So it’s that time again – Janathon time! This year I am giving it my all! Working out every day (some days more gently as it’s important to let the body recover too!) – and I am also aiming to get in 10,000 steps every day as well (though will be satisfied if I manage 5 out of 7 days for this!)
So what have I been up to for the first seven days, well if you follow me on Instagram you probably already have an idea, but here are a few more details!
Day 1 – New Years Day
Double parkrun (Greenwich – Avery Hill Park and Bexley – Danson Park) with my lovely friend Helen of helsbels.org – we started 2016 off in the same way, and I think it’s a great way to start the year! Read More »
Today was just a really lovely day, despite the rainy weather, for a number of reasons;
It started with taking the Blue One to a taster session of Saturday football that his coach (Coach Alex of AW Football Coaching) invited him to. The Blue One has been doing football sessions since he was about two with Coach Alex, who he adores, starting at a toddlers session at North Cray Children’s Centre – he now attends an improvers session at Falconwood and does another session at Sidcup Youth Centre.
At this session, the Blue One and three or four other ‘little’ boys his age got to see what exciting things they have in store for when they get bigger and they got to play with the ‘big’ boys – who are all of about 4 and 5, but when you’re still only 3 that’s quite a difference!
My Blue One had a fab time and was totally in his element, not nervous or intimidated at all, and he ran around for a full hour! Good going when you’ve only got little legs and it was raining! He chatted to me about it non-stop after he loved it so much, but he now thinks he’s going to be playing football 3 times a week!!! I on the other hand now realise I am a ‘soccer mum’ – oh dear! Must remember not to keep calling out… haha!
What the Blue One loved about football today
The boy and I then popped into the Card Factory after, and if you follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram you may already know this, but the nicest thing happened, whilst queuing to pay for our purchases the Blue One was chatting to me about the Spider-Man balloon he liked and maybe he could have it for his birthday, he was then chatting with the lady behind us in the queue. Just as we finished paying the lady asked if we could wait 5 minutes, and then said to the Boy “the lady in the shop has a surprise for you as you’re such a good helper to your mummy, happy new year” and then she was gone and she’d bought him the Spider-Man balloon – I was overwhelmed and speechless! Bought tears to my eyes, such kindness and I don’t even know her name – but Thank You, she made my boys (and my) day! The kindness of a stranger has definitely restored my faith in humanity!!!
Very pleased with his kind gift!
So on that high we headed home, where the hubby had sorted out the front room as we’ve hired a RugDoctor to clean our carpet, so we did that for the afternoon and then we were all confined to the kitchen and conservatory as the carpet has to dry – which it is doing, slowly!
It was at this time I decided to go for my run! So this is my actual Janathon activity for day 9. I managed a 6km run! I was pretty chuffed with that, because at the 2km mark I thought I may have to stop and walk home as my ankles were really hurting, but I plodded on and it did ease, it’s annoying as the rest of my legs felt strong and my breathing was good and for once my brain wasn’t telling me I couldn’t do it – so I am proud that I kept going. My legs, which were still feeling achy and a bit stiff after my Boxercise class, now actually feel much looser and better after my run which is great – and I made sure I stretched properly after my run, especially my ankles.
My Pink One demonstrating perfect leg stretches – how straight is that leg!? She also rather likes mummy’s Buff!Some sinister after run selfies!
On a little side note, I also got an email telling me one of my Redbubble images had been sold as a greetings card – I made all of 15p – but someone bought one of my images, it’s so exciting, I am very happy! Here’s a link to the image and a link to my previous post about my Redbubble.
So Juneathon Day 6 – the plan had been to do the Danson Parkrun, but woke up with a grumpy tum (blooming IBS is really getting to me now – even on this low FODMAP diet it can still be triggered! argh!!!), and really didn’t feel like doing a timed run. So text Helen, who I was going along with and asked if she minded if we did a more local run – which thankfully she was happy with too!
So 8.30am this morning, I walked over to hers, then we walked to warm up, going back through a beautiful park (see image below) and then went on a very gentle 3km run.
Beautiful park – sunshine, pond and ducks!
It was a very pleasant run in the cool morning sunshine – the beautiful weather always helps me to feel more upbeat!
Route and how we did!
Helen witnessed my 6 toe touches!
Obligatory after run selfie with the lovely Helen!
I then did a sprint for the 200m to home – always good to feel how quick I’d need to go to do 5.20min/km – don’t think I’d ever be able to keep it up for any extended period of time though!!! Haha!!!
Sprint to home!
Finally did my 6 sit and reaches and 6 sit ups/tummy crunches!
Hope everyone has a great Juneathon Day 6 and happy Saturday!
Recently I’ve been caught up in remembering how to study, dealing with my kids, my low FODMAP diet getting to me, life just generally catching up with me and feeling quite run down…
I have lost my running mojo and it’s ages since I’ve worn these beautiful trainers…
Did consider taking some berroca but it contains things I should avoid on my low FODMAP diet! Blooming typical!!!
