World Gin Day: Earned

World Gin Day: Earned

Happy World Gin Day! 

I hope you are celebrating along with me?

Well, I reckon I’ve earned a gin tonight. I’ve had another fantastic week of training, and I’m now a the half way point of my 10K training plan for the Carradale Canter. Here’s my training for the week:

As you can see, I’ve stepped up my cross training this week, while maintaining my running in between. Sadly, last Monday was our last Clubbercise class until after the summer holiday. So, Monday will now mean that I’ll be focussing again on my running form at the start of the week.

Thursday I doubled up on the cross training, with my Pound class, and some yoga. Boy, oh, boy – that was tough! I set out to do the NTC Advanced Yoga programme, which is 45 minutes long. Somehow, I had forgotten that I’m stiff and inflexible: most of my moves were ‘aspirational’ at best 😉 But I gave it a go, for the first 20 minutes and then called it quits. I’ll try again this week though, as I’m really keen to reap the benefits of stretching and elongating. Honest!

Today, I’ve done a ‘double bubble’: we had our regular SUPercise session this morning. I think that my basic strokes are improving: I finally mastered the rudder, and could feel that I was moving faster in the water. I managed this by focussing more on my core, and using my legs to really stretch into the stroke- in other words, I spent virtually the whole lesson working on my squats, which I’m hoping will do my running the world of good!

After a quick cuppa, we headed out for a 5.5 mile walk/run and we ended up doing 6.4 miles. Score!

Tomorrow calls for a 3 mile walk, which I’ll get done in the morning, if all goes to plan.

And now, I’m going to pour myself a lovely glass of strawberry gin, which we infused ourselves. It’s a perfect occasion to break it out, I reckon 😉

Foody Friday!

Foody Friday!

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Happy Friday! My Friday is all about packing- again! I’m really excited, as we’re doing the Perth Kilt Run tomorrow! It’ll be great, as I won’t be running alone, for a change!

For those who aren’t sure what the Kilt Run is, it’s a world record attempt to have the most kilted runners in one run. The current record holders are Perth, Canada!

The only other activity I have planned for today is some light reading….

Today’s stats:

Run: No, it’s a yoga and stretch day for me.

Time: 30 mins yoga, 15 mins NTC Shawn Johnson Stretch Guide

Most relaxing yoga track: some Groove Armada

Well, to round off another week, I thought I’d let you have a sneak peek into some of my good (and bad) eating habits this week.

In Dublin, I had a few naughty treats:

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We had dinner on Saturday night in Hard Rock Cafe, which is becoming a bit of a pre-race ritual!

We had:

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And I had the biggest dessert I’ve ever seen!

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While, back at home, I’ve tried to be good:

But, as usual, the vino is just too tempting!

Today’s Life Lesson:

Which yummy treats have you had this week?

It’s Nice to Have Time Off :)

It’s Nice to Have Time Off :)

As I say, in today’s post title, it’s nice to have some time off (so much so, I’m saying it twice!). I finished work at lunchtime today, and I’m off until Monday. I guess that makes today my Friday, then?

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Today’s stats:

Run: No running for me today, as it’s taper time, I’m working on stretching, so I’ll do some yoga and some NTC stretching later.

Time: 30 mins walk, 30 mins yoga, 15 mins stretching

One yoga track I plan to listen to today:  Wonderful Life, Black. Very chill.

So, like the rest of the UK, we’ve had a thunder shower this morning, but only one, fortunately!

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This was the view from my office window today, as the rain started to pour down! 😦 It’s still very warm outside, and by the time I arrived home at around 12.30, the rain had stopped 🙂

@TheWelshWookie and I have been for a walk this afternoon, along the harbour and down to the ferry terminal. Of course, we had to pop into the cafe for coffee and cake!

I’ve had a lovely, lazy afternoon, reading this month’s copy of Women’s Running magazine, which arrived yesterday:

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There’s an interesting article in it about stretching, particularly in warm ups, and whether they are beneficial, or potentially problematic:

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For me, it depends on the length of the run. If it’s a shortie, I’ll really just do a warm-up jog. If it’s a longer run, I’ll start with a set of dynamic stretches: knee highs, butt kicks, and a short warm-up jog. I’ll usually finish my run with a walk home, followed by Kara Goucher’s running stretches from NTC. This seems to work well for me, and I’ve been fortunate in staying injury free (here’s hoping this continues!).

Today’s life lesson: It’s usually sensible to wear a jacket when rain showers are forecast…..

