Back on Track

Hello Fudgey Friends,

How are you all? Yes it is true I really am back writing my blog. Back & with a refreshed look thanks to fantastic Mr Fudgey - though the pinkness is all me!

2011

As many of you know the second half of 2011 was pretty tough for me & my family for a variety of reasons. Mr Fudgey & I took the decision to simply get to the end of 2011 wave the year goodbye & move onto a new year & hopefully happier times. However I shouldn't forget that there were some good times too.
I ran my first marathon......& my second
The medal haul in the photo is just for 2011 = Great Winter Run 5k, Kilomathon 26.2k Race for Life 10k, Edinburgh Marathon & Dublin Marathon & The Santa Run & not forgetting the Meadows half marathon but there was no medal for that one.
Mr Fudgey & I also finally went on honeymoon to Italy & Switzerland & had a fudgeytastic time:-)

2012
So here I am back & certainly happier than I have been in about 6 months. I've gained a few more pounds than I would have liked & haven't really run properly since Dublin at Halloween but January has seen me refind my focus & my determination. We've expanded the Fudgey gym as I bought some kettlebells with Christmas money from my Mum & Dad - Thank you, & I also bought a bench & a swiss ball (not yet inflated though). Mr Fudgey put down some flooring & built the bench which was a marathon workout in itself - Thank you babe. So no excuses now at all. I'm also back on the healthy eating and have lost 6 pounds in the last 2 weeks. I'm feeling so much better.
I've signed up for the Kilomathon on 1st April - but a little gutted that there is no full distance this year so I'm doing the 13.1k - a distance I have never raced but am certainly capable of running and I've also signed up for The Edinburgh Rock & Roll Half Marathon also in April - so training has started already. No Marathons for me this year as I never got a place in the London Marathon but I certainly hope to run another - maybe in 2013.
I also plan this year to raise some money for the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice who took such good care of my Gran & of us.

So that's my plans for this year so far, my plans now for the rest of the evening are to snuggle up with Mr Fudgey, watch a movie & enjoy an options wicked white hot chocolate.

Take care everyone I'll be back soon

lots of love
Fudgey
xxxxx

Kilomathon Scotland - Race Report

Hello Fudgey Friends,

Finally a race report from Sunday's Kilomathon - sorry for the delay.

The alarm went off at 5.30am on Sunday and I was up and eating my usual pre race fuel of Marks & Spencer's Sultana & apple instant porridge by 6am. It was a real struggle but experience has taught me how important it is for long runs to get the correct food in and when is the best time for me - I find about 2 hours before the start works best for me. I also drank some water & a small cup of tea.

The taxi arrived to take us to Ingliston at 6.30am.

Once we arrived I had to collect my race number & timing chip as I was technically a late entry as entered through my charity Bliss and it wasn't all finalised till late March. No problems getting sorted at the help desk though I did feel for the 2 women staffing it and the growing queue - they seemed to have it all under control though.
The sun was already out though it was a little chilly and forecast was for temperatures around 17c.

Just after I came out of the help desk we met KMac & Rob. Kmac was running the half kilomathon.

Several loo trips - luxurious by other race standards as they were real toilets not the usual portaloos and then it was time to go to our starting pens. The half runners were about 3 pens in front of me so I waited with KMac till almost the last minute & then joined my pen which was the last one and I was pretty much at the very end. Experience from this event last year when I was at the start of my pen had meant that I had gone off to fast and then been passed by lots of runners which can be demoralising so I figured if I started at the back the crowd would force me to initially keep the pace down and the I could be motivated by moving my way forward rather than seeming to go backwards.

8am sharp we were off.


Saw Mr Fudgey & Rob on the way past & then saw Mr Fudgey again as I came past the entrance area after initial half lap within Royal Highland Centre. I looked at my garmin and thought oh no I have gone off too fast though I didn't feel like I was going fast so I tried to slow down a little but I was feeling really good.
First water station about 4k - I felt brilliant.
Took on a gel about 6k - didn't really want it but the run was as much about Marathon preparation than anything else.
8k still feeling really good but starting to think there was no way I could maintain this pace for the full 26.2km

Just before 10km on the bridge I saw Kmac ahead of me so when I caught her I fell into stride with her. She looked fab but said she was struggling a little and her IT band was hurting. I stayed with her all the way to 13.1km and walked a little of each km when she was starting to hurt - but looking at my splits it was only really the 13th km that was much slower. Took another gel at about 11k again not really wanted but knew better to have before I needed it. It was really pleasant on the bridge crossing with a nice breeze - though there was still hardly a cloud in the sky.

