Week 16

Monday 23 August 2010

Week 16, Day 1

Duathlon 2 down

Well, I managed to complete duathlon number 2 - the senior medium course.

I was very low on energy on Sunday, Saturday night happened to be the night that one of my best mates was down to visit and we got a little carried away on the wine, and did not have enough sleep, so I was half my usual self.

And I could tell I was low on energy as soon as the run started, I was puffing more than usual and really struggling to make my legs move!  But hey, I did that to myself!

But, I'm still totally stoked that I finished it.  Out of the women doing the medium course, I came 9th...out of 11, so almost last haha!  But, at least I finished!

And seeing how much I struggled with the medium course has made me really quite worried about the long course!  4 weeks to train to be able to run 5k, bike 21k, and run another 2.5K...scares me slightly.

But, my ankle coped, and my training is back on track, so I'll just keep going at it, and as long as I complete the long course, I don't care whether I just come dead last, as long as I complete it, I will be stoked.

I think the scariest part for me with the long course is that it's all the pro's that compete in that level, and those guys are fast man!  Honestly, one of the lifeguards here at H2O lapped me about 3 or 4 times when we were running...and he was doing a longer run than me!!!  The last time he lapped me he said 'Rach, again, it's like the tortoise and the hare!' - that made me feel great haha!!!

But for those of you who are reading, at least this proves that I'm not some major athlete, that I really did start from scratch and I really have been through the real battles of beginning, and continuing training.

I was so scared when I did my ankle that I would find it really hard to get back into the training, but I have picked it up again quite easily.

My plan for this week's training is:

Monday	Bike 45mins Weights
Tuesday	Run 45mins
Wednesday	Bike 45mins Weights
Thursday	Run 45mins
Friday	Bike 45mins Weights
Saturday	Run 25mins Bike 40mins Run 10mins
Sunday	Rest

I really need to start focusing on building my strength in running after cycling.  I managed on Sunday, but I ran pretty slow, it's tough, so need to start practising.

I really want to extend my run lengths and my run times, I want to build up more speed.
And cycling, I find fairly easy, it's certainly harder on a mountain bike which is what I've been using for the duathlons, and I don't have a road bike, or access to a road bike, so I'm going to have to put up with the mountain bike...I could probably really reduce my time with a proper bike.

Anyway, my focus is going to be on running.

So, just to recap last week, I lost 1.7kg, which is crazy, I don't really know where that came from, I didn't eat too badly and I did do some exercise...it worries me though when I have a massive loss that I don't think I deserve cause it usually catches up with me the next week.  But, I hadn't been exercising much due to my ankle for the weeks previous, so it could have just been because I had started exercising again.

Anyway, I best get into the day...wasted most of the morning just trying to get my computer working!!

I'll check in again tomorrow.

Tuesday 24 August 2010

Week 16, Day 2

Run tonight

Well I went to the gym last night and did my 45min ride and weights.  Was really good, had the bike set to random hill so certainly made my thigh muscles work.  Then did my usual weights routine.

Tonight I'm going to push myself to a 45min run.  My last run was 30mins, and I remember feeling once I hit that 30min mark that I would be able to keep going, so I'm going to do it, I'm going to keep going.

So, I ran 5.14km in 30 minutes.
That is roughly 10km per hour, so 6mins per km.

I'm going to aim to run 8km in 45minutes.
That is 5.6mins per km, so a little faster than I last ran.

I've mapped out my route on www.mapmyrun.com so I know exactly where I need to run to make it to 8km's.

It will be interesting to see how far I can go after 30 minutes before I hit another 'hard patch' and struggle to keep going.  I'm naively hoping that after 30 minutes its easy forever haha!

Anyway, that's my plan for today.  I better get into my work because my boss has given me some urgent work to do...

Have a good day, I'll catch ya tomorrow.

Wednesday 25 August 2010

Week 16, Day 3

Didn't run :(

I didn't go for my run yesterday.  I went and got my hair done instead!  Good excuse aye!  My hair was finished about 5.30pm, but it looked so pretty that I didn't want to mess it up by going for a run, it would have got all sweaty and then I would have had to wash it, then it wouldn't have looked like I just walked out of a salon...so I forfeited the run in the name of beauty haha!

So, now that my rest day has theoretically moved to yesterday, from Sunday, then I'll have to change my training programme for this week slightly.  I'll move the missed run to Saturday, and move Saturday's training to Sunday.

Monday	Bike 45mins Weights	DONE
Tuesday	Rest Day
Wednesday	Bike 45mins Weights
Thursday	Run 45mins
Friday	Bike 45mins Weights
Saturday	Run 45mins
Sunday	25min run, 40min bike, 10min run

Tonight I'll stick with the gym and go do my weights and ride.  The stationary bike certainly isn't the same as riding on the road so I need to remember to take one of the work bike's home and go for an outdoor ride this weekend...which I have to do anyway for my 'mini-duathlon' training, now on Sunday.