Anyone else gone through a running low? What did you do to pick yourself up and get running again?
Any suggestions gratefully received and much wanted!!!
So I made it! 31 days of exercise, 31 days of logging on running free and 31 blog posts… whew! It’s been an exhausting but also rewarding 31 days! Hip hip hooray for Janathon!!!
Today though I am feeling very full of cold, but knew I couldn’t end on a low for my very first Janathon, so went on a very gentle 2km run with Deputy Helen!
The walk to meet with Helen involved mud, I have to say I am not keen when the ground makes squishy noises under my feet!!! Ewwww!!!
Mud… Squelchy…Squish… Squish…
Disappointingly the Garmin I was so excited to use, I must have done something wrong as when I finished my run it hadn’t registered anything – but fortunately I’d set my MapMyWalk app running simultaneously, phew! Otherwise I’d have been very grumpy!
Didn’t want to over do it as I am facing a 10km run tomorrow – and feeling like I currently do I am not sure how I am going to make it – topped with the fact my journey up town is going to be a complete mission as trains are stopping at London Bridge! Urgh!!! Anyway – that’s enough ranting and complaining!!!
I just want thank everyone who has taken the time to read my posts, like them and start following my blog – it’s much appreciated! I enjoyed all the blogs I had viewed too – only wish I’d time to read more of them!
Well done to everyone who has taken part – you’ve all done amazingly!!!
So this morning I thought for my Janathon Day 20 I’d go for a run in the evening when my husband got in from work but as the day wore on and it got darker and colder and I got more tired my conviction to go diminished to the point where when my husband did get in from work I pretty much wasn’t going and thought I’ll just do some activity on the Wii!
My hubby kindly just said “Go for a run!” – which is the best thing he could’ve done because I did! It wasn’t long but it was nice and refreshing! I’m glad I went! It feels good!
That is I ran my first timed 10km race (and my first solid – with the teeniest bit of walking – 10km ever to be honest!)
What an amazing experience I had! This will be the pinnacle of my Janathon efforts. It took place at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP) which initially made me feel disconcerted as when I’d registered it was meant to have been at Hyde Park – but obviously had a venue change!
Firstly I have to thank Deputy Helen and Jo for their unwavering support as I was feeling exceptionally nervous and not at all confident in my abilities and they told me I’d do great! They themselves did superb efforts Helen getting a course PB – see Helen’s Blog, and Jo got a 10km race PB – check out Jo’s Blog
Amazingly supportive friends – Post Race
So the day started nice and early, leaving the house at 6.30am, with a 2.34km walk to the station, a good warm up, where I met up with Helen – what should’ve been a straight forward journey of a train to Lewisham and then the DLR to Stratford, ended up being a case of DLR musical chairs with a change at Canary Wharf and then the next train terminated at Bow Church and we had to get a bus the final part of the journey but finally we were at the venue with plenty of time to spare and were able to pick up our packs and go and get a hot beverage!
View from the DLR
Attached my race number with my Event Clips – check out my friend’s blog where he reviewed various methods of attaching your race bibs! I love my Event Clips – so thanks to Graham for that blog!
Having now met up with Jo we headed back to where the race was starting to do our bag drop with all our unnecessary clothing – fortunately we weren’t waiting in the cold for too long before it all started – took us by surprise to be honest as there was no noise or starting pistol just suddenly the people in front of us started moving quicker!
I made sure I ignored all those around me and didn’t get caught up in the initial rush of the race starting and completely out pacing myself, I kept pretty much at the back and took this very gently as I really had no clue what I was facing, what I was doing or how I would cope. For the first time in ages I listened to music whilst I was running which was pleasant – though I couldn’t find my usual headphones so had my apple ones which did occasionally annoy me by falling out of my ears and by the third lap my hands were so numb I could barely feel to put them back in, but this was just a minor thing!
Managed to do the first lap with no walking, second lap I was still managing to keep my breathing even but the course was quite undulating with numerous inclines, so I gave myself permission to walk for a short amount of time up one of these inclines and then started running again. I think I did one more short walk on lap two but can’t remember where exactly. At the start of Lap 3 I still felt relatively good, though was saying the odd mantra of “I can do this” and “one lap to go” etc, so anyone near me I apologise if I seemed like a mumbling mad women!!!
On the third lap I decided to walk in the same place as I had on the second and when I started running again I knew I couldn’t do anymore walks otherwise I wouldn’t get running again as my glutes were suddenly feeling very tight. This final lap felt tougher, to me it seemed the wind picked up and it felt colder and though my legs felt reasonable my arms were aching! I kept plodding on, my mood picked up when I heard the Baywatch theme tune on my playlist (Thank you hubby).
