Another good month following the training plan although the last couple of days have seen a slight hiccup by way of a sore and achey knee.
Each weekend has seen me increase my 'long run' by 5 or 10 minutes and on Monday I finally reached the 6 mile mark with my longest run to date of 70 minutes. The run itself felt great on the whole apart from a sudden niggly pain in my right knee that started around the 4 mile point. This actually got a lot worse whilst running downhill so I decided to take it easy at this point and walk for a short spell. I managed to carry on running again after but my knee has not been too good since. I decided to give today's training run a miss which was a bit disappointing as I'm really enjoying the new club runs with Cobra on Wednesday nights, but I did go for a half hour dog walk instead which freed things up a little bit.
I think that perhaps my new hill work on Wednesday nights plus the increased distance is not agreeing with my joints so I guess I just need to take it steady for a while. I've entered the DK10K on the 2nd May so I have plenty of time yet. I'm pleased that my breathing and stamina seem so much better so that's a start a least. My aim is to be able to run a steady 8 miles by the time my race comes around, that way, 10K should feel at least comfortable.....I hope :-/
Here's this months results:
February 2012
Runs to date: 11
Walks to date: 11
Hikes to date: 0
Miles during Feb: 54.3 miles
Workout time during Feb: 12 hrs 30 mins
Calories burnt during Feb: 4892
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Thursday, 9 February 2012
And the running continues
Went for my first run last night with Cobra Running and Triathlon Club and had a great time. 'P' already runs with them 2 or 3 times a week but I'm not quite up to his level.......yet. So when I heard they were starting up their beginners group again on Wednesday evenings I thought this was my chance to give it a try.
Although a little nervous, I was made to feel very welcome when I arrived. The run started out from the local leisure centre where we headed out for about half a mile before doing some rather nasty hill sprints. Hill sprints were a new thing to me and get this.....I actually quite enjoyed them, although my legs were quite jellified after! (Yes I know that's not a word, but I know what it means). From here we continued our run, stopping every now and then for the slower ones, ie. me, to catch up. In total we did just over 4 miles which included a pretty horrific incline for about a mile. I was quite surprised how far we'd run and when I got back and checked my pace on Runkeeper I'd actually run quicker than normal too.
It makes such a difference running in a group environment. Everyone was so encouraging and friendly and the mix of stops and starts, hills and sprints made it all the more interesting. It felt so much better than my long Sunday plods that just seem to go on forever and never end.
Really disappointed that I won't be able to be there next week as I'm off to the theatre but can't wait to take part again the week after. I holding out high hopes that training with Cobra will bring my running on no end and help me to achieve better times for 5 and 10k along with increasing my stamina to allow me to run even greater distances.
The rest of my training is going well. Still running with Jane twice a week and my weekend run this Sunday will hopefully be up to 60 - 65 mins. My breathing and stamina seems to have improved a bit although due to a cough I've struggled a bit over the last week. Things should be back to normal though soon.
Although a little nervous, I was made to feel very welcome when I arrived. The run started out from the local leisure centre where we headed out for about half a mile before doing some rather nasty hill sprints. Hill sprints were a new thing to me and get this.....I actually quite enjoyed them, although my legs were quite jellified after! (Yes I know that's not a word, but I know what it means). From here we continued our run, stopping every now and then for the slower ones, ie. me, to catch up. In total we did just over 4 miles which included a pretty horrific incline for about a mile. I was quite surprised how far we'd run and when I got back and checked my pace on Runkeeper I'd actually run quicker than normal too.
It makes such a difference running in a group environment. Everyone was so encouraging and friendly and the mix of stops and starts, hills and sprints made it all the more interesting. It felt so much better than my long Sunday plods that just seem to go on forever and never end.
Really disappointed that I won't be able to be there next week as I'm off to the theatre but can't wait to take part again the week after. I holding out high hopes that training with Cobra will bring my running on no end and help me to achieve better times for 5 and 10k along with increasing my stamina to allow me to run even greater distances.
