A Triathlon - Reebok Gym Style

Han welcomes me to the Holy Grail of Gyms!
If Carlsberg did gyms, they do REEBOK gyms ;-))

Hannah and I completed a Reebok Gym triathlon today - Yes we are triathlon stars - or so say I!  Actually we were at Reebok in Canary Wharf in order for Han to complete her second challenge of our skydiving bet: Han's 2 miles swim challenge (I was there as official adjudicator!!) but we got just a tad distracted on the way to the pool ;-))

WARNING: The Reebok Gym is beyond incredible. Be prepared to feel a big pang of gym envy - they have everything - TRXs, suspension training kits on a climbing frame (Mel would DIE!!), vibe plates, boxing rings, EVERY cardio machine possible, hoola hoops, climbing wall, free weights, 150 classes a WEEK!!, pool and of course the requisite dude listening to his ipod and shaking his tush - *giggles*. I am A LOT in LOVE and this is from someone who has been a blase gym member for years.

First up was a gentle (or so I hoped) warm up: aka a crazy Reps Class - free weights, a brilliant instructor and pumping music made for an hour of aching legs and arms. I have never got DOMS mid session before! Then again I have never touched free weights before. I am now a Deadlift Queen!! and I must admit that my previously emerging bingo wings completely disapparated on the spot. Eeek.

Next we headed to the treadmills in preparation for Han's first running race this Wednesday. Only Han decides to compete in a race 6 days before the event with absolutely no run training - I like her style ;-)). Reebok's cardio lounge is INSANE. There are probably hundreds of machines but it doesn't feel like a jungle due to the basketball court in the centre which acts as a glam light well. (Forgot to mention the basketball court before!) We both covered a mile (hushed tone: it took me twelve minutes - shhhhhhh don't tell AJ). BUTTTTTT I should add that my lungs are majorly rubbish at the moment - try taking in sufficient air to run when you feel like there are thousands of elastic bands wrapped around your chest - very tricky. Plus I had already been for a miniature run with Lucinda along the Thames earlier that morning, prior to my trip to Reebok's Holy Land of Fitness. (Although again I was so unbelievably pants running wise - I'm surprised Lucinda didn't tip me into the Thames and speed off as she had every right to do. My new mission is to prove to my incredible always-up-for-a-run partner Lucinda that I can ACTUALLY run. One day she will be the one requesting we walk for a bit - so help me Running God.)

To finish off our Gym Triathlon we headed for the pool - for every length I completed and I am a bonafide front crawler (those gazillion swimming lessons have finally paid off) - Hannah completed two lengths. Smelling a rat - Han confessed that she used to be a Regional Swimmer and swimming two miles was her most comfortable challenge of the four I'd set her (i.e. ridunkulously easy). OR it would have been if we'd haven't just killed our arms and legs via weighted squats, lunges and biceps and tricep curls and if Han hadn't just run a mile after not running anywhere for about 6 months. OK so the playing field had been sufficiently levelled. So whilst I leisurely splished, splashed and sploshed my way up and down past the Millenium Dome - INSANE view, counting Han's lengths and debating whether to go grab a pair of the flippers on display available for these lucky gym members, Han zipped up and down the pool at lightening speed. We did call it quits after 0.5mile and headed for the steam room/ sauna which was a rookie mistake as as you guessed it - we never made it back to the pool. Instead chilled out and feeling like pampered, very toned gym bunnies but with LEAD LEGS, we headed off to lunch and shopping. YAY!!

Hopefully the steam room and all of today's cardio has done the old lungs a world of good. Right now I'm so chilled out (understand KNACKERED) that I am heading off to bed. At 6.30pm. Call me Grandma!

Can you imagine what I'd be like if I ever actually did a real triathlon!! xx

p.s. BIG NEWS - I managed to tempt Han onto the scales in the uber deluxe changing rooms - guess who's lost another 7lbs in just a month?! CONGRATS Han so well deserved. You are looking HOT.

Must. Not. Feel. Jealous. INSTEAD. Must. Stop. Eating. Chocolate ;-)))

Kit and Caboodle

The caboodle - "collection or group of people"

This is Lucinda and I, post our 30 minute run around St James' Park and Green Park this morning. The last time I ran continuously for more than 10 minutes (excluding the Love Run) was on the 9th February with Lucinda - what are the odds?? Thank you Miss Gorgeous Dimples for making this morning's run happen!

It was a really gentle jog today as, as you can tell from my pic, I'm about to have a heart attack any sec. Running for that long after such a long hiatus from running truly was a shock to my system - I had to sit down for 10 minutes after Lucinda left and wait for the feeling of imminent death and nausea to subside before I could go on my way. Fortunately aside from a slight headache and sore legs I am feeling almost like new.....now! Physical pain aside, I feel like superwoman ;-)

Lucinda is an amazing running partner - so entertaining and so convincingly legit about not minding even slightly about crawling along at my pace. It couldn't have been easy as FYI: Lucinda's normal running pace is probably double mine.  When you are a shockingly rubbish runner like moi - it can be so stressful running with good runners as trying not to slow them up is basically an impossibility and feeling like a failure is a certainty.  But I didn't feel like that once and never do when Lucinda is around. Though next time I need to cajole some equally brilliant runners to our Sunday Run Caboodle to ensure Lucinda gets run off her feet - I want to see Lucinda go equally luminous lobster colour!

