Highlights

This week has been busy with 'events' - I have finished my over-time extravaganza at work, Niamh and I went to the farm with Vikki and her babies, the biglets had their school summer fete and I have been making the most of the turbo! Here are the highlights of my week in pictures..

Thanks for reading clanettes, enjoy your sunny weekend xx

The new normal..

This week has felt 'normal'. I haven't taken a single pain killer for at least 3 or 4 days - I didn't even notice when I stopped needing to take them! Things still feel 'weird', but there is no internal structural pain and I didn't notice when that became normal either!

I have been to the gym 3 times this week and I'm going to Aquafit tonight. I have been for a swim too, and managed 14 lengths, over the initial 6, before it became 'uncomfortable'. I am doing more and more at the gym, yesterday I warmed up 15 mins on the exercise bike, 15 mins elliptical trainer, 15 mins stepper, then a cool down on the hand bike and exercise bike. Some stretching and done. I properly got my sweat on and IT FELT GREAT!! I feel great! I put 12lbs on during the course of everything (8lbs of that must be the screws right?! 1lb a screw!), and I've already lost 5 of them.. I love going to the gym, I love feeling high on effort and I love not having to watch what I eat.

Whilst at the gym yesterday, I decided I feel a bit like a fledgling bird when it comes to running.. An adolescent eagle maybe, a big bird anyway. I am big enough to be able to fly, I know I should be able to fly, but I haven't tested it yet and it is scary. No one 'official' or 'professional' has told me I can't or shouldn't run, but there is something inside me that has so far stopped me from having a go.. but I can feel the hesitation leaving me and I hope it won't be long until I'm brave enough to start on the C25K again.

Being pain free and feeling good is quite timely really - Work starts on Saturday!! How quickly did that time fly! I am feeling mixed emotions about it, equally excited and terrified. I'll let you know how I get on - keep your fingers crossed for me at 10am on Saturday.

Last night Vikki and Elle spontaneously came round in the evening, and we made some button jewellery. What really pleased me, besides their company, was that it was so NORMAL! I love normal! The last crafting session I hosted I couldn't move by the end of the evening and clearing up was hideous. (Ironically, when you look at the post, I didn't mention my back at all!)

Anyway, I made a little necklace - thanks for the picture Vikki!

So. I guess you could say my week is upbeat this week. I am loving normal, I am loving being pain free and I am loving the endless possibilities. Long may it last!

Looking forward - sport

Paul and I have been looking to next year and setting ourselves some goals. After 3 weeks out of the game (aka gym!) I am feeling pretty de-motivated and so I really enjoyed our planning session last night - in front of a warm roaring fire, with bacon sandwiches, amazing apple cake courtesy of a visit from my family, in the coziness of our lounge. Win win. (See Vikki, I can own up to the less than virtuous food :-)

Swimming:
I had thought to enter an open water swim triathlon next year, but I have decided that this is perhaps bigger than I want for next year, when my primary goal is still cycling based. My swimming is good, although I maintain breaststroke, and I improve and improve, but it still isn't open water swimming worthy.
To this end I have decided to find a local lesson or two for adults who want to improve their stroke and technique.
I have promised myself that next summer I will endeavour to do some beach swimming.

Cycling:
100 miles in one go, during one sportif is my over whelming urge and goal next year. I love my bike and all the miles I do on her, she is my steed! I have decided to enter the New Forest Spring Sportive, doing the 'epic' route of 86 miles... Eeeeeeeeeeeeek. Let me reiterate. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKK. Emma and I booked the 50 mile 'standard' route this time last year and that was frightening. This feels on a par with that. I am further on than I was, I recognise that, but this is 20 miles further than I have done so far and its winter.. Dreaded cycling weather. BUT! Paul and I are gifting ourselves a turbo trainer for Christmas. The shed is fully kitted out and a perfect space for making the best use of a turbo trainer, and this one is our current favorite - although we will wait for the after Christmas sales before committing.
The autumn will see me enter my 100 mile race.. But dates haven't been released yet.

Running:
I continue to aim for 5k in 30 mins. My PB still stands at 5k in 33mins. I know that once I get back out there it won't be long before I can achieve it. I plan to maintain my running and vary my distance. 7k is a standard run for me right now, so extending that will be part of my plan. Continuing with my endurance will pay dividends once I get back into brick training come the spring.

Triathlon:
Initially Paul and I were very excited about the Festival of Sport, held in September in Cornwall. But the event has been cancelled (plus any triathlon there would have been open water swimming) so I have chosen two other initial triathlons for next year - a local one in Fareham (this years details can be found here, next year hasn't been confirmed yet) and I am going to go back to Henley (see here), now I know what to expect, to see what I can do about improving my time.

