Day three, recovery going well!

Utterly blown away with my recovery.

I think because Monday was so busy - work from 9:30am through to 6:45pm and then met Katherine and Suzanne at the new Japanese restaurant in Bedford place - Sakura I didn't notice how I was feeling. We sunk two bottles of white and ate alot of sushi. Fab day with no time to notice how stiff and sore I was :) Also good to keep moving so hardly any seizing up but I still slapped on more deep heat Monday night.

Tuesday was the last strength and conditioning session of the year at Tauntons college with Lordshill Road Runners.
I've absolutely loved these sessions that James started back in late April early May. Then pub for a couple of spritzers with some of my lovely running buddies.

Today was equally super. Last day at work until next Wednesday. Cream tea at John Lewis and able to call it work :) XX got her Christmas pressie then Suzanne and I did Hurtbox with the lovely Lindsey.

My right calf started to feel a bit sore and I was quite tired so my ftp went from 161 to 145 then 135. Check out my report. Alot less stopping today!!

And now I'm watching The Fiddler on the Roof. Yep, feeling very content :)

Portsmouth coastal marathon kinda done - 20.5 miles of it

What a fantastic day. Yes, I didn't finish the marathon but I did run 20.5miles of it - such a gorgeous route. And then got a lift back to the finish in time to change, eat a sandwich then cheer everyone in.

Loraine - using this as a warm up.for.london
Aurelio doing his one hundredth!!
Sam - wondering how on earth I got back.before her :)
Then our two newest members to the marathon club Sian and Jo.

Much whooping and cheering.
Plus got to catch up.with Rach. What a fabulous day.

I just wasn't strong enough today. Got tired, lost my form and my knee started hurting. Decided it just wasn't worth it. To.much fun stuff booked for next year to go and get injured so I stopped. The fab elf marshal then gave me a lift back - we chatted all things running the whole way.

I've just smeered my knee in deep heat and will try and sleep. Fingers crossed I don't totally sieze up. I'm already walking like an eighty year old x

The Portsmouth Coastal Marathon is tomorrow!!!

Great day :)

Tri club Christmas games swim session. Was still.pretty knackering though.

Tudor House for tea and scones.

Lots of carbon loading with pasta for lunch

Runcamp Santa run at the sports centre. 3.14km 20.31.35
Felt okay which is just as well seeing as I'm running 42km tomorrow! Ridiculous.

More pasta carb loading

Watched the 'lights on the walls' show and got final bits and bobs from lidls.

Then chilled. And sorted out what I'll need for tomorrow. I'm very excited but also a bit nervous. It's odd really if you think about it... I know I'm going to be in pain tomorrow, I'm going to hurt and there will definitely be times when I will struggle and may even burst into tears and want to give up :(

But I won't :)
But I will hurt and be in pain.
But it'll be totally worth it.

The run will be beautiful, I'm running with some of my amazing running buddies, I will love it.
And then the finish.
That'll be amazing - it always is.

Yep, I'm very excited xx

Taper time

Oh boy. What with work and sore thighs I'm def tapering now!!

Didn't run or swim Monday.
Babysitting Tuesday and ate to much pizza to near to the strength and conditioning session.
Today - hurtbox session.

Check out how many times I stopped. Really quite tired.

Will probably have a run tomorrow, am drinking with the girls Friday eve, then swimming and the Runcamp Santa 🎅 run Saturday.

And then omg!!!
I'm running a marathon.

Wahoooooo :)

CC6 Sunday 11/12 :)

4.8miles of muddy cross country on a beautiful winter morning in the New Forest. It was wonderful. I ran for STC in 1:01.52 and loved it.

I was the penultimate woman to finish and only lost one shoe once in the.mud.

Could I have been a bit quicker? Maybe. But I had so many lovely Lordshill Road Runner marshals to chat to and hug enroute.

While running I did periodically wonder how on earth I'm going to run a marathon on the 18/12. Eeeep. I finished feeling very perky. Whooping and smiling. So maybe I'll be fine next Sunday...

Then tea and toast at Jenny's and lunch at the new Greek place in the West Quay development with Pam and Karen. Chilled for the rest of the afternoon,  watched the light show at 7pm then spent the rest of the evening / night watching the NFL.

This has been a fabulous weekend.
Hurtbox Christmas meal Friday eve at Trego Lounge then a great tri club swim session Saturday morning. A quick cup of tea with Suzanne before a couple of hours at work. Hurtbox session 3-4pm then Katherine popped in for a cuppa before I went for a drink with Pam and Karen and we watched Fantastic Beasts.

Yep, a great weekend.
But mainly great because for the first time in two weeks I ran and it felt brilliant.

My thighs though started to hurt from Sunday afternoon. Eeeek. I'm sure the marathon will be fine!!!

Blinking virus :(

Well... After that great weekend of parties, Christmas market, chums and training it all went horribly wrong.

Swam on Monday 28th Nov but that's been it till this evening Thursday 8th Dec. No running, cycling, racing, training. Just a bit of work and lots of feeling tired and achey and full of cold. Yes I went through to Worthing and Hove to see the girls at the weekend but no Worthing 10k and barely one glass of wine.

Basically I've been ill. And sad. And now I'm a bit worried about the Portsmouth coastal marathon as that's like in ten days!!
As in Sunday week.
Eeeep.

But today I did Hurtbox which was okay. Ant lowered my ftp to 150 so I could keep up. It was so lovely to be soaked on sweat :) I've missed that.

So who knows how I'll be on the 18th Dec. I guess I'll gently get back into training and see what happens.

Great weekend of Christmas parties

What a fabulous weekend.
Friday - work Christmas meal - 6:15pm in the London through to 12:45am chatting outside the de.Vere hotel.

