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Keep reading to find out how this happened....

So how is it going I hear you ask! Well I’ve got myself some new trainers finally, after starting to develop a little shin pain in a couple of runs. I’m still breaking them in so haven’t really giving them to much of a hammering yet, but they look very clean and white, and after taking some advice in a specialist running shop I’m sure that they will do the job.

In terms of training, I’ve added some variation this week as I’ve got my new bike out on the road. In fact, on one day this week, I cycled the 6.5 miles to work to meet Lisa (Animal Care Manager and fellow Half Marathoner) at 7am (!) and went for a three mile run before work, then took a detour on the way home after work and turned the journey home into a 10 mile cycle.

I haven’t got out running as much as I would have liked due to the shin pain, but when I have I have found that I have been coping very easily with (in terms of aerobic fitness), with running 3 miles…. I guess at some stage soon I’m going to have to bite the bullet and attempt another four miler… and maybe even a five!!!!!

Update!!!!

So I’ll be honest, I wrote the above about a week and half ago but haven’t got round to posting it on the blog yet, so obviously I have got more to say! Continue reading What does pride come before?…. oh yeah, I remember now…

Simon's dog Rocky (pictured here in last month's snow) made an interesting running partner!

A week and a half on, and the trainings going okay. Last Thursday I did the same two mile run again, but this time only had one short stop at the halfway point which left me pretty pleased!

Come this Monday (23^rd March) I was just getting set for another crack at the two miles, when charity administrator Simon asked whether I minded him joining me for the run. Now for those that don’t know Simon, he runs regularly and has done the London Marathon twice, so you’ll understand why I was slightly hesitant. But I didn’t want to look like a complete wimp, so I told him that of course I didn’t mind!

Well I shouldn’t have worried – not only did he run at my pace but he brought Rocky his Great Dane with him as well, which caused a welcome distraction from the running itself! In actual fact, running with someone made the whole thing a lot more bearable (even enjoyable), and with his encouragement we actually covered just over 3 miles (although he did let me have a couple of small walking bits).

Tuesday night was kickboxing, which was a pretty intense session and no doubt will be helping enormously in my weight loss quest (n.b. I’ve decided to start weighing myself fortnightly so will update that next week).

On Wednesday night I went out for another 2 mile run, and it is definitely getting easier! It was pretty much an immediate turnaround once I had reached the 1 mile mark, and despite the second mile being run into a strong wind I finished strongly and felt pleasingly fresh.

Everything is feeling a little tired this morning so tonight will either be some light punch bag work (part of my kickboxing training), or a complete rest…. I haven’t decided yet.

So all in all, I’m pretty happy with how the trainings going, the next big obstacle is getting my head around the idea of weekends not just being about having long lie-ins and eating biscuits; I fear my usual weekend treats have got the potential to seriously reduce my ability to get this weight off and start upping the miles.

I’ll write again next week!

*** We now have confirmed places in the Bristol Half Marathon***
If you would like to run on behalf of Secret World Wildlife Rescue in the Bristol Half Marathon on Sunday 6^th September, please contact myself directly either by e-mail or on 01278 783250. N.b. All Secret World runners will be required to raise a minimum sponsorship.

When I firewalked for Secret World!

So, assuming we get confirmation of the places we’ve applied for, I will be taking part in this year’s Bristol Half Marathon. The bad news is that I am an overweight non-runner, the good news is that I’ve got almost 6 months to train for it…. And the really good news is that we’re looking for other people to also take part in the event on behalf of Secret World! Continue reading And so it begins!

On a previous fundraising adventure....

As one of Secret World’s long suffering fundraisers, and having already done a firewalk, it’s a knockout, and a John O’Groats to Lands End cycle ride, I thought that my days of participating in the charity’s fundraising events were behind me… how wrong could I be! Continue reading Why can’t I say no?!?!