Mojo For Sale!
Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:47 pm LynneE


Plenty to spare…. In fact I won’t sell it I’ll give it away!

Amazing really the difference a week makes and no logical explanations.

The “diet” that I’m not on is working a treat. Paul McKenna rocks. I’ve basically just cut out everything in between meals and reduced the portion size of my evening meal, I haven’t felt deprived. I honestly haven’t been hungry. It’s as if the importance of food has been put into perspective; eating to live rather than living to eat. I have listened to the CD twice. Once outside school waiting for the kids and the other time in the gym on the bike which was totally ludicrous. I do the visualisation exercises though and imagining myself slim and able to “do” is beneficial.

Well the plan was to do 6 tough training sessions this week. They haven’t been tough – so have I failed? I’ve done 7 training every day. Something I haven’t done in a long, long time, maybe never, if I’m totally honest. I’ve done 4 gym session, 2 on the bike, 1 on the treadmill and one on the cross trainer. I usually run with Sue on a Wednesday night. I have a wonderful habit of wimping out. I was absolutely determined to do my 6 sessions so told Sue I’d be doing it in the morning instead. I got up and it was really icy – I HAD to run. I’ve always struggled for the first 5 minutes. On Wednesday I pushed the pace and had been going for 10 minutes before I thought “Shit, I feel fine!” I even had to go the long way round and go round the block to make up the time.

Yesterday I ran the Mold Borders. There’s 2 lumpy bits. I actually ran up both hills but had to walk at the top of the first because the wind literally took my breath away. I always thought it was 5.6 miles and as I did it from home had always assumed I was getting 10k as near as damn it. It’s actually 5.3miles 8.5km, anyway, I took 4minutes off my time. This morning I got my bike out for the first time in months. I have no lights so practically the only time I can cycle is the weekend and it’s been either too icy or too windy for ages. As I struggled along I mentally wrote my blog. Gym miles is no substitute for road miles. I really must make more effort. Then I stopped beating myself up and came to the conclusion this is the 7th consecutive day of training and I’ve done very little over the past month or so. Of course I’m going to be tired. One thing that really concerned me though was I’ve lost my nerve on the downhills. In fairness it was quite windy and there was quite a lot of crap on the roads but I’ve still got to, as Sue would say, get out there and do.

On Thursday I got a mail from a friend giving me details of the Chester Half Marathon. It’s in May. Chirk’s the end of April, the Diva’s is in July so I think it will fit in very nicely thank you very much. It means I WILL do a half this year and won’t feel so bad about wimping out over Wrexham, next month.

I was discussing going to watch the 4 Villages and my manager overheard and piped up with “I’ve entered the Chester half.” It’s strange because she’s overweight (not as much as me) and hasn’t done any exercise for years. She’s having the midlife crisis I had 14 months ago. I’m so proud of her and amazed that she’s asking me for advice.

Sorry I didn’t get to watch this morning. Cait’s got tonsillitis, Jim’s suffering after having his brace tightened this week and Morgan’s got an eye infection.

Took Morgan to a Birthday Party in the local sports centre yesterday and asked when the pool would reopen. Not until the end of March, beginning of April. I really must find an alternative.

Plan for the week – rest day tomorrow and quality over quantity me thinks.

Paul McKenna Really Does Work...
Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:23 pm LynneE


Paul McKenna
1. Eat when you’re REALLY hungry
2. Eat what you really want
3. Eat consciously
4. Stop When You’re Full
5. Drink Water

Common sense really. Decided not to drink alcohol too. Had an absolutely fabulous week. Lost 6lb. full of energy. Really positive. Friday, after a bad day in work had 3 cans of cider. Saturday blew the whole thing and put back on the 6lbs.

Weather’s been a bit counter productive to training. Did 2 gym sessions in the week. Intended to run yesterday but too icy and Morgan woke early. Intended to ride today but too windy. Getting sick of my own excuses.

Before Christmas read the thread about a cyclist dropping dead and remaining unidentified for a couple of days. This had been playing on my mind for a while even before I read the thread. I do tend to leave a note for Mark before I go out, telling him where I’m going and how long I’ll be but, by the time I get to the end of the road I’ve often changed my mind. I always take my phone but, if you were involved in a horrible crash that would probably be smashed too? I ordered dog tags and silicone bands from www.team-sport-bands.co.uk My dog tags have my name and address on one and contact Mark with the home and his mobile number on the other. I hope they’ll never be needed but I feel safer wearing them. Cait’s just got her name on one and date of birth on the other. I’ve got a glow in the dark wristband with my own inspirational message on. Jim’s got his name on his. The dog tags were £4.50 and the wristbands £2.00. Well worth it I think. So the forecast for this week is rain. I like rain. I can cope with rain. So the plan for this week. Back on the Paul McKenna eating regime (it’s NOT a diet) and 6 very hard training sessions will allow me a day off next Sunday.

