I'm Still Here

Hello Fudgey Friends,

A special hello to my new followers :-)
How is everyone?
I'm sorry my posting the last few weeks has been a bit sparse, I seem to be in perpetual motion in one way or another all the time. Work continues to be a huge challenge and is keeping my brain busier than ever. I'm actually now even dreaming about work, at least when I do get to sleep. My sleep pattern has been about as good as my recent blog posts. On top of this I'm trying to make sure I keep the training up, dealing with the house move and of course trying to spend time with my amazing hubby. He is so patient & supportive.
I've realised as well that my eating has not been good either, not enough fruit or drinking enough water - so I'm really going to make a conscious effort to regain control in the next 2 weeks leading up to the Kilomathon.

So a quick update on my week:

Monday
Managed to fit in a quick 20 minute lunchtime run and then Body Pump after work. Then off to Fat Club - I hadn't been in 3 weeks, partly due to being away, the half marathon and still being a little down at not making the Slimmer of the Year final. Wasn't too pleased to find I'd gained 2.5 pounds, but I know my food has not been so good recently and there was probably a bit of fluid retention. I'm going to go back to writing down everything I eat this week and after the kilomathon is out of the way I'm going to drop the long distance running down a touch till the end of the year & really focus again on fat burning and toning.

Tuesday
I had an all day course at work - Advanced Thinking and Learning. It was very good and I got a lot out of it, once I stopped stressing about what a day away from my desk meant for the rest of the week & how much I'd have to catch up on. I was less pleased to find my lunch hour sabotaged by a barrage of questions as I returned to my desk so it was very much a working lunch - lesson learnt here! Still nice to be needed and wanted. When the course finished I headed straight for the gym as I knew if I went back to my desk it would end up being a late one. In the gym I decided I'd do some of my gym programme & some of my own thing.
Quick warm up on cross trainer
3 supersets of 15 swiss ball chest press with 15kg bar & 12 swiss ball press ups
3 supersets of 15 lat pull downs 30kg & 12 upright rows with 12.5kg bar
I then ran a km in 5 mins 46
Then 3 sets of 15 squats with 20kg bar - heaviest I've ever done on my own :-)
finishing up with 3 tri sets of 15 ab extensions with 10kg medicine ball, 15 reverse curls & 10 medicine ball crunches.
Best solo gym session I've had in ages and I was hyper. I love it when you have those kind of workouts.

Wednesday
My abs were feeling the effects of Tuesday's session but that didn't stop me heading off to circuits with Smurfie. Circuits is by far my favourite class ever. I love it.
The class was taken by the lovely Gary this week though he is now known as lovely but evil Gary! It worked out quite nicely this week as there were 12 of us at the class and 12 stations. First round 1 minute per station, second round 45 seconds per station & the stations were: squats, ski sit, swiss ball chest press, tricep dips, supermarket sweep, v sit twists, bent over row, bicep curls, v sit shakes, weighted sprints, bag drag & plyometric jump. I really pushed it hard and had jelly legs down the stairs afterwards though.
It really set me up for a productive afternoon at the office and I stayed on till 7pm but I really enjoyed it and finally felt I'd achieved something.
I got home to find that fantastic Mr Fudgey had brought me flowers & a pink earphone cable tidy. Thank you hubbly x







Thursday
Personal training day Woo Hoo. I knew it would be interesting as my abs were protesting at the torture I put them through so far this week. With every session my theory that Colin is trying to kill me grows stronger.....he hasn't succeeded yet....but he could be close.
After a warm up on the cross trainer it was up to the studio for a lovely giant set - well 4 lovely giant sets with limited rest in between. The giant set was ski sit, 15 squats with 30kg bar, 20 jump kicks & 12 squat jumps with weights. Then we went back down into the gym for an abs tri set well 3 trisets of 16 oblique circles with 5kg medicine ball, 20 oblique circles, & side plank. Then 3 sets of 20 power lunges with 15kg bar and then to finish off run for 1 minute fast with burpees 5 times so run, 12 burpees, run, 12 burpees, run, 10 burpees, run, 10 burpees, run, 8 burpees. I don't know how I managed - I don't think I could have done anymore though if I tried. It certainly made sure I got a good sleep though.

