Get Fit, Feel Epic - Final summary

That's it Clanettes! It's done! It's over! The challenge that is Get Fit, Feel Epic is finished!

On Saturday I went to the gym with my friend Suzie and we ran 5k and cycled 6miles, and then on Sunday morning I went out and cycled my final 10 miles.

Please join me as I yell from the roof tops "I reached all of my targets!". I overcame day surgery and 2 weeks of recuperation to come back and absolutely smash it this week, and the pay off is big - I've done what I said I would, I've fulfilled my obligations to myself and I couldn't be happier.

My goals were:
1) Cycle 300 miles during the 8 weeks - I have cycled 301 miles (484km!!)
2) Run 60km (37 miles) in the next 8 weeks - I have run 60km
3) Swim at least 12 times during the challenge - After 4 weeks I swam twice
3) A 45 mile sportive on the 21st October and associated training. Done!
4) Yoga - I am a stretch-a-holic!
5) Eat right -  80/20 is a win in my book!

I have stats and photos and routes coming out of my ears, but I don't think I need to show you them all for the umpteenth time. This round up is about me and what the challenges have taught me.

What have I learnt? I have learnt that however and whatever you plan for, sometimes it doesn't turn out as you hoped. I had planned on running 7.5k, cycling 35miles and swimming twice a week.. Pretty easy in my head..  I didn't plan on hospital and lack of training. But what I did do was pick myself up, dust myself down and crack on.  So all of my efforts were pretty end loaded, and I certainly didn't expect to have to run 24k in the last week - but that's ok because I got the job done.

Going forward:

• I think I will stick with a weekly round up. I like seeing what I have achieved, or haven't achieved during the week, it motivates me.

• I have set up a November challenge on Motoactv but you don't need to use Motoactv to track your training, you could just join me. The challenge is to rack up some miles by running and cycling, and see who can go the furthest in November..  Come on, you know you can beat me!

• I have realised that running is a mindset. I started running because I wanted to do a triathlon this year. It was a means to an end. By 14k this week I thought I couldn't do it, it just plain hurt, but by 23k with 1k left to do, I knew I could. Now I want to do some interval training to get faster.. I don't think I'll ever be a distance runner, I love my bike too much, but I am pretty sure I can be a faster runner. Long term, 5k in 30mins would be amazing!

And now for my cheesy Oscars inspired acceptance speech:

Thanks so much for spurring me on through the last 8 weeks Clanettes. Thanks to my family and friends, for the babysitting and the encouragement. Thanks to everyone who has read and left me a comment, you have helped me more than you know. Sometimes its easier to receive a compliment from an internet friend who you haven't met in real life, than it is to hear the positive truth from your own family.

I feel amazing right now, hugely epic! I could take on the world - well, after couple of rest days maybe!

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

Get Fit, Feel Epic - Mid week update!

Happy Thursday Clanettes!

Thanks again to Weight Wars and Moneysupermarket.com for hosting this challenge!

I talked about completing my goals on Monday, GFFE ends this weekend and when I posted on Monday I had 36 cycling miles and 17 running kilometres outstanding..

Along with discovering I enjoy being slimmer, cycling, running and swimming this year, I also discovered that I like making a goal.. Meeting a target.. Arriving at a destination.

There is no way I could let GFFE end without trying my absolute hardest to make up for the two weeks I had out whilst I was recuperating from my hospital stay.

To this end, I have so far cycled 15 miles this week, and I ran 7k yesterday. The rest of my week includes a 5k run on Friday, a 19 mile bike ride on Saturday and then another 5k run on Saturday.. If I can achieve this, I will have achieved everything I set out to achieve 8 weeks ago.

To help me on my way yesterday, whilst the biglets were at school, Paul and Niamh took me to the beach to give me a new and different run route, they took loads of lovely pics of me looking especially sweaty and then treat me to breakfast in a lovely Cafe - you guessed it, whilst I was especially sweaty! I LOVED IT!

We drove to Lee-on-Solent and I briefly warmed up in the car park, whilst Paul and Niamh prepared to hit the beach..

And off I plodded. Can we all join me in my mini whooping - here is proof that I have a calf muscle!  The first time I have ever seen it! Hello Mr Calf Muscle!

3.5k out, 3.5k back, and I was delighted to find I had been 5 mins quicker then I was on Monday.

