SUMMERTIME!

Firstly, massive apologies for my lack of updates in the last 6 weeks, exams and studying pretty much took over my life; BUT I finished all exams last Friday so I am officially free to enjoy 4.5 months of glorious British summer and get training of course!

Apart from my week of exams I had, training has been going pretty damn well :) I have usually been hitting 12-15 miles a week and I have challenged myself to maybe try and hit 20 this coming week. I am generally running about 4 miles a time at the moment but I'm hoping to up that within the next couple of weeks to 5-6 miles a run. I also bought some pretty snazzy running gear with my student loan so I'm starting to look the part, although I didn't realise how bright the reflective pink jacket was until it arrived!

Today I went for a casual 3 mile run (I had been working all day and was a bit knackered!) and another runner came out of a side street just behind me. Me beingt the competitive person I am decided to try and not let him get in front of me, so I upped my pace and kept going. When he did get past me he told me  had 'good pace'. I don't think anyone has ever made a positive comment about my running pace EVER, so this made me very happy :D

I'm also starting to do a bit of gym work to help build up strength but also to help me work on some sprinting as I am beach lifeguarding this year and I find the 200m beach run tough to say the least! Although all this training is making me a lot fitter, my fast twitch muscle fibres have never been particularly lively, even in the swimming pool. It seems I need about 10 minutes to get going!

I can't really think of anything else to report. I promise I shall try my very hardest to do weekly updates now (Happy Ceris?!).

xxxxx

ps I think I mentioned in my last entry that NNSLSC did a paddle for Japan?! Well we did a continuous 6 hour board paddle relay and it was a proper good day to kick off the new season. I shall leave you with some pictures :)

Hospital, 12 lead ECG and a banging headache

So this week has been a bit eventful; well last night was. In terms of training I have only done swimming on Monday but was hoping to do more today. However last night whilst celebrating a friend's birthday I managed to fall over, hit my head, knock myself out, land myself with a query fractured skull and a nice overnight stay in hospital. Therefore I have strict instructions to take it easy for a while. Jess stayed with me in hospital (thankyou SO much Jess) where I apparently was quite amusing with my level of confusion. I don't remember a lot and what I do remember is a bit of a blur! My stay mostly consisted of sleeping, begging the doctors to let me go home and having lots of regular tests done. As a bioscientist Jess was gutted they did my ECG while she had gone to get a coffee!

I am back in Norfolk as of tomorrow where training will recommence as soon as I am fully recovered! North Norfolk Surf Lifesaving Club are also doing a Paddle for Japan on Good Friday at Cromer and any support would be much appreciated. There will be lots of fun events going on and I shall be baking cakes, so get on it people!

AND....HAPPY BIRTHDAY CERIS. Sorry I had to leave via ambulance so early last night, I was having such a good night!

xxxxxx

The Sun has got its hat on

I have just got back from a lovely evening run in Bute Park. I have always enjoyed running in the evening, but the Norfolk roads get a bit boring after a while. Bute Park however was lovel,. running a long with the smell of BBQs, the setting sun and the quiet trickle of the river Taff in the background. I didn't even mind that I was running on my own!

I have done a fair bit of training this week albeit in the gym. Myself and Nichola went swimming training Monday and Thursday where I have been accused of becoming a "serious" swimmer. It was something of a shock to everyone when I led the lane on Monday and then was the first one in the pool on Thursday (I usually stand on poolside for a good 5 minutes putting my hat on and moaning about how tired I am!). I also went to the gym Wednesday and Friday and the a run today (Saturday). Unfortunately Jess has had tonsillitus so has been unable to train.

On a non-training note, today me and some friends took full advantage of the sun and went to Barry Island to check out the beach. We are now consequently all burnt, despite applying suncream. I officially swam in the sea in my bikini and it was painful to say the least! We also bought ice creams from Marco's and one of my friends even think she saw Cher Lloyd in the toilets!

So after a wonderful day in the sunshine I have decided that, despite it being a bit like Great Yarmouth on steroids, I do love Barry Island. However this love is largely fuelled by my undying love for Gavin and Stacey.

Next week is the last week of term and then I am back in Norfolk for a month. I plan to get a a couple of training sessions in next week and then I am going to train very hard whilst I am in Norfolk.

