Saturday 24 July 2010

Another six months bites the dust

I can't believe it's been six months since I last posted.  I don't know where the time has gone!  Lots of things have happened... I pulled out of running the Edinburgh Marathon because I just didn't have time to train properly.  It was a bit ambitious to think that I could fit in a full time job, 70 mile daily commute, studying for a Masters, cracking 4 hours in a marathon and writing a blog. Something had to give and, sadly, it was the marathon training (and the blog!).

I've still been keeping up a base level of training - going out for short runs when I feel like it, the occasional spin class or bike ride, and a sporadic yoga practice.  I also completed the Mighty Deerstalker again in March and, although I did beat last year's time by about 10 minutes, it hurt!  But by the time I finished my uni assignments in June, I was feeling less fit and healthy than ever before.

But finally I'm starting to feel strong again, thanks to a lovely 2-week active holiday with Neilson in Greece.  It's the second time I've been on holiday with them and it was exactly what I needed after a difficult six months.  There was plenty of time to relax, read books and eat fresh, healthy food (and the occasional ice cream) but the best bit was all the activities that were included.  I managed to clock up at least 3 or 4 hours of physical activity a day.  By the second week, my days consisted of a 30 minute early morning hill run, a quick breakfast, and then a tough 2-4 hour mountain bike ride.  The only way to go from the hotel was up, up, up.  The first Monday I felt like my heart and lungs may explode and had to stop or get off and push several times.  But by the end of week two, I'd tackled the first hill climb in 25 min without stopping once.

After a hearty lunch, I then got stuck into some water-based activities, learning to waterski and wakeboard and almost mastering the basics of windsurfing.  My days ended with a 45 minute yoga session, or a dip in the pool, before more yummy food.  Although I didn't lose any weight, I came back feeling much more toned, relaxed and definitely fitter.  My motivation had dipped but it is back with a vengeance and I'm definitely ready to get a late summer training plan on the go and to give it my all with a couple of autumn events.  First up, the Glasgow half marathon and then, in eight weeks time, the big one, the Nokia Coast to Coast.

Added to this, I've re-evaluated where I'm at in life and want to get back to enjoying the things I'm passionate about (eating, running and being happy!).  So work and commuting is the thing that's going to give this time.  I've changed my working hours to part-time and my other main focus for the autumn is setting up my own freelance nutrition and fitness business, which I hope to launch in September.