Paul's goals include a half distance iron man in August. The event is called 'The Eirias' and he plans to compete with our friend Dylan. A great challenge! My parents have kindly agreed to have the kidlets for two nights, so Paul and I are going to Wales for three days with Dylan and Jo - Jo is his wife, a friend I made when Bebe was born. I have mentioned her blog before, but you should go and check out her amazing feats here. They have four children, so it shall be slightly crazy that we will be without all seven kidlets for two nights! Bring on the wine. Ahem. I mean, bring on the training! Bring on the cheering!

Then in September Paul has entered 'Challenge Henley' which is a full distance Iron Man. C-r-a-z-y distances, not for the faint hearted.

I'm really excited by the initial plans we have made, and I am looking forward to getting back to training this weekend! On Sunday I shall make my come-back. A 5k run followed by a swim. Hasta la vista baby!

What are your plans for next year?

Weekly round up

A great exercise week here. I have felt strong and 'constant' during every session, I just feel capable at the moment - do you know what I mean?!

Monday
As I posted at the time, I ran a new PB at the gym on Monday night on the treadmill. 5k in 33mins. Followed by a swim. 32 lengths in 25mins.

Tues, Weds,
'rest' days


Thurs
I went back to the gym without a plan really, just to go and burn some cals. I had a great session on the exercise bike. I warmed up for 15 mins, broke myself for half an hour and then cooled down for 15 mins and totalled 20K.

A typically sweaty shot of me

And one of the amazing supper I had when I got back. 2 crumpets, soaked in one egg, and dry fried with bacon and drizzled with honey. Hello goodness!

Friday and Saturday
'rest' days

Sunday
I have decided that Sunday mornings are my favourite workout of the week. I spend all week thinking about when I can fit in a session (and then dreading it!) that I really enjoy that for 2 hours on a Sunday morning its all mine and all about me. No rush, no stress, just me and my ability.
Today I met Lucy at 7.30am and we went for a run. IT WAS COLD. 0 degrees to be precise! My lungs wheezed up, my thighs froze and I wondered what on earth we were doing. Then the sun came out and all was right with the world. 

I managed to end my workout 1k before the end, frustrating, so the end of the run is logged separately.

I followed the run with a swim and set my second PB this week. 30 lengths in 17 mins. I am delighted!

This morning would have been the perfect time to take some amazing photos of running in the frosty sun, but naturally I didn't have my phone. So you'll have to make do with a shot of the snack I ate when I got back - Cottage cheese, apple slices and rye crisp bread. Yummers!

W/E 18.11.12
Cycle: 20k (12miles)
Run: 10k (2 x 5k runs)
Swim: 1550m (1 x 800 and 1 x 750m sessions)

New PB

I ran 5k in 33 mins tonight and then swam 32 lengths! Boooooyah! Or some such similar term that also means "What ho chaps, I'm somewhat pleased with myself!"

Best ever time.. Speed '9' on the treadmill for 4.8k and then speed '10' for the final .2k just to make it end.. And I didn't die..! Win..!

That 30 minute dream gets a bit closer every time I run.. Oh yeah! See my happy, if slightly tired, dance! Whoop whoop!

Ahem.. Thanks for reading and indulging me x x

Weekly round up

Pretty low key exercise week here - far too pre-occupied!!

Monday
Nice easy swim: 25 metre pool x 30 lengths = 750m in 25mins

Tues, Weds, Thurs and Fri
'rest' days

Saturday
Early morning 5k run over in the park, it was nice and mild - if wet!

A good even pace really - the two speed dips were for dog walkers, annoying because it may well have been under 33mins without them and that would have been a new time PB. It was a tough run though, in terms of my head space. I really struggled to get myself round. Laps of the park are no different really to running on a treadmill - bit samey, boring even, but a good constant to train with. I have created a good new running play list, so I had music motivation, I just struggled to get the job done - after each lap my head told me to go home, rather than to get the next lap done! Frustrating!

Sunday
Today Lucy and I went to the gym for opening, we had a cycle, then Lucy went on the tread mill and I couldn't face another run today, so I used the posh stepper and then we had a swim. The pool is quite busy on a Sunday, the fast lane is quite fast (compared to a Monday night ladies only session for example) so I thought I'd have a go in the medium lane. The medium lane was just slow enough to be annoying, so I slipped into the fast land and killed myself trying to avoid being hugely annoying to all the people going faster than me! A great swim!

