Pilates

Part of my training plan for the 'big long run' includes a weekly Pilates session.  Usually on a Monday after the Sunday long run.  Recommended as it will help build core strength, flexibility and also a good stretch after pounding the roads for a couple of hours the day before.  I have also been advised it will be beneficial for the stress related symptoms I am currently experiencing.  So today I decided to give it a go.
Overall, the class was pretty good.  My body feels like it has had a good stretch out and I have worked    some muscles that I did not know existed, therefore I expect to ache a little bit tomorrow.  In terms of overall well-being improvement, hmmmm not sure.  I definitely felt more calm after the class, which will no doubt be destroyed the minute Harry aka 'the ball of energy' comes home from school.  However I massively struggled to relax and breath the correct way during the class - but I suppose this comes with practise so I should keep it up!  Will give it another go next week.

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Fundraising Ideas Urgently Wanted!

I have no idea how many people read this blog - if any at all now as it has been so long since I kept regular posts (this is now changing, promise!).

So, as you know I am running the London Marathon in April this year. Running in memory of Richie and therefore raising as much cash as possible for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.  I have called on the generosity of my friends and family that I can not rely on their deep pockets (which have been extremely deep when it comes to raising cash in memory of Mr Wildman) Actually lets unbracket this and take a look at the stats - 11,561.25 raised to date across a mix of charities (Lymphoma Research Trust, Make A Wish and Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research).  A massive thank-you to all our friends and family who have supported us to get this fantastic target :)

Anyhow, I digressed, the point of this post is I need some fundraising ideas people - and it would also be nice to see that there is still a following out there for Wildo's blog, so any ideas you have - big, small, wild and/or wacky then please add a comment with your idea....... It will be very much appreciated. Alternatively if you are out of ideas, how about a small donation (or a big one!) to our fantastic cause :)

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Fartlek Tuesday

I am not feeling well at the moment, not physically unwell but mentally unwell and exhausted.  However, exercise is suppose to be a good tool to support this type of illness and therefore I am working to my 'Unstoppable' training plan as much as possible.

Today's session is all about threshold running, our running coaches describe this as the 'holy grail' of marathon training.  When I first received my training plan I thought these sessions were the same as speed intervals and wondered why I was failing - sprinting full on for 5 mins is not within my current gift!  However, I recently attended a training session organised by the charity (Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research) and our training coaches (full potential).  The day was packed with useful information regarding how our training plans are devised, what to expect on the day, nutrition etc. There was also a practical session out on the running track showing us the correct way to have a 'threshold session'.  The basic routine is to warm up, and then run x number of mins at threshold then recover at jog pace and repeat.  Threshold equates to aprox 80-85% effort - you can speak a few words if somebody asks a questions but you couldn't have a good old natter! It is also described as controlled discomfort (which does not sound pleasant!).  The end result is that I now understand how these sessions work, and how important they are in the plan to get 'marathon ready'!

The goal for today was 60mins run, including 6 x 5 mins at threshold with 90 secs recovery in-between.  Due to the horrible weather conditions I decided to go to the gym for this session today.  Plus given my current well-being state, running outside could have been more hazardous than normal!  So 15mins at 11.5 on the treadmill, followed by my threshold runs up to 12.5.  Managed 5 of the 6 okish - could mostly tell my body was not happy about a hard workout today so stopped half way through the final threshold run and took it down to a fast walk to finish off.  Didn't meet the entire goal, but close enough and hopefully will still get the benefit from a threshold session.

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2014, A New Start

Life has certainly been a roller coaster since Richie started this blog back in 2008.  And my family and I have seen many changes, some sad, some bad and some fantastic.

The saddest is the loss of our beloved Nanny Joan, my inspirational Nan and the pillar of our family.  As with all those we have lost she is never forgotten and discussed frequently as we share our memories of a most fabulous (and glamorous) lady.  I am happy in the knowledge that she is back with Granddad Owen and no doubt they are dancing across the stars every evening.

The bad, for allowing work to dominate my life and make me unwell.  My new years resolution is to ensure that I continue with a proper work/life balance, bring my blood pressure back to normal and make sure my family is not compromised because of my job.  I share this on the blog as Richie once told me that if you write it down it strengthens your resolve to make the thing happen (I should possibly add lose 10lbs, stop eating chocolate and cut back on my wine consumption, but lets take it steady!!).  Richie also taught us that life is precious and sometimes far too short, so I will not waste any further time stressed out and covered in eczema!!

Now the fantastic, of which I have much to share.  I type this blog from my new home, I moved house on 20th Dec.  I have not gone far, literally around the corner, but it is a home I share with my partner Andrew.  It was a hard decision to leave the house that Richie and I lived in together, and I am blessed with lots of happy memories from the home that we shared when he was alive.  Summer BBQs with Katy, little Richie and Pokes :) Richie and Henry singing Happy New Year everybody in our garden on New Years Eve :) Our adventures with the Mad Cat Woman!  Petey the cat getting stuck up a tree in the school playground opposite!  Answering the door to Becs whilst we were dressed as a pantomime horse called Magic!  Rich painting the back gate after a few beers!  Bringing our son home in 2005, seeing him take his first step their (pushing a bright pink pushchair) and watching him grow into a giant just like his Daddy.  This is just a small snippet and I am thankful that I have so many.
I share my new home, or our new home with our Brady bunch family, and we are quite the troop to mobilise!  Andrew (almost 40!), Sam (a lady never tells her age!! Let's leave it as 30ish), Bec (15 going on 20!), Lauren (9 but with the intelligence of a 15 year old), Harry (8, but the height of a 12 year old!) and Heather (5 high maintenance but gorgeous so gets away with it!!).  We have only been in the house for a couple of weeks but it is already home.  To complete the Brady bunch look, Andrew and I are getting married on his 40th birthday in February (I should really get serious about this 10lbs business!). Andrew proposed to me on my birthday last year, an emotional and private moment that will stay with me always.  I am blessed to have found another man that I love so very much.

Whilst life moves on and changes Richard is always in my thoughts.  In 2014 I will continue to raise money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, and will be running for team unstoppable in the London Marathon in April.  Every inch of the 26.2 miles will be with him, I will run it for him and run it with his memory getting me through every step.  I will use this blog through the final 99 days of my training to keep you up to date on how the training is going - so far it has been tough but manageable.  Last Sunday I ran for two hours - this time last year I would have laughed in your face if you said I would get up on a Sunday morning and run for a couple of hours!!  It means I can totally stock up after on Sunday roast calories though so every cloud!

Tomorrow's training is a 90 minute run, which feels like a treat after last weeks two hours!  But then next week we are up to 2 hours 15 eeekkk.  Lets hope that rain stays away tomorrow............

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