I have officially retired from any events that include running.
I just don't like it.
In fact, it makes me miserable.
And that puts me off exercise generally.
So, why do it, when I usually love exercise?
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Soon be Christmas!
It's OK, Jake hasn't kidnapped me, although it feels a bit like the festive season has!
We had three weekends in a row away from home, so last weekend was busy trying to get lots of stuff done around the house. We did manage to sneak an early morning kayak on the harbour on Sunday, which was lovely.
Have been flat out with work (and work functions!) but....
I HAVE A MONTH OFF! I am finishing on 19 December and not back at work till 20 January. How blissful is that?
Craig has almost as much time off, although he is working until 23 December. After Christmas we are going to drag the caravan to the Far North for a 3+ week trip - and of course the kayaks and mountain bikes will be going with us.
I am going to run a trip blog while I'm away, so keep an eye out here for the link if you're interested.
Look - I can drink and BBQ at the same time! Talented girl.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Nostalgia shot
We’ve just had our new fridge delivered, and it made me remember this photo from this post.
That fridge got left behind when I left the old house (and life) behind. I don’t like my chances of talking Jake into posing for another shot like this.
I spoke to him a couple of days ago when he was in Amsterdam (and I don’t even want to think about what he was getting up to). He is ambivalent about coming home – excited to be seeing everyone, but worried that it’s all going to feel strange and flat.
He has not yet really had to face the fact of his parents separating, which happened just after he left in April last year. That may take some getting his head around.
He’s not met Craig yet either, although he did work with one of his sons briefly. Mind you, I think Craig is more worried about this meeting than Jake is.
So, things are feeling a bit unsettled, but I’m sure it will be fine. Jake is not the sort to make trouble where it doesn’t exist and all he wants is for us to be happy. And happy is something that I certainly am; whether Mark is or not is none of my concern.
Anyway, my boy is coming home and that’s just too cool for words!
That fridge got left behind when I left the old house (and life) behind. I don’t like my chances of talking Jake into posing for another shot like this.
I spoke to him a couple of days ago when he was in Amsterdam (and I don’t even want to think about what he was getting up to). He is ambivalent about coming home – excited to be seeing everyone, but worried that it’s all going to feel strange and flat.
He has not yet really had to face the fact of his parents separating, which happened just after he left in April last year. That may take some getting his head around.
He’s not met Craig yet either, although he did work with one of his sons briefly. Mind you, I think Craig is more worried about this meeting than Jake is.
So, things are feeling a bit unsettled, but I’m sure it will be fine. Jake is not the sort to make trouble where it doesn’t exist and all he wants is for us to be happy. And happy is something that I certainly am; whether Mark is or not is none of my concern.
Anyway, my boy is coming home and that’s just too cool for words!
Monday, November 17, 2008
See how far my bottom lip sticks out?
Not my most successful effort, the duathlon.
I was having real doubts about my ability to do the second (5km) run, but was happy to walk parts of it if I needed to, despite my earlier NO WALKING resolve.
What I didn’t expect was to strike trouble on the ride. It has always been my strongest discipline, and having done the 50km recently I was feeling fine about it. Maybe that was my downfall?
It was a very windy day on Sunday – gusting over 80km/hour on the course. So the first run was very tough, with some vile headwinds. In fact I even had to walk parts of that – I could walk just as fast as I could run in those conditions.
But the ride REALLY hurt. I was trying to keep my speed over 25km/hour on average, and it was probably too big a task in the wind. By about 12km I was getting cramp in my right thigh and it just kept getting worse. By the end of the 20km the upper leg was cramped solid and I just COULDN’T walk or run it off.
So, I made it about 1km into the second run and then pulled out.
DNF. Shit!
I spent the afternoon parked on the couch watching movies and sulking.
But, of course, I’m over it now.
I think there were a number of contributing factors. I spent the week on antibiotics because of a kidney infection – which also meant I hardly trained at all. I didn’t adjust my expectations to the weather conditions. And – I think this is the biggie – I listened to my own negative self talk. And, really, I just wasn’t prepared for the distance. I’m not a strong runner and the mental toughness to push through the challenge wasn’t there.
End of self-analysis, time to move on.
From now till Christmas I’ll focus on fitness for weight loss, so keeping my cardio load quite high. Then in the New Year – train for a short duathlon on 18 January (2.5km/15km/2.5km) and hit the medium duathlon again on 8 February.
