Lisa - Fat Girl Fit

Zwift FTP Training

I did a blog post a while ago about a Functional Threshold Power (FTP) test I took. In this test you can see what your FTP is, generally over a 20 minute period, and this determines your ability to sustain the highest possible power output. The test on Zwift can last either 45 minutes or 75 minutes including a warm up and some interval training before the actual 20 minute test itself begins and as a result 95% of the 20 minute average power is used to determine FTP. I wasn’t entirely sure what the difference between the shorter and longer one was and so opted for the longer one (because I obviously have some weird masochistic tendencies to inflict pain upon myself).

Once you have completed your FTP test the programme sets your training plans by this level and gives the ability to easily see improvements.

In my previous test I scored 169 and when I took the test last week I was 184 so good to see an improvement though the test itself still made me feel physically sick and my legs were like jelly. My aim for the end of 2016 is to break the 200 power mark.

I have an epic ride I am undertaking in August and so I figured this is good training in addition to road riding that will only benefit me in the run up and as part of my training plan and I know numerous people who train using an app called Zwift and so signed myself up on a free trial and following the test itself I have started an FTP builder training plan they offer. Weeks 1 and 2 were for those who are unfit and whilst I am not an athlete by any means I wouldn’t class myself as a newbie so I skipped to week 3 and have completed that programme over the past week.

zwift

Obviously the typical English weather means sometimes it can not be enticing to get out on the bike and sometimes too dangerous meaning turbo training is the best means of training and Zwift offers an alternative where you can do this sort of training with the added benefit of being able to train with friends who are also users. You can follow routes online with other users from all over the world in a 3D online environment.

You can sync with your Strava to load your ride directly and see all the stats from your ride including simulated elevation, average speed and also segment information.

It’s a simple concept where you put your bike on a turbo trainer and get going. I use a Wahoo Kickr, which is an impressive piece of kit and means that as I ride the courses the trainer changes the resistance in real time based on road gradient providing the most realistic experience without actually being out on the road.

You can chat with other users and they can give you a thumbs up as you are riding and you can do the same to them. Over the past week I’ve seen some quite large groups riding together and chatting along the way.

The turbo is not my most favourite piece of kit as there is no natural movement and I find it can become uncomfortable pretty quickly especially when the sessions I completed this week, covering 153 km, could last up to 1 hour 25 minutes and your husband thinks he is funny by increasing your FTP to 340 so 1 hour 15 minutes of pure torture and hell at such a high resistance I thought my knees would give out. I have a table fan on full blast, towel on the handle bars, water bottle in the bottle cage and music blaring – it is the only way I can get by on a turbo. I actually saw this advert recently and not only did it make my laugh out loud but I could totally relate to it – honest and accurate!

trainer-4

There is currently a free 14 day trial being offered on their site and if you are a Strava premium user you can get a two month free trial so if you fancy it get yourself signed up and give it a go!

Category: Events, Running

Dead Drop Bunny Hunt

On Good Friday I set off to London with my lovely friends Laura and Helen as we had signed up for a treasure hunt run. We did not look even slightly out of place travelling into London wearing Bunny ears at all.

The event was run by Dead Drop Fitness and I had not done one of their events before but they were being discussed in an OCR Facebook group I am part of and I was intrigued.

We had opted for the 10k version and the mission was simple the Easter Bunny had all his chocolate stolen by the Evil Rampant Rabbit and it was our mission to follow the clues to recover the stolen chocolate, take down the Rampant Rabbit and save Easter.

A week before the event we received an email telling us to add someone as a friend on Facebook and they would be leaking information about the event over the coming week. We first received an email with some clues as to where the event may start and information was drip fed to us through the week on the lead up. The clues were also hilarious – in the emails giving us bits of information the story was very funny and I won’t give too much away but it contributed to making the whole event a lot of fun! We then found out the day before where we were to head for the start and what time to be there for.

