I knew it was going to hurt...

So it's over!  January, the most depressing, difficult month in the year, and now the month where I have completely changed my outlook on exercise and in particular running, is finally over, and some kind of normality can be restored!  I knew it was going to hurt, and my achilles tendon is testament to that, but it was fun and undoubtedly, I'll be back!!!

Brass monkeys!

The penultimate day, and I was determined to go out and prove to myself just how much I have achieved over the course of this challenge.  Before Janathon, exercise was restricted usually to gym sessions and the occasional run.  My first few runs were arduous and my times were rubbish, now I have learnt to relax when I run, that it takes a couple of miles to get into a rhythm where I am warmed up and then I enjoy it. I feel fitter, I've been told I look fitter too. Today I took a leisurely 10 mile run, and I beat last week's time by 5 minutes.  When I say leisurely, it wasn't really, it was hard work, but I kept reminding myself to relax, straighten up my posture when I could feel my steps getting heavy, and then the run became easier.  My i-pod shuffle has kept me going too, I tried some of the audiofuel routines, and they were really great at helping me get into a sustainable pace.  It's been a great experience butI shall be glad to get my life back to normal!

Day 29....

It was the turn of the gym today.  I was in work today, marking entrance exam papers and interviewing anxious 11 year-olds for a place at school from September, when all I really wanted to be doing was taking advantage of the clear bright day and be out there running, instead a late afternoon hour in the gym on the cross-trainer and treadmill.  It just isn't the same!  Here's hoping for a run tomorrow...

counting down the days...

After all this time, of exercising every day, I have now missed a couple of days of blogging!  Work has been hectic, starting early and finishing late, and whilst I've still been able to get out there, for a brisk walk at lunch, and the usual commuting walk, I just have not been able to get online.  I even have to go to work tomorrow, which means I'll not get to run, but I may get to the gym.  I shall be aiming for another run on Sunday though perhaps not the same distance as last week, my sore achilles has still not completely healed.

6 more days...

In the gym today, cross trainer and some weight resistance work.  Funny thinking about exercise every day.  I mean, I do some form of exercise generally every day, at the very least I walk everywhere, one of the benefits(?) of not driving! What Janathon has made me consider is the value of what I do. Why do I exercise?  Because it is good for me, because it is a social activity sometimes, and a selfish escape at others and because I have learnt to like it and miss it when life gets in the way and I can't get out.  6 more days of Janathon... but I will try and keep to the routine into February and beyond.

another day another dollar...

Back into another working week and I have decided to take things easy on the exercise front, and enjoy it rather than stress about the amount completed or not.  I will do something everyday, I can use my Swiss Ball to so some core strength exercises, I can fit in a couple of gym visits a week, and I will continue to run at the weekends.  When it gets lighter in the morning and evening, maybe then I can change my routine and run during the week to.  One of the reasons my run yesterday was so enjoyable was because I was so relaxed doing it.  This must be my mantra from here onwards: relax and enjoy it! Another set of crunches here we come....

advice well heeded...

Have been feeling pretty mixed about exercise, when it goes well it is the best thing ever, when you pick up an injury it sucks.  Last weekend I strained my achilles tendon, which meant any kind of running was off limits, I physically couldn't do it.  I was forced to rest, something that more knowledgeable people had told me I should be doing anyway. I didn't exactly follow their advice, I just did different exercise, used the swiss ball for some core exercise, used some light weights for some strength training, and evening did a bit of yoga to stretch and relax my muscles.  I tentatively went out for a run this afternoon, a later time than normal, after making sure I properly warmed up and went for it.  I can honestly say it was the best run I have ever done!  I ran 10 miles (further that I have ever even tried) at a steady pace, and just felt that I could run forever, this must be why people love it so much.  So, to those who told me to rest, and that I'll have a better run if I did, I'll allow you one "I told you so!"

Friday again!

A little light exercise with the Swiss ball tonight and some stretches ready to go out and run tomorrow.  Who'd have thought I would miss it?  Indoor exercise is what I'm used to, outdoor running is what I have learnt to enjoy.  Only 10 days left!

woohoo!

I got to the gym today!  Am having to be careful because my achilles is still quite tender, but I did some work on the cross trainer, and some resistance work with weights and feel great!  I just want to run though, am wondering whether I should tentatively manage a short run on Saturday morning... how much rest is enough rest?
I am considering entering a half marathon with work colleagues in June, the idea sounds great, but the course is a killer... hmm will ponder that some more.
11 daysto go

peaks and troughs

Having been feeling down about training and performance, I began to feel better again, following the support and encouragement from fellow Janathoners experiencing similar difficulties, now it is that irritant of time, and not having enough of it, to fit in the exercise I want to do! I am trying to make the most of the opportunities as they appear, but I have had two quite late evenings with work which has meant that exercise is limited, oh to work part-time! I know that my body is probably appreciating the rest as some of the training has been quite intense, but I have been getting used to it and when I can't do it, I find I miss it!   I think I may even keep this training up into February!

thank goodness for bloggers!

I was feeling really fed up yesterday, my ankle was sore, I couldn't run as far as I wanted, I didn't enjoy the run because of the weather and I was about ready to give up. I blogged about it, I moaned about it and now it's out of my system I'm ready to start again, invigorated (almost) and with a positive frame of mind.
Thanks to all of you who have been keeping me going - we're over half-way!

ouch!

I'm used to getting up and muscles feeling a little stiff, and so I always stretch beofre going out, and once I've warmed up, mostly those aches disappear.  Not today :(   The tendon around my achiles on my right ankle felt really stiff this morning.  I tried to run through it, but I couldn't, so today was a painful run/walk.  Exericse is rubbish when it hurts.

correct posture?

