I am avoiding the 7mile run today as my quads are feeling heavy. I did extra miles at the week so I am not unduly concerned.

I shall do my kettlercise dvd, a 3 mile dog walk, abs and a small jog after work.

I have also started the Duck PR exercise so I need some quality sitting down time to email.

Didn't have a good night sleep. Either that protein powder is paying havoc with my insides or I have the bug my son was off with yesterday. Another good reason for a rest day.

I used the foam roller yesterday. My house has not got enough room to really use it efficiently. I have a very sore nose from trying to do my quads and abductors! I have given the quads and calves a vigourous vibrating massage with a large roller headed massage stick thing..hopefully that will wake my legs up.

Added a new challenge to the site last night. Feeling rather excited for that! A 42 mile walk from Buckingham Palace to Madjeski Stadium in under 12 hours with my favourite fellow local Adventurer, Steve Blethyn.

Oh I do seem a  bit slack here!. Trust me, I have been training hard though!
I have been using a running plan from Asics. It downloads into my calender so I have no excuse to forgot what and where I am going each day! On the rest days I shall be in the gym rowing and doing some core walk.

Quick summary -

Thursday, 23rd Feb - Zumba for an hour, then a 3 mile run - legs still tired from weekend so actually ran 2 miles, and walked a mile. Right achilles started to feel tender. Googled some exercises to help stretch & recover . Also got a crick in right neck, from right cuff rotator. Lots of massage & rollering there!

Friday, 24th Feb - Rest day. But did a lot of walking. Legs heavy but felt wonderful after the 1 hour stretch class in the evening. Ken also pushed into right calf and the achilles pain is defered from the there!

Saturday, 25th Feb - right achilles pain gone. Neck easing up a little. Lots of stretches and rollering. Suffering with run envy as lots of people out enjoying the sunshine!

Sunday, 26th Feb - decied to run to Sonning Bridge and back, along the Thames. Ran 12 miles with Penny and Cassie (my dogs). Absolutely exhilerating! Got my hydration and refueling just right. I am actually starting to really get the technical aspectg right. Sunshine also lifts the soul. Afternoon of stretching and rollering again.

Monday, 27th Feb - gentle 3 mile jog with the dogs in the woods. easy going. Legs not too bad. Should have put a plaster over a blister sustained on left instep from yesterday. More stretches and rollering. Will do some kettlebells with lunges and abs, after work this evening. Haven't done any core walk for awhile.

Try to keep the calories down so I can maximise on some weight loss. Also finishing off a tub of protein powder mix. Prefer eating a handful of nuts with a glass of milk to help muscles. Tastier :0)

I am also rather proud of myself, for pushing myself to do the extra mileage yesterday, just a week after Brighton. Whilst resting is essential I do still have to push the body to cope with 5 marathons on 5 days.

I have had a quiet couple days after Brighton Half marathon. Well, when I say quiet, I mean I haven't done any training. However, I have been run ragged by work! So I haven't really had a chance to relax.
The after effects of Brighton are that I just feel a little weary in mind and body. No aches or pains.

Had a sports massage with Vanessa last night. She didn't find any problems. So it was a relatively "pain" free sports massage, getting me ready for my next block of running and event.

So, the focus is now on the Reading Half Marathon 1st April. I am going to aim for a sub 2.30 half marathon as I nearly had that in the bag for Brighton.

Money is an issue so I wont be able to go to any classes such as my Kettlercise ones. I shall have to make do with my kettlercise dvd, home kettlebells, running, the gym plus any classes there I don't have to pay extra for. The mornings and evenings are getting lighter so I can take full advantage of outdoors too.

It's been a hard week trying to juggle work,family,chores,etc,etc.
But, I have done it. A few things had to drop by the way side, such as training. Which is a shame as I wanted to pull a few more miles from the bag to give me confidence for Sunday's Brighton Half marathon.

It was a batttle with tapering and overdoing things! I am no good at the planning and logic of all things especially in the closing week.

Body feels sluggish but suspect fickle female hormones are partly responsible.
I am keeping up hydration and playing down bad bad foods. I did have a sneaky suasage roll and chocolate brownie though. But hey ho, life balances!

I shall have another 45 minute slow run around the woods with the dogs after work. I need that for therapy and relaxing.

No plans for dinner yet but fancy a steak and salad with jacket potato.