Once we got to the start and found the other ‘operatives’ waiting in Berkeley Square, some also wearing bunny ears so we knew we had found the correct starting point, we were giving a briefing, a map and explanations about how this would work. To my relief this is not just a race but there is a different side to it as not only do you have to get to the finish point but there is extra fun involved, which was our strength.

At 12.30pm we all set off and to begin with we had to find 3 separate chocolate dealers who we met and had to give the password of ‘I want to rub chocolate all over your body this Easter’. It is only once you had given the password they would speak with you, firstly by giving you chocolate and then giving you a clue. The three clues led you to the Easter Bunny who was in Hyde Park. The Easter Bunny had 4 clues to give (that you could only have one at a time). Each clue gave you a number that you then entered into an app to lead you to the finish point where you would find the Evil Rampant Rabbit and then beat him (with a very soft stick – no harm to bunnies here) to get the stolen chocolate back.

Extra fun included rabbit selfies – so on the map there were optional rabbit selfies marked where you can go and take a selfie, which then deducts 8 minutes from your time – we were doing the 10k race and so had to complete a minimum of 5 out of 16. Don’t want to brag but we got all of them (boom)! You could also take a photo of other operatives (without them noticing), which then gets them 8 minutes added to their time. Let’s just say we took a lot of those!

We were lucky in our team (Scrambled Legs) as we had our very own personal human sat nav by way of Helen who very freakishly knew every square inch of Hyde Park and the surrounding areas. I’m not joking it was like she had a built in park compass and I said if ever she wanted to give up her job as a PA she could be a black cabbie, not that you need a black cabbie in the park but you know what I mean. Seriously one of the clues for a rabbit selfie was to take a pic at the circular horse track and to try and get a horse in the background. Helen promptly turned full circle and headed off in the direction of the track (that I didn’t even know was there) though did tell us we would not see a horse, which we didn’t and so most of the clues went this way.

Laura was very stealth like and running off in every direction though taking off her bunny ears when we saw operatives on other teams so they didn’t notice us. However, given that most people in the park were having a leisurely stroll, picnic or playing with kids and we were running around with a treasure map I think we stuck out like a sore thumb and not sure taking the ears off made much of a difference ha ha. It surprised me how much we didn’t care we were in a busy park and carried on running around like lunatics without a care.

We tried to incorporate the OCR in us all with Laura climbing on top of the post box we needed a pic off and when we had to take a pic on the band stand Laura did struggle as there was a fence around it, with a closed gate. I should add the fence is about 2 feet tall so not much of an obstacle though Laura is not one to break the rules so whilst Helen and I jumped it she politely walked round and through the gate.

We got to the pub, which was the finish point, with most people already there – I think we were 3rd from last to turn up but our surveillance skills were on point and we only won!!

After we had bashed the Evil Rampant Rabbit we were each given an easter egg, medal and drink at the bar and as we won we also received a bottle of champagne.

I cannot recommend doing an event from these guys enough. What is not to like? You can get in your exercise, spend time with friends, get to run around London having fun, excellent value for money and I guarantee you will laugh a lot and not regret signing up. I will absolutely be doing another one for sure!

Category: Fitness

I Am My Biggest Critic!

As you know I did Brentwood half marathon on Sunday, my first half marathon, and if you read my previous blog post you will know it was not my best moment.

Since then I’ve had loads of comments, messages and support from people telling me how well I did and how I should be chuffed with myself. I am my biggest critic and so since Sunday have spent most of my time either feeling sorry for myself, sulking, beating myself up or having a bit of a cry.

I will explain why.

All of my training runs went better than that one event I was actually training for. My pacing was better in my training runs. My hill running was better in my training runs. My breathing was better in my training runs. I didn’t feel as down on myself in my training runs. It was like all the advice I’d been given and everything I’d learned just went out of the window and I fell apart.

My original goal when signing up for my first half marathon was to complete it in under 3 hours. As my training continued and went well I then realised my goal should be to complete it in under 2.5 hours. Now I had received a lot of advice telling me that for my first half marathon I should just be aiming to complete it.

