Fabulous Fudgey Friends

Hello all,

Yes I'm back again. Just a short post I think - but who knows once my brain gets into gear what random tangent it will take!

Friends
. I have the best friends ever & I love them to bits. Yes Miss KMac Gym / Mountain Barbie & Mrs Smurfy that's you two. Thanks so much for the books & the key rings. I might have to deal with morons on a very regular basis and being a sensitive little Fudgey it does bring me down, but having friends like you & of course an amazing hubby like Mr Fudgey makes it tolerable. Morons are only a temporary blight on my horizon.
Seriously though - Thanks guys - you really are the best.
Mr Fudgey & I loved the key rings. Little Miss Chatterbox for me - so appropriate LOL & Mr Perfect....Mr Fudgey laughed & asked if the two of you were drunk when you went shopping he he he.

Week 5 Run 2

45 minutes steady today. It was hard going for the first 20 minutes but once past the 20 minute mark I could have ran and ran. Yet again I looked like I'd been for a dip in the Forth - but this doesn't bother me now because apparently:
If you’re fit, the more you’ll sweat. Sweating is the body’s way of cooling itself. This mechanism improves as you exercise regularly.

"As you get in better shape, your body learns to cool itself more efficiently. Blood is shunted to the skin’s surface more quickly via tiny blood vessels that dilate and radiate heat away from the body. At the same time, the sweat glands increase their output of a fluid-and-sodium mixture, which cools the body as it evaporates. While fit people produce more sweat than sedentary folks, they lose less salt, because more of it is reabsorbed by the body’s cells as it travels from the sweat glands to the skin’s surface. The result: More copious and diluted sweat, and more rapid cooling"

I'm a Saucony Girl
I wore my new Asics running shoes for the first time today and though they were good and I had a good run, they just simply weren't Saucony. I'm definitely a Saucony girl. I'll continue to use the Asics and they will get run into the ground ;-)but I think I'll be sticking with the Saucony shoes for my actual races. I'll keep you updated on the Asics though as today was only the first outing & I may come to love them as much as my Sauconys once they are broken in.
After my run the abs Doms kicked in I think a combo from circuits, PT & the run & I now feel like I've been used as a punch bag - it's all good though - abs doms are my absolute favourite :-)

To PT or Not to PT
I've been asked a lot recently about Personal Training by people who are considering hiring a PT themselves and I'd thoroughly recommend it. Even if it's just a couple of sessions as a taster. PT has really worked for me and I love it but there is no one size fits all. I think you also have to be realistic about what you want to achieve and how much time and effort it will take. Personal Training is fantastic, but 1 PT session a week and then no other exercise isn't likely to get you the results you want.
Many people see having a trainer as a luxury or an indulgence and yes that is partly true - but I'd rather spend my money on my health & fitness than anything else.
I know I would have lost the weight without the services of lovely but evil Colin! but I certainly wouldn't have the body shape I do now - without the expert guidance, encouragement & focus I get from having a PT.
So if you're thinking about it - give it a go - what have you got to lose? If you try it and it's not for you then at least you'll know and can find an alternative that does work for you. Everyone's different - some people love group classes and never step into the gym, some people want to be outdoors and never step into the gym and some people are the opposite and love the gym but hate group classes. It's about finding what suits you and works for you.

Oh my goodness where did this post go off too - words of wisdom....or just general rambling from Little Running Wifey today.

Well I'm off to have a cup of tea and unwind. Friday tomorrow Woooooooooo Hooooooo

love
Fudgey
xxx

Fast Fudgey

Hello Fudgey Friends,

How are you? Can you believe it's hump day already?
My new Asics running shoes arrived today. I bought them as a little treat to myself and also as the product information read 'A superb performance running shoe with a focus on providing a lightweight construction. The DS Trainer 14 continues as a lightweight favourite but has increased levels of cushioning and support to provide more versatility as an everyday training shoe for faster paced training. ' faster paced training - well if I want a sub 2 hour half marathon sounds like just what I need!! Yes I already have 2 pairs of running shoes but I have run over 700km so far this year so another pair will get put to good use. I'm hoping the new running shoes will motivate me for a morning session tomorrow but given recent track record - don't hold your breath!


