Only a Week until MOKRUN!

I can't believe it's that time of year again - MOKRUN time!  With just over a week until the 10th anniversary of the half marathon and 10k race, Campbeltown's streets have packed with runners cramming in their last training sessions, myself included.  However, as ever, it's not a race for me as a competitor although I do hope that as an organiser I will still be able to participate providing all is going well come race day - I would genuinely be gutted not to be able to take part at all.  The atmosphere is usually buzzing and the town is packed with cheering local spectators and over 100 volunteer marshals to motivate the 1,000 participants (more than triple the amount it was back at the start)  to get to end where big John Armour will triumphantly welcome you over the finish line.

Approaching the finish line!

Another motivational factor is the 'famous' danish pastries that await runners (YUM!) along with a selection of sandwiches, teas/coffees and even a free massage.  Each runner will be given a goody bag with tshirt, water bottle, lucozade, tunnocks wafer as well as a local pottery finisher medal.  Everyone can mill about and chat with each other- this is my favourite part of the day.  Everyone is in high spirits, cheering runners over the line, congratulating runners and taking proud photos of the moment.

Regardless of whether you are young or old, a walker or runner, if you are running for a glorious PB, your first ever race, a power walk or a fun run for charity EVERYONE should be proud of your achievement of taking part.  Not everyone can walk/run 6.2 or 13.1 miles at all.  Not everyone even has the opportunity.  

Mr Teesdale was our oldest competitor and took part when he was 80!  Incredible, inspiring man!

Davie P, a member of Campbeltown Running Club runs dressed as a clown to fundraise for charity

So if you have been lucky enough to get a place (all 1000 sold out in 6 hours!), lace up those trainers and go get 'em!  Good luck all MOKRUNNERS!!

THE BUG

It's been glorious weather in Kintyre over the Easter school holidays which has been fantastic but unfortunately for us, we  were struck down by a sickness bug.  The first I think I've ever had and boy was I absolutely devastated!  I am the definition of impatient and I am a BAD patient.  I just wanted fixed immediately!!  Although the nausea has dissipated, the after effects of stomach cramps and tiredness remains even after a few weeks.  It made our trip to Morocco less enjoyable than we had planned and made me even grumpier - poor Stuart!  Therefore, still affecting Arran-man training too.

I tried not to let the bug spoil my holiday completely and managed to pack a lot in... and I  managed to cycle around Arran (56 miles... with a coffee and lunch stop!) and did 1 open water swim session which has put me at ease a little.  It wasn't easy but I coped with it so I'm hoping that my half-ironman challenge in 7 weeks is still a possibility.  With mokrun planning, supported study, a fun activity packed hen weekend, fizz filled friend wedding and a trip abroad, I tried to do some relaxing over the holidays too but I found it difficult.  I know - I'm weird!  Forced to 'rest' whilst ill I felt compulsive to run whilst in Marrakech which probably just knackered me out more and didn't help the recovery.  I did finally get some time to read a book though as well as play some tennis and do some yoga.  Hurrah!

Despite the bug, there have been some holiday highlights - 

Our friends Peter and Louise got hitched at Stonefield Castle - a fantastic day

A token swim in our hotel pool to cool off from the hot sun

Crazy day trip to Marrakech!

Coffee and cake cycle stop in Carradale 

Tactical egg rolling on Easter Sunday

The best concert I've ever been to - Sting and Paul Simon at the Hydro

Breakfast at Juice Garden, Byres Road after our first Park Run at Victoria Park (feeling awful)

Stopping at Lamlash for some lovely lunch mid cycle of Arran

Lots of hen fun in the Lake District - fizz, food, silly games, quad biking, archery, clay shooting, off road driving and even a wee 6 mile trail run

With beautiful weather, you don't need to travel to get stunning sunsets

I want to get rid of this bug for good!!  With only 4 weeks until MOKRUN I hope it's soon!

Campbeltown Loch I Wish You Were Chocolate

Dreaming of anything chocolate....

