Bee's knees!

Actually, this has nothing to do with bees. Here's a wee picture for anyone who is super disappointed at the lack of bees.

So today and yesterday, I didn't run. Instead I played netball, and yesterday I did strength training. I remembered to do my knee exercises!!! Now they're pretty sore but... I think that's ok? I did the things I mentioned on Sunday.

I spoke to a friend (who has a degree in pysical education and has worked as a PT and is doing her masters in some sort of PE thing,not to mention the many many years she's been running and training, so she knows about these things) and she said to try to run the 3km faster, 3 times a week, and then run a longer run once a week. So tomorrow, I will knock off my 3km run and try to get under 19 minutes.

12 days till my triathlon! I hope the other girls are training at least a little bit... I don't think that they are but I'm more concerned with beating myself.

Cheesecake!

Did my usual 3km run today. Managed to shave a minute off my time, which is choice but I want to take off more! It was a bit tough today, probably because my legs were a wee bit tired from dong wall-sits yesterday, or, as I just found out, 'phantom chairs', which are the same thing but with a different name. Man they hurt! So I didn't push as hard as I would have liked today, but still ran the whole thing :)

Then I went out for lunch with my mum and had New York style berry cheesecake! Om nom nom hahahaha not very healthy but there you are. When I go out I usually strive to get something healthy, but today I got whatever the hell I liked because I wanted it. I believe that if you diet, then you just end up wanting crazy foods because you are denying yourself of them. If you eat what you want, then you don't get those same cravings - as long as you don't go mental!



























Another thing I noticed today is that my knees are starting to get a bit sore. I have Chondromalacia patella which means that because of a muscle imbalance in my thighs, my kneecap rubs against my femur. I'm not supposed to play too much netball (whoops!) and I have certain exercises that I'm supposed to do often... but I haven't done them in months which explains the ache I have in my knees. If I want to keep running, playing netball, and give biking a go, then I definitely need to be doing my exercises!!!

Some good ones are wall-sits, squats with a netball between your knees, and calf raises on a book or a step. These are the ones that I'm going to try to add in to every strength training routine I do.

Walking is fun!

Update! I went to visit a friend and did a 4.5km walk which was really nice. It's such a cool thing to do with friends, because a) it's exercise, b) they motivate you to do it often and c) you get to have a good as chat while you're at it! Or, if you're us, a massive bitch about boyfriends! Hahaha

Went for my run - ran the whole thing. It was 3.57km! I've gone from adding .2km on each time to .5. Running is getting easier and easier and I feel so good for it :) I think it's because I know I can do it know, whereas when I started, and even all last year when I walked/ran twice a week I found running even the shortest distance a huge struggle. But now it's all getting better!

But I haven't had a shower yet today because I knew I'd be going for a run, and I've got white patches where my Snooki-fake-tan has sweated off! Haaaahahah it looks hilarious! I'm glad I super washed my face last night or I'd look preeeettty funny.

Now for strength training!

Run run run!

Didn't go for a run yesterday. I worked late and then prepared for the Jersey Shore party I was going to! Hahaha I wore a black wig that malted everywhere and a tight dress and slippers! We had those red cups that Americans have at their parties and we played beer pong. It was a really choice night. Maybe, if the photos are particularly terrible, I will show you my costume lol

Off for my run now though! I'm going to try to run 4km today. I felt so good during my last run that this doesn't feel that unattainable. I don't know if I'll go the full way but I'm going to try!! I'll do some strength training once I'm home too.

Got to be match-fit for Sunday fornight! Excited!

Honestly, who would wear those sunnies?!

The real route

Today I ran the route for my triathlon. I warmed up (very important!) with a brief, brisk walk, then got into it.

Last time I did the triathlon run, I manage to run half of it on race day, because of pure adrenaline I suppose! Today, however, I ran the whole thing.

I was disappointed. I was in no way tired once I got to the end. Pleased that I had beaten my efforts of a year ago... but still unimpressed. I hadn't even found it hard going! I thought it was going to be more of a challenge, and that I would feel super satisfied once I'd finished. But somehow it was just Ho Hum. So.... I'm not sure what my next steps should be. Do I try to run a faster 3km? Or do I try to run a longer distance to build up my stamina, and just belt it out on the day?? At the moment it takes me exactly 20mins. Should I try beat that? Unsure.

