Best Workout EVER

Best exercise known to man:  RELAX......

Wednesday evening AJ and I were due to go for a c.6km continuous jog after work, though from our levels of enthusiasm whilst we were discussing the options after Tuesday night's 5km interval learn to run session - you'd have thought we were planning to run naked, except for massive lead boots, with savage dogs chasing at our heels. However as I have received and 'ignored' too many email reminders of training runs from my ASICS training plan of late, I was determined to do something and moreover to make a good effort of it. I even took the atypical step (for me) of skipping the Wednesday morning training session in order to reserve all my energy and all my limited enthusiasm for the 6km jog post-work.

However the gods or rather, the Extremely Benevolent Goddess that is AJ (she's called AWESOME JO for a reason!!), intervened and swapped the proposed run session for a massage at the aptly named spa Relax - HALLELUJAH!!

To say it was completely ahhh-mazing is a gross understatement. I've forgotten how brilliant massages are. I only got a fit of the giggles once - which according to the masseuse was caused by the amount of pressure required to tackle all the tension in my back. My tickle threshold in itself confirms that I so would NEVER have made it through a hardcore sports massage. And on leaving I was so chilled, my legs felt brilliantly rejuvinated and crucially de-knotted and I was actually 7 inches taller than when I arrived -  HALLELUJAH!! - Either that or my masseuse shrunk A LOT during the hour. All I wanted to do afterwards was get home still wrapped in my cozy coocoon of relaxation and snuggle into bed.

And that's exactly what I did. BLISS. 

Thanks a squillion AJ for the newest favourite workout everrrrrr. xx

p.s. The lengths people go to NOT to run with me - shocking ;-)) - more likely I suspect AJ had a very HOT date last night and so felt compelled to distract me - hmmmmm ;-)) ?!

This was me during and after

This sculpture was made completely out of shaped rows of cardboard 

Pretty ahh-mazing too.

Racing from one race to the next!

AJ and Sarah pre-race. The look of confidence. LOVE IT.

Seriously this week has been a complete whirlwind. I'm actually just so thankful I've made it. NO LIE. When I wrote this week's to do list and four sides of A4 later the list still wasn't complete, I nearly had a mild heart attack. But I am now a to do list Queen - actually I'm the ALL DONE with a Shiny Bow on Top Queen (that is, until I write the list for this week of course!)

Here are just some of my shiny bow highlights - just in case you have had trouble sleeping ;-) I've moved out of my flat, the subletter is in situ and she is LOVELY, I have sorted currency, insurance, rebooked flights (courtesy of my way too smart friends and their Bar exams ;-)), I negotiated a £3million work contract in under a week, my suitcase is packed and now closes although lifting it is still a feat of science fiction - America has AJ to thank for the fact that I'm actually bringing a suitcase at all and not going travelling commando except for my everyday lycra getup. The suitcase would have been hurled out of the window, for sure, if lifting it more than a nanometer was a possibility. I LOATHE packing and I will continue to do so until the Mary Poppins/ Hermione's bag charm that automatically packs and sorts everything you own into a bag the size of a handbag and that weighs less than a kilo becomes a reality. To me this goal rivals world peace. Until then apparently I can buy everything I might need in America. Even shampoo. Thanks a million AJ! xx

BUT back to the business of this blog. Today was the long awaited 10km time trial (remember my bet to run 10km in 55 mins and under) well today was THAT day.  Unfortunately this week's manic to do list mania has full out knackered me and running wise I am only good for the scrap heap:

• My 5km attempt on Wednesday proved that much - I managed 3.75 km and that was with a 5 min full stop REST mid run; 


• Thursday training's 0.5km intervals confirmed this - I had to stop and walk as soon as I was out of sight (the old school gym trick)


• And yesterday brought the message home - people noticing that I was breathing like a steam train just whilst walking or sitting. 

Not a good sign. Lung meltdown at the worst possible time ever. A course of superstrong steroids, sleep and a 4 month holiday - wahooooo!!! will sort the breathing issues and ensure I don't actually suffocate any time soon BUT as steroids are essentially performance enhancing drugs - it seemed like an unfair advantage over AJ ;-)) - well that is if I could run more than 300 yards without needing to lie down and die.

