Session four: Park life

Hubris: Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance

Remember in my last blog post I said that session was quite easy and I thought I was getting the hang of this whole running malarky. Well pride definitely comes before a fall. Today's session was tough. There was one point I thought I was going to vomit...not good.

I was feeling lazy today and couldn't be bothered going all the way over to the tow path so decided to go to Drumglass Park, a wee park up the road from me. This park is tiny you can stand at the top of the park and see all the way to the bottom. 

There weere a lot of people around, not a big fan of that. In the past this would have put me off completely but now I just imagine they're all thinking 'Wow look at that hot tamale, she's an excellent runner. I wish I was like her' in actual fact they've probably not noticed me at all. 
Decided to go with Chubby Jones' podcast but my last run was so good listening to that. In fairness it was because i really thought hers was shorter than the Running to Fitness one. Well damn me for taking the easy option, this was tough session. I think I was so used to the tow path which is pretty level whereas this park has a slight gradient. Not too noticable when you're walking but during the running intervals it felt like Everest. 

I can't remember off the top of my head how many laps I ended up doing off the park but I do remember nearing crying when I realisedI counted wrong and actually had another running interval to do.

I did enjoy the same though, the park was a perfectly fine place to run. I loved all the tree, the tow path just doesn't have enough trees. There were even some flowers started to bloom, a sign that Spring isn't too far away.

After my run I decided to treat myself to a few books from a wee charity shop and I spotted this.

There is absolutely no way I would buy the book from a charity shop. Boke

Also I promised my darling mother I would tell you all I am blogging from her community cafe at Lighthouse Centre in Belfast. She wants you all you fellow bloggers to know there's cheap coffee and free Wifi! Yeah the things I do as a darling daughter.

So first week done and dusted. And that is me completely up to date with my blogging. Starting week two tomorrow, slightly dreading it to be honest!

Chat to you all soon my lovelies

FBB x

Session three: Night running

Time for some honesty, I did not want to go on this run. It was the first run I wasn't looking forward to. I woke up and it was absolutely lashing down outside, it was so grey and miserable! I have to admit I just pottered about the house for ages doing anything I could to avoid getting my running clothes on.
Eventually I had to face the facts. The rain wasn't going away and if I didn't go out for my run it would be the start of me making excuses not to go. I just had to face the fact I live in and Ireland and it rains 90% of the time.

Trainers on, hair scrapped back and off to the tow path I went. It was about 4.30 and it was already quite dark. I sat in my car having a cigarette in a last ditch attempt to wait for the rain to the let up but no joy. This session I went with the Chubby Jones podcasts. I really liked this one, the girl Mia talks alot during them and lets you know when you're halfway through your running interval. There's some good music, I had no idea who any of the bands were but I felt cooler by osmosis. It felt to me like it was no where as near as hard as the previous attempt. I actually thought that maybe the Chubby Jones podcast had one less running interval then the Running to Fitness one but I listened to them both again and they were exactly the same.

I genuinely feel like this one was my best run. I found a comfortable pace to jog at and was surprised when I finished my last jog as I thought I had at least one more interval to do.
After I decided to treat myself to a skinny vanilla latte from Starbucks and I gotta tell you ladies of Belfast, the Starbucks on the Lisburn Road opposite the MBC is filled with hot men! I know how I'm going to spend my next Friday night- hotty spotting!

Sorry for the lack photos, I took some gorgeous ones of the lights reflecting on the Lagan at night but somehow deleted them all :-(.

Next session will finish my first weeks training, I'm going to try and get it typed up as quick as possible as I'm running a session behind myself and getting confused.

Hope you all have a glorious weekend I am partaking in a Gong Bath today what ever that is!

Love

FBBx

Session two: sore muscles and happy hearts

Sorry for the delay in updating. I did my second run the day after the first. I can hear you all now 'But Shona you need a day of rest between each run.' To which I reply 'Ha maybe to you mere mortals but I am a titan I'll run when I goddamn want!'
Well no not really, it's more the fact that I work shifts so I have to run on my days off and sometimes they are consecutive meaning I've to run two days in a row. Now after my run the day before my muscles were a bit...wibbly?! They weren't exactly sore but they weren't exactly great at walking up stairs. But I decided to push through the pain and go for my second run.

A little bit of research the night before told me there were podcast created specifically for the Couch to 5km running programme. I downloaded the Running into Shape one and one by Chubby Jones. I think podcasts suit me better, I get so distracted by having to check my phone for when my next running interval should be that I can't concentrate. I just need someone to shout in my ear 'Start running Fatty Boom Boom,' or 'Slow it down now Sho.'  So the podcast seemed perfect for me.

Off I drove to the Lagan towpath again. I really like the tow path, there's nice scenery and it's not too busy. It was a lovely, crisp winter's afternoon and I felt so postive about this run.
I decided to listen to the Running into Shape podcast as I preferred the playlist. It was definitely a lot easier to just listen to the podcast and run. However it wasn't exactly a stroll in the park. Each interval of running was sorer then the last. My muscles was aching! I thought I was pushing myself too hard and slowed myself right down but even still my legs were agony.  I did complete the full half hour though. I felt so proud of myself.

