It's been a while hasn't it?

Hello hello hello!

Yup you guessed it! I lost my blogging mojo a little ways back and I am very very sorry to all of you that were reading my blog and finding inspiration in my efforts.

I am back and you will all be pleased to know I have not lost my running mojo! WOOHOO!

I have been running 2 to 3 times per week still and totally loving it. I love the sweat, the distance travelled in such a short time frame and how it keeps my body and mind happy and most importantly HEALTHY.

I won't bore you with every single run I have done but I will proudly tell you about my last run which impressed even myself. I started with one small goal in mind. To do the big bridges run that I have done twice before. Its not big to 'real' runners but for me its a pretty hearty run. A return trip from home, around the bridges and back is about 8kms.

So I set out to get that done and my head was messing with me the entire way. I was talking to myself the whole way because my brain would not switch off and just get the job done. My weaker self was whinging and whining about being puffed, tired, lethargic, ohhh we will just do half etc etc So I had to slap that self around a bit to get my goal done.
Now I know I sound like a crazy person but am I? Does anyone else have to have a chat to their weaker self on a bad day? You know that side of you that would cancel the entire run if given even the slightest opportunity of having a 'good excuse' like its too hot/cold, I am far too worn out or better still when you pretend your actually cancelling for the good of your own health.... 'I'm tired and don't want to get run down by running in this state' hahahahaha Gosh I hope I am not the only crazy woman that thinks these things!

Now when it comes to my actual weight loss I was doing tremendously well until my sons became sick and then I fell off the good eating band wagon. So although I have not put on any weight I also have not lost anymore. I feel disappointed that I have been wasting all this time when I could have been loosing more weight by simply eating correctly.

BUT! I am good to go again now and I am ohhhh so close to my goal weight! So with my holidays in mind ( and the new bikini I bought for an itsy bitsy sum of $6 on sale ) I will keep on keeping on until I hit that magic number which just so happens is the same as my year of birth 75 :)

Wish me luck and keep reading! I will be doing some running in Broome, WA soon if I can bare the mosquitos which seem to love my legs. OUCH! Maybe if I run fast enough they won't get me?

Need inspiration and a kick up the bum

I have still been running up until last week when I got sick and haven't done a single thing since as I feel my head will surely explode if I jump even once.
What I actually need a kick up the butt for is my eating which has gone right down the tubes. I know with so little activity (none) that I simply can't afford to eat that way. I don't know what has gotten into me.
When I look at my body, the way it has changed and the way my clothes (which are now 2 sizes smaller) now fit me I am overjoyed and PROUD! But I am going to ruin all my hard work if I don't pull my head in SOON.

I guess I know what I need to do so I had better get it done ASAP!

Feel free to leave butt kicking comments below...

My Favourite iPhone Running Application

Last night I was chatting to a friend about the C25K app. I mentioned that I thought I should do it but rightly so she mentioned what is the point when I can already run 5kms? Hmmm So that got me thinking that maybe there is a 10km training app or similar and there is! It is called 'Gateway to 8k'
But I found an app that is even better and has three programs in one! C25K, GW28K and One hour runner! I really liked the look of the one hour runner so I downloaded the app last night and could not wait to do my run with it this morning. This 3 in 1 app is called 'Interval Run'  and yes it is fantastic!

I started the One hour runner program on the 2nd week, workout #2 as I ran yesterday for 30 minutes as well. I asked for an alert at the half way mark and a smooth mans voice said over the top of my music 15 minutes, half way mark...
It was very encouraging to know I only had to do that same time again and I would have completed my 30 minutes :) At the end when I completed the 30 minutes a little subtle beep sounds so you know to start warming down. However I wasn't puffed or tired yet so I just kept going and that felt so awesome. I ended up completing a run of 5.8kms and then on my way home I walked an extra 5kms!

I am looking forward to my next run on Wednesday

What distance have you been running? and what have you done recently to challenge yourself exercise wise? For me I'm thinking a trip to Jacobs ladder/Kokoda Track is in order this weekend :)  Anyone care/dare to join me?

My current 2012 running total is now down to 367kms and dropping! 

Back to the Gym!

Hello everyone! 


My hubby is finally back from his work trip to Dallas for 10 days. This trip meant I would have to juggle the kids a bit to get some runs in. The fact that the weather here hit 40ºc here in the second week he was gone meant there was no chance I would be doing any running. I could not bare the thought of taking my shoving my children in their pram and going out in that sort of heat. It was still 38ºc at 6.30pm which is almost their bedtime! Sheesh. Sometimes you just have to admit defeat...
Needless to say I was hanging out for hubby's return so I could hit the running HARD! 
However, I did stay active with some exercise DVD's that I did in the comfort of the air conditioning at home. But I also ate revoltingly whilst Hubby was away. I have the biggest guilts on for those fails :( 


No point in wallowing, onwards and upwards I say. I did a run today at the gym and smashed it! I did 5kms on the treadie which is awesome for me because I usually run terribly on the treadmill and I normally cut the run short with such a lack of mojo. But today I listened to my audio book "A Tiny Bit Marvellous" by Dawn French and giggled my way through my 10kph run with a 2% incline as well! So so so pleased with myself. 


