When I was out walking tonight I realised four things.
1. Even though I might train and train at swimming, it is unlikely to be my best discipline. However, I need to work harder at it, because I don't want to be useless out there in the sea. I think, from now on, I'm going to have to swim every second day.
2. To perform well in a triathlon, I need to play to my strengths - both of them. Yes, I'm talking about my legs. Despite initially having some trepidation about biking, I have realised that it could well be my strongest discipline in these triathlons.
3. I need to get running. To do this, I need to lose another 10kg and I'm keen to do this as quickly as possible, but still without dieting. I'd like to be jogging by the end of November. I have started by running downhill, in a relaxed and slow manner, plus I'm doing my Bionic Woman slow-motion running the pool.
4. Help, I need new music! I love my playlist, but it's getting a bit too familiar. I need some surprises in there, so if anybody has any suggestions for uplifting music with a fast beat, I want to hear from you. I like rock, alternative everything, some hip-hop and even pop. I love great lyrics too, but most important of all is a fast beat.
Had my day off yesterday and gosh I needed it. I was so tired, probably because of those double-dose sessions. Am still going to do more of them, because exercise is so good for me.
When I'm going to the gym, walking or cycling, those wonderful endorphins make me feel happy.
Swimming is a different story. That's when a get a big boost of endolphins.
Don't start grabbing for your dictionary - my friend Callie coined that word and I think it's cute and clever.
But what are endorphins (or endolphins)?
A quick internet search reveals they are neurotransmitters that interact with the opiate receptors in the brain to reduce our perception of pain and make us feel good. Endorphins act in a similar way to drugs like morphine and codeine and are believed to be responsible for the runner's high. Exercise, sex, chocolate, acupuncture, massage therapy, meditation and hot chillies all trigger the release of endorphins.
That explains why chilli and chocolate is my favourite food combination.
Gotta love that natural high.
Today, I:
Worked for 3 hours
Slept for 8 hours (badly)
Had 3 nutritious meals
Went for a 6.1km power walk
Drank lots of water
Drank 2 cups of coffee
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Friday, November 4, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Running for the All Blacks and other mind games
By Virginia Winder
Over-working is appallingly bad for my health.
On Friday, I worked for 18 hours. That was 3am to 9pm, without a lunch break and no dinner.
Blame the migraine, which put me back terribly when I still had deadlines to meet.
Not only was my brain fizzing with over-use, but I had no time for exercise, my family, friends, the dog, eating properly or writing this blog.
Even had stress chest pains again.
I did walk home from town though, which sort of counts as activity, but not training.
When I went to bed I couldn't sleep properly because my mind wouldn't shut up and I was terribly restless.
Saturday was another rush day and I missed exercising because I was too tired to get up early, then had a radio slot to do (love it) and an early wedding (beautiful and wouldn't have missed it for the world).
Won't beat myself up though because nothing good will come from it.
I did start to feel down though and thinking "I'm a failure" thoughts, but decided it's better to be kind to myself and simply start over again.
There's this wonderful song by Michael Franti called Never Too Late, which always reminds me that at any moment of any day, you can start over again.
So am back into it.
Went for a 1 hour 15-minute fast walk today and even ran some of it. To make certain that my Achilles wasn't injured, I only ran downhill.
Well mostly. I was on the lee breakwater and my aim was to fast-walk past this couple in front of me before they reached a particular puddle. If I got there first the All Blacks would win, but these people were getting too close so I had to break into a run. Whew, I made it.
Ridiculous, I know, but we play these little mind games don't we? A mate of mine called Mark Belcher plays mind soccer while out running. If he passes someone he gets one point and if he gets passed, the opposition gets a point.
I got some big ticks for eating today and yesterday. Made an extreme effort to choose healthy food and feel better for it.
People are always giving me great tips and research information, like this one about monkeys and protein (click on link - after you've finished reading!).
In other news, I did a cardiac exercise stress test this week. It was a followup to my wee trip to hospital with chest pains several weeks ago. My resting pulse was 55 and it took ages to get my heart rate up to the required level for the test and, afterwards, I was down to under 100 in less than three minutes. Apparently all of these things were great news.
I've also lost more weight!
Slowly, surely it's happening, even though I do get damn impatient.
Meanwhile, my quest to be better continues...
This week I'm having a session with a personal trainer from the gym to get my triathlon schedule on track and have an appointment with one of Taranaki's best swimmers for some style tips.
Have definitely increased my water intake, which one friend suggested may have been the reason for my migraine.
Another woman talked about how she has lost heaps of weight simply by running and healthy eating - not dieting - and how it's completely changed her outlook on life.
"I feel like I have woken up from a very long sleep," she told me.
Inspirational stuff!
Today, I:
Walked/ran for 1 hour 15 minutes (and the All Blacks!)
Slept for 10 hours
Ate fantastically well
Drank heaps of water
Had three cups of coffee
Over-working is appallingly bad for my health.
On Friday, I worked for 18 hours. That was 3am to 9pm, without a lunch break and no dinner.
Blame the migraine, which put me back terribly when I still had deadlines to meet.
Not only was my brain fizzing with over-use, but I had no time for exercise, my family, friends, the dog, eating properly or writing this blog.
Even had stress chest pains again.
I did walk home from town though, which sort of counts as activity, but not training.
When I went to bed I couldn't sleep properly because my mind wouldn't shut up and I was terribly restless.