Our 4.5km route. I can't seem to stay away from Buckingham Palace this weekend!

Next the Kit: As the past year has demonstrated, worryingly and uncharacteristically, I am not even slightly organised when it comes to hill walking. Typically I leave my brain, lunch, shoes, socks, water, anything and everything behind when I venture up a mountain. No idea why. But this time I am determined it will be different so I've started preparations early. 5 days early.

• Christine of NikeGrid Orienteering Fame has kindly lent me some kit in preparation for the 60km challenge next Saturday - specifically waterproof trousers and a head touch as modelled by yours truly:

 Chiaroscuro effect (that term alone is responsible for me passing my degree ;-)) :

 The light is soooooo bright - everything goes dark by comparison.

Thanks Christine xx

• The First Aid Kit - as I don't have the required first aid knowledge to know what to do with half the bandages, tape and other stuff on the recommended kit list, I used my initiative and devised my own first aid kit ;-))

From top down:

1. Deep Freeze Cold Patches  - for when my back gives in

2. Savlon Anaeseptic Wipes - for when I fall down a cliff face and get dirty

3. Adhesive Dressings - to prevent soiling the countryside with my blood

4. Compeed Medium & Small Blister Plasters and Compeed Anti-Blister Stick - err self explanatory

5. Strepsils - to alleviate sore throat of 12+ hours of chatting with Han

6. Savlon Cream - for when I get bitten by a grass snake or any kind of bug

7. Nivea Hand Cream - remedy for painful swollen fingers/ really dry skin from over exposure

8. Magicool Body and Face Cooling Spray - for sunburn and for scaring off any four legged wildlife that might be tempted to eat me.

8. Jointace Gel - for when the deep freeze effect wears off.

Will also be adding  Jelly Babies to the First Aid Kit - purely medicinal of course - to combat blood glucose dips.  For any real emergencies I'm calling 999.  

Han - anything I've overlooked? 

Now all I have to do is remember to pack the first aid kit!!

• Lastly kit wise, I decided that I am long overdue for some new training kit a) to give my training buddies something different to look at b) just for surviving this morning's run c) to inspire me to run more and d) to remedy the hideous tan lines my teeshirts have given me - check out the goodies:

I like bright colours!!

Well I'm now prepared for walking during the night or a solar eclipse, through a flood, dealing with 'Girl on a Mission' medical emergencies and trotting down a fitness fashion catwalk/ attending a rave  - so that's the whole kit and caboole. xx

How it went down........HONEST

Well as you may recall, the three best girlies were dispatched with only their considerable wits, female charms ;-) and their "guns" to mark them out from the boys on Saturday - yup Soldier Challenge 2011 was ON!!!!!

First up Jade - never one to mince her words, back down from any challenge or able to resist ANYTHING in leopard print! Grrrr.... Is this why we call her tigger?!

Second up with her "guns" always at the ready - as her fav secret santa yet best pressie ever tee-shirt says - the Lucinda-tron.

And last but by no means least, the mighty PT - she may be small but 'runner-up' is not in her vocab - this lady won BEST individual in the recent National Sweaty Betty Runathon competition by running 10 miles a day for a week if I recall!!

Don't let this pic deceive you  - this was just Jade and PT psyching out the competition - they are actually thinking:

35 markers to check off in 4 hours - 

"Piece of cake. Actually make that two"

So after deciding that they should pace themselves, and that just participating was the most important thing......

Wait, wait.........slipped into science fiction for a second there........this trio's strategy was simple - run, run some more, and CRUSH the competition.

So 15 checkpoints were knocked out... in 2 hours 17 mins and 44 seconds, earning this trio a mammoth score of 325 and placing them 127th out of thousands of teams.... right ;-) and all without recoursing to illegal bikes unlike some teams!! In fact the girls ran over 14km all around London - even despite having to dodge a mammoth protest march which was also snaking it's way around central London.

A well thought out route - these girls packed brains and brawn.

But now to the exciting bit - the CHECKPOINTS - the only one I can actually recall is, unsurprisingly, the food related one!! Cue the hob nob challenge - which by all accounts Lucinda excelled at!!

Then there was the absailing challenge which didn't play to Lucinda's strengths quite so much. If they'd  thrown a hob nob over the side of the Oval it would have been a completely different matter cos Lucinda would have been down like a shot!

PT hasn't even broken into a sweat yet - outrageous!

Yes outrageously I stole these pics - Fortunately Jade doesn't mind.

Also who can forget the getting groped at the Tate challenge - oops otherwise known as getting spun and walking blindfolded into trees....

There was one delight I believe the girls didn't sample - bouncing around in the moat at the Tower of London - Tigger I'm ashamed of you....

However, hands down, the girls did a TERRIFIC job - I certainly couldn't have matched them. Not quite yet anyway. Fortunately there's always next time ;-)

For all their incredible efforts they were awarded their badges of honour....

which were closely followed by MASSIVE VICTORY smiles....