After my run I was genuinely scared that my legs were too weak to be able to drive but I struggled through. Got a big bag of epsom salts for the bath and soaked for about an hour. Overall very pleased with how the session went. I've decided to do week one two more times because the first session really did work.

Good luck to you if you're doing the programme too!

Love

FBBx

Session one; a series of unforunate events

Decided to tackle my first session. Usually before attempting any form of fitness activity I would go to Sports Direct and outfit myself in shiny new trainers, running leggings and a fancy water bottle. But as funds are low (so, so low) I had to make do with what I had in my wardrobe.

Not exactly the most professional look but I figured I was only going out for a wee jog really not a marathon. Then there was the problem with pockets. I needed to bring my phone, iPod and keys but only had wee tiny pockets. So I promptly stuck my iPod and phone in my bra and my keys in my pockets. Job's a good one.

I decided to do my first session down along the Lagan tow path. It's a nice straight path with some nice scenery. Also I had to pay my car tax so I could park in the Gasworks and kill two birds with one stone.

Before I started running the heavens open and it started raining. Not completely lashing down but not a wee drizzle either. But still I persevered on. I had my wee app running on my phone to count down each interval of running and walking. I had my running mix worked out ready to pump me up. I was motivated and ready to rock. What could possibly go wrong?

Well firstly the earphones I got from Poundland were rubbish, they kept cutting out or only playing through one ear. Tres annoying but still I plowed on.
Next the battery went dead in my phone...not ideal. I then had no idea how long I was suppose to alternative between running and walking. Wasn't sure how long I'd been going before the battery died so a certain amount of guestimation occurred.

I honestly thought that 60 seconds of running couldn't be that hard but boy was I wrong. By the third running interval my lungs were aching, I was sweating like a pig and I was seeing stars. It was so hard. Also the trousers I was wearing were too big and I had to keep pulling them up whilet rying to jog which knocked my rhythm off. I've clearly been in denial about how unfit I am because I really, really struggled. But I carried on and by the end of it I had a definite sense of achievement.

As soon as I got back to my car I stripped off as many layers of clothing as I could, downed a bottle of water and lit a cigarette. I thought I was never going to feel normal again

What I learned;

• Preparation, preparation, preparation: I have to charge my phone and iPod before going out. I really want to track my runs with Endomundo and I've downloaded podcast that tell you when to change your pace. It would be too easy to use a dead battery as an excuse not to carry on.
• Proper clothing: I need to get a pair of bottoms that actually fit and won't be a hindrance. Aw well will just have to go shopping!

 I tell you what lads, this isn't going to be as easy as first thought but I am going to keep her lit and keep running!

Love

FBB xx

Running- not for the faint hearted

New Year new start. Living clean in twenty fourteen. Size 12 by July. These are my new life mottos. 

Welcome readers. My name is Shona, come on in and make yourselves comfy. I am a 25 year old nurse, I am overweight and a smoker. The most physical exercise I get is working up the stairs to my apartment and even this leaves me out of breath.

As New Year's Day passed in a haze of hungover boking and depression, I decided that instead of making a list of ten resolutions that will only last until a fortnight into January I would make two general resolutions that would make the biggest changes to my life. Firstly take control of my finances, a task that is filling me with fear. Secondly to lead a more active lifestyle. 

Easier said than done to be honest. Where do you start to be become fit? I knew I couldn't afford to join a gym (see resolution number 1). I never have good success with fitness dvd's as I usually end up doing five minutes then sitting on the sofa watching the rest. I had been chatting to my friend Laura who lives in New Zealand but was home for the holidays. She has recently signed up to complete the Wellington Marathon and is an dedicated runner. I've always loved the thought of being runner. To run on scenic routes, becoming one with nature. My body would be my temple and if there ever was a zombie apocalypse I would be in with pretty decent chance of survival! 

Come on how hard can it be?!

Now I'm no expert but I am pretty sure you can't just start running miles and miles, you have to start slowly. A quick good search brought up the Couch to 5k training programme. It looks easy enough for the first week you walk for 90 seconds run for 60 seconds. 

Now usually when I decide on something I'm an all or nothing girl. I go out and buy all the accessories and gadgets I may possibly need. I still have an unopened easel and a hundred oil paints under my bed from the time I decided I want to be an artist. This time I resisted the urge to buy the entire Nike shop and decided that if I stuck to it for a month I would treat myself to some new gear (that and the fact that I can barely afford to put petrol in my car at the minute- again see resolution one)

So that is how I'm going to keep myself motivated. I'm going to make a list of treats I can get each month if I stick to the path. I am also seriously considering signing up to do a leg of the Belfast marathon. 

I shall keep you all updated with my endeavors. Hopefully the first run doesn't kill me

Love

Fatty Boom Boom xx