I really can't wait to get outside on the pavement though. 


My current kms is now 370.8kms  Had I remembered my total I would have done an extra 0.8km to wipe that little pesky amount out! Next run I will do that :) 

My positive affirmation for you all today is 

I am happy with the way exercise makes me look and feel 

Come on, say it like you mean it! 




***

Music to my ears

I don't know about you but I love to run to music and sometimes when I am walking in the pool I can't help but think Gee I wish I could listen to music in the water... Well now I can!

I have found a waterproof MP3 player that hooks onto your swimming goggles and you can swim/walk in the pool with it! Excellent? Um YESSSS! :) 

And I had a breakthrough the other day when I was asking lots of people what music is great to run too? (Like what is the name of some new fast songs I can add to my workout list?)  I only had a few people get back to me.... I was hanging out with my nieces yesterday and voila! I only mentioned it to my oldest niece and she was on the job you-tubing and googling songs for me and writing down the titles. I now own a huge list of songs! She also lent me all her CD collection so that I can get the ones I need from there. What a GEM and why didn't I just think to ask a 13 year old in the 1st place? lol 

I can't wait for my next run with my newer funky tunes! 

At last! I did Jacobs Ladder

A week or so ago I agreed to climb the steps of Jacobs ladder http://www.perthwalkabout.com/Great-Outdoors/jacobs-ladder-at-kings-park.html with some girls from my 12 week challenge here in Perth. 

I had a struggle with myself last night (the whole week if I'm going to be honest) thinking ohhhh I might not go, I can always do it another time, I have my nieces party the night before & will probably be tired... Far out, so many excuses! The main reason was not that I didn't want to do the hard yards, I was really more nervous about meeting everyone and/or failing in front of my new group. 

As I drove back from my nieces party last night I had convinced myself that nope I'm not doing it.  But I had already told everyone I am doing it and people we cheering me along and wishing me luck. Damn it I HAVE to go. 
So when I got home I packed everything I would need, froze some water and layed out my gym gear all ready to go. There were now no more excuses, I was doing this thing.  


(this is my son's small contribution to my post)  m u   '''''''''''n ll

I got up this morning and swiftly got myself out the door and I arrived there 40 minutes early for a warm up and stretch. Then the other girls rocked up and I went over and introduced myself. EASY AS! Everyone was lovely, friendly and just as pumped as me :) YIPPEE! 

We all had a quick warm up and a quick getting to know you chat and then we were off down the 242 odd steps of Jacobs ladder then a 1km run up the road to Kokoda Track steps http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park/walks/kokoda-track which was STEEP and I would say harder than Jacobs ladder! 
Then we did a fast walk back to Jacobs from Kokoda and I proceeded to stomp my way down then up, down then up, down then UP!  To be honest I probably could have pushed myself to do one more but I figured it was really becoming stinking hot outside plus it was my 1st time. Next time I will up the ante. 
I did not expect it to be so busy. I couldn't believe how many different people were there all doing the same as us. I love to people watch but taking my eyes off my feet was a challenge in itself because my feet are so big and the steps are sooooo small! I am not a fan of stairs anyway and I also had to deal with being a little off balance the whole time. I don't know that I will be running it anytime soon. Maybe 'one day' 

My current kms are now 375.8kms 

Gas Bag

I went to the pools late last night. I had already planned for my water walking session earlier in my day. I am really finding all my planning works wonders for actually accomplishing my daily workouts. Even though yesterday was one of those days where I could have easily come up with 3 good excuses ( in my mind they were excellent reasons ) to not go at all. I struggled with it for ages until hubby texted me he was on his way home and at that point I pulled on my bathers that I had layer out earlier in the day and got myself ready. I even motivated myself by saying I will stop and grab a bottle of wine for later :)
Anyway I got out the door and into the car making sure I had my purse with me for the 'incentive' along the way. But then suddenly I thought oh its 5 to 8pm and I said I would do an hour... I don't have time for detours, I will go straight to the pool and do my hour. I was so proud of myself!

At the pool I loved every minute. I only wish I could have some waterproof earphones so I can listen to music. In the next lane of the girls talked SO much and I was pretty sure she would pass out from lack of air. Take a breathe woman! lol She must have been powering herself with hot air. I talk a lot but she even impressed me. I did feel sorry for her friend who only managed a nod in agreement every now and then :)
So yes some music would be lovely and I may google waterproof headphones or similar. Unless you have a suggestion?

I did my hour of walking and was really happy I did it. Tomorrow will be a day of rest for my body plus it is very hot outside today and whatever I do will have to include my sons. I don't fancy taking them out in the heat. Tomorrow I will be going for another nice solid run.

Keep moving everyone and have a nice day/night.