The rest of my training is going well. Still running with Jane twice a week and my weekend run this Sunday will hopefully be up to 60 - 65 mins. My breathing and stamina seems to have improved a bit although due to a cough I've struggled a bit over the last week. Things should be back to normal though soon.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Finally......Four Miles!
Have done great work with my training plan this month. All my hard work has been logged on Runkeeper and this month I've managed to accumulate 26 activities over 31 days. These includes walking, skating, hiking and most importantly, running.
I've continued with my short runs twice a week accompanied by my friend Jane and my long weekend run is now up to just over 4 miles which I'm quite chuffed about. Tomorrow night also see's the start of the new beginners class at our local Cobra Running Club. This will only be a couple miles but I thought it would be a great starting point for me to be able to work my way up to the clubs more advanced Tuesday and Thursday classes.
So far, I've managed to keep injuries at bay *touches wood* and just hoping with the gradual increase of 5 minutes per long run, I'll be able to keep things this way.
Here's my totals for the month:
January 2012
Runs to date: 10
Walks to date: 14
Hikes to date: 1
Skates to date: 1
Miles during Jan: 58.3 miles
Workout time during Jan: 16 hrs 15 mins
Calories burnt to date: 4907
I've continued with my short runs twice a week accompanied by my friend Jane and my long weekend run is now up to just over 4 miles which I'm quite chuffed about. Tomorrow night also see's the start of the new beginners class at our local Cobra Running Club. This will only be a couple miles but I thought it would be a great starting point for me to be able to work my way up to the clubs more advanced Tuesday and Thursday classes.
So far, I've managed to keep injuries at bay *touches wood* and just hoping with the gradual increase of 5 minutes per long run, I'll be able to keep things this way.
Here's my totals for the month:
January 2012
Runs to date: 10
Walks to date: 14
Hikes to date: 1
Skates to date: 1
Miles during Jan: 58.3 miles
Workout time during Jan: 16 hrs 15 mins
Calories burnt to date: 4907
Monday, 16 January 2012
The mojo is back
I'm what you'd call an irregular runner (plodder).
I see running as a means to an end, the end being a sleeker body and the opportunity to not look like a beached whale whilst on holiday. But saying this, I do very occasionally actually get what is known as the 'running bug' - that buzz you get from continually improving and an urge to get out there for your next run. I hasten to emphasize here that this 'buzz', for me, is infrequent and more often than not I require a bad result from the scales or a kick up the arse to actually get me out there.
This is kind of how 2011 panned out. My best laid running plans went out of the window. Races I'd intended to do, I didn't and by September I could tell the jelly belly was making a return. I felt that in order to progress I needed to change the way I trained. Too often I was plagued with shin splints and achy knees which made me think I was going about it all in the wrong way. My aim has been for a while now, that I get back to 10K races but the same thing happens every time. I enter a race to give me 'motivation' then I put far too much pressure on myself to get across the finish line in a good time and by doing so end up knackering myself completely in the run up to the big day.
From October last year I decided to ask my friend Jane to come out with me twice a week. Although we spend far too much time talking, the commitment to get out there each week is there regardless of speed and distance. In addition to running with Jane I also tried to add in a longer run each weekend which I sometimes do with 'P'. This time though, rather than increasing my distance I just run for an allotted time and try to keep my pace slow to steady, I then increase my long run by around 5 minutes each weekend.
Now this was all going well until Christmas and New Year loomed. Work commitments increased, Jane and I had other engagements (yes, yes, excuses I know!) but basically it all went kind of crappy for a while. However, 2012 has seen me return with a vengeance. I've not only been running regularly but also walking much more than I normally would. My 'time' rather than 'distance' regime seems to be working well and wait for it..........I actually got up this morning aching to go for a run! Yes, the BUZZ is back.
I opted in the end for a brisk dog walk rather than push myself on a rest day but at least I know the urge is there and hopefully will stay.