Before the event I wanted to complete the actual distance and did so with the help of my husband. We completed it in 2 hours 21 minutes and so I think, rightly or wrongly, in my head I had this time that I was centred around and was secretly hoping I would better that.

The week before I spent most of it in bed with laryngitis and a fever that completely wiped me out and despite lots of advice that I should pull out I decided to do the event regardless. Anyone who knows me will know I am way too stubborn and not doing it was not an option.

I was disappointed that I had several stops for water as my throat was on fire. I was disappointed I overheated pretty quickly into the run. I was disappointed the hills and inclines beat me. I was disappointed I felt like I let down the two lovely friends who ran with me (who both could have smashed that but ran with me instead). I was disappointed that I found it such a struggle. I was disappointed in how I felt and had to keep apologising to my friends running with me. I was disappointed my time was 8 minutes slower than my training run of the same distance. I was disappointed my husband would have been patiently waiting for me at the finish.

But you know what?

I did complete a half marathon. I did complete a half marathon when I wasn’t well. I did complete a half marathon in under 2.5 hours, which was the original goal. So I didn’t do too bad I guess?

As a treat my husband has now entered the both of us into the Hackney half marathon and we will run together and I will not let this beat me!

This Girl Can!

Category: Events, Running

Brentwood Half Marathon

I’ve been training for a long time for my first half marathon which was yesterday in Brentwood. Run a half marathon people said. It will be fun people said. It didn’t feel like fun to me.

Running has taught me one thing and that is that a) I don’t much like it b) i will do it if there is mud, water or obstacles involved and c) your result is completely dependant on circumstances that are out of your control.

Unfortunately last week I started my Monday with my usual early morning run and after 4.5 miles, that felt harder than usual, I really started to feel unwell and on Tuesday the doctor told me I had bad laryngitis with a high fever. I ended up sleeping for most of last week and despite lots of messages from well wishers, and against better judgement, I decided I would still attempt to run the half marathon as planned.

Not sure that was the best idea as I struggled through the whole thing. I really thought this blog post would be positive and happy and celebrating completion of my first half marathon. I imagined saying how I got through the run at a comfortable pace and enjoyed it (not sure why I thought I would enjoy it as running is not my favourite).

I was running with my two friends Laura and Helen and they were amazing. My pacing is hit or miss and most usually an epic fail unless I run with my husband who seems to have a gift for it! I knew the first 3 miles were pretty much downhill and was conscious not to make the mistake of going off too fast and paying for it later. We did go off too quick but kept trying to rectify ourselves. At the 1st mile one lovely lady who had come out to cheer told us we were doing amazing and nearly there – I’m not sure she understood how many miles were to be run and that no in fact we were nowhere near the end but her sentiment was lovely nonetheless!

After the 3rd mile the sun came out and everyone was happy with this. Not me. I am not the best runner but I run better in the cold rather than the sun and the warm. At this point the arm warmers came off.

Surprisingly I actually knew most of the route as it is part of our cycle club route, which you would think would help but it meant I knew where all the bumps in the road where. I felt like the whole run was either on an incline or a decline with not many flat sections. And I don’t like hills. This was definitely not the run for me.

My throat was on fire and I drank so many bottles of water to help so naturally ended up with a stitch that took forever to go. Maybe I should title this how not to run a half marathon?

By the 10th mile I knew we were on the home stretch and that I could do this. The marshalls on this section were from Nuclear and obviously this was the best stretch of marshalling and great to see some familiar faces. Even at the water stop when people noticed we were in our Mudd Queens or Nuclear tops we got a bigger cheer though it was followed shortly after by a huge spraying of water, which for me was greatly received and made me laugh!

What was also good was the sign we saw showing support for random strangers – amazing!

The event is very well organised and it was lovely to see members of my running club Havering ’90 Joggers and friends from local triathlon club Havering Tri – everyone smashed it. My husband managed a massive pb looking for sub 2 hours and ended up finishing in 1 hour 51 minutes, I am so proud of him he has trained hard for this and given so much time out to help me that to see him smash his goal is amazing.

