lifestyle – Page 3

Training Week Eight

Last week was rather good…. Two runs, two swim sessions, one gym session and one bike ride. My chesty cough continued last week. Earlier in the week I found my runs and swim sessions hard and slow but thankfully it’s now gone.

This weeks bicycle ride I went out with the triathlon club (Edinburgh Triathletes). I am now feeling much more confident in handling my bike again. I’m still quite nervous in wet weather and going down steep hills but I’ve just got to keep practising.

Both swimming and running I’m quite comfort with, my main problem is being able to maintain pace after more than an hour in either exercise. I particularly find this hard with swimming as I’ve swam most my life at short distances hard and fast for 50-200metres rather than 750-1500metres or longer in triathlons. I’m going to focus next week on longer continuous swim sessions rather than short sets during the session.

It was Easter last weekend and also the end of my alcohol free lent. I went out on Saturday night and had a few cocktails and danced the night away. It was great socialising with friends as I currently feel like all I do is train and work. On Sunday morning however I wasn’t feeling my best (hungover) and I didn’t train which I had planned (bad Jennie). That’s life and now I feel much more focused and energised on training.

It’s now only eleven weeks till the race, it’s slowly creeping up! Next week focus is on distance, I’m going to be doing longer distances on all disciplines.

Jenwaar

Training Week Six

Training week six

Last week I completed two runs, two gym sessions, one swim, one hour on the turbo trainer, and a long bike ride on Sunday. I’m pretty pleased this week, as I worked five shifts at work and still managed to fit it all in.

My run times are slowly but surely getting quicker, I keep comparing myself to when I was much quicker two years ago. At that time I was pretty much running all the time not swimming and cycling as well. I’m trying to stay positive; hopefully I will be getting close to those times again soon.

I feel I am getting quicker at swimming and managing to keep up with the fastest swimmers in my lane for most or all of the session. I am very good at short sprints but not very good at pacing myself over a long distance. I am completing the 5K swimathon next week so hopefully this will help. I aim to swim it in under one hour and forty five minutes.

On Sunday afternoon, my husband and I went for a long bike ride 56miles in total. We cycled from Edinburgh to North Berwick and back. I was very nervous as this was the first time I had been on my road bike since I fell off my bike in a race last May. I regularly cycle to work using a cyclocross bike. My commuting bike is heavier and uses SPD clip in pedals, whilst my race bike is a full carbon road bike, much lighter and has non-recessed SPD-SL clip in pedals. I sometimes feel like I’m unstable on my road bike due to its light weight. I find it harder to clip in with SPD-SL’s so I can panic when I’m clipping in and out whilst in the city. After a couple of cries and good pep talk from Sam I felt much more confident about cycling on my road bike. Once I was out of the city I was fine, long roads, less cars and less clipping in and out. After the ride I was knackered, it then dawned on me that I would then have to run a half marathon after cycling this distance. This was a massive wake up call. I need to up my cycling time, the weather is much nicer now and I should be able to complete one long distance cycle outside a week on the run up to the ironman.

Next week I am upping the mileage in all disciplines and competing in a swimathon on Sunday afternoon.

Training week five

Week five was not my finest….two runs and one gym session. So here comes the excuses, I went away on holiday for a long weekend away (holidays shouldn’t really be an excuse). I went to Iceland and it snowed most days and I did not want to risk an injury rather than complete a slow run. During the holiday, I was busy site-seeing and doing tours so I really don’t think I could have done anything more than one run. On a positive note I did not a lot of walking, averaging six to ten kilometres a day.

I would also like to point out that I’m no elite athlete. I exercise for fun and to challenge myself, sadly I have to work to pay the bills and exercising isn’t my full time job. Having a rest is healthy and can help you focus more. I have 13 weeks left before my race and having four days off shouldn’t put me back and should hopefully give me more energy for todays run!

Next week I will be getting back to regular exercise and I’ve planned a long cycle ride on Sunday.

Blog post about visiting Iceland with come later this week.

