tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664462143494670282024-03-12T21:46:49.990-07:00Anything You Put Your Mind ToYour fitness, your ambitions, your wayElspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-59702412741188007772014-03-16T10:02:00.001-07:002014-03-16T10:10:20.134-07:00Kettlebells with PT Luca Meriano<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nijycdFyiZY/UyXL3YjE94I/AAAAAAAAAUA/TH8VoXlUqXo/s1600/WP_20140316_008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nijycdFyiZY/UyXL3YjE94I/AAAAAAAAAUA/TH8VoXlUqXo/s1600/WP_20140316_008.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luca's kettlebells. Don't let the pastel shades fool you, they're not metrosexual.</td></tr>
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While I can still type, I'm posting about a kettlebell workshop I went to today. I fear that tomorrow will be too late.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/luca.meriano.9" target="_blank">Luca Meriano</a> ran a three-hour beginners kettlebell workshop at <a href="http://www.thegymgroup.com/find-a-gym/gym/the-gym-edinburgh/" target="_blank">The Gym on Waterloo Place</a> in Edinburgh. A new skill for me, a new teacher, and a new venue.<br />
<br />
The Gym is a cavernous, white, modern 24 hour gym with plenty of space in the matted area for Luca to teach 9 of us the basics of kettlebells. It was clean, well equipped and (despite being the most central gym location you could imagine in Edinburgh), didn't seem full of posers. Which I liked.<br />
<br />
Luca was a great teacher. He broke everything down very clearly. His instructions were really succinct and he took the time to check we were all managing the moves. Everyone got individual feedback throughout the class, one to one. Luca was thoroughly professional and knowledgeable and I can't think of anything else I would ask for.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOeXdrWtFWw/UyXL2_ix78I/AAAAAAAAAUI/E--V_sHLH1E/s1600/WP_20140316_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOeXdrWtFWw/UyXL2_ix78I/AAAAAAAAAUI/E--V_sHLH1E/s1600/WP_20140316_003.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and the teacher!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kettlebells will leave me with more bruising than a <a href="http://thefortyfest.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/ff-31-try-poledance.html" target="_blank">pole dance class</a>, I suspect. Luca says that this is common to start with, but with practice you develop better control and stop whacking your forearms with the kettlebell!<br />
<br />
Luca told me that kettlebell moves use up to 80 muscles. Even a shoulder press-type move uses the whole chain of muscles from your feet to your hands overhead. Two hours on and I'm starting to believe it... I'm not sure I felt this achey after my last marathon!<br />
<br />
We had a very thorough warm-up before learning how to swing, clean, snatch and squat. Doesn't actually sound much when you list it like that, but after two hours I was feeling ready to go home. It was the cleans that I really struggled with by the end, because every time I racked the kettlebell, I was thumping it off the outside of my forearm. By the final sequence my left arm was in too much pain for me to finish - not the 'good workout' pain but the 'dropped an iron on my arm' type pain. Still, I'm assured it's just a beginners ailment and it's about timing.<br />
<br />
The squats were not the forward-tipping Body Pump variety but real ass-to-the-grass hip-openers. After about 40 of those today, I fear my training run tomorrow will be in jeopardy. It occurs to me now that I didn't know I could do ass-to-the-grass squats until today, and why didn't I know that? Well, because nobody's ever asked me to do them, so I didn't know I could. Which is quite depressing, actually, as a bit of a sign that I don't push myself to try new stuff. <br />
<br />
Far from only working the upper body, even when they're overhead kettlebells are really intense on your lower body, as you push from the hips to get the momentum for the moves. Squeezing the glutes protects your lower back from strain so it works your ass like crazy - before you even begin those squats!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IsCSrKAjYrk/UyXL3Jbi91I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/U_EzYLwOSGc/s1600/WP_20140316_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IsCSrKAjYrk/UyXL3Jbi91I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/U_EzYLwOSGc/s1600/WP_20140316_001.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The class, still smiling after three gruelling hours!</td></tr>
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I used an 8kg (pleasantly pink) or a 10kg (baby blue) kettlebell. Luca has his own stash of them, the size and standard required for competition. They were colourful, but Luca warned us off the smaller (but not lighter) gym's-own kettlebells, describing them as 'metrosexual' (I did LOL).<br />
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Luca told me that having good flexibility and mobility in my hips meant that my kettlebell technque was good. Who knew, <a href="http://swishandhips.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-elspeth-swishandhips.html" target="_blank">bellydance </a>and kettlebells are odd, but complementary, bedfellows. Hurray.<br />
<br />
I'm plan to use kettlebells again, even if they are the metrosexual kind that Edinburgh Leisure supplies. Luca suggested 50 squats, 50 snatches and some core work as an all-over general workout in 20 minutes. I need to remember to squeeze my glutes, keep my elbow in and swing the other arm!<br />
<br />
Great workshop, great to learn some new skills!Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-83250326224682353612014-02-12T14:15:00.000-08:002014-02-12T14:15:04.732-08:00Yasso 800sI wish there were more things in life like Yasso 800s. Things that are actually 'one amazing trick to success'. Like when the internet tells you to click on this link to find out the one crazy thing to do to get rid of belly fat - only for real.<br />
<br />
Yasso 800s are a running training regime which can predict your marathon time. If you run your Yasso 800s in 4 minutes, you can finish a marathon in 4 hours. If you for Yassos are 3 mins 30 seconds, your marathon time will be 3 hours 30 minutes. Crazy but true (by all accounts).<br />
<br />
The 800 refers to 800meters, half a mile or two laps of a running track. Run that as hard as you can, ten times over, with one lap (400m or a quarter of a mile) between each set for recovery and collect your times. The average is your marathon time.<br />
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Last year when I was training for the Loch Ness Marathon, the Yassos defeated me. I don't regularly run on the track and doing the session was nerve-wracking. I usually run first thing in the day, and you can't do that at my local running track. I felt anxious and uptight throughout and didn't peform well at all. After that, I decided to throw in the towel on my sub 4-hour marathon hopes for Loch Ness in 2013.<br />
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Today I was really anxious about the Yasso 800s my coach had set for me. Combine it with husband going away for work for 2 nights, son leaving on a three-day school skiing trip (first time away alone!) and I was almost hysterical. It troubled my sleep and left me really uptight all morning before I got to the track.<br />
<br />
However, I knuckled down and got on with it. The track was cold and windy but at least I was alone (unless you count the people in the gym who have a birds-eye view of the track while they're on the cardio machines!). The last two sets were performed in sleet which at least made sure I didn't linger on the track!<br />
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My average time was... (drum roll...) 3 minutes 48.7seconds!!<br />
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I am over the moon! I was exhausted for the rest of the day and my glutes are killing me. I don't think any of my previous Yasso 800s were this good - plus I ran 20 miles five days ago, so I'm not what you'd call fresh. It feels great to know I'm at the top of my game!<br />
<br />
My next marathon is 2.5 weeks away at The Meadows in Edinburgh, and I'm getting my fundraising going. I am now REALLY excited that I can finally beat four hours!!Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-87133335409142910402014-02-02T10:20:00.004-08:002014-02-02T10:20:47.597-08:00Freedom from Emotional Eating<a href="http://anythingyouputyourmindto.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/getting-rid-of-my-emotional-eating.html" target="_blank">Two weeks ago</a>, I started reading <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Freedom-From-Emotional-Eating-DVD/dp/0593064070/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391365041&sr=8-1&keywords=paul+mckenna+freedom" target="_blank">Paul McKenna's Freedom From Emotional Eating</a>. It has been an amazing, revealing, enlightening fortnight.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq5autIO_Ro/Uu6KWTa-8hI/AAAAAAAAARw/Z5p7F2e-IK4/s1600/paulmckenna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq5autIO_Ro/Uu6KWTa-8hI/AAAAAAAAARw/Z5p7F2e-IK4/s1600/paulmckenna.jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This book has changed my life. Honestly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
On day 2, I noticed that I felt calm and happier, in a non-specific sort of way.<br />
On day 3, it all started to fall into place, and I realised for the first time that I ate because I felt entitled to food. Without conciously trying to eat less, I was eating less.<br />
On day 4, I challenged myself to eat more slowly and conciously.<br />
On day 5, I found myself at one of my usual feeding frenzy times, when I can't help myself snacking - at home, fed up, with squabbling children. I didn't eat. I didn't want to. It no longer seemed like a helpful thing to do.<br />
On day 6, I got home late at night and had a cup of tea. No toast, no nuts, no yoghurt - just a cup of tea. Which is unheard of.<br />
On day 7, I got up, put on my skinny jeans and felt fantastic. It was the first Sunday for years that I didn't lurch from one snack to the next.<br />
On day 8, I realised for the first time <u>why</u> I was using eating to help me deal with my emotions.<br />
On day 9, I cried, all day.<br />
On day 10, I stopped crying, but I wanted to run away and hide, all day.<br />
On day 11, a friend told me about the problems she's been having recently, and made me realise that it really has been a long, long time since I've been properly switched on emotionally, either to myself or other people.<br />
On day 12, I realised I'd lost over 4lb in two weeks. In the past, it's taken me literally months of calorie counting and long walks to lose those 4lbs.<br />