January 2012
Runs to date: 5
Walks to date: 8
Hikes to date: 1
Calories burnt to date: 2449
I see running as a means to an end, the end being a sleeker body and the opportunity to not look like a beached whale whilst on holiday. But saying this, I do very occasionally actually get what is known as the 'running bug' - that buzz you get from continually improving and an urge to get out there for your next run. I hasten to emphasize here that this 'buzz', for me, is infrequent and more often than not I require a bad result from the scales or a kick up the arse to actually get me out there.
This is kind of how 2011 panned out. My best laid running plans went out of the window. Races I'd intended to do, I didn't and by September I could tell the jelly belly was making a return. I felt that in order to progress I needed to change the way I trained. Too often I was plagued with shin splints and achy knees which made me think I was going about it all in the wrong way. My aim has been for a while now, that I get back to 10K races but the same thing happens every time. I enter a race to give me 'motivation' then I put far too much pressure on myself to get across the finish line in a good time and by doing so end up knackering myself completely in the run up to the big day.
From October last year I decided to ask my friend Jane to come out with me twice a week. Although we spend far too much time talking, the commitment to get out there each week is there regardless of speed and distance. In addition to running with Jane I also tried to add in a longer run each weekend which I sometimes do with 'P'. This time though, rather than increasing my distance I just run for an allotted time and try to keep my pace slow to steady, I then increase my long run by around 5 minutes each weekend.
Now this was all going well until Christmas and New Year loomed. Work commitments increased, Jane and I had other engagements (yes, yes, excuses I know!) but basically it all went kind of crappy for a while. However, 2012 has seen me return with a vengeance. I've not only been running regularly but also walking much more than I normally would. My 'time' rather than 'distance' regime seems to be working well and wait for it..........I actually got up this morning aching to go for a run! Yes, the BUZZ is back.
I opted in the end for a brisk dog walk rather than push myself on a rest day but at least I know the urge is there and hopefully will stay.
January 2012
Runs to date: 5
Walks to date: 8
Hikes to date: 1
Calories burnt to date: 2449
Thursday, 14 July 2011
IBS......be gone!
Ok, I don't want to jinx things but............the IBS is gone, well, for now at least.
After following the instructions of the Colonic Hydrotherapist (see Colonic Hydrotherapy - what's good for Madonna's good for me!), for the entire duration of last week I cut wheat from my diet, ate sack loads of veg, salad and fresh produce and drank plenty of water. OMG how hard was that! Well I'm here to tell you, it was extremely hard, but nevertheless I stuck with it. After the initial rough start with wheat withdrawal symptoms galore, by Thursday I gradually started to feel a little better. I woke up headache free and for the first time in about 2 weeks, no niggly stomach pain developed as the day wore on. Each day since then my stomach has gradually felt better and better and I haven't had a headache since last Wednesday which is a massive thing for me.
I decided after reading various articles online and a great product review over at 'A Mother's Ramblings' that I would give wheat or more so gluten free bread a try. Even though I don't believe I have a wheat intolerance, I do believe that reducing it as part of my diet as helped dramatically and therefore would like to keep things that way. I dashed down to Asda on Saturday morning to buy some of Warburtons new Gluten and Wheat Free bread and was surprised at how nice it was (and also some of Asda's Freefrom Lemon Shortbread Biscuits.......OMG heaven on earth!). The good thing I've noticed though, is that I've not gone back to shovelling bread down my neck with every possible meal and snack, in fact I've only eaten around 4 or 5 slices in total since Saturday which basically means I've broken the wheat/carb addiction!
All things salad, veg and now fruit too are foremost in my mind. 'P' has helped loads by joining me on the healthy eating plan and bringing me some great things home from the supermarket to try. We're slowly getting the kids onboard but at least they're eating more veg and fruit now. Although not 100%, I can honestly say, *touches wood* that I've not felt this well in ages and I just hope it lasts.