KMac finished the half in about 1hour 24 minutes and I'm so proud of her.

I still had another 13.1km to run.

Was feeling really strong and pace was still better than I could have hoped for. Knew the killer hill was coming at around 18km so was mentally preparing myself for that. It's a tough one. You can see from my splits where that hill came! I knew after that though that there were only another couple of small hills before 20km & then it was pretty much downhill & flat to the finish.
After the hill I had another gel. It was amazing this time to maintain my pace through the last 6km whereas previously this was where I had struggled.

Back onto the gravel track past the airport at 24km was torture on the feet but my theory was if I ran I'd be over if quicker than if I stopped to walk - I think though this is where the damage to my poor foot was done. It was also pretty hot at this point with no shade from the sun but I knew I was nearly there and that pushed me on.

Coming into The Royal Highland Centre was brilliant - loads of race crew cheering us on. Fab to see the lovely Sarah B too cheering me on - always helps when you hear your own name.

Then into the finishing straight and saw Mt Fudgey & his Dad - I felt absolutely brilliant and even had enough for a sprint finish to bring me in just under 2 hours 50 mins.

Mr Fudgey told me that I looked really strong compared to last time I ran this race where I looked tired at the finish.

It's certainly boosted my confidence for the Marathon.


Through the finish line into the finish area - a bottle of water, medal, energy drink and goody bag.

I need to find out what that energy drink was - not so I can get some so that I avoid it - it was vile - but that's my only negative of the whole event.

Disappointing it wasn't better attended - I think numbers were well down on October.

Being a complete stats geek I've managed to put 2011 & 201 splits side by side and they make me smile - shows me how much stronger I am getting all the time.

Official time was 2 hours 49 minutes 55 seconds.



After the run I had my ice bath and I have to admit my legs although a little stiff on Sunday by Monday didn't feel like they'd run 26.2km, unfortunately my right foot did & I have a very nasty blister & bruising which needed a trip to the doc :-(
This was actually partly my fault as I am prone to blisters and always tape my feet. However on Sunday I taped my feet but didn't put my socks or trainers on straight away. I then walked about in bare feet & the tape slid slightly and wasn't sticking properly but rather than retaping I just put more tape on top. Sore lesson learnt! So no running for me for a good few days to allow it to heal. I have found a way to use this positively though and am threatening to expose what is under the dressing if people don't sponsor me - yes I am that evil ;-%

Hoping to get in a 20 miler this weekend and next before taper caper commences - less than 5 weeks to the Marathon now and I'm in a pretty good place.

Take Care everyone
lots of love
Fudgey xxxx


Just giving link

Virgin money giving link

New Year New Challenges

Hello Fudgey Friends,


Happy New Year x
Hope 2011 is a great year for all of you.

As promised I'm back with news on what is in store for Little Running Wife aka Fudgey this year.

As many of you will already know I have signed up for The Edinburgh Marathon this year. This wasn't a snap decision it's something I've been considering since last years Edinburgh half marathon. I'm under no illusions that this will be the toughest challenge I've ever set myself and it's going to take a lot of hard work and determination. After raising money for charity last year I knew that if I took on the marathon challenge that I would again. I knew exactly which charity I wanted to run for and why, part of the reason is quite personal to me and my family & nearly 5 years on still very emotive, but this is what will make this years challenge so special and every training mile, every ache and pain, blisters, tears, laughter and all my events this year culminating in the marathon in May worthwhile as I will be raising funds for Bliss

I'll soon be setting up an online donation page and have some Fudgey fundraising ideas.

Like last year I'm going to run all my events for the one charity & Bliss have already provided me with a lovely running vest which will have it's first outing next weekend at The Great Winter Run

I also already have The Meadows Marathon (half marathon actually) & The Scottish Kilomathon lined up for 2011.

I've already got 5 rolls of foot tape and have ordered 2 new pairs of Saucony running shoes in preparation for this year's challenges.