I finished in 2 hours 29 minutes and whilst my original goal was sub 2 hours 30 which I achieved I will admit I feel disappointed in myself as I know that was not a great performance by me. I was down on myself most of the way, however, I was not feeling well and I finished it and all training is good training so I really can’t complain even if i cried both before and after – I ran a half marathon and 13.1 miles is 13.1 miles though I am not sure I will ever end up in the starting funnel by this sign!

Category: Events, Fitness

Les Mills Live

On Saturday I spent the day at the Excel Arena in London at the Les Mills Live London date of their global tour. Les Mills is a fitness brand you may have heard of in your local gym. They say ‘We’re on a mission to create a fitter planet. This doesn’t mean making people work out. It means helping people fall in love with fitness so that they want to work out.’

The live global tour saw Les Mills teaming up with Reebok hosting 9 events worldwide where both instructors and participants could take part in a day long of live instructed classes. If you have done their classes in the gym you will know what to expect (not me so much) but can imagine the atmosphere with it being on such a large scale. The music is blasting, lights are flashing, everyone is raring to go and bodies are jumping, stretching, lunging, you name it in time with the amazing instructors.

And I did it with some of the amazing guys from Team Scrambled Legs that I did Nuclear Fallout and Bear Grylls with too. Now I can’t lie I was nervous especially as 3 of our group are instructors and they all train together in these classes. I was a Les Mills virgin. Well not completely but I’ve not done Body Step or Body Pump in well over a year and even then that was my limited knowledge so I felt like I knew nothing.

We started with Body Balance, which is a yoga-based class aimed to improved flexibility and strength in which you complete moves from yoga, tai chi and pilates. I was next to Laura and Steve so on one hand Steve was in the zone from the start and every time I looked at Laura I giggled as it was clear I am not overly flexible but I held my own and got through the class absolutely fine so my nerves were a lot calmer.

Our second class was Body Attack, which is a cardio class. It was high energy right from the start and included all sorts of moves including running, lunging, jumping, lunges, push ups and squats. Everyone seemed to know what to do and I managed to follow for the most part though positioned myself near Vicki, Amy and Lauren (who are the instructors in our group) and tried to copy them as they were the pros. Initially I was next to my friend Laura but she was like a woman possessed and if I’m honest scared me a little. I did ok though did have a few moments where I was like Phoebe in Friends when she did her tap class and sort of free styled a little (probably whilst looking like a complete idiot but I was having fun).

The third class was Body Pump and I had done this before though I must admit I never really knew what I was doing and so once again I positioned myself near Vicki, Amy and Laura not really knowing what weights I should be using so they helped me massively and this was my favourite class. So much so that I am signing up this week at the gym and will be including this in future for sure! This class works on all the muscle groups and focuses on strength for a total body workout. To give an idea of the scale of this event the photo below shows the room before the class started – huge! Amazing!

The last class was Sprint. I am a regular spin class participant so figured this would be more in my comfort zone but I can only describe it as a spin class on drugs. It is a 30 minute class and is basically a HIIT version of RPM and because it is on the bike there is minimal joint impact as well. HIIT sessions are always good as you are burning off calories after the workout itself and I am always up for that!

I had such an amazing day and will absolutely be back for more on the next tour. The guys I was with were amazing and I am going to look forward to attending their classes in the future though also a little scared as they were like duracell bunnies and I am sure they could just keep going and going!

It’s also an excuse to buy more active wear – I’ve never seen such a collection of lycra in one place. Thank god there was not a fire as I am sure so much synthetic material would have been a disaster.

Also pleased I had spare clothes and deodorant with me as the centre by the end of the day this place had a smell of its own – much like a school gym changing room on heat but with a party atmosphere!

Category: Fitness

Mothers day at Base Jump

As yesterday was Mothers Day it was my choice what we did in the day and so I started the day with another session of hot yoga. Some of the people in the session amaze me! We had a move called the crow and it is basically balancing on your hands with your legs off the floor – yeah not happening for me I would have face planted for sure! The squatting I was fine with down to the floor and back up again but my weight on my hands and just my hands – will be a long time before I master that I fear!

