Ellie's fitness diary (start 10.11.2008) Marathon training...

Monday 23rd March
Busy day again. Dropped kids to school and then went straight to gym. Did 5000m rowing in about 22 minutes. Ran through the octathalon and knocked 30 seconds off the time this time round, so fitness levels improving. Kane wants me to try the club level octathalon just to see how fast I can bosh out the easier weights. Also he has suggested some intervals with the 10% incline, jumping on and off the treadmill. Whee! And ouch! Then did a 5 minute run. Then did spin class for 45 minutes and had the most horrendous stitch in my left side just under my ribcage OUCH! Then had to run eldest to the dentist and we got home around 5.45 p.m. after eating out before catching the bus home. Hmph! Tired and tired...wore my compression socks today during spin and they helped after the run. Took them off for the rest of the day though.

Looking forward to our meal out Wednesday, seeing a good mate who I haven't seen in a while Thursday and then going out with the beau and his workmates Friday evening. Yey busy ol' week socialising.
 
So those socks seem to really help shin splints then? Might be worth me checking that out. What brand are they, nex, do you recall?

The socializing will be great! I'm really looking forward to my break this weekend to see friends as well!
 
Tuesday 24th March
Whew! Did a killer session of intervals on the treadmill at 10% incline, ran for quarter of a mile then stopped for half a minute, then ran for half a mile...did this six times or so and was pooped by the end of it! Then did some intervals on the rower...1000m fast, then one minute break then 2000m a bit slower, rest a minute, alternating until I had done 7000m. That was an effort too! But felt great afterwards.

Looking forward to the octathalon session tomorrow and the lunch afterwards of course.

Wheee, feeling great, the sun is out again and it's all springy!

Will do some abs tonight on the gym ball and some sit ups.

Christie, the compression socks are NIKE...well worth the money I reckon, but only time will tell as shin splints just ain't gonna be cured...relieved sure, but I will probably be running with them always! ARGH!
 
I'll have to check out those Nike socks, nex, sounds like they may be something that would help me. I agree, if you're prone to the shin splints, that's just the luck of the draw, but if the support helps to minimize them, that's all the better!
 
Saturday 28th March
It's mearly the end of the month, it's almost the Easter break and this week whizzed by sooo fast. I was busy from Wednesday to yesterday really. Still managed to get some training in, although my rowing suffered a tad this week, will have to take week 5 or is it 6 from my training sheet as next week this week was disrupted by lunch meetings, coffee and cake with a friend and lunchtime coffee with beau yesterday as well as haircut and then out on the town for a couple of hours last night. Did not row much this week! Bah, nack on it before the Easter break. The octathalon session was hardcore cardio and my running is improving drastically. Funny how one of the members who has never done any sessions before said it was easy?! I just laughed and pointed out all the people who are pretty fit like myself who were sweating, out of breath and finding it pretty tough...anyway we are all different levels of fitness and I suppose it shows...My personal trainer asked if I was officially competing and my answer was a resounding yes...Friday's session with Jake was hardcore too, he even said it was the toughest set of circtuits he has set up before...so I'm chuffed I am progressing up the ladder even though I only see him once every two or three weeks. Only thing was, my worst nightmare actually happened Friday...I was lying back and he was stood on my feet as I was doing sit ups...I let rip, a huge, loud and smelly fart...hahahaha! I was ooo embarrassed but had to giggle...bet I will never live that down in the gym...my nickname is bound to be wind related now...oh dear! Actually at the time it seemed way worse, retelling it, it sounds so mild...but I was mortified...really!

So training still ace...sore achy right leg though. Am having Jules come and massage my legs and upper back Monday...am really looking forward to that, releasing the tension and easing the tightness and the achiness. Then after am running through the octathalon with Kane, but doing the Club level which is lighter weights just to see how much the time difference is...I am hoping my hill run has improved as I shaved off 30 secs from my Cup level course last time. Hmmm...

Had a great week, loved catching up with friends and being social. It was relaxing and fun...carbing up today...
 
Your ability to always be on top of it all never seizes to amaze me!
 
Holy CARP!

The sports massage was aaayyyynah! (or eina being grammatically correct Afrikaans I think)...my calves are sore, sore, very sore, tender, sore, tender, ouch, man oh man - and as a consequence had to work upper body only which was great but tiring (Kane put me through my paces!)...am looking forward to seeing the difference tomorrow after around 12ish or so (Jules told me to rest for 24 hours as it was intense and I had an adhesion in my right calf towards the achilles region)...AND I have to put heat on my left leg and cold on the right HAHAHAHA!

SO a rest today, but back on it tomorrow...they do say though, that when you rest properly, you see gains in strength, mass and stamina....so fingers crossed this is all paying off big time! Am looking for the foam roller now and the wheat bags to use as heat compress...and also need to get more deep heat and deep freeze...for the legs...next time I will have my shoulder region done as today I could feel that upper back really needs some tension release too...

*sigh*
 
Thursday 2nd April
Kids broke up for 2 and a bit weeks today. Easter on the brain. Don't normally 'celebrate' but am buying an egg each for them (biguns) and one for me and one for my beau and perhaps a couple for his two kids...not sure which to get his kids yet...hmmmm...

Training is going well. Missed octathalon training as was up Gloucester Road getting a library book for my book club on here as well as extending my other three books. Bought some flowers for my beau's desk and dropped them in to him at work, everyone was jealous apparently?! Bought some Easter goodies at the Farmer's market in town.