Saturday -
Tri club swimming, we must have done at least 2k
John Lewis with Suzanne, Jenny and Julian
Forever products tasters dropped round
Hurtbox session - attached!
Karyn and Sharon's for a cuppa
Tri club Christmas meal

Sunday cycled to Winchester 13miles, to hang out with Clare and Karen - Christmas market then a big roast at Willows.

Cycled home then pretty much spent the rest of the evening eating club biscuits and crisps. Siiiiiigh.

I'm done in :)

What a fantastic day.

Operations day at work, always great fun as I've got such lovely colleagues, with an amazing shared lunch. And then bonus - ended half an hour early :)

7-8pm Runcamp track session for LRR then 8:30-9:30pm the attached Hurtbox session.

I don't think anyone actually needs me to point out to them just how shattered I am xx

Needless to say I love it!!!!!

The tolberone at Hurtbox was a killer :(

Okay, so I went to a Hurtbox session right after strength and conditioning at Tauntons but even so, the tolberone is a killer.

As you can see the first few peaks were doable but then lots of stopping! Aaah well, still an amazing workout.

And full - Carl, Angela, Suzanne, me and DonnaT. Great fun. Plus first session with coach John. I really didn't want to let him down but I just didn't have anything in my legs :(

Great session.

Strength and conditioning at Tauntons was also great fun. HIIT session - i was doing 30s/30s - 30 secs of exercise then 30secs rest. Was the only person to say that was what I was doing right at the start.

Ops day tomorrow then Runcamp at the track with LRR and a Hurtbox session afterwards. I then plan to run for three hours Thursday eve - will wear garmin so have an idea of distance. It'd be good to go at least 16miles :)

Then it's the work's Xmas do Friday, Tri club's Saturday then Xmas market with Cod and LC Sunday with Sunday roast at the Willow Tree.

Should be an awesome weekend with some exercise thrown in - swimming and a Hurtbox session Saturday.

Gosport half marathon 2:39.20

Loved it.
Went with Sam and Sue from SRS. So cold. Couldn't decide about gloves, regretted having none for first few miles but okay by mile four.

Marshals so friendly.
Ended up.running with Sara from Lordshill.

So.many from Lordshill running today which was fab.

Whooping at every mile marker.

Feet were sore.
Fiddled with laces, haven't quite sorted out how tight they need to be.
Also hungry. Nor sure if ate enough or ate well enough last night...

Walked to Gosport and the social club for table tennis with the girls. So sore. Probably just as well I played as I certainly felt loser :)

Very tired.
Legs ache.

Pleased with time.

Pic is me at the social club. Loving that I can eat chocolate again xx

Five sessions in three days!

Monday
First ever Monday night LRR session. Carol led it but I was semi involved chatting to members and running at the back.
Although there was no way I could keep up with them so probably just as well Carol asked to run at the back :)

Then cycled to the Quays for swimming. Similar to Huw's Saturday session. So glad I went.

Tuesday
Strength and conditioning at Tauntons. 8 stations, 15 secs rest between each one then 60 secs rest after each set. Did three sets.

Wednesday
LRR up at the track to celebrate it being a year since Alice did her 60 marathons in 60 days and is now s Guinness world record holder. I did s hills session. Very sociable as runners from Totton, Hardley and Hedge End also there.

Then Hurtbox session with Kelly, coached by Ant.

As you can see I was def flagging by the fifth set. I wanted to stop. But didn't so very pleased about that.

Am now so tired.
Stc running tomorrow at the track and then working in Havant Friday eve. Swimming Saturday then Gosport half marathon Sunday morning.
Fingers crossed I don't knacker myself out to much!!!!!!!!!!

I love watching cyclocross :)

Wow.
What a sport.
Max heart rate for an hour averaging 12mph is how Donna from tri club described it. Tobie just said you pretty much cycled at max effort and then throw up.

Am I tempted?
Chatted with fellow runcamper Martin... I'm to nervous to do it - the course is really tricky, lots of turns, hills, slopes. Plus I know I'm not strong enough, fit enough or a good enough handler of the bike yet.

Oh and we'd need to get a new bike.

Maybe next year :)

The pic is of Bike Guy Tobie

Running in Lordshill woods 13/11/16

Omg!!!
I'd totally forgotten just how gorgeous it is up in the woods round by the sports centre / golf course.
Utterly breathtaking. I loved it. Plus hoorah for trail shoes :)

I ran for 85 mins then nipped to my bike for some water and a sweetie which gave me the oomph to keep going for another 25mins.

1:50.07

Then grabbed my packed lunch and headed off to find Charlotte to watch the cyclocross.

Wine tasting 12/11/16

Tri club swimming = tough session, knackered. Def worked out.

Which was just as well because the rest of Saturday was...

Tudor House for tea and scones
Saw my young person - I'm an IV - we went for lunch.
Home then off to Shirley for an evening of chilli and wine tasting.

Eleven bottles were discussed and tasted. Loved it.

My training plan is telling me I need to do 160 mins tomorrow
I'm not convinced I'll manage that... I'm hoping to do mabes a couple of hours and then see what happens.

I still want a lie in plus I'm watching my first cyclocross up at the sports centre so finding the time will be tough.

Such a fabulous week's annual leave :) Monday 7th Nov - Friday 11th Nov.

What a wonderful week off work.
Yes I did some running etc but I also went up to Ashtead to see family, drank champagne with the boys in London, had x2 breakfast dates with chums, cuddled the Smith's new baby daughter, cheered our volunteer Anjelica as she got her 100hours volunteering certificate, had a cuppa at Solent and cycled out to the Winchester south park and ride for a brick session. Yep, it's been awesome.

