Blog honesty...

In the interests of blog honesty, I confess that I haven’t done any exercise this weekend because I couldn’t be bothered. Very strange for me – even the thought of C2S in 2 weeks isn’t enough to scare me out and onto the road. Oh well. C’est la vie. I’ve had a lovely weekend of eating, socialising, sleeping, drinking and reading (now I’ve just got to do the housework – yuk!)

I think my slightly blah-type state (but only in respect of exercise) is not helped by the fact that I’ve been getting increasingly frustrated by the fact that the scales aren’t moving and my clothes haven’t been getting any bigger over the last month or so (despite the amount of exercise that I have been doing) – but then again if I’m entirely honest with myself, I have been satoaging my efforts over the last few weekends as a result of feeling frustrated...Having said that, losing weight has not, for quite a while, been my motivation to exercise - it is to move, to maintain my sanity, to manage stress levels and simply because I love it. However at the moment I am 2kgs above my ideal weight - the weight at which I feel most comfortable and confident. It's the same damn 2kgs that I brought back from Sth America; hence my frustration. But no more - I am not going to feel frustrated nor will I sabotage my efforts. My diet/eating will be back on track this week and I am setting myself the goal of losing the 2kgs over the next 2 months (by 1 October). I'm also going to spend more time reading. Reading is one of the great loves of my life (apart from Mr Jen of course) - the way I recharge my batteries and keep my sanity but something I have not been doing much of lately.

Week in review:
Spin: 2
Weights: 3 (Satan x 2)
Runs: 1
Walk: 1 (1hr)

Not a bad week (though clearly not enough running). Unfortunately no pilates class and I don’t think I’ll make it to one this week thanks to work. My quads been dead the last few weeks. I’ve hardly been doing any weights work on my legs so I think that during my cardio sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays I have to take a bit of the load off the bike and increase the RPMs – might help my legs recover a little better for the spin class on the following days.

The week ahead:
Monday: walk to work (1 hour) + Satan
Tuesday: cardio session (15mins run/15min bike) + massage
Wednesday: Spin + Satan
Thursday: cardio session (17mins run/15mins bike)
Friday: spin + upper body weights
Saturday: run 23mins

To finish on a high and to answer the question about Mr Jen’s good news. As some might know, Mr Jen moved out to western NSW for work about 18 months ago. Well on Friday afternoon, he was offered a job in Sydney so as of October he’ll be back in Sydney full time. Yippee !

You were always on my mind...

I was spotted today sans-CR gear ! Attended a breakfast function this morning. At the end, a woman approached me with a familiar face that I just couldn't place. Turns out it was CR Koala who lives not too far from my place. Talk soon turned to Tuesday afternoon runs around the lower north shore.....

I managed to escape from work (which is still manic) at 2pm to do an upper body weights session at the gym:
* single arm lat pull downs
* (machine) reverse flyes
* seated row
* single arm biceps curls (20reps @ 6kg - woohoo !!)
* single arm tricep pushdowns
* external + internal rotator cuff moves; and
* ab stuff,
2 sets of each. It's been a while since I've done this program so it was v. interesting to see how much stronger I've become during that time (v.!). A great session which I really enjoyed - and when combined with dinner with my girlfriends tonight and Mr Jen's great work-related news leaves me a v. happy gal at the end of what has been a pretty ordinary week. Happy days.

...in a one night stand

Up early this morning to walk to work. Approximately 8kms in 1hr 5mins. Is there a better way to start the day than walking over the Harbour Bridge on a clear, still winter morning? I think not.

PM: the plan to do a Pilates class at lunchtime is now, thanks to work, a hope of escaping in time to make the 6.15pm Spin class (however I will have to come back to the office afterwards). Fingers crossed. TBA

**********

Later: Well I made it out of the office in time for the 6.15pm spin class. Felt like shite (again) to start with. My quads again/still felt like lead even though they have had it reasonably easy (compared to my upper body) lately... About 10mins in, I started to pick up and really pushed it through the rest of the class. Would have been interested to check out my HR during one of the tracks. I don't think it's ever been much higher. 20mins of stretching to finish off and then, yes I'm afraid, it was back to the office....

