Saying goodbye to the Marathon :(

It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to not take part in the Liverpool Marathon 2011 - and I have to be honest .......I'm totally GUTTED :(

Ive been losing weight steadily for the past 2 yrs and to date have lost 4.5 stone but still have about another 3 (ish) to go, and yes running is great for toning up but, on my long runs I was feeling that I wasnt 'fueled' enough to last the distance.

With me only starting Slimming World recently I dont feel confident enough to make the decisions on running diet yet, and yes in theory as per the earlier post it will be good to do the protein/carb days when I am in the swing of things but for this year and time ticking by I dont feel that I had the time to suss out the diet without having a negative effect on the diet as in eating the wrong things, but then I couldnt afford to have the running taking a knock because of lack of energy (if that makes sense?)

Now that the pressure is off I have the time to take stock of the diet, I know what I need to eat to fuel runs and I know the Slimming World plan, all I need to cross reference to maximise both.

Plus there is the heat ... I dont know if its the spare weight I have or just me, but I go down like a sack of spuds in the heat as it is without running in it, and have noticed a couple of times when Im running home from work its a real struggle

next up is family, pure practicalities kick in, if both hubby and myself are doing the same run then we need someone to look after the kids, plus there is all the long training runs, I did mine on a Saturday, hubby did his on Sunday = no family time,

Running is something that I have only just recently discovered first hand, spectator yes, participating only since March and is something that I want to fall in love with for many years, and dont want to put the pressure on so much that I dont enjoy it in the first 6 months

I feel sometimes that Im using them as a cop out and making excuses but they genuinely aren't

just the place where I am in my life at the moment. Its not over by any means and this is being treated like an obstacle that needs to be overcome.

And overcome it will be, I am not saying no, im just re-adjusting, yes A marathon will happen, it wont be the Liverpool one this year but it will happen, I still have a 5K and 10k in the diary, and a half marathon in August, so for the remainder of the year is being spent on ME, losing the remainder of the weight and building up my base fitness, ready to train over winter for a spring Marathon, hubby can train during the summer months when its hot and I can train over the winter months when it's nice and cold - but watch this space IT WILL HAPPEN just needed a little tweeking around the edges

I remember Kate, my Slimming World consultant explaining (see I do listen lol ) about the journey we are all on, you can either take the direct route or the scenic route, unfortunatly, in this case Ive had to take a diversion but the destination is always the same , healthy living, healthy diet, healthy fitness - all in moderation

So to all those runners embarking on the 'Long and Winding Road' my hat is off to you, and I have so much respect for you all, I will still be there cheering you all on - saving my biggest cheer for my hero hubby.

Good luck to you all x x x x

So much to catch up with !

So since the last time I posted so much has happened, I have revised my training schedule - and have made a commitment to myself although I havent signed on the dotted line yet !

The Liverpool Marathon is back for the first time for 20 years and have made the ultimate decision to run/jog/walk round. more on the cause that I will be running for at a later date - not that I am skipping over the reason - but it is a cause that has touched the people of Merseyside and continues to - so for that reason it will have its own posting.

I also tried Zumba - eermmmm I'll let you know how that went when I stop laughing - So funny lol !

I will be posting every few days - If Im doing the marathon - then you are all doing it in spirit with me !!

keep you posted x

and we lived to tell the tale !

I have officially never hurt as much as I did on Sunday !!!

There I said it and got it out the way..... now for the fun bit recalling the past few day's events...

Although it has taken until now to get some sort of recollection back, caught up in the moment or blocking it out ? not entirely sure all I know is that I keep getting flashbacks .... some good... some bad.....A LOT painful !!

but here are my memories of the day....

Team 'Lets Fight This' arrived in Manchester at approx 8.00pm then had to find our way to the start....

Went inside to see what we had to do, and to put bags etc in storage, and that all important loo stop (while they were still semi - hygenic !)