I would really love to purchase my own bike, a road bike, but I really don't think that is going to be feasible financially... long story but I no longer own a bike at all :( so I'm completely relient on the work bikes - one of which really needs another service...I think one of the brake pads is dragging on the rear wheel - makes it a LOT harder to ride!

Right, well, still flat tack at work so better get back into it.  I'll check in again tomorrow.

Thursday 26 August 2010

Week 16, Day 4

Run tonight!

I did my 45min ride and weights at the gym last night...really need to get my IPod charged cause it's quite boring just cycling away in the gym...I would read a magazine but I then get totally distracted by the magazine and put a real pitiful effort into my cycling.

I'm definitely feeling a lot healthier and fitter, plus, with having lost 11.2kg, I'm also feeling really good about myself.  I'm almost at the halfway point to my goal!  My total goal loss is 25.3kg.  So 12.7kg is halfway...1.5kg more and I'm halfway!

So tonight I am going to do a 45min run, same course I mapped out on Tuesday, that I didn't end up doing. 
8km in 45mins...I think I can do it...

I don't have much else to report so I'll just log-in again tomorrow and let you know how the run that I DID do went!

Have a good day!

Friday 27 August 2010

Week 16, Day 5

Run #1 down

Well, I managed to run the 8km's I had planned, but it took me 50 mins.  I was just quite proud that I made it at all, until my flatmate made a little comment about who he can apparently run 5km in 20 minutes...took my buzz away a little :(

But still, at least I did it, and at least I can run 50 minutes!  Although 8km's in 50mins does seem kind of slow...

What was strange was I didn't seem to get that feeling of being able to keep running forever like I usually do...so maybe I only get that feeling because I know my run is coming to an end???  Shame really...maybe it was just last night...who knows.  Only one way to find out though, and that is to do another run!

I think I might build a couple of shorter, faster runs into my workout.

I do need to build the endurance, to be able to run for a longer period of time, but I think if I build some smaller 20 minute or so 'sprints' it my programme then it may help strengthen my runner legs and increase my speed overall.

Anyway, we are on the cusp of the weekend...really looking forward to this weekend...don't have much planned, but I think that's the exciting part for me!  I haven't had a weekend with nothing to do for ages...I've just got a run to do, and a run/bike/run, plus have a friend down from Taranaki to catch up with, plus got some work to do...but that's really quite an empty weekend compared to what I've had the last few weeks!

So, tomorrow I'm going to attempt another 45min run, and try do the full 8kms within that time...plus, Sunday, will do a 25min run, 40min bike and 10min run.

Will let you know how my times go on Monday!

Have a good weekend!

Week 17

Monday 30 August 2010

Week 17, Day 1

Not so successful weekend :(

I went out for a run Saturday morning but my energy levels were incredibly low...I had a few drinks Friday night, nothing major, but did have a bit of a late one, maybe about 2am by the time I got to bed.  Woke up and felt alright, but I went for a run on an empty stomach and I died at 15 minutes, really had to push hard to make 20 minutes!

So, moral of the story for me, can't run without food...makes sense really...I was just worried that if I left it, sat down and ate, that I wouldn't get up for the rest of the day, I would just crash.

Then yesterday I didn't get out for my little duathlon trial either...was just so exhausted.  I met one of my mates who was down from Taranaki in the city for breakfast, then we did some rounds around the shops, and by the time I got home I was absolutely shattered - shopping always takes it out of me - I think maybe its because a) I don't particularly like shopping, and, b) I always get frustrated cause I can never find anything I like.

So, all-in-all, my weekend amounted to very little exercise wise.

I still managed to lose 500g this week, so I've lost 11.7kg total now.

I didn't sleep at all well last night so I'm going to have tonight off exercise as well.  I think the healthiest thing I could do tonight is actually sleep...I haven't been sleeping that well for a few nights now.

So, the plan for the week is:

Monday	REST
Tuesday	45min run  Weights
Wednesday	REST
Thursday	45min run
Friday	45min bike Weights
Saturday	20min run, 30min bike, 10min run
Sunday	REST

I'm busy Wednesday night hence the night off there as well, and I still want to maintain one day off in the weekend...plus I'm meant to be going out Saturday night, so I think even if I planned something for Sunday, it would pretty much just be written off anyway.

It's still my running that I really need to strengthen so will make sure I still get two runs in there this week.

Well, that's the plan, I will ride home tonight so that will at least be a little exercise for today.

I'll sign in again tomorrow to share any news!

Tuesday 31 August

Week 17, Day 2

Back into it!