Friday
I decided that I'd run home from work - it's only about 5k & the running was not so bad, but my headphones kept getting tangled in my running pouch & then round my neck nearly strangling me. This is because the cable is quite long & normally I thread it through the sleeve of my top, but I had a long sleeved top as the weather is turning cooler now. Still I got home in one piece & only a few minutes behind Mr Fudgey who had got the bus.

Saturday
I was so looking forward to a lie in and no alarm this morning so wasn't too chuffed when I woke up at 2 & was awake till around 6ish. I did however mange to get off to sleep and never woke till 10ish - how very decadent. Mr Fudgey and I had an appointment in town at lunchtime so headed in for that & then we went off to Run for It as I had been nominated for a personal achievement award at work a few months ago due to my running & fund raising & had chosen run for it vouchers as my reward. There really wasn't anything I particularly needed I'm quite well kitted out at the moment, but I'd been reading about compression clothing and had seen a pair of 2XU Recovery Compression socks, I probably wouldn't spend £25 on a pair of socks but have heard good things about compression clothing & 2XU in particular so with my £20 of vouchers I thought why not - so I now own a pair - will let you know my opinion once I try them out. I also got some gels, some sports beans to try & some energy drink tablets to try too. I was very happy with my purchases :-)
Mr Fudgey suggested going for a coffee and I suggested the place we got married as we haven't been there for ages and had planned to go back round about our first anniversary, so we headed off to Dunstane House hotel , and had a fantastic lunch. For the rest of today we've just pottered about but it's been really relaxing.

1000km in 2010
Only 120.94 km to go. Yes 879.06km done and still plenty of time till the end of 2010. Tomorrows run should be around 25km or more so it's all looking good.

Next Challenges
My friend Patricia has been pondering the Men's Health Survival of the Fittest event in Edinburgh mid October and having been and visited the site I am very tempted to sign up. I've just watched the video clip from 2009 and it looks awesome....like a big outdoor circuit class. What better way to finish off this years Fudgey events? What do you think Fudgey followers? I'm trying to bear in mind it's only 2 weeks after the kilomathon & 2 weeks before we move home....but I am thinking about it very seriously.....so any words of wisdom and advice graciously accepted.

And that my fudgey friends is us all up to date again.
I'll let you know how tomorrow's long run goes.

Take Care everyone
love
Fudgey
xxxx

Glasgow Half Marathon Video

Hello Fudgey Friends,

Enormous Thanks to the very patient & determined Mr Fudgey the video is finally uploaded - issues with the soundtrack & you tube - but all good now. You'll need to double click on it to see in full screen via you tube.

Back tomorrow with a post of the week so far - I need to get refuel now as I've just been personal tortured.....oops meant trained.

Where did my week go?

Hello Fudgey Friends,

How are you all?
So sorry I haven't posted for a week I honestly don't know where this week went. I have got a lot done at work, but running / training has been lacking and I've not seen any of my TV programmes....though must confess to having a BBathon on Friday night. Also majorly excited that Strictly come Dancing is back, though 3 weeks till we see them dancing.

So just where did my week go?

Monday
My quads were pretty sore from GHM so it was quiet day at home for me, doing not a lot of anything really, but after 3 fairly hectic weeks I really needed that.

Tuesday
Back to work after just over a week off and it took me most of the day to catch up. In fact I'm probably still not 100% caught up with everything but have had a pretty productive though occasionally stressful week.
I did manage to get to the gym with Smurfy at lunchtime for a quick 30 minute recovery run. Given I was getting up & down and moving a little gingerly due to achy quads, running was going to be interesting, but it was actually great & I really got into & was running faster than I intended. It certainly loosened off the legs and followed by some quality stretches was just what I needed.