LONG STORY SHORT - Sadly I limited my participation today to the pre-race warm up and being chief cheerleader. BUT AJ and Sarah were simply amazing. AJ pulled off such a solid 10km performance - 1 hour 5 mins!!!!, saving her sub hour 10km PB for when she and I go head to head 10km time trialling in October right?! ;-)) and Sarah restrained herself from running off with a cup...... but only just and only because this was her first race post toe break!

It was actually a delight being able to heckle - oops I meant encourage - the runners round the course - including a couple of my work colleagues who are seriously impressive runners - 41 min 10km anyone? INSANE.

But now for the real goodies of the day - the photos!!

The field lining up: 30-35 minute 10kers at the front

Wha............t the F*&@

Admiring the view

From my race position. 

The Glam Victors with their spoils.

Yes they ARE now sponsored by Capri-Sun! Only the best for the best!!

Unfortunately cups to drink from were only provided for the top three.

Next time Sarah, Capri-Sun shall be swigged from a cup - straws optional!

Very nice rankings!! 

AJ's run profile on the Nikeband - not set to her pace mind.

CHECK the superimpressive SPRINT FINISH

Two races this week and not a medal in sight for me. But important lessons learned none the less: Just like with food I have to learn that my enthusiasm is sometimes greater than what is physically good for me.

So I've pared down my next running goal in line with my current actual ability - for the next few weeks I will be working on being able to run 5km comfortably in 90-100 degree Texan heat in preparation for some real life running action with the legend that is Ben does Life. CANNOT FREAKING WAIT.

Similarly excitingly AJ is now working towards a kilomathon - 26.2km race - JO is always AMAZING!! and Sarah is half-marathoning it next weekend - cup glory will be hers for sure.

The race to be the best runners we can be NEVER ends! xx

Oh to have winged feet

Running with an official Marathon Pace Setter automatically gives you winged feet like so, right?

Well only for the first 6 mins by my experience on Monday:

Mostly I'm so happy that I didn't completely pull out of this practise pace session with the lovely AJ and Sarah (which was my default reaction when I woke on Monday) and that I at least attempted a 9 minute mile pace (which I didn't believe was even possible).

I did end up trotting about 500m behind AJ and Sarah which is not really the point of 'pacing' but hopefully a disasterous dress rehearsal makes for a perfect on-the-day performance. Keep everything crossed for me and Jo next Sunday.

*I should note that we did run further than the distance above - I just got so happy seeing that Sarah and AJ had stopped - I didn't realise they had stopped at AJ's car for a drink whilst I caught them up and that there was more distance and uphill at that to go. ;-((

Plus for my feeble efforts yesterday, I was outed today as I was spotted 'running' by a colleague. My colleagues only ever see me pre or post workout NEVER during - which is how I've managed to maintain my fitness rep alongside all these proMarathon runners. I am so thankful that I was spotted during one of the nanoseconds when I was actually running - as you see from above those moments are rare!

PLUS - BIG NEWS: If you are keen to get on the running bandwagon (I promise it is easier than I make it sound - I'm just a terrible moaner) and you're looking for an incentive to start running - Juneathon starts tomorrow - run and blog everyday in June -i.e. like Janathon just without the freezing temps and snow - for all the details of Juneathon check here. OR if you fancy something a little less insane for June, OneTwentyFive is commencing her lose 5lbs and run 5km in 30days as of tomorrow. Absolutely go check her out and her amazing resources STAT.

OneTwentyFive and I have identical love-hate-can't do relationships with running - this girl can literally do no wrong except suggesting periodically that she give up her blog and do real life instead! xx

When it comes to fitness, there is NO finish line*

Don't be fooled this is the serious incline of Sawyer's Hill

Especially if the route includes a hill.

I've attempted two hill sessions so far this week and I full-out-sucked at both of them :-(( I reeeeeeally wish I was exaggerating for once ;-))

Last night was a learn to run session based around the hill in Battersea Park. This was the death scene to my current running love affair: I got the worst throbbing headache just as I commenced running with the girls last night and my good mood evaporated immediately as well as any desire to run anywhere. But since the session lasts an hour and my stuff was locked in the boot of the Trainer's car - For good or bad I persevered. But oh to have been struck down.

