Week 33 - 1st day of Bridge to 10k

I started my bridge to 10k programme today which I programmed into my Runkeeper app.  I thought as I can run 30 minutes no problem I will ditch the couch 2 5k programme now and push myself a little further. The run consisted of 4 x 10 minute runs with 1 minute walk between. I thought it would be easy but I ran each run faster than if I was doing 40 minutes all together so the 1 minute recovery walk was not enough. I struggled for the final 10 minutes but I did complete it with a fair walk back home at the end too. I also did the station run this morning so all in all a very good calorie burning day.

Monday
Exercise  = 919 calories over 7.33 miles/11.79km
Food = 1565 calories
Breakfast
Fruit n fibre cereal
Tea
Lunch
Chicken soup
Ryvita
Banana
Tea
Afternoon
biscuits
Tea
Dinner
Soup
Ryvitas

Week 31 - 25 minute run - done again :-)

Friday and Saturday were rest days from couch 2 5k. I did walk to the station to get the car later in the day on Friday but didn't runkeeper it as I went via the shops! Both days involved eating out so I couldn't accurately calculate my calories. Well, I think I should have a rest day or two from calorie counting as well shouldn't I!?
I weighed myself on Friday morning and have lost 1lb this week so thats good. I have finally decided to change my weigh in day to a friday so the weekend is not a problem.
This morning (Sunday) I ran run 1 of week 7 couch 2 5k, a 25 minute run. As usual I ran one way and quick march walked back home after. I covered 5.41 miles/8.70 km and felt great afterwards. I do feel I am well and truly running (jogging) within my comfort zone and not pushing my self too hard. I wondered whether I should be pushing harder but hubby said to just get to the end of the 9 weeks then think about pushing it in the new year. I agreed, considering my back problem (although its 100% at the moment). I am also thinking about doing a 5k. There is a charity santa 5k fun run in the park next sunday and we are considering that. It was week 8 of c 2 5k that I did my first 5k back in June so I think I am definitely ready although it won't be a PB.

Sunday
Exercise = 620 calories
Food = 1500 calories
Lunch
Nicoise salad
Tea
Afternoon
Popcorn
Tea
Dinner
Fish
Rice
Satsumas
Wine

Wk8, D6 I just ran my first, ever, 5k!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I first heard of parkrun  a couple of years ago through a friend who regularly runs, but at the time I wasn't interested. I rediscovered it again a few months back when I started this running thing while I was looking for 5ks to do locally to me. I took a mental note of it at the time. Then, when another blogger, runningsam, (thanks Sam :-)) and runner on the getrunning programme did the park run 5k I thought to look at it again and registered, for free, both myself and my husband.
This morning hubby wanted to go to the park and maybe do the run. My plan was to do my run in another part of the park. Somehow, it didn't work out like that. Once I saw there were children, people with dogs and prams being pushed I thought it looked more inviting, less scary. So I decided to do my 28 minute run as part of the 5k and see how I get on, highly expecting to walk half of it. The run started, so on went the runkeeper to track my pace and calories burned and on went the getrunning week 8 run 3. Well, as I started my 5 minute warm up walk, I quickly found myself almost alone in the park with just a few stragglers with push chairs and indignant children at the back while the main body of people disappeared into the distance. I felt a surge of panic that by the time I finish they would have all packed up and gone home for lunch! So about 30 seconds later I started to run.
I ran and ran and ran, a bit like Forrest Gump, well, only a bit. I overtook children, I overtook a lady not more than 15 years older than me, she overtook me and I over took her again, kids with dads overtook me and I overtook them. I kept my steady pace all the way through. I ran 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 28 minutes "should now be stopping and stretching ready for the next run" (getrunning commentary) but I still had further to go. The end was in sight, my legs where good, my breathing was fine, people where clapping me, hubby let out a loud "hey" as he looked up and saw me running to the finish line.

 I only bloomin' well ran the whole 5k in 40.15 minutes!!!!!!!!!!

Zippidy do dahh. My first ever 5k! And I haven't even finished the get running programme yet! I have a week to go. The last run being next Saturday and as we are free in the morning we are going to do it again! Hubby did his in 23 minutes and wants to improve his time, so him wanting to do it will keep me going too. I will get my time down too.  I meant to get a photo of me finishing but I was so excited to still be alive I forgot! I still cant believe lazy, chubby, wine swilling, old me is an actual runner!!!!!

