Well, it's one of those things. Listen.
This weekend is the Shaff festival - Sheffield adventure film festival. I feel a mixed bag.
Friday, 4 March 2011
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Target reached!
After feeling the rush of endorphins when I last went for a run, I was excited to finally hit the treadmill again last night - after two days of savage leg aches.
It was the third day of painful muscles, but I plodded along to Greens all the same and took my place in the mixed gym. This is a definite step up from hiding away in the ladies ‘mini gym’, even if I only did so because all of the two treadmills in there were taken.
I started my run - two minutes fast walking followed by 8.5km/hr for about five minutes. It was then that my enthusiasm fell away as the next twenty minutes stared me straight in the face. I tried to concentrate on the television, but it is difficult with no sound (I lost my earphones many weeks ago).
But as people were dropping like flies all around me, I felt encouraged to go on.
I’m not sure if this is scientifically viable, but I definitely, around the 13 minute mark, felt a rush of endorphins that spurred me on.
Needless to say, five minutes later I was ready to quit. I hate staring at the timer while I run. It seems to tick by so slowly, so I put my towel over and just rely on my own exhaustion.
I was at 2.5km and struggling, but I said I would get to 3km, so I pushed on and I did it.
I honestly felt so proud that I had reached this pitiful distance, so next time, 3.5km.
And I am going to sign up for race for life after, as I fear if I do not keep a goal insight, I will finish running after the Dronfield 10k, and it is doing wonders for my mood.
In other news: We have our race numbers and timer tags now. Im 347 so if anyone is reading and might be going along, look out for me!
I am thinking of joining a jogging group with Active Derbyshire when I have got my stamina up a bit, to actually get some training in on the streets. Click on the link to find out how the organisation can help you get back into fitness!
Please donate to our cause, Fairplay by visiting the justgiving site below. The team need £600,000 to build a playground for disabled children and your money will go far!
www.fair-play.co.uk
www.justgiving.com/derbyshire-times
It was the third day of painful muscles, but I plodded along to Greens all the same and took my place in the mixed gym. This is a definite step up from hiding away in the ladies ‘mini gym’, even if I only did so because all of the two treadmills in there were taken.
I started my run - two minutes fast walking followed by 8.5km/hr for about five minutes. It was then that my enthusiasm fell away as the next twenty minutes stared me straight in the face. I tried to concentrate on the television, but it is difficult with no sound (I lost my earphones many weeks ago).
But as people were dropping like flies all around me, I felt encouraged to go on.
I’m not sure if this is scientifically viable, but I definitely, around the 13 minute mark, felt a rush of endorphins that spurred me on.
Needless to say, five minutes later I was ready to quit. I hate staring at the timer while I run. It seems to tick by so slowly, so I put my towel over and just rely on my own exhaustion.
I was at 2.5km and struggling, but I said I would get to 3km, so I pushed on and I did it.
I honestly felt so proud that I had reached this pitiful distance, so next time, 3.5km.
And I am going to sign up for race for life after, as I fear if I do not keep a goal insight, I will finish running after the Dronfield 10k, and it is doing wonders for my mood.
In other news: We have our race numbers and timer tags now. Im 347 so if anyone is reading and might be going along, look out for me!
I am thinking of joining a jogging group with Active Derbyshire when I have got my stamina up a bit, to actually get some training in on the streets. Click on the link to find out how the organisation can help you get back into fitness!
Please donate to our cause, Fairplay by visiting the justgiving site below. The team need £600,000 to build a playground for disabled children and your money will go far!
www.fair-play.co.uk
www.justgiving.com/derbyshire-times
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Aches and pains
Just a quick one - how long should the post cardio/weight machine leg ache last? I did a run, weights and stretching on Sunday, and was still too achey last night to do more so I just swam and steamed.
Can anyone tell me when this should go away so I can get back to training?
Can anyone tell me when this should go away so I can get back to training?
Monday, 7 February 2011
What's in a nickname?
SIX days, three trips and lots of steam room. This is my back catalogue of gym visits since my last post and I am suprisingly eager to commit.
There is some talk in the office about our t-shirts for the run. Trusty Ellen (Scroggins) has sorted free printing and Dave (Coronary in training) has black marketed some garms, so now leaves the small issue of logo placement (Derbyshire Times, Fairplay) and the nickname.