And so what to do after? Well it was a simple – a visit to a new trampoline park near us called Base Jump.

Base Jump is the biggest trampoline park in the South East spread over 35,000 square feet. It includes:

two launch areas each with four trampolines and a higher level to jump from into either a foam pit or onto a giant air bag
basketball slam dunk
three dodgeball courts
a trampoline halfpipe
a huge freestyle jump area with 75 interlinked trampolines
a battle beam with giant joust poles
a soft play area for younger children
and my favourite – a ninja challenge area that included a climbing wall, monkey bars, ropes to swing across, metal swings with a beam to work your way across, all of which are above a foam pit.

Of course there are a lot of children there though we were a group of four adults. With no shame. This is the sort of place anyone can have fun! And we did!

Now I am partial to an obstacle and so it surprised me that when I got to the top of the 2 metre high platform it took me a while to jump off (into a foam pit). I couldn’t not do it with 3 friends waiting and several children aged anywhere from I guess age 4 upwards successfully launching themselves off it! I managed it 3 times though not gracefully and not landing how I wanted to either but still.

The ninja challenge I loved! And I successfully got across the climbing wall twice, which pleased me as I know there is something similar at a Spartan race I have next month and also because I had fallen off something similar at Nuclear – nailed it!

Of course they cater for children and parties but also offer teen sessions on Fridays from 8-10pm and adult sessions on Fridays from 10-12pm. Coming soon they will also be offering fitness classes.

If you’ve not been then you should get down there as you will have an amazing time! I will be going back some time very very soon!

Fun little fact I learned from their website too:

‘you burn more calories bouncing for 10 minutes than you do jogging for 30. Studies show that just one hour of jumping on a trampoline burns over 1000 calories. It’s the best cardio you will ever enjoy!’

Who can argue with that? What are you waiting for?

Category: Fitness

Got my sweat on at hot yoga

I’ve done yoga before and heard people talk about hot yoga and I will admit I was intrigued and so when my friend and PT, Emma, mentioned that there was a studio near us that held these classes I signed up with her straight away, I mean it is literally 5 minutes from me so would be rude not to!

hotyoga

Yesterday we headed down to 121 Urban Hot Yoga with our bags including towels as we assumed we would be dripping in sweat, deodorant because well the whole sweating part and lots of water. I was nervous – I always am when trying new things like this – the thought of entering a class full of people that can contort their bodies in weird and wonderful ways as I stand rigid like the tin man wondering why I cannot get my left and my right foot behind my ears whilst balancing perfectly.

tin-man

I needn’t have worried!

The minute we walked in we were welcomed by a lovely man named Dean (who was actually lighting some candles and burning some incense – perfect timing or what?). We went down to the basement studio and got ourselves signed in and was made to feel perfectly at ease immediately. There was no stuffiness that I was worried I would find – an assumption that some yoga people take this very seriously with no talking or joking but serious intense yoga sessions but more hardcore in the heat. We were introduced to our instructor, Maggie, and completely reassured that this caters for all levels and is a personal journey so not to worry what those around us are doing but to do as much as we comfortable with.

Yoga is a form of exercise that focuses on a series of movements designed to increase strength, flexibility and breathing to boost physical and mental wellbeing. Hot yoga is all of the aforementioned but with heat put in for good measure. The heat helps you to stretch more and it also helps you sweat. The moves themselves are detoxifying for your muscles, organs and glands and sweating furthers that.

As the hour and a half class began we started with breathing and then moved onto some of the movements. There were 3 levels the first for either those who were new, had an injury or had recently given birth and then 2 further options increasing slightly in difficulty each time.

To my surprise i was able to do most even if a tad wobbly and not looking as elegant as some in the class who were clearly practised in these moves. There were some I just couldn’t do – one in particular where your hands clasped each other behind your back but going under your bent leg and round the back of your knee. There was a name for this but I cannot remember it though I was hugely impressed with those in the class that completed this with what looked like relative ease.