Then I have a really big challenge planned, but more on that later…
I was having real doubts about my ability to do the second (5km) run, but was happy to walk parts of it if I needed to, despite my earlier NO WALKING resolve.
What I didn’t expect was to strike trouble on the ride. It has always been my strongest discipline, and having done the 50km recently I was feeling fine about it. Maybe that was my downfall?
It was a very windy day on Sunday – gusting over 80km/hour on the course. So the first run was very tough, with some vile headwinds. In fact I even had to walk parts of that – I could walk just as fast as I could run in those conditions.
But the ride REALLY hurt. I was trying to keep my speed over 25km/hour on average, and it was probably too big a task in the wind. By about 12km I was getting cramp in my right thigh and it just kept getting worse. By the end of the 20km the upper leg was cramped solid and I just COULDN’T walk or run it off.
So, I made it about 1km into the second run and then pulled out.
DNF. Shit!
I spent the afternoon parked on the couch watching movies and sulking.
But, of course, I’m over it now.
I think there were a number of contributing factors. I spent the week on antibiotics because of a kidney infection – which also meant I hardly trained at all. I didn’t adjust my expectations to the weather conditions. And – I think this is the biggie – I listened to my own negative self talk. And, really, I just wasn’t prepared for the distance. I’m not a strong runner and the mental toughness to push through the challenge wasn’t there.
End of self-analysis, time to move on.
From now till Christmas I’ll focus on fitness for weight loss, so keeping my cardio load quite high. Then in the New Year – train for a short duathlon on 18 January (2.5km/15km/2.5km) and hit the medium duathlon again on 8 February.
Then I have a really big challenge planned, but more on that later…
Monday, November 10, 2008
Just stuff...
Well, our general election may not have been as high profile nor as exciting as the American presidential race, but it has been an interesting weekend.
I thought Helen’s concession speech was wonderful, but could everyone please stop talking about her as if she died? All her opponents who have been unable to utter a good word about her for years are suddenly offering up glowing tributes.
Still, sincerity never had any place in politics…
Less than a week till the duathlon now. I’m mostly excited about it, but have moments of questioning my sanity. I have reached the conclusion that I always need an event or specific activity to aim and train for. It helps me so much with my focus and I really enjoy feeling myself improving and getting fitter.
Speaking of looking forward to things – just a few weeks now till Jake gets home. I’ve been getting texts from lots of different countries lately – I gave him a three week Contiki tour for his 20th birthday, so he’s having a last blast around Europe before heading back to NZ. Oh, and he’s having a week staying with friends in Greece as well!
Having my boy home is definitely going to be the best Xmas pressie.
I thought Helen’s concession speech was wonderful, but could everyone please stop talking about her as if she died? All her opponents who have been unable to utter a good word about her for years are suddenly offering up glowing tributes.
Still, sincerity never had any place in politics…
Less than a week till the duathlon now. I’m mostly excited about it, but have moments of questioning my sanity. I have reached the conclusion that I always need an event or specific activity to aim and train for. It helps me so much with my focus and I really enjoy feeling myself improving and getting fitter.
Speaking of looking forward to things – just a few weeks now till Jake gets home. I’ve been getting texts from lots of different countries lately – I gave him a three week Contiki tour for his 20th birthday, so he’s having a last blast around Europe before heading back to NZ. Oh, and he’s having a week staying with friends in Greece as well!
Having my boy home is definitely going to be the best Xmas pressie.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Motivation Monday
Well, who's been a slack tart then!
What's motivating me today? The great bunch of people I work with!
We had a training brick at our place yesterday - 1km run/10km ride/2km run - with the eight of us who are doing the duathlon together in TWO WEEKS (!!!!!). Then we had a BBQ brunch, along with the various partners, kids, dogs, etc.
I looked around at this diverse group of people and just found it completely motivating. The duathletes range from 32 to 50 in age, come from all walks of life and have varying sports backgrounds from former NZ representatives (women's cricket) to never having done an event in their lives.
And here we all are, with a common goal. Two of them are now talking about going on to do a marathon in the next 18 months, one is trying to get back the fitness he's lost in the 10 years since giving up competitive sport, one is so fit he does this sort of thing for a blast - and we're all in this together, helping, advising, competing a little, and having some really great fun along the way.
It's been a neat way to get my groove on again.
What's motivating me today? The great bunch of people I work with!