So there you have it the first half of 2011 pretty much accounted for, I deliberately haven't planned anything beyond the Marathon as I've heard that a marathon is physically, emotionally & totally a huge commitment and stress on the body and mind - but it will be so worth it.

I can't wait :-)

I'll be keeping you updated on my progress and you only have week to wait till the first race report of 2o11.

Take Care all

lots of love

Fudgey

x x x

1 week to go

Hello Fudgey Friends,

How are we all? Good weekend?
It's just a week till the first ever Scottish Kilomathon and I think I can go the distance, I did it in training last weekend & I'm getting back to being in good physical health after a few minor illnesses in recent weeks.

Doing my Own thing
My training plan has been largely abandoned for the last few weeks, due to illness, time, and general stress - there is just so much going on right now. Training hasn't been abandoned though - I've just been doing my own thing as & when I can.
On Wednesday & Thursday I never worked out at all - this is most unusual for me to go two days in a row with no workout at all, but I've had loads on at work so lunchtime has been out and working on later so no time in the evening either - still sometimes rest is good and I know that come the kilomathon I'll get the benefit of the enforced rest.
Friday however I realised I'd need to get some mileage in the legs this week so popped to the gym at lunchtime for a very quick run 4.28km & then back after work for another 4.73km. I figured if I didn't have the time to commit to a full hour I could break it in 2 and still get the benefits and therefore not be stressing about another missed training session.

Many Years Married
After work on Friday Mr Fudgey & I headed out to see Mum & Dad Smith as it was their wedding anniversary. We had a fabulous lamb dinner and a really nice evening - perfect end to a busy working week. Happy Anniversary again x

Weekend Running
Yesterday I packed up another bag & did some more clearing out ahead of our move. I have another bag for the charity shop too. Other than that I generally pottered about and did a little shopping. In the afternoon I decided I could fit in a short run - so got kitted up and headed out. It's been a lovely dry but bright and cold weekend here and it was good to be out and running - though I think the winter kit needs to start making an appearance and it is definitely getting cooler. I ran a nice steady 6k - pace is missing at the moment however legs are very strong. On the way back I popped into the shop to buy some isotonic drinks and managed to also get some boxes for packing....however somebody had other ideas!


Today I never got up till 10.30 and could have slept longer - I'm not sleeping well at the moment with everything that's going round in my busy little brain - so when I can sleep I am as it's so important. I decided I'd just go out for an hour today and that was what was on the largely abandoned running plan anyway - not too much & not too little ahead of next weeks big run. At first my hands were freezing, gloves will soon need to make a comeback - it is fast approaching winter here. Today I tried to shorten my headphone cable by using the cable tidy Mr Fudgey bought me., unfortunately I got home to find out it had fallen off whilst running. Mr Fudgey said not to worry it was £2 from Marks & Spencer - however when we went to get the bus into town later there it was lying in the gutter just round the corner :-) so I have it back. The first 3km of the run were tough going I just couldn't settle into it - again brain way too busy. Just as I was running up Dean Bridge I saw Neil Martin from work walking home with his papers - I waved and speeded up a little - I'm always motivated when I see people I know :-) Then something happened at the 5k mark, the running brain took over & the running just became so easy - I felt like I was flying. I ran a cracking negative split first 5k 35 mins 6 secs second 5k 31 mins 15 secs & legs felt strong strong strong. I also passed someone else I know - Stefania Abate at Inverleith row & waved to her too - by this time I was totally in the zone - otherwise would have stopped to say hi properly.
I got home and had a quick 10 minute ice bath - I didn't feel I needed it today but since I'd made the ice anyway I thought I may as well.
Later when Mr Fudgey & I went into town I got a new ipod strap - so now can't wait to try it out. Quick run tomorrow I hope.




So Stats for this week - week 13:
Distance: 26.11 km (16.22 miles)
Time: 2 hours 50 minutes 35 seconds



Special Mention To Karen - who put in a great performance at today's R2TB half marathon - Well Done.

Also hello to all my new running buddies at DailyMile I loving following everyone's training and being able to give & receive hints, tips & motivation.

That's all from me for now - I've been multi tasking while writing this post & am making pork loin, roasted veg & parmentier potatoes for dinner. I am so excited to see that Brussels sprouts are coming back into season :-)

Have a great week everyone.

