Wow what a great weekend and awesome day today

Sunday 13th February... I ran the Deal Half Marathon. My goal for this run was to complete it in 2hour 22 mins. This would have been a Personal Best by 5 mins as I completed the Royal Parks Half Marathon in Oct 2010 in 2hours 27 mins which was my quickest SO FAR!! (please note the so far there!) I spent most of Saturday sorting out tunes to keep me plodding along... however, there was no plodding for me on this run. I remember what Pete said start slow.... yeah right I was on a flat so I was going to make the most of it. So off I went on my way aiming to complete the 13.1 miles in 2:22. I kept thinking I should slow down as there is no way I would keep this up for 13 miles.... but there was no stopping me... not even the hills were going to get in the way. Well they sort of did as they slowed me down a little but I made up for it on the downhill and the flat. Several times I had to check my watch to make sure I hadn't stopped it by accident as I kept thinking OMG.... am I really here already.. now that wasn't in the plan but I shall just go with the flow. I kept thinking I should be tired by now as I normally am but nothing seemed to get in my way. I just thought you know what Gregory you are so much fitter than what you were in Oct so I can do this. I was also better prepared. I had a good night's sleep and a decent breakfast to keep me fuelled. As the lovely Stuart Amory says... You wouldn't drive a car on empty so why should you run your body on empty. I refuelled on route with jelly bellies... I just can't seem to stomach the gels.. mind you I have only tried one... but the jelly bellies seemed to do the trick and I crossed the finishing line in 2:12 mins... WAAAHHHHHOOOOO a Personal Best not by the 5 mins that I set myself but by 15 mins. Get in!!! I had to check several times to make sure that I hadn't stopped my watch but there it was on the big official clock!! OMG I still can't get over it two days later!! I have never been so proud of myself in all my life. Plus there was a snickers bar in the goodie mug.... and I even turned it down giving it to my mum as I have had no chocolates or crisps since 1st Jan.
Today Tuesday 15th February I had my consultation with Stuart Amory from In-Kilter Fitness. Boy was I nervous about meeting him as he wanted to get inside my head... He already was in there from his amazing motivational saying and video messages from his Advent Challenge and Health and Fitness Challenge 2011. I giggled throughout most of the consultation as I was sssssoooo nervous and was like OMG I am really doing this... I am going to make changes to improve and get fitter. The 20 million dollar question came why? Why what? says I.... Why am I wanting Stuart to be my Personal Trainer..... hhhmmm I pondered a little while... probably cos I was thinking does he mean why do I want a Personal Trainer or why him...... Anyway the reason I chose him was because he had already made big changes for me... probably without him even realising what he had done.... there was a bottle of Red Wine in the background of his Advent Challenge on Day 15..... excellent the guy is human.... his girlfriend makes the most amazing chocolates.... (not though I have tried any yet...) therefore if she makes them I am sure he eats them!! His video challenges made me laugh which is really important and he is really passionate about his job... Before the consultation was over I had already signed up for 10 sessions.. Not at any point did Stuart try to sell me anything... I think I had already made up my mind before meeting him but here I was committing myself to ten awesome sessions. We set goals and targets...... I had an great abs workout during it..... as I couldn't stop laughing... Poor Stu probably thinks he has a right loon on his hands... Had to discuss the dodgy knee and that I MUST LISTEN AND REST.... OK Stu you win... even on RACE DAYS.... apart from one day... The Marathon.... ow way am I quitting on that day... sorry..... the other races I will play by your rules.... but sometimes rules are there to be broken and it's one day only.... Oh right now Zoe has popped up saying 'Yes Louise... It's one day of your life and not the rest of your life!'
Next session is next week with Stu.... and wahoo.... we get to have fun and play time!!
Loved his style as well as it's not really about 2:05 but 1:59... GET IN!!

What A Great Weekend For Personal Bests

Wow what a weekend. I am so pleased with this weekend's running especially after Thursday night. It has really given me back my confidence again. Two personal bests in 5K and 10K.

I completed the Whitstable Parkrun on Saturday morning after a celebrating a mate's 30th with cocktails, wine and vodka but hey at least I didn't blame the 10 second sambuca game. Think this maybe because Stuart said I would have to run a marathon for every shot of sambuca... seemed to do the trick.. However, I had to wake my mum up early Saturday morning to take me to Whitstable so that I could run as I was probably still over the limit to drive. Way to go Gregory... I got a PB by 56 seconds.

Today I ran in the Ashford 10K. I was well impressed as this was to be my second PB of the weekend.. Get in! A PB by 5 mins ( I think... shall check the official result... as I am wondering did I actually remember to press start at the beginning!!)
It was a slow start as it was really bunched together and was difficult to over-take but that may have done me a favour as I probably would have knackered myself out for later on in the run but felt I could have gone a bit faster and taken advantage of the down hill and the hills later were going to slow me down... The hill at 7K (or at least I think it was there) just seemed to go on forever and ever!! Just when you think you were at the top you weren't... you turned the corner and you were still climbing. 
I loved this run and was strong at the finished and battled with some old guy that was miles ahead of me but I was determined to beat him.... felt really bad afterwards but only for a bit as I was well chuffed with the way I had ran today..

Negative into a positive

Oh dear.... this is the first time where I haven't enjoyed a run.... Lack of sleep the night before defo does not help. Was a bit gutted as I didn't feel out of breath but my legs were soooo heavy. In hindsight it was a good test though to see if I had the mental capacity to carry on... There is nothing like turning a negative run into a positive one. I so wanted to give up at 3miles as I knew my squash club was just around the corner but I carried on for another 3. Found out why I am finding training hard as well... as the programme I am following is a sub 4.... hahaha what a wally.... it is one from my running club but no-one told me that until last night!! So back to feeling positive about running and I had a look at where I have come from to where I am now and feel amazing again... Wahoo..... looking forward to Ashford 10K on Sunday... bring on the hills!!

8 Miles Easy

Today was 8 miles Easy.... OMG.... It was sooooo boring as I decided to do it on the treadmill... I made the fatal mistake of watching the K's go up and the time go by. Up and down went the speed... I thought if I ran quicker I could just get it over and done with.. So I had a constant battle as to whether to run easy or push myself hard to get it over and done with... The whole session more or less turn into a 8 mile Fartlek training session but hey at least I did the 8 miles so way to go me!

Not only did I do my 8 miles I have booked a personal training session with Stuart Amory from In-Kilter Fitness as he has been motivating me to get fit since the 1st of December 2010. I took my measurements on 1st Jan 2011 for my bust, waist and widest part of my ass... and I have lost 12.5cms... Well chuffed with the result so thought now I need to push myself a little bit further... First session booked in 13 sleeps time... OMG I am so nervous showing my wobbly bits for the measurements and bodyfat... think my body has shut down with shock!! But still no choc or crisps since 1st Jan!!

I am so loving the results... Thanks Stu

Week 5:- 7 miles easy

Well it wasn't quite easy and also it was under 7 miles.... We should have gone further up a road but wasn't sure but never mind... it was a great run all the same. 
(1) 9.41 (2) 9.38 (3) 10.23 (4) 9.57 (5) 10.36 (6) 10.17