The mighty Team 247. 

Congratulations girls....SO, SO proud/ envious!! of you. The historic/ iconic landmarks of London will never be the same ever again. xx

* This account is the absolute factual eyewitness account of the events of last Saturday as of course I was there, and not slacking off avoiding any and all hardcore exercise 'due to sickness'. Additionally when the girls was recalling their adventures at training on Monday night - I was not dying of oxygen deprivation during another killer Mel plyometric sess and 100% consumed with trying to remember how to breathe and jump simultaneously -  I was, of course, listening attentively, taking it all in and making mental notes so I could give you lovelies the truth, the whole truth and nothing but my version of the truth ;-)) xx

Words of Wisdom from the Running FLIRT!!

Whilst I only racked up 100km during Februlous, Lucinda completed her WHOPPING 200km Februlous ambition like the PRO she is… yup that was 200km in a month!!.... Eager to find out how she fared - well here’s Lucinda’s account of her AWESOME accomplishment in her own words {OK, I only butt in three times, PROMISE}…

WEEELLLLL DOOOOOOONEEEEEEE Lucinda. 

You are Truly EXTRAORDINARY.

The power of the mind is crazy – at the weekend my legs were like anvils, I was bottom-shuffling down the stairs (couldn’t manage walking properly) and when my little bro laughed at me, I had no banter, no witty riposte, nada. I just snivelled in response. Today however, with no running predicted in my Horoscopes I am all high heels and Aero-feeling legs. In the words of Randy Crawford ‘what a difference a day makes'.

The hardest bit of the challenge, was as I thought; battling my lack of commitment – you know how it is – remember your GCSEs/ A-levels and probably every other exam you’ve done? You do no revision for months and then cram like hell? Well, that is moi to a ‘T’- I crammed 90km into the final week after doing only 10km the previous week, I will never learn?!

Lucinda to a "T"!!

GoaM asked me what I’d learnt doing it & whether I had any nuggets about being inspired to run. Well you’ve got to know you & know what makes you tick – unfortunately there isn’t a one-fits-all motivational pill. For me it was good ol’ fashioned Catholic Guilt. The thought that I would let Justine down if I didn’t do my allotted run was a no no, and that pretty much kicked my a$$ every time. People kept telling me that no one would know if I didn’t run that day & I shouldn’t bother, but if I’m honest, I thought that was a pretty weak way out & if I thought like that, then why bother in the first place. If I’m honest, I did too much on top off Februlous, I didn’t tone my partying down, I continued my passionate love affair with Barolo and Camel Blues (Editor's Note: SERIOUSLY NOT RECOMMENDED) & I didn’t go to bed early. Obviously, this was the biggest killer of the month and to be polite, I don’t look great. But, there was no way I would have survived if I was just running & going to work with no social life.

Your body can get used to anything, but your mind cannot. Bodies are durable and health permitting will adapt & get on with things, mine found the 10km easy to complete just after 2 runs, the mind however, still tells me I am not a runner. The treadmill at the weekend pointed out I’d run my 10km in 51 mins, whilst my mind tells me I am a clumsy runner rivalling Phoebe in Friends. There honestly comes a point where you have to ignore yourself and my ‘point’ has been this February. ‘Myself’ if you give it a free reign is one moany bizatch, it whined continually for me to stop running. To drown said self I found Hip Hop (in particular my boy Kanye West) was the perfect prescription. Although this did induce a few ‘oopsie’ moments when much to the disgust of the St. James’ park’s resident Pelicans, I realised I was rapping, telling them something about Chi-Town, Lights and being a Monster. Looks like Roc-a-fella records won’t be signing up this Surveyor yet!

Last week near Big Ben, a guy tapped me on the shoulder, said ‘tig’ and then pegged it over Westminster Bridge, the innate 6 year old in me knew what to do – dodging around tourists & playing tig chase across Embankment was hilarious and ultimately pushed me to do a few 4 minute kilometres. (Editor's Note: LOVE THIS - SERIOUSLY RECOMMENDED) In the first week I noticed at Hyde Park traffic lights that I was standing with 3 other girls running to work, you know how females are; we had a chat. Congratulated each other, berated our own distances/times/efforts and then non-competitively ran for about 2km together. If I’m honest, those sort of times were sporadic.

Much to many people’s surprise, I have no desire to run a marathon or half, although that will probably happen because I like to do a challenge with the girls. Also, I don’t like what running has done to my body, it has made me scrawny, ok that’s ‘myself’ whining again!, but I am thinner & I don’t like it, even though I am now eating around 2,500-3,000 calories a day. More than that though, it honestly doesn’t have a patch on doing group training, after each session I felt really pumped up, the ‘yeah…what else you got?!’ feeling kicks in and I’m a sucker for that.

The Champ - just seven days ago: Scrawny? I THINK NOT xx

Thanks Justine for letting me jump on the band wagon again!
(Ed's Note: Erm - THANK YOU. SERIOUSLY LL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU)
Glad it’s over, but glad I did it. xoxo

Armagedd-it-on

I’m so happy to see the sun shining today: 17 degrees baby. Bikini weather is acoming and with it my bikinilicious motivation is returning with avengeance. Porridge for brekkie, salad for lunch and a banana and an apple for snacks (ok so a packet of mini eggs did sneak in as well). But progress is progress.