Today, I had the best Sunday I've had for several years, feeling relaxed, connected to my family and contented.<br />
<br />
I am amazed by how effective this book is, and the CD and DVD that go with it. To not emotionally eat has not been difficult. <b>I have not needed to use willpower or self-restraint.</b> I've simply felt differently about food. I have found it amazingly easy to eat when I'm hungry, and stop eating when I'm not hungry. Nobody is more surprised about this than I am. <br />
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In the last few years, for various reasons, I haven't given myself space to acknowledge, accept and act on my emotions. I've been forcing my feelings down and trying to "get on with" as much as possible, focusing on productivity over emotions. I had forgotten how to feel. I hadn't cried for years. The last two weeks have found me starting to reconnect with myself. I feel happier and more relaxed in most parts of my life. And I haven't once found myself in the kitchen looking for comfort, in two weeks.<br />
<br />
This post doesn't seem to do justice to the emotional journey I've been through in the last fortnight. When I read back what I've written, it sounds like an advert for the book! But I don't know what else I can add. I want to rush out and tell almost everybody to try it. I want to salute Paul McKenna, hug him, and thank him for this amazing book. Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-7673989971645991362014-01-19T02:12:00.001-08:002014-01-19T02:34:16.565-08:00Getting rid of my emotional eating.I like <a href="https://www.paulmckenna.com/" target="_blank">Paul McKenna</a>. I <a href="http://anythingyouputyourmindto.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/eight-days-and-counting.html" target="_blank">blogged </a>in 2012 about using his book and CD, Change Your Life in 7 Days and how useful I found it. Here he is on the <a href="http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/new-hypnosis-weight-loss" target="_blank">Dr Oz Show</a>. <br />
<br />
So when I went to Waterstones with a £13.02 gift card and saw <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Freedom-From-Emotional-Eating-McKenna/dp/0593064070" target="_blank">Freedom From Emotional Eating</a> for £12.99, I thought it must be a sign.<br />
<br />
It's not very comfortable to admit that I'm an emotional eater. I'm not overweight. I weigh about 55kg and I'm 1.61m tall. My diet is good, especially now that I'm <a href="http://vinnietortorich.com/tag/nsng/" target="_blank">NSNG </a>and I've cut out sugar and grains. I have lots of organic veggies, plenty of avocados, eggs, meat. I rarely eat out and pretty much all of what I eat, I've prepared myself. I love exercise so when I over-eat, it's offset by activity. <br />
<br />
But there are times when I just can't stop eating. It's mainly nuts, seeds, yoghurt, fruits - nothing terrible, but I can pack them away like a maniac when the urge takes me. And I don't seem to be able to do anything about it. I realise it's self-destructive and that later on I'll wish I hadn't - but there's not cut-off switch in my brain. As much as I'd like to lose 2kg to hit my best running weight, I can't seem to translate that desire into the movement of walking out of the kitchen.<br />
<br />
Chiefly it happens at weekends and evenings. Recently I've been trying to pause and analyse why I'm eating. I think I'm usually <b>anxious</b>, <b>bored </b>or <b>tired</b>. Those seem to be the three things that send me to the kitchen cupboard. I am totally sure, however, that whatever it is, it's not hunger.<br />
<br />
So, there you are. That's my confession about emotional eating. This morning I read the first chapter of Paul McKenna's book and, just like Change Your Life in 7 Days, I felt it working even though it was just the introduction. The mytical magic of NLP, I think! This book is a 7-day challenge too, and this week I'm going to do what he asks and beat my emotional eating.<br />
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I'm going to blog every day and keep track of how I'm getting on.Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-85095850078123558692014-01-18T10:25:00.000-08:002014-01-18T10:25:10.367-08:00ETM. Eternally Talking Muppet.I have six days until the first assessment for my Exercise to Music qualification (ETM). I don't think I will think about much else for the next 6 days.<br />
<br />
I've been teaching bellydance for the last 9 years. For at least four hours per week, I stand in front of a class and instruct them in a physical activity. I thought this would mean that working for an ETM qualification would be something I would find fun and within my comfort zone.<br />
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Ha!<br />
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I'm glad that I have confidence in standing in the front of the class, because there are so many other elements to juggle that it's good to be comfortable with *one* aspect of it.<br />
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Getting the choreographies prepared has taken a really long time. Ensuring that there are changes at the right time, in the right direction, and the right kind of movements to the right kind of music has made my brain hurt. It's not like dancing because you never *respond* to the music, you only count it. Which is less fun than I had expected.<br />
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But here's the bit I like least. When I'm delivering the class, I have to talk non-stop. For each section of the 22 minute aerobic curve (warm-up, peak and warm-down, ranging from 128BPM to 140BPM and back down to 132BPM) I have to give my class<br />
<ul>
<li>5 teaching points</li>
<li>5 posture points</li>
<li>5 ways to make the move harder</li>
<li>5 ways to make the move easier</li>
<li>5 alternatives to the moves I'm demonstrating.</li>
</ul>
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That's 25 sentences. The shortest section is only 4 minutes long and I have to say 25 things at the same time as I'm demonstrating choreography at 140BPM.<br />
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I'm daunted.<br />
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The only real advice I've had is to practice, and that it all gets easier the better you know your choreography. So I'm getting as much practice as I can, all alone, in my house, annoying the crap out of my downstairs neighbours. <br />
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I think I am enjoying the course. I like a challenge and this is one. But I won't be sad when it's over. Which hopefully will be sooner (if I pass on Friday) rather than later (if I don't and I have to resit!)Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-81138157572326562742013-12-30T14:54:00.002-08:002013-12-30T14:54:58.027-08:002013: twelve months in twelve sentencesIn 2013, I ran 1226 miles; I had my 40th birthday; completed two marathons and three half-marathons; I started a running club in my children's primary school; I learned to do chin-ups; I joined a gym for the first time in nearly a decade; I totally overhauled what I eat. It's been my best fitness year ever.<br />
<br />
In January I was rather miserable and got poorly.<br />
<br />
In February I started training for the Edinburgh Marathon, feeling daunted but quickly realised that I could regain my speed and increase confidence.<br />
<br />
In March I passed my CYQ Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification! It took a lot of hard work and practice but I'm really proud to have held my own in a class of people half my age and feel so much more confident in my fitness knowledge and my own fitness. <br />
<br />
In April I finished up my HNC in Fitness, Health and Exercise from
Edinburgh College. I'd originally signed up for the HND - one more
year's study - but the course was geared towards university applicants,
so I took what I had and decided to work for a Personal Trainer
qualification in January.<br />
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In May, I completed the Edinburgh Marathon in 4 hours and 12 seconds, and accordingly developed a monkey for my back about getting a sub-4-hour marathon.<br />
<br />
In June became a coaching client of Angie Spencer at <a href="http://marathontrainingacademy.com/" target="_blank">Marathon Training Academy</a> and learned the value of having a coach and mentor and exactly how that can make me a better runner. <br />
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In July I took a month off running to see if I could cure the plantar fasciitis which I'd suffered from since May. It didn't work but I did enjoy working out in the gym instead, including the lovely <a href="http://www.elitefitnessstudio.co.uk/" target="_blank">Elite </a>in Broadstairs and the glorious <a href="http://www.fitnessfirst.co.uk/gyms/gyms-in-brighton/club-brighton/?ds_medium=cpc&gclid=CM2A6MSD2bsCFUbKtAod8VcAQg" target="_blank">Fitness First in Brighton.</a><br />
<br />
In August I had one of my favourite, most transformative runs, 8 miles up and down the Royal Mile with <a href="http://www.vickiweitz.co.uk/#/blog/4564207122" target="_blank">Vicki Weitz</a>, when I realised for the first time that running need not be solitary and need not be non-stop. <br />
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In August (also) I started a few new college courses: CYQ's Exercise to Music qualification via Edinburgh College at Granton; Applied Nutrition, and Pre- and Post-Natal Fitness, both at Edinburgh College at Milton Road (same institution, a few miles apart but a world of difference!)<br />
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In September, I completed the Loch Ness Marathon in 4 hours 7 minutes and learned how much fun running a marathon can be, especially when the scenery is beautiful, the race is well-organised and there's a bit of tourism involved.<br />
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In October I switched to a <a href="http://vinnietortorich.com/tag/no-sugar-no-grains/" target="_blank">No Sugar, No Grains</a> diet and loved it, and I'm still thriving on it, delighted to no longer be a slave to sugar and to instead have long-lasting, fat-fuelled energy. <br />
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In December, I managed to do 40 chin-ups in one week before straining a pec and having to take the rest of the month off, but also managed to run 40 miles in the week of my birthday, including a brilliant 22-miler on my actual birthday. <br />
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If you'd like to see some of what I plan for 2014, nip over to my <a href="http://thefortyfest.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">fortyfest blog</a>, for some forthcoming fitness fun. There will be more too, as I study for my PT qualification and set up as a PT - can't wait!!Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-49534545787702197182013-08-31T10:26:00.000-07:002013-08-31T10:26:10.051-07:00Back to college!I'm very excited to be going back to college this term! Hurray!<br />