A friend of mine Jo, writes a great blog about her exercise exploits and I wanted to shout her out - Jo inspires me in many ways and not just with exercise, although she definitely inspires me to swim harder, and with different pool music! This post here really sums up how I feel about running and cycling too. I NEVER thought I would be able to run, let alone enjoy it (sometimes!), and although re cycling, I am perhaps less of a rabbit watcher on a summers evening and more of a peloton wanna-be, I can really relate to her musings.
You have achieved great things in the last few weeks Jo, you are already a triathlete!

W/E 11.11.12
Cycled: 10k (6miles)
Run: 5k
Swim: 1500m (2 sessions)
Gym: Elliptical machine, 1k's worth of stepping 

Winter acceptance peeps! Accept it's (almost) winter, modify how you train and get the job done!

Weekly round up

Clanettes! I need a snazzy new name for my training posts! GFFE is over, but I have decided to keep myself motivated by tracking my training and 'Weekly round up' just doesn't cut the mustard! Come on, please help, leave your suggestions in the comments and the best one wins all the kudos.

I set up a competition on Motoactv to see who could do the most miles (running and cycling) in November, but no one is interested over there - anyone here fancy a bit of friendly banter?  can just track one or the other if you prefer? Let me know!

So, training this week.

Mon, Tues and Weds were rest days after my epic week last week, (I loved that Daily Mile emailed me to congratulate me on my 'gnarly training' last week! Hell yeah!) whilst we visited my parents. The children have been on half term, and we got up back at home on Thursday morning and I was over taken by a NEED to burn off some steam and go for a run - so we all went!

There is a park with a track over the road from us, we can see it from our house its so close. The running track was specifically put in for people to run on. Its exactly 200m from start point to finish point and 25laps is 5k.

Lochie and I took it in turns to push Niamh (who was eating her breakfast!) in the pushchair, Lochie did the whole thing with me (he also took a nimble tumble on his botty taking a corner to quickly!), and Bebe did some amazing cheering.

So it wasn't my fastest or most focused run, but it was great fun - we had even convinced Bebe by the end!

Vikki lives over-looking the park, and we waved to her as we went home. She kindly offered to save the kidlets from the same fate on Friday morning and let them seek refuge at hers, whilst I went and did another run.

Friday morning was tough. It was freezing, and my lungs wheezed up immediately. I chose a silly route that wasn't long enough, and included two big inclines which totally wiped me out. Then to get to 5k I had to finish with 5 laps of the track. Frustrating!

This morning I decided to make it a trio and I headed off to the gym, where I cycled 10k and ran 5k. Tomorrow is a rest day, so for this week, I am done!

W/C 03/11/12
Cycled: 10k (6m)
Run: 15k (9m)
Swim: 0

Get Fit, Feel Epic - You can do it!

Its fair to say I am feeling the wear! I am seriously fatigued! I am fit for me, fit for my life, however I am not fit in the greater sense of the word. I'm a 5k run, one decent bike ride, couple of swims a week kinda girl.. I am not a 19k down 5k still to run kinda girl..!

  

But as Rob Schnieder would tell Adam Sandler - You can do it! So come on Clanettes, yell encouragingly at your computer/phone/generic hand held device "Come on Sarah, you can do it"

On Monday, my mini goals for the next 6 days, in order to complete the GFFE challenges I set 8 weeks ago, were:
Run 17km (10 miles)
Cycle 36 miles

I posted on Thursday, detailing my 7k beach run and 15 mile (17 actually once my route was uploaded) bike ride, leaving 10k to run and 19miles to cycle..

Paul is still on annual leave and today, whilst the biglets were at school and Niamh played with her besty, he took me to his gym to motivate me through a workout with him. I ran 5k, cycled 4 miles and just for the stretch, I followed it up with swimming 16 lengths. IT WAS HARD.

My thighs are  r e a l l y  feeling it, so we started with the run just to get it the hell over!

Then I needed to get 4 miles done on the spinning bike, to make sure that I have my distances covered off - the handle bars and screen look a bit different to my road bike!

What I really love about Paul's gym (MUCH posher than mine!) apart from the shampoo/conditioner/shower gel that is provided in the showers, is the touch screen music videos on the treadmill.

As we hit the weekend, with 2 days left, I have 15 miles to cycle and 5k left to run.  Not a particularly stretching weekend for me - usually - but I am so so weary that I questioned myself this afternoon. When on earth have I ever done anything like this before? And what on earth am I doing right now? Why do I neeeeed to achieve the targets I set myself??

