Another week for firsts

Hello Fudgey followers

How are you all?

We are all good & despite it being quite a quiet week for us in general, due to the heat & I actually just need a bit of time out of our hectic social scene, it's had a couple of momentous moments........

Buggy's first tooth is emerging. There isn't a great deal to see as she isn't that cooperative in showing us, but you can feel it & I have been able to get a little glimpse.

The big news of the week & something I've been keeping secret for about 6 weeks is that I returned to my first running event post baby on Sunday. Taking part in The Great Edinburgh 5k. Separate race report will follow soon.

Only a handful of people knew I was running. I chose to keep this very low key so as not to put any undue pressure on myself & in case I had to withdraw.

As some of you may know it was only 11 weeks ago that I was admitted to hospital seriously ill, at that point I had been signed up for The Edinburgh Marathon festival 10k, but with it being only 3 weeks away I had to withdraw as I was nowhere near fit or capable enough of running. Edinburgh Marathon Festival weekend came & I was quite gutted not to be part of it so started to look for something else. With only 5 weeks to go I took the decision to sign up for The Great Edinburgh Run 5k. I did consider the 10k but knew with a baby & being ill that this was a big demand on me so decided to be cautious & try & ease myself back in with the 5k. I loved being back & did better than I hoped but more on this in my race report.

RUNNING UPDATE
Last weeks sessions: Planned to run Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday

TUESDAY: Session 1: Run 30 minutes. It was a roasting day & I really feared going for this run even though I didn't go till 9pm. I was pleasantly surprised I had a lovely chilled out wee run with a gorgeous breeze keeping me cool. In fact I think was cooler outside than I was at home.

THURSDAY: Session 2: Run 20 minutes. This run was truly awful, I was insufficiently hydrated, it was far too hot & humid & my legs felt so heavy, it was like trying to run through treacle with someone holding the back of my top to stop me moving forward, but I got it done.

 

SUNDAY: Session 3: Run 5K. Well you already know I ran 5k on Sunday. Managed it in 34.56 slow compared to pre baby but my fastest 5k post baby & better than I had hoped.

 

This weeks planned sessions: ..........

 

At the moment there is no plan. I want to take 2 or 3 days off running before starting back & I need to decide whether to focus on speed or distance. I think I'll probably run a couple of times later in the week with no agenda other than just enjoying it & embark on the next phase of my return to fudgey fitness next week.

 

30 DAY SQUAT CHALLENGE & 30 DAY AB CHALLENGE

Now at Day 15 in both of these. Squats going well but abs very challenging but still hanging in there just - managed a 60 second plank today.

 

 

MUMMY & BUG NEWS

 

Monday morning - our usual swimming lesson & Miss Bug's usual afternoon with her grandparents. I had a hectic afternoon as usual. One of these weeks I will actually manage to spend my Monday afternoon relaxing.

 

Tuesday - We had planned to go to Bookbug but us girls went to back to bed at 8.15am & never woke till 10.15. We took a brief trip down to the shops but it was far far too hot for the both of us so we spent the rest of the day inside trying to stay cool.

 

Wednesday - we made it to Bookbug in the morning but again stayed home in the afternoon as it was just too hot.

 

Thursday - I had my initial consultation with the chiropractor. My back has been bothering me since after having the wee one, it's not a problem yet but I wanted to take action to make sure it didn't become a problem. The GP's answer was 'what do you expect you've just had a baby - take paracetamol' Errr no that is not the answer. I also had a couple of massages and although they helped I felt they were treating the symptoms not the root cause. So off I trotted to the chiro - have to say I was very impressed & he was totally on the same wavelength as me with regards to mobility, health & treatment / proaction not reaction. I have been today for my first adjustment & have to say I feel looser & less tangled already.

 

Friday - looked like being another scorcher so we got up early & headed to Livingston for some shopping & then home by 10am & hid from the sun again! I inflated the paddling pool & when it was much cooler in the evening a lovely Fudgey Daddy filled it & a certain little girl had an absolute ball.

 

 

 

Saturday - again too hot for us so we didn't get up to much. Bug went to stay with her Grandparents again as we had hoped to take her with us to the race on Sunday but we were quite worried given how hot it has been & it turned out we mad absolutely the right decision. Thank you Granny & Grandpa.