Exercise

5k run = burning 445 calories

Breakfast

Porridge

Water

Lunch 

Tomato soup

Bread roll

Banana

Tea

Afternoon

Strawberries 

Handful almonds

Tea

Dinner
Chicken salad
Wine

Wk 8, D4, Splashing through puddles

The alarm woke me from a dream I was having where I was frantically running a cafe. All the waitresses where in a stress leaving tables dirty, not dealing with customers, not taking orders. The place was a mess. I went outside to check on the customers there and behind the door sat two of my sisters having a coffee. One asked how it was going then the alarm went off. I have it on crickets chirruping or whatever it is they do.Well, I've no idea what happens in the end now.
I was so asleep I wondered how bad it would be to just leave the car there, just this once, and risk getting a ticket. After lying there for about 5 minutes I got up and sat on the side of the bed....was that rain I could hear? I peeked through the curtains and there it was. A wet, dark, cold, miserable June morning. Now, don't get me wrong, not all British Summers are wet and cold. In fact the last 2 or 3 Junes' where stunningly hot. Not this one though, no, this one is definitely a mixture of chilly rain and warmish sunshine, in spurts which is good for the garden and not much else.

The finish line each morning.

I plodded up the road with an umbrella. It took me 23 minutes - 5 minutes longer than my fastest "sunshiney" run. I wasn't in the mood. I even took pictures on my phone to show you what it was like. Car parks aren't all that to look at at the best of times. Anyway, I got home and went back to bed for an hour. The phone woke me just after 9am. It was still bucketing down so I had breakfast and waited, and waited, and waited for the rain to stop. Eventually at midday the sky grew brighter and the rain stopped. Yes! I could go out and do my 2nd 28 minute run of the week.

The run was good. I took it slowly so I could go the distance. There were loads of puddles to skirt round and jump over. After a while I ran through a couple of them, but my foot got wet so I decided it was better not to.

There were also a lot of people fishing by the river bank today. I haven't seen that in the last 8 weeks. I wonder if fishing season has just started?

 I finished my run at 2.66 miles stretched and did a brisk walk back home. The sun actually came out on my way back. It was to be the only dry part of the day in the end. I think the person who is in charge of the weather, knew I needed to run today and do it before 3pm, so they got it sorted, so, thanks :-)

Exercise
station walk, Wk 8 Day 2 of getrunning, return walk = 869 calories - would have been more if I wasn't such a 'mare this morning!
Breakfast
Porridge (see recipe)
Tea
Lunch
Ryvitas with cottage cheese
Apple
tea
Afternoon
Tea
Handful of prunes
Dinner
Grilled turkey breast
Salad
Glass of wine

Wk8 D2, My first ever 28 minute run! Done!

I'm keeping up the station run-instead of walk- habit and was just 3 seconds longer than yesterday due to the traffic lights being on red when I got there.

I got back home, stretched, had my porridge, then an hour later went out for my first 28 minute run. After a couple of weeks of cold and rain the summer appears to have returned, for the moment anyway. I got very hot and sweaty on my run but I liked that, it made me feel like I was doing something (as if running for 2 or so miles wasn't enough). I took it slowly because I didn't want to burn out towards the end and I made it to the finish with only a slight twinge in my right foot and at the end gasping for water. Note to self, take water with you when its warm outside. The river, at this point, looked very inviting. However I made a discovery by Sunbury Lock. There is a public drinking water tap! I never noticed it before. I think it's for the boats but it was a very welcome discovery!

The 28 minute run itself was not bad. After all, it's only 3 minutes longer than the runs I was doing last week. As I said I took it slowly so it was one notch on from my briskest walk. When I had run for 20 minutes though, I was concerned that I had another 8 minutes to go and was running out of energy. So I checked my foot twinge - gone, legs -they were fine, not hurting or uncomfortable, breathing - OK, posture - I straightened up a bit which helps, I do slouch, then I concentrated on my music and finally I had run for 28 minutes!! I stretched, wiped a lot of sweat from my face (I might need a sweat band too), then briskly walked the 2.7 miles back home. I was very pleased when I got back to work out I had burned approximately 905 calories! A good mornings work!!















