I have had to make the hard decision to cut down on the blogging that I do. I have a job that I love and it is growing!

So, as I am now focused on the 2013 challenge dressed as a Butterfly, it makes sense to continue the blogs as Debra Butterfly!
You know it's stil me so there won't be much of a change.
Why bother with the change?
I do a lot of presentations and talks on behalf of the charity I work for and as their emblem is the Butterfly then it is more appropriate to share Debra with them.

Hopefully there will not be a huge outcry but this will save me an extra hour for training or cuddling up with the dogs and family.

The best thing about all of you is that you are all so supportive and this little change will not really make a jot of difference. So a noisy thank you quack for that!

So make a diary date to keep up to date with Debra's Flutterings now!

Of what?
Training of course! Still a feeble excuse!
I was train bound for 8 hours yesterday so I truly couldn't do much then. I could run the aisles but that would have upset a few people.
I did take the stairs instead of the lift..at least once..when at the hotel where my meeting took place!

I did take the dogs for a walk and that helped me unwind and relax from a very long day. I was up at 4.30am to get a train from Reading to Manchester. I didn't get back home until 10.15pm. Despite that, feeling tired and hungry, I still went out for a ten minute walk. I had been sat for a long time in an uncomfortable postion. you can still get DVT from long train journeys! I tried to wriggle my toes and ankles just to keep the circulation going.

I also made sure had water to stay hydrated, a book to distract me from thinking of food and good ol nuts and raisins for when I really was peckish. Prepared to make sure I didn't eat rubbish or graze.

No one can get your fit and ready for a challenge. Only you can talk the walk or walk the talk. Every little effort helps. Never give in. That ten minute dog walk mean't I was relaxed and able to go off to sleep easi

Hmmm..ok so the weight has gone down since I last posted a picture but the weight had gone down to 13st 6!
I am not going ot beat myself up about but will remind myself to stay off th eprocessed food. Eat clean and lean. Plus write everything down!
I have a good training plan and enough distractions at work to keep me busy and out of the snack box!

Took a couple of days to blast the cold out but I am now recovered and can enjoy a thought process.
However, when I am sent certain items for a chrsitmas present on a wish list my brain ceases to function. My son has seen an article onthe net about Invisibility cloaks and could he one.
You figure it out!

Yup, I've got Bird Flu...
No, that's such a bloke thing to over exaggerate the symptons! I have a sniffle and feel a little under the weather.
So I have taken it easy but still done a full day. I shall have an early night as that aids recovery.
I did a 3 mile dog walk and the fresh air opened the sinuses so I could breathe, relax and smile.

Berkshire folks; I shall be selling DEBRA christmas cards & wrapping paper, selling tickets for a Nirvana Spa goodies Raffle & Guess the Name of the Cat at the Pre-Christmas Bazaar, being held 11am - 2.30pm, Friday 9th November at the Rowans Children's Centre, Pondmoor Road Bracknell, RG12 7JZ. Do pop in to say Hi and start your christmas shopping. Thank you.

If you can't get out to see me you can always buy your Christmas Cards online.

Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

Well I know I am certainly half glass of full kind of duck! I do try and turn everything into a positive. That can have a powerful effect on how you live your life. Drop the 't' on can't and you CAN do things.
In one year I have been able to do 5 marathons in 5 days from having been a couch potato to starting a new job back in the corporate world after 17 years at home! Skills needed rediscovering but I stepped into the heels after years in the trainers and took up the new challenges.

The above photo is the Duck metamorphisising into a Butterfly - yes, I actually bought that on ebay! Who would have thought I would find such a perfect gem that I can use for my 2013miles2013 challenge dressed as Debra Butterfly! Also perfect to carry around as ice breaker for my #chatterboxcampaign!

I am busy with those today so other than my 3 mile walk this morning and a relaxing pilates and yoga later tonight I have not had a chance for another 3 mile dog walk. Just a shortened one.

Life in the fast lane of work life! But always make time to sit down, relax, unwind... or your body will frazzle and burn which is no good to anyone!

