Sunday, 11 September 2011

Hello Again Blog World

Hi Fudgey Friends,

How is everyone? What have you all been up to?

I apologise for being away for so long it's been a emotionally difficult time for Mr & Mrs Fudgey & our family & we have needed some time to deal with what has been happening & to grieve for a recent loss. I've also needed some time to heal physically as well as emotionally. On top of our immediate personal issues some of you may know that my Gran is very poorly and we are all trying to cope as best we can. I took some time away from blogging as I needed to focus my energy elsewhere and also I don't want to burden others with sadness too. I hope you will all understand.

The good news is though that September has seen me getting back to 'normal' & Dublin Marathon is very much back on the agenda. This is one tough challenge as I only have 7 weeks to get somewhere close to fit, but as many of you know my middle name should be Determined. I CAN DO THIS!

Hopefully regular blogging will return very soon.

Take Care everyone
lots of love
Fudgey xxxx

Monday, 15 August 2011

Time Out


Hello Fudgey Friends,

Sorry to have left you blogless for the last couple of weeks I know I promised to return, but sometimes when life gets in the way we need to take a step back & take some time out. There is a lot going on in Fudgey World right now and mostly I can't write about it - partly because it's too emotional and partly as it's not about me so not for me to blog about.

On top of this work is busy as ever but good and I feel like I've refound my confidence that was lacking this time last year and that I'm making progress.

I think I'm pretty much fully recovered from the yucky virus but Mr Fudgey is still coping with the tail end of it - think we will both be ecstatic when neither one of us is coughing anymore.

I am still training - not as much as I'd like but it's fairly consistent, I'm running, having my weekly PT & trying to do my gym programme once a week. It really helps me deal with all the other not so great stuff that is going on around me.

Hopefully I will get back to some more frequent blogging soon but I'm not going to promise too much - but fingers crossed.

Take Care Everyone
lots of love
Fudgey
xxxxx

Friday, 29 July 2011

Bliss Edinburgh Marathon Festival Team - Well done!

Hello Fudgey Friends,

Remember me? Yes I know I'm sorry it's been a while - nearly 3 weeks to be precise since my last post. As this blog is meant to be about my training & there has been a distinct lack of that recently due to this grotty virus thing I haven't a) had the energy or inclination to post & b) had virtually no training to really talk about.

However the good news is that I am finally finally feeling much more Fudgey. This week I've managed my PT session, 2 short runs & a cycle & hope to fit in my weights programme today :-)

I do have some non training stuff such as couple of days in Glasgow & some foody posts to share & will do so soon - watch this space.





















I wanted to post today though to say an ENORMOUS THANK YOU to everyone for their support & sponsorship for the Edinburgh Marathon. I raised £982.48 so am delighted.
If anyone didn't get round to sponsoring me & would still like to my page is still open for another 3 weeks.
Sponsor Link


I've had an email today from Bliss to say Thank you which prompted this post, as I couldn't have done this without all of you.

"Thank you all so much for sending your funds in for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. I can reveal that the Bliss Edinburgh team has overall raised a truly fantastic:

£11,000

We’re so grateful for all of your incredible hard work fundraising for Bliss and for you all choosing to support our work for special care babies in such an amazing way. Thank you for being part of the team!

Thank you all again so much for your wonderful fundraising. We really couldn't continue our work without the support of fundraisers like you and we are so grateful for all your hard work!

The funds you have all raised will make a real difference to the lives of special care babies and their families- these monies could fund 22 Bliss support groups for a whole year, or go towards funding one of our major research projects, making sure that more tiny babies have the very best start in life. Because of you we will be able to help even more sick and premature babies and support their families, so a huge THANK YOU!"


I'll be back soon - I promise

Take Care all
Lots of Love
Fudgey
xxxx

Monday, 11 July 2011

Finally Feeling Better

Hello Fudgey Friends,

Last week was another almost non existent training week. After Monday's 2 mini runs, I had PT on Tuesday afternoon & then didn't manage anything else all week.

However I pleased to say that today I finally feel much much much better and am hoping to get to the gym this afternoon.

I'm going to take it easy as after nearly 3 weeks of practically nothing I know I can't expect to return to normal immediately but fingers crossed that this will be the start of a return to normality & some form of consistent training.

Will let you know how I get on

lots of love
Fudgey
xxxx

Monday, 4 July 2011

Normal Service slowing returning

Hi Fudgey Friends,

Well it's been a wee while since my last post. I'm sorry I haven't written anything & I've had a few comments about the missing posts but sadly I've just not felt up to it.