I guess I should be pleased that I've been able to build up from running .9km to 3km in three weeks. That's something I should be proud of! But still... next time I want to be shattered when I'm finished! I want to have given it my absolute best shot so that I have no regrets. Maybe by the end of this week I'll have run a whole 4km - which feels so much closer to my goal of 5km!!!
Now there's the silver lining I was looking for :)

Sick sick sick

Today I feel really really sick. So am tossing up not doing my run... but I know I should! I am just using it as an excuse not to go.... I'm really tired too because I've been staying at the BF's and his bed is nowhere near as comfy or luxurious as mine - mine is covered in beautiful (albeit clashing) cushions and his is just a boring boy's bed.

However, I did have another really really yummy smoothie again today! I love them because they are super easy to make and help me get my 5+ a day. Today, again, I had three tablespoons of frozen berries, half a banana, two tablespoons of yogurt, and then I added cranberry juice! It was so so so yummy, probably the best one I've made yet. I used to really hate bananas because of their texture, but now I eat them after work or going for a run so that I don't snack on biscuits. And when they're in my smoothie I don't notice the texture, haha!


I'm off to have a nap and then hopefully convince myself to go for a run.

Netball

On Sunday, the Bf and I had bought a frozen cheesecake for dessert. Obviously it needed to defrost, but we were impatient, so we defrosted it in the microwave... and when it beeped I opened the door and half of it had melted everywhere hahahaa It still tasted really yummy though!

Lucikly I've been more successful with my running. Yesterday morning I went for a run (which I mentioned in yesterday's post, but for some reason it's dated Sunday even though it was Monday...) and then I got asked to play a game of indoor netball. Normally I play shoot, but their's was an awesome team so they didn't need me there so I played centre for a bit. Usually I find it fairly tough going - I'm jus not fit enough. But yesterday, I was running about finding it heaaaps easier than normal! Then I ran half way home!! Lots of exercise yesterday!


I have netball again today, and I also played for another friend's team earlier on today. When I was walking to work this morning I had pretty bad blisters. I've bought two new pairs of everyday sneakers to wear to work, and they're both a bit on the small side - I'm hoping they'll give a little! But wearing my nettie sneakers has been so so nice haahaha. Lots of Netball! Love it!! My netball team loves getting on the piss, but they're serious about their netball. Perfect combination hahaha
Here we are last year with the Tshirts we made! And here we are on a night out - a fairly tame one, albeit.

Demo-ing 3km

Hell yeah, today I hit the 3km mark! Was so so chuffed I txt the Bf as soon as I got home and he said he knew I'd be able to do it, and that I'd 'demo the actual race', which is his way of saying that I'll have it in the bag lol I can't believe I ran the whole time!

Then I came home and made myself a smoothie, but it turned out more like a pudding. I only put in three tablespooons of frozen berries, half a banana and bugger all milk, and it turned into this amazingly tasty, whipped-cream-like drink. Om nom nom!
I tried to take a picture, but the lighting was really bad, so this will have to do!

Something else that I've noticed, besides getting better stamina, is that my breathing is becoming easier. This makes me feel like my lungs and heart and whatever are all improving as well, which makes me feel super healthy and happy :) I know my fitness levels are rising, and it's faaaantastic! Can't wait for Netball season to start!

Weeekenddd!

Went to a friend's 21st last night! Gave a speech, a friend and I did '21 I have nevers' and made her do 21 shots. We had so much fun! Wore a new dress and my feet are killing me now! Bit tired too, and even though I'm planning on going for a run I don't know if I will! Did a 2.1 run yesterday and did the strength training so won't feel too bad if I don't go. This is me at my 21st doing my last of 21 shots!


