Oo almost back to my bouncy self. Took the dogs for a walk and that is the first time in a few days. Walk was a disaster as old dog started to wander back home and Penny went awol for half an hour. She came back shattered and covered in more cuts and bruises! She may have packed in a few miles but I didn't as walked around slowly whistling and shouting!

Nex few days I am concerntrating on food preperations, wrapping raffle prizes and tieing loose ends ready for the Fund Raising Gala for New Year's Eve. Got my outfit ready. It's a Movies themed fancy dress party. I wonder if anyone can guess who I shall go as.

Energy levels are low so I haven't been able to do much. Took it easy, trying to drink lots of water and eat lots of fruit.

Have put away all the chrsitmas decorations and tree. The house is now sparkly clean. I always like the sparkly decluttered house feeling after chrsitmas. Makes me feel all clean and fresh ready for a New Year, with new promises and challenges to look foward to.

I have had an empty feeling within me for awhile which has now been filled. The Super-Six charities I am now representing has done that. I have made things more personal. I have also started to plot in some challenges so that is getting the focus and wit sharpened and eager to jump back in my trainers!

Apart from half a toblerone today, I have been quite angelic!

Yup..this naughty little bug persists. I don't think I helped it much by doing a big clear out and inhaling a lot of dust! Still, it could be worse..

I shall have another quiet day. I can use this time to do my admin, read, relax, plan, focus. All owrthy training stuff too. When was the last time you truly switched off? There is a lot of reparing of the body when you are relaxed and/or asleep!

I am missing my walks, runs, kettlercise and zumba. I am also missing the people! Still, it could be worse...

The gist of this is to not wallow in self pity. yes, poorly, and not a lot can be done other than rest. Stay bright and positive for a speedy recovery. At least I am fit and healthy (mostly), and have a lot to look forward to .. some don't.. in fact many are not... that's what drives me in my desire to help others less fortunate.

Well that took me by surprise! I really was poorly.. and it wasn't just a piddly little cold! and no, it wasn't Bird Flu before you all send in that lame duck joke!

I knew I had a cold but I have never felt so tired with such a thumping head for so long!
48 hours later, plenty of soup, ribena, paracetemols and some Port, I have emerged through from 2 days sleep and feeling a lot better!
I even slept through usual shenanigans of the pacing old dog and husband snoring!

I have had some fun playing with my new nano pod. I had initially downloaded all my old favourites.. then..realised it did nothing for me. If I can't be inspired by music collection then I wont have the enthusiasm to run, walk or train. So, I have broken with my i-tune ban and downloaded some new stuff. Now I am very excited! It's an eclectic collection from Everesence to The Soldiers, with a little Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson and The Wanted! Oh, and Il Divo.

So, I am being a good duck and patiently resting, getting better, fitter, stronger.. then I am back in the trainers. Got me some ideas for 2012 ....

 

Oh yes..bring it on...the confession of a Christmas Pudding!

Actually, I haven't done too badly. Due to my cold I haven't had much of an appetite.
Due to my having to camp on my lounge floor, I haven't slep well. Therefore, I haven't been in the mood to drink.

With my Mother staying I was having everything I ate and rank questioned. Consequentialy, for peace and quiet, I didn't eat much! Plus there is a lot of wheat in most things christmassy! So avoided puds, pies, stuffing.....

All my joints aches, my chest is burning, and my ribs feel bruised, from coughing!

However, to not be detered by staying focused and thinking positively, I am using my recuperation time to see how I can put my christmas gifts to good use.

I have set my nano pod up with some great fast music. I have set the fitness programme thingy to make sure I achieve 20,000 steps a day - run, walk, skip, hop...

I have a roller with an exercise and stretch book..will get round to reading that at some point.

I have Xoom to help me with my training schedule.

I am now browsing itunes to see what running apps there to help me too. I like being nursed..coached..spoken to...

It's nearly here!
The time to binge, get indigestion, drunk and wake up with thick heads!
Unless you are being quite modest knowing it's not that good for you really!
I have got my Mother staying so I shall be designated driver over christmas. That will curb some alcohol intake.
I shall also be avoiding anything with wheat do to my intolerance. I haven't shared this ailment with the family, so there will be a lot of foods I shall avoid. Luckily there is no wheat in all the good stuff like the christmas turkey and vegetables.
So, by default, I shall be a good girl food wise.
As for exercise, well, no classes or running for a week. Bad ol me!
My brain needs some down time for a particularly long couple of weeks from work.
I shall walk for therapy and qualit Me Time, but I shan't be beating myself up to run or do anything too strenous or challenging.
I shall enjoy a week of relaxing with my family.