What’s your view of stretching, before or after a run?

Foody Friday

Foody Friday

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It’s a balmy 29 degrees in Tarbert, and according to the forecast, the West coast of Scotland is set to be the hottest place in the UK this weekend!

Today’s stats:

Run: Fortunately not, it’s too hot for me to run today! It’s a yoga and stretch day for me.

Time: 30 mins yoga, 15 mins NTC Shawn Johnson Stretch Guide

Most relaxing yoga track:  Teardrop by Massive Attack. Love.

Well, to round off another week, I thought I’d let you have a sneak peek into some of my good (and bad) eating habits this week.

In London, I had a few naughty treats:

Lemon something-or-other Krispy Kreme donut
Lemon something-or-other Krispy Kreme donut

We had dinner on Sunday night in a place in Campden called Ay Caramba!

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We had:

Nachos with chorizo
Nachos with chorizo
A pineapple & a raspberry mojito
A pineapple & a raspberry mojito

We also came across a wee shop selling mahoosive watermelons- I wish I could have taken some back home with me!

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On Monday, we had a spot of lunch at Union Jack’s in Covent Garden:

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Braised brisket, oxtail, horseradish & watercress pizza
Braised brisket, oxtail, horseradish & watercress pizza

While, back at home, I’ve tried to be good:

Sweet chilli drizzled salmon and salad
Sweet chilli drizzled salmon and salad
Nachos with low fat cheese, quorn pepperoni and jalapenos
Nachos with low fat cheese, quorn pepperoni and jalapenos
Wholewheat tortilla pizza with quorn pepperoni, low fat cheese, red onion, peppers, chilli flakes and balsamic vinegar
Wholewheat tortilla pizza with quorn pepperoni, low fat cheese, red onion, peppers, chilli flakes and balsamic vinegar
wholewheat tortilla pizza with salady stuff
wholewheat tortilla pizza with salady stuff
Total Greek yoghurt with melon, pineapple, grapes, chia and flax
Total Greek yoghurt with melon, pineapple, grapes, chia and flax

But I haven’t always succeeded……

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Today’s Life Lesson: double-check your text before you accidentally send it to the wrong person….

Which yummy treats have you had this week?

TGYF

TGYF

It’s the weekend! TGYF! Thank Goodness, Yoga Friday!

We’ve had another cracking day today, and from my office window, I could see a visitor to the office grounds:

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He was having a good forage in the bushes, and was there for about 15 minutes.

Today’s Stats:

Run: no, today was a lazy day  rest day for me

Exercise: 15 minute NTC Shawn Johnson’s Stretch Guide, followed by 30 minutes of yoga. 

Today’s best yoga track: a bit of chilled Paul Weller is always good 🙂

Here’s the yoga app I’ve been using- it’s OK- does the job. 

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I use AirPlay, and put the picture up on the TV via Apple TV. Pretty cool. Does anyone use any other yoga apps that are good?

@TheWelshWookie is packing for two week’s Annual Cadet Camp, so I’m looking forward to peace, quiet and a tidy house going to miss him… a wee bit 😉 

Oh, well, I’m sure we’ll have a wee vino tonight before he goes…

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Enjoy your evening, everyone!

Today’s Life Lesson: Check your trousers don’t trail on the ground before wearing them with sandals… scuffed hems are not a good look.

Which surprise visitors have you had at your workplace?

Are we sure this is summer? Really?

Are we sure this is summer? Really?

Well, now that the schools are on holiday here, the weather is typical: wet, windy and cold. Brrrr!

In a bid to encourage the sunshine, I started today with my usual, summer time breakfast, which I love:

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It’s Total greek yoghurt, topped with local strawberries and some blueberries, with a sprinkling of flax. Mmmm-mmm. Delish. I’ll add some chia seeds tomorrow, I think.

Well, my desperate  attempt at willing the sun to visit didn’t work.

Here’s the wet vista from my office window today:

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See?

Today’s Stats:

Run: no, today was a lazy day  rest day for me

Exercise: 15 minute NTC Shawn Johnson’s Stretch Guide, followed by 30 minutes of yoga. 

Today’s surprise yoga track:

I wore my super, duper long sleeved top from the MOK run for doing my yoga in, do you want to see it? You’ll have to excuse my slightly blurred pic, I’m afraid:

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Not bad, eh?

Today’s Life Lesson: Don’t wear a T-shirt to the office on a day that’s more like winter. You’ll regret it.

What have you worn to work and instantly regretted?