<br />
I'm sticking with my decision not to study for an HND, but I still want to increase my knowledge. I'm going to Edinburgh College's Milton Road Campus to study four credits, two in Applied Nutrition and two in Applied Exercise Prescription. I am optimistic that the teaching quality will be better than most of what I experienced last year at the College's Granton Campus, although I am nervous about meeting a new group of people. It's only for one day a week (and not even a whole day) so hopefully it will keep my brain occupied and keep me consciously working towards my career goal.<br />
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Then on Fridays, I'll be back at Granton Campus studying for a CYQ Exercise to Music qualification! This is something I've wanted for years and I'm really looking forward to it. As a dance instructor you might think this might be something I can already do, but the fact is that Egyptian bellydance is more about responding to the music and interpretting what you hear than it is about doing a certain number of moves and changing to another move at the right time. I really enjoy music-based exercise classes so I think I'm going to love this course!<br />
<br />
In January I plan to study for a level 3 Personal Training qualification at Milton Road Campus. This is the one that I really want, and I'm sad I have to wait until next year for it! But it gives me some time to get on with other things that need my attention, like organising a loft conversion! <br />
<br />
This week I have an appointment with a business adviser at Business Gateway. I've been trying to set this appointing up since June so it's been a long time coming. This is outwith my comfort zone but I hope it will keep me focused on preparing to build my business when I'm fully qualified as a personal trainer and a post-natal fitness instructor.<br />
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It's an exciting week with so many new things to look forward to - bring it on!<br />
<br />Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-42395142118693687462013-08-17T02:57:00.002-07:002013-08-17T02:57:12.183-07:00Running plans and running problemsI'm training for the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon.<br />
<br />
It's taken me a while to be able to say this, because I've been injured - but I'm determined now! It won't be fast and it won't be pretty, but I'll do it.<br />
<br />
Shortly before the Edinburgh Marathon in May I developed plantar fasciitis. I've never had any running-induced injuries before, other than twice tearing ligaments after falls, so I decided to ignore it. I still don't know if this was the wrong thing to do - I'd trained hard for the Edinburgh marathon and I'm glad I saw it through, I'm really proud of my 4 hours and 12 seconds. But subsequently I've read that taking a break as soon as possible is the best thing to do for plantar fasciitis, and maybe if I'd done that, I would be pain-free by now. Which would be nice.<br />
<br />
I think the fault came from a pair of 'real life' trainers - not the shoes I ran in but the shoes I wore to college. They were pink Nike pegasus 29s and they looked really lovely. I got them in John Lewis, and even though they are officially running shoes, the man in John Lewis was obviously a suit salesmen and didn't even ask if I was a runner, let alone probe me about my tendancy to pronate or weekly milage! Never knowingly undersold, but also a bit shit.<br />
<br />
Because I didn't run in these shoes I didn't click that they could be causing the problem, so I wore them until a few weeks ago when the podiatrist pointed out that they're really quite minimalist, which she demonstrated by being able to wring them out like a dishcloth! This is just not possible with the Asics I run in. The difference in stability really took me by surprise. So, without the Nikes, things aren't rosy yet, but I do feel a bit better.<br />
<br />
I saw a sports therapist who suggested lots of calf stretching and quad stretching - which of course will never go amiss - but it wasn't making much difference. At the end of July with a heavy heart and an aching foot, I told my running coach Angie that I was going to take a break. It was a one-month break where I tried to do only low and no-impact activities. After the initial few days of misery, it turned out to be okay. I went to the gym every day, did cardio for up to 90 minutes with the intention of not losing my fitness. I still don't like the rower and the bike, but I have grown to feel fond of the eliptical and some of the free stepping machines where you get to leap like a gazelle. <br />
<br />
So, after a month off, I really didn't feel any better. I saw a podiatrist. I'd avoided seeing a podiatrist because I suspected I'd be told to stop running long term and I didn't want to be told that. So when I saw Jacquie I was very surprised when we got to the end of the consultation, and that advice had never come. I agreed to be fitted for orthotic insoles, and asked her if I should stop running? She said she wasn't going to advise that, because I love to run, and the chances of tearing my plantar fasciia or my achillies (which is playing up on the other leg) were no higher than they would be if I wasn't injured. So basically, as long as I could put up with the pain, I could keep running. Basically, if I was tough/nuts enough. Great news!! I am both tough and nuts, so there's no stopping me!<br />
<br />
I went back to running and although the first week was truly horrible and made me wonder why I ever began running in the first place, I've been back for two weeks now and it's not too bad. My foot still hurts, but last week I got my orthotics and they difference they've made has been quite incredible. Even after a few minutes in them the pain I have on standing up (when my muscles have shortened and need to work again) was dramatically reduced. This really cheered me up and made me feel very excited! I haven't run in them yet but I'm looking forward to breaking my feet in enough to do that.<br />
<br />
The worst thing is that I seem to have lost all my speed. Before I took the break, my easy pace was about 8.30/M, and now if I manage a mile in under 10 minutes, I'm doing really well! I'm shocked at how much speed I've lost, especially when I worked hard not to lose my cardio fitness. Even my ten minute miles make me feel like I'm giving everything I've got and have my heart rate at 160+. But I'm grateful to be running again and looking forward to completing my third marathon, even if it does turn out to be my slowest. Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-16296252420367019072013-08-15T13:56:00.002-07:002013-08-15T13:57:41.485-07:00A Running AdventureMy running is rarely interesting. It's solitary. I run the same handful of routes. I think my thoughts. Sometimes are faster than others, and occasionally I see a funny animal or a car crash, but that's as interesting as my running gets.<br />
<br />
Today I ran 7 miles with <a href="https://twitter.com/vickiweitz" target="_blank">Vicky Weitz</a>. She is an artist who is running 26 marathons in 26 days in the Edinburgh Festival, up and down the <a href="http://www.royal-mile.com/" target="_blank">Royal Mile</a>, between the Palace of Holyrood and Edinburgh Castle. When I heard about this I felt really drawn to go and run with her. I suppose I wanted to support her, because people who put themselves out there pushing themselves to their limits deserve support. And perhaps because she's not from Edinburgh, she deserves supported for coming to the city where I live.<br />
<br />
I dropped the kids at school and tried to recruit another running mum to come with me, but she was planning a half-hour run with her friend. At that point I was feeling nervous, overly full of breakfast and wishing I hadn't resolved to go. Even the run up Easter Road felt difficult - how would I manage up the Royal Mile?!<br />
<br />
After running once up the Mile and 3/4 of the way back down, I spotted Vicki. I was impressed by how fresh and relaxed she looked, because she's blogged about being in pain and finding it difficult. Even 7 miles later (by which time she's run at least 16 miles) she still looked fresh - I was sweating enough for both of us (quite embarassing and further proof that I'm doing the right thing by always running at 6am when nobody can see me!)<br />
<br />
I'd been a bit worried that I'd struggle on the uphill half of the run, but it was fine - not least because the Royal Mile is dotted with roads that need crossing, so there were lots of stops. Also Vicki stops each time she passes her support crew outside the Storytelling Centre.<br />
<br />
Vicki was very chatty and really easy to spend time with. I had wondered what I could tell her about to raise her spirits if she was flagging, and as she'd blogged about missing her children I thought I'd keep off the subject of my kids. But after a few miles, Vicki's children appeared! They had arrived the previous night and they both ran with her today. I was so impressed that they were so supportive of what their mum was doing.<br />
<br />
I was fascinated to hear about Vicki's running history and her art - she was very friendly, chatty and open. When we stopped at her crew's stop, Vicki had a re-fuel by opening a tupperware and taking a jelly baby from a selection of sweeties - no sports gels or technical kit, just good old jelly babies, chocolate and mints! I loved that.<br />
<br />
Vicki was getting supportive smiles and cheers from her regular supporters up and down the Mile, and when she stopped for a refuel a lovely man called Ken stopped and asked for a photo with her. He was from the Bronx and said he'd tell his running club at home about her! I was quite emotional that this one woman's run would become an international topic of conversation - wow.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hB_CBwciKjc/Ug1AO6U4jAI/AAAAAAAAAOE/0-4cl8kqaFM/s1600/BRtzIN-CUAAMZ3l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hB_CBwciKjc/Ug1AO6U4jAI/AAAAAAAAAOE/0-4cl8kqaFM/s320/BRtzIN-CUAAMZ3l.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grinning like a chuffed person, feeling a bit embarassed to be sweatier than the athlete!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm really chuffed that on her <a href="http://vickiweitz.moonfruit.com/#/blog/4564207122" target="_blank">blog </a>Vicki said that I had "vibrant energy that was contagious", not just because it's a lovely compliment but also because I felt so happy after running with her that I was worried I'd taken more than I'd given. I hope I can get the chance to run with her again next week. Today was her 15th marathon so she only has 9 more days to go!<br />
<br />