Back into it today.  I do feel a LOT better after taking yesterday off.  I left work about 1pm and went home and relaxed, and slept, and actually got a good amount of sleep!

So, with my new found 'awakeness' I am going to go to the gym tonight and do a 45 minute run on the treadmill and weights.  I've finally got my IPod charged and good to go so I'll have my sounds pumping. 

I'm actually looking forward to it...I start to feel a bit 'humphy' (I don't know where that word came from but it seems to describe how I feel) if I don't do any exercise for a while and it always energises me to get back into it.

It has taken me about 2 hours to write this much so far...keep getting distracted, so on that note, as there isn't much to report today since I did pretty much nothing yesterday, I'll just sign off here and catch you again tomorrow!

Wednesday 1 September

Week 17, Day 3

One run done

Well I went to the gym last night and did a 45 minute run on the treadmill - it really is so much easier on the treadmill compared to the road!  And I really enjoyed it on the treadmill compared to the road!  Got a really good sweat up...I managed to run a lot faster than usual for the first 20 minutes too...had a to slow down a bit after that, but was proud of the initial sprint.

Then I did my weights routine...didn't end up leaving the gym til about 7.30pm, although I got there a bit later than usual too.

So, good workout for yesterday.  Today is another rest day as I'm busy tonight then tomorrow is another 45 minute run but I'm going to take that one outside.

I am getting there, I'll keep working away, and I'm hoping eventually running will become a little easier and I won't fight myself every leg of the way.  I was really quite suprised at exactly how much easier the 45 minutes was inside on the treadmill compared to outside.  But it all helps with fitness and does aim towards the same goal in the end.

I best get into the day, got an internal fitness programme starting up today at council and none of the pedomaters are working so mad rush to find new batteries for them all!

Catch ya tomorrow!

Thursday 2 September

Week 17, Day 4

Good night off!

I really enjoyed last night!  Went to a movie - saw 'Inception' and had someone else cook me dinner!  Was awesome!  I could quite easily just go to the movies and have someone else cook for me instead of exercising every night - fantastic trade off!

Tonight I have another run organised, outdoors tonight, need to make sure I do at least one run outside each week I think.  45 minutes planned, it's quite a long run I find, but I've got my Ipod going now so that should help, it seems to help distract me and I get into a better rhythm.  Hopefully the weather behaves and lets me get outside!

I've got a very busy week this week...I realised I won't be able to go to the gym tomorrow night either.  One of my best buddy's is down tomorrow so I'm taking a half day to hang out with her, and as I said earlier in the week, I'm meant to be hitting the town Saturday night, so won't be doing anything Sunday that's for sure - I would have been able to get up and go for a run after a night out maybe 7 or 8 years ago, but definitely not now!

So, with all that in mind, I really should do some weights tonight as well...and make sure I do my run/bike/run on Saturday!  Here's the updated plan...again...

Monday	REST
Tuesday	45min run  Weights
Wednesday	REST
Thursday	45min run Weights
Friday	REST
Saturday	20min run, 30min bike, 10min run
Sunday	REST

I have eaten quite a bit of food this week so I'm hoping there's enough exercise here to counter it...guess I'll find out on Monday!

But I'll log in tomorrow and let you know how my run goes...and whether I managed to get outside or not!

Week 18

Monday 6 September 2010

Week 18, Day 1

Did absolutely nothing!

So, I did absolutely no exercise on the weekend, or Friday for that matter.
I left early on Friday to meet my mate who was down from Dannevirke, and while at the park, watching her 3 year old playing on the playground, my bag including wallet, phone and ipod, and my jacket got stolen...I loved that bag, I am so gutted about that bag!

Anyway, that made for an AWESOME Friday, had to go to the cops.  Other than that though, it was a pretty relaxing weekend.  I didn't end up going into to town, just blobbed out at home.

I was still good with my eating, just didn't exercise.  And still managed to lose 1.1kg, so I'm officially over halfway to my ultimate goal now, 400g over halfway to be exact, so I'm on the downhill now.  Really, it will get harder from here to lose weight because as my body gets closer to its ideal weight, it becomes harder to budge the remaining weight.

So really I'm on the uphill now, and I've already done the downhill.

My exercise plan for this week is:

Monday	22k bike Weights
Tuesday	45min Run
Wednesday	22k bike Weights
Thursday	45min Run
Friday	22k bike Weights
Saturday	30min run, 45min bike, 15min run
Sunday	Rest

And I'm going to stick to it this week...I have really been a bit slack the past few weeks, found it really hard to get right back into my exercise after my ankle and being unable to exercise for a while.

But, I will do it all this week, the duathlon is next weekend so that's only two weeks worth of training to get ready to do the long course, which I'm very nervous about!

