PACE

I currently only have one pace - slow and (fairly steady). This has worked with the plan so far. I think the plan(from myasics) at the start is intended for people who are perhaps just walking. The pace asked for is 9:20 min/km and my average is 8:26min/km. This becomes difficult for me to sustain at the end of my runs. Coming up is a 7km run at 7:28/km pace. It seems like a big jump to me and I know there is no way for me to do it. Instead I am going to make a mini goal of running that particular run at 8:15min/km.

The Commonwealth Games are on just now and I have been very inspired by Steve Way who went from being overweight and a smoker to representing his country at marathon distance. A testament to hard work and commitment.

HOTEL BOOKED!

Just booked the hotel for the family for the Paris marathon! More money = more commitment. Excited.

A LITTLE FURTHER

So still going and catching up with where I should be on my training plan. The runs have gone up a notch. The shortest run will now be 5km as opposed to 3km. The good news is that I am running a little faster (without intending to) than the pace set out in my plan. Maybe, just maybe if I keep going and stick to the plan I'll be able to slip under the five hour mark on the day... Trying to figure out how to put a countdown on the blog.

IT IS ON

My 'myasics' training plan officially kicked off last week. I've only got around to starting today as last week I was on holiday with my kids alone and so couldn't leave them to go running. Today I was out there bright and early. I am pondering about that lost week. Perhaps I should try and squeeze in those runs and take fewer rest days for the moment. When I toe the line next April I want to be really confident and looking back and seeing that I did everything I was supposed to will help. On the other hand I am also nervous to push on and injure myself.

Run stats 3km 8:13 min/km

THE CARROT

I'm plodding on and doing brilliantly with my early morning runs (alarm clock goes off at 5:15 and I am up and at em.). Where I am falling down completely is with my eating. I am completely addicted to junk. I'm trying to work on my bad habits but it would seem I'm just the girl who can't say no. I'm going to track my progress in a different way. I'm currently doing my little 3km loop in the morning in about 23:30. I've given myself the goal of running it in 22:30 and when I do it it's retail therapy time.

I am only going to weigh myself when I meet these little time milestones. That way I'll know that progress has been made and the number on the scale (if it's not moving) will not have so much impact.

Update  I completed my loop in 22:23 and got myself a new pair of Birkenstocks (I'm an addict). A deals a deal after all. Next up I want to get under 40 minutes for a 5k. My current time is 41:25.

THE PLAN

I'm excited. I signed up for a plan on My Asics. Although ticking the marathon off my bucket list is the main order of business here I have to admit being a little disappointed when they came back with a finish time of 5'11 after I put in all my details. I had in mind a finish time of 5:00. Anyway the plan kicks off on Tuesday and I am raring to go. Paris here I come!

*******

18th May. Pleased to say I have been up early to get my runs in. Haven't made an excuse once. Now I really need to get a grip on my eating.

TOO MUCH OF ME

I weigh far too much. 

My first goal here is to run the marathon but I also need to lose weight, for health reasons and to make running more comfortable.  I'm 43 now and if I have learnt one life lesson it is that I can't diet. After having my children I think I embraced my post baby body a little too easily. It was a bit of cop out for a greedy person like me. I don't believe that women should be under pressure to lose weight in record time or to look exactly the same. However looking 6 months pregnant nine years after the event is not on. 

I'm going to start making lifestyle changes slowly. The main culprit in my weight is junk food so that's what I'm going to tackle that first. This week I am refraining from eating sugar (as in chocolate, dessert, cakes) from Monday to Friday.