Take Care
love
Fudgey xxxx

Getting with the programme

Hey Fudgey Friends,

How is everyone today?
Don't faint but I was actually up and at the gym for 7am this morning! After weeks of not making any morning sessions I finally made it.....however there was incentive / motivation / enthusiasm.....I had booked an early morning PT session.
Unfortunately it didn't work out as planned as Colin had to cancel our session at the last minute but with the instruction that since I'd most likely be en route to gym I should do my programme.

Since I was in my gym kit & just round the corner I headed down to the gym & did my programme as instructed. Yes actually do as I'm told for once.

I jumped on the cross trainer for a quick warm up then
3 x superset of 15 swiss ball 15kg barbell chest press & 12 swiss ball press ups
Next was cable pulldowns & upright row but the cables were in use & the 12.5kg barbell nowhere in site - but undeterred I improvised
3 x superset 15 lat pull downs 30kg & 12 upright rows with 10kg barbell
3 x superset 12 french press with 10kg barbell & 12 seated bicep curls with 5kg dumbbells
3 x 15 compound crunches
3 x 20 crunch lift & extend

lots of stretching & job done. Good workout but not as much fun / torture (delete as applicable) as a PT session.

I'm actually taking a 3 day break from running this week, this is because I'm still a bit sore from the wheelbarrow falling on my shin & also because apparently every 5th / 6th week - you should cut back & have a recovery week. So no running Mon, Tues or Wed & just short runs Thurs & Friday, but Sunday will be a long one - but no long run the following week.

Yesterday I joined Smurfy & KMac for Spin class at lunchtime & then I went to body pump after work, before heading to my Scottish Slimmers Class. Still maintaining my target weight:-)

Yesterday was also my Gran's birthday. Happy Birthday Gran - hope you had a lovely day xx

Also wonderful news for my friend Eileen as her Son & his wife in Oz had a little baby boy. Congratulations again x


Well that's all for now folks as my training plan only goes up to the end of next week so I want to get it filled out right up to the Kilomathon if possible.


lots of love
Fudgey
xxxx

Off and running

Hello Fudgey Friends,

How is everyone?
I'm a happy little fudgeykin as I know have a training plan in place for the next 14 weeks & am excited to get back into the regime. I also had a great day out yesterday at Melville Castle for our department away day & this year never got sunburnt but spent a whole day out in the fresh air - it was superb.

Away Day
We have a brilliant people committee who work really hard to put on a variety of events for us throughout the year such as quiz nights, a Christmas night, learning lunch sessions and the annual operations team away days. Most people who know me will know that team building cheesy touchy feely events aren't really my cup of tea -what I really don't like I suppose is falseness - but I'm very fortunate to work for a really good company and with some amazing people so our away day the last 2 years have been really good experiences - coming from someone who isn't usually up for that sort of thing this is a huge thumbs up. The last 2 years have been run by The Team Challenge Company who are just first class and if anyone out there is looking to organise any kind of team building, corporate or simply fun event I'd really recommend them. I don't want to give too much info away as there is still one group to take part tomorrow but my favourite part of the day was the bungee run :-)
Huge Thanks to Denise for listening to my complaining about the lack of healthy eating options last year - the food was really good this year.
I can't wait to see some of the photos

The Training Plan
Having procrastinated too long and let other things get in the way I finally sat down to try and pull a training plan together for The Glasgow Half Marathon and The Scottish Kilomathon - there are now only 14 weeks till the kilomathon so I decided I would put together a 14 week plan with the half marathon at week 10 being part of the training. Now the kilomathon is only about 5km more than the half marathon but I really want to aim for a 2 hour half marathon and this time I want to try & train over the distance rather than just under it. With this being the first ever Scottish Kilomathon I couldn't find any suitable plans to dissect and tailor my own from so I've gone slightly bonkers and opted for an intermediate marathon training plan. No this doesn't mean I'm running a marathon! But it will make sure I am race ready and it really suits the level of fitness I am at and fits in with what I'd like to achieve....so keep following my blog for progress.