7k in 50 mins is a GREAT time for me! (I love the irony of me here, running over a 'no cycling' sign.. No cycling? Gasp! Sacrilege!)

Then, with me looking my best in day-glo, I was whisked off to the tea shop, where we had lattes and apple juice and shared scrambled eggs on toast - the egg is evident in Niamh's mouth above! Paul partook in a bacon sandwich.

If you read my blog often, you will know that I love tracking stuff and recording my progress and congratulating myself - and why not! But what I discovered today is that Daily mile is a very handy tool in this process.

I use Daily Mile because I like the blog widget I have over there, on the right hand side, back at the top of the page ---->

This screen shot shows all my runs since I embarked on the GFFE 8 week challenge..

You can clearly see I am getting faster! I was fluctuating around the mid 8 min kilometre back in Sept, and now I hover around the low to mid 7min kilometre.. I can not tell you how this kind of statistic makes me immensely happy! Proof that me flogging myself is paying off! Ha ha ha, good job you already know my little nuances eh, or you'd start thinking me a weirdo....!

And just because they also offered me this info, here are some more daily mile stats relating to my running over the last 8 weeks:

50.36 Total KM

6.50 Total Time

2 Lbs Burned

9 Total Workouts

0.00 Around World

89.17 TVs Powered

1.65 Gas Saved

52.93 Donuts Burned

Anyway, I digress. Upshot is, I had a lovely time yesterday and I am determined to complete my GFFE goals this week - come hell or high water and other Kidlet related challenges!

Get Fit, Feel Epic - Week 8

Its the last week! We have flown through this 8 week challenge and I have really enjoyed myself, seeing what everyone else has been up to and keeping myself motivated!

Re-capping my goals:
1) Cycle 300 miles during the 8 weeks - as we head to the finish line I have cycled 264.32 miles
I am so delighted with myself and I am entirely confident I can manage 36 miles this week!

This was a brief leg stretcher last Thursday

 This was a pretty epic hilly sportive!! I am yet to blog of yesterdays exploits, but its coming!

2) Run 60km (37 miles) in the next 8 weeks -  I have run 43km as we hit the final days (26mi)
I ran 7k this morning, and because it was before I wrote this narrative, I am going to shoe horn it into last week. 

3) Swim at least 12 times during the challenge - After 4 weeks I swam twice
3) A 45 mile sportive on the 21st October and associated training.
Oh yeah! done and done!! And can you please note the size of this hill! I had to get off for a section of it and walk - utter madness!

4) Yoga - I am a stretch-a-holic!

5) Eat right - I AM STILL IN THE ZONE! Oh yeah!   

Your challenge this week: A good old fashioned scavenger hunt...take pictures of  (and be inventive)
1. You after a workout

This was me this morning after running 7k! Sweaty!

2. A piece of fitness equipment

Our foam roller. Paul discovered this on the RAB. It basically allows you to massage yourself by rolling on it.. genius!

3. Where you sleep

Our bed, covered in my beloved eiderdown, a gift from my sister. I sleep on the left, my pillow is lower than Paul's because I have an amazing memory foam thing - he doesn't. You can just make out the wall hanging behind the bed which was made my the amazing Lucy with the help of my other Friends for my blessingway, aka babyshower, for Niamh.

4. Favourite Movie

 Best film EVER!

 5. Your source of inspiration

I inspire me. These medals inspire me - yes they are just finisher medals, but I earnt them, I started some things that I often wondered if I'd be able to finish, but by jingo I did. I am proud of myself!

6. Something that makes you happy

 A well thought out, expertly executed and amazingly decorated cupcake makes me happy!

7. Nature

My Mabon wreath made from nature, hangs on my front door

 
8. Something you've grown or created

This is my favorite piece of 'art' that we still have in the house. I love this wall hanging and it sits above the computer desk.

9. Something you really should stop

 My chocolate addiction needs work!

10. Something new that you love

If there was a fire, and Paul and the children were safe, I'd grab my boots and my bike and high tail it!

