithful Olly.....It was a beautiful, crisp day :-)

 Olly needing a drink!

Thank you for dropping by, have you got anything that you hope to achieve this year or challenge yourself to do? 

XX

2 Week Challenge #Run2

I need to get back my love of running. I was there oh so fleetingly, really loving running last year. I know it is there inside. I know it helps me sort my head out!! The best reason alone for loving running again!!

So, I want to make myself accountable - here - if you'll let me?

I am challenging myself to run every day for the next two weeks starting Saturday 6th February. I want to focus on enjoying my route, improving my pace, controlling my breathing. I won't be running far, no more than 5k for now! :-)

I ran for the 7th time since my op today (Sunday), my second for this challenge. I ran in snow for the first time ever on #Run3- I did a little video on Instagram So funny. My time has improved by 2 minutes a kilometre!

I need to spend some time looking at races for later in the year. Trail running is my favourite, keeping me motivated - ever changing terrain keeps it interesting (unlike long boring roads), they are tough, but there's a real sense of achievement for me when I finish. I love leaping like a mountain goat, feeling fabulous & strong!

Thank you so much for visiting this little corner of my World!
Back tomorrow with wardrobe adventures!
XX

Five Days In......

Hello lovely people! Two days in to the first week of the New Year. If life is 'back to normal' for you I wish you a slow start and little stress.

I have a week or two remaining of recovery from my hysterectomy before my return to work. The time left will be concentrated on returning to the work routine, walking the dog at the pre-hysterectomy time, but also trying to get a good night's sleep - something that has been evading me big time, I am now a fully fledged insomniac (blog post coming up) and am now struggling to cope. JUST GIVE ME THE DRUGS!!!

Yesterday though Mr.L dragged me out for a run!! Yay I thought, it may help me sleep - not!! Anyway, trainers were laced and with some apprehension we drove to the local reservoir, nice and flat. My aim was to run round the 2.5 miles at a slow pace without stopping and yay I did! My breathing was great, my legs okish. Happy Happy!

This is the second run since my hysterectomy. The first was around the same reservoir, I had to stop about four times going round but the actual running felt good, but by the time I got home I felt terrible and just crawled into bed in my running gear and slept for two hours - lesson to be learnt, too much too soon!!

So here is me, post run, tired but elated. The toenails are dirty so needed painting; for a change, green! A small gift from a work colleague of Loreal Feline Sauvage. Not a colour I would usually go for, but I like :-) Expertly painted as you can see....

 

 Thanks so much for dropping by,
See you soon!
XX

A Perfect Autumn Day To Run (Not Me)

First trip out in the car on Sunday (since my op). I went along to a local beauty spot - Entwistle Reservoir. Absolutely perfect Autumn day, the colours so vivid against the clear blue skies and reflected on the water.

I often run here, it's beautiful, enhances my thinking and it's great because it's flat as oppose to walking out of my front door where the only way is up 'baaabbbyyy!'

I always incorporate hill sprint reps into my running as it improves strength and endurance and this is why I was here - Mr.L was doing his hill sprints and I was happy to go along; breath that fresh air deep into my lungs and read my book ;-) & take photographs of course!

Mr.L ran up and down here for half an hour - 150 steps - 1.5 miles in total! Madass!

So important to stretch and cool down properly - it means less injuries, muscles slowly cool down, not just STOP, your heart rate gradually slows down and it also helps flexibility.

Just look at those socks!! :-)

Can't wait to be back running. In the meantime I don't mind watching! I will be looking at booking on some races soon for next year to help to motivate and have something to aim for.

Hope you are having a lovely week!
XX

First Half Marathon

Ok, being honest here, possibly my last! But, it's a tick off the life list, I've done it, I'm proud.

 I ran in the most breathtaking surroundings :-)

 Journeying up the mountain to the start in a steam engine was great fun and meant time to relax!

 One of the members of my Running Club runs for Eryri so I grabbed a photo op!!

The day turned out to be a  gloriously hot sunny day, just perfect for sitting in a beer garden with a cold cider, not for doing a first half marathon.

The half I chose was a trail, I find it so boring running on the roads. I also find trail races more laid back somehow, I suppose everyone knows they're in for a toughie! I met some great people on the way round, found a fellow lancashire lass who I've since spoken to on Facebook and shared jelly babies with anyone who wanted one!

The terrain was.......different........different to anything I've ever run. At one point I was running up the side of a quarry with pieces of slate underfoot!! First 4.5 miles went well - warmed up nicely, I was pleased to get to the feed station where the tastiest flapjacks were waiting and cold water, some of which went over my head!! Next bit went well - I ran side by side with a Vegan Runner (yes I did offer her a Jelly Baby - whoops) - Nicola - asked her where we were up to and when she said almost 8 miles I was shocked!! However, just after that I suddenly became Bambi on ice - my legs just went - the girl's around me were so kind, gave me encouragement, offered me gels and then advised me to drink Isotonic at the next station, which I did.

