A good week.....fingers crossed for tomorrow!

Yep, I have had a good week.......

I haven't been to the gym though, or walked. I've been really sensible & rested well. I'm loving the juices that I'm making & I'm sure they are helping me to feel better. I now work in the office next door to the lovely Dons & have tested my juices on her & vice versa....ooooer missus...!! I'm hoping that she'll soon be able to walk with us, can't wait for all that gossiping!!

The only low part of my week was the news about Wendy Richard....I hadn't realised that she had first had BC in the early nineties, with a recurrence in 2002 & then obviously last year. That poor lady, she must have started to think she had beaten this cruel disease.

I had a panic....here am I, almost 11 years on & although it is always in my mind that it may return one day, it doesn't rule my life anymore....BUT this brought me back down to earth with a bump. This bastard (sorry) could raise it's ugly head at anytime.....even years later.....and I guess I should NEVER forget that, well couldn't anyway.

But, at the same time, we should all live our lives.....I can't mope around worrying all the time, that just wouldn't be fair on anyone, let alone myself & it certainly wouldn't do me any good.

I am one very lucky lady.

So, after lots of realistic positive thinking & many wonderful words of support from friends, I have picked myself up & am raring to go. I will overcome any injury niggles, as one friend said, "you've beaten BC for God's sake, so you can easily beat a sore knee" and I will walk those 26.2 miles and maybe (hopefully, COME ON!!) I will raise a fab amount of money....please give me lots of support & words of encouragement!!

This walk is for all the women who have suffered, who are suffering now & hopefully to help to prevent many more suffering in the future.....

So, let's do this together.

Tomorrow sees my first walk for two weeks & I can't wait!! But before that......it's Guinness time at 5pm today...come on England!!!

Guinness is good for you.....
xx

Has to be an "upper"......

I'm really sorry!!

How negative was my last blog??

I am happy to say that I am feeling much brighter now!

My aches & pains have greatly improved & I have gone "juice-mad" & have been drinking lots of juice...not wine.....(not much anyway)!! I am feeling much better overall & my PMA has returned. Yay!!

Although I have still not walked since Sunday 15th, I am hoping to do a 3 miler with no hills in the next few days before I feel brave enough to start doing the longer ones once again with the lovely Tracey.

I think I have had a stark reminder to start "listening" to my body once again which is something I should do anyway. At least I have had this blip early on as well......now just have to get on with it!!

xx

Downer.......

Well, I know that writing the blog means you have to share the good times as well as the bad but I didn't want to have any bad times to share so early on in our training......

But, I haven't walked today....

I had a problem with my right knee yesterday......it seemed to almost "give way" a couple of times as I was wandering around the house, with sharp pains across the knee cap.....oh no. Even hubby noticed that it was a bit swollen. So, I paid a visit to the Boots' pharmarcist & she thinks it may be a strain & recommended a knee support & also ideally to take some anti-inflammatories & rest but that if it wasn't better on Monday, to go to the doctors...

Luckily, I have those pills from the other week when I had the problem with my feet, so am taking those regularly. The support is making a difference & it is better today. I will see how it is tomorrow & also as I will be working so will be more mobile.

But.......

I am feeling a bit low.

I managed the training last year with no problems other than the usual worries about whether I could manage the 26.2 miles & even got over "my wall". Yet, here I am, in February & already having injury worries........I know I have to keep positive & I am really trying hard to & I am sure I will be fine.

Tracey has suggested that I look at my diet & see if I am missing out on anything that could help. This has got me thinking & I know that I could eat healthier (must also try to cut down on the alcohol!!) (am I carrying too much weight?!) so have decided that this is my target-thing to do this week. I'm also going to get jiggy-with-the-juicing as I'm sure that will help. I did juice a lot towards the end of the training last year & it helped then so am sure it will help now.

We were planning to start doing a second walk each week on Wednesdays, starting from this week but that really depends on how my knee is. If we do, it will be more of a leisurely short one. If I can't walk, I may go for a gentle swim....I really don't want to go too long without exercising but am sensible enough to know that I must rest until I am fully recovered or else I will only do more damage & that would be awful.

So, there we go. Just have to get that positive mental attitude back & all will be well......
xx

Double figures.....................

Tracey & I walked 10 miles this morning!

We set off at 7.15 & luckily for us, the weather was kinder today......3 degrees, gentle breeze & clear. We walked the same 4 mile route & then turned back on ourselves & added two miles on at the end. I really like this 4 mile route & I think it's going to feature a lot over the next 13 weeks...yes, 13 weeks today, it will all be over...........

The weather was so much milder than last week & I even took my scarf off & undid my coat a bit....not quite warm enough to worry about "does my arse look big in this" but will soon happen hopefully!

The only part I hated was walking up Bent (Bitch) Hill in our tenth mile....OMG was a real killer today made so much worse by carrying on up the high street.....you don't realise that little bit of path is so steep......my legs wobbled a bit & I was a heavy breather for a couple of minutes but I kept going. No way would I stop cos would just be so much harder to get going again.

I soon got the spring back & finished the walk in 2hrs 17mins.....looking back through last year's training, we walked 10 miles in 2hrs 16mins on March 27th...so I am really pleased with today's time considering that we managed this good time over 5 weeks earlier than last year...BUT, we will keep our feet firmly on the ground (!) & be sensible with our training.

I actually managed to "keep up" with PT all the way round today......but, she has since told me that she was conscious of not going too far ahead because of my feet/ankles....damn, I thought I was keeping up so well as well!!!!!! Thanks honey ;-)

Speaking of which, I did lots of stretches after the walk, as I have been doing over the last few days &, touch wood, my PF isn't too bad at the moment. I actually walked up the stairs properly when I got home whereas last week, it was on my hands & knees....yes, was pretty bad. Hopefully, will continue to be ok throughout the day & I think the true test will come when I get out of bed in the morning..but I am confident!! Have to keep that PMA going.

