Adventures of Cumbrian Blondie

Week 6

Week 6, another week of pushing my body and getting stronger.

Managed to juggle time and get to all my exercise classes. It was tough and could feel the miles I’d run in my legs.

When you’re in a relationship with your training plan, each week is a balance of getting the training in and having a life.

I decided to do my long run on Friday night as had a social weekend ahead. There was a break in the weather before storm Denis arrived. I felt smug as the miles ticked off and the weather was fine. My smugness was short lived as the heavens opened with 2 miles to go! I’ve never been as wet in my life. The hot shower felt so good.

Another week done. My body is proving to me it’s strong and we’ve got this.

Week 5

So as the image says, it takes 4 weeks to notice a change in your body. 4 weeks of training and yes I can see a difference in my body. It’s not been easy but if it was easy everyone would be toned.

Chilli no carne

I love vegetarian food and this recipe can be accidentally vegan if you wish.

Blood orange pound cake

Blood oranges are not only delicious but have the most wonderful coloured flesh. It’s a pity they are only available for a short time. The blood orange juice makes such a pretty coloured icing against the pistachios.

Week 4

Another week and a check on the schedule to what the week ahead involves. Plans were aborted as I needed an emergency doctors appointment on Monday. I’m not surprised I was feeling a bit crap last week as I had an infection. Prescription collected and back to the plan.

With my Monday planned run cancelled, I decided to switch to Tuesday but that meant I had to switch my exercise class to Friday. Such first world problems. A busy day at work and a list of jobs at home, going for a 4 mile run was the last thing I wanted to do. Dave was away so I was home alone and Lucy needed to go out. So off we set, it was cold, luckily it was dry. I felt better, my pace was good and felt great when I got back.

I went out again the next day and finally was feeling as if fitness was returning. I was feeling less wobbly. This was confirmed when I went to class on Friday. It was measurement time, I was dreading it after being away last week. But as she measured me I was pleasantly surprised, a whole 5 inches gone since 7th January. I weighed myself the previous morning and had put 1kg on. So that’s it I’m giving up the scales!

I’m trying to do my long run on a Saturday so I can do a body pump class on Sunday. The weather was so bad but managed to get a window. A good run with good pace was the perfect finish to week 4.

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Week 3

A weeks holiday plan and my first thought is when can I run to keep on plan. I love the structure but when I’m wheezing at a mere 5k it feels insurmountable.

Luckily I had my friends we were staying with are runners so were there to keep me company. But as I lagged behind those demons appeared in my head “you’re fat, you’re slow, you’re making a fool out of yourself” Trying to put a brave face on it.

I inadvertently did my long run after I took a wrong turn. Problem with running in unfamiliar territory. But got back and was pleased it was done. Also managed a bit of cross training which was good. A few calories burnt to counter balance the prosecco drunk.

I got the job done this week but it feels like a big task is still to come. Come on fitness, please come back I need you.

Week 2

Check my plan and see what was to achieve this week. Monday first run of the week, however this was coupled with my fist panic attack in ages. This panic attacks came out of the blue. Continue reading “Week 2”

Here we go again – Week 1

My names Gina and it feels like deja vu back to January 2017. I’m about to put myself to the test in running another marathon. It takes a special kind of nutter to contemplate running marathon. Continue reading “Here we go again – Week 1”

New year, same old me

That time of year when the phrase NEW YEAR NEW ME is banded about. Some despair of the phrase but for me it is the start of the new year, signalling a clean start, to set goals and aspirations for the year ahead. Making yourself accountable for goals.

Continue reading “New year, same old me”

Does size matter?

Whether we like it or not, people love to judge especially when it comes to size and appearance. Many of us would describe the ideal runner’s body as lean, lanky and lithe. Even at my thinest I would never be described as any of the above. Continue reading “Does size matter?”