Tomorrow I had planned a spin class but two meetings have brought an end to those plans. So I'm hoping to escape from the office at some stage tomorrow afternoon to do an upper body weights session before another big dinner with my girlfriend's tomorrow night.

23 positions....

Busy times.

Tuesday 26 July - 30mins cardio

Why is it that I had double the amount of sleep that I had the night before (7 hours cf 3.5) but I felt twice as tired ?? I could not get out of bed so I had a bit of a sleep-in and headed to the gym at lunch for my 30mins run/bike cardio session. Easy 15min run (7min/km) followed by 15min bike (L8 @ 100RPMs). Legs/shins felt good.

Wednesday 27 July - Satan x 2

6.40am 30mins spin class with the Satanic Spin Instructor. Felt like shite. Quads felt like lead even with very little resistance on the bike. Even thinking about the TdF or picturing SC's arms weren't enough to lift me. Simply felt like crap. About half way through I decided not to stress about it and just take it (reasonably) easy. I have been eating well over the last few days so I'll just right it off as one of those things (particularly given how I felt during my session with Satan later on), perhaps due to dehydration and/or my interrupted sleep patterns over the last 3 weeks...

2pm session with Satan. I must have woken up by the time I saw Satan but I felt fantastic during this session. Again another largely upper body session - a circuit of:
* straight arm lat pulldowns
* reverse flyes
* assisted chin ups
* push ups
* step ups
* kneeling on the swiss ball,
repeated 3 times. Highlight of my day came when Satan commented on my shapely shoulders and arms. Woohoo. On my way to SC arms !!

I had planned to run tomorrow but I've since remembered that I had earlier decided to do 2 runs/wk every alternate week in an attempt to convince my shins that they like running 3 times/wk. So I've decided tomorrow to walk to work instead (about an hour) and then try to get to my pilates class at lunch (work is crazy again/still). With some sleep and lots of water, I should be back on track for a tough spin class on Friday.

Vive le Tour

A strange day - despite:
(a) 3.5 hours sleep thanks to the TdF and an early meeting;
(b) arriving at work to discover I had no 'work' shoes there and spending the day in my friend's extremely high heels - I could feel my calve muscles shrinking with every step (I have been known to wonder around the office sans shoes if the bosses aren't around or after hours. However today I spent the day walking between my office and that of my boss - and past a meeting room that had a continual flow of client traffic all day...hence it was not a non-shoes day);
(c) working through lunch instead of seeing Satan at 2pm;
(d) having to reschedule a coffee with a client because of the amount of urgent work on my desk; and
(e) having my client pull out of a deal that I have been working on almost non-stop for the last 4 weeks (grrr),

I was in a fabulous mood all day (think someone spiked my coffee....). I am however sad to see the end of the TdF (my fav sporting event of all - can you tell?) and LA's career (my (sporting) hero). What an amazing athlete. And I'm happy to see that Jen's Boys (my team in the CR Dream Team comp) finished second in the KOM and third overall. Woohoo !!

Fortunately I was able to reschedule my appointment with Satan to 6pm. Probably my toughest session so far (clearly these names are mine):
- bench step up/knee up with shoulder press;
- jackknives;
- glute/hammy exercise that kills me;
- barbell chest press on swiss ball (17.5kgs to exhaustion, then 10kgs to exhaustion);
- row (17.5kgs to exhaustion, then 10kgs to exhaustion),
repeated twice. Very tough but once again, another great session. I saw a photo today of Sheryl Crow at the TdF - she has the most amazing arms. Might stick the photo on the fridge to keep me out of it!