By the time I got home, I'd run 10 miles in 2 hours and 15 minutes. They were 2 of the best running hours I think I've had. I enjoyed being part of Vicki's work but mostly I enjoyed her company. I had a cold bath, made an omlette and chips and a pot of tea, and thought about Vicki who would still be running.Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-17663913333614079892013-05-26T00:06:00.000-07:002013-05-26T00:06:23.503-07:00Pre-Marathon ExcitementI'm two hours and twenty minutes away from the starting line! And I'm really excited.<br />
I don't remember being so excited before last year's Edinburgh Marathon, or in fact about ANY race I've ever done. It's strange - I'm in a good mood and I feel like dancing! But the sun is shining and today is the culmination of 16 weeks of training - and I'm going to beat 4 hours today!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--T3EBtT0_4o/UaGzHffx5pI/AAAAAAAAAM8/gAELqEdOrWo/s1600/poop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--T3EBtT0_4o/UaGzHffx5pI/AAAAAAAAAM8/gAELqEdOrWo/s320/poop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well wishes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've been following Marathon Training Academy's sub 4-hour training programme, I've done all my runs (bar two, missed one because hubby was away with work and another because of plantar faasciatis) and hit my targets in the Yasso 800s. I've done 3 twenty-milers and come in at around 2hours 55mins for each those, which does predict a sub 4-hour marathon time. These are good signs!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oHboTzUhhtY/UaGzeBG7t3I/AAAAAAAAANU/hSudwZ8Ra3o/s1600/numer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oHboTzUhhtY/UaGzeBG7t3I/AAAAAAAAANU/hSudwZ8Ra3o/s320/numer.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If I'm being pessamistic - and I'm not! - the wind and the sunshine could have a negative impact; I'm wearing new trainers which I've only done a maximum of 14 miles in (but my runs have been faster when I've been wearing them!); and... ummm... nope, can't think of any other problems. <br />
Yesterday I got a bit daunted when I thought about what I'd done in the four hours of Saturday that I'd be running for on Sunday. Yesterday four hours was<br />
<ul>
<li>collecting girl from ballet</li>
<li>playing in the park</li>
<li>reading a magazine</li>
<li>going to the library</li>
<li>going for lunch</li>
<li>shopping</li>
<li>visiting the flea market </li>
</ul>
And today it'll be run. Run. Run.<br />
<br />
This morning I have so far<br />
<ul>
<li>got up at 6.15am</li>
<li>listened to Paul McKenna</li>
<li>ate oats and milk with blueberries and nuts</li>
<li>drank a pot of green tea and a cup of black tea (it's unthinkable to do anything significant without a cup of tea first)</li>
<li>took my vitamins</li>
<li>tweeted a bit</li>
<li>got dressed </li>
<li>watched cartoons with the kids</li>
</ul>
I'm trying to time my fluids to cut down on time spent in the loo queue - no more fluids after 0730 and seeing how that works out. <br />
In a bit, I'm planning to nip down to Seafield Road to test the wind. Seafield Road is on the route and it's on my regular training route too, so I know it can be windy. I want to know if the wing will be behind me on the way out or the way back. Living by the sea however I know how quickly it can change. It sucks when the wind's in your face on the way out AND the way back! But it might calm me a bit to know whether I have to increase my pace on the way out or the way back to make up for the slowing effect of the headwind.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EyjDEuPSLsE/UaGzKXOSpsI/AAAAAAAAANE/du6pVegAaHU/s1600/weather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EyjDEuPSLsE/UaGzKXOSpsI/AAAAAAAAANE/du6pVegAaHU/s320/weather.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ooh, cloud? fancy that... but it's sunny now!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm leaving at 9am and the gun is at 10am. Although if last year's anything to go by, it should take at least 20 minutes for me to get started.<br />
Last night I got my stuff all ready.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8pLlp3TjlM8/UaGzrUdUrAI/AAAAAAAAANc/9ClLhAMR-no/s1600/race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8pLlp3TjlM8/UaGzrUdUrAI/AAAAAAAAANc/9ClLhAMR-no/s320/race.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">got my stuff together </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Eight gels - every 4 miles plus one for the start</li>
<li>phone</li>
<li>cash for a burger and a bus home in case the family can't make it to the finish line</li>
<li>ipod with Wittertainment and Marathon Training Academy podcasts and some tunes</li>
<li>race number</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dxdUJLN9Uo/UaGzM26YqyI/AAAAAAAAANM/0T_ICmeAZ0U/s1600/toes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dxdUJLN9Uo/UaGzM26YqyI/AAAAAAAAANM/0T_ICmeAZ0U/s320/toes.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm hoping not to lose any of my toenails today.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Right, I think I've run out of things to say now. Off to feed the kids some breakfast and wait for my nerves to kick in.<br />
Then I'm just off out for a nice long run in the sunshine for a little less than four lovely hours. <br />
<br />Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-11521733789826425492013-05-17T13:28:00.000-07:002013-05-17T13:28:36.210-07:00Running - spreading the love!Sometimes you just have that *really good run* when you feel so lucky to be alive and priviledged to be able to run? That was me this morning.<br />
<br />
It was the first meeting of the <a href="http://leithprimary.org/wordpress/" target="_blank">Leith Primary School</a> Running Club. I was taking a team of primary 6 and 7 pupils running, in advance of their inter-schools 'cross country' (i.e., twice round <a href="http://www.henniker.org.uk/images/places/local_a/leith/LeithLinks00.jpg" target="_blank">Leith Links</a> - which nobody could ever really describe as 'country'!) race. It was a small group and the atmosphere was great - we met before school started, so everyone who participated was really keen!<br />
<br />
It was sunny and warm, , the sky was blue, and the trees round the links were heavy with pink cherry blossom. We ran past the running club of the other local primary school, Leith St Mary's RC, and cheerfully waved - they've had a running club for a few years now and there must have been about 40 of them! Not as intimate as ours... although we all know, from small acorns grow big nuts. So I'm hoping we'll end up with lots of running nuts at Leith Primary in a few years!<br />
<br />
We warmed up with 'funny running' in the playground, we ran follow-the-leader across the Links to the race route, and then covered half the distance of the race before walking back to school in time for the bell. There was a range of abilities, but everybody seemed happy - I got some lovely feedback, including one chuffed boy who said he'd never ran so far before and felt proud of himself. That made me grin.<br />
<br />
Can't wait till next week for more! <br />
<br />
<br />Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-68314545493687414502013-04-14T11:13:00.000-07:002013-04-14T11:17:15.056-07:00The Edinburgh Rock & Roll Half Marathon 2013 - Race Report There are things you don't want to see on race day. Offical race marquees blowing away is one of them. Umbrellas blowing inside out is another, as are waves of sleet whooshing across Arthur's Seat, the backdrop to hundreds of people queuing for the portaloos.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://anythingyouputyourmindto.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/got-my-running-mojo-back.html" target="_blank">Yesterday </a>I'd been really positive about the race and feeling like I'd <a href="http://anythingyouputyourmindto.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/got-my-running-mojo-back.html" target="_blank">got my running mojo back</a>. But pretty much as soon as I woke up today, to the sound of a howling gale coming down my chimney, I started to feel a whole lot less confident about (a) wearing my new vest and (b) running a PB at the Edinburgh Rock & Roll Half Marathon.<br />
<br />
I swithered about wearing my new vest. It was a symbol of how positive and ambitious I felt about the race - to ditch it seemed like a bad omen. I'd painted my nails to match it. When I realised that there was No Way I would be taking my gloves off during this race, meaning my nails were irrelevant, I gave up on the vest and put on a t-shirt instead.<br />
<br />
The conditions were horrible. Starting the race on Queen's Drive in Holyrood Park is asking for trouble - it's a wind tunnel and even on reasonable days I try to avoid it when I'm running. Today wasn't a reasonable day - although it wasn't too cold (12oC), the wind was 37mph and the rain and sleet were driving. The start of the race was delayed while the course was made safer - not what you want to hear when you're shivering at the start line! Undoubtedly there were moments when the course was warm and sheltered - but the start and finish in the park easily obliterate those memories.<br />
<br />
To join the pace group, the instructions said to go to the souvenir stall at 0830 and sign up. The weather meant that every marquee was crushed full with sheltering runners so I had no idea which tent housed the souvenir stall. I looked at the queues for the toilets and the bag drop, and decided to cut my losses. The pace group I could live without, but I couldn't run with a full bladder and a rucksack.<br />
<br />
You couldn't fault the route. It took in lots of parks and lots of Edinburgh's lovely views, including Portobello Prom! I got to run past my street - although the weather really diminished the crowds. And the organisation was fine - doing a pretty good job in the face of adversity. But Holyrood Park is a rotten venue for anything on a windy day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xq9TsYYXeWw/UWrtwgAfzGI/AAAAAAAAAMA/wzT3Ir2adN0/s1600/IMG_2699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xq9TsYYXeWw/UWrtwgAfzGI/AAAAAAAAAMA/wzT3Ir2adN0/s320/IMG_2699.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lovely, wet, grumpy children waiting on Leith Links to cheer me on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HNKLEhsgiJA/UWrt15zhpkI/AAAAAAAAAMI/fzFlDfgsFvs/s1600/IMG_2696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HNKLEhsgiJA/UWrt15zhpkI/AAAAAAAAAMI/fzFlDfgsFvs/s320/IMG_2696.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me passing the bottom of my street and managing a grin for my lovely hubby and kids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was undeterred and still gave the race everything I could. I put up
with the weather (I've faced much worse in training); at any given
moment, I was putting my all into the race. From mile 10 my hamstrings
were really feeling the pressure. I hurt pretty much all the way round.