Week 5 Run 1
20 minute easy run. No problem. I'm starting to get really back into it again and enjoying it.

Body Pump
I went to pump again on Monday evening and it was a great class and a really good way to destress after a busy day at the office.

Work
is really good but busy busy, but that keeps me out of trouble and I'd rather be busy than not.

Circuits
Andy took circuits for the first time in a good few weeks and pushed us really hard. It was a busy class as well which was nice as recent weeks have seen only 4 or 5 people but there was at least double that. It also saw the reunion of KMac, Smurfy & Fudgey - the first class we've all gone to together in ages. The stations were:
sprint with 5 press ups at each end
squat jumps
standing long jump
tricep dips
pikes
sprint was burpee at each end
punch bag jabs
overhead barbell lunges
bunny hops
plyometric lunges
squat with alternate push press
dumbbell jabs
tricep press ups
sit ups
plank
superman extensions
bag punch

as well as some ski sits, spiderman crawls with burpees, squat thrusts & press ups thrown in just to finish us off at the end.
Andy - you are evil....but we still Love ya!

My Personal Trainer is trying to kill me
seriously I think he is! Today was revisting an old favourite fast 1km runs with some lovely overloading in between.
Previous best time for a km 5 mins 27 secs but an average of around 5 mins 40 secs so aim today was to try to equal or better 5:27 & certainly no slower than 5:40

1st km 5 mins 19 :-)
3 sets of burpees 20, 18 & 16
2nd km 5 mins 14 secs :-)
3 sets of single arm clean & press 12, 10 & 8 each arm
3rd km.......fast fudgey woo hoo 5 mins 08 secs. Where this came from I have no idea & that's without the new shoes :-D I did however look like I'd just swam the Forth.

then onto abs
3 tri sets of slow leg lifts, russian twist & windscreen wipers - I think Colin made the name for that one up!
3 super sets of single arm cable rows & wood chops.

I was dripping sweat, a lovely shade of pink & knackered. I think PT stands for Personal Torture....& I pay for this? Am I mad?.....YES actually I probably am....in fact no probably about it LOL.


So now I'm chilling out. Going to get a cup of tea & veg out in front of Big Brother with Mr Fudgey. I should add he is not a BB fan - he just humours me!!!!

Take Care everyone
love
Fudgey xxx

Fudgey versus The Hill

Happy Sunday Fudgey Friends,

How is everyone? What have you been up to this weekend? Surprise surprise I've been run, run, running!
Training for Glasgow is going well. I guess having already done the Edinburgh half I'm a little less scared of the distance and know that I can do it. I still haven't made a single morning gym visit this week, however I've still managed 4 runs, a gym session, a body pump class, a circuits class & a personal training session - so I think no morning sessions is allowed as I made up for it elsewhere. Even in the morning when I wake up and don't feel the workout vibe I still take my kit into the office as I know that I'll most likely fit in something at lunchtime or after work. I'd rather go for a quick 20 minute run than doing nothing at all, and I guess that just shows how important it is to me, I make it fit in with how I feel and around my life, my life doesn't revolve around it but it is something I love and enjoy doing so I'm going to keep on doing it. I'm also constantly inspired and motivated by my amazing friends who feel the same and I love the like minded people out there who totally understand the desire to train hard and feel good. I'm also inspired by the number of people who like me aren't just doing it for themselves but are raising money for numerous charities by doing all sorts of challenges.

KMac Does Kili
Kmac hasn't blogged for a while, but she is still training hard, and it's not too long till she heads off to conquer Kilimanjaro. KMac is raising funds for the same charity I did - CCLASP

or how about

12 marathons in 12 months
I heard about this yesterday from my fellow crazy running chick Karen and just thought WOW.
Jeff has already run 7 marathons so he is over half way through his challenge, and is raising money for a number of charities - including Pancreatic Cancer UK which is very poignant to me and my friends and colleagues as Judi's Ray's of Sunshine recently took part in Race for life for our friend Judi who has this horrible disease. Please pop over & visit his blog, it is very very worthy of a visit.I don't want to tell you too much I want you to go and read for yourself but Jeff like me previously couldn't run to the end of the street in his case due to asthma.
Ordinary people do Extraordinary things.
Good Luck Jeff - keep running.

so back to my week and hopefully my energy & enthusiasm will also inspire you a little:

Week 4 Run 2
Oops Friday & only one run done and I didn't make my morning session, but I did manage to fit in my 55 minute session after work. 10 minutes easy, followed by 4 intervals of 5 minutes had & 3 minutes easy, finishing off with 10 minutes easy.

