Month: July 2018

The road ahead is never quite as planned

As you would know, I started this whole running experience to set myself a new challenge, something I felt I needed. I also love new events i.e. new routes when walking, new places to visit, learning new things, particularly those that are a bit hard, but have a logical outcome. For example learning Russian is not currently on my bucket list, only because I don’t know anyone who speaks Russian, I’m not planning on moving there, so it seems a bit pointless.

Learning running has a completely different planned outcome. There is the getting fit, feeling healthy aspect, weight control, and the whole idea of new physical challenges does appeal. I keep dreaming of finishing a big event and how fantastic that would feel.
I wasn’t prepared or expecting all the little wins along the way.

For a start, this whole running community (I have mentioned this before) are truly an awesome group of people. They have so far been incredibly supportive, completely embracing, and seem to celebrate everyone’s success whether you are a 100km trail runner across the French Alps or a struggling 5km runner like me. I didn’t even know they were out there until I started running, and they have been an unexpected win.

I have started to tweet and in the process have found a huge group of runners from around the world who support each other, laugh together, write poems for each other about the hardships and joys of running mostly. They are kind, generous of spirit and joyful. They have been full of advice and encouragement. Once again, such a win, and certainly wasn’t planning on finding them.

I signed up to InTraining Running Club this week which I am also excited about.  I am better at a group thing, being part of a team, and sharing the struggle.  I have signed up for their beginner classes and am really looking forward to the new challenges that is going to bring.  I start next week so will let you know how that goes.

Most of all, for a girl who found it hard to run 40 seconds non stop a few months ago, to now running a slow 5km, the win is that it has given me lots of happy endorphins and making me high on life.

Have a great week everyone.

 

 

Feeling Fatigued ……….

“Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come. Remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fear you have overcome”.  – Unknown.

 

I have been feeling really fatigued over the last few days. Have had a ton of sleep, as in almost 12 hours for 2 nights running. My mind set is normally one of ‘push through’, ‘everything will be OK in the end’, ‘just get it done’, but this feeling has stopped me in my tracks. I didn’t do a moment of exercise yesterday, and didn’t get up for a run this morning.

This morning I have been doing some research about likely causes. I don’t want to feel like this, and the sooner it’s gone the better.

I’m a “all in or out” kind of girl. My exercise regime has been ramping up since I decided I wanted to be a runner. Together with the running training, I have been doing strength and conditioning with my PT (a no – brainer, you don’t start running at my age for the first time without building up core and strength) and also doing High intensity workouts to help build up my fitness.

Together with some girlfriends, we walk 3 mornings a week, long high intensity walks, either fast on the flats, or up small mountains in the bush with big elevations of heart rate. The walks are glorious and I love them. You always feel so great afterwards and full of the joys of life.
Often we also do a bike ride one morning a week for an hour or two.

I walk the dogs an hour a day.  This is in itself great exercise.  They pelt along at a rapid rate and stop for nothing.  So, every day I do at least 2 sets of exercise per day, some days I do 3 sets and some days 4 sets. On Sundays I just walk the dogs, nothing else.

Maybe I am just doing too much so have decided that today I will make myself an exercise planner for the weeks ahead, and try and get some space and recovery between sessions.

The other big issue which I have been alerted to following my research this morning is food and water intake both before and after training. Water is not an issue, I drink at least 2 Litres per day, but nutrition is definitely a problem for me.  I just haven’t taken enough care about eating right before or after training sessions.  The Livestrong foundation wrote the following  “When blood sugar levels drop too low, exhaustion may occur. Pre-workout meals prevent this by stabilizing blood sugar levels. Eat a high-carbohydrate, moderate-protein and low-fat snack between one and three hours before working out. This can be a banana, oatmeal, juice or low-fat yogurt. After-workout meals eaten within 20 minutes also help. A snack with a 3-to-1 ratio of carbohydrates and protein will restore glycogen and replenish tired muscles, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Good post-workout snacks include trail mix, yogurt with granola and chocolate milk”  This same advice was recommended in other places I looked, so from now on, I am going to take nutrition more seriously.

Have a great week everyone.  Until soon.

Motivation through quotes

I find quotes motivate me. I come across particular ones and they hit a chord within, propel me into action, or just make me feel more determined, motivated, accepting, kind, upbeat, strong, powerful or validates what I am thinking right now.

I wanted to share these quotes with you because they may help you along the path too.

The first one that is a favourite goes like this:-

“New day,  new blessings, new opportunities, new start, new mindset,      new focus, new intentions, new results.”

I read this one often, particularly when yesterday didn’t go as well as I had planned, or just ended up being a nothing kind of day that leaves you feeling a bit blah.

One that follows from this one is, and one I absolutely love:-

“She needed a hero, so she became one…..”

 

There is a short poem that I read that speaks to my belief in sisterhood and how the very best can happen when women support each other:-

“Hey girl, I see you there.
Trying, showing up.
pushing through even when it’s hard.
Choosing energy forward over staying stuck.
Backing your talk with action.
Standing up and fighting for your fairytale.
I like what you’re up to, keep doing it. “

by Natalie Brite

To do with running, I like:_

“Run the mile you’re in”  

I also like (and I repeat it to myself often)

“It’s a slow process, but quitting won’t speed it up”

And then, just for fun, I love this sign outside my local coffee shop:-

Have a great week everyone. Heading for my second Parkrun tomorrow.  It’s still making me nervous as I was last week, but am sure the nerves will fade as I do a few of these.