Enjoy the sun everyone xxxx

It's all about moderation

So this week has been a bit slow training wise, but a good one nonetheless! Unfortunately training this week had only come in the form of swimming training Monday and Thursday for myself and Nichola but at least it's something. Jess was in Varsity on Wednesday and the absolutely thrashed Swansea in the Tai kwan do (i think that's how you spell it!) and despite losing the rugby Cardiff still won over all! The after party was good as well and I stuck to my vow of reducing alochol consumption. However, drama that occured at pre drinks before we even made it out sobered me right up so you could say I might as well have not bothered drinking at all. I would like to point out though that in the 'drama' that occured I did use vital life saving skills which I learnt with NNSLSC, showing that you never know when the skills might come in handy in water or on dry land, backing up the fact that it is a GREAT cause that I am running for!

Jess fighting a black belt in Vatsity!

Myself and Nichola pre drinking for the after party which turned out to be one of the best nights EVER!

Anyway back on the topic of training...
Training shall recommence fully next week. I may go for a casual run Sunday and then probably twice more during the week on top of swimming training on Monday and Thursday.

Take care people xxxx

"There's no such thing as bad weather, just soft people."

The title quote seemed quite appropriate as the majority of our training shall be taking place in Wales and, if not in Wales it shall be in Norfolk for me which doesn't have a much better reputation!

So far my health kick is going ok but it is difficult as a student, especially one with my cullunary expertise. However a week today is the last time I hit the town on the lash (which was for my birthday so that is allowed!) and I'm not withdrawing too badly, which is a good thing otherwise I would probably be considered an alcoholic! Yesterday I had a comment on facebook doubting my ability to cut back on the alocohol consumption (ahem, Polly) so I thought I would include a picture proving that the reminance of my birthday weekend vodka still remains untouched in my room...

However it is Varsity on Wednesday and I have tickets for the afterparty at the SU, so I can't promise it will stay that way :P but everything is ok in moderation.

Myself and Nichola went for a casual jog yesterday as we were both quite tired. Jess is having to rest as she is competing in Varsity on Wednesday. Tonight is swimming training and knowing Rory's sets there won't be much let up there and as I took last week off for my birthday celebrations I'm pretty sure I shall be aching tomorrow!

I am also considering getting a personalised running vest/ t-shirt to wear in training to raise awareness and make me look like a 'pro' (if that is possible while I'm running) so if anyone knows any good/cheap places I can get that done then please let me know.

Laters people :)

2 become 3 :)

Myself and Jess now have another runner on board- my friend from uni swimming, Nichola. Nichola plans to run in order to raise money for her local hospice which cares for children with cancer. As for Jess, I think she is still undecided as to which charity she is going to run for.

So our half marathon running group looks a little bit like this...

Myself, running for North Norfolk Surf Lifesaving Club

Nichola Gordon-Jones, running for her local children's hospice

And Jess Phillips who is yet to decide on a charity.

Today I plan to do some gym work and then tomorrow I may go for a run with Nichola and Jess, depending how we're all feeling. I have also been attempting to make my diet more healthy which includes cutting back on the alcohol- which is a challenge as a student!

Anyway, more updates will be coming soon.

205 Days to go....

So myself and my flatmate have decided to run the Cardiff Half Marathon. Those of you who know me will know that running is not exactly my strong point and that's putting it lightly! But, I have always liked a challenge. So on here I am going to post my progress in training as well as providing you with details as to how to sponsor me.


Firstly I shall tell you a little bit about North Norfolk Surf Lifesaving club who I shall be raising money for.

NNSLSC was formed in February of 2008 by a dedicated core of beach lifeguards to establish a vocal point for volunteer lifeguards in Norfolk to train and improve their fitness and lifesaving skills. Since this time the club has expanded, teaching lifesaving skills to a wide variety of people. This season the club also hopes to open its training and services to teach the same lifesaving skills to children across Norfolk. NNSLSC is a not for profit organisation and relies entirely on funding, donations and members giving up their time voluntarily. Having been injured in the sea myself I know how vital it is to have people there with the knowledge and experience to help.

For more information please go to nnslsc.org.uk

I am currently working with the club to set up a way in which to donate online, most likey via paypal, but I shall let you all know on here as soon as it is set up.

So watch this space guys to follow my progress and see how it goes :)