But how's my running been?

Utterly shattered after the Meon Valley half marathon - just couldn't face LRR Monday eve training and then Tuesday I missed S&C as off to Ashtead.

Wednesday though I did go out - ran up to the Wells estate then back to Ashtead through the common. It was wonderful - pic attached is me on Ashtead common.
Then up to London to drink two bottles of champagne with my boys :)

Thursday I went out early eve for a run as decided to run before supper so tri club running wouldn't work. Well... It was a disaster - i ran abit, then walked, then ran, then walked then had to nip to ikea because needed the loo, then walked. After 35mins I decided to call it a night and went home. My saving grace was doing about ten mins of S&C on the balcony :)

Friday - finally a lie in!!!!!
My lift to Winchester was ill so I cycled instead. Due to my lack of training this week maybe it was just as well I had to cycle as it did make me do more exercise.
The brick session was fun and we did do x3 run/cycle/run loops. Hoorah for a lift home though from Suzanne.

And then my week was over.
Luckily I still had the weekend.

Friday 4th Nov - my best 5k time since 2014 :)

Just one week after the tri club 5k time trial where I managed to clock 31.17.38 ...

On a cold and foggy Friday evening at the Runcamp night of the 5k PBs...

I managed to smash my previous best time in two years by knocking off another three seconds.
31.14.21 :)

Thirty One Fourteen!!!!!

Utterly delighted.
I knew I'd gone out quickly, I thought to quickly thinking I wouldn't manage to sustain the pace and fade.
I was wrong.

My first 1k at tri club was 6.11.70 My first 1k at runcamp was 5.37.14

By 4.6k at tri club - 29.08.05
By 4.6k at runcamp - 28.50.32

I knew I just had to keep going and see if I could push myself just a little bit more. I could. Yes I felt sick and wanted to stop but I also felt so strong and relaxed and fast. So hard to describe but I felt like I was flying :)

And just so lovely to share it with my fabulous running buddies x

Sunday 6th Nov 2016 - Meon Valley half marathon. Amazing views!

Utterly blown away by the amazing views. Yes of course to get the amazing views we had to hike up some very impressive hills but boy oh boy - totally worth it :)

Not fast 3:07.05 but brilliant fun with Sam, Jo, Sue and Sian from the Solent Running Sisters. We chatted, laughed, walked, sang, ran, jogged our way round the 13.1 miles making sure we took in and captured as many views as possible. I bloody loved it!!

And then Suzanne and Richard took me off for Sunday roast.

Fabulous x

I'm a Run Leader :)

Spent the day in the sports centre of Abingdon school with Emily from LRR doing our Run Leader training.

Brilliant fun.

New shoes :)

Love love love Up and Running running shop over in Chandlers Ford. Kevin from tri club manages it - he's so knowledgeable about all things running! He even gave me the low down on my upcoming races.

Meon Valley half - def wear new trail shoes.

Gosport half - a really friendly Road race.

Portsmouth Coastal marathon - 80% road running so new road shoes will be fine and loads of people dress up as so close to Christmas.

Shoes were an absolute bargain and so comfortable. I literally cannot wait to wear them!
Very happy x

5k PB (I think) and Brighton marathon entry :)

What a day!!
Final places for the Brighton marathon 9/4/17 on sale... Shall I or shan't I book myself a place??

By lunchtime I'd totally weakened and reached for my credit card!
All booked :)

Then this evening at the track with Southampton tri club we all did a 5k time trial. OMG - 31.17.38

I'm still in shock x

Eights weeks to go till the Portsmouth coastal marathon :)

How confident am I feeling?

Well... Okay actually, I'm def feeling as if I'll be able to complete it within the cutoff time of six hours.

Just need to do those long runs... Got two half marathons and a 10k booked but I will need to do some runs of three hours or more. The key for.me is to not get bored within forty mins and stop. I need to get some long runs under my belt. Twenty six miles is a really long way!!!!

Tim Wilkes Training Day - 22/10/16

Finally I'm able to make one :)
Tim was a member of the club who died while competing in a triathlon. I never had the pleasure of knowing him but members who did talk fondly of him so I know I'd of liked him alot.

It's brilliant fun.
400m timed swim at the quays
Then we all pile over to Lyndhurst for s 10mile TT.
Then over to the happy cheese and a short walk to a 4k run.
Finishing with lunch at the New Forest Inn (by Ashurst station)

Weather was super. Plenty of members took part.

400m 8.49
10miles 41.25
4k 26.33
Total = 1:16.47

Back tyre explored - was pretty spectacular! Luckily Tom had his turbo training spare tyre in the car so Darryl quickly changed it. Hoorah. Able to ride. Loved it.

Runcamp Intervals, Vankru Bike Fit and the Perform 5mile

What a fantastic weekend :)

Kicked off with Friday haircut, cup of tea with Katherine then a free Runcamp intervals session up at the sports centre with coach Ben. Enjoyed it alot - it's amazing just how much you can do when with a group!

Saturday decided not to do tri club as managed to book a bike fit slot with Vankru Performance Cycling. Cycled out to Lower Upham then three hours later I cycled home on quite a different feeling bike! Altered cleats, adjusted saddle and hugely adjusted handlebars and break levers position.

Babyshower, red wine then an evening of TV.

Sunday was the Perform 5miles from the Ageas Bowl. Awesome fun. Tri club, Runcamp, LRR and Solent Running Sisters buddies ahoy. Loved it. Super fun catch up and such a beautiful closed road route that finished with you running round the boundary - will definitely be doing this next year :)

The free calf massage at the end was ace in a 'that really hurts but I'm sure this will help' kind of way x

Platform Tavern for a huge roast, repotted plants then watched the Packers defeat the Lions.