We had a training brick at our place yesterday - 1km run/10km ride/2km run - with the eight of us who are doing the duathlon together in TWO WEEKS (!!!!!). Then we had a BBQ brunch, along with the various partners, kids, dogs, etc.
I looked around at this diverse group of people and just found it completely motivating. The duathletes range from 32 to 50 in age, come from all walks of life and have varying sports backgrounds from former NZ representatives (women's cricket) to never having done an event in their lives.
And here we all are, with a common goal. Two of them are now talking about going on to do a marathon in the next 18 months, one is trying to get back the fitness he's lost in the 10 years since giving up competitive sport, one is so fit he does this sort of thing for a blast - and we're all in this together, helping, advising, competing a little, and having some really great fun along the way.
It's been a neat way to get my groove on again.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The rotating kilo
Kathryn made a comment on my last post about how frustrating it is to lose and gain the same kilo over and over. I’ve been carrying this disturbing image of a rotating kilo ever since.
So, where does the bloody thing go?
I know when I gain that kilo, it likes to wrap itself comfortably around my hips to create that unsightly muffin top.
But what about when I lose it?
It can’t be holidaying in the fridge, for I’m sure I’d notice it. And it’s not relaxing in my undie drawer, there’s just no room. I guess it’s probably skulking under my bed, waiting to slide back onto my body under the cover of night.
Or maybe the kilo is clever enough to distribute itself around as random grams of fat. Maybe my healthy home made muesli now contains fat bombs that slip away from my stomach to find their favourite hip resting place. Maybe there are fat drops in the shower head that stick to my arse while I’m showering.
I’m going to have to come up with a subterfuge. Perhaps I should lose the kilo while working in Auckland and then try to sneak home so it doesn’t hitch a ride on my butt. Or ride very fast and hope it scatters behind me, hopelessly lost and gone forever.
Or introduce it to Kathryn’s kilo so they can fall in love and run away together…
So, where does the bloody thing go?
I know when I gain that kilo, it likes to wrap itself comfortably around my hips to create that unsightly muffin top.
But what about when I lose it?
It can’t be holidaying in the fridge, for I’m sure I’d notice it. And it’s not relaxing in my undie drawer, there’s just no room. I guess it’s probably skulking under my bed, waiting to slide back onto my body under the cover of night.
Or maybe the kilo is clever enough to distribute itself around as random grams of fat. Maybe my healthy home made muesli now contains fat bombs that slip away from my stomach to find their favourite hip resting place. Maybe there are fat drops in the shower head that stick to my arse while I’m showering.
I’m going to have to come up with a subterfuge. Perhaps I should lose the kilo while working in Auckland and then try to sneak home so it doesn’t hitch a ride on my butt. Or ride very fast and hope it scatters behind me, hopelessly lost and gone forever.
Or introduce it to Kathryn’s kilo so they can fall in love and run away together…
Monday, October 20, 2008
Motivation Monday
What’s motivating me today? The scales.
I’ve got all this stuff lined up nicely:
I’m exercising well and regularly. I’m being challenged in this area and really enjoying that.
I’m doing my usual no drinking of alcohol in October – and this year I’m extending it until after the duathlon in November. I definitely feel better and can really feel the benefits when I exercise.
I’ve got my head around how I want to approach food – BUT I’M NOT DOING IT CONSISTENTLY.
Today I weigh exactly 100 grams more than I did at the start of August. 83.9kg.
Okay, we all know I’m great at maintaining. But in that time I’ve only strung 2 weeks of losses together. The last 7 weeks have been up and down each week alternately.
Too annoying.
I know the way I want to approach eating is right. But I’m still not getting my head into it properly. I know that it’s not going to be an overnight change. But I would like to see some success to encourage me.
I am definitely not going back to tracking points. It drives me nuts!
But I am going to keep a food diary for a few weeks. What I eat, when and where.
Why?
To better identify my ‘weak’ times – what time of day do I snack when I don’t need to, which days to I have more trouble controlling, which locations cause me more problems – home, away on business or at the caravan? And then I can be more on my guard against them.
One thing I do know – I need to stop letting myself off. It’s this sort of thing:
It’s been a hard two days in Auckland – I deserved some cheese and crackers (and a little piece of brownie) while I wait at the airport to fly home.
Mmmmm, that black pudding, mushrooms and eggs on savoury French toast sound great. We only go out to brunch once a week, so I may as well have it.
