Last Days of Summer, And A Big Hello to Autumn

Well. I've been trying to find the time to post a "last day of Summer" round up, and then tried for a "first day of Autumn" post, but obviously, thanks to a lack of time between training, working, shopping, cooking, socialising and an accidental two hour nanna nap yesterday afternoon, time has passed me by and here I am posting in Day 2 of Autumn.

So, Summer. Well, if you call what Melbourne gave us weather-wise Summer. But just days ago, I was thinking about Autumn approaching, and getting out in the Autumn weather, and how pretty Melbourne is at this time of the year, my thoughts naturally turned to running (see, I told you I was a convert!). Then it occurred to me - I'd made it through the Summer! Late last year, when Summer was approaching and we had our very first very hot day I grew very worried, very quickly, that my training would slide - especially the running since it nearly always takes place outdoors. I was worried the excuses would come creeping in: "It's too hot" is one that springs to mind immediately.

Then it dawned on me - I made it! I did it! There were no excuses, I was even out there running 14kms just last Sunday in the 35 degree heat!

Now my next challenge - conquering Winter. As the days get shorter I know I will find it harder to get up in the morning. So I really need to focus NOW on my commitment to becoming an early riser. I've not been great at it lately, and it is because I get to bed way too late.

Now, a quick round up of Week 2 Training:
I have been so happy with it. I managed a total of 28 kilometres over three runs (including the 14km run I mentioned above), a combat class, a KIMAX class, two strength sessions.

Week 3 Training:

So far, Monday was a strength session - my legs were sulking after my big run the day before, so I smashed out an upper body session, Tuesday 6km speed run. Completed on the treadmill as it was pouring rain. I don't really like running on the treadmill, but I needed to get this done as my training week was FULL, Wednesday a group workout in Princes Park which is touch football and boxing based, Thursday morning a 7km run and then KIMAX in the evening.

For those who like boxing and have KIMAX in their gym I urge you to go try it! It's so much fun:)

For the rest of the week, tonight I'm going to head to a Pump class, tomorrow I have a great boxing session at Jells Park to look forward to (which includes a 5km ride there and a 5km ride back), then Sunday, an 8km run. After last weekend the 8km run feels like a rest!!


My nutrition has been getting better and better, and I saw a 1.4kg loss over the last two weeks, which I am very happy with.

Finally - my Friday list of things that made me happy!

Setting out in the rain on Thursday morning and having the running track all to myself, running into a fellow 12WBTer whilst running last weekend, exceeding my goals, the fact that it's Autumn, by far my favourite season in Melbourne, unexpected ducklings sightings, impromptu catch ups with my best friend last Tuesday evening, sore muscles reminding me of how hard I have been training, well deserved baths, lovely Twitter people being awesome, awesome friends.

There's probably more but that's all I can think of right now!!

Have a gorgeous and fabulous weekend everyone!!

2011 - Reflections On Health and Fitness

Well I'm been trying to find a moment to sit, blog and sum up my year like everything else has - as usual I'm late (fashionably?) to the party, but hey, I'm here!

2011 has been an extremely full year! I can't believe how much my life had changed - not just in aspects of my health and fitness, but my outlook has changed - I've always had a lot of determination, and I've finally found ways to channel it, and it's helped me grow as a person. I know a little bit more about myself. It's amazing no matter how old we are, we can still grow and continue to learn more about ourselves.

2011: A Summary
Completed three rounds of 12WBT - a program I was aware of the moment it opened. I watched the 2010 rounds go by, saw some amazing results but really did not feel like I had what it took. By Round 2 2011 I was an Ambassador for the program and attended the finale workout as an assistant personal trainer. It was an extremely proud moment for me.

Started running. I started running on the treadmill in my local gym (I know, boring right?) - I did the first 5kms I ever ran on a treadmill, then the first 10kms. I remember seeing that 10km tick over on the treadmill and nearly bursting into tears - I couldn't believe I had done it. From there I decided I needed to start running outside. My first run ever outside was only a mere 3kms and I found it hard. From there, I was determined to make it to 5kms outdoors - I signed up and trained for my first ever Fun Run - Run Melbourne. I did 5kms in 30 minutes and 20 seconds. To this day I still haven't been able to beat that PB!

Later, after failing to sign up to Melbourne Marathon in time, the gorgeous Rell Frichot let me run in her place - I still can't express how grateful I was for that opportunity and I was determined to smash it big time. I was expecting a time of about 1 hour and 18 minutes, and came in at 1 hour and 1 minute and 45 seconds.

The next (we will get to the end of me blabbing on about running, I promise!!) goal was to get a 15km run under my belt for my major milestone to cap off R3 2011. I was nervous, I was worried I'd hold other runners back, but 1 hour, 45 minutes and 11 seconds later I was done! I still feel quite chuffed about completing it. Thank you to all of the gorgeous #rellsrunners for running with me - it was a special and really important day for me. Not only after I completed 15kms - I THEN ran a 1km time trial and THEN participated (well, to the best of my weary tired muscle's abilities) in a TABATA session.

Personally things have improved for me too - I am enjoying the work / life balance of only working three days a week then having time to support my husband's business and time to do the things I want to be doing. It's less money, but I don't care. Money isn't everything and I am happy I can look at my year and feel like it wasn't spent in an office stressing about things that don't really matter to me personally.

I've had quite a lot of ailments in 2011. Neck pain, which I have GOT to get under control. It's an ongoing issue for me and it's very disruptive to my life. Not to mention being severely painful! There was the month I has stomach flu. I was SO sick for weeks on end. Horrible virus. I had to have a number of dental procedures, which all in an all were preventative work but really, who LIKES going to the dentist. On the bright side, after suffering with atrocious dental pain in 2010, 2011 has seen me with not a hint of a toothache.

Moving house: a lot of you who follow me on Twitter will know I had to move house suddenly thanks to our land lords deciding the ideal time to renovate would be over Christmas. After being good tenants for over 4 years it was a blow. Weeks of house-hunting ensued - it was competitive and depressing. Not to mention the wasted weekends spent looking, the stress of the looming date to vacate, and my natural pessimistic nature when it comes to these things. That said we found a place. We moved, and I love it it. We are in a lovely place, across from a gorgeous park with a running track along the Maribyrnong. I like having more space and I have just started working on the garden out the back with the plans of having my first ever fresh herb garden.

There's plenty more to be said, but I did really want to focus my reflections on physical and mental health and fitness.

2012 plans blog post to follow!!