Week 4 Run 3 - That flaming hill!
Saturday is normally a non running day for me, but Mr Fudgey and I were heading off to spend the night at his Mum & Dad's so I thought I'd fit in my long run before we went and I was feeling really up for it. This weeks long run according to the plan was to be 1 hour 45 minutes. I decided I'd head up to Holyrood and attack Arthur's Seat again.....OMG that hill kills me, though I do find it easier tackling it in a clockwise direction as it doesn't seem as steep, still hard work though, but so worth it for the panoramic views of Edinburgh at the top. It was really busy with lots of runners, tourists and even a Bollywood film crew.
I had a little people rage too. Why when I am moving at speed and listening to an ipod do I have more spatial awareness and common courtesy than people wandering round Edinburgh?? & honestly you'd think some people had never seen a runner before....nothing to see here people please move out of the way or I will try & run through you next time!
I actually ran for 2 hours 8 minutes and managed 19.5km (12.12 miles). Lovely ice bath when I got home - you do get used to them and it does help so much.
In the afternoon we headed out to Mum & Dad Smith's and we have a lovely lamb dinner, followed by a game of Mexican train dominoes which I won! Woo Woo!!

Week 4 Run 4
Mum & Dad Smith took Mr Fudgey & I off to do our weekly shop and since we had the car we were able to stock up on loads of things. I replenished my supplies of sports gels.
After we had lunch we headed back home and I wanted to go for a short recovery run and to tick off that 4th run if the week. I don't know where it came from but I was flying. I don't know how after yesterday's long run, but I just let my body do what it wanted & 5k done no problem.

Stats for Week 4
Distance run this week 35.61km / 22.13 miles
Time running 4 hours 0 minutes 46 seconds

So all in all it's been a pretty good week. I did get a blood blister on my big toe - but hey I'm a runner now that's what happens from time to time. I am less amused about the metal wheelbarrow that fell against my shin in the garden - Doh.

And that folks is it for now. I'm going to go & spend the rest of the evening with Mr Fudgey & the furry fellas.

Take Care
Lots of love
Fudgey
xxx

Happy Happy Happy :-D

Hello Fudgey Friends,

How is everyone? Have you had a good day?

I've had 2 really good days both at work & the gym. Since I started my new role 4 months ago, I've felt sometimes a little & sometimes a lot out of my comfort zone, but in the last 2 days I really feel like I've found my feet and regained my confidence - it's a great feeling. I really wanted a new challenge and the new role certainly has given me that & I'm starting to really enjoy it & be a bit more me again. I've also regained my workout mojo. I've just been plodding along more out of routine than real desire to train, but the last couple of days I think I had an epiphany of how far I've come, how much I've achieved and how much fitter I am. I still haven't managed a morning gym session this week, but with the following workouts done - does that really matter?
Monday - short run (26 mins) & Body Pump (60 mins)
Tuesday - partial gym programme (35 mins)
Wednesday - Circuits class (45 mins)
Thursday - Personal training (60 mins)
I think I've been way to hard on myself and the morning gym visits will return when the time is right.

Colin's Circuit Class
I only went yesterday as my personal trainer Colin was taking the class & I knew he'd kick my butt if I didn't!
It was a fab class yet again & I think helped fuel my good mood & positive vibe for the rest of the day.
After a warm up, it was onto the circuit, 1 minute at each station for the first circuit, a couple of minutes rest & then 45 seconds at each station before cool down & stretch.
Bosu ball squats with 5kg dumbbells
Supermarket Sweep - another invention of Colin's he'd filled one of the big baskets that normally holds various gym equipment with weight plates & we had to push it from one end of the studio to the other & then pull it back. I thought it was great fun - but too light - so second round Colin jumped in it too!
agility ladder, crawl & 10 bunny hops
burpees
ab extensions
swiss ball twists
oblique twists with 6kg medicine ball
upright row with 12.5kg bar
I was my usual sweaty mess by the end - but in such a good mood & so glad I had gone.