Jenwaar

Training week four

This week has been good…. Three runs, three swim sessions, two gym sessions and only once on the turbo trainer (oops). My long run this week was twelve miles! I’m pretty pleased with the distance, but the time wasn’t that quick. The last three miles were a killer, cardiovascular wise I felt fine but both my legs felt like ten tonnes each and sore for a couple days later. I’m hoping this will improve as I’m now running regularly.

I’m now starting to feel more at ease with training, previously I was doing six gym weight based session per week with the occasional run. I thought it would quite struggle to get back into running, swimming and cycling however after four weeks I feel like this was always my normal exercise routine. The five AM alarm is no longer a fight but maybe that’s because I’m going to bed earlier as I’m tired from all the training. I enjoy getting up early and getting the workout completed so the rest of the day is mine. I find if I have to wait all day the thought of training lingers and I find excuses so I’m less likely to train.

I’ve found blogging about each weeks training quite useful as I record what I do each week, so I keep a close eye on training and making plans. It also helps keep me accountable and motivated as I know I’ll be writing about it. I don’t think reading about how lazy I’ve been each week would be as exciting a read and I wouldn’t have anything to write about.

Next week my goals are to continue with the regular sessions and use the bloody turbo trainer more!! As you can tell cycling is my least favourite sport in the triathlon, I cycle to and from work every work shift so I feel it’s more a mode of transport (which it is) rather than sporting fun. If I want to improve I must train! I hope next week I won’t be writing this again.

Jenwaar

Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies

Last weekend my parents came to visit for my mum’s birthday. On Friday for her birthday we had breakfast at Montpelier’s restaurant in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh. Highly recommended for breakfast! I had Mexican beans with poached eggs and extra smoked salmon with apple juice and green tea. My Dad had the ‘The Full Monty’, a full Scottish breakfast including steak and my mum had a morning roll.

After we filled our bellies we went to the Falkirk wheel and then to see the Kelpies. The Falkirk wheel is the world’s only rotating boat lift connecting the Forth and Clyde canal with the Union canal. We went on a canal boat trip using the wheel which raises the boat by 24 metres. I found watching the wheel in action more interesting and impressive rather than the actual boat trip but the guides were very good and informative.

The Kelpies are thirty meter horse head sculptures made of steel with stainless steel cladding and are the world’s largest equine sculptures. The name Kelpies comes from the mythological transformation of beasts possessing the strength of hundred horses. They represent the working horse’s heritage for Scotland. The structures are pretty impressive and stunning in both the day and night, definitely worth a visit.

Jenwaar

This blog post isn’t sponsored

Training Week Three

This week I managed two swims, two runs, two gym sessions and two rest days (all the two’s). Ideally I should have done a little more but that’s life. My parents came to visit at the weekend and I worked five shifts last week. On a positive note, one of my runs this week I ran eight miles; the furthest distance I’ve done in a while.

Sometimes I find it hard to train when working a few shifts together so I need to plan my sessions ahead. I work twelve and a half hour shifts both day and night which change each week. Some weeks I have a few shifts back to back so I have a few more 5am sessions and may train less. You just have to be realistic and flexible as we are only human and sadly I have to work to pay the bills. I plan each week ahead so I know what I’m doing each day and generally if I have a plan I do (most of the time) stick to it.

Another way I try to stick to my fitness plan each week is to go to at least one trained session per week. I am member of the Edinburgh Triathletes club and they run weekly sessions each week for running, swimming and cycling. This keeps me motivated by mixing up my exercise sessions. Group sessions help me to work harder as you have someone pushing you. I am quite good at plodding along at the same pace during training and I find club session push me much harder. Other members at training also help as I am quite determined to finish training just like everyone else.

Next week I’m continuing regular running and swim sessions. I am planning longer runs, maximum two gym sessions and to use my turbo trainer more this week.

Training Week Two

Training was much better this week… I managed 4 runs, two swim sessions and two gym sessions. I did a mixture of triathlon club running and swim sessions, runs by myself, a, gym session with my friend Kim and a personal training session. I’m slowly starting to feel like my lungs aren’t going to explode after each session and on Saturday I found my five mile run a pleasure. I’m feeling much more positive about being able to actually complete the Ironman.