From the 9.0 mile  station I only had 2 miles to the next feed station, those 2 miles went okish! I sipped Isotonic again and set off feeling good, strong even, enjoying the trail.

The last 2 miles were torturous - my legs were just aaaarrrggghhh - I hit the wall. It was so hard to keep them moving. The girl's I'd sort of been with right through started to pull away. 11.2 miles is the furthest I have ever run. Was it psychological? I don't know....

Eventually I had to go to 100 steps of walking, 200 steps running to get me through. The last bit was right along the Ffestiniog Railway line - the end in sight - my legs so weary, but I knew Mr.L would be waiting for me. I could hear him shouting from what seemed like miles away. He was so proud of me - he said "one because you were running and two because you were smiling". Haha, I'm thinking more good luck than good management!!

 Everyone I met on the day was shocked I'd chosen it as my first half. But as I said in this post, time was not on my side ;-) Things I learnt were;

• How supportive women are of each other (I knew this anyway but wow, what a great reminder)!

• Always drink Isotonic - it's there for a reason ;-)

• Train more........

• Eat straight away after you finish, otherwise you end up feeling sick like I did

• After the above, then and only then drink alcohol!!

• Listen to your body - it is always right

• Stretch - every time, so important to avoid injury

• Eat whatever your body tells you afterwards - my diet is mainly protein and that suits me, but since my race I have been craving carbs like you wouldn't believe!!

Thankyou for reading. If you want to know more about Trailffest and see the terrain, there's a short video here! Maybe it will inspire - who knows! :-)

Taking Control

This week I learnt I can't control what happens to me but I can control my response to it.

I returned from my wonderful holiday to be told the NHS team I work for has gone out to tender. A time now of uncertainty - who will 'win' and will they still want 'us'? My response is to try to stay calm and positive......and use the Headspace App - have you tried it? It's brilliant! :-)

I had decided earlier this year to diversify, the NHS, sadly, is not what it was. I had enrolled to start college this month to study Massage and in 2016 Pilates.... I had a plan - a dream.....

Then I went to see a Consultant following having a scan to be told I need a hysterectomy - in October (ffs)! My immediate thoughts were "Oh no - college" and then "I'm doing a half marathon in November".

I came out from my consultation and within an hour had deferred my start date for college (not to January as I hoped but April) however I will be doing some study during my recovery.

I then found a half marathon to do next week!! I know, eeeekkkk! Training has started in earnest, I have to pull this off. I have been working up to this all year, I didn't want to just think "Oh well" and accept I couldn't do the November half.

Also this week my gorgeous pooch got really really sick and was not expected to survive; very hard to control my emotions, but I believed in him, believed that he would be coming home.....and he did, I'm so grateful! I just need to rethink my training runs as he is my ultra faithful running buddy! :-)

Sometimes it can be so difficult to motivate oneself when faced with difficult times, so easy to just accept and feel powerless, to not take control of a bad situation. This week I feel I did! I just need to stay positive. I am fit and strong, hoping to tick a couple of things off my life list, recover quickly and 'get back on it'!

Many thanks for dropping by!
Have a wonderful week, XX.

Today I Ran

I don't know how far. I don't know how fast.

& that doesn't bother me.

It's about how I feel, sinking in my surroundings.

What I do know is it was at a good pace and non stop for an hour and twenty minutes.

These days I run for fun. I love it - & so does the pup!

With the wind in my hair, the sound of the waves on the reservoir and the smell of pine trees in my nose ;-) It's wonderful!

A couple of weeks ago I did my first fell race - I still haven't checked my time. It was 5 miles, 2.5 uphill. For me it was about running it without stopping, getting up there and getting down. It's a challenge I set myself in January. & I did it! & I will be doing more.....

Not me today - this was taken after my first ever fell race. Mud up to my knees, still smiling, looking like a pixie!!

When I started running it was because I knew I needed to do some cardio vascular exercise. 

I never thought I would grow to love it!

Great to be outside in this lovely spring weather!
Hope you've had a good weekend & got outside.
XX

Winter Wonderland

Hi! Hope you have had the kind of sparkling Christmas you hoped for!?

I am back to work tomorrow, but want to share some photographs from Boxing Day when

Mr.L & I went for a run round the local reservoir. 

I don't know how the tradition started but every year the trees surrounding are festooned with decorations, messages and tributes to loved ones. 

On our cold, frosty morning run it really did feel magical.....although the run did take longer than usual! ;-)

Yes - he jumped in.....silly boy!

 Can you spot him?

 A surprise to look up and see.

A beautiful way to remember a loved one.

Does this happen anywhere else?
Please share....
XX

Parkrun

Up early to take my Running Group to their first ever Parkrun.