For anyone out there who suffers with IBS, please take a good look at your diet before rushing off to the Docs for yet more useless medication. I know it's not the same for everyone and some people really do have particular food allergies and intolerances that they need to get sorted, but there are also many people out there like I was, who live on a daily diet of stress and convenience food. I'd highly recommend Colonic Hydrotherapy as a starting point but I really believe that it's the information and advice that the therapist gave me rather than the actual treatment, that's proved invaluable.
After following the instructions of the Colonic Hydrotherapist (see Colonic Hydrotherapy - what's good for Madonna's good for me!), for the entire duration of last week I cut wheat from my diet, ate sack loads of veg, salad and fresh produce and drank plenty of water. OMG how hard was that! Well I'm here to tell you, it was extremely hard, but nevertheless I stuck with it. After the initial rough start with wheat withdrawal symptoms galore, by Thursday I gradually started to feel a little better. I woke up headache free and for the first time in about 2 weeks, no niggly stomach pain developed as the day wore on. Each day since then my stomach has gradually felt better and better and I haven't had a headache since last Wednesday which is a massive thing for me.
I decided after reading various articles online and a great product review over at 'A Mother's Ramblings' that I would give wheat or more so gluten free bread a try. Even though I don't believe I have a wheat intolerance, I do believe that reducing it as part of my diet as helped dramatically and therefore would like to keep things that way. I dashed down to Asda on Saturday morning to buy some of Warburtons new Gluten and Wheat Free bread and was surprised at how nice it was (and also some of Asda's Freefrom Lemon Shortbread Biscuits.......OMG heaven on earth!). The good thing I've noticed though, is that I've not gone back to shovelling bread down my neck with every possible meal and snack, in fact I've only eaten around 4 or 5 slices in total since Saturday which basically means I've broken the wheat/carb addiction!
All things salad, veg and now fruit too are foremost in my mind. 'P' has helped loads by joining me on the healthy eating plan and bringing me some great things home from the supermarket to try. We're slowly getting the kids onboard but at least they're eating more veg and fruit now. Although not 100%, I can honestly say, *touches wood* that I've not felt this well in ages and I just hope it lasts.
For anyone out there who suffers with IBS, please take a good look at your diet before rushing off to the Docs for yet more useless medication. I know it's not the same for everyone and some people really do have particular food allergies and intolerances that they need to get sorted, but there are also many people out there like I was, who live on a daily diet of stress and convenience food. I'd highly recommend Colonic Hydrotherapy as a starting point but I really believe that it's the information and advice that the therapist gave me rather than the actual treatment, that's proved invaluable.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Colonic Hydrotherapy - what's good for Madonna's good for me!
I'm going to tell you of my recent encounter with Colonic Hydrotherapy or Colonic Irrigation as you may have heard of it. I've not even told anyone apart from 'P' and the kids that I've had this done but after much searching on the web I thought that others may benefit from my experience so here goes.
I remember watching a program on TV a couple of years ago called 'The Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses' where people who suffered with different illnesses such as IBS, Psoriasis, Hyperhydrosis (sweating) were chosen to attend a retreat in Spain. Each day they were given different activities such as yoga, meditation and given healthy detox foods and smoothies. One of the 'activities' the participants were asked to carry out was a Colon Cleanse. Even though at the time, this looked the most embarrassing and unbelievably uncomfortable experience, I couldn't help thinking that maybe this is something that could help me. You see, call me a hypochondriac if you like (as 'P' often does :) ), but as I've got older I have the longest list of physical problems you could imagine the worst of which being IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and Migraine. I've been given various meds for the IBS, tried herbal teas and cutting out the greasy foods but nothing seems to help. A huge factor in IBS is stress and although I don't feel that I lead a particularly stressful lifestyle I'm a real worrier - I worry about everything and I mean everything! After being completely stress and IBS free during our holiday to Lake Como I returned and within a day of arriving home the IBS pain and symptoms were back, in fact pain far worse than any I'd suffered before. I was miserable, lethargic and didn't know what to do, that's when 'P' suggested Colonic Hydrotherapy.