Wednesday
Was too busy at work to get to Circuits class at lunchtime, really must try & get back this week as it's my favourite class and I haven't been for a few weeks due to other commitments. I suspect though that with things being as busy as they are at work and all the house moving stuff etc. to sort out that I'm going to be out of my usual routine for a fair few weeks. Fantastic Mr Fudgey though is as supportive as ever and realises that my training and fitness are crucial to my sanity and resolving tensions and makes for a happier Mrs Fudgey at home, so I will fit in some working out here and there, somehow. I did manage to squeeze in a 40 minute run after work, which was OK, legs feeling strong and recovered after weekends half.

Thursday
Was a manic day at work, but I had a real sense of achievement by the time I left. There was a social event after work though that I missed out on as I'd had enough of the place by that point! so decided not to come back for later.
I had a PT session as well which left me with broken (though not literally) legs and abs.
Quick treadmill warm up
3 sets x 45 reps leg press 45kg (15 reps, 15 sec hold, 15 reps, 15 sec hold, 15 reps)Jelly legs after this
3 supersets of weighted steps up with barbell 10 each leg followed with 20 plyometric lunges
3 sets x 36 reps leg press 20kg, 15kg, 17.5kg(12 reps, 15 sec hold, 12 reps, 15 sec hold, 12 reps)OMG this burned. Had to lower the weight for the second set but increased again slightly for 3rd.
Then onto abs. 3 supersets of 15 ab extensions with crunch and a 25lb plate followed by 20 oblique cycles.
Oh boy was I feeling it on Friday.

Friday
Slept in :-(
Got off to bad start at work, got called away to a meeting & left my Starbucks at my desk, which by the time I returned was cold & as I had not yet eaten anything I was ravenous. I'm a fairly regular eater & most days eat breakfast between 8.30 & 9.30 so to get to 10.45 and have eaten nothing made me a bit crotchety!
Plan had been to run in the morning but sleeping over put paid to that plan. Took my kit with me and thought i might run home from work. That plan also got torpedoed as I ended up at the office till about 6.10pm so just went for the bus.

Saturday
After 3 busy weekends, this was a weekend to relax and catch up on some household chores. I went a little crazy and pulled out furniture, scrubbed skirting boards and floors and it took the entire day to do the lounge, bathroom & hall. Still great job done. I managed to rest for an hour whist watching Strictly and then made chicken stirfry for dinner.
I also managed to get some stuff packed, a couple of bags of rubbish thrown out and a charity bag started - so a very productive day, but I was shattered.

Today - Sunday
3 hour run planned this morning, but I wanted to be up & out by 9am at the latest. A very poor night's sleep scuppered that & I didn't get up till 9.30am. I thought I would just head out about 10.30 for a quick hours running but my throat was sore again, I was sniffly and I just felt pants. Decided to take a rain check & see how I felt later.
Me being me couldn't be at peace though & went out and started breaking up branches & putting them in the garden recycling.
I then sat & chatted to Mr Fudgey as he tackled the mammoth mountain of ironing, about 2 & a 1/2 weeks worth.
We decided to go and pick up some groceries at Asda & had a pleasant surprise when KMac and Rob pulled up at the bus stop and offered us a lift. Thank so much guys x
This time next week Kmac will be trekking up Kilimanjaro - it seems like so long ago it was just an idea and now it's nearly time. GOOD LUCK X
If anyone would like to sponsor the team you can find their justgiving page here.

Today is also our lovely sister in law's Birthday. Happy Birthday Mrs Muppet. Have a fudgey day xxx

and that my friends has been my week, I wish I could say that I think this week will be less hectic, but somehow I don't think it will, loads to do re move, a lot on a work including a full day course and will need to try and get at least a couple of decent runs in.