What a top weekend.

Hurtbox session 19/9/16 - OMG, that was a tough one!!!

Richard couldn't make the session last night so i went in his place. I thought it might be good to spin out the legs after the 10k the day before.

What a fool.
Not a great idea at all!
It was so tough!

As you can see from the picture i kept stopping / giving up :) But yay, i managed the whole session - so much sweat :(

It was fab to see Suzanne. Really glad i went.

Ashtead10k - loved it as per usual.

Last year i marshalled this event as i was injured :(

This year i'm fighting fit and loved running it. Weather was good - dry, cool, not to wet/muddy under foot. Pretty sure my second 5k was quicker than my first one. 8-9km was tough. Last km was fabulous.

Yes i was fourth from last, 1:13.28 but i'm really delighted with my time and how strong i felt at the end.

Neice Katie did the 2k and apparently looked really strong so good for her. And mate Jade, this was his first ever 10k race - he smashed it - 54mins!! So proud.

Saturday evening prosecco with the girls was awesome and Anna & Amanda are both up.for doing the ashtead10k in 2017.

A really great weekend of friends, family and running.

Ran yesterday eve - first time since The Half

Monday and Tuesday after the New Forest Half - forget it, there was no way I was going to be doing any running. Plus everything I read said to rest :)

Wednesday I would have gone up to the track for Gary's LRR intervals session but went instead to the Winchester Science Centre with Vik and B for a talk on the Northern Lights.

Thursday while emailing Dave about the Packers / Bengals start to the season I suddenly realised I had to go for a run before I got to settled on the sofa. So I got changed and went out for 30mins. I ended up.running past the stadium, didn't realise it was our Europa league fixture so I did jog past alot of Saints and I think slSparta fans. Was warm and humid but so happy to be out running.

Home, stretches, shower, food, TV, bed. A great evening.
Oh and I also signed up.for the run leader course in Abingdon in October so I'll be able.to lead runs for my running club LRR.

Today I mainly worked, ate tea and watched TV. Quite knackered. Worked out I've worked 43 hours this week. No wonder I'm a tad pooped.

Ashtead 10k this weekend. Can't wait. Hoping for a sub 70mins but we'll see how it goes :)

New Forest Half Marathon 🏃

I'm writing this while sat in my arm chair, legs up, watching the NFL. I am knackered. And sore!
I'm walking how I'll be walking in 2046 :(

However,  what a fantastic day!

Cycled out to Brockenhurst - 12miles in about an hour. Met Toby at registration and enjoyed a good half hour or so with Toby before he headed to the starting pen for the marathon. He's hoping for four hours!

I then found the Runcamp tent and got myself ready for the half. What a beautiful route. I love the new forest, so pretty much anywhere will be gorgeous. The Ornamental drive round by Rhinefeld (sp) though is pretty special. I had to be careful when I jogged past the largest Redwood tree in the UK as I was running looking at the tree canopy and not where I was running. Hmmmm, done that before :(

Thanking marshals, chatting to fellow runners, loved that the drinks stations were staffed by brownies, guides and cadets - they were all awesome.

I felt great. Only walked at the water stations. Ankle fine. I was flying!! Well I was doing consistent 12min miles.

And then i got to ten miles. Eeeeeeek. Basically I stopped feeling fine and started feeling very sore and tired and achey and everything started to feel a bit painful. In fact just like the Weymouth Half Ironman it hurt less running than it did walking. Tough tough tough last three miles - but still chatting away, thanking marshals and loving the views :)

And then I had just a mile to go.

Stopped to hug Esme, Rufus, Karen & Jo while in the finishing straight. Then I concentrated on whooping, arms aloft as I crossed the line. Sub three hours. Bloody delighted.
2:50.17

So sore.
Hard to walk.
Loved the banana.
Back to the gang to cheer in Toby - 4:06 - what an amazing time!! Rufus and Esme very proud of their daddy.

Lovely half hour or so chatting while they headed back.to their cars. I then went back to the Runcamp stand to have my packed lunch and drink tea. Decided to cycle back around 3:30/4pm.

What a fabulous day.

24miles of cycling.
13.1miles of gentle running.

Utterly fabulous week of training.

Tri Club swimming - various drills and 800m of swim and pull = 19.08.01 Then x6 25m sprints 28.25, 34.75, 31.45, 36.00, 32.37, 33.54

Watched my swim video - eep plenty to work on - slap my right hand into water palm facing up, arms all over the place, no strength in my catch, end of my stroke no power either. However I do kick more than I thought :)

S&C on the common with James LRR as usual brilliant although I am strawberry flavoured to the midges and was bitten to death. I have some amazing bites on my leg :( HIT training. Tough but fun)

Didn't run Wednesday - instead cycled over to Suzanne's 9 miles about 45mins. Lift to Robs to get tri club kit, then chilli and showed the dvd of my swim. Great discussion on my technique.

Thursday was tri club running. Boy, tough session but great fun. Jog warm up then relay laps 12 x 400m. My partner was Rob D :)

400m easy 2.53.40
400m hard 2.14.42

LC lap 1 = 2.15.24
RD lap 1 = 1.12.63
LC lap 2 = 2.15.02
RD lap 2 = 1.12.87
LC lap 3 = 2.19.92
RD lap 3 = 1.17.44
LC lap 4 = 2.25.76
RD lap 4 = 1.21.84
LC lap 5 = 2.21.47
RD lap 5 = 1.13.48

Easy 400m = 3.01.52
Liz = 3.2k track running

Friday Hurtbox session - bike handling skills at Winchester Park and Ride South carpark. OMG what a fantastic evening. Met Roelie and Angela at Winchester Road roundabout them cycled up The Avenue, Winchester Road through Chandlers Ford and onto Otterbourne then popped out near Winchester. From.my house = 11miles 50mins.