Suddenly the end was in sight, it was near and yet so far, people were now starting to speed up and go past me as we were nearing the finish, but I kept with my slow and steady pace as I wanted to hold on to the last of my energy for that final burst on the home straight and that is exactly what I managed to do. Coming down the last straight a lady I had managed to overtake slightly earlier I could hear coming up behind me and starting to go past me when I heard the marshal on his megaphone “I want a sprint finish ladies” and I knew I still had some reserve energy and sprint is exactly what I did and suddenly I was over the finish line and I had done it – I couldn’t stand up straight, I was shaking – but I had completed my first 10km!!! Whoop! Whoop!
How to celebrate? Go and have some cake and hot beverages with my two lovely friends! Obviously it was the only thing to do!!!
Time to eat cake…Mmmmm!!!
I completed my first 10km timed race in what I think is a respectable 01:10:38 and I am pretty chuffed with that! Some room for improvement so I better sign up for my next one, think that’ll be the Bupa London 10km in May… now where’s that website…
So when I woke up this morning I wasn’t feeling so great, which was annoying and I was worried it would affect my run or mean I wouldn’t make it out for a run, but thankfully as the day went on I felt better asides from the ache in my right leg courtesy of skipping!!! Ive been stretching to try and alleviate the discomfort and tightness especially in my calf and my right glut…ahem…
So I finally managed to go for a very pleasant run with my friend Kay, we chattered as we ran (I’m quite impressed I can actually run and talk at the same time – proof to me that I am improving) and we surprised ourselves by running 5.56km, and more importantly we missed the inclement weather which I can hear lashing down on the conservatory whilst I write this blog! Nice!
Kay is a lovely running companion, very encouraging and motivating – we missed having Deputy Helen with us though! It’s so good having two great friends to exercise with, they’ve kept me going for which I thank them wholeheartedly! I appreciate their support more than they know! My run did help ease the ache in my leg – here’s hoping my legs still feels good in the morning!!!
When I got in from my run – I did manage to fit in some Rhythmic Kung Fu and Rhythmic Boxing! Makes me laugh and feels good!
Aerobic Exercise Super Hula Hoop Rhythmic Boxing Super Advanced
Training Plus Rhythmic Kung Fu
All in all lots of exercised completed and currently feeling good – long may it continue!!!
😊️xxx
Janathon Tally Running Mileage: 18.67km/11.60 miles
Total Running Time: 02:21:50
Star Jumps: 10
Running on the Spot: count of 20
Push ups: 3
Zumba Calypso warm up: 1
Zumba Salsa Beginners: 1
Boxing: 01:05:00
Total Number of planks: 3
Total time planking: 1mins 40secsc
Wii Fit: 02:38:00
Walking Mileage: 5.77km/
Total Walking Time: 02:09:50
Total Skipping: 1168 jumps
Total skipping time: 00:22:00
Fun: 9/10
Total Janathon Time: 09:31:00 (according to everything I’ve logged on Runningfreeonline)
So after a rather stressful day stuck in doors with the blue one who is suffering from the chicken pox (so grateful to the two friends who visited who kept me from completely losing it) I managed to get out for a run with Deputy Helen! Yay!!! I managed to do some decent exercise for Janathon Day 9!
Awwwww, bless him…
It was a rather gentle jog as I was wearing far too many layers for what was an unusually mild evening in January! 14 degrees Celsius – what was that all about!?!
A run of……two halves!!!
absolutely shattered!!!
😊xxx
Janathon Tally
Running Mileage: 13.11km/5.62 miles
Total Running Time: 01:37:50
Star Jumps: 10
Running on the Spot: count of 20
Push ups: 3
Zumba Calypso warm up: 1
Zumba Salsa Beginners: 1
Boxing: 01:05:00
Total Number of planks: 3
Total time planking: 1mins 40secsc
Wii Fit: 01:04:00
…or in my case two friends, and for all you rude minded people I obviously mean go for a run!
This will only be a short blog, but I felt compelled to share this with you all, I’ve not been running since 13th September, for numerous reasons – mainly stomach issues, very annoying, and this evening I went for the first time since then and I was really apprehensive that my fitness and my ability to run would be gone after all that down time!
Instead, to my surprise, it was absolutely amazing and I feel so good having gone out there and done it. But what made this such a good run and made me feel so much better is I went with two good friends – who I am so thankful for, able to chat with them and we discussed things and before we knew it we’d done 5km! It was just fantastic, made my body feel good and really helped clear my mind!
So if you’ve not been running for a while, and like I was, worried about getting out there again – try and find a friend (or if you’re lucky like I was) two friends to come with you and get back out there! You’ll be so glad you did! 🙂 xxx
I was pretty chuffed with that, because at the 2km mark I thought I may have to stop and walk home as my ankles were really hurting, but I plodded on and it did ease, it’s annoying as the rest of my legs felt strong and my breathing was good and for once my brain wasn’t telling me I couldn’t do it – so I am proud that I kept going.
My legs, which were still feeling achy and a bit stiff after my Boxercise class, now actually feel much looser and better after my run which is great – and I made sure I stretched properly after my run, especially my ankles.
Jog on Mum 