Tonight I was hill running with AJ in Richmond: This proved to be the burial ground to my running love affair.  Both AJ and I had forgotten how long and hideous Sawyer's Hill is. Last time I ran this - during a 10km race no less - I actually hallucinated that my only get out would be if I was clubbed over the head with a spade. Totally random but tonight I recalled that exact feeling. Let's just say we selected a steep 100m section and played hill tag 10 times each. Still horrendous, still couldn't breathe even slightly but I'm starting to get that gluteus maximus muscle pain that I'm always hankering after.

I realised tonight that the biggest obstacle isn't the hills but the fact that I've gotten lazy and my fitness has dropped. MASSIVELY.  I haven't power walked anywhere since I completed the Moonwalk 10 days ago and my lungs intuitively know what I sometimes forget - that there will never be a finish line when it comes to my own personal fitness if I want to be able to run 10km or more. The last couple of days have been a painful, breathless wake up call.

Time to get real. Time to get back with the daily exercise regime. Time to get with the Mission.

*Quoted from Nike Women FB status 25th May 2011

Ain't nothing gonna break my stride

A little running video tribute to AJ - the chorus to this song is her running mantra.
(Check seconds 33-55 if you are really time short!!)

On Saturday, AJ and I made a trip to The Running School for some personalised running tuition or rather, I dragged AJ along for a session and typically good natured Jo went along with the plan (or should that be pain?!)

I have to admit I personally really enjoyed the experience. As before, the Running School really pushed me way out of my normal speed zone and lazy running style. Thankfully it came back to me really quickly ;-)) It was like a hardcore interval training session - running all out for 20 seconds (9 miles an hour pace!!!) with 100% focus on technique followed by 20 seconds rest then repeat MULTIPLE TIMES. ABSOLUTELY LOVED it. Plus they even threw in a few EVIL inclines and demonstrated how much stronger your legs get from this type of training - totally remarkable - I now feel like the Invincible Hulkess. That's what an endorphin high will do!

{Slight aside my newly discovered hulk qualities proved invaluable this weekend - guess who packed up their entire life and carried it to the pavement this weekend. This involved climbing up and down 90 flights of stairs (I live on the third floor!). Yes I do now have jelly arms and legs but I have proved my invincibility!!}

During Running School I was also reminded that:
a) My right leg (or the one close to the wall as it is now known) is the lazier of the two legs
b) After picking my heels up, I could benefit from lifting my knees a couple inches higher as I follow through
c) I don't drive my right arm as much as my left
d) I must ALWAYS think about 'cycling the legs' i.e. imitate how horses move
e) I need to do my shoulder stretches EVERYDAY - especially the right shoulder (check c above)
f) I desperately need to get fitted for a new sports bra - running and watching myself in a mirror was a bit of a revelation!

As for AJ - I think she also got something out of the experience aside from sore legs, laughing at my still dodgy tan lines on my arms and my inability to distinguish my left from my right when I'm concentrating on not falling off a treadmill.

They took some great clips of AJ running pre and post session - and you could really see a difference even in 40 minutes of training. AJ is clearly a A* pupil!!!

This is what I remember about AJ's running form.

• AJ lands her feet in front of her as if on a tight rope rather than on train tracks underneath her parallel to her hips. Running as if on a tightrope is a massive factor in IT Band issues (Remember this AJ when the half-marathon comes around ;-))


• Her right leg is the boss and so her left leg needs to learn to take charge too 50% of the time. She has to start running in a clockwise direction when we do laps!!


• Bit of shoulder swivel


• Could benefit from cycling her legs more - i.e. picking up the heel, raising the knee, then landing the foot directly underneath the body rather than landing in front of the body and killing the momentum.

Basically AJ was true to her namesake and AMAZING. Even despite never really running on a treadmill ever before! No guesses who the star pupil was! 

This week I am 100% energised to get:

• running faster - practise race pace session next weekend scheduled with our amazing pacesetter


• running further - long run to be scheduled (Lucindaaaaaaaaa??? fingers crossed) 


• speeding up those hills - evil Richmond Hill you will be conquered THREE times on Wednesday!! (I can just tell AJ is smiling with glee at the prospect) 

Well must get back to those one-legged squats and strengthening the legs - Ain't nothing gonna break my stride xx

Wet but Epic Wednesday Run

I'm feeling P.U.M.P.E.D as today I genuinely feel that my running is starting to come together - just as well as the 10km time trial is only two weeks away. This is even despite the fact that I've done basically NO running since a Learn to Run Training Session eights days ago and even despite the fact that I've been ignoring countless reminder emails to get running as per my schedule.