Plus it’s my first training session tonight since knee issues and Sunday’s Armageddon 5 hour training session, headed up by Richard Callender of Biggest Loser Training fame.

I did mean to give you a lowdown on Armageddon earlier in the week and even wrote a review but realised that I was WAY more interested in speculating on who wins Biggest Loser next week, (some of the Biggest Loser contestants who were also at Sunday’s Armageddon), than talking about my complete lack of finesse at Armageddon.

Lucinda and Luc's BF fighting over their future husband

But it was exercise and I was fortunate enough to be gifted a ticket by Hannah (THANK YOU), so to Armagged-it-over with here’s a very brief rundown of Armageddon: The Fourth Chapter:

1. Armageddon Circuit – AWESOME if a little cramp for space – having someone squat on your head whilst you are planking is not an experience I wish to repeat. But picked up some new training moves so VERY HAPPY Bunny.

2. Zumba – Had no idea what to expect but the neon-tastic troop made zumbaaing surprisingly manageable even if you can’t dance – a fun version of classic aerobics. If it doubt, shake something baby.

3. Boxing – Fun but signalled the beginning of the “let’s learn one 90 second routine and then repeat it for the next 50 mins” syndrome. Also the scene of oops I accidentally kicked Zandela. Quick shuffle left.

4. Body Fit to Michael Jackson Tunes – Great Instructor and combining western and cheesy gansta moves to Micky J – HILARIOUS. Plus the longest squat hold I’ve ever experienced.

Where's Wally?? - Proof I was there even if I was pulling a face!!

5. Urban Funk - I have no dance coordination or cool factor so Urban Funk became more Funky Chicken. Richard may be easy on the eyes but honestly it was my least favourite session and the session where “let’s learn one 90 second routine and then repeat it for the next 50 mins” syndrome REALLY started to get on my nerves. Burnt about -2 kcals just shuffling back and forward trying not to get picked on by Richard for my inability to dance OR to look remotely cool. Hiding at the back behind a well built type has some benefits ;-))

6. Ab Session – Have to admit I departed before this – my enthusiasm had completely dissipated – Urban Funk had put me in a Funk and my uber low boredom threshold had kicked in big time. So off I went to relinquish my fun Sunday afternoon.

5/6 Participation, 4/6 Effort, 4/6 Enjoyment

As much as I loathe running, I get so much more enjoyment and a greater sense of personal achievement from races than I ever will from a marathon aerobics session, regardless of how it is packaged. Sorry xx

p.s. I reckon Wil will win Biggest Loser – he definitely looked like he’d lost A LOT more weight and in my opinion Claire deserves to win runner up – she’s works out, at crazy PT levels of effort – INSANE! Though I suspect that Rob (who wasn’t at Armageddon) will be looking supersvelte – he has been uberfocused all through the series so must surely have the best outsider chance of winning runner up. Only a few more days to wait – eeek! I LOVE weight-loss reveals like other ladies LOVE George Clooney.

Week One Update from Luscious Lucinda xx

'Being freakin' awesome since the time of Middle Earth' 

- Couldn't have said it better myself!! GoaM xx

7th Feb – 50k down, 150k to go:

I have a horrible running partner that joins me from time to time, you might know her as self-doubt, or tiredness. I call her Moaning Myrtle [yes, the same pet name I give my Boss ;-))]. Myrtle has run with me in 2 of my 5 runs in Feb and last night she ran close to me through the whole 10k. The problem with Myrtle is she knows exactly what angles to try to get me to stall or falter, that nagging voice in my head said three things on loop yesterday ‘you can walk now Lucinda, you're far enough away from work, no one will see’, ‘ooh that leg hurts, you don’t want to damage it for life, best stop’ but the one sentence she uttered more than the others, ‘Justine isn’t here, she wouldn’t know if you didn’t run today’. Ignoring these voices is impossible in the first 4km, damn tough during the next 4km and easy on the home straight, the final 2km.

It’s happened before and I know I need to lower my enthusiasm down a notch, but in true Britney style I’ve done it again. I’ve jumped on Justine’s bandwagon and become her wingman/woman. I’m a pretender to the throne, Goose to Justine’s Maverick, Destiny’s Child to her Beyonce or my fav Samwise Gamgee to her Frodo (you have a lot of time to think on runs!) I’m not doing the whole 28 days instead I’m doing a saner 10k 5days a week in February.

All because I felt a bit guilty voting for this challenge. I felt Justine’s confidence just needed boosting and that if she honestly did run 10k 28 times in one month, then she would have no choice and would have to see herself for what she is, an athletic, motivated powerhouse. Then after I voted, I felt that maybe she would like someone to do it with, 10k isn’t so boring or tough if you’ve got someone inanely chattering away at you (well that’s what my running partners politely tell me). So I signed up, and 50k in (70k for Justine) I have run 0 times with her!! I am the worse wingman. I shall endeavour to amend this by my next update!