PT Session
4 minute row challenge - I managed 870m but I have done 890 before so I need to start working on bettering that. I'm not really competitive with others but very very competitive against myself. I always want to be making small improvements and progressing, even if its just perfecting technique rather than doing more reps or using heavier weights

3 x superset of single arm clean & press 10 each arm, with 10 double squat thrust & press up.

3 x superset of 4 straight leg dead lifts 30lb weights (heavy;-$ but I managed) & 2 long jumps (jumping over a step board)
3 x superset of single arm cable row 12 each arm & cable hamstring curl 12 each leg - both at 20kg

3 x superset of hanging leg raises (12, 10 & 8 reps) with oblique cycles (30, 24 & 20 reps)
It was the first time I'd done hanging leg raises not on the roman chair so my arms were taking my whole weight & I was dangling in mid air, rather than using my forearms as support - I thought I managed OK, I didn't do the 12 reps all in one I had to stop and re adjust my hands a couple of times, but even 6 months ago I couldn't have even imagined attempting that. Next time I'll need to remember my weight gloves as my poor hands really took it today between that & the 2 x 30lb weights for the dead lifts.


I'm hoping after all that I sleep well tonight & Mr B does not give us another 5am alarm call like he did this morning.


I'm aiming for my Friday morning treadmill session - but we'll see what happens.

Happy Birthday Mum
I want to sign off by wishing my Mum a very Happy Birthday. here's a calorie free cake for you! Hope you had a good day. Will see you soon x


lots of love
Fudgey
xxx

Another 15 minutes of Fame

Hi Fudgey Friends,

How is everyone today?
I've had a pretty good day & good week so far - though no morning gym yet....there's always tomorrow.....no seriously tomorrow morning I'm on it!


Beau
Love the little guy to bits but not when he is squealing like someone stuck a skewer up his bottom at 2.47am! He was also at it at around 5am so I was shattered & never got up at 6am to head to gym. The picture is one Fantastic Mr Fudgey took at the weekend & just sums the wee dude up.




Best magazine
I appear in this week's Best magazine - page 20 - another article about my weight loss. I feel so proud and really hope that I can inspire others. A huge Thank you to Maria Croce who has written a few articles on me now for The Sun, Boost Magazine & now Best. Thank you also to Maria for the gorgeous flowers she sent me....but poor Mr Fudgey was a little concerned as to who else was sending his little running wife flowers LOL

Week 4 Run 1
First run of the week completed yesterday lunchtime. 27 easy minutes.

Body Pump
I also went to body pump last night - this week taken by the lovely Gary. I am so glad I've gone back to pump - I do really enjoy the classes and I know that it compliments my running and makes me feel good - so I plan to make pump a regular thing.

New Programme
My amazing & lovely personal trainer Colin wrote me a nice new programme a couple of weeks ago as I'd asked him to update the one I had. I asked him to focus mainly on upper body as I get plenty of leg work in with the running and usually during our PT sessions. I hadn't yet managed to road test it for one reason or another, but lunch time today I decided to give it a go and see how much I could get through in 30 to 40 minutes.
Warmed up with 5 minutes on the cross trainer, then onto the programme
3 supersets of swiss ball chest press with 15kg bar x 15 & 12 swiss ball press ups. I managed pretty well till the last set of press ups and had to do the last 6 on the floor without the ball
next should have been cable pull downs & upright rows - but cables were in use so I moved onto the next exercise & didn't have enough time to fit these in at the end.
3 supersets of 12 french press with 10kg bar & 12 seated bicep curls with 5kg dumbbells
then onto ab work
3 sets of 15 compound crunches
3 sets of 20 crunch, extend & lift.
All in all it went pretty well,and I worked up a sweat but I think I need to find an alternative for the cable pull downs as the cables are quite popular. I'm really pleased I went to the gym and did my programme even though I couldn't fit it all into the time I had, but I'd rather go and do something than not go at all. I will need to get Colin to demonstrate the ab exercises again & get me to do them so he can correct my technique as I'm not convinced I did exactly what I was meant to.