Everybody was given water and survival blankets to take with us and a helium balloon with a light in blue, pink, or white, - we actually ended up with 1 blue and 2 white so I swapped with a very manly man who had a pink one ! so we had one of each

then we waited...

Until 10.00pm (ish) and then we were off, through the streets of Manchester through a big Arch with flames out the top, then it was o-oh here we go - see you on the other side !

We reached the first pit stop reatively for another toilet stop and more water, then onwards, we then came to one of the bigger pit stops at I think 7 miles?, where there was some sort of light ceremony where (as Ive since found out) you could buy a lantern and have it lit in memory of someone these were all on the ground and spelt out SHINE - we could also pick up apples, water, or a hot drink - we all thought that it was very civilised and that wouldnt be as bad as we thought - hmm famous last words ....

Balloons were popping all over the place or getting tangled up - still attached to backpacks - funniest thing EVER was when you saw balloons sticking out of toilets OR people coming out of toilets and being pulled back because their balloon was still trapped inside.... not so funny when you are walking behind somebody and you have to keep batting their balloon out the way - I dont want to see another balloon for a VERY long time !

Then we had to contend with 30,000 people all along the pavements as none of the roads were closed, so either go slow or play chicken with the cars - most of the time we chose chicken - find a gap and go, go, go - and of course not forgetting the banter from all the pub goers !

And on we walked, and on, and on ....through various miles and pit stops till we had gone in a big circle and were back at the major pit stop again.. this is where our first strength of will power came in - we literally came to a crossroads

<- 26miles .......... 13 miles->

AGHHH it was so tempting - theyd never have known ! but no we didnt dwell on it just dont think just turn left and keep going - **but we could be home in 2hrs ** - no head down ignore the signs - keep going.

And then we were off on the road again, one of the great things we found out is that although the team had all trained, we had done it seperately never together but we all seemed to gel really well and had all seemed to have trained at similar paces and so no-one was struggling or slowing down - one thing we didnt account for was training with back packs on !

And we walked, and walked, physically we were ok we had some pains and strains but were managable, although Maz kept threatening the dawn chorus if it didnt stop - nothing worse than walking ALL night without being reminded of it by birds twittering !! - I dont think it helped mentally that we hit a really, really long road and were all exposed around the Trafford Centre and industrial factories that were all closed up just as dawn was breaking and although we were walking with others it just felt (to me) we were very isolated and in the middle of nowhere.

The toughest part mentally and physically was to come at around 21 miles though...

I had heard of the wall but thought that because we were 'only walking' it wouldnt affect us... boy was I wrong - we hit 21 miles and all 3 of us went quiet ! the pain that we had managed to keep at bay hit BIG TIME and mentally it was 'I cant do it' and all 3 of us agreed that we darent stop for the last pit stop at 23 miles or it would be so hard to get going again - all you could hear from us was ughhh, ahhhh, hmphhh as we were tring to get up and down kerbs or even taking a longer detour so we could go up the sloped bit, cars had no chance - it was a case of ' we CANT stop so you will have to ' funny - hurting- but funny..

and then for some reason we got to 24 miles and BAM we were away again final burst wouldnt say that it was a sprint or that it was a scheme from Chariots of fire- wouldnt say we picked up the pace any quicker but we mentally brought ourselves out of it and then .......TADAHHHHHH we were HOME .......WE FINISHED .......YEAY .......
we ran (or walked) the whole gamet of emotions, 21miles it was NEVER AGAIN, at the end it was THANK GOD THATS OVER... Sunday night despite having to crawl up the stairs the tweets were already flying discussing tactics for next year ... so its a DEFINATLY MAYBE... why... I dont know... suckers for punishment... and do you know what I CANT WAIT !

and just take this opportunity to say thank you to all of the SHINE TEAM they did a fantastic job and for a 1st event it couldnt have gone any better - obviously a few tweeks cant be helped but we had a BLAST thank you, thank you

Doubting Thomas

Not long to go now, and I must admit that the self doubt is starting to set in now, I went on my last LONG training session on Monday and you know that self doubt that creeps in when you least expect it, thinking - 'what have I done?!' and 'Im not going to be able to do it' I really wasnt in the right frame of mind to do any training, so I thought what do I do?

