20 chin ups
30 sit ups
40 push ups
50 squats
5 sets.
1 minute rest between sets.
No rest between reps.
For the animal in you :-)
Photo: my cat. all rights retained
Monday, 21 May 2012
Man Eater !!
Here is an exercise routine if you feel adventurous :-)
20 chin ups
30 sit ups
40 push ups
50 squats
5 sets.
1 minute rest between sets.
No rest between reps.
For the animal in you :-)
20 chin ups
30 sit ups
40 push ups
50 squats
5 sets.
1 minute rest between sets.
No rest between reps.
For the animal in you :-)
Silver Race
Ready, set.... go !!! Amongst thousands of runners, back in March we ran our socks off round Silverstone race circuit in what for many of us was our preparation for London marathon.
This race is iconic to me. From a little girl spending my Sunday afternoon's with my dad watching Formula 1, the British race has always stood out to me. It's home. Plenty of legends have been here. I'm running where millions of people watch this circuit in their own front rooms. This race wasn't much of a pre race for London marathon. It was a chance to be part of history. To look at the incredible new stand. It was purely breath taking.
This race is iconic to me. From a little girl spending my Sunday afternoon's with my dad watching Formula 1, the British race has always stood out to me. It's home. Plenty of legends have been here. I'm running where millions of people watch this circuit in their own front rooms. This race wasn't much of a pre race for London marathon. It was a chance to be part of history. To look at the incredible new stand. It was purely breath taking.
I approached this race with not much training. I didn't bank as many miles as I wished but still got to double figures before reaching the start line. My goal here wasn't to run myself ragged and pursue a fast time. It was merely to get round, to soak up the atmosphere and most importantly, to have fun. And to get to the start line of the London marathon in one piece!
This race was important to me. Forget the history, forget next month it was London next and double the distance. This was the first race (of great distance) that my little sisters had come to support me. I will never this day. They caught me by surprise on the home straight and said, 'Kim we have been waiting for over an hour!' I apologised whilst trying to hold as much composure as I could. My sisters' were not finished. 'Kim, we saw fat people finish before you, you're faster than them yet they beat you.' Kids really do say the funniest things! They learnt a valuable lesson this day. Runners who take part in races are not always slim, fast aka what you see on tv. Participants of races are of all running abilities, of all shapes and sizes. The main thing, we are all in it to enjoy ourselves, to encourage the stranger beside you to keep going, to take those steps that you can achieve something if you really want it hard enough.
This race is highly recommended. Great track, highly organised, amazing support and the weather was a nice bonus!
Here are some more photo from the day.
Sunday, 26 February 2012
Men's Health Survival of the Fittest
A few months ago I decided to take the plunge and enter a rae predominately done by men. Afterall the sponsor of the race is Men's Health. The ratio of men to women who take part in this race is 70:30. This race is set in several cities, some crazy folk even do all races, me however just entered the one location, London. The backdrop was amazing, Battersea Power Station. I arrive midday and already witness competitors leaving head to toe in mud and wet. I'm thinking should I turn back and head back home. I continue my journey and before I register in, I can see the race and set about watching my fellow competitors finish what turns out to be a gruelling race. The race in distance is only 10K. Yes I'm aware that even this distance to some is massive, but to me having run longer I know this is achievable. The thing that sets this race different from other 10K's is simple, a series of obstacles that I simple lost count of how many. I reckon there were at least 30 in total. I got muddy, wet head to toe, legs covered in cuts and bruises. Oh and I also sprained a tendon in my hand. Managed that feat at obstacle two.