If you look hard enough, you can find a reason to let yourself off every day. And there’s your eating shot all to hell.
So, I’m also going to write a few simple rules at the front of my food diary. Like:
Brunch – healthiest option only. If there’s no fruit muesli and yoghurt on the menu, its poached eggs on toast with grilled tomatoes on the side.
Airport lounge – a cup of tea and a piece of fruit in the evening, or cereal and fruit in the morning.
Caravan – Craig can eat cashews. I can’t. Find some rice crackers.
It’s a long process, this learning thing!
I’ve got all this stuff lined up nicely:
I’m exercising well and regularly. I’m being challenged in this area and really enjoying that.
I’m doing my usual no drinking of alcohol in October – and this year I’m extending it until after the duathlon in November. I definitely feel better and can really feel the benefits when I exercise.
I’ve got my head around how I want to approach food – BUT I’M NOT DOING IT CONSISTENTLY.
Today I weigh exactly 100 grams more than I did at the start of August. 83.9kg.
Okay, we all know I’m great at maintaining. But in that time I’ve only strung 2 weeks of losses together. The last 7 weeks have been up and down each week alternately.
Too annoying.
I know the way I want to approach eating is right. But I’m still not getting my head into it properly. I know that it’s not going to be an overnight change. But I would like to see some success to encourage me.
I am definitely not going back to tracking points. It drives me nuts!
But I am going to keep a food diary for a few weeks. What I eat, when and where.
Why?
To better identify my ‘weak’ times – what time of day do I snack when I don’t need to, which days to I have more trouble controlling, which locations cause me more problems – home, away on business or at the caravan? And then I can be more on my guard against them.
One thing I do know – I need to stop letting myself off. It’s this sort of thing:
It’s been a hard two days in Auckland – I deserved some cheese and crackers (and a little piece of brownie) while I wait at the airport to fly home.
Mmmmm, that black pudding, mushrooms and eggs on savoury French toast sound great. We only go out to brunch once a week, so I may as well have it.
If you look hard enough, you can find a reason to let yourself off every day. And there’s your eating shot all to hell.
So, I’m also going to write a few simple rules at the front of my food diary. Like:
Brunch – healthiest option only. If there’s no fruit muesli and yoghurt on the menu, its poached eggs on toast with grilled tomatoes on the side.
Airport lounge – a cup of tea and a piece of fruit in the evening, or cereal and fruit in the morning.
Caravan – Craig can eat cashews. I can’t. Find some rice crackers.
It’s a long process, this learning thing!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Motivation Monday
What's motivating me today? The ride yesterday.
Well, not the actual ride, but the way it felt when I finished. I was absolutely knackered, absolutely everything hurt and it was absolutely fantastic!
I set myself a really hard target and got so close to it the minute and half really doesn't matter that much.
I'd forgotten how good that feeling is - setting your sights high and knowing you worked like hell to reach them.
So, time for another target - my duathlon times. Forget about pissing about with whimpy targets like just finishing the damn thing - I know I can do that.
The distances? 2.5km run/20km cycle/5km run
Target one - no walking, not even in transition
Target two - one hour and 50 minutes (I really want to type two hours there, but I'm not letting myself)
Well, not the actual ride, but the way it felt when I finished. I was absolutely knackered, absolutely everything hurt and it was absolutely fantastic!
I set myself a really hard target and got so close to it the minute and half really doesn't matter that much.
I'd forgotten how good that feeling is - setting your sights high and knowing you worked like hell to reach them.
So, time for another target - my duathlon times. Forget about pissing about with whimpy targets like just finishing the damn thing - I know I can do that.
The distances? 2.5km run/20km cycle/5km run
Target one - no walking, not even in transition
Target two - one hour and 50 minutes (I really want to type two hours there, but I'm not letting myself)
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The body hurts
This morning Craig and I did our 50km ride at Waikanae. I did it in 2 hours and 1 minute, and Craig came in about 10 minutes after me. Last year it took us 2 hours and 30 minutes.
The improvement isn't quite as dramatic as it sounds - last year we did it on mountain bikes with knobbly tyres. Still on mountain bikes this year, but with road tyres, which makes a huge difference. The other big difference - a lovely still day today, whereas last year the northerly was gusting 100km an hour!
Still, very pleased with our times.