Its so important to me because its another milestone. Further proof of the distance I have travelled from the me I didn't want to be anymore, at the start of the year. The shallow truth of it, is that I look at the photos of me on the spinning bike above and I don't recognise myself. I certainly don't see her when I look in the mirror. She looks like a slim lady, one who keeps herself in shape, she would possibly be someone I might look at in the gym and admire. Surely that's not me?

So. 15 miles on my bike. 5k in my trainers and a whole heap of self esteem. See you at the finish line x x

New Forest Sportive

Thank you to everyone who offered me support in facing my fears for the the sportive yesterday.  Your support via this blog, and in 'real life' means the world to me and I really appreciate you taking the time to contact me.

I suppose the best way to start is to say I DID IT!!  I DID IT!! YAY ME!! Yesterday I cycled 66 miles (106KM!) through the New Forest, at an average speed of 14.2 (the .2 is important!) miles per hour.

The day really started the night before, when I picked the kidlets up from school and we drove to where Paul works in Basingstoke (half way between our house and my parents house) and met my parents for a kidlet drop off. Once my parents had taken them back to their house for the night, I waited for Paul to finish work and then we drove home together.  So very weird to be in a car without children.  Even more weird to be in a house without children.  Everything was so very quiet, almost as though the house was missing its heart beat - an unconscious noise needed for daily life!

Anyway, Paul takes cycling prep very seriously, and since I didn't feel 100% certain about my ability we decided that food was going to be key to fuelling me round.  So we spent a nice evening pottering around, sorting food into transportable quantities and making sure we were ready for an early start on Saturday morning.  The rain poured down over night, the wind was so loud it woke me up several times and each time I wondered if the weather was going to be hideous for the ride.

However, the morning dawned dry, if cloudy, and very cold.  Totally managable - a big relief if I'm honest!

 

Since we didn't have any child seats to worry about, we decided to transport the bikes in the car, rather than with the rack and Paul just had to re-attach the front wheels once we were there.

I started the ride in my waterproof jacket and long gloves to keep the wind chill off - it was pretty cold, but the cloud soon cleared and the sun came out. One of the many good things about riding with Paul is his ability to take photos whilst on the move!

Another of the many good things about riding with Paul is his ability to sort punctures!  I had two (yes 2!) within the first three (yes 3!) miles.  Soul destroying!!  The 2nd puncture broke our tyre irons and had there been a 3rd puncture we weren't sure if we'd have been able to change it on our own.  Paul is such an avid tyre changer that when we pass cyclists who look like they are having bike issues, he always slows down and asks if they need any help.  Two seperate groups needed help whilst we were out so that by the time we had finished, Paul had been involved in resolving 4 punctures. You cycle the length of Britain without issue, but have 4 stops through the New Forest!

The route was beautiful.  Stunning. Through old woodland and open gorse land.  Just spectacular. Plenty of horses, donkeys and cows roaming around and we crossed two fords.

Yesterday was pretty epic for me.  The last 10 miles were tough. We really picked up the speed for the last 4 miles and I attempted a sprint finish.  I also sobbed my way through those last 4 miles.  Nothing new for me, I know!! By that time I was totally done and I would have happily walked to the finish.  Paul kept feeding me jelly babies and encouraging me on but 6 hours 10 mins in the saddle is a long time and I really felt it.

This is the route as logged by my Motoactv watch. You can see the flat lines where we stopped and so skewed our average speed. You can also see I got over 25 mph for my sprint finish. 

I so completely exhausted last night, I was in bed half an hour after the kidlets! But I was (and am!) so so pleased with myself. 66 miles! Such a milestone for me.  I was trying to explain to my Dad that I love being on my bike, and once I'm out I don't really notice the time or the miles done, so I didn't really notice the 66 miles slip by.. Does that make sense? When I run I clock every half KM and wish myself to the end, but cycling isn't like that.  Yes I was dead at the end, yes I was pushed to my absolute limit and I so so pleased to reach the finish, but its only served to make me think I can absolutely train for 80 miles in the spring and 100 miles next autumn.. Yesterday would have been so much easier for me a few weeks ago.  Yet more proof of the ease with which training slips away.

I was really excited to wake up this morning and find we were featured in one of the publicity shots from yesterday!

Many thanks to my amazing parents for having the children and giving them such an exciting sleep over. Missed you yesterday Daddy, I hope we can do more events next year.

Huge and massive congratulations to Emma and Kay for completing their chosen ride yesterday.  Absolutely gutted to have missed you at either end, but that doesn't detract from my pride!  Well done.  Seriously Emma, new bike, new goal.. I need you with me!