 

 GOAL UPDATE

The below goals were set on 16th June........so 4 weeks in

 

Short Term Goals

 

Running:

• In 4 weeks I want to be able to comfortably run 5k......So I have now done 5k 3 times, started at 38 minutes 40 seconds, then 36 minutes 27 seconds & my official race time from Sunday 34 minutes 56 seconds. I don't know if I'd say that I can comfortably run 5k as I keep pushing myself hard to do better but the fact that in 4 weeks I've knocked almost 4 minutes off my time I think it's probably fair to say I can tick off my 5k goal.
• In 10 weeks I want to be able to run 10k.......so I have 6 weeks to be able to run 10k.....looking for races......Scottish Gas 5 & 10k are 22/09 (10 weeks) & Linlithgow 10k 29/09 (11 weeks).....so need to think about this......

 

Well I think that is us all up to date again. Busy wee week planned this week if it is cooler.....

 

Take Care everyone

love

Fudgey x x x

 

 

 

6 months already

Hello all

How are you all? Basking in this glorious sunshine? Been enjoying Wimbledon & The Tour de France?

As usual it's been a busy wee week here.

Someone was 6 months old this week......where on earth has the time gone?

 

Love her so so much :-)

 

 

RUNNING UPDATELast weeks sessions: Planned to run Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

 

MONDAY: Session 1: Run 28 minutes - Ran 30 minutes at lunchtime after dropping Madam off & really enjoyed it.

THURSDAY: Session 2: Run 30 minutes. Done on Thursday morning on the treadmill with my new coach - Coach Bug watching. Had been too tired on Wednesday night so postponed to Thursday - she was due a sleep so took her with me. Had to do it in 3 x 10 minute sessions just to check on her but she fell asleep after 25 minutes & then slept for over an hour.

 

I know people have different opinions on whether taking this approach was the right thing to do or not. I certainly wouldn't take her in my garage gym in the winter or for longer than 30 minutes or if she was distressed I would stop immediately, but I think it is really important that she sees Mummy exercising & trying to be fit & healthy & that she grows up with that positive image.

 

FRIDAY: Session 3: Run 20 minutes - Did this one on the treadmill too - I know I managed the 20 minutes but can't remember much more than that.

 

SUNDAY: Session 4: Run 5K..... Plan was to get up early & do this but it ended up being 9.05pm by the time I headed out. Was determined I was running 5k non stop - first 3k were really good, really steady, but got to 3.5k & wanted to stop - was very hot & was struggling with taking on the water from my bottle & running - a skill I will need to master again, but I was determined I wasn't stopping. Got to 4k & then got a second wind & the last km was actually my fastest. My time for 5k was 36 minutes 27 seconds -  a lot slower than I have done in the past but then I was at my fittest & hadn't carried a baby for 9 months & given birth - so I am very pleased. This is the first time I have run 5k non stop outside. I did it 2 weeks ago when I ran 40 minutes non stop on the treadmill & that took 38 minutes 40 seconds - so I am making progress....it will just take time & hard work.

 

This weeks planned sessions: Plan to run Tuesday, Thursday, & Sunday

Session 1: Run 30 minutes
Session 2: Run 20 minutes 

Session 3: Run 5K

 

However this is all dependent on the weather. I'm really finding the sun hard going - but hopefully if I do these when the wee one goes to bed it'll be much cooler....as long as I'm not too tired.

 

Other running related news - I need to lubricate my dear treadmill Trev. Have looked out the instructions - but if any of my treadmill owning running chums have any hints or tips from experience they'll be gratefully received.

 

30 DAY SQUAT CHALLENGE & 30 DAY AB CHALLENGE

Now at Day 8 in both of these. Squats going well but abs very challenging & I don't know how much further I'll get with those but I shall persevere.

 

 

MUMMY & BUG NEWS

 

Monday morning - our usual swimming lesson & Miss Bug's usual afternoon with her grandparents.

 

Tuesday - trip into Edinburgh & met Sobia & baby Hannah for coffee - it was lovely to catch up with them again

 

Wednesday - I had a keeping in touch day at work. So up & out for 6.30am to drop a certain young lady off. I was in work for 8am - I actually really enjoyed my day, it was good to hear what has been happening, scary to see the things that have changed, but reassuring to see that some things never change & lovely to catch up with some of my colleagues. Picked the wee one up at 5pm - exhausted!

 

Thursday - after my morning run, we went to West Lothian Birth & After Birth support group in the afternoon & caught up with some of the other Mums & babes

 

Friday - West Lothian Birth & After Birth support group in the morning, lunch & then a trip to the local shops.

 

Saturday - Bug had her first ever sleepover - an evening with her Grandparents. I have to confess to a few tears after I got home & some more later when she would have been going to bed, but I think a great time was had by all. Just a relaxing evening here, Chinese takeaway, bubble bath, couple glasses of wine & a movie.