Aside from the leg pain, and yes there is oh so much of that, I’m not finding this challenge too bad, for me like most things in life, it’s the sticking to it that’s tough. When it comes to fitness, I’m Darren Day, Ashley Cole and Elizabeth Taylor rolled into one. Yes I have commitment issues, there, I’ve said it. This challenge is the running equivalent of the Priory for my ways. Saying that, I’ve taken to the program well. I quite like a getting up early & running into work (if this were the 1600s I know you’d be shouting she’s a witch!), I like it when a quicker runner catches up to me and I just peg it to the nearest lamppost / traffic lights / corner with a childish grin like we were playing ‘tag’. Of course they just roll their eyes and pass me 10 meters later, but that’s half the fun of running solo. Yesterday I ran for the first time after work. I have to say DJ Lucinda’s ipod was on form! Who knew I had so many jogging tracks ‘Running up that hill’ ‘Run this town’ ‘No distance left to run’ ‘Run it.’ Fortunately London provided a better sound track; the swans in Hyde Park the bells of Westminster Cathedral and the sirens of Elephant & Castle (ahhhh home).

My goals for week two of the challenge are:
1. To get even more sleep, I’m talking the 9 hours variety
2. Get through a sports massage on Wednesday (alive)
3. Run with Justine once [the Love(heart) Run on Saturday doesn’t count]

I hope that this winning combo will push me on to finish each run quicker and leave Myrtle eating dust.

Lucinda aka Samwise Gangee xoxo

Our Very Own SUPERtrooper

Unfortunately our Commando Challenge dream team has hit a MAHOUSIVE snag – our AMAZING Sergeant Major, Luscious Lucinda came off slightly worse for the wear in her first ever Triathlon this weekend when mid-tri she broke her arm/ elbow in a biking collision. Nooooooooooooooooooo…

I wouldn't even have such a brilliant team joining me on CC, if it hadn't been for Lucinda's irrepressable enthusiasm in getting everyone to sign up - I am SO indebted to you LL, so much more than I can say. It kills me you won't be there up to your elbows in mud alongside us, psyching us on.

You’d never guess this snap was taken just a few moments post breakage.

With her characteristic humour, when taken to A+E, and asked by a hospital nurse what was wrong with her - with a bleeding elbow and her arm held to her body no less – Lucinda quipped "I've hurt my foot!" Classic Lu.

Before going to A+E, I should add that a broken arm didn’t stop Lucinda going on to complete the Triathlon, in an awe-inspiring 1hr 30mins no less. Most importantly she still beat her Dad! “Catch her!” UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING doesn’t even come close. She has definitely earnt her SUPERchick stripes a gazillion times over.

Daddy of our very own SUPERTrooper

I have it on good authority that Lucinda merked her papa by 7 mins despite a crash, a 5 min break and running with a broken elbow! “Lucinda epitomises the standard by which SuperChick excellence is measured” {I’m liking your buddy Ross and his ability to recognise a SuperChick at 50 paces!}

Now however, Lucinda is on rest and recovery duty for a few weeks and I know she is feeling G.U.T.T.E.D. at missing out on all the events that she was training so hard for, including Commando Challenge, among others.

Lucinda – however down you’re feeling at being benched temporarily, you should know that you’re leaving IMPOSSIBLY BIG shoes to fill and the SUPERchicks, particularly the Hyde Park crew, literally cannot wait to have you back: mended, rested and ready to “merk” everything in sight!

Until then we wanted to let you know that we’re ALL thinking of you and to ensure that you keep your "fighting fit spirit", the SUPERchicks have been hard at work compiling a tribute worthy of you – really Shakespeare has nothing on Mel and Jo!! Plus our own Cheer Captain Jade has been working on a Lucindastic cheer solo to be performed on your return ;~))

Just for you Lucinda, here’s what the SuperChicks wanted to say:

“Look, anyone who can watch The Matrix and then attempt to defy gravity a la Neo is an absolute diamond in my eyes! You are quite possibly one of the most motivated people I've ever come across - your drive and passion for "more cardio", "extra arms" and cries of "come on Jade - you can do full press ups!" both scares and inspires me in equal measures. Love, love, love it when I see you bounding over to a training session as I know I'll force myself to keep up with you as well as have a brilliant laugh. In a nutshell, Lucinda is a SUPERhard, SUPERfunny, ultimate SUPERchick. Miss you already and CC won't be the same without you, but I know we'll put in that extra effort to make you proud. WE'LL MERK IT! X” Jade

is for the laughs she brings to the SUPERchick classes. I’ve actually never seen her without a smile on her face. Yes even at 7am whilst exercising.



U is for unbelievable motivation she has herself and for the motivation she provides everyone within class.

C is for caps; Everytime I give her lateral raises she always beams and says '' I love this exercise it gives you beautiful caps on your arms.”

I is for inspirational. She makes others believe they can complete any task the trainer sets. She even manages to convince the morning crew that it’s a fantastic idea to run that extra 1K before I’ve even suggested it. This girl never ceases to amaze me she is an absolute Legend.

N is for never giving up. Who else would complete a triathlon after breaking their arm?