I entered this race without doing any training. Battling through some mental demons meant my fitness mojo was MIA. I didn't let this deter me from going to London and completing this race. I guess the temptation of adding another medal to my collection was too much for my inner soul to take. This was to date my hardest race. Most races are not so much physically demanding as they are mentally. I wasn't that fussed that my body had not trained for this event. I was naive in my thinking that I hold a good level of fitness bar doing nothing. It was the mental side that was different that set this race apart. From waking up, crossing the start line, going over the obstacles, having my fellow competitors giving my encouragement and helping me over the taller obstacles and finally crossing that finish line, I felt nothing. I felt no joy, no happiness, no sense of achievement. Why? My state of mind would not allow it. It was huge that I even made it to the race. The only people who stop us from achieving greatness is ourselves. I've been battling some inner demons and even though there was a part of me that didn't want to do this race, I dragged myself there. My work colleague didn't show (who was also suppose to be doing the race) but I didn't let that stop me from getting to that start line.
A week after the race I received an email informing me that photos were now available from race day. As I typed in my race number I was nervous about what I was going to see. I saw a couple of photos and I looked at the only decent one of me (see below) for quite a while. I didn't recognise the person I was staring at. The person in the photo look happy, looks like they are having fun, enjoying themselves. And suddenly, I found myself overcome with proud. This was a really hard race, add to that I didn't train, add to that my mental state was at a crumbly low, heck I am damn proud that I finished that race. It may of been a week late, but true to form, but late then never.
I entered this race without doing any training. Battling through some mental demons meant my fitness mojo was MIA. I didn't let this deter me from going to London and completing this race. I guess the temptation of adding another medal to my collection was too much for my inner soul to take. This was to date my hardest race. Most races are not so much physically demanding as they are mentally. I wasn't that fussed that my body had not trained for this event. I was naive in my thinking that I hold a good level of fitness bar doing nothing. It was the mental side that was different that set this race apart. From waking up, crossing the start line, going over the obstacles, having my fellow competitors giving my encouragement and helping me over the taller obstacles and finally crossing that finish line, I felt nothing. I felt no joy, no happiness, no sense of achievement. Why? My state of mind would not allow it. It was huge that I even made it to the race. The only people who stop us from achieving greatness is ourselves. I've been battling some inner demons and even though there was a part of me that didn't want to do this race, I dragged myself there. My work colleague didn't show (who was also suppose to be doing the race) but I didn't let that stop me from getting to that start line.
A week after the race I received an email informing me that photos were now available from race day. As I typed in my race number I was nervous about what I was going to see. I saw a couple of photos and I looked at the only decent one of me (see below) for quite a while. I didn't recognise the person I was staring at. The person in the photo look happy, looks like they are having fun, enjoying themselves. And suddenly, I found myself overcome with proud. This was a really hard race, add to that I didn't train, add to that my mental state was at a crumbly low, heck I am damn proud that I finished that race. It may of been a week late, but true to form, but late then never.
Saturday, 5 November 2011
London Marathon 2012
So the ballot results were announced recently. People were opening magazines with either congratulations or commiserations. I decided a few months back to enter again for a second year in a row and found myself very surprised, I got a place! After all I have read and heard, I’ve yet to hear of a similar story. First two attempts of entering the ballot, I’ve secured a place in one of the best marathons in the world once again. This was unbelievable and an incredible achievement already. I'm two for two.
Armed with my first experience, I believe I will be more equipped to achieve better results in 2012. My first goal however is to remain 100% fit. This wasn’t the case last year. With four weeks to go I injured my hamstring and knew I wouldn’t be able to run the whole course. Despite this, every mile was completed and my London 2011 medal proudly hangs off my bed post.
Running the London marathon was a childhood dream come true. Needless to say I got emotional crossing that finish line. Now I have the opportunity to run around London again and I’m very excited at this prospect. To race around London the same year that the summer Olympics are being held sends shivers down my spine. This is going to be one great race. Hope to see you there!
Armed with my first experience, I believe I will be more equipped to achieve better results in 2012. My first goal however is to remain 100% fit. This wasn’t the case last year. With four weeks to go I injured my hamstring and knew I wouldn’t be able to run the whole course. Despite this, every mile was completed and my London 2011 medal proudly hangs off my bed post.