OK so going without chocolate was harder than I thought.  I refrained from alcohol (nearly 2 weeks now) and drank the detox tea religiously but by the weekend I just couldn't cope without any chocolate!!  And do you know what, I don't really care - I love chocolate!!   I do feel better for my detox, lighter and healthier but I just can't live without chocolate.  I was moody and grumpy without it and all I could do on Friday night was think about it!  I've had a stressful week with work, painting the house at all hours (where everything just went wrong) and fitting in training (not the most successful either) and running has helped me de-stress and unwind but it can't beat chocolate.  If only Campbeltown Loch were liquid chocolate and I'm sure I wouldn't have a problem diving in!

It might seem a lot but my weekend treat (s) included kitkats, slice of chocolate fridge cake, square of dark chocolate and a curly wurly.....  I would've probably had more before so at least I've cut down.  I did plenty of exercise over the weekend so I reckon I deserved some chocolate - I think everyone deserves some chocolate in their lives, it just makes me happy.  If it makes me a few pounds heavier, oh well, I'm not giving it up!

For my Arranman (IRONMAN 70.3) training, Alix and I attempted to do some open water swim training on Saturday in Campbeltown Loch.  I say attempted as I was bleeding useless!  I think I managed to swim about 200m but I felt dizzy, freezing and disorientated.  Even afterwards I struggled to stand up never mind walk in a straight line.  Cue - panic!  Since then I've now swam up to 76 lengths in the pool which is the swim distance (I can do this comfortably) but unfortunately in the open water it's a different story for me.  I found it really difficult and well, a little unpleasant to put it mildly even though I have swam in 2 open water triathlons before.  

It was much choppier than I imagined as it was a beautiful morning.  However, I am now putting that down to the eclipse and weird tide fluctuations...  Panic!  How am I ever going to complete this Ironman??  I'm slow on the bike and running too - will they allow me to do it if it takes me all day?  Will I be the one that gets fished out the water and doesn't even get to complete the other sections?!  Hmmmm.... I'm going to re-evaluate this event's training over the next few weeks to see if I'm really up for this challenge!  Might as well open that Easter egg then....

Spring has sprung!  Breakfast on the decking overlooking the Loch that 'looked' calm

Apart from chocolate - one of my favourite meals this week - grilled salmon with lemon and coriander, veg and noodles

Time to Teatox

It's been nearly a month since my return from Italy and I had promised myself that I would start eating and drinking less.... however, that hasn't happened!  I'm normally pretty good midweek but at the weekends I am just outright greedy! With weekends away for races (eating out at Tony Macaroni's, Starbucks, Frankie and Benny's and Wagamamas to name but a few) and even just at home - Mother's day at Muneroy's for Frances's famous meringues, 3 course meals at the in-laws or out to dinner with friends at the Old Clubhouse. I have struggled to 'be good'!

Contrary to what some people might think, I can't eat what I want because I exercise a lot - this is unfortunate news for me too!  I always need to be careful of my diet as I put on weight really easily despite my mileage of 50+ miles a week and exercise classes.  I've put on a few pounds since Italy and returned a bit bloated (too much bread and pasta!) so in order to kick start my healthy eating regime again I've decided to go on a week's detox.  

Unfortunately Muneroy Meringues will not be on my detox diet....

My love of tea has made me decide to try one of the many Tea-tox's.  There seems to be loads on the market - skinny mint, mint tea tox, Bootea, juice garden and many more.  They all follow a similar principle - not fasting, just 3 healthy meals and 1-2 snacks throughout the day (no chocolate or wine!) adding in a 'Morning tea' when you wake up that normally contains green tea, a little caffeine, mint, lemongrass, dandelion root, ginseng and some other herbs/spices to boost the metabolism.  You also drink an 'Evening tea' before you go to bed that some contain liquorice root, peppermint, nettle leaves and may also contain senna to aid digestion and flux out any unwanted toxins.  Some of the teatox's can last up to 28 days but I know I couldn't resist chocolate or wine for that long so 7 days it is for me!

After a bit of research online I opted for the Burnfatea 7 day plan.  A lot of the detox plans are expensive but this one, with very similar ingredients to the dearer versions, was only £7.99 - bought on Ebay in an instant and delivered the next day.  No excuses now..............

A typical week day food intake will be something like below:

Breakfast:     Slice toast with honey.  Small fat free natural yoghurt with handful of fruit (berries usually)  Glass of water with vitamin C tab.  Now adding a detox tea!