I have got part 2 of the stretching course this evening. I am loving that. I do need my own little studio to shut myself away in when the family are at home. I have got the conservatory back so that may have to suffice. Poor Guinea pigs are now back in the den as son is too allergic to them to be in the house (for winter only!).

I had a scary bank balance bill. Going to have a very tight few months so all training to be at home or gym (already paid as ddm). My beloved kettlercise will have to be as a dvd & my own company.

So now, all thoughts are too Sunday...
positive happy thoughts that the run will be fun and I shall finish with a smile!
With a noisy quack out for my Super6 charities!

Yes, it has been an action packed week since I spoke last!

I have to combine work with my children plus domestic chores, shopping,cooking, cleaning, dogs, horses, etc during half term. Makes it hard to train! And yes, I am very good at making excuses!

I am supposed to be tapering down ready for Brighton! but I am still niggled by the fact I haven't done much running or kettlercise. Who's fault? Mine!

Speedy Week Update

Thursday work was cancelled and I should have done my planned ten mile run then as bad weather was forecast for Friday. Instead the inner lazy Me said "stay in"! No point kicking myself over it.

The snow came on Friday and I certainly didn't want to risk damaged limbs or bruises by attempting the daft notion of snow running. There were people out doing it but no, not for me!

Saturday I went to London for the day. Clocked up about 10 miles walking as I don't use the Tube. Also sustained some blister bruns on the sole. Nothing apparent so would be wise to just rest feet for a day or so.

But I didn't! I was panicing that I hadn't done my ten mile run which for the mental comfort I had to do! So on Sunday I set out. Managed 3 miles out, to have run straight back as my feet were feeling more than just tender. Upon inspection, feet now do have those deep thick blisters.

Nothing to be done apart from get Sunday roast on, opena bottle of red wine and watch the Rugby (6 nations fan).

Feet better for Monday's gym session with Gary. For some reason I just felt sluggish. If he hadn't been there I would have had a serious dose of CBA and gone home. Did some dreadmill work at a slow pace but with big inclines, squats, lunges, and PAD (boxing thing).

I do like to analyse why body should go from one extreme to the other on being tred, full of energy, etc. I had walked a lot saturday plus a late night, done massage class friday night, had a  fried breakast on sunday, and a full roast with red wine. Worked all day on my feet and had a macdonald lunch (chilli checken wrap with chips and orange juice). Also, monthlies due and i do suffer the week before and during. So, Brighton is going to be uncomfortable.

Total rest day Tuesday. Also Valentine's so was holding out for the dinner date! Turned out  better than I expected as kids cooked a very healthy lemon chicken with rice.

It's now Wednesday. Yes, I shall go for a run after work. No excuses. Then enjoy a massage with Vanessa.

NB: did a brilliant massage course on friday evening with a sports masseuse. Its a 4 part course and on Friday we worked the hamstrings. Also learned how to use roller and ease the back. It sounded like a mass bubble wrap session as we lay on rollers to do backs and hams! By the end of the evening I was able to put my hands flat on the floor, no cheating!
I have found it hard to remember and fit in those new stretches through the week as the house is full of kids and dogs! I need my own fitness studio!

I must also get back into blogging here about my training! It keeps me on track and focused! I must get over the fact I was poorly! It's 4 days to Brighton. It won't be run at speed but it will be completed with a smile, and a very quick recovery with minimal pain!

Ta-dah! added note to confirm I did go for a run after work. No gadgets or music. Enjoyed a peaceful run in the twlight through the woods with the dogs. I have come back happy and energised. It's almost like a cafffeine high! Beware!

Oh yes, tired legs!
I shan't rest up until after Kettlercise! I must do Wednesday class as I know Fridays are starting to get awkward.
But goodness legs do feel a little fatigued from my 9 mile run and sports massage.

Kettlercise done. Struggled with scissor kicks but gave them a bash. A little qiality sofa time with son, who is off poorly.

Sofa time cancelled as Boss turned up for an unexpected 2 hour supervision. An oversight on her behalf.

Short dog walk in the cold coldness then collected Work from school. he was full of cold and really not up to much more than quality sofa. Bingo! At 6pm he hasked if he could returned home as he wanted his bed! Bless him.