I find running in the morning really hard, I seem to be able to run a lot easier in the afternoons, and although I can run generally for about 45mins, when it comes to the duathlon I always struglle hard out with the running...I think maybe it's because it's in the morning...whenever I've tried to train in the morning I've found it really hard.

Anway, I better sign off and get into some serious work...I'm having Thursday, Friday this week and Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday next week off...just for a general holiday, so a lot of work to cram into 3 days!

Catch ya tomorrow.

Wednesday 8 September 2010

Week 18, Day 2

Good run!

Sorry, forgot to login yesterday and post an update!
But man, yesterday, I had the most awesome run!!  I went down by the river, felt like a change to running on the footpath, and it was great.  There were a lot of small hills, up and down, making my legs work harder.  I ran without an ankle brace and the uneven surface really made my ankle work, and hopefully helped strengthen it.

So, I managed to run a full 45 minutes, and for the first time in AGES, it was really easy.  I think the few days break I've taken recently really helped.  I didn't struggle anywhere near as much as I have lately, and I actually enjoyed it again.

I had been thinking the last few days about the runs I used to do up to Birchville all the time, and how easy I found them, and they were all uphill!  And it didn't make sense to me why I had been struggling so much lately with running when I used to do those runs so easily.

Now I know that obviously my body just needed a really good rest.  I was obviously more worn out than I thought, physically.

So, I'm going to calm my workouts down a little - I think I've maybe been pushing myself too hard.

Here's my altered exercise plan for the week from today:

Wednesday	Weights
Thursday	Run 45 mins
Friday	Weights
Saturday	Bike 60 mins
Sunday	REST

I'll see how the run on Thursday goes, I'm not too sure whether Tuesday and Thursday are too close together for a couple of runs, but we will see.

Anyway, I'm going to go off to do my weights now, lunchtime :)

I'll log in again tomorrow...have a great avo!

Week 19

Tuesday 14 September 2010

Week 19, Day 2

I'm on holiday!

I forgot to tell you that I'm on leave!  Hence the non-writing...have been on leave since Thursday, and have done absolutely nothing.

When I decided to take some time off, I thought, yeah, I'll relax and chill out, but I'll still eat healthy and do a bit of exercise...pffttt...I've done nothing!  And I've eaten a LOT!!!!

I put on 400g this week...not too bad I guess for the amount of junk-eating I've done!

But, took my measurements, and they are slightly down...here's the losses month-on-month:

	July	August	September	TOTAL:
Neck	-2.5cm	+0.3cm	-0.3cm	-2.5cm
Bust	-6.0cm	-1.5cm	-3.5cm	-11.0cm
Waist	-3.1cm	-4.4cm	-2.3cm	-9.8cm
Hips	-3.8cm	-3.8cm	-2.1cm	-9.7cm
Butt	-2.3cm	-3.7cm	-6.8cm	-12.8cm
Left Arm	-1.7cm	+0.1cm	-2.1cm	-3.7cm
Right Arm	-2.3cm	-0.5cm	-0.4cm	-3.2cm
Left Thigh	-2.5cm	-3.8cm	-1.2cm	-7.5cm
Right Thigh	-3.6cm	-1.8cm	-1.4cm	-6.8cm
Left Calf	-1.8cm	+0.1cm	-0.3cm	-2.0cm
Right Calf	-1.4cm	+0.2cm	-0.5cm	-1.7cm

So, have really lost quite a few centimetres off my body!  A lot off my midsection which is awesome, especially my waist and hips.

Well, we are coming up to the last and final duathlon...I'm a little nervous about it, running with all the pro's...I think I'll probably come last, but I'll really just be stoked if I finish it!

Anyway, I'll login again when I'm back at work on Thursday...keep training and have a good couple of days till next time!

Thursday 16 September 2010

Week 19, Day 4

Back at work :(

So, I'm back at work today, and man it was hard to pull myself out of bed!  I procrastinated so much, then took forever to get to work!

But, I'm here, and back into it.  Got a LOT of catching up to do, and of course, the duathlon long course is constantly on my mind...I haven't really done any decent training since Wednesday last week, and my last run was Tuesday last week!  By the time the duathlon comes round, it will be a week and a half since I've done a run.

So, now I'm stuck as to whether I go for a run today or tomorrow, or whether that is too close to the actual duathlon.  I will go and do a weights workout today at lunchtime because I haven't done anything in so long now that I just at least need the energy boost that comes from working out.

I've got an appointment this afternoon so I won't have a chance to workout tonight, so if I decide to go for a run, it will need to be tomorrow, either lunch or after work.  I'm going out of town Saturday, so it's likely I won't get a chance to workout then either...it really is a juggling act isn't it!  I can't imagine having children as well...trying to balance work and family - I certainly admire those of you who do it!

Anyway, I really need to get into my work and try and catch up, so I'll check in with you again tomorrow.