Paul. What can I say. I loved cycling with you yesterday, and I loved all the time for talking. As ever, you 'manage' me like a pro and always know what I need - even when I'm not entirely sure what I need.  Love you x x

So, now then Rach.. 2 weeks til the next one! Which looks to be a little tougher..  Less miles, more hills..! Clanettes, have a look at the South Downs route here! I am on it like a car bonnet...!

The Fear

So. This Saturday sees my last challenge of the year (well actually its not now (more on that later) but it's the last of my original planned challenges this year!). A 66 mile cycling sportive through the New Forest.

http://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/wiggle-new-forest-100-saturday-sportive-2012/

I am terrified. Excited. But mostly terrified.

This will be my 4th cycling sportive this year, my 5th event including the Tri, and my longest cycling distance ever. Full stop. 

I am particularly terrified because I haven't done any real distance on my bike for several weeks. The last two weeks have seen me do absolutely no exercise whatsoever, bar the 20 mile ride with the puncture last weekend. And then to round it off, my stomach, whilst healing nicely, is still bruised and not happy with the invention known as a 'waist band'.

Paul is cycling with me, he has stepped in to take the place of my Dad, who has an ongoing back injury. Emma, my original sportive partner, has decided to take on the 43 mile challenge instead and I totally understand and support her decision. Yet I am still determined to complete 66 miles.

Why on earth do I NEED to do 66 miles on Saturday?! Maybe I am slightly crazy (that's a given, right!) and maybe its a secret knowledge that I CAN do it (can I?!), but more than that, I think its probably that I need to keep upping my goals and keep proving to myself that I am capable of going the distance.  If I don't have a goal, whats the point?  The last couple of weeks have been frightening from a sitting on the sofa getting used to evenings in again perspective.  I have thought about how easy it would be to just not do any exercise again.  Its a routine, I know that.  Once you're doing it, you're in the routine and I enjoy it. I love how I feel after exercise.  But once I'm on the sofa enjoying a routine of sitting..  It gets easy to say 'tomorrow'..  And that only leads me backwards 10 months. I don't want to be her - I am NOT her anymore.

With that in mind, to keep my momentum (once I find it again - I am determined!), we have been looking at our goals for next year, and I am tentatively thinking about finding an 80 mile sportive in the spring, a couple of Triathlons during the summer and then going for 100 mile sportive next autumn..  I am still thinking about a half marathon, the thought of a warm winter on a treadmill really does appeal, but I just love my bike and running really isn't the same!

Anyway.  The Kidlets are going to my parents house over night tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday is do or die.  Paul will be with me, loaded with encouragement and food and even if it takes all day, I will complete.  As he says, we'll go and have a cycle, enjoy the time together, follow the route round and it'll be done before we know it.  True.

 Wish me luck Clanettes x x

Summary on Sunday

Hello Clanettes. 
Its been a quiet week. I have been full of rest and re-couperation and I am looking forward to putting this week behind me, and moving forward into October.

We have had a busy weekend - here is a snap shot in photos!

A trip to the park on Saturday for Bebe to trial a new bike without stabilisers..

Lochie, just like his Daddy, loving any oportunity to get out on his bike

Niamhy New - she who strung the words 'more' and 'please' together this weekend.  Love this age.

Then, because you know cycling isn't enough for us Christies, a jog was the order of the day.  Lochie did 1km at the same pace I do..  Something needs work!

Beautiful Brenna Broc

Sisters having a jog

 Push-ups

 Sit-ups

Turkey bolognaise, corn on the cob and brocolli went down a treat this lunch time!

Bebe starts having lunch at school tomorrow, so today we baked chocolate flap jack to go in their packed lunch. Thank you to Jo for passing on the recipe - it is delicious!

Its tradition for The Christies to swap Sabbat wreaths with The Tippers, and I mention it frequently - particularly in this post here.  Anyway, this week Lucy was her amazing and generous self and not only furnished my front door with an amazing autumnally perfect wreath for Mabon, but she also did her own because I was dis-organised, re-couperating and pathetic. Thank you Lucy x x

And then, because we all know I am on a quest to find the perfect cup of herbal tea (in a glass tankard!) - the lovely Vikki spoiled me this week with two new varieties.  Echinacea for healing and a chilli version of my usual chai - yummers!



























I also wanted to give some mahoosive exercise related shout outs!! 

To Paul.  I am going to need you to motivate me round next week! I really want to do it as fast as I can.  No matter what I might say on the day - I can and I will.  Love you x x

To Lucy. For running 10 miles.  Mind blowing.  I am so very very proud of you x x

To Rachel. Here's to cycling, to hills, to turbo training and to glasses of wine. Here's to the 21st of October x x