It’s all very well if like Clare (Bladerunner) you happen to be a Sheffield United fan who is partaking in a 10k or like Michael (Recovering Greggs addict) you have a suppressed penchant for sewage filled pasties (thanks Viz!)
But unfortunately, the only nicknames I have ever had are something along the lines of Ell, Ellog, and other either soppy or insulting aliases.
So, I am settling for Ellie, with my blog URL as some shameless self promotion. I also want a hoodie, for the post run pints and massive feast at a Derbyshire watering hole.
Back to the exercise. Yesterday I ran, at a steady 8km/hr on the treadmill for what I thought was 2.5 miles. Only when I got my post run summary did I realise it was actually measured in km (I could have guessed). That means, I am comfortably doing a quarter of my target - but on flat ground and on a treadmill. I have 6 weeks to go, so I need to start pushing a bit harder. Tonight I am going to try and get to 3km, with a view to doing 4km by the end of this week.
Please donate to our cause, Fairplay by visiting the justgiving site below. The team need £600,000 to build a playground for disabled children and your money will go far!
www.fair-play.co.uk
www.justgiving.com/derbyshire-times
If you are an exercisephobe like me, try www.activederbyshire.co.uk for encouragement and fitness tips as well as jogging groups and inspiration.
There is some talk in the office about our t-shirts for the run. Trusty Ellen (Scroggins) has sorted free printing and Dave (Coronary in training) has black marketed some garms, so now leaves the small issue of logo placement (Derbyshire Times, Fairplay) and the nickname.
It’s all very well if like Clare (Bladerunner) you happen to be a Sheffield United fan who is partaking in a 10k or like Michael (Recovering Greggs addict) you have a suppressed penchant for sewage filled pasties (thanks Viz!)
But unfortunately, the only nicknames I have ever had are something along the lines of Ell, Ellog, and other either soppy or insulting aliases.
So, I am settling for Ellie, with my blog URL as some shameless self promotion. I also want a hoodie, for the post run pints and massive feast at a Derbyshire watering hole.
Back to the exercise. Yesterday I ran, at a steady 8km/hr on the treadmill for what I thought was 2.5 miles. Only when I got my post run summary did I realise it was actually measured in km (I could have guessed). That means, I am comfortably doing a quarter of my target - but on flat ground and on a treadmill. I have 6 weeks to go, so I need to start pushing a bit harder. Tonight I am going to try and get to 3km, with a view to doing 4km by the end of this week.
Please donate to our cause, Fairplay by visiting the justgiving site below. The team need £600,000 to build a playground for disabled children and your money will go far!
www.fair-play.co.uk
www.justgiving.com/derbyshire-times
If you are an exercisephobe like me, try www.activederbyshire.co.uk for encouragement and fitness tips as well as jogging groups and inspiration.
Monday, 31 January 2011
Gym will fix it
I have just signed my life away, £54 monthly. I have joined a gym. Previous attempts to get lean through frequent gym workouts have, like most things, ended prematurely, with me temporarily more toned but entirely less eager.
But as the time for my run draws near, I need that gaping hole in my monthly pay packet left by my monthly membership (complete with towels every visit) to spur me on to actually work out. I have been running, but I need to up the ante, and gym alongside can only serve to improve my all round fitness. Surely?
I fail to mention that me and Harry just returned from a weekend away where we spent hours a day with swim/steam. I couldn't opt for the £17 a month poolless gym now could I?
But as the time for my run draws near, I need that gaping hole in my monthly pay packet left by my monthly membership (complete with towels every visit) to spur me on to actually work out. I have been running, but I need to up the ante, and gym alongside can only serve to improve my all round fitness. Surely?
I fail to mention that me and Harry just returned from a weekend away where we spent hours a day with swim/steam. I couldn't opt for the £17 a month poolless gym now could I?
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
A shaky start and a few questions
Yesterday was my first official run. I say official, because I have previously made some pitiful attempts and given up, preferring the sanctuary of a hot bath and Sky Plus.
But after a visit from some encouraging folk at Active Derbyshire (plus a load of free pedometers thrown in for me and my delighted colleagues), I felt ready to hit the road.
I live in Sheffield, about a mile from the train station which I walk to and from each day. Realising that I have the will power of a ravenous lion faced with its first meal in weeks, I knew that if I didn’t incorporate my run into my daily routine, it just would not get done.