Tuesday was Shrove Tuesday aka Pancake day! I made Chocolate avocado protein pancakes with blueberries, peanut butter and Nutella, they were amazing. I am not religious however I do like to give up something each year. I usually give up alcohol and this year is the same, apart from I am adding fizzy drinks as well.

On Thursday evening I went to a talk by Freya Ross about her cook book called Food on the run. Freya is an Olympic marathon runner and will hopefully qualify for Rio soon. She talked about her training regime and typical foods she eats every day. It was really reassuring to hear she doesn’t follow a strict diet, calorie count and weigh everything she eats. She advocates having a varied diet with a few treats. She spoke about when she eats before and after running and what she does during race days including what drinks and gels she typically uses during a marathon. I left feeling inspired and positive about my own training and dietary habits. The cook book is filled with easy to follow and simple recipes. I shall be trying out some of these recipes very soon!

This week my CycleOps turbo trainer arrived. A turbo trainer is a device that enables you to ride your bike whilst stationary, and indoors. They clamp around the quick release skewer of a bike’s rear wheel suspending it in an A-frame. Luckily I have a wonderful husband who build the trainer for me and attached it to my bike. Sunday evening I managed an hour of hill climbs whilst watching call the midwife. I hope being able to cycle at home will help me train when the weather is bad outside.

Next week I’m continuing regular running and swim sessions including one long run. I am planning to slowly increase my mileage and in a few weeks eventually to start increasing my speed.

John O’Groats Trip

This week I was lucky enough to go away with my husband to John O’Groats. Yes that’s correct John O’Groats in February! We arrived in the wind and rain on Monday to stay at the Jan De Groot Penthouse within the Inn at Natural retreats. The apartment had views over the Pentland Firth and a free standing brass bath in the bedroom (I’m a sucker for a big bath). We stayed for four nights in self-catered accommodation. John O’Groats, like any coastal town, is seasonal and was very quiet at this time of year. Our aim of this trip was to relax and chill, which we did.

Tuesday we managed a coastal walk from John O’Groats to Duncansby Head lighthouse and back, our walk was cut short due to the unpredictable Scottish weather (gale-force winds and sleeting rain). Once we got our soggy cold bottoms home, I took full advantage of the bath, a long soak with a glass of Processo.

Wednesday we visited Dunnet Head, the most Northerly point of mainland Britain, and Thurso. I made our favourite dinner of fillet Steak, sweet potato chips and salad when back at the apartment.

Thursday was Sam’s birthday and luckily we had good weather so we could walk out to the Duncansby Stacks, such beautiful views and no wind! In the afternoon we drove to Wick and took the birthday boy out for a meal.

Friday we went home. It was the most relaxing week consisting of eating and drinking, reading and going for long walks. As it was out of season it felt like we had the place to ourselves (which I loved) however most attractions and places were closed. For a quiet break I would recommend coming over winter, just prepare for the weather!

Jenwaar x

Hello!!

Hello,

Thanks for having a look at my blog. I thought my first blog should explain why I want to write. Firstly it’s a new year and in my drunken state at the bells I wanted to start documenting my life and interests. I aim to write a lifestyle blog about my love for food, fitness, traveling, my mishaps and general ramblings.

Secondly I want to make 2016 count, 2015 was an amazing year filled with traveling, fitness, good food and marrying my best friend.

So 2016; my main goal this year is the Staffordshire Ironman 70.3 in June. I’ve been a runner all my life and I started participating in triathlons in 2014. Last year I lost my love for cardio and found a new interest in lifting weights (at the gym not competing). Although I still enjoy weight training I have missed racing so I have decided to challenge myself to an Ironman 70.3 triathlon. The longest triathlon I’ve ever done is Olympic distance and my lack of real regular cardiovascular training over the last 6 months means this will be challenging for me.

I am a massive food lover… I love to cook, I love to dine out, I love to eat and I LOVE FOOD! I try and keep a well-balanced, healthy, varied, flexible ‘diet’ with a few treats. I hope to discuss my favourite foods, recipes and dining out experiences (especially the treats!!).

I will be blogging as regularly as possible and hopefully I will bring you some interesting stories.

jenwaar

Jenwaar