Exercise
Station run, Wk8, D1 of getrunning, walk back =905 calories burned
Breakfast
Porridge (see recipe)
Tea
Lunch
Melon
Banana
Almonds
tea
Afternoon
Ryvita and 1/2 fat cheese
Apple
Dinner
Burger and chips (a proper one, from the pub)
Wine

Wk7 D6 &7, The weekend

I did my 3rd and final 25 minute run for week 7 on Saturday morning and it felt good. I started probably a bit too fast but felt I could have pushed myself to do another few minutes at the end. Hubby came with me so it was good to keep pace. Considering the rain we have had recently the tow path wasn't too bad for puddles but this run did involve quite a bit of weaving in and out of puddle areas or simply hopping over them. As usual I ran the whole 25 minutes one way and then set my runkeeper to track a brisk walk back home again. This run took me the furthest distance so far at 2.75 miles - that does include the 2 x 5 minute walks also.

We went to my Sisters for the night on Saturday and had delicious food, good wine (plenty of it) and great company. We danced in the kitchen till late. The next day we took two of my nieces out for lunch. It was a great weekend but I definitely consumed far more calories than necessary on Saturday. (I just remembered the slice of walnut and ginger cake I had in the afternoon and forgot to add it in my net dairy!)

Saturday
Exercise
wk7 run3 + walk back tracked with runkeeper burning 655 calories
Breakfast
porridge (see recipe)
Tea
Lunch
Houmous
Oatcakes
apple
Tea
Afternoon
Tea
Walnut and ginger cake (yum)
Dinner
Few pringles
Antipasti bits
Bread
Lamb tagine, veg tagine, couscous, broccoli
Fruit salad, 1/2 fat crème fraiche
Champagne
Rose wine
Sunday
Exercise
none
Breakfast
1 slice wholemeal toast with flora
Tea
Lunch
Chicken salad
Bread
Lemonade
cappuccino
Afternoon
Tea
Ryvita
1/2 fat cheese
2 small biscuits
Dinner
Home-made fish pie (see recipe)
Glass of rose wine

Wk7 D4, Hastings and my next run

I didn't do the station run again today. Instead, I was up at 6.30am to drive hubby to Hastings which is about 76 miles away. He had to be in Court for 9.30am (N.B. he's not a criminal, he's a Lawyer). I have been to Hastings many times before as a child. I grew up in a town called Royal Tunbridge Wells which is about 30 minutes from there and we often went by train or car on a sunny day. Of course all I remember is the beach, fish and chips, ice cream and getting sunburnt. So it was of interest to me to go with him. I don't think I will bother again. The town is unremarkable to say the least. However, a small oasis is to be found in the old town where there is a little street of cafes and boutiques, then further along the beach front, if you can ignore the unsightly blot of the "funfair", you come to the fishing community where there are loads of fishing boats and net houses standing tall and proud. I also took a picture of a quaint English cottage just to remind me it wasn't all bad.


So we got home at just after 3pm. The sun was out and it was time for my next 25 minute run. Last time the first 10 minutes of the run were tough, this time it was only the first 5 minutes. My whole body felt tired but I think that was getting up early and driving for hours which did me in a bit. After 5 minutes my energy levels seemed to right themselves, my breathing deepened and my legs kept moving.10 minutes past, 15 minutes past, 20 minutes, then I picked up my speed by striding out a bit more but keeping my pace as it was. At 25 minutes I had run a bit further than last time so I was elated. Once the initial 5 minutes was over the rest felt really good. The run part, 25 minutes not including the two 5 minutes either end, covered 2 miles, 2miles!! Imagine that. Little old me running for 2 miles! I loved it. I put on Runkeeper and almost danced my way back home but not before stopping to take another picture of the Thames.

Exercise
W7 day2 getrunning + return walk burning 601 calories
Breakfast
Banana
2 slices toast
Tea
Lunch
Baked potato
Chilli con carne
Tea
Dinner
Low fat houmous
Carrot
Oatcakes
Glass of wine
Apple

Wk7, D1, Rain, Rain go away, come back another lifetime!!!!!!

Well running in the rain is a novelty! This morning was the first time since the beginning of March that it rained during my station walk!!! If I had a choice I wouldn't have done it but I had to, so on went my hat and off I went. I figured if I jogged most of the way I would get there quicker. Anyway needless to say I was soaked by the time I got to the car, not helped by the idiot who drove through a puddle right where I was!
It wasn't quite as bad as the picture but you get the idea!

