Sunday, 31 January 2010

End of week 3



Another week gone and I really don't feel like I've made any progress. Only 105 days to go.....
I've been for my Sunday morning gym session. I did 30 minutes but only managed 4 3 minute runs in that! Those 3 minutes nearly killed me too. I completed 3.34kms though, which is perfect. I should really aim to complete the 'run' in less than the 90 minutes + I've estimated. I don't want to end up with the wrong colour number.
We had a wonder ful time yesterday. We couldn't have picked a better day for going to Cloud 23 at The Hilton. The views were tremendous as it was such a clear day. The high tea was gorgeous too - I think I only managed to exercise off 1 of the many cakes I consumed. We also had champagne to finish off with. From there it was off to see Les Miserables at The Palace Theatre. It is the new 25th anniversary production, and the scenery was amazing. It think the new production should have been made with less people dying - it would save a fortune in tissues. Only 1 of the 6 of us didn't have a good sob. Well done dad. I sat next to 'Emma's mum and dad'. I'd sold the 2 spare tickets to Emma (never met her but she sounded very nice on the phone during our eBay sale) so she could gve them to her parents for Christmas.
I'm going to do a couple of hours work now. I think my 12 hour + days will be starting tomorrow. I've known they were coming for ages but tried to ignore it! 2 weeks of lots of work, a week of lots of play, a week of non-stop work, then it should quieten down a bit, ha ha. Week 3:
Run/walk 7.27 kms, 65 minutes
Cycle 5.2kms, 20 minutes

Friday, 29 January 2010

Weekend!

I'm still working, but I've nearly finished until at least Sunday.
Yesterday I got caught up in a traffic jam so didn't have chance to get to the gym before a mid afternoon appointment. The appointment then went on far longer than I expected so I couldn't go after either (yes I know, excuses, excuses). I therefore had to go today instead of having a rest day, so my weekly visits will still be the same.
I'm getting a little worried as I still can't run for long. However, at scouts pace (thanks for the tip dad!) I'll still easily do it. I did my 10 minutes, then another 15, and in 25 minutes I'd done 2.73kms in a mixture of walking and running. I couldn't do any more as I needed to see if there was anything nice in Next for my jollies. Unfortunately everything was much nicer on the hanger than on me!
I aimed to do a big shop but wasn't in the mood so I've got stuff to do a Mexican tonight. I've just found out though that Paul had fish and chips for lunch, courtesy of my mother. He says he'll manage to squeeze another big meal in though.
Tomorrow is what I've been looking forward to for ages, our trip to see Les Miserables in Manchester. The 'girls' are having high tea with champagne in Cloud 23 at The Hilton first, then we are off to the matinee. I'm really looking forward to it, bring it on....

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Early morning

Yesterday was all a bit of a nightmare. I had to be at work by 9.30am, at an appointment that would last all day, but the programme said I had to train. I ended up being at the gym at 7.15am, and paying £3.50 to go at peak time (I only have off peak membership 9am - 5pm). The early morning really didn't suit me. I'd forgotten how bad I am. I was only supposed to do 10 minutes on the treadmill, and that was definately enough for me. I did just over 5km cycling afterwards. It's difficult fitting it all in with work!
I ended up in work from 9.20am until 6.20pm and was completely done in afterwards. Luckily meals on wheels (AKA Ms Aspery) came when I got home so I got fed and red wined. We had a great night. The new series of Shameless started, and we watched the whole of series 3 of Gavin and Stacey which was fabulous.
I'm having this afternoon off, or at least some of it. I'm hoping to give blood this afternoon. I say hoping - last time it was refused as I didn't have enough iron to spare any.
Work calls.....

Sunday, 24 January 2010

End of week 2

I have had 2 rest days as the programme said I should. I'm glad it did as I've been a bit busy. I was out of the house at 6.30am on Friday, got home in time to grab a quick bar of chocolate for tea (energy?), then out to the cinema to watch It's Complicated. It was very funny. Yesterday John was 75, so it was a party there in the afternoon. We are having to have afternoon parties now so we can have a nap afterwards, especially if the wine has been opened! There was total garbage on tv last night so I resorted to All Star Mr and Mrs and an early night.