Running the London marathon was a childhood dream come true. Needless to say I got emotional crossing that finish line. Now I have the opportunity to run around London again and I’m very excited at this prospect. To race around London the same year that the summer Olympics are being held sends shivers down my spine. This is going to be one great race. Hope to see you there!
Royal Park Half Marathon
The time quickly came for me to undergo a run through a few parks and down the what seemed never ending Embankment. Yes I’m referring to the Royal Park half marathon.
This was my first attempt at the distance even though I completed a full marathon earlier this year. This race was very well organised and the support was fantastic. I highly recommend this race to anyone. And I truly mean anyone. I saw so many competitors from all types of backgrounds, shapes, sizes and abilities. Best of all it didn’t rain and the sun truly shined at the very end. It made laying down post race much enjoyable despite the throbbing of complete body ache.
Runners were supportive of each other, crowds gave endless encouragement, wonderful sights (all the arches, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the glorious royal parks). Oh and how could a girl forget... hot buff army men encouraging you to warm down after the race!
Overall I’d say go pick a half marathon that is near you and sign up. They are highly achievable, great fun and you get a medal to show off your hard work!
This was my first attempt at the distance even though I completed a full marathon earlier this year. This race was very well organised and the support was fantastic. I highly recommend this race to anyone. And I truly mean anyone. I saw so many competitors from all types of backgrounds, shapes, sizes and abilities. Best of all it didn’t rain and the sun truly shined at the very end. It made laying down post race much enjoyable despite the throbbing of complete body ache.
Runners were supportive of each other, crowds gave endless encouragement, wonderful sights (all the arches, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the glorious royal parks). Oh and how could a girl forget... hot buff army men encouraging you to warm down after the race!
Overall I’d say go pick a half marathon that is near you and sign up. They are highly achievable, great fun and you get a medal to show off your hard work!
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Posture
Posture affects all of us. From the small things like sitting in a chair to standing at the bus stop.
The essence of this blog entry is to stress the importance of strengthening our cores. If you’re one of those people who work out and don’t know what I’m referring to, shame on you! To others who don’t work out or even those who do the odd exercise every now and again, this is a fundamental part of your health.
Training your core isn’t mind boggling, you don’t have to use equipment or attend a Pilates class. The core is mostly referred to as our abs and lower back muscles but as a whole it encompasses lower and upper body. When worked together they help to stabilise and support the spine. For anyone serious about their fitness/performance or just wanting to live healthy, building a strong core will get you there.
Our backs are fundamental to everything we do. Think how many times you slouch on a chair at work, how you sit on the sofa, over time these bad habits creep up on us and we end up at the doctors or whinging to our friends about back pain. Building strong back muscles will help reduce lower back pain and prevent any further damage.
Our core helps us stand upright, improve our balance and increase strength to our workouts. I recently attended a gig and was standing up the whole time with a bag on my back. Half way in I was reminded (by my back) that I wasn’t standing properly. I promptly took my bag off, rolled my shoulders back and stood strong. Being 26 years old and having back pain ages me too quickly! The same applies to the rest of us. A weak core means that other muscles will pick up the slack created and imbalance can occur. This in turn will most certainly mean injuries. *sighs* no injuries I hear you cry. It’s time to pay attention to our cores and getting them strong.
The essence of this blog entry is to stress the importance of strengthening our cores. If you’re one of those people who work out and don’t know what I’m referring to, shame on you! To others who don’t work out or even those who do the odd exercise every now and again, this is a fundamental part of your health.
Training your core isn’t mind boggling, you don’t have to use equipment or attend a Pilates class. The core is mostly referred to as our abs and lower back muscles but as a whole it encompasses lower and upper body. When worked together they help to stabilise and support the spine. For anyone serious about their fitness/performance or just wanting to live healthy, building a strong core will get you there.
Our backs are fundamental to everything we do. Think how many times you slouch on a chair at work, how you sit on the sofa, over time these bad habits creep up on us and we end up at the doctors or whinging to our friends about back pain. Building strong back muscles will help reduce lower back pain and prevent any further damage.