Has been another great weekend - weather at the caravan yesterday was lovely, so we just pottered about and spent a fair bit of time lounging in the sun. Came straight home after the ride this morning so Craig could watch Bathhurst. I've done a bit of gardening and some snoozing on the couch.
Our time at the caravan always feels like a holiday - the weekends just seem longer somehow.
The improvement isn't quite as dramatic as it sounds - last year we did it on mountain bikes with knobbly tyres. Still on mountain bikes this year, but with road tyres, which makes a huge difference. The other big difference - a lovely still day today, whereas last year the northerly was gusting 100km an hour!
Still, very pleased with our times.
Has been another great weekend - weather at the caravan yesterday was lovely, so we just pottered about and spent a fair bit of time lounging in the sun. Came straight home after the ride this morning so Craig could watch Bathhurst. I've done a bit of gardening and some snoozing on the couch.
Our time at the caravan always feels like a holiday - the weekends just seem longer somehow.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
The good times continue
Still loving this hard-arsed exercise lark. How could I have forgotten how great it feels to push my body and then push my mind to push my body even further!
And having a trainer - brilliant! He's not the red-faced spitting drill sarge type, but he really does motivate me. And of course I lap it up. He has only had to explain to me once that doing an exercise to 'failure' really means till you physically can't do it any more, not that it hurts a bit and you don't feel like it...
Of course, I am trying to dish it straight back at him. Well, he did tell me that he doesn't embarrass easily. That's pretty much a challenge right there, isn't it? If you don't want to hear that one of my aims is that my thighs don't wobble during sex, don't ask me what my aims are, fool.
And having a trainer - brilliant! He's not the red-faced spitting drill sarge type, but he really does motivate me. And of course I lap it up. He has only had to explain to me once that doing an exercise to 'failure' really means till you physically can't do it any more, not that it hurts a bit and you don't feel like it...
Of course, I am trying to dish it straight back at him. Well, he did tell me that he doesn't embarrass easily. That's pretty much a challenge right there, isn't it? If you don't want to hear that one of my aims is that my thighs don't wobble during sex, don't ask me what my aims are, fool.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Motivation Monday
What's motivating me today? Me!
I feel great. Yesterday at the gym was one of those breakthrough days - I ran a bit further, rowed a bit harder and grinned like a maniac through my weights programme.
I feel fit and trim. Not the fittest and most trim I've been, but a definite improvement on how I felt a few weeks ago.
I'm looking forward to exercise this week. I'm especially looking forward to the 50km ride this weekend.
Just generally, I'm looking forward.
I feel great. Yesterday at the gym was one of those breakthrough days - I ran a bit further, rowed a bit harder and grinned like a maniac through my weights programme.
I feel fit and trim. Not the fittest and most trim I've been, but a definite improvement on how I felt a few weeks ago.
I'm looking forward to exercise this week. I'm especially looking forward to the 50km ride this weekend.
Just generally, I'm looking forward.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Life keeps changing
It has been a really tiring couple of weeks as Craig has been closing up his business. Very stressful for him, coping with that, and migrating himself, his staff and his major client - to the same company I work for!
So now I get to call him the new boy and threaten him with the fact that I usually do all the process/systems training with the new staff. It has been decided I won't in this case, but no doubt I'll get to act as the after hours help desk.
This is a very good move for him, as he was really over running his own business and competing in such a tight market. Despite the stress of change, I can already see him starting to relax and enjoy his work again.
Luckily we don't have to work in the same offices - that would be just a bit too much time together.
We're going to have another nice quiet weekend at home and give the garden a good tidy up. Off to the caravan next weekend and our 50km ride at Waikanae. Will be interesting to see if having road tyres on our bikes improves the times much compared to last year. Must put the bike computer back on my bike so I can pace us properly.
BIG NEWS OF THE WEEK: Jake has booked his tickets home and will arrive in NZ on 2 December. I'm not allowed to tell his mates, though, as he wants to surprise them by turning up at some concert that's on here the next night. Can you imagine how excited I am that my boy will be home in a couple of months? Even if he is sporting this new addition to his body:
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Paddling muscles required
Have survived my first proper session with Karl - although some of it was learning the routine, so I probably wasn't pushed as hard as I will be when I go right through properly. Will put the programme on my sidebar when I can remember what's in it!
My favourite part - having someone else to push my stretches for me...
Oh, and I really love going to the gym during work hours because there is hardly anyone there.