Have a very Merry Christmas Everyone!

Think about those who can't be there and spare a few minutes for some one in your road who may be on their own this Christmas.

Ooo just loving the feel good factor as I sit here and write up my training notes for today.
Enjoyed an 8km powerwalk with two of my dogs. Penny kept a good pace but Cassie got slower. I cut my route short as didnt want her to suffer too much. Dont think i can use her as an endurance partner until she has had a few months on glucosimine and chronditon.
 
Husband helped me stretch out my hamstrings which have been very tight of late.
The knee that has been playing up didnt play up..although I can't get too complacent with it. It's the side ligaments that appear weak and my swimming may be hampering or impairing recovery.

Still fine tuning my food. Will try gluten free porridge as scrambled egg not enough for me to sustain a few hours training.

I am now thinking about my training schedule over the next few weeks when it wont be easy to get to the gym or do kettlercise. I need to get distance in so will be aiming for a minimum of 15 km a day, primarily power walking.  That's because I'm feeling a little out of condition and want to stretch out the hamstrings. I have also downloaded a running app to talk me throughrunning back up to 10km. This will be a confidence booster, a companion, and a motivator for me. I can't find a running buddy who can slot a run in the the same time as me. Plus I am more focused on distance rather than speed, so by most other people's standards I am a plodder.

Today's treat is a full roast beef dinner, with lots of veggies. I haven't mastered wheat free yorkies yet, but to be honest' I don't care...can do without.

I fell and slipped in the bath a few days ago. This has given me a few problems with my left knee.
Will just do a few long dog walks over next week to strengthen it.
Will also keep up Ab work with kettlebells.

Also having a bad Wheat tum at the moment.. my fault. I shouldn't have had that delicious baguette!

I am still trying to keep up some training although with work and festive fun it is proving tricky!

Yet another cold sore too! I can't believe that as I am eating and drinking sensibly!

Do not consider myself run done or over doing things. I am being the model of sense and sensibility, taking advantage of some early nights for extra sleep!

I have bought some extra books to read over the christmas week off.. so I am not glued to banal tv programmes!

I have been without a computer for a few days.
I now have superfast broadband so I can type faster, upload my trianing notes faster, but not train faster!
In the last week I have collided with a tree, slipped in the bath, slammed a finger in the car door, dropped hot water on my bare foot...
I am taking it as a sign of tiredness and distractions!
I have still managed to get out for two runs and one lot of circuits.
But I have been dealing with a poorly Mother, who lives miles away, christmas and birthday preperations.
To say the training is foremost in my thoughts is a fib, but am still keeping myself moving.
No need to worry about bad eating habits as most of my favourite comfort foods contain wheat! Which I am avoiding. That leaves cheese, chocolate and wine ..  stepping away from the kitchen!

Keep on smiling everyone! The New Year, peace and quiet, and the end of bedlam, is only a couple of weeks away!

footnote! I have just come back from a two hour session at the gym including a run, kettlebells and a s

Friday's I don't work!
I can train hard then relax!
A good friend is becoming my savior. She has started asking ig I am going to the gym, am I booked on a class.. she is now starting to become a good gym buddy and that is good for my soul! Thankyou Sarah!

Today we shall be doing a core strengthening class, a dreadmill run and gym circuits, followed by a half hour swim then sauna.

I was on Mothership duty yesterday so apart from 2 dog walks nowt else happened. The weather was also rather windy and the drive on the motorway had me sweating and pumping adrenalin! I live in fear of caravans and Smart cars in high winds now!

Still keeping Decemeber gentle but

Yes, I know I go on about it! but it really does work!
I haven't been able to get out and do much running, but I have tried to make sure I get to two kettlercise classes a week. I also try and do some of the stuff at home.
it just helps keep the body ticking over for running. It is also a great way of burning the fat off.
Although I have to admit to eating crisps and chocolates at the moment.

I seem to be suffering a perpetual tiredness. That's either a sleeping disorder, a seasonal thing, the husband's snoring thing..but whatever is causing it STOP IT!

I'm not going to beat myself up over the fact I can't keep in the spirit and rythmn of training.
A few other priorities, as mentioned before, are kicking in.

Life can get back to normal from January. I have not loss the focus or the will which is the importnat thing. Doing something for 2 charities I am passionate about it keeps me on track.