I just got back from a 10 mile walk. Part of the walk was along Marine Drive, which is a very nice area especially for walking as there isn't any traffic. The weather was also spot on. It wasn't cold (unless it was - and it was actually because I wrapped up well) anyway, I didn't feel the cold - which is a change and there was no wind either. The only problem I had at times, which wasn't really a problem, just annoying, I kept randomly having coughing fits as I have a horrible cold at the moment and I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel yet.
On Monday I ran 1km followed by 500meters as fast as possible and repeated it. I jogged very slowly between each set. I pushed myself so hard, partly because I had somebody pushing me and encouraging me to keep going giving me advise and tips throughout. I had the first symptoms of a cold on Monday, but it wasn't too bad at this point and it didn't effect my running.
On Tuesday, I went to my gym during lunch to do weight training and after work I did some cardio work before my dancing class. I also ended up walking 6 miles this day from walking to and from work and back to dancing.
On Wednesday, I did a 6 mile run and I kept changing my speed from jogging to sprinting. I used landmarks in the distance to do this. At one point I was running along the Douglas prom but it was very icy. It was dangerous to walk on never mind running so I had to run along the pavement instead. I struggled during training session as I could feel my cold getting worse and despite this I pushed myself really hard again. I probably haven't done myself any favours.
However, I'm hoping that the speed training I've done recently will benefit me in the half marathon run in Liverpool next Month.
I was so ill on Thursday and Friday that I skipt any kind of training. I even missed the chance to see some friends back from Uni! I had hoped that by doing nothing it might help clear up my cold but unfortunately not.
A week today I'm off to Bulgaria for a skiing holiday - cross fingers that I don't get any injuries! Whilst in Bulgaria, I'm going to visit my sponsored child as the chance won't arise often. I dread to think the coldness. I just hope I can stand it and have brought enough layers with me. From Bulgaria, I'm flying to Manchester, to London and then to Tenerife for another week holiday in the sun. So quite a drastic change in temperature and my suitcase looks quite random.
I was hoping to climb the tallest mountain in Tenerife called Teide whilst there but unfortunately there is snow at the top this time of year and guides only take tourists up in the Summer which is a shame. I have a thing with walking up Mountains now, if I have the chance, I have to do it. The list is short, but so far I have walked up Snaefell (from the Laxey Wheel) obviously, the tallest Mountain in England, Kilimanjaro in Africa and this August I'm attempting Machu Picchu in South America.
In a way, I wish the Machu Picchu experience was before the Parish. It would help with the mental side of things as well as the walking. But, I suppose I could do it the other way round - use the Parish as a mental training session for Machu Picchu instead. Although, the Parish means more to me, but then again, I do have the opportunity to keep applying year on year.
Whilst on this topic, about 1 Month ago, I had an amazing idea which would be excellent training for the Parish. But it cant work which disappointed me. I don't think I ever mentioned it? I thought of it whilst out walking. Their is a very popular walking event in Holland called "Nymegen Marches" which is a 4 day walking event. You can choose to do 30KM, 40KM or 50KM distance everyday. I took part in this event once about 6 years ago but I opted to the shortest distance as I quite young considering. I turned 15 on the second day of the event (I wore a T-shirt which told everyone it was my 15th birthday) I thought about going to Holland to take part in the event again because I loved it, but this time I would do the longest distance and it would be excellent training for the Parish. Then I remembered that the event is in the middle of July - after the Parish. (I can I forgot, the event it during my birthday)
I don't doubt that I won't do it again, it just would have been convenient if I could have used it as training as well. The date for the Sarah Killey walk has been confirmed - 26th April but I don't think you can enter for it yet. Forms will be available from the following website soon http://www.iomfire.com/saraswalk2009.htm
Anyway, I'm hoping that by the time I get back from holiday, the evenings will be a lot lighter. This way, I can get my training in by walking to Peel whilst being able to see my boyfriend more often. (Although he lives in Kirk Michael he spends most evenings in Peel training for football.)
I hope to publish another post before I go, but if I don't have the chance, you'll know where I am.
Saturday 14 February 2009
Sunday 8 February 2009
Another week with not much walking going on. However, I don't think I should be worried because I've still pushed myself in other training areas. I like to see it as cross training. The things I've been doing will help my strength, general fitness and stamina.
On Monday I did a 6 mile interval run. I varied my speed frequently from jogging to sprinting. I felt tired at the end and felt like I had a good work out. It was snowing that night and it was quite surreal running in the snow.
On Tuesday, I did a weights class at the gym. This is the same class I've been going to for 4 weeks and this week was the first time I noticed improvement. The class works on most major muscle groups and I struggle the most with my arms. Towards the end of the class when we do bisep curls I tend to loose the beat towards the end. This time, however, I kept to the beat and the next day my muscles weren't sore. It's given me some kind of satisfaction that the class must be doing something.
On Wednesday, I worked as hard as I could, I was exhausted at the end. I did speed training for running. I did 1km slow jog as a warm up followed by 800m sprints 4 times with a 3 minute rest in between. I finished this off with a 100m sprint and a 1km cool down. This for sure will benefit fitness level and stamina.