Sports Massage
My right hip has been quite tense for a few weeks now, actually it started under my buttock but kind of moved round, so I thought with 7 weeks to the Glasgow half that I had better go and get a maintenance massage before I needed a corrective one or even worse the tension turns into an injury. I've also had a little bit of a sore shin - not when I am running or working out but just sometimes feels like I've been kicked hard. Clare worked her magic yet again and has straightened me all out. I'm hoping as well that my massage will help with a good night's sleep..........as long as little B man behaves....no squealing in the early hours please Beauber.

and that my fudgey friends is all my news, other than another Thank you to Dad Smith for the first class gardening, dish washing and delivery service. Thanks Dad x

Take Care Everyone
Fudgey
xxx

Saddle Up

Hello Fudgey Friends,

Saddle up it's going to be a long one today!
When I started my blog the plan was to post at least once a week, but I quickly found that little and often worked better rather than a mammoth post at the end of the week, however recently life and work have overtaken me a little and I've only been posting a couple of times a week, which would be fine if I didn't have so much I wanted to share with the blog world. Sadly my training has been suffering a little too & my 3 mornings a week in the gym have dwindled down to only 1. I've also been eating more rubbish than I know I should and though my weight is still at target I know I could be doing so much better. So today I've uploaded all my foodie pics to share with you. I'll keep it mainly to photos but if anyone wants recipes please let me know and I will provide. I'll give you an update on my training for the rest of this week since Wednesday's post as well as an update on my 1000km in 2010 challenge. I am also now making a public pledge to get back on track and be in the gym 3 mornings a week, as well as paying more attention to what I'm eating which I know will give me more energy and make me feel so much better.

Food from the Fudgey Kitchen
Turkey & Mango Stir Fry











Homemade Turkey burgers










Spicy Chickpeas and Cous Cous

Chicken Pineapple Parcels

served with steamed veg & philly risotto

Moroccan Meatballs
served with harissa salsa & mushroom rice

Corn Muffins
A huge Thank you to my lovely sister in law Kristin who sent me the mix for these from the States.


Cajun Blackened Chicken with Avocado Sauce
Oops forgot to photograph the sauce.

served with stuffed tomato & broccoli

Hope you like the photos and they provide some inspiration.

Week 3 Run 2
Never happened. Should have been a 40 minute run but as run 1 ended up on Tuesday due to me being poorly I never manged to fit this one in. I could have if I'd got my butt out of bed on Thursday morning but I didn't.

Week 3 Run 3
Again I never got out of bed for what is my usual Friday treadmill session. So that was a grand total of 0 mornings in the gym this week :-(
I did redeem myself by going after work though which is very unusual for me but I managed to get away about 4:50pm and realised that I seriously needed to get myself back on track. The running was great. 10 minutes easy followed by 4 x (3 minutes hard, 3 minutes easy) and finishing with 10 minutes easy plus a few extra minutes cool down

Week 3 Run 4
My weekly long run is the one run I know I really shouldn't miss out on as it is by far the most important so I was a little concerned when my tummy decided it hated me last night and was gurgling and churning away like a washing machine and had me up and down a few times. It wasn't much better first thing this morning either and I wondered how I could manage 9 minutes running never mind the planned 90. I got up and after a small cup of tea, some oat bites and some water whilst I got ready I headed out the door...... amazingly I managed to run for 105 minutes and it felt awesome....only when I got home did my tummy decide to play up again....what's with that?
Today also saw the return of the ice bath. This was the first one since the Edinburgh half marathon and I forgot to make up the ice last night - however I splashed out £1.30 and bought a bag so that I could still have my ice bath.

I ran a slower pace than usual today, but it felt really good and I ran a little over 16km / 10 miles. It's 7 weeks today till the Glasgow half and at the moment I don't fear the distance as I know based on how I felt today that I can do it. Still 7 weeks is a long time and I need to get my training and nutrition back on track. I also need to get a sports massage soon as my right hip is niggling a little and I know I should deal with it before it becomes a problem.