Later in the day after doing a bit of work the rain stopped and the ground started to dry up. I wanted to start my week 7 of getrunning today even though I am supposed to have two days rest from yesterdays run. But we are away at the weekend and it wouldn't have worked out well (where we are going is too hilly). So, after looking at the sky for a bit I decided to go out and do my next 25 minute run.The first 10 minutes was really hard. My breathing wasn't deep enough and I was thinking how far this 25 minutes will take me and how hard it was going to be. I was literally willing the first 5 minutes to hurry up. After 10 minutes my breathing got better and I evened out my pace a bit. I was enjoying the music; Black Eyed Peas, Lady GaGa and Euphoria, which reminds me, I must get some more tracks on my ipod! My thighs, however began to feel tight and heavy, like lead. I had this once before, weeks ago when I ran late in the afternoon.

The run took me further than I had been before along the river just before the next town. I finished at the end of the tow path as it turns into a car park. You can just see some cars at the end in the photo. The sun popped out to say hello for less than a minute at the end too. I like to think it was bathing me in applause for my efforts!
At the end I felt exhilarated! I managed 25 minutes on my own without hubby to keep pace. It was hard but I am ready to do it again. I think it was tough today because, I ran most of my station walk in the morning, I should have had 2 days rest and I ran in the late afternoon, a long time after my porridge (which I think is the best pre-run food).

Exercise
Day 1, week 7 of getrunning, station walk/run and return walk from the run burning 804 calories!!!
Breakfast
Porridge (see recipes)
Tea
Lunch
Boiled eggs x 2 with salad and ryvita
Nectarine
Tea
Afternoon
Tea
10g mini pretzels
Dinner
Oatcakes, cheese , grapes
2 glasses of wine

Wk6, D7, I can now run for 25 minutes!

I woke up a lot during the night feeling bloated and a tad uncomfortable. I had my 25 minute run on getrunning to do today and I wanted to do it this morning before the day got too warm. I know I needed to have some water and some porridge for energy but I was still full from last night. I had the porridge anyway just in case I collapsed from the lack of energy or something, I mean,

I've never run for 25 minutes in. my. life! 

so had no idea what sort of effect it would have on my body. Hubby came with me. I find it's good to have someone there, particularly him, because although he can go much farther and faster than me he just plods along beside me not pushing me to go faster or anything like that. Its good to keep the pace with someone. I also take his phone with me too to track with Runkeeper. Unfortunately my, very old fashioned, iPhone 3s does not multi task the apps and my upgrade isn't due till December!

So anyway I started out with the 5 minute warm up walk then started on the run, my right knee immediately buckled for the first two steps. I thought, "uh oh I might not be able to do this", but on the 3rd step it sorted itself out, thankfully it was fine from then on. When the lady voice told me I was 1/2 way I did think at that point "blimey this is going to be hard" because I was starting to feel a bit acidic or almost a bit sick in my stomach just below my ribs. The tow path was busy this morning with other runners and cyclists and I didn't want to be seen throwing up in the bushes! I brushed the thought aside and concentrated on my music. Then I had run for 15 minutes. Yay! Then I had the last 5 minutes, My legs were OK, the sick feeling had subsided my breathing was good but getting really heavy, then I had 60 seconds to go, I picked up my pace a bit and DID IT!!!!!!!!!!

It was hard, but I felt really really great!!And it rained from the minute I got home for the rest of the day. Next week is 3 x 25 minute runs and I don't have a worry about that at all. I know by the 3rd run I will be eager to do more.  

Exercise
Wk6 day 3 getrunning, walk back tracked by runkeeper burning 618 Calories
Breakfast
Porridge
Tea
Lunch
Salad and fruit salad
Dinner
Baked beans on toast
nectarine

Wk6 D4, Evening run

I ate too much food yesterday. I went over by 285 calories. Basically one glass of wine in the evening or perhaps the two tortilla wraps I munched through while searching for something to eat for lunch! I didn't have much in the house so I guess I was picking a lot rather than eating an actual meal. The calories really creep up on you that way. Anyway I went shopping, bought loads of fruit and veg and found Weight Watchers crustless quiches which are yum for lunch. So now I have a fridge full of salad and a bowl full of fruit.

