Upping my game!

I completed week one of the Couch Potato to 5k podcast on Saturday (with a hangover...never ever again!!) I'm super proud that I made the effort to go out when I'd been feeling so out of sorts. At one time I would have used that as an excuse not to do anything active but I was determined to go out as planned (it was just a little later - afternoon rather than morning!)

I started at a beginners running group in Cramlington tonight and I really enjoyed it. It was the first beginners session and I was the only one there this evening so I had one to one tuition which was fab. I walked/jogged 2.7 miles which is the furthest I've been - I even jogged for a full 3 minutes! I definitely worked harder tonight than I do when listening to the podcast on my own but I feel better for it. I also learned lots of useful tips about my running technique :) I've been bursting with energy since I got home and am looking forward to next week! (Hopefully some more people will have heard about it by then so it will be more of a group! Www.dynamicrunningfitness.com)

 Here's a picture of me all ready to go out to the running group earlier this evening, equipped with new clothes! ( I looked almost as happy when I'd finished too!)

Running bug!

I've been poorly with a cold all week but am slowly on the mend :) This morning I went shopping to look for a hat to run in - I get head colds pretty easily in cold weather and wouldn't dream of going out on a cold day without a hat. Therefore I needed to get something to keep my head warm when I run. I didn't like the look of any of the woolly hats and was worried they'd make me too hot. Then I spotted a piece of 'multifunctional headwear' (Nevica Skuff) - it was pink and purple (and very me!) so I decided to buy it.

I went out for another jog earlier and listened to the couch potato to 5k podcast again. I almost didn't go out as I needed a nap this afternoon (due to feeling poorly) but I'm glad I made myself as I feel better for having done so! There was a time when I'd use any excuse to avoid exercise - and today I wouldn't let my cold stop me! I love the new me :-)

My new headwear kept me nice and warm and was thin enough to not feel like I was wearing a hat. It didn't look very good - but who said running was sexy eh? Lol

I did 2.11 miles tonight and really enjoyed it (I found some of the running a little bit difficult as I didn't have as much energy as I thought) but felt better for having gone out. I am looking forward to going out again on Saturday as I think I've definitely caught the running bug!

I've also signed up for a running group in Cramlington which starts on Monday and I'm really looking forward t it! :-) I've almost completed my first week of the podcast! Just one more run to go and I can move onto week two :-) I'll be fitter in no time!

No More Couch Potato!

This morning when I went into the office my colleague said she'd seen my new blog and asked if I had heard of the Couch Potato to 5K podcast. I hadn't. So when I got home I downloaded it to and was keen to try it out with my brand new trainers.

I've felt a bit poorly today (think its hay fever!) and when it came to feeling motivated to go out for a jog, I didn't feel motivated at all. I decided to go out and see how I felt as I didn't want to sit in the house feeling sorry for myself!

I'm so glad I decided to go out as it made me feel energised and I am proud of myself for being out for 30 minutes. Last weeks attempt (with no real idea of what I was doing) was 15 minutes.

I enjoyed listening to the podcast. After my 5 minute warm up walk, the first minute of jogging felt like it was never going to end! Surprisingly the jogging got easier rather than more difficult, though I was glad to hear the podcast lady say that I had completed my final minute of jogging and could do my cool down walk!

I was impressed with my new trainers, so glad I got properly fitted. I am looking forward to getting out again soon! The music on the podcast kept me motivated too and run keeper told me I did 1.94 miles (much better than the half a mile I did last week!) I definitely feel like I had a workout this evening and felt energised after.

I would never have described myself as a couch potato as I am not a lazy person, however I know that I do (did!) not fit enough exercise into my life. I am pretty excited and proud of myself that I am already doing so well. No more couch potato!

Here's a photo from my jog tonight (on the way home)! Such a beautiful sky. It made me feel so happy to have chosen to go out and get some exercise and fresh air, and take in the beauty of the world!

Happy Feet!

This morning, after breakfast my mam and I decided to go for a walk as it was nice and sunny. I didn't want to jog/walk today, as I reported yesterday my trainers aren't comfortable, but I knew that I would be fine just walking. We went on a brisk walk round the local lake and the weather was lovely. We walked two miles in total and really enjoyed it. I did manage to sting my hand on a nettle though (talking more than concentrating on how close I was to the foliage!) but it hasn't deterred me!

This afternoon after lunch we went to the metro centre and I got properly fitted for trainers (and insoles) so I feel like a proper runner now! The lady in the shop said it was really sensible to get fitted with trainers before I properly start my training as there's less chance of injury :-) thank you to everyone who highlighted the importance of this to me. I want my feet to be happy! :)

I can't wait to get out for my next jog to try them out! I was hoping for pink trainers (as its the Giving Voice and NETA colour) but I do like my blue trainers very much!

 

Overcoming Obstacles...

I went out for another short walk/jog yesterday morning and really enjoyed it (though the sun was a bit low in the sky, making it difficult to see where I was going, so not quite as enjoyable as my first walk/jog!) Also, there was no one at home so I had to take my house keys with me which wasn't very easy as I didn't have a pocket (not well thought out!)

When I got home, I had a very productive day as I was feeling so energised and enthused! Definitely think this is something I should have done years ago, but better late than never!

Few teething troubles and things I need to consider for proper training (things I need to invest in soon):

* arm band for my phone
* new trainers - the ones I have aren't as comfortable as I thought!

*also need to decide what to do about keys?!

Thanks to everyone on the Great North Run Beer Tent Group for all your help and tips :-)

I am still feeling good about my new adventure and looking forward to starting properly. I shared a bottle of wine with my friend Rach last night to celebrate her first GNR success :) made me more excited and I have a running buddy! (Though it will be a while before I am as good as she is!!)

We went to The Alnwick Garden together today (and did lots of walking:-) and here's a photo of me 'running!' Fun times :-)

Everybody starts somewhere

Hi. I'm (Jolly) Julie and this is my new blog!

I've been a spectator at the Great North Run a number of times now (supporting my brother-in-law) and always really enjoy it. The last three years (including this year) I have been on the sidelines handing out oranges and jelly babies to the inspirational runners. I used to think I would like to run it, then realised this involved running 13.1 miles so never did anything about it and discovered my forte was handing out jelly babies! (Check out my other blog Julie Giving Voice to find out more)

I'm a speech and language therapist and have been fundraising for the North East Trust for Aphasia (NETA) since being a student at Newcastle University. I've been working with NETA as an assistant for the last 5 months and it has been an absolute pleasure getting to know the members. Seeing them overcome adversity with such a positive attitude has been inspiring me to continue fundraising for this fantastic charity which helps people with communication difficulties following a stroke or other brain injury. 

My sister (Joanne)  and brother-in-law (Craig) both ran for NETA this year and it was my sisters first time at the Great North Run. Joanne (the wonderful members of NETA, my good friend Rachael, and all the fantastic runners) inspired me to run next year! 

Running is not something I have ever done before, and I used to do everything possible to avoid PE at school!! So deciding to run, is something very new to me!

I went out tonight for a half mile jog/walk as a start to my training and I really enjoyed it, can't wait to continue! I emailed NETA yesterday to be on their mailing list about running on their team.

I am a determined person and when I set my mind to something I always work hard to try and make it possible. I am very excited about my new jogging (running?!) adventure and after all everybody starts somewhere.