I've sort of been watching what I eat too, just having fewer sugary foods and drinking lots of water and snacking on fruit instead of biscuits! Biscuits are my downfall and we've had none in the house so it's been really really easy... but then I came home from the Bf's this morning and there were biscuits gallore. My goodness, there have got to be at least 5 different types! It's going to be a bit of a struggle keeping up with my good behaviour now! hahaha

Faaantastic

Went for the run today! It was a wee bit of a challenge, but I managed to run 2km! Only had a .18 break then ran the rest. I'm feelin faaaaaaantaaastic. Hoping by next week I'll be running the whole thing! If you'd told me beginning of last week that I'd be up to running 2km by now I wouldn't have believed you! Strength training tomorrow as well as a run - I'm hoping to run 2km again tomorrow.

Also, I wore my new running top today, because all my others were in the wash. It was lookin preeettty good! Maybe I will post a wee photo! Then I came home and Mum had made fish and chips (or Fush and Chups as we say here in NZ) for dinner hahaha and I ate it aaaaall up! Healthy healthy hahaha

Been having a pretty rubbish day today, and the run made me feel a bit better temporarily. I've been having a few more downs this month than ups, and running has been helping :) Gives me something to feel good about!

Update!

Ran 1.7km!!!!!!!!! I felt like I could have run further!!!!! Blew my own expectations out of the water. So so glad I went for a run today :)

The only reason I didn't keep going was because I wanted to be able to map my run (on mapmyrun.com), and needed to use streets to do so. But next time I'm going to try and run 2km, and I've figured out a way to do so using the roads. Feeling AMAZING!!!

In need of a massage though hahaha

Healthy Ticker

Had a rest day yesterday! It's important to rest. I don't want to get an injury, and it's good for muscle development I've heard.. haha because I'm going to get soooo muscley :P But today I'm finding it hard to get out, seeing how I've broken my routine now, after not running yesterday or the day before because I had Netball and did a whole heap of other stuff. In fact on Monday I didn't run my usual route so... come to think of it I haven't been for a decent run since Sunday!!

I'm also finding it hard because I'm working in the mornings this week, whereas last week I was able to get up and go right away. When I get home from work I'll be hungry and tired and already have my make-up and hair done.

But, I tell you what! Reading my post from Tuesday when I did so much has made me want that feeling of doing well. So maybe I will go later on today! In fact I promise I will go!!

For me, I see it as super super important to exercise. In 2011, my boyfriend moved to Wellington for his study, I'd finished my own and I found myself with a lot of free time. My flat was for sale, so I moved back home, where I knew I'd be fed really well. So, I started going to zumba twice a week, which meant a 5k walk there and back. I went for months and months, including playing Netball up to four times a week, but I saw no change in my body. I was fitter, and I think my bum and legs got better, but apart from that.. not much!

While this did bother me, what was more important was my levels of fitness rising. I was heaps fitter than I am now, and I miss that. Something else at the forefront of my mind is having inherited heart problems. My uncle died when he was 39 of a heart attack, and my mother has heart palpatations and blood pressure issues. I have, in the past, had some issues myself. I'm really worred about it and feel that I should exercise as much as possible so that I have a healthy heart!!!

So having said that, I've convinced myself to go for a run today hahaha

Shattered!

I'm absolutely shattered! Didn't get round to doing a full strength training yesterday - I did one round of the mountain climbers and leg raises then realised I had no where to do the lunges. So I went for a short run (1.8km) instead.

But today! Far out. Walked to work (which started indecently early seeing as I've been on holiday and sleeping in since the week before Christmas) and then walked home (round about 3k all up) then walked with a friend to the gym (5k), played a game of squash, did some shooting practise for Netball, did some walking lunges but then my friend wanted to go, walked back home, and then had a wee rest before Netball! Shooting was so so bad - probably because I practised on an outdoor hoop. We lost, but it was a good challenge.

Then, I CAME HOME AND DID THE STRENGTH TRAINING.

I've always been totally rubbish at leg raises, and tonight was no exception. So so so hard. But really glad I got through them (even if I had to do them in sets of 5 rather than 10! hahaha).

I will be burning tomorrow. Might have a rest day! But who knows I'll probably go for a run! lol

Invest in you (my goodness that sounds cheesy)

Not planning to run today, but I will do strength training. If you want to know what I'm doing it's part of the Road to 5k which is part of BlogHer's Inspiration to Fitness. It's been pretty good going so far, and I'm still feeling bloody chuffed with yesterday! I might change my mind and go for a run anyway haha but I will do lunges, mountain climbers etc. As long as I don't have to do burpees!