I had a busy day today so had to delay my week 6 day 2 run until later. It was very hot today as well, it got up to 24 degrees, well, that's very hot for the UK anyway! Hubby came home a bit early so I got him to come with me again. We went out about 6:30pm. I wanted to avoid the midges which ALWAYS end up in my eyes, up my nose, in my mouth and stuck to the sweat on my face. Last time we went out a bit later when the midges where in full cloud mode I spent most of my run flapping my arms about, swearing and weaving up and down the tow path like a mad woman! Think of Tom Hanks being chased by bees in The Money Pit and you get the idea! (tried to find the clip for you but couldn't, sorry).

So today I had 2 lots of 10 minutes to do but found the 1st 10 minutes really hard. I think it was because of the time of day and what I had or hadn't eaten before hand. I find it's better for me to go out in the morning or midday after a good breakfast. The 2nd 10 minutes was much better though and we stopped for a drink in the pub by the river on the way back just as the sun was getting low so it was very pretty.

I didn't actually take this pic I found it here.
After my discrepancy with the calories yesterday I went under today by 184 today and also used up loads with my run :-)

Exercise
Wk6 Day 2 of Getrunning, return walk and station walk = 650 calories
Breakfast
Banana sandwich (no butter) with 2 slices granary from a small loaf
Tea no sugar 1% milk
Lunch
Tea
Crustless Mediterranean veg quiche
Apple
Afternnoon
Banana
Tortilla wrap
Tea
Dinner
Tuna salad
Tortilla wrap
Glass white wine

Wk6 D2, burning calories

My run today was far easier than the 20 minutes I had to do on Saturday. I'm not quite sure why runkeeper gets you to suddenly run 20 minutes in the middle then do shorter runs again. I think it may be some kind of psycological boost. If that's it then it certainly worked because I ran my two lots of 5 minutes and one lot of 8 minutes no problem at all today! If you haven't downloaded Getrunning yet then do it today! I am overweight, extremely unfit and very lazy and 6 weeks ago I could barley run for a minute, so to say 18 minutes of running was a piece of cake, well, that's just amazing!!

That's all for today really, The weather was great one minute then raining the next so I am glad I went out in the great part of the day :-) Oh and I burned loads of calories today too!

Exercise
Station walk, day1 week 6 of getrunning then return walk from the run burned approx 732 calories!
Breakfast
Toast
Flora light
Banana
tea
Lunch
Houmous
Carrot
Apple
tea
Afternoon
chunk of Soreen Malt loaf
tea
Dinner
Chicken casserole and rice
small red wine

Wk5 D6, One of my proudest moments

I DID IT!

I actually ran for 20 minutes without stopping this morning! I kept a slow but steady pace, kept my breathing steady too, listened to Black eyed peas and a bit of Euphoria and it got me through 20 whole minutes of running. Hubby came with me (in case I fell in the river). When I got to the last minute I picked my pace up a bit and it felt brilliant! I have never ever in my life ran that far. I am sooo pleased I found the Get Running app. By then end of next week I will do a run for 25 minutes and at the moment I feel like, "yeah OK that'll be fine".
 I have had proud moments in my life like when I passed my driving test (5th time), when I got two books published (hairdressing text books), when I got married, when I got a 1st class honours degree and now this! My first 20 minute run. I can now call myself a runner! So lets

BRING ON THE WEEKEND!

Excerise

wk5 D3 of get running plus the walk back tracked with runkeeper burning 525 calories!

Breakfast

Porridge made with 40goats, 200ml 1% milk and 10g Linwoods seeds

Tea

Lunch 

Broccoli Quiche

Salad

Cappuccino

Afternoon

Tea x 2

Handful of mini pretzels

Dinner

Home made Weight Watchers recipe Chicken Curry

White rice

Plum tart

1/2  fat Creme Fraiche

Rose wine

Wk5 D4, I can run for 8 minutes! TWICE!

Today was dark and gloomy with thick, dark, grey clouds covering the sky. The weather man on the radio was telling me of "patchy rain, at times heavy and possibly thunderstorms later". Great, hmmph, Just my luck! I have two 8 minute runs to do today with the getrunning programme and I'm going to get soaked, frozen and possibly hit by a bolt of lightening! I think part of the reason for my utter dismay at the weather today was because we have had fantastic summery weather since the middle of March - quite unusual for the south East of England. And part, because I am dreading the 20 minute run due on Saturday.