Food glorious food

A late night (again) thanks to the TdF. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more stress nor more emotional than I did watching the TT last night. Ok so it was late, I was tired and I’m female – I’m allowed to be irrationally emotional (that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!).

Today I have done nothing but eat. First I met the C2S trial runners at Bondi at 9.15am for breakfast (took me 1.5 hours to get there – I love public transport timetables on the weekend...not). Then after laying on the grass to read the newspapers overlooking Bondi for an hour, I headed to Maroubra for a BBQ with friends... A great way to spend a day.

Week in review:
Monday: Satan
Tuesday: pilates + cardio (15mins run/15mins bike)
Wednesday: Satan
Thursday: cardio (15mins run/15mins bike)
Friday: spin (45mins)
Saturday: run (30mins) + walk (40mins)

Thanks to all the support I’ve received from the amazing CR community this week and the fact that I’ve managed to run 3 times this week (total of 60mins) without any shin/calf issues, I’m a happy gal right now.

The week ahead:
Monday: Satan
Tuesday: pilates + cardio (15min run/15min bike)
Wednesday: Spin (30mins) + Satan
Thursday: cardio (17min run/15min bike)
Friday: Spin (30mins) + upper body weights
Saturday: run (23mins)
Sunday: rest

So the plan includes 2 x spin, 1 x pilates, 3 x weights sessions and a total of 65mins of running (note I’m obeying the 10% rule)...might also try and squeeze in a massage or a trip to see the Witchdoctor. Busy week but I will be able to get back to normal sleeping patterns as the TdF ends tonight :-(

Life is beautiful

It's hard to remember that sometimes when work and 'shite' gets in the way.

Had a fantastic night last night - dinner with my closest girlfriends. Plenty of red wine (pinot - my fav!), sensational gourmet pizza and (my other fav) mud cake!

My dad stayed at my apartment last night and woke up at the unearthly time of 6.30am this morning (I like my weekend sleep-ins!) but made up for it by bringing me a coffee while I was still in bed (Mr Jen, are you taking notes ?). After Dad left, I was feeling decidedly flat and ordinary so I decided to run later in the day and sat down to catch up on my blog reading. An hour later I was up and ready to run. Reading about the lives and experiences of my fellow bloggers always lifts my spirit and mood.

During the walk down to the trail (my fav place to run), I noticed that both of my soleus (whatever the plural is) were very tight. Must work on that. A beautiful Sydney winters day; calm, clear and still. Ran very easily and slowly for 20mins. A very comfortable run on a beautiful day. I took it particularly easy through a couple of rocky areas as it was the first time I had run the trail since I got my orthotics (which I realised very quickly after my shoe didn't 'give' on a rock - don't worry, I was very careful). No shin pain or even tenderness before, during or after to report but will ice tonight just to be sure. A great way to start the weekend.

Tomorrow is my rest day (except for calf/shin stuff). I'm meeting the C2S trial runners Owl, Go Girl, Lulu, Caro et al in Bondi for breakfast - looking forward to it !

Spin

45mins spin class at lunch today with a different instructor - my first spin class in 2 weeks. Felt shattered afterwards. Quads felt like jelly. Could hardly walk.

Tomorrow - my long run of (wait for it) 20mins. Shins seem ok but LHS ITB is a little tight I think...

Same again

Thank you to everyone for your comments. I appreciate it. I guess I just don't feel (mentally) like a runner at the moment...

Same as Tuesday. 15mins easy run on the treadmill (7min/km) followed by 15mins on the bike (L8 @ 100RPMs). Shins are fine but I felt like shite.

Edit: C2S race number arrived today (#19904). Groovy. Ran 15mins tonight. It's going to be a long day

Satan

Had planned to do a spin class with the Satanic Spin Instructor this morning but the TdF (or more specifically my lack of sleep because I've been staying up half the night to watch it) got in the way. Oh well. Evans was just inspirational last night; such a determined ride in such sad circumstances.