Then approx 8-9miles of cycling round the car park - cornering, chain gang, hard x3 3min intervals. Then cycled home. Again about 45mins.

Left flat 5:15pm, home 9:15pm.

Pizza, loads of orange squash. Falling asleep with Atlanta / Miami pre season game 3.

What a wonderful week of training. Very very happy.

I especially love the age grouping in triathlons

Okay...
This is the second page of the novice / sprint distance results for today's racenewforest triathlon.

Scroll down to the bottom.
It's meeeeeeee :)

Now scroll across to the end and look at the three numbers

58 1 19

I was 58th out of 58 finishers.
I was FIRST in my age group F45
And the 19th of the 19 female athletes competing.

So basically I was dead last by a good five mins yet still a gold medalist.

I really love my sport :)

Club Champs Sunday 21/8/16

RaceNewForest over at Moyles Court by Ellingham lake.
400m swim / 1k run to transition / 33k cycle / 5k run. Starts 7am, registration 5:30-6:30am.

Early night Saturday so didn't set alarm to watch Mo do the double double in the 5000m. What a hero.

Cycled to Sandra's for 5am, Rob collected us both and we rode trip rode trip road trip to the venue. Registered, chatted to lots of STC members and set up transition.

I really enjoyed the event. The swim was super, didn't default to breast stroke once and my goggles didn't mist up.once.

The jog to transition was fun, felt like Rocky with my red towel draped round my neck

T1 - faffed about abit, decided not to wear my cycling jumper - was I going to regret that decision???

The cycle was really good fun. Had some of my peanut butter and.marmite bagel while getting myself settled. Gave one of my inner tubes to some poor chap who'd got two punctures :(

Windy cycle, beautiful countryside, lots of people overtaking me, lovely marshals. Wasn't to cold. Loved it.

T2 not too shabby :)

The 5k run was quite a tough, undulating out and back. I did have to walk abit. But what was great was seeing so many stc club mates on the run, lots of high fives and congratulations and well dones to pretty much anyone who passed me on either side.

Back into transition and through the finish line. I love finishing. I've said it before, it's that overwhelming feeling of achievement that permeates through every fiber of your being.

It really is a wonderful feeling :)

I arrived back just in time to watch the awards being given out so could cheer club mates who'd done particularly well. Then onto the bbq - thanks Steve, Claire and Anabelle. Chatting, cup of tea, lots of laughing. Great feeling of being amongst fab club mates. Loved it.

Hot shower and a lift home with Sue, then sausage and chips while watching the Olympic men's marathon. All in all a super Sunday :)

400m swim 13.17.61
Out of wetsuit 1.58.24
1k jog to transition 10.54.46
T1 3.35.38
33k bike ride 1:37.30
T2 1.54.62
5k run 41.12.53

Total = 2:50.23

August update :)

First things first - ankle is okay. THANK GAWD!!!!
GP checked it over, poked it about, it's fine. Just regular pain from turning ankle, good that I rested it but fine to run on it. Very very relieved.

So what else have I been up to this month?

Swimming as per usual.
S&C with LRR - walked last week, ran this week. All good.

Brilliant talk at Tauntons organised by LRR with Active Step about some common running injuries. Bought some new socks - kinda socks that are the equivalent of taping. Good support for ankle.

Had a swimming video session - got the dvd of my swimming to watch. Eeeeeeeeep. Need to work on catch and the last bit of the stroke.

Lovely cycle with Lou to Hilliers out in Ampfield Sunday 14/8, Smith's joined us for a cuppa and I got to check out RHP's exhibition. Probably about 26miles of cycling over the course of the afternoon.

RR10 17/8/16
Cycled to Hursley 11miles, 50mins
Ran 4.4miles 51.09.36
Cycled home 50mins
Left my flat 17:50, back by 21:25
And yes, could barely walk. Had DOMS big time (delayed onset muscle soreness)

All ready for the club champs Sunday 21/8, but have swapped from standard to sprint as worried about the run and the swim. Feeling much happier about Sunday's race now.

Ankle still sore :(

Hmmmmm. I managed to turn my ankle within a couple of kms of finishing the walk along the Thames coastal path on Sunday supporting Katherine and her 14k swim. It's the right one. The one I turned at Thunder Run a year ago.

I won't run this week and will keep icing it. Also I'm seriously thinking of either changing from standard to sprint tri distances or giving my place away at the club champs on 21/8. My autumn is to full of fun running events to jeopardise :)

Aaah well.

#supportcrew #thamesmarathon

I'm absolutely shattered!!!

Today I got up at 3:50am so I could go support Katherine swim the 14km Henley to Marlow, Bridge to Bridge Thames Marathon. We (Maisie and I) must have walked about 20km, well it certainly feels like it. Feet are very sore and I've managed to aggrivate my right ankle - the one I injured last year at Thunder Run. It's sore, bit tender. I've iced it. Fingers crossed it feels okay tomorrow...

Katherine smashed it. 4:55 for the 14km swim which was broken down into 4km, 6km, 1.5km and 2.5km swims with three food stops positioned at the locks that the swimmers had to walk around.

Weather was lovely, I'd packed plenty of snacks and the walk was very leisurely. Mug of tea at the end then burgers at the jekyll and hyde pub on the A33 outside of Basingstoke. Home by 5:30pm, had a snooze and now it's time for bed.

Supporting is knackering :)
Well mabes not quite as knackering as swimming 14km, but tiring all the same x

At tri club on Friday coach Darryl videoed my swimming, can't wait to see what I look like swimming!