Short

It's a beautiful sunny day and it's my day off! So an early start to maximise on all that Mother Nature can offer me.

As always, today's adventures were shared with Penny and Cassie, my two faithful lurchers. We all thoroughly enjoyed the colours, smells and vibrancy of our 8 mile circuit. Autumn is often refered to as the twilight of life so it seems odd that I use such words as vibrant. But it truly does make me feel alive. The warmth and richness of colours seduce me to drop all chores and surrender myself to the outdoors with wild abandon! The poetry of the scenery is catching!

This was a perfect day to start my new training regime to get back into challenge fitness. I am not going to be blase and assume I am as fit as I was in the summer when I did the Dreadmill 24 hour challenge and Forces March. I also need to change the running style, as previously mentioned and started, from heel strike to forefront. So it was smusing that I should find myself drinking a yummy red merlot made by Barefoot! An omen that training must begin.

Yesterday I sent out a tweet asking for advice on how people would help a novice 47 year old start her running career. It was a reference for myself. The suggestions were all very simple, effective and pertinent. The key elements were to train slowly, drink plenty of water and follow a plan. We often get too set in our ways and forget some of the basic rules which are designed to make us comfortable and stronger.

So I shall be following my Asics online planwhich you can view at any time too. I like this plan as I can set my pace, time to train, when the event is and it works out all the running formulas for me, including taper and warm down. I shall cross train on the rest days doing kettlercise, pilates and swimming. I shall be using home dvds for the Kettlercise and Pilates.  I am doing the Reading Half Marathon 17th March for the The British Heart Foundation in memory of Ged so that is my goal. I shall be dressed as the Duck for that. All my other events will be dressed as Debra Butterfly and that will be blogged as  Debra's Flutterings.

Food versus refueling will also be reviewed. I shall return back to my old ways to only eat foods that are "real" - completely ditching all of the processed food/drink for natural alternatives. It could be argued that milk is tampered with and that cheese, quorn, tofu, hummus are not real, but essentialy they are pure ingredients with nothing added. I shall be primarily eating more protein than carbs as I want to burn fat. Breakfast will be a hemp protein drink mixed with fresh juice. Lunch will be an avocado, tuna, egg salad with cracked wheat & pulses. Dinner will be meat and steamed vegetables. Just something easy to cook, prepare, transport!

So, today I have done 8 miles with the dogs at a leisurely pace. I did my (youtube) Lunge Matrix first then a (youtube) kettlebell warm up. A good routine to get into to help me with my warm up to running. Tonight I shall do my Guy Noble Kettlercise DVD with a (youtube) pilates cool down and a (youtube) post run yoga stretches. 

To improve my forefoot strike I am doing a series of running drills such as these. I am still trying to find the ultimate youtube set. I rely on these because I train better if I have a virtual training partner.

Now, what have you done today?

Piecing mojo-inducing snippets together from google to make running in the rain a pleasure to look forward to, not run away from.

The weather news draws a sad face among the runners. Most of the runners don't like running in the rain. Just fast forward to the end of the run and your mind is awash with imagery of the soggy socks, dirty shoes, flooded and slippery roads. It makes you cringe. Rain makes it harder to run and it lessens your mileage for the week. The increased possibility for rainy, wet conditions might make most runners take their routine indoors. However, with the right precautions, runners can keep up their outdoor running even on rainy days. They may even find the rain a refreshing change. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Create a natural moisture-wicking layer: Rub a bit of baby oil on your arms and legs to stop the water from sitting on you. This will help the water to rolls off instead.

• Choose your fabrics carefully: It's best to avoid cotton, it just soaks up the water. There are plenty of synthetic tops you can get that don't hold the water.

• Keep your feet dry: If your feet are prone to blisters or feeling cold in the rain, try lambswool socks. Your feet won't stay dry but they will be warm and the socks won't rub. Cotton socks are a no-no. Get yourself some waterproof trainers. If you don't want to buy a whole new pair, just use an old pair.
  