A date with Satan at lunch again today. I've decided to see Satan twice a week for the time being to give my body a bit of a kick. Oh boy, does it get a kick. Another largely upper body weights session with Satan but a glute exercise thrown in the middle for good measure. Session include lat pulldowns (2 different versions); reverse flyes; push-ups; the glute step-up exercise and trying to balance on my knees on a swiss ball. I fear in the not-to-distant future Satan will be throwing at me (and no doubt expecting me to catch without falling off) a medicine ball....yikes. Her eyes also lit up when I commented that I didn't seem to be doing anymore push-ups. Satan then said that I was doing them better than I was in the past and that she hadn't really been pushing me to increase the no. of push-ups after my shoulder problem last year...but I suspect that I have put the idea in her head. Double yikes. However on the good side, I discovered that I actually have abs which are visible without sucking my stomach in and twisting into a strange angle. Very cool.

Think I will delete my blog from the CR list of bloggers. As Wombat pointed out yesterday, it really has very little to do with running anymore...

Bend and stretch....

Pilates class AM today. My first in about a year since my back problem last year. I was a bit concerned how tough it would be after my session with Satan yesterday as my abs were sore when I woke up this morning. But it was a great class. It was amazing to see how much my core strength has increased over that time (thanks Satan!) Great class with a new instructor. Will definitely be part of my weekly plan from now on.

I headed back to the gym for my run/bike session. After a warm up, I ran for 15mins on the treadmill. I took it very easily (7min/km @ 140HR) as it was my first run in almost 2 weeks thanks to my shins. My hammies were/are sore after yesterday's session with Satan and for the first 3mins my calves, hammies and hips felt sore and tight. Once I warmed up they were fine. Will ice tonight just in case. In order to make it a half decent session, I then did 15mins on the bike (level 8 @ 100RPMs; 160HR). While it was a very easy session, I am so far off being ready for C2S next month, it's not funny. Fudge.

Satan + sleep

Only 4 hours of sleep last night thanks to the TdF. Last nights stage was simply tortuous. Think I woke up the whole building cheering for Hincapie and he's not on my team!!! I can't begin to describe how much watching the TdF inspires me. Just the punishment they take day after day is nothing less than mind-blowing. Fortunately it is a rest day tonight so I can catch up on some sleep...

Had a lunchtime date with Satan today. Strangely, my legs felt dead and heavy. Always do after a rest day. No idea why. Today was a really tough session:
* step up/knee up things for glutes
* jack knifes on the ball for abs (ouch)
* a ball-based glute/core/hammy exercise I don't know the name of (I haven't done this exercise for over a year since before my back problems last year. Today proved how much stronger I have become. The first time I tried it, I rolled off the ball and landed in Satan's lap..not this time. 10 reps each set. Easy. I am strong, I am invincible...)
* barbell chest press
* reverse row thingy.
Repeated 3 times...

Right now, I just want to curl up under my desk and go to sleep. I wonder if anyone would miss me....

Photos from our GC weekend….

Part of the CR cheersquad planning its assault on the GCM...


The Owl and I planning, over coffee, the best spot for the cheersquad to establish itself (the glass of wine to the right belonged to Cirque!)


No alcohol had been consumed the day this photo was taken; I promise. The Owl and I taking advantage of the sensational weather to enjoy some ice cream!!

At dinner the night before the GCM...


Could I stand between 2 skinnier girls ?? I think not. Vespa, Lil 'Elf and yours truly...


Minersrun, yours truly, Plu and The Owl

On the big day...


The cheersquad escorting LuckyLegs to the finish
(L-R: yours truly, The Owl, LuckyLegs, Bellthorpe and Tim)

I'm back !!!!

