WOW...where did that 7 months go? It doesn't seem real that I was writing this blog 7 months ago and worse than that ...I haven't been exercising for that long. Actually that is not strictly true. I have dabbled here and there with a bit of gym work here and there and started back running on the treadmill then gave up again. Story of my life! Life is so hectic at the moment with full time work, part time work at my local minor injuries unit and also having 2 foreign students a week as well. People say I'm mad to be doing the student thing but when your life is hectic already a little more chaos isn't going to make a lot of difference!
I decided a couple of months ago that I really did need to make time for myself. Us mums are very good at running around for our family and collapsing at the end of the day with extreme exhaustion. A typical weekday starts with barking orders at the kids to get dressed, shovel breakfast down them, then brush your teeth, brush your hair, get your shoes on, let's go! Then an 8.5hr day at work which follows by picking the kids up from their childminder and then taking one or both of them to either swimming, piano or brownies. Bedtime is just another drama and then finally dinner at about 8.30-9pm. I know this typical day is probably no different from a lot of households but sometimes I wanna just say right I'm going out...see ya. No chance. I started this blog with the intention of getting fitter by running and to log how I manage to do this with such a hectic life. Hence the 7 month gap! Arggh!
After much discussion with my husband I finally joined a running club. A beginners course which involves 10 weeks of interval training of walk / run as I was doing before. The only way I could do this was to pay up front and have a babysitter on the nights my husband wouldn't be home in time as it starts at 6.30pm. Yes that is an expensive way of doing it but there was no other way. I wanted to do this for me! I am on week 4 so far, and I really enjoy it. We are all beginners and meet at different locations each week. Last week our programme was run 5mins / walk 2.5mins - 4 times. I found it quite tough but very rewarding when we finished. It's made me feel good about myself and I actually look forward to the next week. I have never really 'enjoyed' running but running with others of the same ability feels good and we all spur each other on.
So today, after travelling down to my parents home, I went for my run/walk for 30 mins. We are staying here for a few days before heading off to Glastonbury Festival to work/play, so I have brought my running gear and intend to keep it up. Especially since I will be missing this weeks meet with the club. It's amazing how much better I feel about running after only 4 weeks! I feel like I can keep going for longer and I have found a pace which feels good. Yes I am still a beetroot at the end of it but not many people stay glamorous and run unless you are Pippa Middleton!
So watch this space. I am told that after a 10 week beginners course we should be running 30 mins...no walking! We shall see. Ooh how exciting. To do a park run (5K)on a Saturday morning on the seafront would be an achievement for me.
Until next time x