I've just realised I've posted no stats from the last couple of weeks either - so here you go:

Stats for Week 10
Distance run this week 26.57km / 16.51 miles
Time running 2 hours 48 minutes 06 seconds

Stats for Week 11
Distance run this week 9.67km / 6.01 miles
Time running 1 hours 11 minutes

Please bear with me for the next few weeks guys, I'll try & post more often, but there's just so much going on....can't wait to move though :-)

love to all
Fudgey
xxxx

Glasgow Half Marathon Race Report

Hello Fudgey Friends,

As promised report from the weekend's running

Preparation
Mr Fudgey very sensibly suggested that we book a hotel in Glasgow for Saturday night to save the stress of getting through on Sunday morning, so on Saturday lunchtime we got the train through to Glasgow & checked into our room at The Millennium Hotel, we then went for a wander round the shops. Mr Fudgey went off to HMV whilst I was let loose in Primark.....and you won't believe this I never bought a single thing. To be honest there's nothing I really need at the moment and I'd rather wait and buy nice things for our new home than clothes and shoes I don't really need or want.
We went to visit my Great Aunt Rose in hospital in the evening, she broke her femur a few weeks ago, but she was looking fantastic when we visited and is hopefully getting home later this week. After visiting we went for a meal at La Vita, its a fab Italian restaurant at George Square, we've eaten there a couple of times so I knew it would be good & they didn't fail to disappoint. I enjoyed the Pate and the Fusili Mia Casa: Chunks of chicken, broccoli, mushroom garlic, cream and a hint
of chilli. It was a huge bowl but I ate all of it. We then headed back to the hotel and were in bed before 10.30.

Race Day
We woke up early and headed down for breakfast around 8am, the half marathon didn't start till 10.30. I had eaten way too much on Saturday night and along with pre race nerves really struggled to eat a couple of slices of brown toast & some fresh fruit. I managed to drink a litre & a half of water and stopped drinking about 9.30 - so knew I was well hydrated. The forecast had been for bright sunshine but it was quite cloudy first thing. I still applied plenty of sun cream though and was glad I did as it turned into a scorcher. I taped my feet, got my kit on, attached my race number and my chip timer. Then I realised I'd been a dumbass - I'd created a playlist for the race....but never synched my ipod...Doh! It was fine though just meant I had to use my training playlist. Whilst waiting to head out to the start line at George square I think I must have gone to the loo about 10 times - must have been all the water. I also went along the corridor to watch some of the 10k runners starting as we could see them from the window. This really got me in the mood the atmosphere was electric.
At 10am we went and checked out and the hotel stored our bag for us. There were thousands of people milling around. Mr Fudgey headed off to find a good spot to try and catch me heading off on the run and I went to my starting area, but not before another toilet visit!
The half marathon started at 10.30am but there were 2 waves while & blue ahead of my green wave so I think it was around 10.45 when I crossed the start line. I saw Mr Fudgey a couple of blocks up and waved cheerio to him. Though the course was pretty congested it moved really well. The pace was nothing like Edinburgh, but I never had any expectations that it would be as I'd missed the last 2 weeks long runs due to illness. I had made the very sensible decision that I would just complete the course, I wanted to run the whole way if I could but if I had to walk I would.
The crowd never really thinned out much till around 7k and by 10k it was scorching hot, people were starting to stop and walk, but the Fudgey machine kept going, I was pacing nicely and felt great. I loved the pipers at each mile marker, and the drummers and the music at various points round the course. I loved running through Bellahouston Park and then Pollock Park where the spectators were awesome. A special mention as well for the guy somewhere around Haggs road part of the course who sprayed us with his garden hose and the family who had set up a water station. At 10 miles I still felt strong, much better than I had in Edinburgh and at that point I was confident I was going to get to the end having run all the way. I saw Mr Fudgey when i ran into Glasgow Green & I swear the runners around me thought I was mad as I was wooping & cheering - honestly I was just enjoying my run so much. Mr Fudgey told me after he nearly shouted at me to conserve my energy!
Turning into the home straight I managed a cracking sprint finish which drew comment from the announcer & big cheers from the supporters. I crossed the line in 2 hours 12 minutes and 21 seconds. 7 minutes slower than Edinburgh but feeling absolutely amazing.
I collected my medal, my goody bag, my banana & a bottle of water and headed off to find Mr Fudgey.
Fantastic Mr Fudgey had bought me a bottle of lucozade. We sat on the grass for a wee while and enjoyed the sunshine and I stretched off a bit and ate half my banana, Mr Fudgey suggested maybe going for lunch but even though I'd just run 13.1 miles I couldn't face the thought of food. Though my breathing had been fine during the race I started wheezing and then coughing again whilst we were relaxing, but Thankfully later in the evening I felt much better again - I think it was just the remnants of the cold, but I'll be keeping an eye on it, during my training the next few weeks.