He's given my some great upper body work, which I'm rapt about for two reasons - my shoulder still needs strengthening, and Craig and I are about to buy a couple of these:
My favourite part - having someone else to push my stretches for me...
Oh, and I really love going to the gym during work hours because there is hardly anyone there.
He's given my some great upper body work, which I'm rapt about for two reasons - my shoulder still needs strengthening, and Craig and I are about to buy a couple of these:
No, not the small child - the sit-on-top kayak!
They only weigh 18kg, so we can carry them the 100m from our house to the beach, and also they're easy to put on top of the ute when we go away.
So we'll be one of those couples that arrive at the camping ground with all the flash gear - caravan, mountain bikes, kayaks. You know, the people that make you go "Oh sure, you really use all that stuff! We know it's just for show!".
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Exercise revisited
How many of you are Healthy Food Guide readers? I've loved this magazine from when it first hit our shelves, and have had a subscription for ages.
The October issue has some great stuff that sits well with how I'm feeling about food right now - making positive changes to build a healthy life. If you get a chance, I really think it's worth a read.
I've made a big change to exercise this week - for the first time I have a personal trainer. I really needed to work out why I wasn't making any progress with my running. This running thing is weird: I have no ambition to be 'a runner', but I really want to be able to run if I want to. And I want to be able to run this duathlon in November, not walk.
My first session with Karl (seems like a typical PT name to me!) was to assess my fitness - mostly he wanted to see how I run so we could work out what my problem is. He quickly decided it was what I suspected - my shallow breathing. My technique is okay and my fitness is good, I just run out of puff.
So he's going to concentrate on pushing the top end of my fitness. At the moment this centres around the bike: I start on Level 9 with rpm around 95. Each minute for five minutes I increase the level by 1 till I reach 13, then drop straight back down to 9. This is repeated 4 times. So my heartrate steadily climbs and then drops down for a recovery before climbing again. Have to admit there was a fair bit of sweat involved!
I'm going to see Karl twice a week for the next four weeks - hopefully it will make a big difference to my fitness. It will also cost me a chunk of money, but I reckon that will help motivate me; why waste the money by not pushing myself to get as much benefit from this as possible? After that I think I'll just see him every couple of weeks for a while.
I'm getting my full progamme from him on Tuesday - really looking forward to that!
This week I have been toying whether or not I want to keep blogging. But I think it will help me with this exercise focus, so I'll stick with it for now.
The October issue has some great stuff that sits well with how I'm feeling about food right now - making positive changes to build a healthy life. If you get a chance, I really think it's worth a read.
I've made a big change to exercise this week - for the first time I have a personal trainer. I really needed to work out why I wasn't making any progress with my running. This running thing is weird: I have no ambition to be 'a runner', but I really want to be able to run if I want to. And I want to be able to run this duathlon in November, not walk.
My first session with Karl (seems like a typical PT name to me!) was to assess my fitness - mostly he wanted to see how I run so we could work out what my problem is. He quickly decided it was what I suspected - my shallow breathing. My technique is okay and my fitness is good, I just run out of puff.
So he's going to concentrate on pushing the top end of my fitness. At the moment this centres around the bike: I start on Level 9 with rpm around 95. Each minute for five minutes I increase the level by 1 till I reach 13, then drop straight back down to 9. This is repeated 4 times. So my heartrate steadily climbs and then drops down for a recovery before climbing again. Have to admit there was a fair bit of sweat involved!
I'm going to see Karl twice a week for the next four weeks - hopefully it will make a big difference to my fitness. It will also cost me a chunk of money, but I reckon that will help motivate me; why waste the money by not pushing myself to get as much benefit from this as possible? After that I think I'll just see him every couple of weeks for a while.
I'm getting my full progamme from him on Tuesday - really looking forward to that!
This week I have been toying whether or not I want to keep blogging. But I think it will help me with this exercise focus, so I'll stick with it for now.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Running fool
So, last week's training wasn't great as far as regular exercise, but there were a couple of good things going for it:
I did two run/walks, and on one of them I ran a total of 3km, which is the most I've done this year,
Craig put road tyres on my mountain bike for me (and we rode 18km). Man, are they faster and easier!
This week I'm doing some research into how to run properly. That might sound silly, but I've never looked at the techniques of running - which is surprising when you consider what a geek I am! I will spend my running time this week practicing a couple of things I hope will help.
If I'm going to force myself to run, I may as well be smart about it.
