Race for Life Training Week 2!

Well hello there :)

This week marks the second week of my training for the Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK.
I'll be running the 10K with my friend Rebecca, and as I've never run a proper race before I'm slightly pooping myself.

I've decided to alternate my training weeks from intense to milder training, as I'm not used to running and have been having some joint pains (old lady problems). I've also started taking Omega 3 fish oils as these are really good for protecting the joint cartilage when doing high impact exercise.

As it's the Easter weekend and I've had loads to prepare for, I've not had as much time as I would have like to train this week. Next week I'll be fully back on the wagon (and will probs need to be after all those Easter eggs! Mmmmm fattening....)

So here's what this week's admittedly meagre training looked like:

Monday: 11.6km cycle in 20 mins on Cardio settings, followed by an hour's Zumba class and 10 minutes on the Cross Trainer

Tuesday: 11.5km cycle in 20 mins on Fat Burn settings followed by one hour's Yoga session

Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun: Rest Days/Easter/Gorging myself on as much chocolate as is possible for one human being to consume....naughty naughty!

Happy Easter everyone!

Bye for now :)

Race for Life Training! Week One

Well hello there!

This summer, I'm going to be running the 10K Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research.
This is a cause very close to my heart, as I have already lost 3 family members to Cancer (one of them recently), and Cancer very nearly took another one.

My friend Rebecca is going to be running the race with me, and so I now have just over 3 months to get in marathon shape!

I go to the gym regularly, but I must admit my standards have been slipping recently. I used to mix up my exercise routine so I would do some cardio and strength training in the gym and then go to fitness classes including my beloved Zumba and Insanity. Insanity is amazing...just saying.

Since working full time, however, I've been a bit complacent with the gym and mainly going to the fitness classes. Classes are great and much more sociable and motivational (an instructor shouting "YOU'RE NOT DONE YET!!" whenever I stop certainly motivates me haha!). However I find that I've reached a fitness plateau (major First World Problem right there), as I've been doing the same routines with little variation. I'm also finding that I'm now much stronger but my cardio fitness isn't going anywhere.

So, what better excuse to mix things up and get back on a treadmill than a 10K Race?!

well...almost, right?

I've just coming to the end of week one of my race training. Here's what it consists of:

Monday: 5K Hill Run on treadmill followed by 30 minute Cardio setting on bike
Tuesday: Rest Day (Very important for muscle recovery. Also had a cheeky Chiquitos when the boyf came to visit. Don't tell anyone shhhh)
Wednesday: Rest Day
Thursday: 10K treadmill run, alternating between jogging and short bursts of sprinting, followed by 20 mins of strength training
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: 6.5km run on real terrain - first 3km jog, second 3km run (Running on real terrain is much harder, as the treadmill carries you along whereas on real terrain it's all on you battling the elements and uneven surfaces)

So that's it - wish me luck in week 2!

Have you ever run a charity race? Do you have any preparation tips? I'd love to hear them (I need all the help I can get!) Comment below and help a girl out! :)

P.S. If you're a generous soul and you'd like to sponsor me, check out my new JustGiving page. It would mean so much to me so thank you if you do!

Bye for now!

Day Out in the Park!

Well hello there!

Last weekend I went for a wander. As you may know, I recently moved house, so I'm still getting to know the surrounding areas. I'm always saying how I love walking, so what better way to discover local areas than to go exploring?!

I stumbled upon a lovely little park which was just 5 minutes walk away from my house. I'll definitely be coming back here as it's a great place to relax, see a bit of nature and think about things. 

I thought I'd share some pics with you:

Hope you enjoyed these pics!

I'm sure it's only a matter of time til I go on my next walk and have more pics to share with you!

Bye for now :)

Beauty Spots

                                 

Well hello there!

As my last blog post was all about the joys of walking, and I said I thought it important to discover local beauty spots, I thought I'd share some photos.

They were taken on the last walk I went on during the weekend. Enjoy!

Spring is on the way!

Woodland Trail 

I love bridges!

Canada Geese

Feeling refreshed! (With hat hair!)

Hope you liked them.

Bye for now!

Walkies!

Well hello there!

I am a great advocate of walking for pleasure. There's nothing better than getting in the great outdoors and going walkies.

Whether it's going for a quiet stroll or hiking up Ben Nevis, I love to get the old legs moving.

Channeling my Inner Mufasa at Dovestone

Here's why:

● It boosts the immune system.
Walking is good for your heart and lungs, and for the overall state of your health.

● It's good for your mental health.
If you're in search of a natural way to relieve stress and combat depression, walking is definitely a great way to do so.
It's one of nature's amazing mood lifters.

Attacked by monsters in the Highlands!

● You get to enjoy nature!
Unlike a trip to the gym (which I also enjoy), walking has the extra bonus of soaking up beautiful scenery and breathtaking vistas.

I joined a university hiking group and was lucky enough to live in the Highlands of Scotland for a while,  so I've climbed some gorgeous mountains and seen some sights!

I think it's equally important to make time to discover local beauty spots so that on a quiet or even stressful day, you have a bolt-hole to escape to.

Peak District Toe-Dip!

● You get fitter!
For me, keeping trim is another fab side effect of walking. You can also go at your own pace, so if you're serious about keeping fit, you can choose a brisker walk or a high level hike.

● A bit of me time...
When things all seem to get too much, or when the fast pace of life seems overwhelming, walk. If you go by yourself as I often do, I guarantee you will feel a bit better about things. If you choose to take along a canine companion, they'll love you forever!

Snowdonia

● If you go with others or join a hiking club,  you'll have a better opportunity to bond with other people.

Walking offers a chance to meet people without the distractions of modern life, sometimes even phone signal! Talk about getting away from it all!

This takes things back to basics and helps conversation to flow. So banish loneliness and join a hiking club!



Here's a video of me and my hiking club at the top of Ben Nevis (the UK's highest mountain!)....

Do you love walking? Or would you rather be curled up in bed with Netflix and a takeaway? (Mmmm tempting...) Let me know in the comments below!

Bye for now!