Emma and I had a few giggles as we battled to get the moves right and wobbled around but on the whole i think we did well and the instructor seemed to think so too. One day I will be the one on the left and not the one on the right:

yoga

I sweated so much I looked like I had been swimming and drank so much too but we had a great time and signed up immediately for next week.

If you are thinking of hot yoga I would recommend and if you are local I would definitely recommend checking this studio out and if you are going next Sunday morning you get the added bonus of witnessing my attempts in the process!

Category: Cycling, Fitness

Pilates for cycling workshop

On Thursday I made my way with my friend Helen to a pilates class, which was designed with cyclists specifically in mind. As you are aware I have signed myself up with two lovelies (Helen and Laura) to take a 24 hour endurance ride in August from Newcastle to London covering over 310 miles and so I am keen to do all I can to be in optimum condition before I undertake this. I had heard before of yoga and pilates that were specific to running and so when I heard from Anna at Animated Physiotherapy that she was holding a pilates for cycling workshop I signed myself up immediately.

Pilates aims to strengthen the body with particular emphasis on core strength, which in turn can improve general fitness and well being. The benefits of pilates, on a regular basis, can include improvement in posture, muscle tone, balance, stress relief and I have heard of runners and cyclists incorporating pilates into their schedule to compliment training whilst improving body strength and flexibility and also reducing risk of injury. As it is low impact there is very little risk of injury and it caters to people of all abilities.

Pilatesimage

Anna is a fully qualified physiotherapist and pilates instructor and a keen athlete herself having competed for the GB Masters Swim Team at international level. She is also a triathlete and so has current experience from cycling herself to know first hand the benefits from pilates as it is part of her routine.

The session lasted for 1.5 hours. It started with a talk from Anna that included information about how to reduce the chance of injury and increase efficiency on the bike. The workshop itself had 12 of us taking part (including Anna) and during the talk we found that amongst us there were different types of cyclists with some who took part in track cycling, time trials, triathlons, road cycling and endurance events. This was followed by a 1 hour pilates class focussing on the muscle groups used when cycling. At the end there was an opportunity to ask Anna any questions we had.

Anna spoke a lot about how you should use your core when on the bike and this is something i am keen to improve with my cycling. Core strength assists in cycling by transferring more power to the pedals as it provides a stable platform for the lower body (hips, thighs and knees) to push against whilst supporting the lower back (an area where a lot of cyclists often suffer pain as it can be the first area to fatigue). Your core is what keeps your body stable when in the saddle. If you have a weak core you will lose power in your legs and it can also lead to injury including pain in the upper body and shoulders.

The exercises in the session were targeted to develop, over time, strength in the muscles of the abdomen and spine, which in turn improves balance and efficiency with torso stability which will undoubtedly help when cycling.

Following the workshop all participants will receive an electronic copy of the information handout, plus the pilates exercise booklet with photographs and descriptions of the exercises completed in the class. This enables you to continue this at home. This is great for the likes of me as I will put my hands up and admit I never stretch before or after a run or a bike ride and I know I should so I fully intend to make sure in future that I do! I also know I grip my handlebars too tightly and this can be a side effect from a weaker core and so I am sure I will see benefits by increasing my core strength.

Category: Fitness, Running

I did it!

So as you know I have a half marathon event next month, the Brentwood half marathon, and I am somewhat nervous about it. It’s a long way. 13.1 miles to be precise. That is 69,168 feet, 23,056 yards, 21.08 kilometers. Or in simpler terms – it is far.

Everyone is different and I find for me most of my battle (apart from needing to lose another 2 stone) is mental. And so prior to the event I have put in a lot of training. I am ahead of my training plan for the half marathon but I wanted to complete the whole distance prior to the event. Mostly this was because I have been told by several people that this route is hilly. Or undulating I have heard a lot as well. People who run (or cycle) will know that undulating is just a tarted up way of saying there are hills you have to go up and down. I have done more than enough events now to be wise to the fact that when race directors apply the term undulating to a route that what they really mean is some of the hills may even feel like mountains but they can’t write that for fear that nobody will turn up so instead they pretend that it includes nice, gentle, rolling hills.