In my last post I told you how I really struggled in the Race for Life 10k & I've been struggling ever since. I've had the most awful cough for the past 18 days which resulted in 3 days off work sick and in the last 2 weeks of June I only went to my weekly PT sessions and had one disastrous run - couldn't stop coughing.

Stats for June show how much my training dipped







I also had to temporarily suspend the 200 sit up challenge & the 100 press up challenge - which I'm pretty gutted about as I was going so well - but as I said this just a temporary suspension until I get myself well again.

I'm pleased to report though that finally I seem to be on the mend & the cough is nowhere near as fierce. I'm also counting my blessings that all that I've had was a very tiring & irritating cough. Unfortunately others are having to deal with much bigger and significant health issues so I am not going to whine or whinge.

Today I was back running - 2 mini runs of 3.15km & 4.19km - not going to set any Olympic records & still a bit of a cough but feeling a trillion times better. Still going to take it easy though till I know that I'm 100% as don't want to put myself back to square 1. Sometimes you have to listen to what your body needs & rest IS as important as training.
My attitude is; better 2 weeks off now than trying to push through & ending up having to take 2 months off because I've broken myself.
I wish I could say I was always this wise but those who know me well know I'm strong willed, stubborn, independent & don't do sick well!

Good news to share
So enough about me & now for some lovely news. I became an aunt for the 3rd time last Monday when my 3rd niece Elizabeth Erin arrived weighing 8 pounds 0.5oz. A little Sister for Rose & Margaret Mary. Huge Congratulations to my Sis & her hubby. Love you all lots & lots & hope to come & visit soon.

Last but not least
Massive Massive Thanks to the long suffering Mr Fudgey who has again done me proud - the Marathon vid is finally here. I can't believe how fresh I look after having run 26.2miles - makes me even more determined to do another :-)



and that dear lovely Fudgey Friends is all for just now. Time for me to get to bed.

Take Care all
lots of love
Fudgey
xxxxx

Monday, 20 June 2011

Race Report - Race for Life 10k

Hello Fudgey Friends,

Yesterday morning saw Mr Fudgey & I up early on our way to Edinburgh for The Race for Life 10k.

The race wasn't till 10am but due to the Sunday bus service we had to get the bus at 7.30am. Once we got to town we went to Starbucks for coffee & for me to make my now ritual dozen trips to the loo before a run!

Then we wandered down to Holyrood Park which was a sea of pink. It really was fab & the rain held of for us which was brilliant. Yet again I joined the toilet queue & I had to say the organisation was amazing there were actually people directly you to the portaloos as they became free which made the queue move really quick. The loos for a change also had toilet roll!

After the warm up from Rosemary Connelly, it was off to the start line where I found myself right at the front. This was great as in previous years I've got caught up in the walkers & had to weave in and out & unable to maintain any pace but as I was so close to the front I got a really good start - too good as I went off way to fast & blasted through the first km in 4 mins 30 seconds - way beyond my capability to maintain that sort of pace & I paid for it in the next 3km. Not helped by the fact I've been feeling a bit under the weather the last week or so & by 4k I felt that was it & seriously thought I'd have to stop. Thankfully though there soon as water stop & I slowed to a walk whilst I sipped the water. After another 2km I felt much better and finished the last 4km really strong & finished in 58 minutes 15 seconds.

It was a brilliant but tough course & I'll certainly be using it again as a training route.


When I was struggling I read the back signs on the ladies in front of me & was so inspired by them. I also had 2 runners stop and tell me they loved my back sign & that I inspired them.

I also saw a few people I know - Emma Younger, Linda Thomson & the lovely Emma Wrigley.

I also saw Denise Thomas & her daughter Meghan after I finished as they were running the 5k.

Race for Life truly is an amazing event & I feel so privileged to have been able to take part again this year. This year it was really really well organised, was a fantastic course & an amazing atmosphere.

Once across the finish line I've never been so glad to get a bottle of water in my life. I also collected my medal & my goody bag


Afterwards I popped to the gym to get showered & cleaned up & then took Dad Smith & the rest of the family to Cafe Andaluz for Father's Day lunch - by the time we'd had lunch & got home I could hardly move - I ate way too much - but the food was gorgeous.

Today I'm still coughing & spluttering all over the place so took a well deserved rest - just need to try & shift this cough.

Take Care everyone
lots of love
Fudgey xxx

Race for Life

Hi Fudgey Friends,

Full Race report will follow later but I made it round the 10k yesterday in 58 minutes 15 seconds. It was a tough hilly course & I was sick twice in the first 4k!

Amazing to see so many women taking part & was totally inspired by all the messages they had on their back signs.

Great event this year.

Take Care all
lots of love
Fudgey
xxxx