Archive - Page 6 of 17 - Put the Kettle On

PILGRIM’S (LACK OF) PROGRESS

Written by amanda on 11th February 2013. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on PILGRIM’S (LACK OF) PROGRESS

Your mind will quit a thousand times before your body will! – Yup! It’s true! PILGRIM’S (LACK OF) PROGRESS A TRAGI-COMEDY IN TWO ACTS Setting: The North Downs Way Prologue I had a feeling I might be making a mistake when I pressed that ENTER button sometime late November 2012. It was going to be a big ask to prepare in ten weeks for a 66-mile race, but one of my 50 goals for 50 years was to take part in a multi-day event and just as I was thinking about it up popped The Pilgrim Challenge...

Of Pilgrims and Plans …

Written by amanda on 18th December 2012. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on Of Pilgrims and Plans …

It’s some ridiculously small single-figure number of weeks until Pilgrim Challenge so yes, panic is setting in but it’s not all bad news, it’s just bedlam. Last time I wrote I’d just discovered I had ten weeks to get from 0 to 60 miles. Seven weeks left and this is just silly but two things are certain: (1) I WILL get to the start line; and (2) I’ll do everything I can to get there safely!! You know me … I never do anything without a plan. There’s no point telling me to ‘just train’ or ‘do a few...

MY RUNNING LEGS HAVE ARRIVED – WAHAY!

Written by amanda on 30th November 2012. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on MY RUNNING LEGS HAVE ARRIVED – WAHAY!

So my first week back to any semblance of running has been interesting, to say the least. As described in an earlier post, during one session I had to throw in a surprise sprint interval in order to catch the thief who I spotted disappearing down a path with all my gear – hat, gloves, phone, car keys, windbreaker … Two days ago I had a surprise strength session thrown in as I was obliged to climb over the doors of the public toilets having somehow locked myself in!! And no, there was no point...

Donning my SIU hat – 10 weeks to Pilgrim

Written by amanda on 27th November 2012. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on Donning my SIU hat – 10 weeks to Pilgrim

It is time to catch up, get a grip, suck it up and do whatever it takes. The Pilgrim Challenge is, in training terms, just around the corner. I think this might be an early mistake of mine for the new year. I’ll let you know. Meanwhile, I’ve just realised it is merely TEN WEEKS AWAY and I’m struggling to run 5km. This does not bode well but miracles can happen. Nah, scratch that. Miracles WILL happen. If I discovered ultra-running in 2012, well 2013 is going to be my year of ultra-exploration...

Of inspiration, motivation and Hokas

Written by amanda on 26th November 2012. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. No Comments on Of inspiration, motivation and Hokas

‘Run with your eyes closed.’ So says Kilian Jornet (article in Trail Running magazine – Oct/Nov 2012). Come on. Really? That made me truly laugh out loud. I mean, what planet is he living on? Well, certainly not mine. Jeez, doesn’t he realise that most of us have enough trouble running with our eyes open? Complete nutter!! He goes on to suggest one should try running for 5m blind. Erm … I’m hoping that’s not 5 miles! Oh – and let’s not forget...

Bench Blast and a Little Magic

Written by amanda on 9th November 2012. Posted in Training/Challenges (various). No Comments on Bench Blast and a Little Magic

Bench Blast: Brighton Beach. I’ve just finished a session with a client further up the beach, but hey, since I’m here, why not do a mini-session to consolidate my glute-blasting session of the other day. I haven’t got a plan. My legs are still feeling the effects of Wednesday’s workouts combined with yesterday morning’s swim session followed by kickboxing (so much for taking a day off lol). I’m keeping to a gentle Walk 60 secs/Jog 60 secs with no intention of...

Do Vegans Dream of Electric Friends?

Written by amanda on 3rd November 2012. Posted in WWVD: What Would a Vegan Do. No Comments on Do Vegans Dream of Electric Friends?

I say this because I could imagine they must struggle to ever be invited anywhere … I’m thinking ‘robot’ friends might be the only option HAHA That said, It’s been an incredible eye-opener, my vegan journey. And not just from a nutritional standpoint, but it’s given me a whole new perspective on society and how we think about food. Fascinating. I completed my two-week vegan adventure on a massive physical and emotional high. It forced me to so radically think about my nutrition...

The right kind of support …

Written by amanda on 25th October 2012. Posted in My Ultra Ego and Me. 1 Comment on The right kind of support …

During September’s High Peaks 40-mile ultra marathon I had the amazing fortune to run alongside an inspirational lady called Kelly T (I’ll keep the surname back just in case). Kelly left me in total awe as I watched her battle valiantly with shin splints for most of the race while she simultaneously regaled me with her training plan stories in readiness for the Himalayan 100 mile stage race (http://www.himalayan.com/) a mere six weeks later. It only took about ten miles, though, to realise...

PARAS’ 10 – THE POSITIVITY SWITCH

Written by amanda on 23rd October 2012. Posted in Paras 10 Training 2012. No Comments on PARAS’ 10 – THE POSITIVITY SWITCH

PARAS’ 10 Colchester – 21 October 2012 – P-Company Challenge … 10 miles in military kit with 35lb bergen Been, done it, got the tee-shirt (literally). Actually I’ve now ended up with THREE tee-shirts – bit of an overload. One, I bought for training, the second arrived courtesy of paracharity.org along with a collection box … and the third one has a big ‘FINISHER’ emblazoned on the front. Well, one can never have too many tee-shirts, I suppose. Erm … you’ll notice there’s...

WWVD: Week 2 and beyond …

Written by amanda on 9th October 2012. Posted in WWVD: What Would a Vegan Do. No Comments on WWVD: Week 2 and beyond …

Just over two weeks has passed of my dedicated vegan adventure (foodwise, at least!). 10 lbs gone without a single thought – so that’d be 10 lbs that my body simply didn’t want or need. I can’t believe the scales but my knees, my waistline, my energy levels, sleep patterns, general strength and yes, even my ring fingers say they’re telling the truth! It’s just fab and I feel fantastic. I’m just not sure what I’ve done to deserve this buzz. I started out simply trying to renew my interest in food....