It's Only A Number...

OK, so I'm another year older.  I'm well and truly in my 30's now - 31!  So what?!  It's only a number I say.  In fact, I'm probably fitter than I was when I was in my teens (bad spell of no exercise and working in a bakery - not a healthy combination!)

I was spoiled rotten for my birthday by my husband, family and friends.  Stuart gave me some fantastic thoughtful gifts -  a new tri-suit :-)  And a tri wetsuit that I can start Loch swimming again in preparation for my Olympic Distance Open Water Triathlon in June.  He also got me some walking sticks (not that I'm that ancient just yet) and waterproofs for my training and China trek.  I also got some candles, chocolates, flowers, spa vouchers, bag and did I mention chocolates?  Thanks everyone.  It's always good to get spoiled!

We had a brilliant time also celebrating our friends Hannah and Ross tying the knot. It was a beautiful evening service in St John's Renfield Church in the West End of Glasgow followed by a lovely informal reception back at St Andrews in the Square where we enjoyed great food, drinks and dancing. Hannah and her 100s of bridesmaids were stunning and her husband gave a brilliant, funny and genuinely loving speech.  The best of the night  was just catching up with lots of friends, nice to see everyone. Need to do that more.

Mr and Mrs Muir at their first dance

Last week we also had a nice Sunday lunch at Putechan Hotel (where Stuart and I had our wedding reception) and the views out there are oustanding..

Favourite run of the week so far has to be 10 x 2 mins intervals - strangely enjoyable... even in the strong winds.

If you haven't sponsored me already, the best birthday present you can give to me is helping raise funds for the Beatson Cancer Centre.  You can do so online at www.justgiving.com/elainemcg

Training Diary - 

1/2/14	Exercise	Comments
Sat	17 mile run 7am – very very slow.  Very windy and torrential rain at times.  Took a few sips of lucozade and planned to take gel but hands were numb.	Weather horrendous.  Lots of housework to do so early run it is.  Met my auntie and cousins for coffee at Bluebell, great to catch up and she’s doing great.  Got to visit friends quickly too – Lindsay and wee Finlay, he is just adorable!
Sun	4 mile slow run.  Endurance spin.  32 lengths.	Weather a bit wild in am but cleared in pm.  Had a lovely Sunday lunch with family at Putechan albeit a bit small portions for us!  Lovely to see my friend Joanne for a catchup, sad that she’s moving away now but great news for her. MOKTRI awaiting Entry Central confirmation so should go live for entries Monday 8pm.
Mon	6 miles slow with Jen.  Took spin.  5 mins core.  Windy and wet.  Esplanade flooded!  Not much sleep so feeling tired but spin woke me up.  MOKTRI entered J  Hip a little sore again.	MOKTRI entered J
Tue	7.5 miles at training including 10 x 2 mins intervals at 10k pace.  Very windy but loved it!	Cycled to work, lovely sunny dry day apart from when I cycled home – typical!  Productive day at work and at home – housework done and novel edit complete.
Wed	1 mile swim at 7am.  5.5 miles easy.  Combat + some kettlebells.  Was sick after run as ate cupcake too late.  Yuck.	Birthday treats so better work hard at exercise!!  Got some lovely gifts, thank you wonderful friends and family ;-)  Got a new tri-suit, tri wet suit as well as some fabby walking gear for our China trek and training.  Serenity vouchers for spa too, yay!
Thu	2.5 miles Bengullion run with x country.  6 miles at training including hill pyramid repeats.  Swim.	Feeling rubbish with the cold :-(  Lots of marking to do as lots of assessments to do before Feb break.  Got our friend Hannah’s wedding tomorrow as well as ICT  meeting at Inveraray so need to get packed and organised!
Fri	1 mile swim	Desperate to run/spin etc but working in Inveraray then straight to wedding!  Will run tomorrow :-)
Mileage	48.5

Food Diary for the week - 

20. Jan	Breakfast	Snack	Lunch	Snack	Dinner
Sat	Pre – slice soreen Post – protein shake and slice toast with peanut butter and jam	Water	Homemade tomato, lentil and bean soup with quorn sandwich.	Coffee cake and green tea	Baked crumbed chicken breast with lemon garlic with homemade mushroom risotto.  Dessert – homemade ‘healthy’ cheesecake (no cheese – just yoghurt).  Tea and LOTS of mini eggs.  WHOOPS.
Sun	Pre – porridge and slice of toast. Post – protein shake and a banana.	Water	Spoon of goats cheese with salad.  Chicken breast with vegetables and potatoes.  Small stewed fruit crumble.	Thorntons fudge chocolates – Joanne brought them it would be rude not to!  Green tea.	Wasn’t planning dinner but portions were small at lunch so we shared a frozen pizza and potato waffles.  Nice and healthy lol!!  We then had popcorn and chocolate at the cinema!  American Hustle – was good but not as fantastic as critics raved about.
Mon	Activia yoghurt and blueberries.  Green Tea.	Green tea.  Breakfast biscuits.	Oatcakes with caramelised onion houmous.  Tangerine.	Ricecake with banana and peanut butter.  Coffee.	Spicy noodles with stir fry prawns, peppers and cashews.  4 ginger oatcakes.  Tea.
Tue	Slice of wholemeal toast.  2 weetabix with skim milk.	Green tea.  Alpen bar.	Oatcakes with houmous.  Tangerine and apple.	1 ricecake with nutella + ¼ banana. 1 rice cake peanut butter + agave. Coffee	Grilled chicken with roast veg and baby potatoes.  Tea and 3 ginger oatcakes.
Wed	Yoghurt with spoon muesli.  Slice of toast.	Green tea	Homemade bean and lentil soup with bread.  Apple.	Cupcake- big mistake.	Red thai curry with jasmine rice and 2 chapatis made by my wonderful husband.  Birthday cake made by my wonderful sister.  AND a slice of crème egg brownie made by my wonderful friend Jen.  Wonderful.
Thu	Porridge with manuka honey.  Berrocca.	Green tea.  Alpen bar.	Oatcakes with houmous.  Apple.	2 ricecakes with peanut butter.  Coffee.	Meatballs with spaghetti.  Some crème egg brownie!!  Some chocs.  Tea.
Fri	Banana and alpen bar.	Green tea.  Scone - whoops.	Oatcakes with houmous.	skinny cap and alpen bar.	Probably not worth writing down... LOTS of lovely food and drink!!  Curry, cake, pizza, chocolate, wine, vodka....