Week 1 Run 1
Not off to the best of starts when I failed to get out of bed this morning for my run. I was absolutely shattered. On a positive note I'm getting much better at listening to my body and hopefully this will help me avoid injury. I'm now certain the problems I had with my illiotibial band were as a result of over training - so lesson learnt and not to be repeated. I value my health and fitness so much that I'd be an absolute nightmare to live & work with if I hurt myself and couldn't train.
Today's run did still happen though it was just in the evening rather than the morning. It was just a simple 30 minute session - 10 minutes easy, 10 minutes tempo & 10 minutes easy.....job done and a few km in the training bank.
The plan is to run to work tomorrow which is an easy 35 minute run and I was all organised and have work clothes in my locker so no excuses.

Fudgey is back on the training wagon and feeling good.

Take Care everyoe
love
Fudgey
xxx

Aggression session

Hello Fudgey Friends,

How is everyone? I've not been feeling quite myself the last few days - a combination of a number of things including not sleeping well but after today's workout I don't think that's going to be an issue tonight!
Nothing for anyone to be worrying about though - I'll soon bounce back to my usual fudgey self.
A bit of a random mish mash of updates on a few things so bear with me - as I said on Sunday normal service will return soon.

Aggression session
Sometimes you need an outlet for stress and angst & today's session satisfied that need in full:-)

started off with some skipping & then some punching - jabs, hooks & upper cuts.
Then 3 sets of 20 side kicks each leg
3 sets of round house kicks 1 low, 1 high for a minute each leg
3 sets of 40 seconds freestyle on punch bag & then 20 seconds jabs only hard & fast!
3 sets of 10 squat & hold
3 supersets of 15 jack knifes & 40 second swiss ball plank
3 supersets of 30 oblique cycles & 20 komodo things

It was really good to do something slightly different from the usual, but my upper arms are feeling it already as I type! It was just what the Doctor ordered though.

Silent Auction
Judi's Rays of Sunshine's silent auction ended last night at 5pm & I'm so happy to tell everyone that we raised another £1,000. I'm pretty certain that when all the lots are paid for we'll have exceeded our £10,000 target - plus the gift aid will inflate it even more. I'll update you later in the week on how we've done. Thank you Thank you Thank you to everyone again for sponsorship, baking, auction items, auction bids, time - which I know is so precious and all the other things that folk did to help - you are all amazing x

Monday Spin
Monday: Smurfy & I headed to lunchtime spin - it was packed to capacity & taken by the lovely but evil Andy. It was great class as always & Smurfy & I though we had to take bikes at the back rather than our usual front row position still worked flat out & looked like we'd been for a dip in the pool by the time we'd finished LOL. So sets you up for an afternoon in the office though.



Thank you
I want to Thank the girls for the Spa voucher they got me & presented me with when I got back from Canada to cheer me up as I've been under a lot of tension recently. I have the best friends ever. I hope to go for my 'treatment' just before our littlest niece's christening.

Glasgow Half Marathon
I still haven't drawn up my training plan for GHM but I'm planning a run tomorrow morning & will have my plan in place by the end of the week - really GHM is just a training run for the inaugural Scottish Kilomathon 4 weeks later

Special Big Hug
A special big hug from Scotland to Paul & Kristin & all the family across the pond. Thinking of you all. Send Diane our love.
Mum Smith has been passing on the news & Mr Fudgey and I are thinking of you all & sending lots and lots of love. Miss you guys - wish I could give you a proper hug Kristin - hope these wee guys will do for now.

Hugs also to anyone who needs one - never under estimate the power of a hug - we all need one from time to time.

Well time for Mrs Fudgey to go.

Take Care everyone
lots of love
Fudgey
xxx

Life after Fudgey's EHM Countdown

Hello Fudgey Friends,

How is everyone?

Well as I posted the other day the EHM Countdown has come to an end :-(

Looking forward
But there's plenty to look forward too. On the running front: Race for Life, Glasgow half Marathon & Scottish Kilomathon. On the social front: Smurfy's dinner party (I have a fab dress already), trip home to Benbecula & Margaret Mary's Christening & our first wedding anniversary fast approaches. There hopefully will be other exciting developments in the world of Mr & Mrs Fudgey & the fury fellas sooner rather than later....so keep following.

New Look - New Title
I realised I couldn't keep my blog title as Fudgey's EHM countdown so was trying to think what to change it do & have now decided on Little Running Wife....this is what Mr Fudgey calls me since I lost 6 stone and got mildly obsessed by running.
Last night I was playing around with my blog and giving it slightly different colours & a new photo, but Mr Fudgey worked his magic again & did the fabby new graphic that you now see. Isn't he the best? I'm now wondering if I could get this on a t-shirt!