Mum's Not So Special Special Birthday
Mon Jan 05, 2009 9:17 pm LynneE


Lynne – thanks. I do like writing my blog. When I read back through it, it makes me appreciate how lucky I am to have such an amazing life A response I got to a reply on Mountaingirl’s blog and basically I like writing my blog and whilst pretty much everything that can go wrong has gone wrong I too live a pretty amazing life.

On Saturday my Mum was 69. It’s not a significant birthday and whilst she’s not ill she’s not particularly well. My younger brother suggested lunch for the whole family today which was readily agreed. My idea of a lurcher was a curly greyhound. When we got our (rescue dog) years ago we were told that any working dog crossed with a greyhound whippet was a lurcher so Bud, a lab whippet x was a lurcher. My younger brother has an old spaniel – working dog and a whippet x collie x something = lurcher. My older brother has a curly greyhound = lurcher so elder brother decided Talacre sands should be the lurcher race track yesterday morning. Bud is a really bad traveller so we packed the car with binbags and newspapers. Before we got out of Mold he was shaking so violently he was withdrawn from the race. Tacacre has the Mick taken out of it so much. I’ve lived so close all my life and yesterday was only the second time I’ve ever been there. It is lovely. We had such fun. The dogs race. The owners race. The long jump. The who can get the most sand to stick to a football. Cait Jim & Morgan Cait winning the long jump Gelert the winning Lurcher Lunch was fantastic – a carvery but leads me to the other news.

Well I’ve got 5 and a half stone to lose I’ve pretty much tried everything and what jumped out at me doing my shopping in Tesco on Friday was Paul McKenna’s “I can make you thin.” I don’t want to be thin thank you very much but I do want to be healthy. It’s so simple
1. Eat when you’re REALLY hungry
2. Eat What you really want
3. Eat consciously
4. Stop When You’re Full
5. Drink Water

So I have officially resigned from the clean plate club. (Yup I was indoctrinated with starving kids in Africa) I start today but have been practicing. It’s very difficult to concentrate specifically on what you’re eating. Meals around the table in our house are always filled with chat and banter. I had a bacon butty on Saturday – in front of the telly but not watching it. Concentrating on every mouthful and chewing really slowly it was the best bacon butty I’ve ever tasted. I had veg curry and a baked spud Saturday night. The texture of this meal mad it difficult to chew but I did appreciate the flavours more. Yesterday’s carvery I really struggled – to finish – in fact I didn’t which is a first and progress. There’s a lot of psychological stuff in the book that explain lots of my reasons for overeating. I’ve loaded the CD onto my phone which basically translated is my ipod. There’s a big thing about not weighing yourself for 2 weeks which I will find hard. There’s also a 90 day journal which is on the other blog. Feeling very, very positive and… pushed myself for a faster run this morning so well on track for improving Chirk time.

Festivities Over

Hellooooo! I’m back!

Nothing to report! And I mean nothing. I’ve done nothing.

Shopped at 6am rather than train. Spent time wrapping presents instead of training. Played on the Wii instead of training. Consumed far too much food and drink. Too scarred to get on the scales.

Hope you’ve all had a wonderful Christmas. We’ve had a fantastic time.

Turkey’s all gone (we had beef but scrounged some from my Mum and brother). Nut’s are all eaten. Taken all the booze to my brother’s. Don’t eat chocolate so that’s not a problem.

Back in work today and working full time (it’s going to kill me!)

Knocked the half on the head – can’t get myself too stressed over not being able to do it. (will however run the course before the event – probably will take me 3 hours but hey ho!)

17 weeks to Chirk – written the plan – onwards and upwards.

And… I ran this morning. Felt absolutely fantastic. Cannot believe I have missed this wonderful feeling for 3 weeks!

Oh yes and I believe my blog’s been hijacked. I would never, ever, ever contemplate an Ironman – would I? A moment of complete madness!

Blame Sue

Blame Sue
Sun Dec 14, 2008 1:14 am LynneE


I’ve read some great things about Sue this week. About the support and encouragement she always gives to newcomers on TT. To all of you who have never met Sue – all I can say is the support you get in the forum is nothing to what you get in the flesh. Before I met Sue my ultimate ambition was to complete a Sprint. I’ve done 3. Entered a half marathon, pencilled in to do Bala oly in September and ultimate ambition is to do Bala Middle 2010. I have never wanted to do an Ironman. I swore I would never think about an Ironman. I have too many family commitments to train for an Ironman . IMUK Bolton… It’s too close not to think about. 2009 is definitely too short notice but… if I could do an Oly early in 2009 and a half late on then IMUK Bolton would be a distinct possibility for 2010. Running with Sue and the girls this week I was whinging “Sue I can’t do this! My legs are too heavy.” I wanted sympathy. I wanted “It’s ok turn back.” What I got was “They’ll feel far heavier after the bike so get used to it! “ Tough love yup but I walked less and finished 5 miles 5 minutes quicker. Thanks Sue