The hills were tough and sometimes my pace was slow, but I never stopped
giving it all I had. I felt really pleased with the effort I put in - I
reckon I put in about 20% more than I did when I tried the route last
week.<br />
<br />
Sadly, 20% extra effort translated into an improvement in my time of 1.8%!<br />
<br />
I finished in 1 hour 50 minutes 10 seconds. That made me 182nd woman out of 2269, and overall 964 out of 4361. But mostly it made me pretty disappointed! I can't blame the weather, or course congestion, or anything going wrong - I just wasn't fast enough.<br />
<br />
The low point was the queue for the baggage return. A massive, unmoving queue of shivering, wet runners waiting in the howling gale. It was like trying to get served in the world's busiest pub with only one barman. We were given bacofoil blankets which deafened you as the wind whipped them! The queue for the t-shirts was a bit shorter thankfully. The t-shirt is very nice and so is the medal. So were the compression socks I won in the Facebook competition yesterday.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RsgT07G3CSI/UWrw4qeKkqI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/j6ylEzqN_G8/s1600/537198_591727887503893_407314967_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RsgT07G3CSI/UWrw4qeKkqI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/j6ylEzqN_G8/s320/537198_591727887503893_407314967_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big thanks CEP for a brief respite from the climate, and funky pink compression sleeves!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I tramped across the mud and made my way to the Commonwealth Pool for a shower. The wind was horrible, I was cold and wet and on the verge of tears. Possibly an all-time low in my racing 'career' - even worse than getting lost in the 10M hill race last year.<br />
<br />
A long, hot shower and a burger & chips later and I felt a bit better. I spent the rest of the day at a rehearsal for a show I'll be dancing in at The Pleasance in May, which cheered me up. Now that I'm warm and back in the fuzzy heart of my family (with a small girl cuddling up and saying, "mummy, you're the greatest runner", and giving me a kiss), I don't yet feel philosphical about my performance. I worked really hard and got hardly anything back, and I'm feeling really deflated and disappointed.Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-21104487517185104142013-04-13T11:18:00.000-07:002013-04-13T11:18:10.185-07:00Marathon rantingI had a marathon moan a few weeks ago, and now I'm going to tell you about my marathon rant!<br />
<br />Yesterday I had the chance to bore the pants off my classmates about my marathon training. It was (for me) brilliant.<br />
<br />
As part of the HNC course, we do a unit called Personal Development Planning. We each select five goals (academic, professional, or personal) and track our progress towards them. Theoretically it's a helpful skill to aquire, but it's impossible to make people achieve goals if they're not motivated towards them - which frankly is the main problem with the course. "You WILL achieve your goals, or else!" - it's not the best approach.<br />
<br />
So anyway, part of the course was treating our classmates to a five minute presentation on the progress so far we'd made towards one of our goals. Looking at my goals and realising that there'd been a distinct lack of progress on four of them, I sighed deeply and opened PowerPoint to write about my marathon training.<br />
<br />
My goal is to run this year's Edinburgh Marathon in a personal best of less than 4 hours. Cue a SWOT analysis of the goal, photos of last year's race and details of my training programme.<br />
<br />
The truth is that once I got going, I really enjoyed telling everyone how I was getting on. Perhaps all I really wanted was the chance to share how my training was going - I don't really have anyone to bore with the facts of my training, and these guys had to listen - or at least, they had to not fall asleep. I finished off by giving them a jelly baby each - after all their are the secret of my training success. Why was I surprised to get the bag back afterwards to find all the black and red ones gone?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzCRNns_BK4/UWmgPSTs9bI/AAAAAAAAALw/ODRcM4UWWyw/s1600/jellybabies-2557189-431x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzCRNns_BK4/UWmgPSTs9bI/AAAAAAAAALw/ODRcM4UWWyw/s200/jellybabies-2557189-431x300.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(red and black ones still shown)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It also gave me the chance to look at my statistics and realise that I'm making progress.<br />
<ul>
<li>My average speed for my easy runs has increased by 36 seconds per mile</li>
<li>my average speed for my long runs has increased by 18 seconds per mile, and </li>
<li>my 20 mile run time predicts a marathon finishing time 3 hours and 55 minutes.</li>
</ul>
Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-49037531604678551132013-04-13T10:49:00.000-07:002013-04-13T11:19:03.122-07:00Got my running mojo back!I think what I needed was a break!<br />
<br />
I was just <b>worn out</b>. I've had a couple of easier weeks - the Easter holidays have meant no college and no dancing, and have coincided with a 28 mile week and a 30 mile week (a bit of a drop down from the previous few weeks) and I feel a lot better than in my last post.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Edinburgh_Kim" target="_blank">Kim </a>responded to my last blog post by suggesting that I try running somewhere nice, just for enjoyment. She told me she sometimes goes out with her camera and has been known to stop mid-run to take pictures of flowers. I reflected on this the next time I was out, on a frosty morning round Arthur's Seat, and tried hard to notice the icing-sugar trees and grass, and how muted all the colours were in the pre-spring chill. It was pretty and I can still remember it when I close my eyes. I rarely appreciate the scenery - perhaps because it's only April and I've been so used to running before sunrise! - so it was good to do this. Thanks Kim.<br />
<br />
Additionally - there's nothing like a race to focus my mind!<br />
<br />
I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's <a href="http://uk.competitor.com/edinburgh" target="_blank">Rock and Roll Half Marathon</a>, having been lucky enough to win a free place. I didn't compete in the first Edinburgh Rock & Roll race, last year, because for me it was just too darned expensive (I think it was £45 when I tried to enter), and to be honest I don't really find the idea of local bands dotted around the course much of a motivator, since I'll have my iPod on anyway! But this afternoon I spotted one of the stages out on Leith Links, virtually at the bottom of the street where I live, and felt quite excited.<br />
<br />
Last week I tried out the course of the race during my long run - having the race pass the bottom of my street makes it very easy to try it out! It has a couple of steep gradients, and I finished in 1 hour 52 minutes - a pretty much an average 13.1 time for me. Perhaps with a bit of race adrenelin and the knowledge of the course, I can shave a bit off that tomorrow - or on the other hand, perhaps the other 5,499 runners might slow me up a bit.<br />
<br />
The race has pace groups. I've never run with a pace group before and I'm thinking of popping that cherry tomorrow. It would be 1 hour 45 minutes, so I'd really need to have a great day and a bit of <a href="http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Felix_Felicis" target="_blank">Felix Felicis</a> to complete with the pace group - but I can't think of a good reason not to try. My PB is 1 hour 45, in the <a href="http://www.meadowsmarathon.org.uk/" target="_blank">Meadows (half) Marathon </a>last year, which was flat, but I hadn't done any speedwork for that. I've done 10 weeks of speedwork now. Surely that'll improve my time?<br />
<br />
I bought a new running vest this morning - I can't believe I bought something as skimpy as a vest, after all I do live in Scotland - but the shop must have been warm, and it's a lovely shade of blue. I've painted my nails to match, so I will wear it tomorrow regardless. Perhaps being cold will make me run faster?<br />
<br />
I don't remember feeling this positive about a race before. The start line is a 20 minute walk from my house, with any luck my kids will cheer me on, I've got my kit ready, I won the place - and oooh I nearly forgot, I entered a Facebook competition this week and I won a pair of compression socks at the race Expo tomorrow! All good omens I think. I'm gonna go for it.<br />
<br />
BTW I don't really have any Felix Felicis, and besides, it would be illegal. Just before you point it out.Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-13754301997634479292013-03-24T12:00:00.000-07:002013-03-24T12:00:52.630-07:00Marathon moaningToday begins week 8 of my 16 week marathon training programme. My marathon training takes up the single biggest part of my brain at the moment. At the moment I have to confess that I'm getting a bit fed up of it.<br />
<br />
When I finish my Monday run, I start thinking about my Wednesday speed training session (tempo run, hill run, mile repeats or Yasso 800s) - how fast will I go? will I manage it? how much will it hurt? Then, even when I'm stretching after Thursday's recovery run, I'm already thinking about my Saturday long run - what other workouts will I have the energy for before it? what will I eat on Friday? what will I wear, what fuel will I take? what's my route going to be?<br />
<br />
And when I'm recovering, I'm thinking about what I'm eating (and wishing I wanted to eat things that aren't just chocolate), procrastinating about stretching, and contemplating which part of me is aching most at that moment in time - usually a choice between my hip flexor, my anterior deltoid, and my foot. Although right now my throat's pretty sore too.<br />
<br />
Everything I do, I see it in relation to my marathon training. Does my college class in Current Exercise Trends work my legs too soon before my long run? If I work on Tuesday night, will I be able to run on Wednesday? Should I visit family the day after the tune-up half marathon race, or the day of teh 20 mile training run? It feels like I'm programming my life round my training programme. <br />
<br />
Last year, my marathon training only lasted for 8 weeks - this year it's 16. So I've never had to work my body for this long before. I need to find new resolve - mental strength is required, because this is something I've never been through before. <br />
<br />
I'm not considering quitting, I still want to run this marathon (Edinburgh on May 26th) and I want to finish in under 4 hours. But unless I continue to remember that really, really want it, my body's probably going to quit on my brain's behalf. <br />
<br />
The hideous weather isn't helping. It's the middle of March and there's been snow every day for the last week. I ran in a full-on blizzard a fortnight ago. Yesterday's 18 miles had to be run on the relatively tedious cycle paths and when I was done, I didn't feel joyous, I really just felt relieved.<br />