So, the big countdown now begins......45 miles have been walked already....only about another 300 odd to go in training & then of course, that magical night awaits.......

xx

Personal trainer puts her foot down.....

On the strict instructions of my very own personal trainer, I went to see the doctor about my little problem today....

"Get it sorted now! If you think I am pushing you in a wheelchair for 26.2 miles, you've got another thing coming...."

Ok ok.

But, it's a good job I did go...I do have that plantar fasciitis but it's fine...easily sorted...lots of stretching, some anti-inflammatories & hey presto, off I go!

I also have to relegate last year's trainers to garden use only....shouldn't even have been wearing them to the gym or combat, just no support anymore. I'm not going to do combat either which means that I will just have to find something else to punch.......

So, with this & also the arrival of my welcome pack today, it's now time to get serious about my training........especially as it's only about 13 odd weeks to the big night.....

xx

Oh dear, oh dear......

Oh dear.

I think I have an injury.

I was so very lucky last year that training went so smoothly for me especially as I was rather unfit!!

Not so lucky this year, I fear BUT I will be fine & am feeling positive that I can sort it out.

I think I am suffering from "plantar fasciitis"..."what?" I hear you cry??!! Well, basically, when I get up in the morning, or after sitting for a while & now after my walks, I have trouble walking properly as my heels (especially my left one) are really painful to put pressure on & my calf muscles & achilles feel really tight...yesterday was the worst it has been...

The good book describes my symptoms to a "t" but also gives excellent advice, one of which is that I need to STRETCH more!! I need to strengthen my achilles & calf muscles so will now be following the exercises in the book.

I've really only been suffering since I have been going to combat so maybe that has put too much pressure on my ankles etc, so I'm going to give it up for while which is such a shame as I really love punching! Of course, this could just be a coincidence so if it's no better in week or so, I will go to the doctor's.

It's been fine whilst I have actually been doing my training walks which makes me think that it's got more to do with my lack of stretching during & after.

I have been researching things online today & have also bought some glucosamine sulphate capsules which are highly recommended to help maintain healthy joints & cartilage. To be honest, now that I am "of a certain age" (!!) I had been considering taking something to help keep me in tip top condition (!) so am confident these will help.

I did feel a bit low earlier today but am happier now...all will be fine!!

PMA!!

XX

While you were sleeping.......

After last Sunday's energy-busting-snow-hail-in-our-faces walk, Tracey & I decided to start our early morning walks once again......

So, as hard as it was, I was de-icing the car at 7 this morning in readiness for the off to Tracey's in temperatures of -2, yes, -2. BUT, no snow, snow-hail or bitterly cold winds & the sun came out as well!!

We wanted to stay away from steep hills & their icy paths, so we walked our new found 4 mile route & then turned back on ourselves to make it our first 8 miler of the year. I really thought that it would be hard to do the 4 & then literally turn round & start back for the final 4. But, in fact, the return 4 was much easier & I felt a bit of a spring in my step. We walked the 8 in 1hr 50, which is really good considering we walked the 7 last Sunday in 1hr 40, so all is going well. This new route is proving to be good, so will soon be adding to it, maybe those lovely 6 miles along the High Road & back!

Tracey did ask me if I could carry on for more just as we approached her road & before I knew it, the word "yes" came tumbling out of my mouth.....but, (luckily) she had a prior appointment with the swimming pool & her family so it was just the 8 today! I do think I would have carried on for another couple though & it won't be long before we are walking 10 miles+ once again.

As much as I loved the walk, I am now officially knackered!! Mind you, this may have something to do with all of the baking I have done today, the roast turkey-Christmas-style dinner, crumble, &, not forgetting the chocolate meringue truffle cake that I have made for my boss who celebrates his birthday tomorrow.

Maybe the walk gave me an energy rush but that has now gone gone gone! So, I have spent this evening watching some of my favourite men at the BAFTAs & have a lovely big smile on my face & also......well, best not say!!!

So, same time next Sunday for me & let's hope the temperature is above zero.........

xx

Snowflakes that stay on my nose & eye lashes.......

Oh yes.....................it snowed!!

Tracey & I "wisely" decided to walk this afternoon....the weather was only going to get worse & we couldn't think of anything worse than turning out at 7pm in sub-zero temperatures......

So, we set off at 2.30, all wrapped up & with hats on.....looked complete tw*ts but had to keep warm! OMG how cold was it? Only zero.....windchill of.....well, don't even want to think about that! We knew which way the wind was blowing so were "prepared" for the worst parts of the walk...........

To be exact.......3.5 to 4 miles was that magical moment......

"Oh" I said, "don't like the look of that cloud"........

The wind was literally driving into our faces & then, as if we weren't being punished enough...... it snowed, well, imagine tiny snow-covered-hail-stones........OUCH is all I can say (though I was turning the air blue as well).....we really struggled to walk, the snow-hail was pummelling our faces & we couldn't look up to see where we were going. It was truly awful. I felt like I was having some masochistic facial.....

Luckily, it only lasted that half mile, long enough!

We are so glad we carried on as the weather soon improved & after the 5 miles, we turned for home. We managed 7 miles in 1hr 40, fantastic!

I really had a spring in my step today & enjoyed the walk so much more than last week. I think that I am slowly regaining my strength & felt much more positive which we all know is half the battle anyway! It could also be that day walks are better for me than evening ones & that I just have more energy during the day.

We are planning to start our early Sunday morning walks again very soon & then do a shorter walk during the week. We need to start increasing our miles as it was about the middle of February last year that we started doing 10+ miles........oh the joy of it all!!

I'm feeling good!!

xx