He'd found a website for an extremely qualified Colonic Hydrotherapist just a couple of miles away who happens to be Chairperson of The Association of Registered Colon Hydrotherapists (ARCH). As nervous as I was, I gave them a call and had a lovely chat with the lady's husband who told me all the 'ins and outs' (no pun intended :) ) of the whole colonic experience. I decided enough was enough and booked in for the very next day for a consultation and colonic hydrotherapy treatment.
Now, I cannot begin to tell you how scared I was at the prospect of having a foreign object shoved in an unspeakable place to basically wash out my insides but I have to say the whole encounter was far easier than I'd first imagined and not at all embarrassing. Gillian, the hydrotherapist, was very quick to put me at ease and the information she gave me about my colon and the effect the IBS has on it was invaluable. I'm not going to put you off your lunch and post here about every graphic detail but suffice to say at the end of the 45 minute treatment I felt a lot better even though you generally need 2 or 3 treatments before your colon has been completely cleansed.
The hardest part of the consultation was admitting that my diet is, well, crap! It really is! I think I've tried to fool myself that things really weren't as bad as they were on the whole diet front but having to list to someone your daily food intake kind of makes you sit up and take notice. Never mind 5 a day I was lucky if I was eating any fruit or vegetables at all sometimes not even 5 a week! Terrible I know and I hang my head in shame, no wonder she has IBS I hear you cry! Anyway, I'm now in phase 2 of my treatment and I think the colonic cleanse was actually the easier part. Gillian has requested that I completely remove wheat from my diet for a whole week to see how this affect me. Now this might not seem difficult to most of you but I am a breadaholic. On Gillian's say so I am not allowed to eat any bread or pasta and am to increase the amount of protein, vegetables and water that I consume on a daily basis.
I never realised quite what an impact this would have on me.
Today is day 4 of my wheat free week and the withdrawal symptoms I've experienced have been immense. I have had headaches every single day since the initial treatment, I am so tired I could sleep standing up and emotionally I'm a wreck, even to the point of tears yesterday when 'P' wondered what the hell was wrong to which I could only reply "I don't know!". I've done quite a lot of reading this morning and discovered that 'wheat withdrawal' is very real and that many people suffer with the same symptoms as me after removing wheat from their diet. Apparently the symptoms normally last for around a
week so I will be interested to see how things pan out. The IBS seems to have improved slightly but I'm hoping that once my diet is on track and my body gets used to the new way of eating, things will be a lot better. Since the weekend I've had no bread whatsoever (god, that's been hard) or processed foods and have had fruit yoghurt, soups, fresh vegetables, salad, plenty of fresh meat and lots and lots of water. I have started to notice a difference in my skin and eyes already and I truly believe that a change such as this will eventually help if not cure many of my other physical problems. Gillian advised me that I may feel worse before I get better so I will just keep trudging on for now.
I will most probably return to Stourbridge Colonic Hydrotherapy for at least another treatment as I really think this will help. Colonic Hydrotherapy is reported to have a massive influence on your health and I'm hoping that easing my IBS will be only one of the many benefits. Will keep you posted!