<br />
Right, that's enough moaning. The more I talk up the down, the lower I'll get! Sunday is recovery day and it's all right to feel tired today.<br />
Tomorrow I'll be back on the pavement. <br />Tomorrow I'll feel better about myself again. <br />Tomorrow I'll try again to stop eating sweeties and chocolate like Augustus Gloop. <br />Tomorrow is the first day of the school holidays so hopefully I'll have a fortnight of better rest, more foam rolling and a general bit of R&R. <br />
<br />
If you've got any tips to help me find the mental strength to get through this wobble, please share them with me!Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-36791438870244548792013-03-20T04:57:00.000-07:002013-03-20T04:57:47.573-07:00BodyAttackOoh, did I just find my favourite gym class ever?!<br />
<br />
There's nothing new about BodyAttack, it's just that I've never tried it before. I think it's the 'attack' bit that put me off, but it turns out that BodyCombat is the martial arts class and that BodyAttack isn't. Edinburgh Leisure helpfully describes the class as "A simple, motivating and satisfying workout which will deliver results... using high energy interval training techniques", which doesn't exactly give much away and is probably why I've avoided it for so long.<br />
<br />
D'y'know what it was? Aerobics!<br />
<br />
When I say aerobics, I think of these key components:<br />
<ul>
<li>Start the move. Do it four times. Change the move. Do it four times. Repeat.</li>
<li>Have music on.</li>
<li>Do different sets of moves to different music.</li>
<li>Use these moves: grapevines, sidesteps, run forward, clap. Jumping jacks, squats, lunges. Kicks, skaters, plyometric jumps. Knee lifts, knee repeats. (plenty of old skool aerobics moves!)</li>
<li>No weights. </li>
<li>Abs track at the end, on a mat.</li>
<li>Sweat plenty.</li>
</ul>
What a buzz!<br />
<br />
I felt really nicely knackered by the end of it, nothing totally killed me (well, a final set of squat pulses at the end was kinda horrible, but this was my second workout of the day) and I felt like I'd 'done enough', which is a feeling I don't get from many classes.<br />
<br />
It helped that the teacher at Meadowbank, Vicky, was really good - no nonsense, great cueing, clear demonstrations; that the class wasn't so busy that I couldn't see; and the music was - well, it was okay, I won't say it was any better than that - more crowd-pleasers would've been good.<br />
<br />
I liked it better than Zumba because I didn't feel like an idiot doing daft moves.<br />
I liked it better than Sh'Bam because I didn't feel like a <i>complete </i>idiot doing <i>really </i>daft moves.<br />
I liked it better than BodyPump because I sweated plenty and got to jump about. <br />
I liked it better than BodyCombat because there was more counting to 4 and only really easy technique.<br />
<br />
BodyAttack is now my gym class of the moment! What's yours?Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-30317648289093425212013-03-16T05:49:00.000-07:002013-03-16T05:54:30.840-07:00Chilly for MarchI'm marathon training again. It's week six. I didn't do a week six last year, I didn't start until week 8. So a full 16-week marathon training programme is new to me. It's fantastic. Well, it usually is, but I'm a little bit tired today.<br />
<br />
I ran 16 miles, the second time in three weeks I've done that distance. The first time, I managed an even split after a super-speedy final mile. Today I managed a negative split the same way - about half a minute faster in the second eight miles than in the first. Yay!<br />
<br />
When I got home I went for a <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/health/ice-baths-cold-therapy" target="_blank">cold bath.</a> Cold baths - a form of cryotherapy, which sounds so science fiction and Doctor Who that it makes me love it - is recommended to reduce swelling and stiffness after a tough run, and promote a speedy recovery. As somebody who really hates rest days, anything that can help me recover faster is worth a go.<br />
<br />
Today was my third cold bath, the first two after challenging speed sessions. I haven't had the organisational skills for an ice bath - I imagine you'd need a fair old bit of ice to have even a slushy bath and my freezer's too full of old fish fingers and bags of veggies for that. I'm hoping that water from the cold tap does the job nearly as well.<br />
<br />
So I sit for ten minutes in a hip-deep bath, still in my running hat and jacket, browsing Facebook and reading <a href="http://www.ultramarathonman.com/web/" target="_blank">Dean Karnazes</a>. My kids look bemused. My husband ignored me (how can you ignore someone wearing a hat and jacket in the bath?!)<br />
<br />
These ten minutes of cold take more stamina than the two hours and twenty minutes that promted them. After the first minute my breathing returns to normal (instead of that juddery, catching, shallow breathing that you normally only do when you get into the sea on holiday) and after that, it's not actually too bad. <br />
<br />
Well, not too bad except for my feet. My feet and especially my toes <b>hate </b>the cold. They properly hurt, like somebody's stomped on them with big boots. They hurt worse than any part of my body hurts while I'm running. I haven't found a way to really keep them out of the water while I'm soaking my legs. My feet hate the cold bath.<br />
<br />
But the rest of me? Well like any recovery solution, it's hard to tell if it works. Unless you do just one leg, you don't have a control experiment, right? I do know that after the last two ice baths, (which were following speed sessions which push me harder than I've been pushed before) I haven't had DOMS, and I've been able to continue dancing, walking, zumba class - albeit at a lower intensity than if I hadn't run! So I suspect it's beneficial. Although I know in my heart of hearts that learning how to take proper rest days would be better.<br />
<br />
I'm battling my old hip flexor demon too (with an icepack while I type!) which is another incentive for the cold bath. So far the icing, pilates and trying to keep my hip in alignment when I run seem to be keeping it together. Long may it continue.<br />
<br />
Thinking of a cold bath? Go on, give it a shot. I recommend waiting until you're so tired you'd sit down anywhere - that's when it starts to look inviting!Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-91278988829469129492013-01-13T13:42:00.001-08:002013-01-13T13:43:35.151-08:00Buying a carSo, my family and I need a car. In as much as anybody in Edinburgh *needs* a car, since in this city, everything is close, the bus service is really good and nobody in my family does antisocial hours. But we've decided we like having a car and we want to keep having one.<br />
<br />
We don't really care about cars, as long as they've got four wheels and get us from A to B. So we enlisted the help of our friend Robert, who negotiated a good deal for my mum's recent car purchase, to take us car shopping today. By the time we left the house, we'd decided our budget and specifications - five doors, petrol, 1.2 engine. And that was pretty much it - we aren't fussy.<br />
<br />
But when we got to Arnold Clark I started to get fussy! Faced with a real lack of cars that met our specifications, we got into a discussion about a dull dingy grey Astra, which looked really clunky, and was parked next to a big puddle. That was the moment I realised I cared. Because although the car fitted all our specifications, and we got offered a good price, I didn't even want to cross that puddle to get to it.<br />
<br />
When I'm a qualified personal trainer, turning up to meet clients with a car full of swiss ball, kettlebells and yoga mats, do I want them to see me coming in a middle-sized clunky grey dullmobile? Will that inspire my clients with confidence that I'm a dynamic, energetic, fun trainer who's going to help them achieve their goals? Or will it make them think I'd rather be working in a bank?<br />
<br />
So today I learned that actually, I do care about the car I drive and what it says about me. Which surprised me. Sadly it means that I'll be spending some of the week looking at cars, and inevitably meeting more car salesmen. I hope they aren't all as annoying as the one we saw today - because although he shook my hand before he shook the hands of Robert or my hubby (good tactic I thought!), by the end of our session he'd made me feel that I didn't deserve a nice car and that I should be terribly grateful for the favours he thought he was doing us.<br />
<br />
He was a complete twat.Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-76241813430801647872012-12-30T07:56:00.000-08:002012-12-30T08:00:02.095-08:00My 2012 <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, the challenge is twelve months, twelve sentences. Punctuation is positively encouraged.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>January</strong>: In a
month where I went on a family holiday for a week and still didn’t eat any chocolate
or drink any coffee, I discovered Change Your Life is 7 Days by <strong>Paul McKenna</strong>
which changed my life, and also fell in love with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC2tWjTF_Xo" target="_blank"><strong>hooping</strong></a><strong> </strong>(that's not me in the vid btw).</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">February: </b>it was
a bellydance month when I performed with the Baladi Blues Band, my first time
ever dancing with a live band which I LOVED; was invited to compere the annual Edinburgh
University African and Arabic Dance Society hafla; and for the first time in a
while, ran 13 miles without injury or too much ill effect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">March:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>I got my act together to apply for a
<strong>college</strong> place to study fitness, ran the <strong>Meadows Half Marathon</strong> in 1hr 45m, which
was a good time despite sleet, and won a place in the Edinburgh Marathon
courtesy of the ESPC!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">April: </b>I learned
a lot about myself as I began my <strong>marathon training</strong>; had an excellent weekend of
rehearsals with our bellydance troupe, <strong>The Peacock Project</strong>, working towards and
completing the choreography for our entry to this year’s Shimmy in The City
competition; and had an interview at <strong>Jewel & Esk college</strong> for a place on
their Fitness HNC, winning a place despite there being 5 applications for every
place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">May:</b> I completed
my first <strong>marathon</strong> in 4 hours, 19 minutes after only 8 weeks of training, on a
really hot day, as well as rehearsing hard for and performed in <strong>Club Bellydance</strong>
at The Pleasance, with the Bellydance Superstars, the biggest bellydance gig
I’ve ever been involved in. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">June: </b>I enjoyed
seeing the <strong>Olympic Torch</strong> at Holyrood and I lost my toenail after the marathon!