Goody Bag
GSR sent the race t-shirts out with the race packs which I think is a great idea. Ireland did the same. It was great to see alot of people wearing their t shirts on the day but I prefer a technical running top for running but will be wearing my tshirt with pride now I feel I've earned it. The goody bag contained some Vicks Breathing sensations - which I was so grateful for - one of these really helped ease my breathing, there was also the now seemingly mandatory ricola herb drop - does anyone like these? mine always end up in the bin. a nature valley bar, a medley bar & a heat wrap. Fabby Goody bag.

Post Race
We headed back on the train to Edinburgh and just got a taxi from the station. As it had been nearly 3 hours since I'd finished running I thought I was too late to benefit from an ice bath so had a radox muscle soak. However today I am really regretting the missed ice bath and not taking my recovery drink or eating after the run as my quads and hamstrings are agony. Back to work tomorrow and back on the training plan for the Kilomathon in 4 weeks time.

For anyone thinking of signing up for Glasgow next year - either the 10k or the half I'd highly recommend it.

As always HUGE Thanks to the organisers and all the race support crew and volunteers etc. These events just couldn't work without you.

Final words of congratulations to all who took part yesterday. Special mentions to Zoe Sheffield - new PB for 10k, Julie Johnson - who has been struggling with illness the last 4 weeks & still took part in the 10k & Sarah Burgon for her first half marathon....see you at the marathon next year honey!

Take Care Everyone
lots of love
Fudgey
xxxx

Race Report to follow

Hello Fudgey Friends,

Hope you've all had a great weekend.

I'm just back from the Glasgow Half Marathon. Quite a bit slower than Edinburgh, ran 2 hours 12 mins 21 seconds (chip time)but I loved every second of it. Unfortunately my wheezing & cough are back :-(

HUMUNGOUS THANKS as ever to Mr Fudgey for being the best support crew a girl could have. Love you babe xxx

I'll be back probably tomorrow with a full race report, right now I need to relax a little....I think I might deserve it!!

lots of love
Fudgey
xxx

Whirlwind Week

Hello again Fudgey friends,

Wow where has this week gone? Well since my post on Sunday morning so much has happened & not happened!

Running or lack of it
I missed my long run on Sunday due to being unwell. In fact the first I ran was yesterday (Friday). We did plenty of walking in Windermere though and I had a great personal training session on Thursday.
On Friday I went out to run to assess my fitness for the Glasgow half marathon on Sunday. My legs have certainly benefited from the enforced rest and felt fresh and were twitching to go. I struggled in the first couple of km with my breathing, but I think partly it was in my head & I was starting to panic - I slowed my pace a little and soon settled nicely & my breathing was fine. I only ran 5k, but it was enough to reassure me that I am fit for Sunday. I may have to ease the pace back a bit, but even if I have to walk I'll finish the course. I'm starting to get a little excited about it as Glasgow is very special to me as that's where my family are from and it's a beautiful city. I'm looking forward to running through Bellahouston & Pollock Park and finishing at Glasgow Green. Will report back on Sunday how I get on.
Stats for Week 9
Distance run this week 9.87km / 6.13 miles
Time running 1 hours 09 minutes