Get Ready: Exhibit A. I ran the outside track on the warm up laps at this morning's training session - normally I hug the trees as closely as I can to cut the distance as much as possible and even then I fall behind the others. But not today. WOOP.

Get Set: Exhibit B. I ran the full 0.5km lengths non-stop during this morning's training session and even kept up and just managed to overtake Shosh during the last 0.5km length despite starting a few yards behind her. It may sound silly but the 0.5km runs that have been making a regular appearance into group training sessions have made a MASSIVE difference to my fitness and running stamina and BONUS they are not scary offputting like the 1km runs sometimes feels.  Keep on at us Mel to keep running!!

GOOOOOOO: Exhibit C. AJ and I ran 6km non-stop post work even in the inclement weather and you know what I was slightly leading on AJ!!!!! Can you believe it?! Don't worry Hell hasn't frozen over......yet. Plus Saturday's exciting training plans will reverse this new development pronto and I will be back to trailing AJ as usual! (Check back later in the week for the details. AJ has admitted that she's a little scared but honestly I think she'll LOVE what I have planned - hopefully ;-))  Overall it was a fairly gentle run this evening as it's been a while since either of us just ran continuously. But I'm convinced a) we could have picked up the pace AND b) that we could manage a longer distance c.8-10km no problems - but we took it easy for the benefit of AJ's vodka pasta lunch?! (Did I mishear?!) Most significantly for me, I even managed brief conversations with AJ whilst running. Yabbadabbadooooo.

PEOPLE I HAVE OXYGEN TO SPARE.  Today was a great day! xx

Just over 6km 

- though if Race for Life hadn't been on in Battersea Park we'd have done 8km for certain...AJ wouldn't have had a choice. 

I was just feeling kind today ;-)) !!

BONUS: I've finally remembered to charge my NikeBand 

AND remembered to set it to measure the run.

This is not as obvious and simple as it sounds 

- OK so it only has one button however it took me two tries to set it this evening!!

HONEST there was no stopping or walking 

- AJ even made me jog on the spot at the lights!!

The Power of Three

Yesterday was a day of threes - I had three majorly inspiring things happen to me yesterday - WOOP to the 3rd power.

Most excitingly and most relevant at this juncture - I finally got my running groove back - it's officially been MIA since February but since the ambitious 10km time trial (check out the champion-esque lingo) is just six weeks off - passive avoidance is no longer an option.

I cannot even describe how gut-wrenchingly nervous I still get about running. I was even sabotaging myself by letting myself run late (ho,ho) in the hope of having to cancel. According to my Asics planner - I'm already meant to have completed 2 x gentle 2km preconditioning runs last week - but I was too scared to go it alone and fail. So I didn't even try.  Naughty, naughty.

However last night, AJ - of the Awesome Running Stamina renown and I met up for our first race training session - cleverly devised 3 seconds before AJ arrived!! I decided an easy intro was essential and sold it to AJ as a baseline setting session. Thankfully AJ went for it - all thanks due to Trainer Cat wearing her out last night at a hill running training sess. So we embarked on checking out how long it takes us to run a kilometer. Best of three. (Secretly I was praying big time that I could even run a kilometer non-stop - even just once).Viola....

Never underestimate the power of someone standing, watching you run and armed with a stop watch OR for that matter, the power of rest breaks in between each time trial!! You may want to give up and walk cos your legs are knackered and the sheer effort is too much but you don't dare.  Thankfully it seems that AJ and I are still fairly compatible running buddies speed-wise, although we still have uncompatible ideas about appropriate race attire.  Case in point: We spotted a lady running in what I can only describe as "very loud patterned fitted pyjamas" - HOW DIVINE?! AJ was not at all convinced ;-)) But it beat the lady running in her swimming costume.

And just to prove irrufatably to AJ that the distance was a 1km - voila:

Four lengths of this baby = 1 km and BONUS conveniently allows me to heckle AJ half way  through!!

Even though it was a very mini run session - I was left feeling completely exhilirated all evening long.  To round off the amazingness of the day, dinner last night was a perfect portion sized bowl of delicious tomato soup with some shredded chicken. No hot cross buns or chocolate or cream eggs in sight.

Went to bed feeling like a total bikini goddess. Waking up is a whole other matter!! xx

A Februlous 10km PB!!

