I have to admit I am struggling now. A half marathon seems such a long way off from where I am and just too difficult – and the time is disappearing with the big day getting closer. I signed up for the Half with the intention of trying to get the fastest time possible – but also knew that it did not matter how much of it I walked – the goal was to cross the line and raise funds for The Roses Theatre. I have a cold and it is really on my chest and really I want to cuddle up in a duvet and stuff myself full of chocolate – and sleep more.
Revisiting last week’s Goals
I guess I set myself up for not pushing myself by not accepting the Weekly Showdown Challenge on my fit bit. TMI but it was my time of the month and I really didn’t fancy moving anywhere! However, Tuesday I still went to running club (covering 4.7 miles I believe it was but that is stop start) and Wednesday I walked to town with the intention of doing Circuit Training (but actually it hurt to move and it wasn’t on where I thought it was at least). I planned to go running on Friday whilst the boys were at running club – but alas I just sat down! I also got my car back from Thursday – so you can see where it was all heading. I went to bed early Thursday night too (like really early) and still fell asleep Friday afternoon – so I knew I wasn’t well. Saturday I did Parkrun and ended up walking some of it – and got a new PB (for Parkrun) at 30 minutes and 5 seconds – how I wished I had jogged a bit more instead of walking! I KNOW so much of it is in the mind and I keep telling myself that I can’t do it when I need to tell myself that I CAN. I always get depressed around this time of year and hopefully by the time race time comes a long I will have well and truly snapped out of it. I have also seen it first hand with The Sensory Seeker (aged 7) wanting to sit in the park whilst we run because he says he can’t do it – and for the last few weeks we haven’t got him to (he has enjoyed going to his Nan’s) but this week we told him that he could, that it didn’t matter how long it took. He completed it in 34 minutes and 55 seconds – beating his previous PB which was over 43 minutes!
I did try a bit better with diet this week. I signed up for this plan that suggests that it is about food pairings and how often you eat (eating regularly) so that your body burns off what you eat and doesn’t try to store it. I spent ages swapping things around, trying to fit it in to our busy lifestyle and find combinations that I felt I could do something with. I discovered that I cannot stand 100% fat-free cottage cheese – it is the most disgusting thing ever! You get masses of grapes for a “cup-full” and that full-fat milk (when you haven’t touched it for forever) has an amazing taste! But obviously even a little bit of milk in tea is helping me to put on weight! My shopping arrives on a Tuesday evening so I started this on Wednesday. It was really nice to sit down, come away from my computer and have a proper cooked lunch. But in reality by Friday having 3 meals a day that each have “snacks” either side – a lot of which needs cooking just wasn’t practical for me and I really didn’t like not being able to just have things that I consider are good for me but more practical (like Weetabix instead of cooking eggs before the school run).
I have not seemed to fit any yoga or other form of exercise into my week and it really is essential. Running club didn’t have the training plan but said I need to add an extra mile every week to my run and every fourth week rest. That I need to do any other form of exercise (swimming, cycling, circuit training, yoga, etc) on top to strengthen my body – as running just increases stamina. That this was particularly important over the 6 mile mark or it would increase the risk of injury.
Half Marathon Goals Week 3
I need to maybe find motivational quotes to keep telling myself I can. I shall keep looking at the reasons why I am doing this to help inspire me. Keep working on the diet – I did manage to snack on healthy foods and had no chocolate last week (I did get very drunk on Saturday though when out for a friend’s birthday and erm we had takeout a few times!). This week no takeout I think would be a start – and I will not be drinking either. As the new week starts today I can say that I have started some other form of exercise by using my Microscooter on the school run – but I do need to add more in than that. Obviously I need to aim at a 5 mile run this week! I have pledged that I will run twice with my running club before Valentine’s and the first 2,000 runners get a medal – because it is the time of year when people give up.
Thank you for reading and your support.
Here is what will happen to the money I raise:
Using arts to change people’s lives – projects which make people feel happier, become more confident, have higher self-esteem, and feel better connected. This improvement in mental health can lead to general improvement within families. Giving people the chance to see things differently and to better understand the word in which they live. They lower the risks of social exclusion within the parish, lower risks of crime and channel that energy into benefiting the community and developing investable key skills in individuals.
- Working with the Police Commission and NHS to work with the students and raise the understanding of those who have experienced a disruptive upbringing.
- 5361 participatory sessions each year to young people. Projects include weekly youth dance and youth theatre sessions (Some places are funded to enable people on restricted income to participate); Future Film Makers, working with children at risk of exclusion; Your Future, activities for young people who have witnessed domestic violence; Hatch, for young people keen to develop skills in administration; Autism Awareness, working with children with special needs through accessible workshops and many more.
- 892 participatory sessions each year for people with additional needs. Projects include relaxed film screenings which give an opportunity to those living with dementia to enjoy a social activity together. Sensory Friendly film screenings for carers of children with special needs; Subtitled Screenings, for people with impaired hearing and Audio Described screenings, for the visually impaired.
- 200 participatory sessions each year to people experiencing domestic violence through creative arts workshops for women who have been signposted to the programme. We also work with perpetrators of domestic violence, that focus on developing team skills which they can then employ back in the home environment.