p.s. anyone who's thinking of having this done and wants to know the nitty-gritty so to speak, send me a message - I'd be glad to give you more info :)
I remember watching a program on TV a couple of years ago called 'The Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses' where people who suffered with different illnesses such as IBS, Psoriasis, Hyperhydrosis (sweating) were chosen to attend a retreat in Spain. Each day they were given different activities such as yoga, meditation and given healthy detox foods and smoothies. One of the 'activities' the participants were asked to carry out was a Colon Cleanse. Even though at the time, this looked the most embarrassing and unbelievably uncomfortable experience, I couldn't help thinking that maybe this is something that could help me. You see, call me a hypochondriac if you like (as 'P' often does :) ), but as I've got older I have the longest list of physical problems you could imagine the worst of which being IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and Migraine. I've been given various meds for the IBS, tried herbal teas and cutting out the greasy foods but nothing seems to help. A huge factor in IBS is stress and although I don't feel that I lead a particularly stressful lifestyle I'm a real worrier - I worry about everything and I mean everything! After being completely stress and IBS free during our holiday to Lake Como I returned and within a day of arriving home the IBS pain and symptoms were back, in fact pain far worse than any I'd suffered before. I was miserable, lethargic and didn't know what to do, that's when 'P' suggested Colonic Hydrotherapy.
He'd found a website for an extremely qualified Colonic Hydrotherapist just a couple of miles away who happens to be Chairperson of The Association of Registered Colon Hydrotherapists (ARCH). As nervous as I was, I gave them a call and had a lovely chat with the lady's husband who told me all the 'ins and outs' (no pun intended :) ) of the whole colonic experience. I decided enough was enough and booked in for the very next day for a consultation and colonic hydrotherapy treatment.
Now, I cannot begin to tell you how scared I was at the prospect of having a foreign object shoved in an unspeakable place to basically wash out my insides but I have to say the whole encounter was far easier than I'd first imagined and not at all embarrassing. Gillian, the hydrotherapist, was very quick to put me at ease and the information she gave me about my colon and the effect the IBS has on it was invaluable. I'm not going to put you off your lunch and post here about every graphic detail but suffice to say at the end of the 45 minute treatment I felt a lot better even though you generally need 2 or 3 treatments before your colon has been completely cleansed.The hardest part of the consultation was admitting that my diet is, well, crap! It really is! I think I've tried to fool myself that things really weren't as bad as they were on the whole diet front but having to list to someone your daily food intake kind of makes you sit up and take notice. Never mind 5 a day I was lucky if I was eating any fruit or vegetables at all sometimes not even 5 a week! Terrible I know and I hang my head in shame, no wonder she has IBS I hear you cry! Anyway, I'm now in phase 2 of my treatment and I think the colonic cleanse was actually the easier part. Gillian has requested that I completely remove wheat from my diet for a whole week to see how this affect me. Now this might not seem difficult to most of you but I am a breadaholic. On Gillian's say so I am not allowed to eat any bread or pasta and am to increase the amount of protein, vegetables and water that I consume on a daily basis.
I never realised quite what an impact this would have on me.
Today is day 4 of my wheat free week and the withdrawal symptoms I've experienced have been immense. I have had headaches every single day since the initial treatment, I am so tired I could sleep standing up and emotionally I'm a wreck, even to the point of tears yesterday when 'P' wondered what the hell was wrong to which I could only reply "I don't know!". I've done quite a lot of reading this morning and discovered that 'wheat withdrawal' is very real and that many people suffer with the same symptoms as me after removing wheat from their diet. Apparently the symptoms normally last for around a
week so I will be interested to see how things pan out. The IBS seems to have improved slightly but I'm hoping that once my diet is on track and my body gets used to the new way of eating, things will be a lot better. Since the weekend I've had no bread whatsoever (god, that's been hard) or processed foods and have had fruit yoghurt, soups, fresh vegetables, salad, plenty of fresh meat and lots and lots of water. I have started to notice a difference in my skin and eyes already and I truly believe that a change such as this will eventually help if not cure many of my other physical problems. Gillian advised me that I may feel worse before I get better so I will just keep trudging on for now.I will most probably return to Stourbridge Colonic Hydrotherapy for at least another treatment as I really think this will help. Colonic Hydrotherapy is reported to have a massive influence on your health and I'm hoping that easing my IBS will be only one of the many benefits. Will keep you posted!
p.s. anyone who's thinking of having this done and wants to know the nitty-gritty so to speak, send me a message - I'd be glad to give you more info :)
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