Some exciting news..............

For a few months Phil and I have been discussing the fact that I wanted to do a big running event and I really wanted to do it for charity. I wanted to do a marathon and there was only one marathon that I was really interested in doing and that is the Snowdonia Marathon.

Before you either fall off your chair laughing or think I’m completely insane – yes I know it’s hard, yes I know it’s very hard but hey I’m up for a challenge.

So I’m out training and my plan will include many hills, and I’m going to raise money for Help for Heroes as there are family members in the forces and who have served in the past. Read my sponsorship page click on the title above for more information and to sponsor me of course. Don’t forget to click on gift-aid too!

I hope you’ll enjoy my journey and give me a big kick up the backside when I need it, the marathon is on October 24^th 2009 so I need to get out and put the miles in.

7 miles with lots of sand

I wasn't able to get out yesterday as late home from some training at work and then Sorelimbs needed to do his Action Man bit. So I went out this afternoon, I did the 7 mile route which takes me along the sea front and then back along the coast road from Rhyl to Prestatyn. It was bloody windy down the prom and really hard to even walk, then the invitable sand issue of which there was half the beach in my trainers when I got home. Hmm perhaps if I did that everyday I could slowly build a sand pit for the kids! lol!

I felt good all the way, so pleased with the current progress. I'll be doing a short run tomorrow then my first ever 10 miler on Saturday, excited about it - is that strange?

I'm still here

Hi all, had a odd few days with a few runs but then quite a few off days. Back to running properly yesterday I did 4 and a bit miles and the same again today, my sit-ups and press-ups are non-existant and how many other words can I type that need a - in the middle!

Will have some news for you all on Saturday!!! Keep reading :-)

sore chest/indigestion/heart about to explode episode

On sunday I started to have bad pains in my chest, it felt like hearturn or indigestion but it didn't get any better. On Monday I struggled to work as the pain was like a sharp tighting in my chest and still wouldn't clear, felt better today but still a little dull ache so no idea what it was but will certainly keep an eye on it as I don't want to ignore an unusual problem especially as I don't normally get indigestion.

So no run yesterday in case my heart/chest exploded, but went out today for 3 miles - felt terrible but on the advice of some wise old (OK not all old) people I need to slow down a bit on my short runs and stop thinking it's an easy run (my thoughts).

Speed session tomorrow and definately press ups and sit ups.

Oooh and by the way: days until I reveal my running plans - 17!

slacking, the blogs not the running

I realised today that I haven't posted for a few days but I have been running:

Tuesday: No run as absolutely shattered.

Wednesday: 4 miles down the beach, it is getting busier with holiday makers now but still lovely to run along the prom.

Thursday: Rest day in preparation for Friday.

Friday: Sorelimbs has a weekend away with the army so I had to do my long run this evening, I plodded away for 8 miles and felt very comfortable. It took 1:37:00 which is agggggggggggeeeeeeeees but it was only a few minutes more than my 7 miler last week. I'm very pleased with my progress so far.

Sat/Sun - no runs due to Sorelimbs away.

No sit ups or press up either, must get back to do those tomorrow after my sprints session.

Right off to get ready for a few bevvies with the family x

Soggy hills

After my long run on Saturday I was supposed to do a 2-3 mile recovery run yesterday but we went out to a little lads birthday party and by the time we got home it was time to get school, work and kids things ready for Monday morning. My legs felt absolutely fine after the long run so really pleased with progress so far. Excellent party by the way.

Today's session was hill work, no end of choice available this is Wales after all! Sorelimbs and I have a particular favourite but it's hard work as you would expect. I managed 6 reps before deciding that the locals were probably fed up with seeing me running past their windows puffing and panting away.

When I got back home I used the press up and sit up schedules and did 44 sit-ups (I think I need to do the higher level of these as it was quite comfortable) and 16 press ups (still bloody hard).

Feeling healthy and well, long may it continue.

7 miles this morning .....whoop de whooop

A long run for me today, following my schedule well - I ran down to the beach and then right along the prom until I got to Rhyl, I came off the beach on to the main coast road and then headed back to Prestatyn. My pace was quite slow but at the moment I'm not too bothered about it just building up the distances nicely. I felt OK for most of the run started to get really tired at about 5 miles but I kept it going.

Sorelimbs cooked a lovely lunch then I managed to do some press ups by following the schedule via runningbetty's website. It seems to be working already.

Feeling shattered now but very pleased with myself.

Rest day and press ups

OK so this press up Julyathon thingy, it's to do 100 consecutive press ups and not 100 press ups altogether for the whole month. Now come on you know you thought it was and said oh that's easy!
So today my press up total was:

3 yes that's 3 press ups - proper ones as well
11 girlie press ups

So progress being made already, I must print off the schedule from http://hundredpushups.com as I need to be doing sets of press ups to improve properly so will start the proper schedule tomorrow or maybe in a minute because otherwise I not doing this challenge right.

Rest day from running today which has been loverrrrrrrrly, I've got a 6 or 7 mile run in the morning so will be having an early night as I need to go and be back and changed before Amelia goes to swimming lessons for 9am.

Night then (apart from trying to do more press ups!

Feeling hot, hot, hot!

Phew did anybody notice that it's slightly warm today. I went out mid-afternoon when I thought it might be starting to cool down, um no! I ran for about 2 1/2 miles then then rest of the 1 1/2 miles was spent walking, running, walking, running and drinking water. So managed 4 miles but it was just too hot to keep going.

Girlie press ups - I achieved 12 then tried a proper one and couldn't even do 1, I think I should try the proper ones first then do the girlie ones.

Rest day tomorrow then a long run Saturday, have a good weekend all.

Julyathon girlie press up total 22
proper press up 1/2

July 1st oddly enough!

Today has been a scorcher but I had to fit my run in between work and picking up kids as Sorelimbs is out with the TA tonight. I did my usual 3 mile route and felt OK despite the heat, I tried to run in every little bit of shade possible but along the beach there was not let up and abolutely no breeze - number of bright pink lobsters sunbathing? Loads! I always put the kids suncream on before going out as it's a high factor, no way I'm gonna get sunburnt.

I have a new training plan to take me to my goal, which I'm not revealing until the end of the month if my runs go OK, so marked off today as done. So day 1 - on schedule!

First day of Julyathon - 10 girlie press ups, I going to build them up for a few days then start to attempt proper press ups again.

Julyathon total: 10.