Meet Mack

Inspired by my subversive friend I thought I should either blog or give up all together.  It's not that I haven't been doing anything blogworthy. Quite the opposite in fact, I've just been so flipping busy I haven't had the time.  And I have a tendency to put a lot of stuff on FB so most folks know the drama and saga that is my life!!

Since this blog is supposed to be about my tri efforts I'll stick to that but it's worth noting that everything else in my life is going well.  Except for selling the house *sighs*

So, meet Mack (short for Mackenzie) my ancient mountain bike.  In the pic we're just back from a very muddy ride round the fish farm near me. Mack is so old he used to have a baby seat on the back.  But everything is still in working order and he had a bit of a makeover recently.  Since then we've had loads of adventures including going to Arran and night rides round Stirling Castle. FB friends will know he survived falling off the back of my car (whole bike rack came off!!) while I was driving this week.  I still break out in a cold sweat thinking how lucky I was not to cause a major accident on the A9!  My guardian angel was looking out for me that night.

But I can cycle without aggravating my knee and my back. HOORAY!  I can work out at the gym painfree.  YIPPEE!! I can run a couple of miles if I wear a knee brace with no after effects.  WOOHOO!!! Still haven't been tempted to get back into the pool though. BOO!!!!

Stirling Tri is still the target.  I have a few other plans along the way.  Nothing compared to my more experienced running friends but exciting enough for me.  I am continually challenging and pushing myself (and am being challenged!) in so many positive ways (sea kayaking for example!!)  Sometimes I kick myself for waiting so long but good things come to those who wait :-)

Be the change

As an educator I know the power parents and significant adults have to influence our children's habits.  Want your kids to love reading?  Let them see you reading. Want them to eat healthily? Eat well yourself.  Kids learn by watching what you do, not what you say.

Even so, it was with some surprise that during a recent conversation it was pointed out to me that Gordy's new found enthusiasm for all things sporting was partly due to me.  Me, the former exercise hating lazy bitch??  Surely not.  But then I gave it some thought.

Despite being ill and injured this year, he's seen me prioritise health and exercise in a way I've never done before.  We sometimes run, swim and cycle together although he's miles better at running and swimming than me now.  I still have the edge on cycling but that will change!  We talk about eating properly and plan meals so he doesn't run out of energy (he's veggie so getting enough iron and protein is a priority)

Tonight I watched him at TKD and realised that he was the only kid in the class who was able to do 10 press ups.  How did that happen?  And then I figured out that with the variety of stuff he's been doing he's just a fit kid.  Two years ago he missed almost 2 terms of school due to glandular fever. Look at him now!

His first rugby match playing for the school on Saturday

Gandhi said "Be the change you want to see in others" If the positive changes I've made in my life have contributed in some way, then I am one very proud mama.

Moving forward

Thanks for all the lovely encouraging comments here and on FB.  I'm more upbeat about the whole injury thing now.  But two weeks of relative inactivity haven't been easy.  My appetite hasn't decreased unfortunately and I suspect I may end up looking like a sumo wrestler if I'm not careful.  If the weather was better I'd be happily munching my way through salad but when it's this cold my body is convinced it needs to lay down fat stores to get me through the winter!

But I'm keeping busy.  Knitting, quilting, gardening, reading (Chris Hoy autobiography) and there's always stuff to be done round this old house.  It looks like the housing market won't be improving any time soon so I need to prepare for another winter here. That will keep me occupied and out of mischief.

I've also found 4 teaching jobs within my speciality so I've been busy filling in application forms.  Surely one of them will come my way?  Fingers crossed and universe been asked.