Taking it Easy
Monday I had a complete rest day, though I did have to walk half way home from my Slimming club. I still go most weeks even though I've been at my target weight since September.
Tuesday I decided to go to the gym with Smurfy at lunchtime. I ran on the treadmill for 10 minutes, then 10 minutes on the bike & 10 minutes of stretching. I felt great when I went back to work but by 4pm was feeling stiff again & my right calf was really tight. Thanks to the wonders of a tennis ball, my own thumbs & a tube of Avon Cooling leg and foot gel I managed to release the tight muscle and have felt great ever since.
Wednesday I had another complete rest day - I can't believe how tired I have felt all week. I decided best to take enough recovery time before starting to train for my upcoming events.

Back in the Saddle....Spintastic
After weeks of no classes at the gym due to EHM training and lack of time in my schedule, I've been looking forward to getting back to Body Pump, Circuits and Spinning and today was my first spin class in weeks. It was made even better that the class was taken by my amazing personal trainer Colin. It was only a 30 minute spin express class but we worked hard and Smurfy & I were both dripping sweat by the end. The hardest part for me though was taking my jelly legs downstairs afterwards :-)
We need to talk KMac into joining us one day next week if all our diaries & work allows as we've not been to a class together in ages - and we always have such a great time & gossiping on the way there & back!


Well that's all for this evening folks - I'm hoping to get to the gym in the morning to do my programme but I'm not going to force it as I have been pretty tired this week. Already looking forward to freedom from the alarm on Saturday.

Take Care everyone

love
Fudgey
xxx

Food Fabulous Food

Hello again Fudgey Friends,

After publishing yesterday's post I realised that I hadn't given you the week 10 stats so here you are:

Stats for Week 10
Distance run this week 32.95km / 20.47 miles
Time running 3 hours 32 minutes 18 seconds

Now onto the food as promised:

Sweet Potato, Carrot, Chilli & Rosemary soup
2 small onions chopped
3 cloves of garlic chopped
1 large sweet potato peeled & chopped into small pieces
4 large carrots, peeled & chopped
1/2 tsp lazy red chillies
generous pinch of rosemary
vegetable oxo cube

I put the onions & garlic in a pan with a little water and cooked a couple of minutes till soft, I then added the red chilli & cooked for another minute, I then added the sweet potato, carrots, a vegetable oxo cube & topped up with water. I then added the rosemary and simmered for about 20 minutes. I then left to cool & blended.
We had this for dinner this evening & it was gorgeous. I just made it up myself inspired by a friend's facebook post about sweet potato mash with chilli & rosemary...so Thanks Alex. Mr Fudgey might have liked a little less chilli but he still enjoyed this. I'll be making this one again.

I also made another batch of banana & blueberry muffins for work.

We had invited Mum & Dad Smith for Sunday dinner so I made Haggis Filo Parcels & Plum sauce. We just love these so simple to make & so tasty.

Then for main course I made garlic chicken again so easy, simply stir fry chicken pieces & then once cooked add plenty of chopped garlic & stir fry a couple of minutes more. I also made 5 spice pork, pork strips marinated in sherry, soy sauce & chinese 5 spice powder. I use a tablesppon each of sherry & soy sauce & 1/2 teaspoon of chinese 5 spice powder per 100g of pork. I marinade the pork for at least 30 minutes & the stir fy with whatever veg take my fancy. Yesterday mange tout, baby corn, re & green peppers and red onion.
I served the main course with cous cous to which I added lemon juice, chopped cherry tomatoes and chopped spring onions.

We had a little cous cous left over so I added some chicken breast and some mint and Mr Fudgey and I both had this for lunch today.

And back to the running

Week 11 Run 1
Just a short 20 minute run today and did 3.24km. Nothing exciting to report....though legs feel very good after the ice bath

Blog Title
It occurred to me today that in 13 days time the Fudgey EHM Countdown will be over...I'll need a new blog title. I'll need some new challenges. I haven't booked anything yet, though I do fancy The Scottish Kilomathon, but I'm not signing up for anything till after the half marathon... we'll all just need to wait and see!

And that my dear friends is it for another day.

Take care everyone
love
Fudgey
xxx