I did two run/walks, and on one of them I ran a total of 3km, which is the most I've done this year,
Craig put road tyres on my mountain bike for me (and we rode 18km). Man, are they faster and easier!
This week I'm doing some research into how to run properly. That might sound silly, but I've never looked at the techniques of running - which is surprising when you consider what a geek I am! I will spend my running time this week practicing a couple of things I hope will help.
If I'm going to force myself to run, I may as well be smart about it.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Just when you thought it was safe...
I'd been lulled into that false sense of security September often brings. The blossom was coming out, my carrots were poking their leaves above the ground and I've been able to leave the house without 2 layers of merino underwear.
So spring must be here, right? Right!
So long as your accepted definition of spring is a few nice days interspersed with freezing cold rain and driving southerlies.
I do love Wellington weather, honest!
Mind you, I was lucky enough to have two glorious days in Christchurch early this week. Surely nothing can beat running in Hagley Park in the morning surrounded by spring blossom and daffodils.
Wish I had got out of bed to do it!
So spring must be here, right? Right!
So long as your accepted definition of spring is a few nice days interspersed with freezing cold rain and driving southerlies.
I do love Wellington weather, honest!
Mind you, I was lucky enough to have two glorious days in Christchurch early this week. Surely nothing can beat running in Hagley Park in the morning surrounded by spring blossom and daffodils.
Wish I had got out of bed to do it!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Hold your balls please
Okay, I didn't quite say it like that, but I certainly got a funny look from the waiter at our local Italian restaurant last night.
What I did say was "Can I have the spaghetti and meatballs without the meatballs, please?".
I love their spaghetti sauce. The meatballs, not so much.
My eating was dreadful last week. Days of over-indulging and WAY too much wine. And of course my weight has suffered. But there's no panic here yet.
Having read Anne's fabulous post about balance, I'm even more clear that I don't want to go back to a strict eating regime. I want to work out how I am going to eat for the rest of my life, so I can be healthy and maintain a healthy weight.
So, perseverance, my friends.
What I did say was "Can I have the spaghetti and meatballs without the meatballs, please?".
I love their spaghetti sauce. The meatballs, not so much.
My eating was dreadful last week. Days of over-indulging and WAY too much wine. And of course my weight has suffered. But there's no panic here yet.
Having read Anne's fabulous post about balance, I'm even more clear that I don't want to go back to a strict eating regime. I want to work out how I am going to eat for the rest of my life, so I can be healthy and maintain a healthy weight.
So, perseverance, my friends.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Yes, dammit, I am awake
For those of you who have never read The Food Whore - you should, because that is where I swiped this quote from:
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, the Devil says;
"Shit, she's awake".
Boy, do I love that sentiment.
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, the Devil says;
"Shit, she's awake".
Boy, do I love that sentiment.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
A bit bilious
Last night I ate a meal I regretted.
The meal tasted really good. It was well-prepared and made from fresh, organic ingredients.
I didn’t regret it because of any ‘diet’ guilt.
I regretted it because I didn’t feel good after it – in fact didn’t feel good for the rest of the evening and still don’t feel too flash this morning.
Why didn’t I feel good? Because it was just too rich!
It was chicken with a creamy mushroom sauce, served with gnocchi, pumpkin and spinach. The richness wasn’t helped by the fact the gnocchi was fried not just boiled.
Yes, the meal tasted great, but it just wasn’t worth how I felt afterward.
This is a big lesson for me – think of food not just in how it tastes and whether I ‘should’ be eating it from a calorie and fat intake point of view. Think of how food is going to make feel after I have eaten it.
Really, the Thai beef salad would have been a much smarter choice.
The meal tasted really good. It was well-prepared and made from fresh, organic ingredients.
I didn’t regret it because of any ‘diet’ guilt.
I regretted it because I didn’t feel good after it – in fact didn’t feel good for the rest of the evening and still don’t feel too flash this morning.
Why didn’t I feel good? Because it was just too rich!
It was chicken with a creamy mushroom sauce, served with gnocchi, pumpkin and spinach. The richness wasn’t helped by the fact the gnocchi was fried not just boiled.
Yes, the meal tasted great, but it just wasn’t worth how I felt afterward.
This is a big lesson for me – think of food not just in how it tastes and whether I ‘should’ be eating it from a calorie and fat intake point of view. Think of how food is going to make feel after I have eaten it.
Really, the Thai beef salad would have been a much smarter choice.
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