Today was awesome, the weather is stonking! Running in the cool this morning then walking in the heat of this avo. Beautiful! Did a long row and a run today and then did some lower body weights as well as the circuit workshop this morning and some upper body work. Oh hell, I did more than I thought today. That is why I am a little tired! Heh...

Looking forward to beau looking after the kids a coule of hours while I train next week. Will miss the octathalon training for two weeks this Easter, but what the hey, I think I need a little break. We are not doing the cup challenge as the ultra octathaletes are using the club course weights (lighter category) so we all have to use the lighter weights. IN which case my competition just got tougher as the two ladies who were my competition in the cup course were weaker on the weights. Now they will make up the time with the run and the lighter weights ARGH! Oh well. I will just have to try my best on the day. The time to beat so far is 13 minutes and 30 secs. If I could just drastically improve the run I would fly through. The lighter weights are so much easier, perhaps with that in mind, it will be a lot easier as the lactic acid won't be as thick and fast?!

Here's hoping. Still running to keep that up for the 5km coming up in the hol and the 10km run in May after the octathalon. My eye is always on the goal, never wavering at the moment. So determined to get this all done. Also have to get fundraising up together fast to get that piece in motion.

A parcel came today with my therapeutic gear in it. Orthotic running insoles which I am dying to try (even with sore legs!), a foam roller, some hot/cold packs for when the legs are achey, a wobble board and another gym ball (might give my big red one to the beau)...some resistance bands and a massage ball with these spikes all over it. Am hoping all this helps with the legs and the body after all the running and training I will be doing this year. Also will have a sports massage with Jules once a month ( next time after the octathalon and just beofre the Bristol 10km) to keep my calves in check.

Have a good Easter everyone. Will check back with you all when the kids are back at school. Have loads of homework, reading and fun to do!
 
Hey girl...I've been missing in action for a few days--work has been horrible (and I work from home, so that's a real statement!), plus I just decided (with my masseuse) I needed a good break, 3 days wasn't enough. My legs and shoulders are fairly relaxed now, I went to gym this morning and it was great! So yeah, a break will do you good, and an Easter Egg too!!
 
Monday 6th April
Went for a 11km run yesterday. Did it. An hour. Very chuffed, so the half marathon is looking doable and the 5km and the 10km are looking like a breeze...wheeeee!

Going swimming later with the kids and one of the beau's kids. Eldest is staying the night at her nan's house. Went swimming Saturday too with beau and littlest and his daughter. Also bought some guavas and ate both, have not tasted one for about 14 years...how I miss guavas!

Great weather, but am recovering from a cold right now, that chesty thing came back and my temperature seems to be up a bit still.

Shin splints are fine after the long run and calves a little tight at the bottom will stretch today and maybe jog for a bit to loosen them off.

Am surprised and pleased by the progress my body is making. I just love seeing the changes and feeling them too. It's been a year since I started this fitness thing and the difference is huge. Am doing my octathalon run through Tuesday still and personal trainer session Thursday, am considering the hour octathalon training Wednesday at 11...mmm...

So much for a complete rest?! Hee!
 
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Glad to hear you're on top of things, and the shins are holding up; must be the compression socks helping. Plus maybe your muscles are so much stronger they're helping to support things, do you think? I like hearing about your progress, you're usually so positive, nex, it's a great inspiration for me. :D
 
ChristieK said:
I like hearing about your progress, you're usually so positive, nex, it's a great inspiration for me. :D
Click to expand...

Even if I don't win anything in my challenges, apart from the fact I finish perhaps, being a positive influence or motivation for others is a much nicer reward...

Training going well, didn't do the octathalon training as got caught up doing Easter things with the kinders at school. Did an hour with Jake and as usual a killer session. So back to the gym on the 20th...doing an 8 or 9 mile run Sunday...fingers crossed as it is a very uphill run for about half the way...
 
Thursday 16th April
Tried a 14km run Sunday but didn't complete it due to a sore foot. Knew I might not finish as the foot had been sore for a few days before the run. I tried, it was okay going down hill, but the 10% incline of the run up Dundry Hill just killed it. I think I ended up running about 7 miles, maybe a bit less in total. My left ankle today is sore! Wish I didn't suffer so much after running, but I do. I'm not giving up though, as I have much to accomplish this year. Just have to push through the aches and pains and use all the therapies I can to aid my lower legs.

Cannot wait to get back to the gym Monday. Beau has offered to watch the kids for a while Saturday while I go to boxercise but I cannot see that materialising somehow...would be nice though...
 
Yeah I think it is the muscle that runs from the heel to the toes (plantar fascia), and it bunches up, so calf stretches and even wrapping (zinc covered bandaging really tight) my foot before running will help. I also have heel spurs (bony growths on my heels) and have had them since I was a child, have always had to be careful with shoes as they hurt my heels like hell if they are not right...ouch! So all in all my lower legs are simply not suited to running, but I feel the need to keep trying...

If by the end of this year, running is not an option i.e. I keep getting injuries, then it is back to rowing and swimming and cycling which should be adequate, just thought that trying to be a good all rounder might help my cardio in some way...

*sigh*
 
I've seen advice on foot stretching to help relieve plantar fascitis, Nex; I was reading up on it as I had some soreness in my foot and thought that was the cause (it was actually my fat butt & weight!). As I recall, it had to do with gentle stretching on a step, and on a tennis ball...sound familiar?
 
ChristieK said:
As I recall, it had to do with gentle stretching on a step, and on a tennis ball...sound familiar?
Click to expand...

Those are the exact ones...am not trying to go running today, will see if topping up my glycogen stores this two week holiday was a good idea or not tomorrow in the gym...
 
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