Harrison and I go to the gym on a Sunday morning so I did my bit, which was an increase to 15 minutes, this time doing more running than walking. I did 11 running to 4 walking. I'm already getting a bit scared as in 2 weeks I have to try to do 15 minutes with as much running as I can. I tried the cross-trainer after that but didn't feel like it was as good as the bike.

I've also had to make an impromptu visit to Halfords. I was leaning over in the car and caught the rear view mirror, and it came off. It was surprising how fast I got used to using the side mirrors, and I think I might trust Paul more with his now (his van has no back window so therefore no mirror). Halfords had 'rear view mirror bonder' which amazed me. It meant that I didn't have to feel too bad as other people must do the smae regularly, and I didn't have to resort to double sided sticky tape.

This week looks like I have done loads less, but I have done what I'm supposed to, to the letter. The run is 16 weeks today and I can already run for half a km! Only 9 1/2 to go....

Week 2:
Run/walk 4.2kms (35 minutes)
Cycle: 14.7kms (40 mins)
Cross trainer: 15 minutes, and I think it was faulty as it said less than a km.
Swimming: Nil

Thursday, 21 January 2010

Starting slow

After just 1 rest day I was back at the gym, and I still did the recommended 10 minutes walk/jog. I can do that bit. However, just over a km is no good when I'll have to do 10! I did anpother 7.5kms on the bike though, and I have over 16 weeks, so I'm ever hopeful. I'll definatelt complete the 'run' but it would be nice to make it mostly running.
I won't get anything in tomorrow as I have huge IT problems at work and need to be in the office in Preston by 7.30am before a 10am all day meeting.

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

1st day again

I got really annoyed yesterday as I got stuck at work in Preston and couldn't get to the gym. Ms Aspery arrived home from her 3 months travelling though so it was lovely to see her, even if she'd led me astray within 5 minutes of seeing her by giving me the ingrediants for a 'chocolate orgasm'. I don't know what it entails but I'm looking forward to it.
Today I started the programme again, as advised. I felt like a fraud though as I only had to do 10 minutes walking/running on the treadmill. I got through just 1km. I hadn't broken into a glow though so I had 20 minutes cycling - 7.2kms. I felt much better after it.
I've been getting in a panic about tomorrow (officially a rest day) as I didn't know how I'd fit the gym in with my work meetings. I'll chill though, and do my bit on Thursday (when I know I'll be in the vicinity of the gym during the afternoon). I will go on an actual road at some stage, but I might wait until my holidays when I'll be a bit better at it, and it will be the road or nothing.
I don't want it to be all work though - I'm booked in at Cloud 23 at The Hilton on Deansgate for High Tea a week on Saturday. I can't wait.

Sunday, 17 January 2010

Starting Again

Friday should have been a rest day but I had loads of energy so I had another go. I was done in after though. I did nothing yesterday!
Last night we went to The Rose and Crown in Edgworth for a meal. It was great and I would recommend the early menu (5pm - 7pm). It was then home for Bridget Jones' Diary.
Back to the gym today and I had no energy at all. I spoke to one of the trainers before I started and they said I really should have started off with the 10 minutes, as the plan said, as you do build up quite quickly. I'd decided on 30 minutes as 10 seems like nothing. I'm going to do as it says from tomorrow, but it will look like I'm doing next to nothing! Still if the plan says.... Anyway, today I did a very little bit of running then finished walking fast - but uphill. I was amazed because I still did 3.12 kms in my 30 minutes. At least I know I'll definately get the 10kms done!