New ftp is 161 :)

I kinda understand what the ftp is now but please don't ask me to explain.

Basically it was 135 then it went up.to 145 and now after the actual ftp session it's now 161. It means I've opened myself up to whole lot of hurt at hurtbox because coaches Ant and James now know they can.push me more because according to my ftp I can handle it. I may not think I can but physically they know I can.

Yay. I'm obviously ecstatic :)

Ellingham, Hurtbox, Jason Bourne :)

What an amazing weekend

Friday 29/7 - finally got round to tackling about three years worth of filing then Timmie's for a cuppa - gorgeous garden thenoff to the Swan Inn in Lyndhurst with Rose for dinner.

Saturday 3/7 - up at stupid o'clock as Charlotte collecting me at 6:30am to go swim at Ellingham. What a beautiful lake. So clear. 1.2k loop which after cutting a few corners I reckon I swam mabes 1km in 35mins.

Coach Peter and Steve M were both at the lake. So wonderful to see them both. Katherine and Suzanne headed off after tea and a catch up. Speed boat spectator while Charlotte water skied then I did the 2.5km loop of the lake - 18min run.

Brunch at Metricks Guildhall, Tobie joined us. Best club sandwich in Southampton!!!
I had to have a snooze before XX arrived for Saturday evening's an audience with the Southampton Gay Men's Chorus at City College. Great fun :)

Sunday 31/7, again up bonkers o'clock to cycle 10k to Lakeside to meet up with Hurtbox buddies for a social ride at 8am. Ant, James, Roelie, Suzanne, Martin, Steve, Gary, Sarah, Lindsey and Jenny. I did the 47km route so we had longer at Costa in Bishop Waltham for tea and cake!

Suzanne, Jenny and I then did a cheeky 2.5k run at Lakeside 18mins. Utterly shattered, absolutely beautiful ride, blue skies. Amazing views. Wonderful company.

Then cycled home 10k.
Tired.
Vegged.

This eve off to Harbour Lights where Vik and I saw Jason Borne and had pre and post film drinks.

Flat is an absolute tip. All this exercise means I'm way to shattered to be bothered about cleaning. Eeeeeeeeep.

Aah well.
Such a super weekend x

Magic Mile 26/7/16 - smashed it!

Omg!!! 29 seconds faster than last time :)
9.44.09
Smashed it x

Didn't chat as much as I did last time with Tim which may have helped with my faster time. Also Pete who was cycling alongside the last runner (that would be me) we did chat abit but also because he was cycling I think it may have made me run a bit quicker.

I was then on scanning - runners then position bar codes. Really enjoyed that. Those fast boys and girls really are fast!!

Due to tri club's TT running three consecutive Thursdays, coach Huw has offered to run a run session this Tuesday and next. So I cycled up.to the sports centre as figured in for a penny in for a pound.

Great session - 200m gentle/recovery then 200m hard, so sprinting across the finish line, pause to get heart rate down, then 200m gentle jog then another 200m hard. I did it four times, Jo did it five. Was brilliant. Felt so upright and strong as I sprinted across the finish line.

200m gentle / 200m hard / rest
1.19.08 / 1.00.06 / 21.11
1.31.40 / 1.01.38 / 45.42
1.29.30 / 1.02.65 / 36.56
1.24.98 / 1.03.47 / 20.77

Then cycled home via K&S's, sank a bottle and a half of red while we chatted non stop till.the early hours. Such a wonderful end to a super evening. Stayed over, cycled home this morning.

Definitely feel as if I'm upping my training in preparation for the club champs on 21/8/16.

Swimming then Hurtbox. Bit tired now.

Did the double!

7-8pm tri club swimming.
8:30-9:30pm Hurtbox session.
Cycled home.
Had a shower
Ate chicken
Sat in arm chair listening to magic radio for about an hour and half barely able to function.
Brilliant evening!!!

Thanks tri club / runcamp / hurtbox buddy Suzanne for the encouragement to do the double. Great idea. Loved doing it. But I may regret tomorrow... :)

Oh and as you can see from the snap I was def struggling by the end.

Wonderful weekend in Ashtead

Within a fabulous weekend of friends and family I managed to squeeze in a run on the common.

4.5k 34.12.08
Not going to break any records but boy was it fun to be back out running on the common. One of the best places to run - probably due to all the wonderful childhood memories of fun filled days but even so, it is a great place to run. Very beautiful.

Every part of me aches!!!

I was going to go from a bike ride or a run this evening but instead I went to lidls, watched TV and ate chocolate ice cream.

Every part of me aches. The strength and conditioning session yesterday eve has destroyed me.
It was awesome!!!
A chibatta or carbonara high intensity session (I've obviously got the name wrong but that's what it sounded like)

The current in the Itchen was also pretty strong so def had a bit of a workout wild swimming to.

Probably just as well I've done nothing this evening.
Bedtime now :)

Full moon? Let's go wild swimming in the Itchen :)

Fabulous day. Gorgeous sunshine. A very hot running club strength and conditioning session on the common followed by wild swimming in the Itchen.

Loved the bubbles seen through the water under the water when pulling,  so beautiful. Itchen was clear and cool with a wicked current. Reminded me.of the swim leg of my Weymouth Olympic distance triathlon back in July of 2014 when the current was so strong the chap in the safety kayak told me to grab hold of the rope at the back of the kayak and he pulled me to shore. Was wonderful.

Also how fantastic seeing the planes flying in low across where we swam. Felt like we were in a SciFi film :)

First aquathlon for over a year - HOWL 14/7/16

Well...

I'm certainly glad I entered and I did have a wonderful evening - loads of tri club and running buddies plus delighted to be able to support HOWL.