 

Sunday - picked up Bug & I don't think much else for the day.

 

Well I think that is everything from last week....I must actually start writing myself wee bullet notes as by the time I come to write this every Sunday or Monday I struggle to remember what we've been up to.

 

Fingers crossed for no technical issues this evening. I have saved this several times as I have written & will save again before publishing.....

 

Have a great week

 

lot of love

Fudgey x x x

 



The Lost Blog Post

Hello

Well it is a total mystery, I have no idea what happened to my blog post last night. I really struggled to get writing & spent about 20 minutes just getting started. An hour later I had a decent post, pressed publish.....& it vanished. Looking at the blogger dashboard the save button is beside publish so even if I clicked the wrong button it would be in drafts - but no not there. Now blogger used to auto save as you worked, I'm guessing the new version no longer does?  Anyway here I am back again with my update from last week. My wee assistant is lying beside me to keep me right......

RUNNING UPDATE
Last weeks sessions: Planned to run Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday.....

TUESDAY: No run - my own fault really, had planned to run when the little one went to bed, but hubby also wanted to workout, I could have gone for my run as soon as he came in from work but I hadn't eaten enough to allow me to do that & then by the time I prepared food & we ate it was almost 8pm, meaning I wouldn't be able to run until closer to 10pm - far too late for me. Already running at 9pm is a new challenge as I am so energised it's hard to sleep. Hey ho it's all a learning curve balancing being a wife, mum & home maker & just when I think I have things sussed it all changes again - keeps us all on our toes!

WEDNESDAY:  Session 1: 20 minutes, walk 1 min, run 6 min. Managed this quite easily on the treadmill even though I wasn't really in the mood

THURSDAY: Session 2: Run 24 minutes. My first proper run with Bug & the Viper (model name of our travel system) Picked the travel system for it's size, ease of use, weight & being an all terrain sports model. Well running coach Bug wasn't very motivational - she slept the whole way! What a totally different experience running with the pram - hard workout......alters your stride if you run with it directly in front of you, makes you hold your body much more upright & you can't swing your arms if your hands are on the handle, also for that reason couldn't carry a water bottle but put one in the basket underneath & got a drink at the traffic lights when we waited to cross. Managed to run for 28 minutes.

SATURDAY: Far far to tired to run, actually went to bed right after the little one did.

SUNDAY: Run 26 minutes. Even though quite humid it was also pretty windy out. Managed a 30 minute run. It also occurred to me that regardless of where I head off to (unless its the treadmill) my homeward run is always going to be uphill!

So the 3 planned sessions done, not when planned but done & that is what is important :-)

 

This weeks planned sessions: Plan to run Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

Session 1: Run 28 minutes
Session 2: Run 30 minutes
Session 3: Run 20 minutes

Session 4: Run 5K

 

THE ZOMBIE APOCALPYSE IS COMING.......

 

Very excited to have signed up with 6 other lovely but crazy ladies to take part in The Zombie Evacuation Race in October. Mind you I will probably pee myself when the first realistic zombie jumps out on me from behind a tree. If anyone else is interested in joining our team it's not too late so please get in touch with me, or get your own team together, & they are also looking for zombies.

 

 

30 DAY SQUAT CHALLENGE

 

I completed this last Tuesday :-)

Restarted it on 1st July adding in weights & bicep curls to make it harder.

 

30 DAY AB CHALLENGE

 

Also started this on 1st July but fear it may have killed me by the end of the first week. Leg raises are agony on my sacro iliac, ok if I lift one leg at a time but not both together so I shall find an alternative to the leg raises. I really need to get something done about this problem with my back but massage hasn't helped & my GP was useless telling me it was because I'd had a baby & to take paracetamol. This doesn't bother me on a day to day basis or stop me doing anything other than being able to lie flat on the floor & raise both legs at the same time.

 

MUMMY & BUG NEWS

 

Monday morning - our usual swimming lesson

 

Tuesday - a very busy day, trip into Edinburgh, lots of people to see, deliveries to make & things to do.

 

Wednesday - Bookbug session at the library then lunch with Gran, Grandpa & Father Tabone

 

 

Thursday - Bug had a total pyjama day, I only got dressed for us to go for our run, think we both needed a day like this.

 

Friday - West Lothian Birth & After Birth group in the morning, followed by lunch with some of the ladies & babes. Great to see Elaine & Max back after their holiday & really nice for Renee to join us for lunch too. in the afternoon I went & had my hair chopped.

 



 

Saturday & Sunday - nothing much to report - nice quiet weekend but we did manage to Skype my sister & the 3 pink princesses :-)

 

 

GOAL UPDATE

The below goals were set on 16th June........so 2 weeks in

 

Short Term Goals

 

Running:

• In 4 weeks I want to be able to comfortably run 5k......managing 4k near to comfortable at the moment & if I can stick to my training this should be achievable.
• In 10 weeks I want to be able to run 10k.......lets get the 5k nailed first.....

 

Diet:

I need to get my diet back on track, I was doing really well, but increased activity = increased appetite & I haven't made the right choices in the last week. I'm reassured though as I know exactly where mistakes have been made & how to address them. The aim is to lose a stone over the next 14 weeks -  a pound a week should be easily achievable if I keep focused. I'm like a yo yo at the moment 3 pounds on, 2 pounds off, 2 pounds on.....aaaarrgh....I know what I need to do though & I need to get more prepared, when I was doing well I was taking my snacks, lunch etc out & about with me. I also need to ditch my bread head - just seem addicted to bread just now. However it is very deceiving to be ruled by the scales as I have actually lost 2 inches off my hips & 1 off my waist. I am therefore taking a slightly different approach & have weighed & measured on 1st July & won't again till 1st August so will update you then.

 

 

 

Well I think that is everything from last week....time for a quick cuppa before I feed a wee Bug - she actually fell asleep while I wrote this, I knew she would as she hasn't slept much today....

 

 

Take Care everyone

 

love

Fudgey x x x x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aaaargh

I have just spent an hour writing a post.......
hit publish........
and it's disappeared :-(

Have several things still to do tonight before getting to bed so will need to start again tomorrow

love Fudgey xxxx

A week of firsts

Hello Fudgey Friends,

How are you all?

I'm good but incredibly tired - so time to blog & then off to bed for me.

Last week was an incredibly busy week - in fact most weeks are pretty busy these days for us.

RUNNING UPDATE

Last weeks sessions:
MONDAY: Session 1: Almost 6 months ago I gave birth to my beautiful girl, 6 weeks ago I was seriously ill in hospital TODAY I ran for 40 minutes non stop - hard work and determination paying off :-D

THURSDAY: Session 2: Run 15 minutes walk 1 minute repeat twice. This should have been done on Wednesday but I didn't feel up to it by the time the wee one went down to bed but was determined I would stick to the plan & run 4 times.

 

FRIDAY: Session 3: Run 17 minutes walk 1 minute run 7 minutes

 

SUNDAY: Session 4: Run 19 minutes walk 1 minute run 7 minutes. Feeling a lot of tightness in the right hand side, glute, hamstring, knee & ankle all needing a good stretch out & unwind.

 

This weeks planned sessions:

Session 1: 20 minutes, walk 1 min, run 6 min
Session 2: Run 24 minutes
Session 3: Run 26 minutes

 

All dependent on how these aches & pains feel as it's taken me so long to get back to here I don't want to jeopardise what I've already accomplished & set myself back again.

 

30 DAY SQUAT CHALLENGE

Many of you will have seen or heard about the 30 day squat challenge on Facebook. Tomorrow is my day 30 - have stuck to it religiously with my new PT cheering me on or giggling from her bouncing seat.

 

MUMMY & BUG NEWS

 

Monday morning - our usual swimming lesson

 

On Tuesday I had a fantastic day at The Edinburgh School of Food & Wine with some of my work colleagues. This was our annual away day & as always didn't fail to disappoint, we had cookery demos, then we cooked & then we ate. We made our own fresh pasta - spinach & ricotta ravioli, chicken stuffed with red pesto, mozzarella & wrapped in Parma ham with a herb risotto & Tiramisu. Thank you to Granny &Grandpa for looking after Buggy for the day.

 

On Wednesday we headed into town & met Ann & Jane from my gym for coffee.

 

Thursday - West Lothian Birth & After Birth support group - lovely sitting outside in the sunshine.

 

Friday - West Lothian Birth & After Birth support group followed by lunch with Kat & Graeme.

 

Saturday - a big adventure - first excursion to Glasgow on the train.

and met Great Great Aunt Rose & wee Rose for the first time.

And met Skylo the doggie for the first time - was mesmerised by his tail!

Thank you Auntie Biff for hosting us all & for the lift back through.

Sunday - first ever 'meal' Organix banana porridge, sat up in the high chair & took a wee bit....no drama or fuss so we shall continue on with the weaning & see how it goes.


and that is a whistle stop rundown of our week.