Windermere break
On Monday Mr Fudgey & I took the train to Windermere. We were having 2 nights away for our first wedding anniversary. We had a fantastic couple of days. we arrived at lunchtime on Monday & after dropping our bags at the hotel we wandered back to the village and had a look around and some lunch at Lazy Daisy's. Then we went back to the hotel before climbing up to Orrest Head "Orrest Head, above the town of Windermere is considered by many to be the best viewpoint over Lake Windermere. At 784 feet, some excellent views over the surrounding area can be had from its summit." It was well worth the climb. We spent ages at the top admiring the view, enjoying the tranquility - we could hear the sound of the birds wings as they flew overhead and taking photos before heading back down to the village. We went for a chinese meal - a real treat for us and then back to our hotel, where we cozied up on the sofa & watched Hot Fuzz.
On Tuesday morning after breakfast we walked to Bowness and took a boat trip to Ambleside. At Ambleside walked the mile into the town, where we looked at the shops including a running shop, had some lunch, got exciting news number 1 (coming to that later!) and then climbed up to the waterfalls, before heading back to the pier and enjoying an ice cream before the boat trip back to Bowness. We decided that we would go back to Lazy Daisy's Lakeland Kitchen for our wedding anniversary meal - the meal was first class and we'd both highly recommend the desserts :-) We loved our 1st wedding anniversary it was so chilled out & the weather was glorious & of course there was the exciting news...soon I promise!
On Wednesday morning we headed back home - we had a great time and would love to go back again and explore other parts of the lake district.

Exciting news #1
I'll end the suspense. Mr Fudgey & I have a new home. We accepted an offer on our flat just over a week ago and started looking for somewhere to buy. We saw our dream home and even though we were going away got in touch with our solicitor and asked him to put in an offer for us. We got the news on our Wedding anniversary that our offer had been accepted - it is the best present we could have received (an expensive one though LOL)so now we are counting the days till we move onto the next chapter. So so so excited :-)

Exciting news #2
I've signed up for a marathon next year! Yes I am off my head. Entries for The Edinburgh Marathon 2011 opened on Wednesday and I have entered.

Slimmer of the Year
I got the news this morning that I am not a finalist. I'd be lying if I told you I'm not gutted.
However finding our new dream home this week is by far the best thing that has happened and removes the sting. I also have the Kilomathon to focus on now in 4 weeks & the Marathon in 37 weeks. Both of those will keep me motivated and in shape and at my optimum weight.

And that my fudgey friends is my whirlwind week so far. I'm just getting organised for tomorrow's half marathon. It looks like it'll be a hot one, so have my sun cream & will be getting plenty of water on board today to make sure I am well hydrated.

Good luck to everyone else with events this weekend

Take Care
love
Fudgey
xxx

Regrets? Life is too short

Hello Fudgey Friends,

Thanks to Liz for nominating me for an award this week!


My task is to answer the following question: if you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?

I have a strong belief that you shouldn't go back, only forwards and like Liz & Stephen Fry think that you should regret the things you haven't done rather than the things you did.

I've taken many a wrong turn, wrong decisions and made my fair share of mistakes but I don't dwell on them. I try to learn from them. In the words of Neitzche 'What does not destroy me, makes me stronger.'

If you were to press me though for an answer I think I'd have to say that knowing what I know now and feeling how I feel, I wish I had lost weight and got fitter sooner, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. It's only now looking back that I realise I was very unhappy and extremely unhealthy.

Life is too short for regrets. However I guess sometimes it's not that simple and if you find yourself really regretting something then you should take action to achieve some kind of closure and find a way to move forward.

I guess I've come to realise that I'm a glass half full kind of girl and try to seek out the positives but we aren't all the same - life would be so dull if we were.

I could ramble on and get all deep - but I'll spare you that!

I should nominate some other blogs for the award, so here it is:
Gym Ninja - the first blog I started following (well Ninja's previous blog) Witty and honest.
Just a Girl - the second blog I started following - totally on my wavelength, so open and honest. I feel like I've known JAG for years.
lovely deane lovely has done amazingly well so far & still continues her journey. someone else I can relate to on so many levels.

I'll be back soon to blog about my wee trip to Windermere, my 1st wedding anniversary, my exciting news x 2 and prepartion for Sunday's half marathon.

lots of love
Fudgey
xxx