But also there were lots of bellydance highlights this month, including
teaching children’s classes, organising and running both the Leith Festival
Hafla and the Musselburgh Hafla, and performing in Glasgow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">July: </b>Brought the
summer holidays and the brilliant <strong>Big Dance</strong> weekend where I organised four
performances, a <strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYbLwoTQEdE" target="_blank">bellydance flashmob</a></strong> and performed with The Peacock Project for
the first time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">August:</b> I<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Ran the <strong>Coach & Horses 10M race</strong> in
Lancaster, went for an induction day at Jewel & Esk College and got offered
the chance of a last-minute place at Telford College, which I accepted, and started full-time education for the first time since 1996 eek!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">September:</b> I completed
the <strong>Glasgow half marathon</strong>, found it difficult and learned that caffeinated
energy gels make me terribly grumpy; held plank for four minutes, leading to
‘not disgracing myself’ in a team challenge at college and a whopping increase
in my personal college confidence; started training in earnest for the Jedburgh
Half Marathon, following a training programme to improve my speed and hopefully
do a PB of 1hour 45; competed at Shimmy in the City bellydance festival in London with the Peacock Project which
was an amazing, challenging, growing experience, and I survived the terrible
disappointment of not winning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">October: </b>I had a
rubbish experience in the<strong> Dunbar 10M hill race</strong>, involving my first ever
“getting lost in a race” incident; got sick and injured and failed to PB in the
<strong>Jedburgh Half Marathon</strong>, learning that the training programme I’d chosen had too
much running and not enough cross-training, but still finished Jedburgh in 1hr
54 and really enjoyed it; attended a brilliant book festival event by <strong>Dr Andrew
Murray</strong>, ultramarathon runner and public health fitness champion; enjoyed a
7-day pass to Edinburgh Leisure, passed my <strong>first aid</strong> qualification, <strong>quit booze</strong>
until my birthday, and continued to do fine at college, but realised that I had
a long way to go when it comes to gym instruction and remembered how rotten it
feels to be rubbish at something.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">November: </b>I won a
free <strong>gym membership</strong> in a raffle and enjoyed adding gym work to my workout
routine, and improving my gym confidence; I made my <strong>tenth donation of blood</strong>; I
decided to lose 3kg before my birthday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">December: </b>Held
<strong>plank</strong> for 6 minutes, completing my November plank challenge; and hit my target weight in
time for my birthday!</span></div>
Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-5463247271744418522012-12-22T11:33:00.002-08:002012-12-22T11:34:42.543-08:00End of Term reviewCollege is over for the Christmas holidays and it seems like a good time to reflect on the first four months of my HND course at <a href="http://www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/" target="_blank">Edinburgh College</a>.<br />
<br />
So, how's college going? It's brilliant.<br />
<br />
I last left full time education was in 1996 (when some of my classmates weren't even born) when I finished my honours degree in Politics. At the time I thought I'd enjoyed my time at University, but I don't think I had nearly as much fun in those five years as I've had in the last four months. (Although in those days I could tell you who was top of the hit parade and knew how to dress like a student, I can't do those things any more.)<br />
<br />
First of all, <b>on a basic level</b>, I get to go somewhere warm and comfortable four days a week, where people have prepared things for me to learn, which I'm interested in. And every so often, they prepare wee hoops for me to jump through, so I can see whether I'm doing all right or not, and then they tell me whether I've done well or not. That is FUN. I don't have to be responsible for anybody else, I get to dress the way I want, and the coffee is very cheap.<br />
<br />
The <b>teaching quality is variable</b>. Some of the staff on the course are great, committed and easy to understand, delivering the quality content in a professional way and willing to work with us to help us get through the course. There are other staff who I've had to learn to get along with, which has been constructive and valuable, since we all come from different backgrounds and we can't expect to hit it off with everybody straight away. And then there are others who make me wonder what quality control the college implements.<br />
<br />
The <b>content of the course</b> is fine - learning to instruct clients in the gym is obviously useful; the basis of nutrition, anatomy and physiology which we'll build on as the course goes on; health screening for future gym clients has been quite low on content but interested - and I've already passed my First Aid certificate, which is great!<br />
<br />
As far as <b>how I'm doing</b>, all seems fine - I'm passing my assessments and assignments without too many difficulties, and even the practical gym instruction assessment I was so worried about went fine.<br />
<br />
I'm unsettled by how easily I've taken to the uniform. It's not compulsory but the gym trousers and big hoodie are really very comfortable, and it's much easier to wear them than it is to lug a change of clothes around all day. I need to be careful I'm not lowering my personal standards - I got a new pair of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37386299@N08/6418656837/" target="_blank">cherry red DMs</a> for my birthday so hopefully that'll help me keep up my sartorial qualities. <br />
<br />
The revelation has been <b>the class</b>, which has turned out to be amazing. There are about 20 of us, I'm the oldest by a decade and I'm twice the age of some of my classmates, and while I don't ever *forget* that, it's a whole lot less relevant than I expected it to be. They're a great group of people, much more tolerant of a mature student than I was as an undergraduate, and there isn't a day that goes back at college without me laughing out loud.<br />
<br />
One of the tougher things I've come to terms with is <b>my inner <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=lech" target="_blank">lech</a></b>. Plenty of the lads in the class are in extremely fine physical condition, which, frankly, makes the days pass a bit more pleasurably. Now, in my defence, I come from a dancing background, and if a dancer looks great or does a move beautifully, I will watch her, enjoy watching, and usually tell her so. This is because she's a dancer, a performer, who expects to be watched, dances in order to be watched. It's part of who I am! However, this doesn't translate terribly well to a gym environment, particularly when the individuals are young males.<br />
<br />
It got to the stage where, when one lad was doing chin-ups, another lad rushed over and put his hands over my eyes, saying "you're not to watch, Elspeth - it'll get you going." What a reality check - was I a cougar? The resident old lady enjoying the boys working out a *bit too much*? I took a good look at what I was doing and I summed it up as "I appreciate their bodies - but I don't want to hold them close to mine!". I appreciate the work that they've done to build muscle, get rid of any fat, and seeing a well-executed deadlift is pretty much as good as a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv2GqDKRzaU&feature=share&list=FLDEGiFxV4LjkYuZBd6w_JLQ" target="_blank">well-executed bellydance technique</a>. And there's no doubt I'd be the same about the girls in the class if they were buff or ripped - but the truth is that they aren't really! (Sorry girls, but I think you know it's true!)<br />
<br />
I feel that I have a "mummy" role in the class sometimes too, especially as I bake cakes and cookies for the class to share. (I thought that a fitness class would shun such sugary treats, but I reckoned without those boys whose muscles mean they "just can't eat enough" (can you *imagine*?!), and white choc chip cookies are very popular.) Then my niece ask whether this wasn't tantamount to not only being a lech, but asking the young things if I could give them sweeties before I <a href="http://youtu.be/H7aJdWykm7g" target="_blank">took them to see some puppies</a>. <br />
<br />
Our Christmas night out was a great night - I even ended up in a nightclub where I occasionally forgot that I was the oldest person there!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="133" src="http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/8870_179533615522297_594479546_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You get your photie taken in clubs nowadays. Who knew?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So the last four months of 2012 have been brilliant. I've loved college and seem to have <b>managed to balance it without too much disruption</b> to my family or work. I've just asked my son who says the only difference is that I take him to school less (his Daddy takes him a couple of days a week now), but that it's fine because I'll have a better job afterwards. Wise beyond his years (this is the same boy who told me that ATP was "20p short of a pound, mummy.")<br />
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Fingers crossed for more time at college like these last four months!Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-22374970698919352032012-10-26T07:01:00.001-07:002012-10-26T07:02:22.949-07:00Failure isn't an optionI'm feeling challenged.<br />
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As part of my HND I'm studying for a CYQ certificate in instructing gym-based exercise. A big part of it is showing people how to safely and effectively use gym equipment - essentially teaching. And it's my worst class.<br />
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So far in the rest of my course - anatomy, nutrition, first aid, health screening - is going fine. Passing assessments and handing in assignments is good for me, I've had a couple of corrections to make but I'm passing. But this class - sheesh. It's been a loooong time since I've felt this inadequate.<br />
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What adds to my insecurity is that a lot of the others on the course are <em>really</em> well-versed in teaching gym equipment. Some have teaching qualifications already, or have worked in a gym, or studied the same things in previous courses. But me - I'm used to working out at home. Most of what I've learned I've learned from DVDs, none of it with big weights or barbells or gym machines, and although I'm quite confident in my technique, I've never had it scrutinised. <br />
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And in class, we're having to demonstrate to <em>each other</em> - which is even more nerve-wracking, because I'm having to pretend to teach a deadlift to somebody who's done more deadlifts than I've ever done, who's taught deadlifts, who probably eats deadlifts for dinner and then dreams about them. There's nothing like knowing somebody knows more than you do to wobble your confidence!<br />
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And I'm not used to practical assessments. I like books and essays, writing things down and having people read them. I don't like having to be judged on what I say out loud! I've been teaching dance regularly for eight years now, and it's only recently that I've felt really confident in what I'm doing. Will it seriously take me that long to feel happy teaching in the gym?!<br />
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Another compounding factor is that the class takes place on a Friday, so even though I'm motivated by my own inadequacies during and after the class, I have managed quite successfully to go home afterwards and forget all about it!<br />
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I hate being bad at things. I hate walking out of that class knowing I was in the bottom 20%. I hate the insecurity of thinking that I might fail. I hate feeling inadequate.<br />
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So it just can't be an option. I've got to pass this unit. I've got to be bloody awesome in the gym. Failure isn't an option. Adequacy isn't either. I have got to NAIL THIS THING!<br />
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Forget everybody else in the class and don't think about how much they know. I have got to focus on what<strong> I</strong> do. Being that best me that me can be, as Cookie Monster says. I know what's required in teaching - being confident, knowledgeable, having stock phrases to rely on so you don't always have to think about what you're explaining. Being comfortable and focusing on your student. I can do this!!<br />
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My assessment is in FOUR WEEKS, when I'll be assessed on my ability to teach 8 exercises - although there are like, 35 to chose from? If I can perfect a few every week - using books, YouTube and some practical gym experience to work from - I'll have plenty to get me through. <br />
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Life often feels better with a plan. Hope I can action this one - time management's going to be the struggle, with a couple of deadlines every week for the next few weeks. But since there's no way I'm going to flunk this class, I'd better get the hell on with it. Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-74065107702184130632012-10-13T11:50:00.001-07:002012-12-30T08:10:54.537-08:00Feeling betterI've had a better running week. At the same time I've had an excellent week at college so things are going a bit more smoothly than last week and the <a href="http://anythingyouputyourmindto.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/first-time-for-everything-sadly.html" target="_blank">depressing hill race debacle</a>.<br />