Fast approaching Week 10, from getting them from walking, to jogging 

to fully fledged runner's(!) we need to ensure they continue running :-)

Parkrun is a wonderful timed run - every Saturday at 9:00am right across the UK 

(& Europe) thousands of people run together - people of all ages, sizes, ability, families, friends - its a wonderful atmosphere, very supportive & it's FREE!

& afterwards we are off to the pub for a well deserved breakfast!!

Here I am ready to go wearing my Gap Leggings which I am really impressed

 with and love the pattern! :-)

 Who else has a Parkrun nearby? Has anyone done a Parkrun?
Wishing all who drop by a wonderful weekend! :-)
XX

Beginner Running Group Week Three

Another cold rainy week and yet everyone turned up!!

36 in total - what can I say - it's just blowing me and Alex away that so many people want to run!!

We did our usual warm up games - we had asked one of the group to plan a game 

for the group which went down great!

I've said before if you want to run in this area you have to get used to the hills!

& we did a big one - but we crocodiled up!! :-)

This is having everyone in a straight line walking up the hill and the person at the back has to

 run to the front at their pace, everyone encouraging them as they go.

At the top time for a short rest then a leisurely run down. 

As you see the session I described is nothing like the one above!
We like variation, cater to our group and plan ahead, but for anyone following, 
this is Week 3 - my Mother in Law keeps asking me to start a group near her........

Thanks so much for dropping by

XX

Beginner Running Group Week Two

Week 2 of the Run England walk to jog to run group I lead.

Great week and all returned following Week One!

We introduced some new games to warm up - keeps the group on their toes! :-)

Ball games, fast paced group games, bonding games!

Moving on to the main session. We live in a very hilly part of East Lancashire - you can go nowhere without a hill. We need to introduce our group to this quickly and get them over it.

We set off at a walk - uphill - for two minutes, we then encouraged everyone to jog for 60 seconds at THEIR pace, like going upstairs, back to walk and so on.

At the top we then told everyone they could do what they wanted to get down, walk or jog - everyone jogged which is wonderful. Muscles are still working, you are still getting breathless, you are enjoying the wind in your face. Downhill but still it's running!! It still benefits!

Cool down again, check on how people were feeling - and then to tell them that they had actually done over a mile and see the response - wonderful! 

Towards the end of our ten week course we introduce the group to Park Run - 

great fun and this is four of the first group we ran completing their first!!!

What do you think of these Running Posts?

Be good to hear.

XX

*Check here for where in your area offers Beginner Run Groups.

For the Love of Running

Some of you may know I lead a running group, which I love so much.

 I inspire people to run, but actually it's a two way relationship - 

they inspire me massively.

 Until this last week I had not run since before Christmas. When I have a break my fitness drops so quickly - does anyone else find that?

So this week it was back to leading and I thought "I'm never going to be able to do it!" 

So, I got my bum in gear & I've run four nights running, including leading, 

covering 17 miles. Wowzers - what's wrong with me??

I love running, didn't used to, but now I run for fun & have learnt it doesn't matter if I can only go out for 10 minutes and walk for most of it!!

Running is free, doesn't impact on your day and you can be out the door whenever you feel like it and back 20 minutes later feeling virtuous...

When I run it encompasses so many other areas of my life. 

I up my fluids - no, not wine, water, think about what I eat and also look after my skin better (said before I'm lazy!) A good cleanse and moisturiser is needed as well as a refreshing hot shower after a run, especially in this cold wet weather we've been having.

This week I have learnt why you should definitely invest in a Sports Bra as I couldn't find mine and ran in my normal bra - I now have a graze where it has rubbed....

Its good to treat yourself to some nice attire to run in, you will run better - trust me - 

its psychological but worth it! I buy running gear from Aldi for cheap basics but for high end LOVE Sweaty Betty - would really like some Skirt Leggings but not willing to pay full price and keep missing out in the sale - always like their cycling and running pants with attached skirt - girly chic! ;-)

Trainers are an important part of your kit, but I would say don't rush out and buy an expensive pair, see if you stick to running before you part with your hard earned cash. 

When you know it is worth investing, consider a Gait Analysis. These are carried out at various sports retailers, but I go to a small independent retailer, himself a marathon runner. 

My footwear of choice are Brooks - they suit the way I run. Before I ran people always said you could wear trainers a size smaller than you would usually wear.

I am a size 6 - my trainers are 7.5 & perfect - don't go smaller!!

Did you know you should replace your trainers every 300 miles - not that I keep track haha!

A waterproof, windproof jacket is a must for anyone who becomes serious about running, along with a hat and gloves. I wear this jacket for running and cycling.

I don't profess to be a running expert, but just wanted to share some tips with you.

Here's me on my first run of the year - a selfie - yes I know!

“If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.”― John Bingham

Who else runs? What do you do to stay fit?

Do you carry on through Winter?

XX