Snack:     Green tea

Lunch:  Low fat houmous pot with oatcakes.  Fruit (nectarine or plum or orange or apple!)

Snack:  3 crackers with chopped banana.

Dinner:  Grilled salmon with mushroom risotto & rocket

Snack:  Chai tea and 2 tea biscuits (replaced now with detox tea and NO biscuits)

I don't particularly like the taste of the tea but it's not offensive.  I prefer my other green teas with lemon or jasmine.  I hope it helps me kick start my healthy food regime again, I feel the more I eat the more I want.  Tesco selling half-price easter eggs does not help me!  

My usual breakfast with an addition of a Morning Detox Tea!

The teatox plan also advises to take regularly exercise and that isn't a problem for me as you probably know.  This Saturday also includes our bootcamp session - a 1.5 hour session of combat, piloxing and High Intensity Interval Training.  This will hopefully boost my teatox even more and by next Monday I will be a few pounds lighter and my urges to eat the entire biscuit tin gone (reduced).  However, I have to admit I was too tempted by my own home baking for the 'Sun Eclipse Breakfast' I had a nibble of chocolate Thursday night - doh!  But I'm still drinking my tea.... let's see next week if it works!!

Hitting the Slopes

Just back from a FANTASTIC week skiing in Pila, the Aosta Valley in Italy.  It certainly wasn't a relaxing break getting up at 6am every day, skiing for hours and with 35 pupils in tow but the kids were brilliantly behaved and they all tried their best, some of them becoming excellent skiers and snowboarders - much better than me!  They were a total credit to the school and many commented on their politeness good behaviour.  

Stuart and I on the slopes as it snowed heavily

I did improve my skiing a little (I think) and managed to do most of the red runs throughout the resort although I had a few scary moments.... Catriona kept me going though and 'persuaded' me to go to the top of the mountain on the last day.  What a view!  I'm glad I did it but I was petrified all the way down.  I was so happy to get to the bottom for a nice cup of tea with all my bones in tact.    

Pizza!

Cat and I at the top!

The trip also wasn't very good for the waist line as I couldn't resist the pasta, pizza, Italian coffees or gelatos.  Even some of the best sushi I've ever had - yum! Oh well, it was holiday after all.  I did manage to keep up some form of training too, with some nice easy runs with Catriona and Stuart along the snowy paths beside the river as the sun set each night over the alps.  Bliss.  It worked up an appetite for more pasta and tiramasu!

 

Some of the fantastic views we were treated to

Absolutely exhausted this weekend - straight back to taking spin, work, long run (2 weeks until Balloch half marathon argh!) and bootcamp!  Early to bed tonight and back on the healthy eating band wagon tomorrow, phew :-) 

Stop for a cuppa is just the norm ;-)

There was even some MOKRUN promotion on the slopes with Sam Ferguson sporting a MOKRUN 2014 buff!

Over indulged...

I've managed to extend my birthday out over the weekend, treating myself to cakes and treats which was so much fun but not as good for the waist line!  The last few weekends have been a total over indulgence too - lots of cocktails, wine and LOTS of rich food and chocolates.  Time for me to get back to normal and eat healthier again.  It not only makes me lighter but makes me feel better too.  Once I'm in a routine, it's fine, I don't miss any of it.  But after over indulging a bit too much I'm going to struggle cutting back.  

The importance of breakfast was discussed (and practiced) in class.... although some banana loaf and pancakes sneaked in there too!

So some simple rules I'm going to try to follow....

• Brush teeth after meals to take away chocolate craving
• Eat a sugar free polo mint after meals if wanting something sweet
• No bread for lunch (or with dinner!)
• No after dinner treats (a tea biscuit and cup of chai tea is ONLY allowed)
• No cheese or olive oil midweek
• Paint nails after dinner to distract form wanting chocolate!

My best friends and family tasting the delicious cocktail treats at Whisky macs.  All in moderation....

I don't diet and I enjoy 'treats' at the weekend and will continue to do so (obviously!) but I need to reign in the treats a bit... just because I ran 16 miles doesn't mean I can eat what I want without consequence unfortunately.  Therefore, it's going to be so hard trying to resist temptation in Italy next week.  All in moderation!

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