Our core helps us stand upright, improve our balance and increase strength to our workouts. I recently attended a gig and was standing up the whole time with a bag on my back. Half way in I was reminded (by my back) that I wasn’t standing properly. I promptly took my bag off, rolled my shoulders back and stood strong. Being 26 years old and having back pain ages me too quickly! The same applies to the rest of us. A weak core means that other muscles will pick up the slack created and imbalance can occur. This in turn will most certainly mean injuries. *sighs* no injuries I hear you cry. It’s time to pay attention to our cores and getting them strong.
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Trust
Trust is inevitable in fitness. A lesson I have only just discovered.
Whilst I am still undergoing physio for my knee, I have had a change of physiotherapist. This has unsettled me more than I would like. My physio before, Zoe, was nice, funny, she gave me great advice, put me through my paces and the most important part was I trusted her. But her placement finished and so the need for someone else to take over. Now I have Louise who appears nice but her advice somewhat contridicted what Zoe had told me and I feel at a loss. Have I just taken a few steps back? How can two physiotherapists have a different opinion treating the same injury?
I left my physio session feeling very unhappy. I didn't feel as though I had been worked over with the new physio. The fact of the matter is, I don't trust Louise yet. I'm sure we'll build a rapore and the trust will come but at the moment it's not there. Plus with three weeks to go till I next her, the trust isn't going to come as quick as first time round with Zoe.
We place trust in ourselves to recognise when something is wrong. We trust that the physio will do what is best for us to get us where we need to be. We trust that when we push our bodies we won't injure ourselves. We trust that our bodies will do what we're training it to do. That last part isn't specific to fitness. We trust our bodies to fight off viruses. We trust our bodies to expel the fatty foods we have consumed and so on. If along the way that trust has decreased then sound the alarm cause this needs fixing.
I need to have faith that this new physio knows what she is banging on about. With that faith, trust will soon follow. Or so I'm hoping. I have a photo of myself from last year that constantly reminds me how my body was in tip top shape. My aim is to surpass that. Injuries can be frustrating and demoralising. I'm in a slump at the moment with physio and not being able to do what I would like with my body. The fact remains, if I don't trust the exercises that my new physio has given me I can't move forward. This is a fate that is much worse.
Whilst I am still undergoing physio for my knee, I have had a change of physiotherapist. This has unsettled me more than I would like. My physio before, Zoe, was nice, funny, she gave me great advice, put me through my paces and the most important part was I trusted her. But her placement finished and so the need for someone else to take over. Now I have Louise who appears nice but her advice somewhat contridicted what Zoe had told me and I feel at a loss. Have I just taken a few steps back? How can two physiotherapists have a different opinion treating the same injury?
I left my physio session feeling very unhappy. I didn't feel as though I had been worked over with the new physio. The fact of the matter is, I don't trust Louise yet. I'm sure we'll build a rapore and the trust will come but at the moment it's not there. Plus with three weeks to go till I next her, the trust isn't going to come as quick as first time round with Zoe.
We place trust in ourselves to recognise when something is wrong. We trust that the physio will do what is best for us to get us where we need to be. We trust that when we push our bodies we won't injure ourselves. We trust that our bodies will do what we're training it to do. That last part isn't specific to fitness. We trust our bodies to fight off viruses. We trust our bodies to expel the fatty foods we have consumed and so on. If along the way that trust has decreased then sound the alarm cause this needs fixing.
I need to have faith that this new physio knows what she is banging on about. With that faith, trust will soon follow. Or so I'm hoping. I have a photo of myself from last year that constantly reminds me how my body was in tip top shape. My aim is to surpass that. Injuries can be frustrating and demoralising. I'm in a slump at the moment with physio and not being able to do what I would like with my body. The fact remains, if I don't trust the exercises that my new physio has given me I can't move forward. This is a fate that is much worse.
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