I do not like hills whether it be to run them or cycle them. I am not sure anyone really does. So my thinking was that in case I fall to pieces on the day it would be good if I could cover the distance beforehand so that if I do have a meltdown I can mentally slap myself and tell myself that I have done it before and so can do it again and to pull up my big girl pants and get on with it.

And so at the weekend I had two choices – the first was to cover the distance on Saturday with my husband and the second was to do the actual route with a local triathlon club who had said I could join them. For me it was about the distance and I had been advised by a few people against running the actual route just in case it was not a good run and would get me worrying prior to the event. I didn’t fancy doing this distance on my own though. My husband offered to run with me on Saturday, which I was extremely pleased with especially as he is recovering from illness. On Saturday off we set.

We started covering some roads we have done before and settled into a slow and steady pace taking it easy in order to cover the miles. We saw a friend, Lee, as we ran through Hornchurch and he gave us a beep from his car and a wave, which was appreciated! Then the route took a turn and I simply went in the direction my husband told me to. He had it all mapped out in his head so that when we reached home we would have done one big loop and not need to do loops to make the distance up and run the risk of me cutting off early. I took two gels with me and some jelly babies.

I did my usual of getting hot pretty quickly and started to panic when I tried to take my gloves off whilst running and couldn’t get them off quick enough but got them off in the end. I also did my usual of speeding up as we passed people on the route. I don’t even realise I do it but subconsciously I am aware of people possibly looking at me and up the pace. Luckily I had my husband to tell me to watch my pace when I did this as I am sure I would have had to break more often otherwise.

I had my first gel at about mile 7. I didn’t particularly feel that I needed it but had started to panic slightly as I had glimpsed at my watch and seen how far we had covered and worked out I had to do almost the same again. Gel down off we set. Trying to focus more on my breathing as it was all over the place. Focussed on taking deep breaths and not panting (like a dog as I have been told before).

At about mile 10 I had a couple of jelly babies and a very short walk. Slight miscommunication between myself and hubby as I had wiped my nose (always runs when I run) and had said I just need to swallow this before I start to run again and he told me that was disgusting. I was talking about the jelly babies and he thought I was talking about snot – ha ha!

We were closer to home now and just 5k left. Took a turn into the park and started to follow my usual route that I take with the dog. I was feeling it by this point and knew my pace was slowing so I took another gel. Don’t get me wrong I would be finishing this run regardless but I didn’t want to do so never wanting to do it again. Through the park we went and out on the home stretch after my cousins and their young son came out of their house as we passed to cheer us on, which at mile 12 was amazing. Just a few roads left and I would be able to say I have run a half marathon distance. Those last few roads were a tad windy in order to get the distance but as we looped round the block and entered our road my watch clicked to 13.1 miles. We reached our house at 13.2 miles.

I had done it. My husbands watch hadn’t connected for the start of our run so he carried on up the road and doubled back (anyone who runs will understand this logic). He got back as I was sat outside the house and said to me ‘Mrs Thake did you just run a half marathon?’ and I started to cry. I had! I had only bloody run a half marathon!! Me the fat girl trying to get fit!

When I originally signed up I had said I wanted to complete it in under 3 hours and as my training went on I decided that I would actually try for under 2 and a half hours. I actually finished in 2 hours and 20 minutes and 16 seconds! I am so pleased I had my husband with me for this! Love him!

I have since spent most of the weekend bringing up in conversation that I ran a half marathon. Did you know I ran a half marathon? On Saturday what did you do? What did I do oh I ran a half marathon! A HALF MARATHON!!!!!

I realise most people at the moment are training for the London marathon and I have only done half but for me this is epic and a massive achievement so just give me a few days to wallow in this achievement and wear my smug pants!

Now all I have to do is repeat this next month in Brentwood off my own steam.

I think I have covered how I felt about this but this also sums it up pretty well: