Day 18

Day 18 

Sunday 20 July 2014

Run 5.89km @ 5.56pk 34.56 mins

I had a good mid speed run out this morning. Choosing to head down to Salford Quays and see the sights along the water front. 

My glutes and calf are still twinging but felt okay after a few minutes. I have never really practiced fartlek running but as I'm training to lose weight I will benefit from Hiit more than long distance I know. But as I've said previously it isn't about the way I look in 2 weeks. I'd rather enjoy the whole thing than give up on things that I enjoy. 

I do plan on running the Manchester marathon next year in March. This should help a lot. 

My hips will forgive me I'm sure. 

I use the Nike plus app on my smartphone, I find it useful when gearing up to races and for recording accurate times.

Day 12, Monday 14 July 2014

Day 12

Monday 14 July 2014

 

Cycle 6.87km 27 mins on road. 

40 leg raises

Exercise is bad for you. ;/

My legs are pretty sore from yesterday's 10k. I'm also a little fuzzy after a pint or two too many watching the World Cup final. Germany won if you didn't already know. 

I haven't ran with Still Waters tonight because I don't want anymore injuries. my hips are acting up and i'm generally sore. I did however ride to the meeting point and said goodbye to Richard. One of my oldest friends as he is moving to London at the weekend. 

I may join them at the track on Thursday. I really enjoyed the feel of it yesterday, I think I could learn a lot from it. 

I haven't done a lot today but as planned I have done something and that is the aim.

I imagine this could infuriate some people as it seems like a get out clause. I am not massively worried as I'll be at the gym in the squat rack at 6:45am...

We love Manchester 10 k

This morning I ran the We love Manchester 10k. I've had a bit of a niggly hip injury and sore left calf due to over doing it and running 45 k a few weekends ago. Not my cleverest idea. 

As ever I got up and prepared myself at about 7 am. My hydro backpack filled with water last night and prepped. I use a budget version of a Camelpak I picked up a while ago because the Great Manchester 10k was the worst hour ever. I over hydrated, I had to pee, and I almost threw up. Jesus it was awful. So anyway, I run with a hydro bag because then I don't need to think about it. 

We all met up at the athletics arena as planned. I had my name card gifted to me by my good friend so I was named Kim today. 

Had a pee (another of my usual ticks) and lined up. Myself and another medium paced lad in Still Waters had planned to start out together but it didn't work out. I was actually a little pleased to be able to get involved with myself and have a nice time. I'd attempted a decent warm up of squats and leg raises etc., I felt okay. 

Set off at about 9:30am and listened to my body a lot. My hips weren't too bad but my chest was a bit tight so I paced it out. Choosing to get in my own head and concentrate rather than clapping at spectators and helping people on. 

I ran 2k at an average pace and felt a tap on the shoulder. It was Jamie (the lad I was supposed to be running with). I felt mixed emotions about that as we started running together. I instantly felt myself pacing rather than just going and instantly my legs said 'No'. We kept up with one another for a K or two but then he ran me off. I was happy to let him because I didn't have it in me. 

The Manchester terrain is hilly and windy. The next few kilometers were very much me getting it done. It wasn't until I got to 6k that it felt good enough to start moving up. Getting faster. I started to help myself on by widening my stride and instantly gulping a few slugs of my backpack. At around the 6 mark my weird heaving fit came on as I neared our loving 'CheerDem' pack shouting me on as I ran past. One of the lads ran after me I think but I was actually zoned, and trying not to chunder. The nausea subsided a little and my legs started to feel good. Through the 7 and up to 8 mark I was going some. I passed Jamie on the way past the Etihad. There was no point me stopping with him as I was feeling okay and he was walking. I knew he'd catch me up. 

I continued to gain what I felt was a good pace and the oofs and eeks of my body were starting to get louder. 

The last downhill came up but I chose to steady pace it because I hoped for a sprint finish. Jamie gained me again as I was speeding up. I asked to run him and he was okay with that. The last kilometer came and funnily enough a good power song came on my iPhones. I truly believe music aids exercise. I put it down (maybe a little early) but hit the home straight with a few dry gags. 

The last half k was very confusing. It was winding and as you came into the athletics arena there was a big 300-meter run to the finish. I gave the extra I had and came through the finish at 50 minutes 50 seconds as far as the Nike app says. I've not checked my race time yet. It's a tad confusing. 

I'm happy with my time, as it's the fastest I've ever ran both a 5k and 10k. I got a 25:11 5k and a 50:50 10k next time I'd like a sub 50. 

My biggest contender is my own body pushing against me when I run. I enjoy it and I'm getting better at it but my body dictates my speed totally. I struggle with any speed at all as my legs strain and chest tightens easily. I hope to combat these things, as I'm sure it's psychological. At present my running backpack and slow steady mentality is working. I'm still a way from a marathon but gaining momentum. Every little helps! 

12 July 2013

I started exercising in May 2013 after several years of vegetation, because my friends, in their “lad” ways essentially bullied me into submission. I had gained 3 stone after starting a new career and ditching my bike and train rides for a car and couch. Taunts of "pudding tits” and "You can’t do that fatty” got me. I told them I would do a Tough Mudder, this was met with laughter and the same taunts but no raised hands or volunteers. I trained for 3 months and ended up running the Yorkshire Tough Mudder on the 9th of September alone, My girlfriend came and cheered loyally. It was a great day, lonely at points but I did it in a time of around 2:45. Average, but to say I’d never attempted anything like that before I was pleased. The taunts and nicknames are still there and probably will always be, but hopefully one day they’ll be just an old joke.

At the moment I’m a 29 year old fitness trier, weighing in at 90kg and 5,9 I’m overweight. I’m hoping to change this. I have been a regular gym attendee for well over a year. My body has changed slightly, but I am a self confessed yoyo’er (in all walks of life). This said I have set myself the task of exercising every day for a year. My diet will hopefully fall in line too. 

This is not a heinous weights and protein fest, more a make sure you move everyday tubby alarm call. 

I am using several books and plans, such as Mens Fitness 12 week plan as well as running with my mates. 

I run with Still Waters Run Deep in Manchester. A group of runners and nice creatives, I’m at the bottom end of the speed scale and thats fine with me. I leave the fast running to my athlete sister Sorrell Walsh and the names and numbers I’m sure I’ll introduce soon. I run like a bald gorilla, but at least I do cardio… To say “I do cardio” is a bit of a weird thing to say. I enjoy running and take great pleasure from it. I am not, however, a runner. I run, granted, but I’m slow and laboured. I have done Tough Mudder, Manchester 10k and Hackney Half for medals and headbands, and tomorrow i’ll take on the We love Manchester 10k with a dodgy hip and a Camelpak, looking like a bald gorilla.

I have no planned result after the year is out, and don’t really want to look like I’m in a magazine. I just want to be healthy and happy, maybe sans pudding tits.

This blog will hopefully be a testament to a life lead by my want to become better personally and physically, through exercise and necessity. 

Below are some pictures from the last year, from when I started working out to now.