Something else that has been brought to my attention (probably jumping on the weight-loss resolutions bandwagon) was an article on motivation, and 'investing in you'. It has some really good points on motivation, so you should check it out if you're struggling with this. Extra motivation is good for anyone!

Was back at work today! I'm English 2IC at a tutoring franchise which tutors in maths and English. But I found out today this year I'm training to be Assistant Manager... I knew it was going to happen, but I didn't think it would be as soon as July. I'm a bit nervous but oh well! It will be a good challenge :)

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Champion!

Honestly felt like such a champion today! I went for my second run yesterday and did not do as well as I'd hoped; I basically ran the same as my first run, but with one short break early on, and one short sprint in the middle.
Today I woke up in a bad mood and didn't want to go for a run at all. The BF came over for a bit to cheer me up, and after he'd left I felt heaps happier, and I thought Right, get your shoes on, you're going for a run!

I ran further than ever today! Well, maybe not ever, but further than every other time I've been for a run this (and last) year, bar one time hahahaha who knows what happened that day, I turned into super-girl and ran heaps hahaha but today I ran a little bit slower than normal and was able to run a whole 1.3km without stopping, which is a pretty big achievement for me! I felt like a bit of a dork, walking down the road with a massive grin, but I couldn't help myself! I was, and am, so chuffed :) I then walked for .4km and then ran the .8 like I said I would!! I then walked for 30 metres and ran the rest of the way home.

So so so pleased! :) If I'm experiencing success this early on, I hope I don't set myself up for a fall. But right now I feel like I'm just going to get better and better and hopefully I'll soon be able to run the whole 3km without stopping! Hurray :) :) Those endorphins are really working hard in me lol

Also, I discovered that Jump by Van Halen really gets me running haha I was imagining a film-montage as I ran to it lol

Moral of the story - my boyfriend is lovely and can cheer me up, and 70s/80s bands are awesome to run to haha

Sore sore sore!

Well, I'm not that sore but I'm pleased to say that I am a little bit! It absolutely pissed down today, so didn't go for my run. In fact, it hailed!! In SUMMER! It is thundering as I'm typing this. So I went with my mum to buy some things for our house - a few cushions, a vase for my lights (which I might put a picture up of because they're so pretty), power cords, blah blah blah.

Not only that, but I bought some new running gears: some new shorts and a top. This is my reward for working hard! So obviously I'm not going to wear it yet lol it's for later once I've actually done some hard work! But if you're wanting for some motivation, this can be it. Having great gear that you feel comfortable in and look forward to wearing can be amazing motivation. And you know you look great while running! hahaha
This is the top I got! It was half price!


HOWEVER, I did do some strength training for my Road to 5k. It was easy in the sense that I knew how to do it all, and I'd done it before, but not as easy as I'd hoped actually doing it! I did 10 push ups, 10 squats, and a 20 second plank, and then repeated this twice. My arms were shaking during the first repeat and they're still pretty sore now, a few hours later.
Was a bit disappointed that I found the squats hard. Last year I went to Zumba twice a week, which meant a 5k walk there and back. So that 20k walk each week (along with Netball and Zumba) meant that my legs were considerably more toned than they are now! Squats were not difficult at all, but now they are :(

I feel like I have a long way to go! But I'm enjoying getting there, and it's good for me, and that's what counts :)

First run!

Did my first run today! Didn't manage to run the whole thing, but then I hadn't planned to. I warmed up, ran the first .93km, walked the next .79km, ran the next .42 then walked the rest. I hadn't thought I'd be able to run the .93 part without stopping! So quite pleased. My aim for the first week is for the second section of running, to be able run .8km. So .9 run, .8 walk, .8 run then walk.

Feel so good for having gone for a run today! Especially as I just got up and went. It makes me feel good for whole rest of the day :)

One thing I used to make running easier was take my Ipod. For Christmas I got these extreme headphones that are for running with. They're the type that hook over my ears, and are sweat proof! And washable! Only problem is, I can't for the life of me figure out how they fit in the carry case...