Friday 15 July - Sunday 17 July: "time out" week

End of my "time out" week. Between work, my cold getting worse on Friday and low levels of motivation, this "time out" week has been great timing. The only exercise-related activities to report are:
(a) watching the TdF;
(b) going to the tennis (Davis Cup) on Saturday;
(c) buying a Livestrong wristband;
(d) seeing Marty and Genene when I was having brunch with my girlfriends this morning;
(e) doing my calf/shin exercises today,
so just your typical couch-potato activities.

It's funny how a lack of exercise plays with your mind. I'm feeling very much the lardy-arse at the moment - I feel like I've put on 20kgs. I know I haven't but that doesn't stop part of my brain playing tricks with me...

So the "time out" week in review looks like this (v. scary):
Satan weight sessions with Satan: 2
Spin: 0
Run: 0
Stretch/pilates: 0
Time spent watching the TdF: lots!

The week ahead - I'm back !!!

My cold has subsided, work should (I hope) ease a little this week, I'm feeling very motivated again and looking forward to my mental health day (otherwise known as a sickie that my boss has approved in advance) later this week (not to mention the fact that Lance will have retained the TdF title by the end of the week!). Goals for the week are: (1) to add a pilates class to the usual plan; and (2) ease back into the running after 10 days off.

Monday: Satan
Tuesday: Pilates + run (15mins)
Wednesday: Spin + Satan
Thursday: Run (20mins)
Friday: Spin + upper body weight session
Saturday: rest
Sunday: run (25mins)

Satan + shins...

Made it to the gym at lunch for a session with Satan. Another largely upper body session with a glute exercise in the middle to break things up. I felt a lot better today than in the past - stronger and more energetic than I have anytime over the last week. I was a bit bummed earlier as I had an email from the organiser of the fun run I was supposed to be doing on Sunday :-( :-( But despite that, both my cold and the blahs are finally lifting - bring on the weekend !!

Lots of calf stuff tonight after I finally got home from work - calf raises (3 * 15) plus two new exercises thanks to Chundachick (2 * 10 each). My shins/calves want to curl up and die right now so that can only be a good thing... Have dumped the spin class I had (sort of) planned for tomorrow. Let's just call this week a 'time out'. I'll be back on track next week...

Blahs be gone !

Well work is still terribly busy but despite a desk that looks like a rubbish tip, my blahs are (slowly) lifting. Still sick - not getting worse; not really getting better either

Slept in this morning (stayed up late last night watching Lance make the rest of the TdF field look like amateurs) instead of doing a spin class so today became another rest day....

I had a couple of emails today from Chundachick (thanks to Clairie) who has - and continues - to battle spin splints and yet manages a heavy training load. I'm feeling much more positive about my shin problem now, how to manage it and how to increase my training load without stressing them too much. No doubt part of the reason my blahs are lifting....

Off for acupuncture this afternoon for my neck/back problem. I also had him have a look at my calves. Turns out my soleus are particularly tight on both legs(who knew I even had one!). After an attempt to set a new world record for the number of needles inserted in various parts of my anatomy, an hour later I was walking gingerly down the stairs. I always feel a bit out of it after an acupuncture treatment; but I think it's more do to with the fact that I almost fall asleep on the table rather than the effect of the needles. Tonight my calves, neck and back are a bit sore which is usual. A heat pack tonight (a nice change from the ice!) & some magnesium and I should be right for my session with Satan tomorrow.

Might do a spin class on Friday morning (which would be my first cardio session for the week, yikes...don't panic Jen, you are sick right now...) depending on how I feel tomorrow...

Go Lance !

The 'new' plan

Today I've realised that it is my 8th consecutive day in the office. No wonder I'm still sick and tired and blahish. Another rest day today. Was planning to do a spin class tomorrow morning but in all blog honesty, I couldn't be arsed right now...

After reading Plu and Tim's blogs and Gronk's sad news today, I've decided to delete (for now) my upcoming races table. The evergrowing list of DNS is doing nothing for my state of mind - and I think I need to go back to basics and straighten out and deal with my shin/calf issues before even thinking about racing. Depending on how I go over the next few weeks, I think I'll do the Bay Run (7km) at the end of the month as a training run rather than a race. The "Training Slow" thread on CR also has my attention - might be a good time to work on both issues. Now I've just got to get a HRM...