  
• Pop a hat on: Wear a head cover that will keep your head dry. A peaked hat is a good way to keep the water off your face but do buy a lightweight one. Try and look out for a waterproof top that has air vents built into it.
  
  
• Don't forget to safeguard your gadgets: If you carry a mobile phone then put it inside something waterproof like a zip food bag to protect it.
  
  
• Avoid puddles when possible: Stomping through standing water is fun but that puddle could be deeper than you think and a spraining an ankle is not much fun at all.
  
  
• Slow down your pace: When running in the rain you don't feel as hot which might tempt you to run hard. Don't. You drive more cautiously during a down pour. It's good to use the same judgement when running in the rain.
  
  
• Do not run fast against the wind: Be aware of how windy weather can affect your running. Slow down when running in a strong wind. You are spending six percent more oxygen than in ordinary conditions. Running slower while against the wind will give you the same benefits as when you run fast during normal conditions. When you begin your work out, try to run against the wind, so that during your return you have the wind to your back and are not fighting to run against it when you are more tired.
  
  
• Stay Hydrated: Despite the cold weather, you'll still heat up and lose fluids through sweat. Cold air also has a drying effect, which can increase the risk of dehydration. Make sure you drink water or a sports drink before, during, and after your run.
  
  

Run in rain just for the pure enjoyment of it! Everything sounds different in the rain. You will love the sound of rain hitting the canopy of trees. Things even smell different in the rain and they certainly feel different. It's OK to get soaked to the core. If you haven't done it, try it.

Happy quacks!

Thank you Ravish Taori!

I asked for Strength

And was given Difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for Wisdom

And was given Problems to solve.

I asked for Prosperity

And was given Brain and Brawn to work.


I asked for Courage

And was given Danger to overcome.

I asked for Love

And was given Troubled people to help.

I asked for Favors

And was given Opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted.

I received everything I needed.

~~ Author Unknown ~~

Kick Ass time and if I am to flutter 2013 miles through 2013 I really must get back in to the habit of training! First challenge is run up Spinnaker tower January 24th! There are 570 steps from the base up to View Deck 3, The Crow's Nest! I have found the perfect place to train for it, our local car park, the Riverside car park, part of the Oracle Mall. had a recce up and down that today with the children. They used the lifts!

Another positive aspect to 2013 is that I shall be igoring all diets and supplements. Expensive and I am not convinced they work. Through thpower of sensible eating, no restrictions, a lot of exercise and dancing to music (essential) I am sure I shall work off most naughty calories.

So today I celebrated with Wensledale cheese with Blueberries in a wrap with some chopped walnuts for a wonderful gourmet treat!

It was also a day off and spent with the children. They helped with the chores and then we went off christmas gift ideas browsing and window shopping. Oh Apple Store how did we walk without with nothing!

Wore a pedemoter (nano ipod) and managed 18,201 steps today. Not bad! That did include a woodland walk with the dogs.

Now to relax with a bottle of merlot .....

Two men were walking home after a Halloween party and decided to take a shortcut through the cemetery just for laughs. Right in the middle of the cemetery they were startled by a tap-tap-tapping noise coming from the misty shadows.
Trembling with fear, they found an old man with a hammer and chisel, chipping away at one of the headstones.

"Holy cow, Mister," one of them said after catching his breath, "You scared us half to death -- we thought you were a ghost! What are you doing working here so late at night?"

"Those fools!" the old man grumbled. "They misspelled my name!"

I am not a big fan of this "celebration". I am not into trick or treating when done as method of extracting favours with menaces. Ss it socially acceptable to encourage our youngsters to do that in this day and age?  I shall not labour the point!

In other news...
Oh my the excitement of today has resulted in a sky high Duck! All shall be revealed in next couple of days when I update the Duckery. A very productive day at work and also for the 2013 Challenge! If it hadn't been raining so hard and I hadn't climbed into jimjams as soon as I got home I really could have benefitted from a run tonight! However, I am in that mood for a little wine, quiet music, a good book and dimmed lights.

What are you views on fitbits? I need a method of tracking my mileage next year and can't rely on a garmin or phone app if I am in a satelite black spot.