Blame The Weather (NOT)

Blame The Weather (NOT)
Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:41 pm LynneE


Monday – by the time I’d de-iced the car was too late to go to the gym Tuesday - 40 mins gym bike Wednesday – due to run with Sue – frozen pavements and black ice so bottled it ( Sue still ran which kind if proves why’s she’s an ironman and I’m not, or never will be!) Thursday – forgot to reset my alarm Friday- same as Thursday Saturday – made a conscious decision to finish the Christmas shopping rather than train So a pathetic week at the time I cant afford a pathetic week. Other things that have been going on.. (and no they’re not excuses!) Cough and cold getting worse instead of better so decided to give in and got some antibiotics. Tuesday my friend Lesley fell on black ice in her work’s car park and cracked her head. Wednesday hubby slipped on ice on our back path and had a mega panic because if he had been seriously injured Morgan would have been “home alone” Wednesday night had a discussion with Lesley about a local by-pass. It’s 3 lanes and I hate three lanes. The previous week I followed a car, obviously a stranger to the area who crawled at 30mph. OK his choice but a motorbike and car chose to overtake us both. Still no great problem until the 30 mph car decided to do a U turn half way down where there was a lay by. If we were being overtaken at this stage the consequences would have been dire. On Friday, not realising there was black ice I braked and slid into the path of a cement mixer fortunately stopping with inches to spare. On Friday afternoon an elderly couple were killed at the spot me and Lesley had been talking about. Another 2 people are seriously injured and a 17 year old has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. 10 weeks to my “A” race I’m miles, literally, behind schedule so I can either give up now or… Decided the hilly route I did with Sue is well lit so there’s nothing to stop me running it in the mornings (no excuses for de-icing my car.) So if I drop the swim until after Christmas add an extra run and only do 2 shortish gym bike sessions I should be back on track. Did an interval 5k this morning on ice so there’s a start.

The 2009 Plan

The 2009 Plan
Sat Nov 29, 2008 5:52 pm LynneE


Apologies again it's long Before anyone gets mightily impressed with what you’re about to read – I can’t take the credit – it’s mostly Sue’s. 2009 I’ve 2 main A races, the half marathon in February and Bala Standard (oly) in September. Both new to me. The other races. Chirk, Diva Divas and Llanrwst are just for measuring improvement. I’ve come to the conclusion (due a lot to Wiganers blog) that I can’t continue the training on a wing and a prayer there has to be a plan. So until February each week 3 runs, 2 bikes and 1 swim. After Feb can review but will only need 2 runs since will have the running and distance in legs from half marathon training so can concentrate on bike and swim. Enough time to increase their distances for Bala in September. Runs 1 long endurance run 1 hilly run for strength and muscular work (4-6 miles) 1 paced run (so not teaching myself to run slow 3-5miles n the treadmill ) Was looking at increasing long run by 10mins a week but to do 3 weeks then back off a week to avoid injury am going to have to increase by more than 10mins to be ready for half Bike will try for an outdoor longer ride if weather permits. Again endurance thinking increasing distance for Sept Bala. 1 on static bike, need to see what it does to mix and match hill training with intervals. Swim could wait till after Feb but some would keep me ticking over bearing in mind need to increase distance for Bala. So between now and half, concentrating on run. Then can review after half for next lot of training. Entered the half to give me focus for the winter but really think it was the right decision as running was by far my weakest discipline. I am very conscious I will have to put in a lot of bike mileage February onwards and will need to take every opportunity to swim open water. So the plan… Would rather go long in daylight so long run Saturday and long bike on Sunday and if I don't manage long run on Saturday WILL do it on Sunday and drop the long bike and won't beat myself up over it. Wednesdays – an hour hilly with Sue Will use treadmill for speed. Really struggle. I know it's psychological and boredom. Just got to knuckle in there I guess? So... Monday Gym Treadmill 5k TT Tuesday Gym bike Wednesday Run 60mins hilly Thursday Rest Friday Swim Saturday Long Run Sunday Long Bike All of course subject to flexibility. Pretty much stuck to the script except missed the swim and the hilly run was 85mins. The other biggie is Nutrition. I have got to lose 4 ½ stone by April. I’ve identified the benefits of wheat free. I’ve identified the benefits of longer consistent training. Job is great but a mediocre sandwich from the buttie van every day is not good. Will substitute for oatcakes and fruit. Am pretty much into the sensible shopping habit which helps enormously as meals are all planned which reduces temptation. Cold still bad. Tried the liquid beechams. Tried the tablet beechams. Tried the no training. Tried the hard training. Last night tried the ½ bottle of brandy, kill or cure approach. Combined with a particularly frosty long run this morning – might actually be getting somewhere. Suffered with migraine though. Frost and sunshine always trigger one. Plus sunglasses were well steamed up.