D is for determination. Always ready to complete every task thrown at her. I have never seen this girl give up.

A is for awesome. I truly believe she is. She’s always brilliant, always ready to do that little bit of a tougher option.

Lucinda truly rocks. Moreover she keeps me thinking of new ways to work everyone harder, I haven’t yet asked her to do an exercise that in her own words she hasn’t MERKED. Lucinda is a real driving force at Hardcore Hyde. I know I love seeing her beaming face at class and so do all the other girls. We will all be wishing her a speedy recovery, as we can’t wait for her to back in class. Spurring everyone on, and making us smile along the way xx SuperTrainer Mel

"The great thing about Lucinda is that she not only has enough motivation and self belief for herself but for those all around her too!! I’ve lost count of the number of times she’s told me that I can run a distance or complete a certain challenge with “no problem”! Lucinda is always encouraging and great at knowing what you want even before you do! There are times when I’ve eventually been persuaded to put my name down for something only to be told by Lucinda that “hmm, might have already signed you up for that!”

Lucinda is gutsy, determined and great fun – anyone who completes a triathlon with a broken arm, and still beats her Dad, truly is SUPER in my book! I know she will be sorely missed at the Commando Challenge but I plan on channelling my inner Lucinda to help get me through! Let’s make her proud and merk it!!" Vicky

...gosh, no idea what to add to this; The thing I'm most impressed about with Lucinda is her constant grin and complete eagerness to get stuck right into the most painful cardio activities. Before you say the word, she's off like a shot! Moans are just not in this girl's vocabulary. She's all go, go, go, brightness and cheer... a whirlwind of energy on the bleariest of mornings. She also has the craziest workout fashions down pat (spacey, bobbly soled trainers; weirdass harnesses on her back; shiny beaconous purple & yellow jacket? Love them all!). Pui-Tien

Just to prove you can say it all in just 20 words: Give us an

L..Legendary

U..Unstoppable

C..Courageous

I..Invincible

N..Notorious

D..Determined

A..Adventurous

T..Tenacious

H..Hilarious

E..Effervescent

S..Smiley

U..Unbeatable

P..Positive

E..Energetic

R..Radiant

C..Crazy

H..Hungover

I..Irrepressible

C..Carrot-topped

              K..Kickass!            Jo

Finally two sentiments that if you weren't convinced yet of your awesomeness, Lucinda, you now will be:

“Lucy Lu - hope you are feeling better soon, but enjoy the stoned feeling from the pain killers - might even make work fun! In the meantime milk the sympathy..... I will from this day on carry your tea and water and open the doors on the drinks run!” Caitriona

“Lucinda really is the heart of SuperChicks... I know if she's there then I'll be doing an extra 1K run or an extra set of push ups...she's the BEST pre-wedding motivator! She is 'Miss Motivator.'” Trish

We love you muchos so feel better soon and hurry up and get mended, pleeeeease, until then give us an "L"... xx

Going for Gold

I came across the "Do Lectures" this week - the basic premise of these is that those that have done something - be it something momentous or something on a slightly smaller scale, can help encourage others to "do something" {amazing} too.

Ideas + Energy = Change
This apparently accumulates by a magnitude so:
Lots of Ideas + a Tiggerish amount of Enegy = Unstoppable G.O.A.M.

In homage to this simple equation and the "Do Lectures", I wanted to do a piece on the SEVEN SUPERFABULOUS individuals who've been inspiring me this week each in their own way to "do something" {other than eat!}

The first two individuals are literally "Going for Gold" this weekend and so deserve a MASSIVE shout out in celebration of their BRILLIANCE and to wish them heaps of LUCK from one girl on a mission to another.

Lucinda is attempting her first ever Triathlon this weekend (racing her Dad!!) at Hever Castle.  How amazing is this??? Lucinda you are going to be just brill and no, you won't forget to put something on under your wetsuit!! Plus if you do - everyone's gonna be looking at the view, so they'll never notice!

This weekend is also a big first for Jen, who is running her first ever 1/2 Marathon at Run to the Beat- total WOWzers. Particularly as she's really, REALLY, REALLY fed up of running now - this in itself shows how much hard work this girl's put in.  Have to say that your boyf is going to really have his work cut out to beat you.  Good Luck lovely  - apparently "music lowers your perception of effort" so it's going to be a total breeze - Just think poor old Lucinda won't have any music to spur her on as she's tri's round her course in the buff!!xx

Thirdly Totally Terrific Trish is already powering ahead mentally and has her next events post CC booked.  You didn't misread that's plural events and even more staggering they are both happening over the same weekend. CRAZY. The first is an adventure Tri - i.e. involves kyacking rather than swimming.  The following day, TTT is getting a team together for an event known as the Hell Run - methinks I'm already fully booked that day!!! They don't even put mile markers out for this Hellish race - which is somewhere between 10-12 miles long and warn that although NO swimming is involved - as a precaution the ability to swim is a useful failsafe. WTF. This makes CC look ridiculously tame!!