So now I'm going to look for some sweet running music to make running even easier :)

Is it bad ettiquette to run in a triathlon with headphones on??

Road to 5k

Played my first game of indoor netball last night since before Christmas, and my arms are actually a tiny bit sore! And I got tired playing shoot, I can't imagine what it was like playing centre haha. It was so so muggy and I got contacted and sprained my finger. This happens all the time! One season I got an ingured finger nearly every few weeks. Fingers and knees are the most common injury in Netball, along with ankles which is unsurprising.

There are no Netball blogs! Not that I can find at least! I found this so frustrating when I was coaching/captaining last year and the year before that. It can be even more annoying when only 5 players turn up to practice, and you have to invent drills that only include 5 people. I might put up some drills later on when Netball season starts for people who want some!

Anyway, I have decided to take part in BlogHer's Insipiration to Fitness which is going to, hopefully, help me with my 3k run and my goal for Jaunary :) Also, IT'S FREE!!!! Which is fantastic for me, as I love to save pennies as much as possible.

It's a wee plan for stretches, runs, and strength workouts. Should be easy enough to follow! So excited :) It means I will be going for a run three times a week (perfect!) and doing strength training twice a week. And hey, if I can run 5k, the 3k run will be easy! I found out about it through one of my favourite blogs ...love Maegan written by Maegan (unsurprisingly) who has beautiful clothes and the most amazing hair ever. Go and have a look if you don't believe me, it's lovely.

Inspiration!

Picture of me (on the left) having finished the race last year. Something to motivate me a bit haha

Jabba the Hut

Woke up today feeling like Jabba the Hut. Actually, I woke up, sat on the computer for a bit, thought about going for a run, computered some more, still thought about going for a run, then, I didn't go for a run.



This is when I started feeling like Jabba. Because I'd been lazy and just sitting on my computer all day. And I actually looked like him. Like, you could draw a face on my stomach and it would look just like him, only white as snow in moscow, not grey/green.

Hopefully if I run to Netball I will feel better... but definitely feeling very very yucky today.

Triathlon!

Made plans to go for a walk with a friend yesterday, but I woke up at 7.30 and didn't stop vomitting until 3 in the afternoon, so I pretty much spent yesterday either in bed, or over the loo. As such, I didn't get to go for my walk!

On the bright side, I've organised to do the running stretch of a triathlon with a friend and her friend! It's in February, so I've got a few weeks to train. It's only 3km, but bear in mind that I have never ever been a runner - the most I have ever run without stopping (and not on a treadmill) would be around 2km and that was last time I did the triathlon! But still, I think having a goal will be excellent motivation! And it's really cheap to enter and you get a wee goodie bag and it's heaps of fun. Here's a wee picture of me running in having finished my run, holding the worst stitch of my life, hence the pained expression I have! It's actually quite bad quality - sorry about that!




There are two that you can do - the Manawatu Toyota Ladies Only Triathlon, or the Contact TriWoman series, but they're the exact same course.

I'm so excited! I'll probably make up a training schedule to keep me on track. This makes sure that I stick to doing something and make time in the day in which to do it in :)

Off for my walk now!

New Year's Resolutions

Actually, I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. I'm pretty sure everyone knows that they never work, and you're really just setting up yourself for a fall. However, I'm sort of jumping on the bandwagon this year. I'm not going to call it a NY resolution though, just, something I am going to do, I guess!

So. For this month, I am going to try to exercise 3 times a week, not including Netball, because it's fun and isn't a challenge to do. Soon you will see that I really love Netball! I will probably go for walks and runs, and find out when Zumba starts again!

Also, I'm going to take good care of my hair because I desperately want it to grow!! Which it doesn't. Well, it does, but it breaks off. So, I'll only straighten it if I really need to, and let it dry naturally hahaha it's going to look... interesting. BUT soon it will be lovely and long and beautiful! Maybe I will show a picture of how long it is now so that I can keep track!

So you all need to hold me to it :) Join me if you fancy it :) Let me know how you're going!