None of this work is funded through income generated through ticket sales with every penny being raised via fundraising.
Please sponsor me at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/GlosBloggers – Thank you.
Keep up the amazing work Joy! I know from experience, the half marathon is a real challenge but the hard work certainly is worth it in the end. To date, reaching that finish line is one of my biggest achievements to date. Keep going lovely!! X
Keep going sweetie – I am also on the half marathon training and I had a terrible run yesterday that actually had me in tears on the way round as I felt like a cumbersome barrel and my little demon was busy telling me that there is no way I can complete a half (I have a full later in the year too).
Do try and get some pilates/yoga/body balance in there though. Before I signed up for the half I loved my circuits and body pump with Body Balance and Legs, Bum, Tums thrown in. Moving house and gym meant I dropped the classes and got a plan from a trainer that includes my run and gym (for endurance and strength) and recently I have had terrible IT band problems……..because I haven’t been stretching properly!
But enough about me! You can do this!! Keep going 🙂 🙂 I love that you are sharing your story too. xx
wow! You are doing amazing work!! It’s fantastic to read about the people you are helping by doing this
Great post, sharing that there are still people caring for others, thank God for you!
Love being kept up to date on this you should be so proud of yourself!!!!
What an amazing cause and well done you!! You’re doing so well!
A quote by confucius “He that says he can and he that says he can’t are both usually right”. Believe in yourself! I would say, make sure your goals are realistic, perhaps not aim for the fastest time possible, just aim to finish. Keep going 🙂
Keep up the running. Some days I run well and others I just walk but we both got in some exercise.
Kudos to you! Keep up the great work and never give up on your goals. I could never participate in a half marathon due to health restrictions but you are an inspiration into keeping the goals I do have. Thank you.
I’m at exactly the same point feeling grotty with a cold and not wanting to do it. Tonight even my poor dog hasn’t managed to persuade me, I feel it would be more beneficial to rest up and feel better before I start again. I hope you manage to shake your cold soon, you’re doing brilliantly following a training plan, I tend to just follow the dog and hope she runs far enough 😉
Nat.x
If someone inspires me and I know that there is something that I can do to help and support my brothers, then there is nothing that can stop me not even myself. If you are true to your intentions then do it, prepare and have fun with it. Just imagine that because of that little sacrifices you can be able to help a lot. Having a chance to help others was such a blessing indeed.
Congrats, I really like your philosophy of raising money from the arts which of course is proven to boost self -esteem and build upon skills and create new ones too. Good luck x
Stay strong and keep up the good work. I signed up for the London marathon last year and it was the best thing I ever did. On the day the crowds are amazing and it’s so much fun. Put the hard work in now and you’ll reap all the rewards later
What an inspiration you are to me. I have always wanted to run but I’m not even walking most days.
How wonderful, you are doing great! I’m not sure if I could do it! It’s so wonderful how you want to help people.
Keep up the amazing work, I wish I was as dedicated as you! I hate fat free cottage cheese as well, tastes so bland and ugh!
Your story is so encouraging. You working so hard and doing good for the community. Keep it up!
You’ve done well and it’s good that you’re finding fresh ways to motivate yourself. I wish I had your fitness levels!
It’s awesome what you’re doing to help those in need. I admire you for your dedication and I hope that you push through with your goals for each week. It’s very rewarding.
Just keep it up your good work you are almost there, you know that your story is really encouraging and inspiration.
Glad that you shared this encouraging story, keep an amazing story.
You’re such an inspirational to us, I really wanted to do a half marathon, this is also encouraging story.
Sounds like a great half marathon training week!! Keep up the great work you will rock your half marathon!!
Good luck with your marathon. I hope you raise a lot of money for your charity, Using Arts to change lives. What a great cause. Of course, don’t forget to have fun!
It is so inspiring that you are doing this for charity and I really miss running. I was never at the level that you are at, but I did love to run and I wish that I was still physically able to do so. Keep pushing on, you will make it!
Love that you are working so hard on achieving your goals. Keep up the great work!
congratulations for all your effort, it´s really inspiring! I’m sure you are in an awesome shape and this is really healthy x
Wow, good for you! Keep up the good work. I would love to join the marathon someday. Thanks for sharing.
That is amazing… such a wonderful cause! Good for you and wish you the best in the marathon 🙂
Keep it going, you’re doing great! I always admire people who are so dedicated and persistent when it comes to physical activities, my enthusiasm never lasts long enough!
Love the picture of the cat. Sounds like you had a good week training. Keep working hard. Someday I would like to do one as well.
It’s such a good cause, you have to keep going no matter how hard and get through your goals every week. You’ll be great I’m sure – best of luck.
Keep up the amazing work!! You’ve done well and it’s good that you’re finding fresh ways to motivate yourself.
I think you are doing such a great job and I love how committed you are to achieve the goal that is in front of you. A good way to help others for an amazing cause that could inspire many!
My goal this year is to loose weight and be healthier so next year i really want to train for a half marathon, it sux trying to work out at the time of the month, keep focused on your why, its not the goal that keeps you going its the why! 🙂 good luck! You got this 🙂
I enjoy reading this, You’re doing an amazing work, This is really hard for me. Glad you achieve it