My next two sources of inspiration are old acquaintences from my school days who I saw this week for the first time in EONS: The first is someone who I always remember as being way "too cool for skool" mainly as I was constantly having to interrupt her love life to negotiate some stairway or another so, nerd that I still am, could get to class. She is still too cool and still completely LOVED UP!! {somethings never change!!}But more importantly despite still recovering from knee surgery, she has already signed herself up for her first ever 1/2 marathon in Brentwood in March 2011. I'm apparently welcome to join her. Still *thinking* it over, lovely - your comment about finishing on the mother of all hills is clearly winning me over, no problemo!!

The second school friend is actually one of the most resounding inspirations of the week, as it reminded me that a fitness challenge can me as small or grand as you want it to be; it doesn't make it any less momentous.  The Bananas' current fitness goal is to run 5km in under 30 minutes. So simple. So perfect. Really just how I remember the Banana.

The two remaining inspirations are two of my compadres from BoxFit Boot Camp.One is just starting out on her get fit mission after finishing studying for her finals -just turning up for the next session and the next is her primary goal.  No mean feat considering the extraordinary amount of crawling we seem to do or the very l'eau de cheesy feet boxing gloves we use.  Even I feel faint most of the time! My second inspiring compadre is also a fellow SuperChick whose goal is to add some SuperChick classes to the Bootcamp schedule during week three of BoxFit BootCamp - yay Diane!

I LOVE hearing peoples' get fit mission goals, almost as much as I LOVE reading those amazing weight loss stories - fills me with hope and pride and crucially reminds me to "do something".

p.s. I should also mention that Jade has been "Going for Gold" for the last two weeks and today succeeded in getting her Gold Medal for two complete weeks of SuperChick Boot Camp (the girl even got up for the 7am class on her day off work!!!). Well Done Jade - totally deserved.  xxx

Being a good sport about a massage

Actually I must confess that, to date, I have been much too much of a wuss to book a sports massage. You must just imagine the Jaws soundtrack that accompanies the phrase 'sports massage' for me; mostly because this feels like something only professional athletes are eligible for and I’m fairly sure I’d be laughed out of the room by the masseuse on account of my VERY puny muscles: wobbly bits ratio!

However as one of my completely fearless, not to mention BUFF Commando Team members – (Luscious Lucinda – the die-hard hardcore TRIATHLETE!!) was prepared to go on assignment and report back on her experience – I felt that this would be the perfect win-win.

LL dreaming about 2012 Olympic Stardom!!

Although I have no trepidation about sending this girl to traverse a flaming bear pit, swim through a lake full of piranhas and then outrun a leopard; her account of her latest commando prep assignment brought tears (of pain and laughter) to my eyes.

So here’s Luscious Lucinda’s hilarious account of her latest “supposedly relaxing” trial - ENJOY and Well Done Missus – I’ll be recommending you for full SUPERchick Honours for your service to your team and Girls on a Mission EVERYWHERE:

“I have the sort of flexibility that you would expect from a recently exhumed Pharaoh, you all know somebody like me; when they do a hamstring stretch you want to double check that they’re actually stretching and not just standing around, admiring their leg. Additionally there have been a few things recently to get my muscles a little, shall we say, TENSE; training for a triathlon and Commando Challenge, a coma-inducing-job, the bestest boss ever who never ever moans and having to share a double bed for a whole week with my (lovely) snoring Little Sister.

When my muscles started to feel like they were made of Adamantium, due to the knots rather than because I am utterly ripped (that day will come, oh yes it will!), then I really started to fantasize about this wondrous, no nonsense sounding ‘Sports Massage’. Also I felt like the lactic acid wasn’t completely leaving my body post SUPERchick sessions and as I don’t stretch out too much (which obviously helps my Madonna-style flexibility!), I decided to take heed of SUPERchick trainer Mel’s advice. {Again I must interject and just ask you to imagine the jaws soundtrack that accompanies these words - as you just know Mel’s advice will be suitable Mel-tastically HARDCORE!!}

Mel’s recommendation that a ‘Sports Massage’ would be a great thing for me to have as it helps with performance and would work out the tightness I was feeling sounded like the perfect antidote. Her other piece of advice was...'not to plan a training session afterwards, as you usually still feel worn out'…….if only I had questioned this part!

So, picture if you will some ‘me’ time, a luxurious relaxing treat, a babbling brook, Classic Fm (or perhaps Kanye West beats), tropical scents and Hugh Jackman massaging all your woes away, mmmmmm....

Imagine that all you want, but that is Far Far Away Land from a ‘sports massage’; afterwards I felt like the lovely woman, or was she an Mi5 interrogator?!, had ‘roughed me up’! She kneaded muscles in my body that I didn’t realise I had - side of the neck, who knew??! It was 60 mins of ‘oooh, no no of course that doesn’t ooh, ouch hurt’ and ‘no that pressure is...er...just great’. Obviously, it wasn’t just that, there were relaxing moments, but I don’t remember too many of these.

Afterwards I felt like a weak kitten, a thirsty, weak kitten.

Public transport is not a place to be when you feel like you’ve been put through a mangle. However, even with (lovely) snoring Little Sister, I was O.U.T. like a light; Sleeping Beauty and Snow White (post apple incident) had nothing on me that night.