On Thursday I went to another weights class at my gym and on Friday I did a gentle cardio workout during my lunch.
I wanted to go to circuit training on Saturday which is really tough but unfortunately I missed my bus which I was really annoyed about and couldn't go. Instead, I ended up doing nothing over the weekend.
Other than that I have walked a total of 20 miles this week just walking from A-B. I don't like to count this as training- because it not. But whilst i'm walking I sometimes ponder the question is this helping? Is this adding miles to my legs? Does walking from A-B all the time make any difference? I don't know. I do know however, that I will continue doing this kind of milleage each week quite easily. I always have.
Anyway, I don't think I should be too worried about not walking any long distances. As the stuff I've been doing most have some benefit? To be honest, the weather is putting me off. It's far too cold. I know I've been out running in this weather but I think it's different because running keeps you warmer. Also, I know for a fact that I'll be walking a lot more during the lighter evenings. I'm confident about that.
I've still been suffering from my usual Reynard's but I'm trying lots of things to help the situation. I bought lots of sports gloves last week which arrived on Monday. I wore 2 pairs of gloves on Monday and Wednesday (as I was training outside)but I still suffered badly! :( It's a real shame because I can't enjoy it as much and I end up spending my rest periods wasting my energy and breath by blowing hot air on to my hands. So, this week I bought a pair of gloves designed for people with Reynard's. I've also been to the doctors who have given me a prescription which should help prevent an attack and in the mean time I have been asked to get a blood test.
I'm not sure If I have mentioned this already but I have finally signed myself up for the Parish Walk so their is no turning back now.
The event means so much to me that I'm dreaming about it all ready. The dream was that I walked as far as Peel, felt absolutely fine and decided to see my friend for 5 minutes because it was her birthday. I ended up having such a good time that I completely forgot about the whole event and by 10pm I was receiving text messages asking how I was getting on. In my dream I then suddenly remembered about the Parish walk and was so angry at myself as finishing would have been impossible.
Obviously this would never happen, especially since I don't know anyone with a birthday on Parish walk day, but if anyone does see me in Peel just make sure I keep going!
Just thought I'd mention that my mum has a prescription for The Runners World magazine and sometimes I read them myself. Their a really good read and you can find out some interesting facts. One section which I enjoyed reading and thought I'd share is this:
You can do more by sleeping than you can by training in the final weeks before a big race. In the final weeks your primary training component should be sleeping. It also says, if you lay awake the night before the race (which I normally do to be honest) you shouldn't panick because it's sleep that you get 2 nights before the race that matters.
Runners World's perfect pre-drink before a race (apparently is mirrors the composition of human sweat:)
750ml of water
250 ml of orange juice
2 heaped teaspoons of sugar
1 large pinch of salt
How to make energy bars (also in runnersworld:)
200g dried fruit
2 tbsp of honey
50ml orange juice
150g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
100g porridge oats
Instruction: Mix ingredients together and place in baking tray for 15 mins at 180 C (gas mark 4)
I am actually going to do this and try it out, it's cheaper than having to buy the energy bars all the time and probably just as good if not better. Let me know if you try this out.
On Monday I did a 6 mile interval run. I varied my speed frequently from jogging to sprinting. I felt tired at the end and felt like I had a good work out. It was snowing that night and it was quite surreal running in the snow.
On Tuesday, I did a weights class at the gym. This is the same class I've been going to for 4 weeks and this week was the first time I noticed improvement. The class works on most major muscle groups and I struggle the most with my arms. Towards the end of the class when we do bisep curls I tend to loose the beat towards the end. This time, however, I kept to the beat and the next day my muscles weren't sore. It's given me some kind of satisfaction that the class must be doing something.
On Wednesday, I worked as hard as I could, I was exhausted at the end. I did speed training for running. I did 1km slow jog as a warm up followed by 800m sprints 4 times with a 3 minute rest in between. I finished this off with a 100m sprint and a 1km cool down. This for sure will benefit fitness level and stamina.
On Thursday I went to another weights class at my gym and on Friday I did a gentle cardio workout during my lunch.
I wanted to go to circuit training on Saturday which is really tough but unfortunately I missed my bus which I was really annoyed about and couldn't go. Instead, I ended up doing nothing over the weekend.
Other than that I have walked a total of 20 miles this week just walking from A-B. I don't like to count this as training- because it not. But whilst i'm walking I sometimes ponder the question is this helping? Is this adding miles to my legs? Does walking from A-B all the time make any difference? I don't know. I do know however, that I will continue doing this kind of milleage each week quite easily. I always have.
Anyway, I don't think I should be too worried about not walking any long distances. As the stuff I've been doing most have some benefit? To be honest, the weather is putting me off. It's far too cold. I know I've been out running in this weather but I think it's different because running keeps you warmer. Also, I know for a fact that I'll be walking a lot more during the lighter evenings. I'm confident about that.