Do I go OUT and train and miss the last day that Hubby is off work with it being Easter Monday and I was in work on the Tuesday - but have the distraction of the outdoors

OR

Do I stay IN and train on the treadmill? still technically with the family albeit stuck in the kitchen, and watch a couple of films?

I chose the latter, 5 hours I was on the treadmill for covering a total of 30k I WAS NEARLY IN TEARS AT THE END - I thought the films would distract me for however long they were on for - diddnt work just reminded me when it finished I still couldnt go anywhere - I had watched Donnie in Southie, and then Spy Kids, followed by actually a really inspiring documentary showing how introducing a classical music programme in deprived areas can improve academic performance which just happened to be based in Liverpool

- BUT

I was still on the treadmill so no improved performance here and no, not even Donnie could distract me!

then ironically after watching tv when on the treadmill, after having a shower and changed, I then sat infront OF THE TV !!! because I couldn't move - I was laughing at this point (and not because it was funny either!)

So.... what do I do?... I knew it was going to be hard, I knew it was going to be tough.

I asked Mark how he felt whe he was running marathons and apparently it is a phase that you go through - He said, It doesnt matter how much training you have done, you can cover the milage and more but you can still walk up to the starting line and not 'feel right' more of a mental issue rather than a physical matter.

I felt a bit better after that, at least I knew that it wasnt due to lack of training and that I can physically do it, although sometimes I think it is easier for it to be a bodily problem at least you can see and feel any changes - attitude is something else completely

On a better note, since then I have been feeling better and am feeling more confident, think to be honest it was more of a blip than anything serious, probably just the nerves starting to kick in ... at lease I hope so !

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY !

Who is more fool, the fool, or the fool, who follows the fool?

Still plodding along merrily, but it can be soul destroying having to go out in the rain, hail etc, dont mind if it starts raining when Im out, but when I have to force myself to go out and it is already raining, and I could stay in the nice warm house... I'm walking (or stomping ) round in a bad mood, and looking at all the cosy houses - I feel like tiny Tim at Christmas looking at all the festivites with his face pressed up against the window !

but then I think the way the weather is at the moment at least we will be prepared if we do have adverse weather on the night - which for the UK is highly likely -

and is of course nothing compared to the stuggle for the people & families who are being diagnosed with all forms of illnesses worldwide daily.... because of the cause we are all doing this for and as the date gets nearer, I personally find myself thinking more and more of the people we are trying to help and hope that the money we raise can do some good.. and it is this that pushes me through the bad weather ...

I still moan all the way round,and I WILL TRIP UP the nex jogger/runner that sails past me with a spring in their step and I look like a drowned rat..just keep thinking of that hot cup of tea at waiting for me ...hmmmmm !

Take care @ddubsgirl4life x x

19 days to go

Had a bit of a reality check the other day, got so wrapped up in kids finishing school for Easter, baby finishing playgroup, letter home re-opening playgroup on 13th April.... oh ok then no problem

BUT.... WAIT....THE 13th ..... BUT THATS THE WEEK OF THE MARATHON.......But it can't have crept up that quick surely...but yep here we are 19 days to go including today..

starting to feel a bit nervous/excited about it now.... t shirts are ordered, and despatched...Diet is good .. due to giving up Chocolate for Lent... (that was another good idea at the time!) ..

*note to self* - dont give up chocolate if you do the marathon next year - because it has now in fact been promoted to one of the main food groups...

training has been stepped up..now up to 13miles which includes 2 rounds of the couch to 5k (week 2) running programme (thanks to ktsummer and the running blockheads) to increase the intensity, and have now included core stability excercises and rowing machine...wow I could even pass for actually knowing what Im taking about - but alas no for my training I have my long suffering supportive husband who has worked most of it out for me - I LOVE YA MATEY x x x

Thought of the day

had a bizarre thought today when out and about.....