Still dreaming of Olympic glory - even if it is coxswain to the seven dwarves' rowing team?

The day after I felt like Mr. Tickle - all (flexible) limbs, knots had dissipated and that lactic acid feel had been replaced with that lighter than light glow coupled with a ‘I-could-merk-Usain-Bolt-if-he-tried-it’.

Since then, I feel less taught and stronger, no questions about it. Also on the plus side: I have been future proofed as the massage helps prevent injuries (think tears, pulls and general aching) as well as making your muscles stronger. Also your skin gets a treat. On the downside, there is a little bit of an ‘OUCH’ factor, but really no more than 20 {million} of Mel’s Squat Jumps. Also it’s not the cheapest thing in the world (think the equivalent of a Topshop pair of heels).

However, that morning after feeling was enough of an incentive for me - I’m booking another massage, after the Commando Challenge, although this time, I will definitely be dosing up on Ibuprofen beforehand!”

So girls, take note: SuperMel and LL can’t both be wrong – although you first, pretty pleeeease x

A picture says a thousand words

The long awaited Boutique Photo Album is finally here – but before you peruse the fabulous images below – first I need to give a MASSIVE shout out to Daniel at SportCam for helping me locate and procure these fabulous images so easily even when he definately wanted to kill me for confusing the file names one too many times! Getting such amazing finish line photos of (nearly) every single runner of the 2000 participants of the Boutique Run is no mean feat – you can see for yourselves SportCam’s amazing ACTION shots!!

(I have also borrowed a few images from the amazingly snap happy Lucinda – again some brilliant photography, if I don’t say so myself!)

To those individuals, particularly Sophie and Sarah, whose action shots I wasn’t able to locate or anyone who’ve I somehow omitted (and believe me I scanned through a LOT of photos), clearly you crossed the finish line at such a pace that ever the camera shutter speed couldn’t keep up with you - so your amazing feats are conspicuous here by your absence ;)

Every Run should involve cupcakes - its so ordained!

Clearly the promise of cupcakes did the trick!

Pre-run - that much is evident from the still beaming grins of some of the much-loved Hyde Park SUPERchicks!

Me with the amazing Honourary CHICKs who can be identified via their BIBs!!!

SUPERchick Founder Cat - after her HEROIC 1km (no joke) SPRINT - just to cheer me on my way!

Check out this lady's feet - she is officially FLYING!!!!!!!!!!!

Honourary CHICK Megan - crossing the finish line, not letting up one bit OR for that matter even breaking a sweat!

SUPERchick Lucinda - ultraglam and making this look a breeze - Check out that GRIN - You'd never guess this lady also completed a TRIATHLON the same weekend!!!!!!!!!!!

Not looking quite SO happy - this one is me at the 5km point - the 10km shot is hilarious but really not suitable for public consumption (1hr8mins of running does strange things to me!)

{Boutiquers - if you need a giggle you can easily find it if you so choose!}

SUPERchick AJ chasing my heels just a few seconds behind me- also illustrating how gorgeous you can look even after running 10km. So I have NO excuse really.

(AJ = Awesome Jo and YES, I'm President of her Fan Club)

Catching up with the scarily fast Sophie long enough to pose in Mother Hubbard's Shoe

Post-race - smile back in situ mostly by the thought of a giant cocktail literally the size as demonstrated here BARMAN

All the SUPERchick gang with their well deserved medals

Some of the apres-run madness - SUPERchick FOUNDER!! Cat

and Triathlon AND Boutique completer Lucinda lead the way

Out of respect for everyone's dignity (or what's left of it) this public account of the Boutique Run will end here - except to say the rest of the night was FUN, FUN, FUN and the queue for the SUPERchick photobooth never stopped!!!

However my 10km race debacle doesn’t end here – Sophie convinced me yesterday to sign up to the 10km race at the Old Deer Park in Richmond on Sunday 1st August, 9am. I am actually more terrified about this 10km even knowing that I just about managed to run my first ever 10km just a few weeks ago.

The 10km on the 1st August will be my INAUGURAL Proper (interpret: very serious) race, not a friendly/girlie give-it-a-go, it-doesn’t-matter-if-you-walk-some-of-it event. I imagine there will be mainly proficient runners present on the 1st August, not to mention, lots of scary looking men beasting their PBs.

Plus there is the little matter of this race being only 9 days away and the only tiny bit of running I’ve managed since the Boutique Run was a 3 mile interval SUPERchick session yesterday as I didn’t think I’d be attempting a repeat of the 10km until like 2020!

I am clearly insane.

Luckily the thought of Sophie’s (maddeningly fresh but nonetheless) friendly face waiting for me at the finish line is helping to steady my nerves – that plus we’ve already agreed that we are treating ourselves to a yummy lunch in Richmond post race!

p.s. Let me know if you have any TOP TIPS for best places to eat out in Richmond- really need some great food inspiration to help me complete this 10 km next Sunday. EEK!

p.p.s Check back tomorrow - My Commando Challenge Team will be introducing themselves!! The team reveal some very surprising, not to mention HILARIOUS stuff about themselves so you definitely don’t want to miss out!