However... The swim was hard. I should have done 750 but managed 450m - I didn't do the last loop of Eastleigh lake. Had abit of a panic, couldn't breathe very well, couldn't get into a rhythm and was right at the back.

When I got to the exit after 15mins knowing I still had another lap I decided to just get out and do the 5k run.

Run was lovely, felt good. About 300m from the end, duty phone goes off :) eeeeeeeeep. Run walking while discussing an incident while everyone is trying to make me run! Luckily tri club buddies were on hand to steer me through the finishing shoot as I had no idea where the end was!

Incident sorted. Love my new buff. STC won the inter club champs. Cycled home. Very relaxed evening of rest and recovery while catching up on the TdF - omg Chris Froome running up the mountain without his bike!!!!! Awesome.

SWIM 15.56.16
T1 3.06.61
RUN 38.25.09

Total = 57.27.86

Brilliant fun :)

Hurtbox session 13/7/16

What a corker of a session!!!

Utterly exhausted at the end. In fact I really didn't think I'd be able to do the final fork and then three mins at 110% effort. I didn't voice my concern though as figured as soon as I said that out loud I'd believe myself and stop. In fact I smashed it. Felt so wobbly at the end and my body felt like it was vibrating. Odd sensation :)

Cycled home
Ate left over chicken and curly kale. I love curly kale so.much.

I've also signed up.to the HOWL aquathlon tomorrow at Eastleigh lakeside. 750m swim then 5k run. It'll be my first OWS of the year and I'm.looking forward to finding out how I'm doing swim wise as it's the club champs 21/8 - 1100m swim at Ellingham lake.

Wyvern 10k weekend 10/7/16

What a fantastic weekend.

Hove to see LC and E - bonus of R&R for dinner as well.

Then Saturday with B&S then Mettricks Guildhall for Rose's bday with Z&T.

Sunday bit drizzly - cycled 9miles to Wyvern College, Fair Oak for their 10k. So many running club and tri club chums were there. I bloody love being part of the Southampton running community :)

Chip time 69.58 my watch 70.09. Very pleased with that time.

Then cycled home 9miles to watch the British GP, TdF, Wimbledon men's final, CFL and European cup final.

Great weekend.

Pink and steamed up.

Can only really mean one thing...

I've been exercising :)

Me having just finished the Marwell Zoo, hosted by Eastleigh, RR10 on  Wednesday 6th July.

No giraffes but still loved the RR10 at Marwell

What a great day.

6miles of cycling for work - our annual away day was in Netley. Brilliant fun. Love my colleagues. Love No Limits.

Then cycled to Marwell for the RR10 - 12 miles, beautiful cycle. The run was about 4.5miles - quite soft under foot (muddy). 53.33.31 - great fun and we did get to see, from a distance, some of the animals in the zoological park.

Cycled home via Horton Heath for a cuppa with Michael. Home by 10:45pm, hot shower then toast and marmite. Perfect end to a fabulous evening :)

Jo's 50th in Burley - 50miles of cycling and shed loads of booze

Tri club swimming Saturday morning - coach Huw as usual gently destroyed us!

Tea at Tudor House with tri club then the anti fascist demo at the Bargate.

Finally left 13:20 for the 18mile cycle to Burley YHA. I had alot of stuff strapped to my bike!!

Usual route to Lyndhurst - had my peanut butter and marmite sandwiches under a tree during the bonkers heavy downpour then through Lyndhurst up the A35 to the old Lyndhurst road - so much quieter than the A road :)

Arrived!!! 15:15 - cracked open the wine by 4pm. Crawled into bed at 01:30 - brilliant fun!! Games, afternoon tea, bbq, champagne, quiz, firepits and just one little rain shower.

Sunday - all off by 10:15am.
Puncture :(
Hoorah for Les and Lizzie who helped me out :) Meant I could then head off for my twenty mile cycle before roast beef at The Swan opposite the Emery Down turning.

Lovely to bump into Robert from tri club in Brockenhurst.

Route - Lyndhurst road from Burley, Oriental drive to Brockenhurst then Beaulieu and up to Lyndhurst = approx twenty miles in two hours. I need to get quicker, I need to be fitter and I need to be leaner. Plenty to work at!

Roast was fab. Ten mile cycle home via Vik's to grab my black bag. Home, shower, tea with balcony door open while watching TV from my armchair. Perfect end to a lovely weekend.

My plan of gently building my base fitness is going well. Will continue through July before starting my marathon training for December. I do though need to keep up my cycling and swimming ready for the club champs 21/8/16

1100m swim Ellingham lake
33k cycle
10k run

My aim is to be easily under four hours hence I need to get quicker on my bike,  keep working on my running and I really need to get more long swims in either at Lakeside via HOWL, and or Hilsea lido :)

Another great Hurtbox session

Didn't feel like swimming Monday and then S&C session was cancelled. I was starting to.panic thinking I'd end up feeling like a lump of.lard if I didn't do something.

Got into my PE kit Tuesday eve and went for a cheeky little run round Ocean Village. No.idea of the distance but was running for 28.03.59 - was all sweaty so it'd been a good workout.

Today was Hurtbox with Lindsey and Kelley. Felt easier so wondering if my kicker was working properly... Or I may just be getting fitter in which case they'll make it harder for me :(

Brilliant :)

Fingers crossed for good weather this weekend as I'm hoping to.do a lot of cycling in the New Forest as I nip here and there for Jo's 50th bday celebrations.

Running along the runway, marshaling, fave club sandwich and Adele's Glastonbury set.

What a fabulous day!
Kicking off with a 4:10 wake up call and ending in about half an hour :)

5k early morning run along Southampton airport parkway's runway. So beautiful. Sun just rising on a hazy June morning. Lots of chums, 37.06.38 chatting most of the way round. It was glorious.

