After last week, I wanted to hit the Road running this week – well not quite running but a slow jog is always good! And with the weather being so good there was no excuse.
On Monday we headed up the Hill at the back of the centre. This was the first hill training I had done so far and I have to say I found it tough but good. I was delighted when I came back and looked at the map, to see that the hill in the Connemara Adventure Challenge isn’t as steep and high as this. So if I keep training on this hill I should find the race day a little easier.
So I made it a bit more than half way up the hill. By the time I made it back to the track I had regained my breath and decided to jog on the road back to the centre, which was about a km. This was with one of the girls from the office and I have to say that I probably wouldn’t have jogged as far if I didn’t have someone with me. We both jog at about the same pace, which was great too.
Didn’t feel as wrecked as I thought I would when I returned to work and wasn’t sore the next day. I do need to remember to stretch more after doing exercise – really bad habit to get into.
Didn’t get a chance to go out during the day on Tuesday, but went to Zumba and Body toning in the evening. I’m definitely starting to feel the effects of this. Can feel that my core muscles are stronger than the where.
Had my sights set on conquering the hill on Wednesday. Made it across the bog, which is the first part of Connemara Adventure Challenge and brings you to the bottom of the hill, by then the will to go up it had completely left me. So changed my mind and jogged down the Western way and along the road to the centre. Was the longest I have jogged so far, but I really need to get up the hills. I think I found it hard to get motivated as I was by myself .
Took Thursday off. On Friday headed out for a jog/walk along part of the cycle track for the event. This is an off road track. Wasn’t too long or hilly a jog but seemed to have highs and lows along the way. Started well and then struggled for a bit- thinking that I would have to stop and then came good again and finished at a nice pace with breathing going well. I always start my training off with a fast walk to warm up and this seems to work well. Again I forgot to stretch afterwards.
I help out with the local kayak club in the village, and we got back into the season with a rolling session in the pool on Friday evening. As I was running the session I didn’t get in too much training myself but I suppose there was a bit of resistance training walking around the pool – I ended up with a lot of bruises so I must have been doing something!
Was working on Saturday and was home late so didn’t get to do anything. Had great ambition to go and cycle to Greenway on Sunday, but never got around to it – not blaming the massive meal, drink or singing until 3am in the morning from the night before or anything! Just took it easy and just went for a walk along the beach.
Only 3 weeks to the first challenge with the 5km run in Westport. Not sure if I will be able to jog the whole thing but would really like to jog most of it.
In other notes:
I’m not the weighing scales type of girl, so I’m not sure if I have lost weight but I have definitely noticed that my stomach it flatter and I now fit nicely into a pair of shorts that I struggled to close before.
I have also decided to try and raise some money for charity while I take on the challenge. If you fancy sponsoring me it would be greatly appreciated!
