Footprints in the Snow

Another week in Scotland and another week of mixed weather - wind, hail, rain and snow mainly!  The snow didn't lie long but one of my favourite training runs was a hilly 15 miler up around the forestry tracks of Pennygowan (Southend) early Saturday morning where the ground seemed to disappear under a blanket of snow much to the amusement of us and the dogs.  Yes, this made it tougher to run on but it was beautiful!

It was so stunning we couldn't not stop for a wee photo, not for long though - it was freezing!

MOKTRI entries open tomorrow on 1st February!  Another thing to train for and after the success of last year, I am keen to get a place again and improve on my time.  It takes place on Saturday 8th August this year, meaning we can celebrate and party a little more afterwards with Sunday to recover :-)  With only a sprint distance, flat run section and pool based swim it really is an event for anyone to give a bash.  If you don't want to do the full thing yourself, you can always grab 2 buddies and take part as a team.  But I warn you, the winning team last year aim to win again ;-) To enter go to www.entrycentral.com/moktri

In addition to my normal training I finally managed to fit in a yoga session.  Something we all know is so good for us and perfect for increasing flexibility, preventing injuries and stretching those aching muscles after working them so hard.  The lovely Rachel has introduced 'Yoga Nadi' to Campbeltown and boy was it good!  Giving taster sessions out of the Old Police Station, she has transformed an old cell into an oasis of calm, complete with flickering candles and twinkling fairy lights as well as calming music and blankets.  Rachel instructed us through an hour session where we learnt to 'ocean breathe' and hold postures to open our hips and reduce tension in our muscles.  

 

And what I've realised is that not only is the yoga practice good for your body, it is incredibly good for the mind.  It forced me to relax and that is exactly what I need.  I will hopefully going back soon!  Thanks Rachel.  www.yoganadi.co.uk

Bootcamp in Business

I have just completed my Personal Training qualification where I gained distinction - I'm delighted!  Woo hoo!  With this, I am in the process of starting a part-time Personal Training business complementing my little sister Mairi who is undergoing her qualification at the moment and plans to do the same.  It is such a rewarding job as I love to encourage people into running or fitness.  I believe exercise doesn't only change the way someone looks, it reduces the chance of developing major illnesses, improves your mood and relieves stress. 

Mairi and I taking a combat class behind the Great Wall of China - we'll do this routine at our Bootcamp!

We are also hoping to arrange bootcamps throughout the year, maybe once a month with longer sessions in the summer to encourage and support people to get fit (and have fun!)  Starting this Saturday, 24th January, Mairi and I are hosting a Kickstart Bootcamp for anyone (all abilities) who is keen to improve their fitness and have fun!  We will be offering taster sessions in:

Combat:  my martial arts inspired aerobics class (jab, cross, uppercuts and kicks!)

HIIT:  High intensity interval training (lots of burpees, press ups and other lovely things)

Piloxing:  Pilates, boxing and dance set to some upbeat party tunes

Strength:  Conditioning work for your core, legs and arms

Stretching:  Cooling down and working on flexibility

Since advertising on facebook we have had lots of interest so we are now putting on 2 sessions, 1 at 11am and 1 at 2pm.  They should last approximately 2 hours and are taking place in the Free Church on George Street, Campbeltown.  If you are free and fancy giving it a shot - come along!  We are limited to 30 per session so please arrive early - and bring a bottle of water and a towel.  Introductory price is just £5 per session.

We are super excited about it - we hope you are too.  ANYONE can do it - it's never too late to give exercise a go.  It will be worth it :-)

Weather Warning

It's been a week of crazy weather - 75mph winds, hail, thunder storms, downpours and now snow!  It's caused havoc with travelling around the country.  Even our January MOKRUN planning meeting didn't escape the disruption, with some of the committee not making it or having to abandon cars at the bottom of our hill, having to walk up in the snow!   

Despite the weather warnings, we had a great week and tried not to let it hamper training, ploughing on with club sessions and surprisingly had a high attendance!  We chose sheltered places in the wind, utilising the wind at our backs and tried to avoid the slippy pavements.  This did mean we didn't get to do the sessions or routes on our plans but we got out and that's the main thing :-)  I didn't get out on the bike at all but I'm hoping spin will keep up my 'bike legs'.  Only 19 weeks or so to go until Arranman?!  Argh!  

Highlights of the week:

Big fla meets Wee laila for the first time on Monday (2 days old) - a natural ;-)

Cold weather = hot chocolate time

Frosty the snowman on the decking - fun

My cuddles with baby Laila getting me broody

The happy parents :-)

1st Selfie!!!

Spicy tomato, pepper & bean soup

Homemade chicken curry - yum

Lovely walk along westport with Maz, Jen and Alix (and Mia and Barney!)

 

Training log for the week - 55 miles running, 3 spin sessions and 3 swims. Along with 1 fbx, 1 kettlebells, 1 combat and 2 core workouts.  Shame the nutrition has let me down a little.... mum's birthday cake and a discovery of a box of celebrations didn't last long!

New Starts

Along with the most of the nation, I ate and drank my way through the festive season.  OK, I kept up my training as best as I could but even that couldn't combat the over indulgence.  And do you know what?  I enjoyed every single minute of it!  It was just brilliant to have some time (at home) to relax and catch up with my friends and family, eating my way through a mountain of chocolate.  I took time to reflect on 2014, a year that was packed to the brim with amazing experiences and ordered some photos - it's been a while since I've had some in hard copy not just on the computer!

Some highlights of 2014 - charity trekking in China, PB in VLM with friends, combat/piloxing charity masterclasses, publishing my 1st novel, Prague, Clyde visits MOKRUN, Barcelona, best friends wedding, 5 ferry cycle and helped organise the 1st MOKTRI and MACC Challenge to name but a few things!

So again, with most of the nation, I start to make plans and resolutions for the new year ahead, a new start! Actually hoping for a much quieter year and just have a few targets.... (so far!)

•  Personal Training and Bootcamps  - I aim to finish my Personal Trainer level 3 qualification (and my Scottish Athletics Coaching certification) as I want to continue to promote a healthy lifestyle, motivate and help people achieve their fitness goals - starting with a mini bootcamp on 24th January with my sister Mairi, bring it on!
• Arranman - half Iron-man (1900m open water swim, 56 mile cycle and half marathon)  Fiona Irwin and I have already entered and started our training... I'll blog occasionally on this and you can follow my training on www.strava.com
• Budapest Marathon - not until October so will think about this later.....

• Better nutrition, particularly less sugar and alcohol (cutting out completely is just never going to happen!)
• holidays, friends and family time - 2015 looks to be filled with some exciting things, best friends weddings and new babies to arrive!  I also love to travel so I hope to go to some lovely places but also spend time with some lovely people :-)  
  

Had some fun over xmas taking some selfies, even a hungover 1 at Westport  beach before the annual dip in the sea!!

A lot of people have an aim to complete the Mull of Kintyre Half Marathon or 10k this year.... I launched entries for MOKRUN on 2nd January and it filled all 1000 places within 6 hours, wow!!  The committee are totally overwhelmed by the demand of these so here's to making our 10th year the best yet.   The race also made it into the top rated race again in Runner's World magazine.

Running training continues, hoping to help Joc with her Boston Marathon training.  This pic was taken after 14.5 miles of hilly running on Ballochgair - loved it!

Whatever your goals or targets are for 2015 - happy new year and happy training everyone!