Fast cycle home for a shower then off to OS main offices to help marshal the Lordshill Road Runners 10k. Was there 8:15am - 12:15pm. Bag drop, checking bike shed, water  at the end and medal giving to the 2k kids race finishers. Super fun, lots of familiar faces, lots of running buddies.

On my cycle home wondering what to do for lunch suddenly remembered how much I loved Mettricks Guildhall club sandwich I had Friday for luncheon. Spent a super hour checking Facebook, eating the sandwich (with chips), while chilling from my busy morning.

Then spent the afternoon watching Adele's Glastonbury set. Fantastic. In fact so good I had to watch it again. Chocolate garage run, bit of football and now thinking bedtime. What a super day.

Cycling approx 18.8miles = 30ish kms
Running = 5km

Tri Club tomorrow.
S&C running session Tuesday.
Huttbox hopefully Wednesday eve.
Maybe a run Thursday
Rest Friday
Jo's 50th bday weekend so tri club Saturday then cycling to Burley in the New Forest.

Excellent :)

Manor Farm Country Park is now my favourite RR10

OMG!!! 
One of my most beautiful runs ever happened this evening at the 6th RR10 of 2016. I've never managed to make the Manor Farm Country Park so I was excited to check out the course. It didn't disappoint. It had everything - beautiful views, woods, river views, hills, more beautiful views. I loved it.

Cycled out there 35mins 6.7miles
Ran 5miles, 1:03.19.
Cycled home just under 30mins 6.7miles

The sun set was breathtaking and I was cycling straight into it. Wonderful.

Mile of miles - spectator then Hurtbox - participant.

Mile of miles at the sports centre this evening which I watched maybe twenty mins of before hurtbox session. Various running clubs with max of three teams of ten (with at least two women) each of which run a mile. Quickest team wins. Was lovely to see so many running and tri club chums :)

Then Hurtbox. OMG!!!  Was me and Lindsey and boy did we work hard!!! Was brilliant fun though. Loved the fact that our two coaches were both back from their recent full and half ironman races. They looked remarkedly chipper.

Basically Lindsey and I worked ridiculously hard for at least thirty mins, then very hard for about twenty mins with abit of recovery time. Then I forgot my lock so had to cycle back from Shirley High Street. I'm very tired. Booked myself in for another session this Friday. What am I like?????

Screenshot of the workout :)

Magic mile and Southampton's vigil for the Orlando murder victims

Chatted the entire way round with Tim from Lordshill Road Runners. Such a fabulous catch up :)

My time was 10.14.37.
I wonder what time I'd get if I didn't even say thank-you to the marshals which is what most of the gast boys and girls don't do!!!

Lots of familiar faces from both my running and tri club. Always, brilliant fun.

Then headed to the Guildhall for Southampton's tribute / vigil to remember / mourn the Orlando slain. Was there about an hour. Some familiar faces but not as many as there'd of been 20 years ago when I was a 27!! So glad I went. Southampton did us proud and the Art House were top stars. Attached is currently my favourite pic of Southampton ever. Thanks Jani x

Polseden Lacey 10k 2016

10k cycle to a 10k run then cuppa tea / shower at Nicky's then 10k cycle home.

I was the penultimate finisher in1:25 but absolutely delighted as didn't really walk once. The only time I kinda walked was mabes a minute up a hill with alot of mud. First time ever I just kept going.

Also found a new chum - Alison a runner from the other side of Dorking. We chatted our way round most of the course. I ran at the same pace through out. Alison had a variety of speeds :)

Hilarious - when Nessie came round we walked round the block. Guess what a noticed I was still wearing. I do so love a medal.

Then on the Monday I cycled 12k to Dorking for roast chicken and champagne :) Thanks Nic and Kiah x

Love the RR10s - did Fleming Park yesterday 8th June 2016

Such a fabulous evening - it was Solent Running Sister's RR10 yesterday in Fleming Park. An absolutely beautiful evening - sunny and warm. Perfect for running, although it could have been maybe a little bit cooler :)

I cycled out there so...
6miles twice = 12 miles of gentle cycling.
4.2mile run in 49.12mins

Felt fine. One of these days I'll actually do a race without whooping, cheering, singing and chatting my way round course and do a proper sprint at the end. It'll be nice to know just how fast I could go.

Tri club run session this eve

Really enjoyed this evening's session.

Warm up loop round the sports centre - about 15mins. Then some warm up drills before main set. Coach Paul asked us what our current 10k time is and then he gave us all a 1km time to aim for.

My current 10k is mabes 73mins if I'm really lucky so he gave me a time of 6.30 per 1km to aim for (two and a half laps of the track)

1st 1km = 6.28.75
2nd 1km = 6.34.21
3rd 1km = 6.34.83

Could I have done another seven 1km's at that pace? Well with catching breath and walking/jogging over to the 200m start line to do each 1km my total time was actually 24.56.45 for 3km. Let's just say 8min kilometers are abit more where I am right now :)

Great session. Then cycled home via Sainsbury's to grab something for tea. I went for satay chicken noodles. Yummy.

One hour of running, approx 5miles :)

That felt great :) yes I walked some of it - like the last bit of athelstan road which is more like a cliff face, but mostly I ran, gently.

Google maps reckons I did about 5miles in about an hour. Warm up and warn down / stretches plus Ant's Runcamp 365 challenge (a selection of core exercises to do on 10mins) = an hour and twenty mins workout. Very happy with that.

I knew I had to run today - my training plans starts today with the RR10 which I didn't do!! Run training with Southampton tri club at the track tomorrow evening then rest.

The pic is me mid stretches after my warm down jog. Brilliant.