I've managed to finish this post & it is 9.55pm - with a little luck I might get close to 8 hours sleep tonight.

Take Care everyone
love Fudgey x x x

 

 

The road back to fitness

Hello Fudgey Followers,

Yes I really am back, & blogger has changed a lot - going to take me some time to get to grips with it all again.

Where have I been?
The day after running The Edinburgh Rock & Roll half marathon in 2012 I found out that I was pregnant due boxing day, as my blog was mainly about my running it sadly became abandoned. I had hoped once I was once the 12 week stage to share my news & continue running - but running also had to take a back seat for over a year - it just didn't feel comfortable at all. I did keep up my general fitness though & was still a regular at the gym & had PT once a week right up to 37 weeks.

Christmas came & went & no sign of the new arrival, but at the start of 2013 our daughter was born

 

 

I'll spare you the details but even though she was a tiny wee girl she still managed to cause physical trauma on her arrival which meant her first hour of life spent with Daddy, surgery for me & a 12 week ban from exercise.

 

At first this wasn't an issue - with a newborn baby around I didn't feel much like exercising.

However by 8 weeks we had a pretty good routine & I was anxious to start back running but physio & consultant said no.

 

I waited for the 12 weeks to be over & at about 13 weeks I attempted my first run on the treadmill, it felt OK but my breathing wasn't great & I was wheezing & coughing afterwards. The next day I woke up choked with the cold. So running on hold again

 

At 15 weeks I tried again - a few hours after running I was being sick - turned out to be norovirus & I was ill for 48 hours. Mr Fudgey also became victim to the sickness bug but thankfully our wee princess never caught it.

 

At 17 weeks I was thinking of trying again but developed severe abdominal pain & I could hardly walk never mind contemplating running. I ended up admitted to hospital with acute diverticulitis.

A few days in hospital & I was back home, but back doing everything I'd been doing before - you don't get much rest with a 4 month old baby. Though the good news was that she was sleeping through the night from 9pm till at least 6am every day.

 

At 21 weeks I started the 30 day squat challenge on 27th May & on 29th May I finally started my running comeback & it continues well.

For 2 weeks I just did my own thing & ran / walked every other day mainly when the little one went to sleep at 9pm, but now I am following a more structured plan.

 

Where am I now?

 

Week 1: Last week

Session 1: Run 10 minutes walk 1 minute repeat twice

Session 2: Run 12 minutes walk 1 minute repeat twice

Session 3: Run 13 minutes walk 1 minute repeat twice

 

Week 2: This week

Session 1: Monday Long run as the little one is at her Granny & Grandpa in the afternoon. Walked for 2 minutes & decided to see how long I could run for - blown away that I managed 40 minutes, I then walked for 3 minutes to cool down. A couple of months ago I never thought this would happen, but hard work, determination & sheer bloody mindedness are paying off! I also couldn't do this without the support from my fantastic Mr Fudgey & a very very good little girl who sleeps so well to allow me the time to commit to my love of running.

 

Planned sessions:

Session 2: Run 15 minutes walk 1 minute repeat twice

Session 3: Run 17 minutes walk 1 minute run 7 minutes

Session 4: Run 19 minutes walk 1 minute run 7 minutes

 

Short Term Goals

 

Running:

• In 4 weeks I want to be able to comfortably run 5k
• In 10 weeks I want to be able to run 10k

 

Diet:

I need to get my diet back on track, I was doing really well, but increased activity = increased appetite & I haven't made the right choices in the last week. I'm reassured though as I know exactly where mistakes have been made & how to address them. The aim is to lose a stone over the next 14 weeks -  a pound a week should be easily achievable if I keep focused.

 

Long Term Goals

 

Running:

• VLM in 2014 if I get a ballot place
• Edinburgh Marathon in 2014 & already have a guaranteed place if I don't get into VLM

Hopefully I'll be able to update my blog once a week to let you know how I am getting on, but everything dependent on my number 1 priority.....

 

Great to be a Mummy & great to be back running.

Take care all

love
Fudgey

 



 

 



 

 

I'm Back

Hello Fudgey followers,
Well it has been over a year since I last blogged.
 My last post was The Edinburgh rock and roll half marathon race report.....
The day after the race I found out I was pregnant.......
And at the start of this year my beautiful daughter arrived....
I have started back running in the last 10 days & boring my Facebook friends with running updates......
so I think it is time for the blog to return.....
watch this space

 Love Fudgey x