I've still been suffering from my usual Reynard's but I'm trying lots of things to help the situation. I bought lots of sports gloves last week which arrived on Monday. I wore 2 pairs of gloves on Monday and Wednesday (as I was training outside)but I still suffered badly! :( It's a real shame because I can't enjoy it as much and I end up spending my rest periods wasting my energy and breath by blowing hot air on to my hands. So, this week I bought a pair of gloves designed for people with Reynard's. I've also been to the doctors who have given me a prescription which should help prevent an attack and in the mean time I have been asked to get a blood test.
I'm not sure If I have mentioned this already but I have finally signed myself up for the Parish Walk so their is no turning back now.
The event means so much to me that I'm dreaming about it all ready. The dream was that I walked as far as Peel, felt absolutely fine and decided to see my friend for 5 minutes because it was her birthday. I ended up having such a good time that I completely forgot about the whole event and by 10pm I was receiving text messages asking how I was getting on. In my dream I then suddenly remembered about the Parish walk and was so angry at myself as finishing would have been impossible.
Obviously this would never happen, especially since I don't know anyone with a birthday on Parish walk day, but if anyone does see me in Peel just make sure I keep going!
Just thought I'd mention that my mum has a prescription for The Runners World magazine and sometimes I read them myself. Their a really good read and you can find out some interesting facts. One section which I enjoyed reading and thought I'd share is this:
You can do more by sleeping than you can by training in the final weeks before a big race. In the final weeks your primary training component should be sleeping. It also says, if you lay awake the night before the race (which I normally do to be honest) you shouldn't panick because it's sleep that you get 2 nights before the race that matters.
Runners World's perfect pre-drink before a race (apparently is mirrors the composition of human sweat:)
750ml of water
250 ml of orange juice
2 heaped teaspoons of sugar
1 large pinch of salt
How to make energy bars (also in runnersworld:)
200g dried fruit
2 tbsp of honey
50ml orange juice
150g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
100g porridge oats
Instruction: Mix ingredients together and place in baking tray for 15 mins at 180 C (gas mark 4)
I am actually going to do this and try it out, it's cheaper than having to buy the energy bars all the time and probably just as good if not better. Let me know if you try this out.
Sunday 1 February 2009
Not much to say this week because I haven't done alot of training. I decided to take it easier because for the last two weeks I really pushed myself and trained hard every night.
I have only walked 14 miles and that's walking from A-B. It wasn't training. (Although the miles soon add up.)
I have however, gone to the gym 3 times - one of which was an hour long circuit training class which is very hard. I also met up with a group of runners and we did a hill session. We ran up a very long steep hill 3 times followed by a shorter but steeper hill twice and finished off by running 2 miles.
I've already mentioned to many times about how uncomfortable my hands are when I get a Raynard's attack which is everyday at the moment and when I go out running or walking I am guaranteed to get it every time. This is my biggest problem I have. On Wednesday when I went out running it was the worst I can remember ever having it and I was wearing sports gloves from the start? It really effects my enjoyment. Also, I can't concentrate on what I am doing because I end up doing anything to try and warm my hands up unsuccessfully. Anyway, I spent Thursday evening searching the Internet for gloves.
I bought 3 pairs of gloves for walking and running in. The gloves were suitable as an inner layer or to wear on their own. I'll probably have to wear two pairs of gloves at once.
I can't wait to receive them and I hope to see an improvement.
Whilst on the Internet I ending up buying about 4 pairs of walking socks too -I seriously have a limited collection and can do with a few more.
This week I also met someone who walked to Jurby in last years Parish event and is keen to train for this years. We ended up having a lot in common and we suggested going on a few walks together which will be good for both of us. She's in Jersey at the moment, so can't arrange it just yet, but I'll keep this blog updated as usual.
I have only walked 14 miles and that's walking from A-B. It wasn't training. (Although the miles soon add up.)
I have however, gone to the gym 3 times - one of which was an hour long circuit training class which is very hard. I also met up with a group of runners and we did a hill session. We ran up a very long steep hill 3 times followed by a shorter but steeper hill twice and finished off by running 2 miles.
I've already mentioned to many times about how uncomfortable my hands are when I get a Raynard's attack which is everyday at the moment and when I go out running or walking I am guaranteed to get it every time. This is my biggest problem I have. On Wednesday when I went out running it was the worst I can remember ever having it and I was wearing sports gloves from the start? It really effects my enjoyment. Also, I can't concentrate on what I am doing because I end up doing anything to try and warm my hands up unsuccessfully. Anyway, I spent Thursday evening searching the Internet for gloves.
I bought 3 pairs of gloves for walking and running in. The gloves were suitable as an inner layer or to wear on their own. I'll probably have to wear two pairs of gloves at once.
I can't wait to receive them and I hope to see an improvement.
Whilst on the Internet I ending up buying about 4 pairs of walking socks too -I seriously have a limited collection and can do with a few more.
This week I also met someone who walked to Jurby in last years Parish event and is keen to train for this years. We ended up having a lot in common and we suggested going on a few walks together which will be good for both of us. She's in Jersey at the moment, so can't arrange it just yet, but I'll keep this blog updated as usual.
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