Given I missed a run this week I'm really pleased that my distance for the week is a little more than last week but less time :-)

Stats for Week 3
Distance run this week 26.49km / 16.46 miles
Time running 2 hours 56 minutes

1000km in 2010
is still on track and I'm delighted to report that up till today I have logged 678.53km (421.62 miles)
This is the approximate distance from Edinburgh to Reigate Hill.


And that my fudgey friends is me up to date. I feel better already for confessing my training and nutritional shortcomings so next week is going to be a great week.

Love to you all.
Fudgey
xxxx

A Fabby Day

Hello Fudgey Friends,

How is everyone today? I've had a brilliant day today, full of good stuff and lots of my favourite things.

My Fabby Fudgey Wudgey Woo Day
After feeling very poorly on Monday and still a little jaded round the edges yesterday, today - Hump day had me back to fudgey form.

It's rained all day here and unlike most people it's had me grinning ear to ear. I love love love the rain ;-D

I've had a successful and productive day at work and dare I say even enjoyed it a little.

I had a cracking PT session with Colin. Most people would be put off by the running till you want to throw up and looking like you've just been drowned - but you know me far from normal. Today's session consisted of:

quick bike warm up
3 sets of 10 compound exercise first set with 12.5kg bar & other 2 sets with 15kg bar
3 supersets of 15 Smith machine squats & single leg lunges 10 each leg with 12.5kg bar.
Run Hill Intervals 6% gradient 30 secs @ 8km/h and 1 min @ 9.2km/h repeat x 6 - it was really tough going today - not helped by the fact that the gym was roasting.
3 supersets of jack knifes (15 reps) & hanging legs raises (12, 10, and 8 reps
finishing off with some ab work which included:
russian twists 6kg medicine ball, oblique cycles, swiss ball obliques.

Then I came home to find that my lovely Mum and Dad in Law had dropped off a new container of cat litter & cat treats & goodies sent from my super Sis in Law Kristen. Kristen sent some magnetic note pads, some corn bread & muffin mix - can't wait to make corn muffins & some Montreal steak & chicken seasonings. Thank you so much Kristin - watch out for photo of corn muffins when I make them.

Then I got to do another of my favourite things - cooking. Poor Hubby had a bit of an upset tummy so he just wanted some soup - I made him fresh carrot & coriander soup & when I tasted it - thought it was delicious... I don't normally like carrot & coriander soup! All that was in it was onion, carrots, fresh coriander & chicken stock. I needed something more substantial after my workout and decided to concoct my own lamb chilli....another fudgey kitchen success
onion & garlic softened in a little olive oil, red chilli and cumin and fresh coriander stirred in, then added lamb mince and browned, then added some chopped red, yellow & green peppers, a courgette chopped into chunks, 1/2 can of butter beans, a tin of chopped tomatoes, tomato puree and a little chicken stock & simmered for 30 minutes.

Then to round of my fab day I got to curl up with Mr Fudgey and watch a movie - completely undisturbed for once. We watched The Illusionist and I really enjoyed it.

Poorly Fudgey
Just a quick round up of the week so far. I was not well on Monday, had a very crampy tummy and a sore throat and just generally felt bleurgh, so much so I had the day off work..... for me this is very unusual....I usually soldier on regardless so taking the day of caused a little concern and wasn't helped by other unpleasantness - but I am absolutely fine now and Thanks to all for their calls, texts and worrying - you shouldn't have - but I know it's because you care.
I should have ran on Monday & gone to body pump - but obviously neither happened.

Week 3 Run 1
Delayed from Monday to Tuesday. Was only to be 15 minutes easy but I ran for 25 minutes including almost 20 at my ideal race pace ie sub 2 hr half marathon pace. The running helped shake off whatever had been hanging over me from Monday and I was glad I'd done it.

And that my fudgey friends is me up to date again. Hoping to run in the morning.
Hope you've all had a good day.

I want to leave you with a wee quote that I think some of you will really appreciate...

"The hardest challenge is to be yourself in a world where everyone is trying to make you be somebody else"

Lots of Love & Hugs to everyone
Fudgey
xxx