Its the last week Clanettes! I have some big plans - I am going to try and make the mileage I laid out in the beginning.. so I have 36 miles to cycle and a few miles to run..  CAN I DO IT? YES I CAN! Watch this space for a round up next week and my thoughts on what to do next x x

Get Fit, Feel Epic - Week 7

Thanks to Weight Wars and Moneysupermarket.com for hosting the last 8 weeks.  As we move into the final stretch I am feeling totally Epic!
This last week has been a tough week in terms of my ongoing post-op recovery. Swimming with Niamh last week, followed by 7 hours in sweaty lycra and a lot of physical exersion last Saturday gave me poorly stitches and I finally dragged myself to the drs last Monday for some antibiotics - you know you're in trouble when you gently knock your pushchair and cry out in pain.. Infected stitches are no laughing matter! Anyway, I pushed through as ever.

Lets re-cap my goals:
1) Cycle 300 miles during the 8 weeks - After 7 weeks I have cycled 209.52 miles
I have had an epic cycling week and couldn't physically cram any more in, cycling 67 miles! I am back in my cycling zone with a bang and am only dissapointed that I won't manage 90 miles this coming week, our last week, to meet my overall goal! I shall however, cram in as much as possible.

So, Monday was a turbo session (read about it here), and I have allowed 6 miles for the session - who actually knows how far we did or didn't do. Tuesday was a short ride to and from a run session, a round trip of 6.5miles. Saturday was a 15 mile ride with my friends Emma and Suzie, then Sunday was a 40 mile ride with Skyride. I have been one lucky lady for company this week.

The Skyride crew last Sunday.  It was a glorious day, although VERY cold in the beginning, the sun soon came out. I know I've said it before, but you really SHOULD find a Skyride local to you!

2) Run 60km (37 miles) in the next 8 weeks - After 7 weeks I have run 36km (22.5mi)
I put my running shoes back on last Tuesday and gritted my way through a very wet 5k. Running and waist bands didn't agree with my poorly wounds, so I didn't do another run this week. I was pleased that my time was pretty average for me though, so two weeks away hadn't impacted hugely. Yay!

3) Swim at least 12 times during the challenge - After 4 weeks I swam twice
3) A 45 mile sportive on the 21st October and associated training. I'd say I successfully trained my newly trimmer botty off this week ready for next Sunday.


4) Yoga - Stretching has been hard this week, any sort of pressure on my tummy has hurt.

5) Eat right - I AM IN THE ZONE! Oh yeah!   

Last weeks challenge!  Push ups. They are a great functional movement and you can improve your strength really quickly.
Day 1 - Do as many push ups as you can. 
Day 2 - 6 - Try and add more each day
Write down all your results and your progress all through the week! 

I wasn't able to complete this challenge, the very act of getting down on the floor and then pushing using anything like my stomach muscles was excruiating for the first few days of last week.  I did however do a token 6 pushups on Saturday and Sunday as I started to feel better, I added these into my morning yoga.

 

Your challenge this week: A good old fashioned scavenger hunt...take pictures of  (and be inventive)
1. You after a workout
2. A piece of fitness equipment
3. Where you sleep
4. Favourite Movie
5. Your source of inspiration
6. Something that makes you happy
7. Nature
8. Something you've grown or created
9. Something you really should stop
10. Something new that you love

I'm a bit of photo addict, this is a great challenge, I am on it like a car bonnet! 

Get Fit, Feel Epic - Week 5 PART TWO

Last night I went Turbo training with Rachel, in her garage!  This was my version of last weeks GFFE challenge - work out to a TV progamme.  We cycled to an episode of 'Supernatural'.  In laymans terms a 'turbo' is a treadmill for a bike, allowing you to mount your bike in such a way that you can ride it without going anywhere. Perfect for dark winter evenings, when you want the best of both worlds - a bike ride AND the TV!

You can see here that the bike is mounted on a roller and spins as you pedal.  You can increase the resistance by squeesing the cable seen here on the floor attached to turbo on the right -once the bike is in position, the cable sits on the handle bar for ease of use.

 It gets quite hot work!  Two fans make for a cooling breeze, and the TV was a great distraction.

And my turbo partner in crime, Rach, known to the Kidlets as Rae Rae.

I really enjoyed to the session and look forward to many more over the winter!
GFFE is hosted by by Rebecca over at Weight Wars.

Get Fit, Feel Epic - Week 5 PART ONE

We are into week 6 of the 8 week challenge, being hosted by by Rebecca over at Weigh Wars.

Its been another quiet week here in the land of Christie, but I am totally back in the game and have a week of steady exercise planned this week. 