I did my usual station walk this morning and decided to run part of it. My right knee hurt half way. I sat at the computer too much yesterday and when I sit for long periods I need to "click" my knees otherwise they ache. I don't know if that's age, standing most of my adult life, lack of exercise, sitting a lot in the last few years (I was at University for three years) or what, but it is a pain and I hope I am not aggravating it by running. Anyway, after my porridge I decided it's now or never, the sky looked a bit brighter, white, rather than dark grey but still no blue. I  took myself off down to the river. Today's run was for 8 minutes, then walk for 5, then run for 8 again. The first 8 minutes flew by, so much so that when the lady voice said "you have 10 seconds left" I felt I could have gone further. After the 5 minute walk the second 8 minutes was a bit harder but I still made it without too much concern. So, now I can officially run for 8 minutes straight! Pat on the back for me!!

I met my friends for lunch today and we went to a Morrocan cafe. I had the most delicious lunch of a chicken Bastilla and salad. The chicken Bastilla is a kind of chicken pie in filo pastry - very nice but impossible to guess the calories. I googled it, but every site offering the calories where different, in some cases by over 100 calories! I picked the middle one of about 250 cals as it wasn't huge or greasy. I cant wait until restaurants in the UK have calories on their menus. I hope they all do soon.

Exercise
Week 5 day 2 get running
Station walk/run at  175 cals

Breakfast
Porridge made with 40g oats, 200ml 1% milk and 10g linwoods seeds
Tea x2
Lunch
Chicken Bastilla and salad
Tea
Afternoon
49g bar of dairy milk
Tea
Dinner (not a good one as I worked until 8.45pm - too late to start cooking!)
2 x slices of bread
2 x Glass of wine

Wk5 D2, Bouncy feet

I had the shock of my life today. I was looking at another get running runners blog - who is on the same week as me -  to find that week 5 of the programme is quite different from any other week up to now. Weeks 1-4 repeat the run/walk times three times a week whereas in week 5 day1 is 3 lots of 5 minute runs - no problem, then day 2 is  2 x 5 minutes and 2 x 8 minutes which may be a bit hard but on day 3 I have to do a
FULL 20 MINUTE RUN WITHOUT STOPPING!!!!!! 

Now, I am aware this may sound no problem to some of you and I may be being a little dramatic, but I must remind you that 4 weeks ago I was clutching my chest, tomato faced, wheezing back to my house after a few 1 minute runs. The thought of running (ahem, slow jogging, ahem) solidly for 20 minutes actually fills me with horror. Luckily, it's due on Saturday when hubby can come out with me as I am in danger of giving up if I go on my own.

Anyway back to today's run. It was good, I ran the other way down the tow path today, the sun was shining, it was warm and no-one else was about. My first run started along with Lady Ga Ga 's eh eh at full blast through my headphones. I felt such a rush of energy I wanted to dance! I didn't though, not on the tow path, even if no-one was watching. I ran with bouncy feet and I LOVED it! In fact the whole 3 runs where good. It took me 2 3/4 miles along the river and at the end I turned round and quick march walked back with a little sprint for the last 5 minutes. I don't know where the energy came from but I sure as hell hope it returns on Saturday morning!

My river run taken on the iPhone. It looks a bit dark but I assure you it was a very bright day!








Exercise
Week 5 day 1 run on Get Running programme (poss burning 277 cals but I have a rubbish iphone 3)
Runkeeper tracked 3.75 miles burning 434 cals

Food
Breakfast
Porridge - 40 g 0ats 200ml 1% milk
Tea
Lunch
150g Heinz baked Beans
2 slices toast from small loaf
Apple
Tea
Afternoon
Tea
1 biscuit
Dinner
Pasta
Sausage, onion, basil & tomato soup to make a quick pasta sauce

Wk4 D6, Today I burned off 708 Calories!!!!!

Station walk this morning    = 150 calories
Get running run wk 4 run3  = 286 calories                       =708 CALORIES !!!!!
Walk back from the run      = 272 calories

708 CALORIES! That's how much I burned today. Well, I know its not an exact science but still, good going eh?  The weather was beautiful today. We took my mum-in-law to the shops at lunchtime, we came home and went out before the midges clouded the river banks.