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My knee niggle's been fine, and more importantly, I decided that I just wanted to enjoy running this week, without trying to be faster. I ran 5 miles on Tuesday, and another 5 on Thursday, when I went up <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calton_Hill" target="_blank">Carlton Hill</a>, which is steadily uphill for 25 minutes, with a variety of gradients. My times weren't disgraceful, and I just felt good about running.<br />
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Today was even better - 14 miles from my house to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cramond" target="_blank">Cramond </a>and back. It was dark when I went out, the sun rose while I ran and it was fully daylight when I got home. That's my favourite sort of run - sunrise run, even on a cloudy day. Hat and gloves required and a pocket full of jelly babies. My routes along the coast are so scenic, even if they're windy. I felt really good today and really enjoyed every step, despite starting off a bit stressed and not even sure how long I was going to aim for.<br />
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I've not been very motivated to train recently, and I heard something on the <a href="http://marathontrainingacademy.com/" target="_blank">MTA </a>podcast this morning a quote that made me think. The speaker <a href="http://marathontrainingacademy.com/how-to-run-a-100-mile-ultramarathon-interview-with-eric-strand#more-2708" target="_blank">Eric Strand</a> said he was paraphrasing Sir Edmund Hilary when he said "It woudln't be much of an adventure if success was guaranteed." I've never failed to complete a half marathon - unlike training for my first marathon, which was a new and exciting prospect and I had no idea if it was within my capabilities.<br />
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I'm not sure what I'll do next week, if I'll do more speedwork - after all t<a href="http://www.jedburghhalfmarathon.org.uk/" target="_blank">he race I'm training for</a> is in 2 weeks. But I'm so happy to be enjoying running again, especially since last week everything seemed so bleak.Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-53975040545253339302012-10-07T04:07:00.001-07:002012-10-07T04:08:59.675-07:00First time for everything (sadly)I finished yesterday's Dunbar 10 mile Doon Hill Race in 1h 31m. My niggly knee held up just fine throughout the race. Both of these sentences make it sound okay.<br />
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Here's the rest of the story. I got lost and added 0.6M to my race. I was last for a significant proportion. I finished 70th out of a field of 81. I walked more times than I care to remember. My legs felt like they had nothing to give. At the end I had a cry and I felt terrible for the rest of the day. One day later and my knee is niggly again.<br />
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I've done this race twice before and really enjoyed it. This time the weather was beautiful, sunny but not hot, clear skies being ideal for viewing the lovely scenery from the hills to the sea. I'd rested all week and I was feeling confident. This was my 'tune-up' race before the Jedburgh Half Marathon in 3 weeks time. I've been working on my speed recently. So everything was pointing to a really good race.<br />
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I don't know what went so horribly wrong. The start was a little faster than I would have liked, but really I don't think it was so fast that I can blame it for messing up the rest of the race. I took my wrong turn at about mile 3. I found myself running down a field until the track I was on disappeared, and there was nobody to be seen. I knew I was near the back of the runners, but there was just nobody anywhere, so I ran back and eventually found the big dayglow arrow I'd missed. I felt so stupid! I tried so hard not to panic, tried to keep my pace under control, but perhaps I didn't, perhaps I sped up in panic and that's where it all went wrong.<br />
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I kept thinking about that marathon winner in the news the other week who took a wrong turn and still did a PB. Probably that didn't help, it probably made me push faster.<br />
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When I caught up with the end of the field, I calmed down a bit. There was a really steep hill shortly after and I overtook a handful of runners there. Shortly after I had my first walk - this was only the second race I've EVER taken a walk break in, and I felt so crappy about it. My mantra became "you're a pathetic f***ing loser", over and over in my head. I put on my iPod to get rid of the negativity because I coulnd't get rid of it on my own! But once I've had my first walk break, it's like opening a packet of crisps - once I knew it was open, I couldn't leave it alone. I can't remember how many walk breaks I took in the end. Again and again it felt like my legs had nothing to give at all. Which, after a week off, I really didn't expect.<br />
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It was a long and lonely run. I was grateful to the marshals who were friendly and supportive as I passed, but mostly I felt pathetic and apologetic for keeping them there while I was having such a terrible race. When I crossed the finish line I had no pride at all - I felt totally ashamed at my time, which was 10 minutes slower than last year. I sat on the grass and had a cry.<br />
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I have "no further comment at this point", as I'm feeling a bit down about running and life in general right now.Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-34898191188885162052012-10-04T05:16:00.001-07:002012-10-04T05:17:44.894-07:00Running update, life update!It's been a long time, and I've been busy with my<a href="http://www.swishandhips.co.uk/" target="_blank"> other life!</a> Which you can read all about on my other blog, if you're interested. It's been an emotional time and I've found it quite draining, but it a good way.<br />
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My college course is going well - I've done fine in my assessments so far, but it really is <em>continuous</em> assessment, with a tests or a piece of work due every week. I'm sure continuous assessment was a lot more intermittent when I was at university!<br />
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I've survived what I think was my first ever practial assessment, unless you consider having to cover a book for my Brownie booklover badge in about 1980 to be a practical assessment. I found this much more difficult than studying and swotting to sit an exam, and to be honest I didn't really get to grips with what I was supposed to be doing before I went in. It's a bit alien to my head, to have to perform something correctly under scrutiny, and I hadn't really got to grips with the fact that this is what a practical assessment is all about. I passed, but I learned a lot about what I have to improve on too!<br />
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My running has been a bit of a disappointment too. Before the <a href="http://swishandhips.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/shimmy-in-city-competition-report.html" target="_blank">competition</a>, I found myself running at a very, very silly time in the morning (okay, 0345!) so that I could fit one in before flying to London for a rehearsal! So it wasn't a lack of motivation! But I think the competition really took it out of me, emotionally and spiritually, and I got a bit out of my schedule and haven't really scrunised my performance in my last few runs. <br />
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Then a week ago, I got a niggle in my knee at the end of a 40-minute tempo run. I was nearly home, considering slowing down, when I got a sharp pain going through my right knee, which didn't pass. I've never had any knee problems, but I bet I'm not the only runner who lives in fear of them! I went straight home for R.I.C.E. and funny looks from the kids, and ran again on the Saturday, 12.5M with no problems. But in my easy recovery run the next day, I changed direction slightly - again, right at the end of my run - and it niggled again. It isn't agony, but I'm paranoid about it. I've taken four days off so far - although it feels like about a fortnight!! - and it still niggles a little bit. I've foam-rollered and cross-trained. Part of me doesn't want to know what's wrong with it in case it's serious, so I'm just sitting nicely with good posture and hoping it will mend. <br />
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In fact I'm hoping it will mend by Saturday! I've entered the <a href="http://www.dunbarrunningclub.com/2012/08/dunbar-10-mile-race-6th-october-1100am.html" target="_blank">Dunbar 10M Doon Hill Race</a>, which I've completed in 2010 and 2011, and starts at 11am on Saturday. I found <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mactaylors/6226454042/in/set-72157627728043273/" target="_blank">this picture</a> of my slogging it from last year! It's a brilliant race - aah, selective memory is great, isn't it?! The course has lots of steady hills, which somehow I quite enjoy as I'm pretty good at keeping a steady pace through the gradients. The first time I did the race, the steward directed me into a big field, empty but for cow-pats, saying "up to the top, round the cairn and along the ridge!". I had no idea what a cairn was, but I know what a ridge is, and man, that ridge was really high up! The view, of course, was splendid!<br />
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It's a small race with a fast field (fast by my standards, I'm sure I was in last place for quite a stretch last year!) and truly amazing hospitality at the end with soup and cakes. It's the sort of club race won by ridiculously healthy-looking young men (like the ones on my college course!) where women a few years older than me look utterly shocked when they're awarded a prize for being best in their catagory. I aspire to that one day! I'm confident my knee will hold up for the up-hills but I expect I'll be slower on the down. <br />
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Race report soon!Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-566446214349467028.post-80083125131212672772012-09-09T12:52:00.003-07:002012-09-09T12:52:51.695-07:00Fashion or Fitness?Jillian Michaels tweeted an interesting article tonight. It's from the New York Times, about a gym chain called Equinox which is about to open it's first branch in the UK. You can read it <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/30/fashion/bianca-kosoy-adds-her-creative-touch-to-equinox-up-close.html?smid=pl-share" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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The piece focuses on Bianca Kosoy, the Creative Director of Equinox. First off it seemed a bit weird to me that a gym has a Creative Director, but I guess they're always on the lookout for new clients, right? And not everybody loves to workout, so perhaps selling a gym as a lifestyle choice - rather than a life choice - isn't so crazy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-47z0kThrDw0/UEzzanmfalI/AAAAAAAAAJk/Pp_fjv3p51s/s1600/30ZUPCLOSE-articleLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-47z0kThrDw0/UEzzanmfalI/AAAAAAAAAJk/Pp_fjv3p51s/s320/30ZUPCLOSE-articleLarge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bianca Kosoy, and some chains (unexplained).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The article paints Kosoy as a pretty unsavoury character - a drinking, tattooed tough-talking sexual predator, using exploitative sexual imagery to sell a gym. Well, you know, if the journalist doesn't like you, they're not going to flatter you. I'm not going to judge Ms Kosoy when I haven't even met her.<br />
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“I never work out,” Ms. Kosoy said. “I think fitness is a fraud. That’s why I try to make it look like fashion.” Let's leave aside for the moment the epic statement "fitness is a fraud" - I'd really like to unpack that, but the journalist seems to have left it out of the article. The Chief Executive of Equinox says "Bianca’s unique vision blurs the traditional lines between fashion and fitness,” which sounds to me like a ringing endorsement of her approach - she's no loose cannon, and is clearly taking the company in the direction it wants to go.<br />
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I don't go to a gym. It's been 9 years since I've been a member of a gym, and I can't remember how many people I thought were there to pose, or look at other people posing. I do remember lots of sweating and feeling really rather unattractive as I skulked back to my office desk with sweaty hair. Not much of fashion statement.<br />
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If you go to the gym in the same way you buy the latest clothes - not the clothes you love but the clothes you <i>simply have to be seen in, </i>well, you're not doing me any harm, but I'm not sure you're doing yourself much good either. Frankly, I'm don't think I'd like to be going to the same gym as you. I don't think my pants would be up to scratch in the changing room - although I'm sure my performance on the gym floor would.<br />
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Fitness is about finding a goal - weight loss, muscle mass, event training, endorphin rush - and pursuing it. It can make you a stronger person, physically and spiritually. It can make you a healthier person, enabling you to live a longer, happier life, giving you more quality years with your children. I don't think fashion achieves these aims.<br />
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Maybe this is exactly why the fitness industry needs Creative Directors. To make very clear the dividing lines between the sort of gym you go to as a fashion statement, and the gym where you can pursue your fitness goals.<br />
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Me, I'm happier than ever working out in my living room and running on the shore.Elspethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18292834687754151779noreply@blogger.com0