Early night for me; tickle in throat surpised me and coughing fit ensured. Manuka honey gulped down. No coughs thank you! I am a duck on a mission! I have a half marathon in just over a week!

Thursday needs to be gentle. I shall do Zumba then snooze.

Had to cancel Gary's PT on Thursday as I am at the mercy of an unannounced inpsection at some point this week; or so I have been tipped off.

Also had to cancel Sunday's PT as husband not happy spending extra training money and it's encrouching on quality family time. Hmmmm.... family politics. Keep calm, carry on smiling! Carry on running! That's free!

Woken up with heavy head and headache. Probably becuase ears are blocked and sinuses are fizzing! This usually affects my balance so today could be interesting!! 8 miles upright in the muddy woods??

Son still off with head cold and sneezes. Bless you son, love you but sneeze the other way please!

Booked a lunchtime hopi ear treatment with Em long of Reading Holistics to help ears and sinus.

Snow and ice mostly gone so a long slow muddy woodland run will be enjoyed..

Seeing Vanessa tonight for my sports massage. She now knows my muscles and ligaments so I'm literally putty in her hands for being fixed, and advice adhered to after. Hopefully she wont find anything too awful to hinder my chances for Brighton half in less than 2 weeks. I know I have crammed a lot in to the last 2 weeks. Apart from slight tired and heavy legs nothing else seems to feel awkward or out of kilter.

edit note additions -
actually managed 9 mile run in 2hrs 16min - yay me! tough going as it was like a quagmire out there with snow,ice and alot of mud! great work out on inner thigh and core stability!

Hopi candle magic has helped ears, and facial drainage massage has cleared sinus - my balance and hearing has returned!

Woke up with blocked ears. Never a good sign for me! Applied some warm oil. Took about two hours but they did unblock, and thankfully before my gym session with Gary.
Son off with headache and head cold. Oh boy, I do hope my immunity system is strong enough to buffer off his germs!
Gary had me doing some lunges and arm wood chop reps. Then onto the dreadmill for fartlecks.
It was not useful having a guy next me doing speed fartlecks and belting out 7 minute miles! I caught the glimmer in Gary's eyes, and said "No"! I am about distance, not speed!!
So with that the dreadmill incline rose beyond the ceiling and I had to run Everest at 5 mph!

Calves were feeling tight from the running in the snow on Sunday. They certainly could feel the inclines today. I stuck to the program though. I checked HRM every so often, especially when at the end of an incline rep and HRM strong and sensible. Pleased with HR recovery when on a "rest" run too. Just for a change when Gary was doing my stretches he actually managed to find tight calf muscles to work on. Usually He can't stretch them out as they are fairly loose & flexible.

Back home I did some core work with kettlebells as I watched another harry Potter film with son.

Training program plotted in to diary.
8 mile runs planned for Tuesday and Friday, ice/snow permitting.
Kettlercise with Gareth on Wednesday and possibly Friday.
Zumba on Thursday, plus Gary for a 1-1 straight after.
Rest day Saturday.
1-1 gym with Gary on Sunday.

Sports massage booked in with Vanessa on Tuesday.

Stretch classes 1 on friday evening

Haven't done a daily blog this week as been so busy!

Good work continues in the gym and in the woods.

Gary is really putting me through my paces strengthening the core and the power house (my glutes and quads). He has also been stretching me out on the treadmill with different speeds and inclines. In 2 weeks the results are quite noticeable on how much improved my stamina and core is. Hooray! This will make running Brighton a far more exciting and pain free half marathon.

I set out on friday to do a four mile run in the wood. The weather was sunny, dry and minus 6! I just couldn't resist pushing myself a little further and managed 8 miles in 1hr 49 mins. I was more concerned the cold air would upset & hurt my lungs, but I survived.

On sunday the country ground to a halt with snow. Not to be deterred by the dangerous white stuff, I donned ducksuit, dug out my sled harness and did a resistance run with daughter in the sled. Perfect!

I have been spurred on my some awesome adventures happening on twitter and amongst friends.
I was rather won over by their composure, spirit, effort, determination and smiles of the Ultra Marathoners running the Thames Trot. This is 50 miles along the Thames from Oxford to Henley. A lot finished in the dark and snow but the finishing reports show that no one was phased or bothered by that. I am in awe and jealous..and yes, I am thinking about it for next year! I feel my destiny is on the long distance stuff.