Here's a question for those of you in the know, when I'm running I feel I hold a lot of tension across my shoulders, is it an arm position thing? Should my arms/ shoulders be relaxed when running?  Aside from that, it was good to get out there even though I was running into the wind again.

Almost halfway...

Unbelievably it is Friday again! It has been the longest week ever, work and family issues, and squeezing exercise in has not been easy, tonight have only managed to walk and use the Swiss Ball.  Am hoping to get out there and run tomorrow and Sunday.  I hope everyone else is keeping up!

that's more like it....

Hurrah! I went to the gym this evening and had a really good workout.  I have done my best to do something significant exercise-wise everyday, but with yesterday being my birthday, I just didn't get a chance.  I felt really gutted as once I commit to something I like to see it through fully, and I felt like I had missed out yesterday.  Tonight's workout certainly made-up for missing out yesterday!  Looking forward to getting out running tomorrow (assuming the rain goes away).

birthday!

It was my birthday, and so I'm afraid to say exercise was not at the top of my priority.  I did the usual commuting walk, but that was it.  Back to the gym tonight to make up for it!

Day 11

It can be done! I made myself leave work earlier than I would usually in order to get to the gym at a half-decent time and get home before Eastenders.  My training during the week at the gym is with a colleague, and we use the time to catch up on the gossip we've each missed.  So maybe the intensity isn't what it could be, but a change of training style is as good as a rest!

why does life get in the way?

Back to work again today, and the same frustration of trying to fit in exercise and the level and intensity that I know I could be doing!  Somehow a speedy walk and a short routine using the swiss ball just doesn't hit the spot - oh well, gym again tomorrow to up the intensity again!

silly me!

There I was thinking that as we are into the second week this old running lark would get easier! Of course I was forgetting that there are days sometimes that no matter how fit you are, exercise just feels like hard work.  I went out pleased to see that the sun was shining and the wind had dropped, thinking that running would be a pleasure this morning.... wrong! Firstly it was very cold, secondly running into the glaringly bright sun meant that I couldn't really see where I was going, and I was struggling to maintain a pace.  I ran two thirds of the route I had planned and came home a bit despondent. 

And into the second week...

Having been encouraged by last night's running time I went out early this morning thinking I would push myself again - it's Saturday after all and if I want to I can spend the rest of the day 'recovering'.  It is cold and really blustery out there, and most of the run was with a strong cross-wind but I really went for it and have come back invigorated!  Meeting other runners who nod or smile as we pass each other is also really motivating too. Onwards with the day!

Because we're worth it...

The end of the working week and I really thought I wasn't going to get out and run being Friday and the day my colleagues and I usually end up in the pub.  So yes I went to the pub but forced down diet coke, and I came home and pushed myself to go out and run, and boy did I run!  I'm still a bit of a novice at running outside and specially in the dark, but the weather forecast was predicting serious rain and gale-force winds so I knew if I was going out it had to be quick.  My fastest time yet, and I felt a great sense of achievement after pushing myself to go out and do it.  Why do we put ourselves through these challenges? Because we're worth it!

frustrated!

This working for living plays havoc with trying to maintain exercise everyday!  I leave for work and it's dark, I come home and it's dark, and even just getting to the gym gets in the way of being responsible mum who feeds their family at a sensible time on a school night! AAAGGHHHHH!  More Swiss Ball training tonight to supplement my commuting walk. Realistically it will be Saturday now before I get out and go for a decent run.  On a positive note my legs don't hurt anymore!

getting creative

It has rained all afternoon / evening and after a long day at work, the prospect of going out for a run just was not getting me enthused, so instead I decided to do some core work and rest my poor aching legs! (I've been told I should rest and exercise different muscle groups).  So there it is, using the swiss ball I have crunched and lunged and done some very ungainly exercises, all in the name of Janathon.

Back to work...

It was tough today, back to work, worrying about whether I would get out today, as it was I managed to get to the gym with a colleague for a decent cardio workout and a little resistance work with some weights.  I have told as many people as I can about attempting this challenge, hoping that peer pressure will keep me going, and already I am looking for ways in which I can sneak in some exercise on the days when really getting out is going to be tricky, the 1st is Friday, typically the day when we go to the pub after work... maybe I can get a lunchtime walk in.
How is everyone else finding the time in amongst a normal day to fit extra exercise in?

When will my legs stop aching?

I exercise fairly regularly, usually in the gym using the treadmill, cross trainer and stepper for cardio, and then some weights for resistence, but for Janathon I have taken to running outside, and my legs muscles, particularly my calf muscles, really ache.  When will it stop?
Today I ran just over a mile, on a flatter terrain than yesterday, I am hoping that with a return to work tomorrow I can maintaiin the commitment to run everyday.

Day 2

Feeling a little stiff this morning, I thought I would take it a little easier this morning by running a shorter route, just over 2 miles. However, at reaching half way and not feeling as if I had particuarly pushed myself, decided to change my route home and take the big hill. I slowly puffed my way up and the view was certainly worth it.  The South Downs are spectacular on a clear morning like today.  I could get to enjoy this!

Day 1

Despite a late night, I got up and started the Janathon: a 4.5 mile run to the beach and back.  I'd like to say I enjoyed it, and whilst I was running along the exercise path, and the brief respite at the beach I can honestly it was quite nice, fellow exercisers were friendly, but running back into a head wind was not fun, tomorrow a more gentle exercise I feel!
Good luck to other Janathoners!