Week 1 - Run/walk 12.66kms (120 minutes)
Swim 84 lengths (about 1.3 miles)

Thursday, 14 January 2010

Deep fried eggs

It was rather icy today. I slid down Scobell Street with my eyes shut after doing the school run and all the other drivers seemed to be doing the same. It was straight to the gym then, and I reached a milestone moment. Instead of going in the little gym, where the women in jogging bottoms and loose tshirts go (and both treadmills were occupied), I ventured into the main gym. I opened the doors and was met with a flood of lycra and sweat. It did encourage me more. I did my 3 kms in 26.15 minutes (3.26kms in 30 mins). My new training advisor Julia (thanks JR) advised me to do 2 minutes walking then 2 running and I gave it a try. It seems much more sensible for week 1. I got into Manchester just in time for a late lunch, and Pacific was as good as it ever is. I tried a bit of everything, and was curiously drawn towards the deep fried egg in tamarind sauce. Paul reminded me we have fried eggs already so it was only one stage further. It was actually quite good.
I've got some lovely birthday presents but wonder if my lovely husband thinks I'm older than my tender 38 years. I received a furry hot water bottle cover with matching slippers, and a shopping list pad!
I need to go - apparently one of the fish has had babies.

Wednesday, 13 January 2010

Visit Peel Tower

Visit Peel Tower

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

More snow! I'm really really fed up of this now. Paul hasn't been able to work for 4 weeks now so he's worse than me. It worked to my advantage today though. I had an inspection to do, and Paul became my chauffeur, driving me there, having a mooch round the town centre, then collecting me, taking me to the gym and reading in the cafe while I was in, then bringing me home.
Inbetween the inspection and the gym he insisted we went to a garden centre as he's been getting withdrawal symptoms. The new me likes Christmas now, so I got a bargain little tree with lights, some LED stars, a light up little house and a Christmas CD, all at half the sale price. I wanted a massive blue star with those lights that run around for my office window but was too tight to pay £15, sale or no sale.
Back to the reason I'm here - TRAINING. Today is another rest day from running so I swam half a mile again. I had the pool to myself for most of it too. Again, I felt great. Tomorrow I need to run again. I can feel every muscle in my legs from Monday so that should be interesting. I'm having trouble walking but I'll be there tomorrow (did I mention I'm having a day off, to celebrate my birthday!).
OK, work to do, people to see etc.

Tuesday, 12 January 2010

Day of Rest

My legs ached rather a lot this morning. According to The Programme I should have 2 days resting now (it also said I should have only done 10 minutes altogether yesterday), so I've just done 20 lengths swimming and feel much better for it.

Monday, 11 January 2010

Gym again

I walked Harrison to school today - his first day back due to the snow. Officially I've had a day off but did end up doing a bit of work. I spoke to Ms Aspery who phoned from Bondi Beach and reminded me that I didn't walk the whole of Race for Life - I had a Chariots of Fire moment at the end.
My ever so fetching running vest arrived today. It is a lovely Easyjet orange but on the back it says I am an MS Superstar. I've never been an anything superstar before so the colour didn't put me off too much.
I've also been to the gym for the first time in over 3 weeks. In my defence, I haven't been able to get there because of the snow. I came home feeling, in the words on Tony, grrrrreat. I'm not as unfit as I thought, and managed 3kms on the treadmill. Don't put the flags out yet, I walked for 5 minutes then ran for 5 until I'd finished. Feeling energised and not having to dash back to work I decided on a swim as well - half a mile. My pedometer is showing 11213 so far today. I don't really know if that is good or not. I was going to say it is better than normal, but I have been out walking a bit as the car has been snowed in.
Off to do the ironing now. I've promised Paul I won't watch Being Human without him...

Sunday, 10 January 2010

Sunday 10th January 2010

Well, 18 weeks today and I'll be joining in The Great Manchester Run. I wouldn't have considered one without 'Great' in the title of course. I've told Paul, who obviously didn't believe a word of it. It only made me more determined.
The training programme is 16 weeks, so I can have a couple of weeks breaking myself in even more gently. I've started my sponsor page, but I won't send it out just yet, just in case I come to my senses in the next few days.
Seriously though, all sponsorship will go to The MS Society, which is such a good cause and I'll go round Manchester on my hands and knees if I need to.
I'm off for a couple of cocktails before I go healthy (as if that will happen). I hope someone does follow this (when I eventually tell people!). Ah well....