My first accompanied Februlous run AND my first Februlous PB - it CANNOT be a coincidence:

A traffic stop 8.5km in - AJ and PT still looking indecently perky!! xx

AJ, PT and I set off from Sloane Square for today's 10km route a little after 9.30am. It was immediately obvious that I have now got to the stage in Februlous when I need to be accompanied at all times, as I was all set to head off in completely the wrong direction, despite having drawn the route out and explaining it to the girls moments prior. Thank god for quick witted AJ!

My Homemade Route Map!!

The run felt quite fast overall and as PT and AJ were letting me set the pace - I was REALLY feeling the pressure not to crawl along as I normally do!! Thanks girls for kicking me out of my comfort zone. Additionally there were definitely less walking breaks compared to my Februlous 10km runs so far. First break - 3km in - YAY. Thanks girls for running with me - despite being unable to chat whilst running - having friends there makes SUCH a massive difference to my run performance. And despite battling gales, really tight quads {- is it a bad thing that they feel like rocks?} and a mammoth blister at the 9km mark - we all ran a GREAT time.

PT and I deposited AJ back at Sloane Square - the 9km mark - so that Jo could rescue her car. Jo you ran 9km in 57 mins!!!!!! You're not called AWESOME JO for nothing.  My friends at Nike have this to say to you:

Departing, AJ's instructions were "to keep running" and PT really stepped up to the mark in a BIG way as I was flagging massively. PT challenged me to up the pace and to keep up with her and she even got a SPRINT FINISH out of me. AMAZING. Especially as this was PT's first long run in about three months. You go girl!

A much less erratic run profile!!

PT and I crossed the 10km line in 1 hour 6 minutes - OH YEAH!!! Plus as the brilliant PT works opposite our Harvey Nics finish line, I was even rewarded with one of the best drinks of water ever - the perfect and much needed cure to extreme nausea post sprint-finish. THANKS PT - plus I HEART your office and not just it's amazing location post today's run. It's like my spiritual home - all RAINBOW colours and snacks-a-plenty - any jobs going perchance ;-))!?!

AJ and PT: A winning Februlous combination. xx

Last night’s Klumundrum!

“Make me look like Heidi Klum.”  That was my plea to the very amenable photographer at last night’s Cocktails and Chocolate evening. Yup, incredibly fortuitously, a very willing chocoholic, aka AJ!!! came to my rescue and volunteered her taste buds for the evening. (Sorry to name and shame AJ – but as PERFECTLY ENTHUSIATIC CHOCOHOLIC as well as PERFECTLY COMPATABILE RUNNING CHAMPION – this girl needs to be on everyone’s speed dial. STAT.)

Anyway back to the Klumundrum!!! Said photographer had set himself up slightly by:

a) highlighting that could make a vertically challenged wannabe model look as though she every inch of “The 6”0 Body” {Elle M. for anyone who is not sufficiently up on their supermodel dimensions}

and b) he was very quick to emphasise that it was his failures as a photographer, rather than AJ’s very high cheek bones, that was ruining his choco photographic compositions. (Oops sorry to name and shame again AJ – but you really do have amazingly high cheekbones).

Top Tip for anyone else who suffers this affliction – apparently when being photographed, it's best to try and look a bit depressed as you risk resembling a rather delectable hamster when you full out grin!

Before AJ blocks all my future calls!!, I should highlight that:
a) said delectable hamster proved to be the PERFECT photographer’s muse and so basically had a personal photographer ALLLLLL evening
and b) to be honest, I didn’t fare much better at the snaps of the photographer - his personal recommendation was that I get myself to a salon this weekend and try to do something with my hair to cover up my freakishly large and unphotogenic forehead!!

Woohoo. All this time I’ve been thinking that my body fat composition and dwarfism has been standing in the way of supermodel perfectionism, when actually a new hair style is all that is required. Woop, woop, I’m booking in for a hair cut pronto! I'm Kluming to get you Heidi! x

p.s. AJ has, as usual, proven herself to be the all-round superior athlete as despite a late school night and a few too many cocktails, she managed to drag herself to Superchick Training this morning. By comparison, I only awoke as training was finishing (too, too sad ;-))) but to be honest, I’m just thrilled that my Chocotastic goody bag is still unopened. So that’s still 1:1 by my count ;-))

p.p.s. I will post snaps of the very delectable hamster once they go online!!

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!