Training Blues too...

Just been reading Marathon Girl's blog and she's hit the nail on the head as to how I'm feeling about training right now! Haven't been for a proper walk (other than what I do normally on a day) for two weeks and haven't been to the gym for ages. 

It diesn't help that work is manic so I don't get home till late and by the weekend I just feel exhausted. I know that it's a vicious cycle and that if I actually did some training I would probably feel like I have more energy. But when it's cold and wet outside it's just so much more tempting to curl up on the sofa with a nice cup of tea...

Blisters

Well, feel like I've earnt my lunch today. Scott and I went out for a nine mile walk (mainly along the Thames) and did the whole thing in 15 minute mile pace. Was starting to feel it a bit in my glutes and have a tiny blister (despite the 1000 mile socks). I blister really easily so I suspect even with the great socks I'll still need plasters and/or vaseline. 

So the weekend walks are going well - just need to get the motivation up for the weekday ones - treadmill at the gym is just sooooo boring! 

Gill x

Training Routes

Evening everyone, 

Just a quick post tonight. Wanted to share a nifty website I've found for planning routes: Walk Jog Run. It's based on Google Earth, but not only can you create and save your own routes, if you put in your address/postcode then it will also show you routes created by others in your area. So if you're lacking some imagination in the route planning area then you can "borrow" some that others have made earlier! 

Gill x

Wet & Windy but Blister Free

Well it's absoulutely bucketing down outside now - earlier when I went out for my walk it was wet, and windy but not pouring. I did 6 and a half miles in 1 hour 39 mins so not too far off 15 minute mile pace which is what I'm aiming for. The walk was good - about half on tarmac footpaths and the rest on grass heath (which was a little muddy but not too much) Not sure if I would do that route again by myself as the heath was quite isolated...well more than quite - I didn't see a single other person in the 2 mile loop I did round it! Did see some rabbits and pheasants though!

Anyway gave my gear a good test - new trainers were very comfortable and no blisters from my 1000 mile socks! Also wore 3/4 length leggings under my trackie bottoms too keep me warm and also to prevent any chaffing - they lived up to the job well!

So that was my route above - I came home very cold and wet, but a shower, a cup of tea and some home made minestrone later I'm feeling good!

Gill x

Postie, Postie

Well, the postman has been busy at our house the last few days!

I am now fully kitted out with four new pairs of (pink) 1000 mile socks, my new mizuno trainers and my all singing all dancing pedometer with flash light and personal alarm. 

Looking forward to getting out for a decent walk to break everything in tomorrow, though it looks like the weather down here is set to stay cold and get wet :-(

Still - as I chickened out of training in the rain last weekend, I am determined to get out tomorrow!

It's my anniversary on Monday so have a long weekend and Scott has planned something for Monday - though I don't know what - hopefully a nice surprise. 

Anyway, if I'm going to be motivated to do a walk in the rain tomorrow I need to go and update my ipod play list!

Happy Halloween everyone, 

Gill x

Confessions of a fair weather walker

Okay - I admit it. It didn't take much to persuade me to go to the cinema instead of doing a seven mile walk when I looked out the window and saw it was pouring with rain yesterday! I'm not usually bothered by the weather when it comes to training, but yesterday I just couldn't face it!

Must do better in future.

I did manage to sort out some kit though...Found a couple of bargains - pink 1000 mile socks on ebay, and, despite saying I'd wait till New York for some new Mizuno's, I came across them on sale here with Newitts. Trail running shoes and last season's colours (grey and pink so I'm not complaining), but I find them so comfortable for walking. Obviously wouldn't recommend buying trainers online unless you're familiar with the brand and know your size and style from a previous pair, or from trying in a sports shop. Also ordered a new pedometer as I managed to drop and stamp on my old one whilst out running - went for this one which comes with a panic alarm and flash light. So that should be me all set for training when that all arrives. 

Plan is to go to the gym and do some walking on the treadmill (boring) tomorrow and Thursday and then do a longer walk on Saturday. Will do a couple of body balance sessions as well to keep me supple. That's the plan anyway :-)

Have a good week everyone. Don't let the dark evenings get you down too much!

Gill x

Leaves & Frost

Well what an absolutely stunning morning it has been here in Twickenham. 

I got up at 8.30am and did a quick three miles (longer walk planned for tomorrow). The River Crane runs right behind our house and it has a great walking path. It was chilly and frosty, the autumn leaves were beautiful, squirrels collecting nuts, kids feeding the ducks and the hazy sun was shining through the trees. Great way to start the day. Came home and did an hour of yoga and pilates  - I've been feeling very creaky recently so hoping that if I can do a few sessions a week I can build my flexibility a bit, and also stave off any injuries.

Then I had a facial at the spa at my gym, so relaxing...and all this before noon! 

So good start to the weekend, now I'm off to plan my route for tomorrow - looking to do about 7 miles. 

Before I go as special mention for Tam to say good luck in Dublin! Go Girl!

Gill x

New York, New York

As the end of October approaches rapidly thoughts turn towards my Christmas shopping trip in New York at the start of December...obviously the main plan is to buy Christmas presents for family and friends...but I'm sure I'll be coming home with a few presents for myself as well! Top of my list is at least one, if not two pairs of Mizuno trainers...I swear by these for running as well as walking and they do them in a huge range depending on how much support/control you need. They're pretty expensive in the UK though so I always invest in a new pair when I'm in the US! 

Also with the end of October comes the clocks turning back this weekend which means darker nights :-( and lots of care needed if you're walking alone in the evenings. Until I can find a walking partner (though no one's replied to my post on facebook yet - boo hoo) I will probably do my evening walks at my gym - Amida. This has the added benefits of using the spa afterwords and is also a good place to end my long walks at the weekend!!

Gill x

The training begins!

So did my first "proper" training walk at the weekend - 7 miles with hubby to Richmond Park. Not top speed, but brisk enough. Came home to find my email confirmation - so glad it was worthwhile (Was  beautiful day in South West London so would have been worthwhile anyway!) I walk 4-5 miles a day just doing my commute so I've got a good starting point - though I was feeling it in my hips on Monday! Wasn't wearing my 1000 mile socks and ended up with a small blister - so they are the first thing on my shopping list. 

I've joined the facebook group and getting lots of tips from everyone else, besides those that I picked up last time - looking for a training partner too as I doubt Scott will come with me every weekend!