Off for acupuncture tomorrow for my usual neck/back condition but I'm going to mention my shins as well and see what he can do. Failing that, I'll be off to the (in)famous witchdoctor very soon.

Once I finish my snazzy new mag (R4YL), I think I'll start on Lance's second autobio (Every Second Counts) - in serious need of some inspiration right now...

JOCS rock

My mood is not much better than yesterday. Got into the office at 7am and finally ate (my lunch) at 4pm - pretty much sums up another crappy day.

Finally escaped from the gym at 5pm to see Satan for a(nother) tough session (after which I promptly when back to the office). Given my lack of food today, I felt surprisingly strong. Nothing like adrenaline to keep you going through the tough times I suppose. Largely an upper body session with 2 glutes exercises thrown in for good measure. Shins seem ok today - will ice them tonight (while reading my R4YL mag which arrived today!). I'm supposed to be making my fun run debut this Sunday (Red Cross 8km)......we'll see. Given my shins flared after running on a treadmill and grass, I'm not convinced my shins will appreciate it...

This week....
I have a shite load of work and a cold at the moment so I'm not expecting much...
Monday: Satan
Tuesday: dunno
Wednesday: spin (30mins) + acupuncture
Thursday: Satan + somethin'
Friday: dunno
Saturday: rest + cheerleading practice at the Davis Cup
Sunday: Red Cross 8km (my fun run debut)...
Geez, how blase do I sound. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah...

Blah

In the interests of blog honesty it will be short cause that's how I'm feeling today. Sick. Tired. Shins are sore. Not at all in a good head space. At work. Not happy. Rest day. Blah.

Kebabs and witchdoctors...

My shins, and the right in particular, are (still) sore today. Yesterday I was frustrated. Today I’m trying very hard to feel blah as I watch the clouds roll in from my desk here at work (the fact that I have spent most of the day at my desk has not helped my mood). I probably haven’t stretched or strengthened my calves as much as I should have recently – but otherwise I don’t know what else to do right now. I’ve been obeying the 10% rule, taking things very easy, doing a lot of running on softer surfaces (grass & treadmill), I have new shoes and orthotics but my stoopid shins still aren’t up to it. You’d think that after a year I would have managed to get past 8km without breaking down... Off for acupuncture on Wednesday for my usual neck/shoulder treatment but I might mention my shin problem as well. Otherwise I think I’ll take myself off to G’s witchdoctor to see if he can whip up a spell for me...I'll try just about anything right now.

CR drinks last night was a fun night. After a very shitty afternoon at work and a purge which the lovely Owly listened to, I got myself a drink and tried to forget about 'stuff'. Met the delightful Lulu and Mr Lulu. Lulu, Owly and I have agreed to go for a C2S training run (obviously the alcohol had limited the pain I was feeling from my shins). I also met, and had a long chat, with Diane – absolutely lovely. Crawled into a taxi with Mr Jen as everyone else headed for the Lowenbrae (a wise move I think). Shared a kebab with Mr Jen on the walk home (which I must confess I really really enjoyed) and got home and turned on the telly just as Le Tour reached the last 5kms. Vegemite toast, coffee and Le Tour – not to mention Mr Jen’s company – nice way to end what largely was a pretty shitty day.

Woke up this morning feeling surprisingly good. Have spent most of the day at work but ducked out at 12.15pm for a session with Satan. I felt a lot better today – stronger and less lethargic than I did on Wednesday. My glands in my neck are still up and a have a slight sniffle but I seem to have avoided too much of a cold. Today’s session with Satan was tough – upper body session with step-ups between each exercise to keep my heart rate elevated. It worked. Was due to run tomorrow. Will have to settle for a walk instead. Bummer.