I had my last run of week 4 on get running to do. The back of my right knee ached a bit when I started out and I thought I should have stretched after the station walk this morning. After a minute or so it eased up. The run was good, hard, but not too much of a problem. I am still finding that my lungs give up before my legs do. I also get to a stage where I don't know whether to swallow or spit my saliva as swallowing interferes with my breathing pattern. Hubby came with me so I did the whole run without turning back for home half way. We stopped at the pub for a spritzer, stretched and did a brisk walk back home. I also remembered to take some photos on the way back to show you my river route and a little bridge I have to run over too. The bridge is little but when you are running up it it seems huge although has got easier over the weeks.

Hmmm, still learning about uploading pics from the iphone to the macbook then emailing them to me on my pc!


Exercise
I think I said enough about that now :-)

Food
Breakfast
Banana
Slice of bread
Lunch
Baked potato
Baked beans
Cappuccino
Tea
Afternoon
Handful of almonds
White wine spritzer
Dinner
Tilapei
Quinoa
Asparagus
Strawberries
prosecco

Wk4 D3, Lady Ga Ga makes you go fastaaa

Now I have finally got some music on my phone the morning walks go by without too much effort. This mornings walk ended in a run and was the fastest so far. I can see myself running the whole 1.4 miles in the not too distant future!
For the first day in a couple of months it looked and felt like it was going to rain today. I didn't fancy doing my getrunning run in that so pottered in the house a bit this morning waiting to see what the sky was up to. Eventually around 11am I decided to go for it. I had clients later and needed to be washed and ready for them.I set off on my run with a bit of Lady Ga Ga blaring in my ears. The first three runs were good, they went by in a breeze. Music definitely helps because it takes your mind off the running. However,  the last 5 minute run made my thighs feel like lead. I had toast for breakfast this morning instead of the usual porridge so I don't know if that made a difference to my energy levels or maybe because of the run to the station or maybe I didn't stretch enough? Anyway, I stretched well afterwards. Hubby has energy gel sweets and suggested I have one of those but I wouldn't know how to add that to my calorie counter. Besides, they look like jelly beans and I may decide I like them too much, so no, best steer clear of those...

Exercise
Walk tracked by runkeeper for 1.33 miles burning 167 calories
Wk 4 Day 2 getrunning 16 minutes of running and 15 minutes walking fast

Food
Breakfast
2 x toast thin spread of flora light
Banana
Tea
Midmorning
Alpro soya chocolate dessert
Tea
Lunch
Houmous
Carrot
1 slice bread
Apple
Dinner
Tea
Porridge -Hubby was out tonight so I didn't have to cook!

Wk 4 D1,- just getting into this running lark!

I did my new get running run today which was 2 x 3 minutes then 2 x 5 minutes. I wasn't worried about the 3 minute runs having run 6 lots of them last week, but to run for 5 minutes was a bit daunting. The first 3 minutes went by without too much thought then the 5 minute run started which was OK but I found myself waiting for the voice to tell me I was half way through, which seemed to take ages. I managed it though. The second 5 minute run was hard and I had to slow to a very slow jog. There was a part about half way through where I thought I should stop and try again on Wednesday, my legs were fine to carry on but my lungs were fit to burst! But then I knew I would be dissapointed in myself so out of shear determination I battled on and did it!!! I was really really pleased with myself. I also didn't turn back for home at the half way point because I wanted to see how far the run would take me. I walked back using runkeeper to measure the distance. I also got more calories burned!
My sister lent me a runners world book which has loads of info about running and nutrition. They say that the 9th run is usually the turning point for energy and fitness and I can assure you I think thats true. I feel really ready for my runs now. I almost look forward to doing them! The weather helps of course. It's dry and sunny most days at the moment. I don't know how I will feel when it's raining.

Exercise
Fast walk with runkeeper for 3.51 miles burning 411 calories!
Get running week 4 day 1 - 16 mins running and 15 mins fast walk.

Food
Breakfast
Porridge (oatmeal) 40g oats & 200ml skimmed milk
Tea
Lunch
3 eggs scrambled
Bananaa
Tea
Afternoon
Couple of pretzels from the Italian Deli
Tea
Dinner
Homemade chilli

W3,D5, - running getting easier

The morning walk is getting very spritely I wanted to break into a run. I think I did the fastest walk this morning too! I didn’t run because I had my third getrunning run to do today. My run along the river was good today. I definately feel like I am getting into the stride of running. My legs feel tighter and my breathing is getting better. I even feel ready to run the 5 minute runs planned for next week!!