There are less than eight weeks until the big 10k, and I am hideously underprepared. I am, however, eager to go on with the endorphins just about fading from last nights small, but successful sprint.
But I do have a question - does running on the spot count? Ok two questions - is a treadmill as effective for training as running au naturel, so to speak?
I am going to see 127 hours tonight, so will probably suspend my next run until tomorrow.
But after a visit from some encouraging folk at Active Derbyshire (plus a load of free pedometers thrown in for me and my delighted colleagues), I felt ready to hit the road.
I live in Sheffield, about a mile from the train station which I walk to and from each day. Realising that I have the will power of a ravenous lion faced with its first meal in weeks, I knew that if I didn’t incorporate my run into my daily routine, it just would not get done.
There are less than eight weeks until the big 10k, and I am hideously underprepared. I am, however, eager to go on with the endorphins just about fading from last nights small, but successful sprint.
But I do have a question - does running on the spot count? Ok two questions - is a treadmill as effective for training as running au naturel, so to speak?
I am going to see 127 hours tonight, so will probably suspend my next run until tomorrow.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
An introduction
There are no two ways about it - I am bone idle. The walk each morning from Chesterfield train station, up the gruelling sloped pavement and across the bridge to the Derbyshire Times office is one that fills me with despair, day in, day out. The ridiculousness of this is only apparent when you consider that, according to googlemaps, this journey is all of 0.2 miles, and in reality I think it is actually much less.
I thought my lazy days were over when, last year, I opted for a pair of expensive running shoes as a gift from my parents. I lavished them with tales of how I would run and run and never stop and I whole-heartedly believed I would, until I first put sole to tarmac and discovered I am not all too keen on getting out of breath.
And so, daily runs turned into weekly jogs, then bi-monthly powerwalks followed by ample rest periods. I eventually hung up my running shoes, still clean, and took to the sofa.
It is probably because I am so terrible at running that a great ambition of mine has long been to complete a decent length run. I’m sure a little digging will produce many inspirational quotes to the effect of - tell someone they can’t do something and they will want to go and do it. I am a text book case.
So, when my colleague Ellen put the idea of a sponsored run to the office, it was almost without hesitation that a signed up.
This was before Christmas, when the thought of a New Year’s training schedule barely registered on my radar, what with all the overindulging and lazing around to keep me busy.
But, alas, January arrived and my running shoes were plucked from hibernation ready to face the cold reality of my decision. Admittedly, if we weren’t running for such a good cause - the disabled children’s charity Fairplay - the shoes would probably be racking up bids on ebay right now.
Luckily, my Derbyshire Times colleagues are relatively experienced when it comes to that thing called exercise. Training tips are thrown about the office on a daily basis, and I am comfortable in the knowledge I am not going it alone.
But I haven’t even been on a run yet. Tonight is my first - i’ll keep you posted.
www.justgiving.com/derbyshire-times
www.fair-play.co.uk
I thought my lazy days were over when, last year, I opted for a pair of expensive running shoes as a gift from my parents. I lavished them with tales of how I would run and run and never stop and I whole-heartedly believed I would, until I first put sole to tarmac and discovered I am not all too keen on getting out of breath.
And so, daily runs turned into weekly jogs, then bi-monthly powerwalks followed by ample rest periods. I eventually hung up my running shoes, still clean, and took to the sofa.
It is probably because I am so terrible at running that a great ambition of mine has long been to complete a decent length run. I’m sure a little digging will produce many inspirational quotes to the effect of - tell someone they can’t do something and they will want to go and do it. I am a text book case.
So, when my colleague Ellen put the idea of a sponsored run to the office, it was almost without hesitation that a signed up.
This was before Christmas, when the thought of a New Year’s training schedule barely registered on my radar, what with all the overindulging and lazing around to keep me busy.
But, alas, January arrived and my running shoes were plucked from hibernation ready to face the cold reality of my decision. Admittedly, if we weren’t running for such a good cause - the disabled children’s charity Fairplay - the shoes would probably be racking up bids on ebay right now.
Luckily, my Derbyshire Times colleagues are relatively experienced when it comes to that thing called exercise. Training tips are thrown about the office on a daily basis, and I am comfortable in the knowledge I am not going it alone.
But I haven’t even been on a run yet. Tonight is my first - i’ll keep you posted.
www.justgiving.com/derbyshire-times
www.fair-play.co.uk
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