I loved this quote Fi left on FB. "Success is not measured by heights attained but by obstacles overcome. We're going to pass through many obstacles in our lives: good days, bad days. But the successful person will overcome those obstacles and constantly move forward"  Bruce Jenner

I'm moving forward :-)

Day 3 aka Game Over

Day 3 began with a lie in.  Until 6.30am! I expected to be stiff and sore so wasn't surprised to find I could barely move. I genuinely hadn't looked at the day's programme (cos I would freak!) so when I found out it was a 5 mile pre breakfast run I panicked.  But a quick test run up and down the road and a liberal amount of Biofreeze on my lower back convinced me I was up for it.  I really was.

And the first couple of miles through knee deep puddles and muddy trail were ok.  I was actually enjoying being out in the pissing down rain.  And managing to run up all the hills!  And then my knee began to get sore.  Achey at first, then twangy.  Then so painful, I had to stop running.  It was a long tearful walk back to the car.

The short version is that I simply couldn't take part in any more exercise.  So I came home, 2 days early.  My knee puffed up nicely and I limped around the house in a foul mood, periodically sitting with a bag o' frozen peas on it.  A trip to the physio suggests I haven't torn or damaged anything but there is major inflammation. Treatment is rest for a couple of weeks and start back very slowly.  He also suggested I'm pushing my body too much.

I haven't been able to blog about it until now because I was so angry. Angry that my race plans have been thwarted again.  Every time I increase my levels of training I get ill or get injured.  It feels like I'm destined not to do a triathlon or half marathon this year.

So even though I didn't complete Fit Camp I learned a lot.  I pushed myself harder and further in one day than I've ever been able to do.  I still let the crap in my head stop me from believing in myself but I'm more aware of it and I'm working on it.

I have no idea what to do now.  I don't have a goal to work towards except don't gain weight!  How can I stay motivated when I can't train?

Day 2

I got up in time (just) for a pre breakfast 3 mile run and beach workout.  Stunning location but eaten alive by the dreaded midges!!

Breakfast was followed by a 5 mile trail walk.

Lunch was followed by a 20 mile mountain bike ride on trails, closely followed by an upper body circuit session.

And rounded off with a collapse into the hot tub!!  It was hot and bubbly!!!

I have never done so much exercise in one day.  I discovered a few more things about myself.  I'm a big scaredy cat going downhill on a bike!  I was constantly told to get my hands off the brakes.  And true to form I struggled going uphill as well.  Encouragement in the form of "PEDAL, PEDAL, PEDAL" had little effect on my dead legs. No problem, I got shoved up from behind. And when that wasn't fast enough I was dragged up!!

I discovered that when you run out of energy it means you haven't eaten enough.  Ooops!  Forgot I had stuff in my backpack.

And I fell off. THREE times!  Once into the river, once going up a hill and once at the side of the main road (that one really hurt!)

But I kinda enjoyed (most) of it.  Although I don't half ache all over!

Day 1

It might be a pretty ski lodge with Wifi, outdoor hot tub and a wood burning stove but it may well be the scene of my demise.

Boot Camp (cunningly renamed Fit Camp!!) has commenced.  A deceptively leisurely evening arrival was swiftly followed by a short sharp shock in the form of tomorrow's schedule!  A 6.30am pre breakfast run and beach workout, followed by breakfast, followed by a 3 hour trail walk then lunch.  I haven't even got the heart to look at what I'm doing after lunch or in the evening.

I love how optimistic Clark is in thinking I'll be able to get out of bed before 6am!! I guess I should have warned him I'M NOT A MORNING PERSON!!!!

I am woman, hear me roar

The above image is a take on the classic 1972 Helen Reddy song "I am woman"  I recently discovered it on a wander round Youtube.  It speaks to me on so many levels and I can understand why it became an anthem for women's rights throughout the seventies.

But it's the chorus that really resonates with me this week.

Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

Sometimes I believe that I can do anything.  In the last couple of weeks I've run for my club, I've learned to cycle with SPD pedals (not learned to stop yet without falling over though!!), I've been out for an 8 mile run (my longest run in 9 years) and realised a teenage ambition by becoming a biker chick!

Oh yes, I am woman! Tired but happy :-)