Exercise

1.36 mile walk tracked with RunKeeper at 153 calories

W3 D3 Getrunning programme

Food

Breakfast

2x Tea

2x bananas

Lunch

Weight watchers Chicken and lemon risotto

Apple

Tea

Dinner

Bread and flora
Bananas
Wine
Tea

Wk3, D3. Looks like rain...

So, I did my usual morning march to the station which was good. I ran for the last bit. I felt awake this morning. After having such lovely sunny mornings though, this morning was a bit cloudy and it looked like rain. I had clients till about 2pm so wasnt going to be able to do week 3 day 2 of getrunning till later in the day. I hoped it wasn't going to rain because that would give me an excuse not to do it. Not that I am looking for excuses...

Anyway I must say I procrastinated, finding allsorts of other things to do until about 4.30pm, then the sun came out. At that point I told myself I AM going to do this today!! So I got into my running shoes and went out. I've deliberately got myself deep into this fitness and weight loss by blogging, tweeting and telling everyone on facebook each day how I am doing. I know people are following and I really dont want to embarrass myself by not achieving my goal. So, of course, I enjoyed it and by the time I finished and got back home I was really really pleased with myself, not only because I finished it but because it was actually EASIER  than the same run I did last Sunday.

Getting fitter and losing weight ALWAYS takes more effort than sitting anad eating. Its a good thing to do because it gets chemicals whizzing around in your brain with an effect thats waayyy better than chocolate or cake and has a MILLION times better side effect too!

Exercise
Walk tracked by runkeeper for 1.39 miles burning 186 calories
Week 3 Day 2 Getrunning programme
Food
Breakfast
2 x bananas
slice of bread
2 x Tea
Lunch
4x Quorn mini savoury eggs
Apple
Tea
55g smoked mackerel
Dinner
Teriaki chicken at wagamama
300ml white wine

Wk 2, D 7 – There’s not enough room for my lungs and this stomach. One of them has to go.

So it’s Sunday and the big thing for today is for me to start week 3 of my Get Running Couch to 5k plan. I was supposed to start it tomorrow but I didn’t want to do it on my own. There are two reasons really 1) because I didn’t want to give up half way through, which I probably would have done 2) because I was actually scared I would be sick or collapse or die or something similar. Now that would be embarrassing. Its bad enough I think everyone is pointing and laughing at me as I waddle along the tow path huffing and puffing away but if I actually collapsed as well! I expect they would have thought I deserved it for eating too much cake.

So anyway, the reason for the concern over this run is because it requires you to run TWICE for 3 minutes! I know to a lot of you that’s nothing but I assure you if you are new to running and find yourself puffing a lot after a 1 ½ minute run then it is. I know I could have redone the second week until I felt more confident but I wanted to give it a go. So I dragged hubby along with me. Not that he needed a lot of encouragement to be honest. After the 5 minute warm up I stared with the usual 1 ½ minute run which was fine. Then came the 3 minutes.  I started the run at my slow pace and found myself willing for the voice in me headphones to tell me I’ve reached the half way mark which seemed to take forever. So, I then started to focus on my wobbling bottom, thighs and tummy as I ran. Having something to focus on, other than the time, does actually make it go faster, because before I knew it I had 10 seconds left of the run! I DID IT! I was grinning from ear to ear. But I still had more to do. I then had a 3 minute walk another 1 ½ minute run and a 1 ½ minute walk again before the next 3 minute run. Plenty of time to catch my breath. The next run started and I continued to focus on the wobbly bits telling myself this is all to get rid of them. The first 1 ½ minutes was fine but then I found myself unable, it seemed, to breath deeply enough. It was as though my lungs weren’t big enough or deep enough to take in the oxygen I needed. Although, while I was thinking about this the last 10 seconds mark came up so I didn’t actually die or panic or be sick. However, at the point my lungs weren’t big enough I did start to get a sick feeling. If anyone knows the mechanics of that I would be glad to hear it. I am sure it’s to do with blood-oxygen though. Anyway, I managed the whole thing! I was really, really pleased with myself. I am now actually looking forward to the next one on Tuesday.

Exercise

Wk 3, d1 of Get Running tracked with RunKeeper including the walk back home. Used 328 calories!!!!

Food

Breakfast

2 toasts with flora pro-active light

Tea

Tea

Lunch

Glass of Rose wine

Roast Chicken pub lunch, quite big but I left some of it.

Dinner

Pasta with tuna, red peppers and a spoon of natural yogurt

Lots of water