I was doing my long walk as part of my moonlit marathon walk training, did my route, worn out, legs aching,- getting funny looks off people then realising that Im singing along out load to my mp4 (not good at the best of times ! lol ), then getting home, having a bath, getting changed and then................having to go back out AGAIN in the car along the SAME route to find out how far I had gone so I could update my training log - how bizarre and I was wondering how many other people have to go through all this ..........hmmmmmmm that thought has kept me entertained all day - walk went well by the way 5 miles just over 1hr up to 8 miles next Sunday

yeay go me !

I know its not Friday, but thought i'd do a round up before hitting the training, I went back - with apprehension I must admit ! - to the gym, first time since before Christmas, and I must admit I was dreading the scales, and tadahhhhhhh I have actually lost 8lbs since my last weigh in and that is over Christmas and no exercise so YEAY - GO ME !!! so came home and celebrated with ........ a doughnut lol !

Ive also start at the gym on 1st February a 30 day challenge, and the yummy mummy with no tummy challenge on my other blog, so for me there is NO ESCAPE !

But we have now turned into 2010 and am on a countdown until the moonlit marathon so onwards and upwards, the tv adverts have also started for the Race for Life so that is my next challenge to run a race , which I think I should be ok in a few months, because technically running is only walking - but a bit faster !!! try telling that to joesgirl73 who hasnt been able to run recently

will start posting more often now, and still to come I will - when I am feeling brave post a picture so that you can hopefully start seeing a before and after difference

keep safe

ddubsgirl4life x x

Partner in Crime

Both myself and my partner in Crime are doing this marathon together as a team, along with any other blockheads we grab along for the ride and pretty soon she is going to start adding her posts here so you will be able to keep up with the team progress. I know I havent given you my name but I think to save any confusion and because you have probably 'met' us on there it would be better if you know us by our twitter names:

ddubsgirl4life

And

joesgirl74

Can you guess who our favourites are ???!!!

Why choose a Breast Cancer Charity?

I said that I would let you know why I chose a breast cancer charity, yes I am a blockhead but I have a more personal reason for choosing this group of charities.

I always religeously check myself monthy - it is one of lifes necessary evils, I hate checking myself but the thought of not scares me even more, so anyway Id been checking myself and nothing untoward to report, we had been doing a fair bit of decorating and stripping of wallpaper and I had what felt like a pulled muscle under my arm, which wasnt getting better, but with being right handed its not like I could take it any easier to rest the muscle, so went off to the doctors just to make sure.

Doctor agreed that it was just a pulled muscle but did find a thickening in my right breast just by the breast bone, which sent me into a flat spin, I am so fastidious about checking myself and I had missed this which makes you think on what else have I missed, I was a young(ish) mum with 2 small children who were 3 and 5 at the time and Ill be honest with you every time I saw them and my husband I just burst into tears, thinking the worst. I went to the specialist who thankfully diagnosed me as having benign breast tissue and was nothing to worry about, but would flare up throughout the month due to normal hormone fluctuations.

I can honestly say for those couple of days until I saw the specialist I have never been so scared.

My doctor and the nurses at the practise were fantastic and even a couple of years later when I was pregnant again and obviously had hormones up the wall sent me off to the specialist again to calm my fears, what I did learn throughout the days is how differently it could have turned out and how much I appreciate the kindness of the doctors, nurses and my close family and friends.

Since then it has been toying away in my mind of raising money for the charities, but then my son was in SCBU overnight when he was born so I raised money for that cause, which brings me to today.

Yes I am a New Kids Fan and all of the fans out there know what Danny has had to endure, but this is on a personal level more than anything, and to be honest I dont mind which Breast Cancer Charity it is for as long as it is for one of the group and we get as much money as possible by any means and get this disease beaten once and for all - together we can get this x x