My goals:
1) Cycle 300 miles during the 8 weeks - After 5 weeks I have cycled 142.6miles
I took part in a challenging 66 miles sportive last Saturday and I wrote about it here.  I have an exciting session set for tonight and two rides planned next weekend.  I am in the cycling zone!


2) Run 60km (37 miles) in the next 8 weeks - After 5 weeks I have run 31km (19.4mi)
This was my second week with no running, but I have taken postive action and have a day time run set for tomorrow with Lucy - if she can't motivate me to run, no one can!

3) Swim at least 12 times during the challenge - After 4 weeks I swam twice
3) A 45 mile sportive on the 21st October and associated training. Definitive training starts tonight but I can't say too much until tomorrow!
 
4) Yoga - I have eased myself gently back into my stretches this week and feel good about it.
 
5) Eat right - I have had a mixed week. I am definitely not eating normally, but I'm getting there!

The challenge: Think about your favourite TV show, think about things that regularly happen during it, workout an exercise routine based on those things. For example if you were watching the Big Bang Theory I would say everytime Sheldon knocks for Penny do 3 push ups, if Rajesh can't talk do 10 jumping jacks etc etc. Once you've worked out your routine post it and do it! If you can record your calorie burn do it and post it. Kind of like a drinking game but way better for you.

Well!  Due to diary and commitment clashes with my fellow tv workout routine-er, I am about to complete this challenge tonight and I will post tomorrow in 'Get Fit, Feel Epic - Week 5 PART TWO'. Lets just say I am very excited about the plan and can't wait to share it with you!!

This weeks challenge!  This week it's push ups. They are a great functional movement and you can improve your strength really quickly.
Day 1 - Do as many push ups as you can. 
Day 2 - 6 - Try and add more each day
Write down all your results and your progress all through the week!

Eeeek! I hate push ups!!  BRING IT ON!!!

Get Fit, Feel Epic - Week 5

We are over half way through the 'Get fit, Feel epic' challenge and I have had a difficult week! I went in for keyhole surgery last Tuesday, details of which can be found here. This has meant that I have been on rest and re-couperation this week - definitely not getting fit or feeling epic!

My goals:
1) Cycle 300 miles during the 8 weeks - After 4 weeks I have cycled 76.6miles

After a week away from any form of exercise I went out on my bike yesterday with four other ladies, and did a 20 mile loop.  It was my first proper go with my new motoactv watch, so I didn't get the first bit of the trip logged and you can see from the flat line in the middle - I had a flat tyre and didn't pause my timer! Took us quite a while to sort, so we were out a very long time for such a short distance.. Also messed up my MPH average.. Need work on my moto working skills!  Anyway, I was pleased to get out and do something 'normal'. I am on track for my 66 mile sportive this week - a hefty wedge to add to my current goal.

2) Run 60km (37 miles) in the next 8 weeks - After 4 weeks I have run 31km (19.4mi)
Whilst I haven't managed to do any running this week, I am still confident that I am on track for smasing my running goals! I am eager to get back in my trainers this week!

3) Swim at least 12 times during the challenge - After 4 weeks I swam twice
I haven't done any swimming this week, and I'm advised not to swim until my surgery is all healed - so potentially another 2 weeks on dry land.  I am not going to dwell on this, I am simply going to modify my goal.  I have taken on a second 45 mile cycling sportive for mid October.  I figure I can't swim, I might be able to get back to running this week, but I CAN cycle. So out with the swimming, in with the additional cycling.
 
4) Yoga - I haven't managed any yoga this week

5) Eat right - I have had a mixed week. Lots more chocolate and cake than normal! However I'm not worried, normal eating service shall resume.

This week was do something new week. Do something you've never done before. Totally ticked that box with hospital!  I have been totally out of my comfort zone this week - I don't enjoy being idle on the sofa anymore (well, sometimes it has its place!!).














Your challenge next week: Think about your favourite TV show, think about things that regularly happen during it, workout an exercise routine based on those things. For example if you were watching the Big Bang Theory I would say everytime Sheldon knocks for Penny do 3 push ups, if Rajesh can't talk do 10 jumping jacks etc etc. Once you've worked out your routine post it and do it! If you can record your calorie burn do it and post it. Kind of like a drinking game but way better for you.


LOVE THIS!  I have watched a lot of tv this last week! I am thinking 'Great British Bake Off' or 'Trollied'.. Watch this space Clanettes x x