Saturday was another rush day and I missed exercising because I was too tired to get up early, then had a radio slot to do (love it) and an early wedding (beautiful and wouldn't have missed it for the world).
Won't beat myself up though because nothing good will come from it.
I did start to feel down though and thinking "I'm a failure" thoughts, but decided it's better to be kind to myself and simply start over again.
There's this wonderful song by Michael Franti called Never Too Late, which always reminds me that at any moment of any day, you can start over again.
So am back into it.
Went for a 1 hour 15-minute fast walk today and even ran some of it. To make certain that my Achilles wasn't injured, I only ran downhill.
Well mostly. I was on the lee breakwater and my aim was to fast-walk past this couple in front of me before they reached a particular puddle. If I got there first the All Blacks would win, but these people were getting too close so I had to break into a run. Whew, I made it.
Ridiculous, I know, but we play these little mind games don't we? A mate of mine called Mark Belcher plays mind soccer while out running. If he passes someone he gets one point and if he gets passed, the opposition gets a point.
I got some big ticks for eating today and yesterday. Made an extreme effort to choose healthy food and feel better for it.
People are always giving me great tips and research information, like this one about monkeys and protein (click on link - after you've finished reading!).
In other news, I did a cardiac exercise stress test this week. It was a followup to my wee trip to hospital with chest pains several weeks ago. My resting pulse was 55 and it took ages to get my heart rate up to the required level for the test and, afterwards, I was down to under 100 in less than three minutes. Apparently all of these things were great news.
I've also lost more weight!
Slowly, surely it's happening, even though I do get damn impatient.
Meanwhile, my quest to be better continues...
This week I'm having a session with a personal trainer from the gym to get my triathlon schedule on track and have an appointment with one of Taranaki's best swimmers for some style tips.
Have definitely increased my water intake, which one friend suggested may have been the reason for my migraine.
Another woman talked about how she has lost heaps of weight simply by running and healthy eating - not dieting - and how it's completely changed her outlook on life.
"I feel like I have woken up from a very long sleep," she told me.
Inspirational stuff!
Today, I:
Walked/ran for 1 hour 15 minutes (and the All Blacks!)
Slept for 10 hours
Ate fantastically well
Drank heaps of water
Had three cups of coffee
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Life is just a walk in the park
By Virginia Winder
Avoided the bike again today, but in my defence, the chain needs oiling.
I couldn't find the lubricant, so headed to Pukekura Park and took to the hills.
Took some up-and-down paths off the main track and listened to music in just one ear. With the other I listened to the birdsong.
The music in my earphone was, appropriately, REM. That was one my favourite ever concerts at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, so could imagine that wonderful night while walking past the outdoor stage.
After that is a peaceful path through bush and a long hill up to the puriri tree that I used to run when I was younger. It was a killer then and still is, but walking is definitely easier.
During my running days with my dad, friend Susan and sometimes my bro, we'd get to the top gasping for breath and have to stop for a minute or two.
The walker in me, just kept right on going today.
Went via the zoo and peered at the monkeys, then through the Kunming Garden where a woman was meditating on the beauty of the place.
Then I meandered, at a fast pace, back down through the park and around the top lake until I saw a cheery bunch of teenagers. It was my son and five mates, and they greeted me with hugs. Cute.
Can't imagine not exercising now and am loving it.
Talked with my friend Susan on the phone today - yes the same running Susan from all those years ago - and we talked ocean swims and triathlons. Have decided I want to take part in events during February, March and April, so watch this space for other race entries.
Have to get ready to watch the All Blacks now - Warren and mates are at Eden Park.
Will drape myself in an AB flag for luck.
GO NZ!
Today, I:
Walked for 1 hour
Worked for 6 hours
Ate extremely well, focusing on fresh, nutritious, unprocessed and protein-packed foods
Drank just 1 coffee
Drank 1 chai
Drank quite a bit of water
Slept for 8 hours
Avoided the bike again today, but in my defence, the chain needs oiling.
I couldn't find the lubricant, so headed to Pukekura Park and took to the hills.
Took some up-and-down paths off the main track and listened to music in just one ear. With the other I listened to the birdsong.
The music in my earphone was, appropriately, REM. That was one my favourite ever concerts at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, so could imagine that wonderful night while walking past the outdoor stage.
After that is a peaceful path through bush and a long hill up to the puriri tree that I used to run when I was younger. It was a killer then and still is, but walking is definitely easier.
During my running days with my dad, friend Susan and sometimes my bro, we'd get to the top gasping for breath and have to stop for a minute or two.
The walker in me, just kept right on going today.
Went via the zoo and peered at the monkeys, then through the Kunming Garden where a woman was meditating on the beauty of the place.
Then I meandered, at a fast pace, back down through the park and around the top lake until I saw a cheery bunch of teenagers. It was my son and five mates, and they greeted me with hugs. Cute.
Can't imagine not exercising now and am loving it.
Talked with my friend Susan on the phone today - yes the same running Susan from all those years ago - and we talked ocean swims and triathlons. Have decided I want to take part in events during February, March and April, so watch this space for other race entries.
Have to get ready to watch the All Blacks now - Warren and mates are at Eden Park.
Will drape myself in an AB flag for luck.
GO NZ!
Today, I:
Walked for 1 hour
Worked for 6 hours
Ate extremely well, focusing on fresh, nutritious, unprocessed and protein-packed foods
Drank just 1 coffee
Drank 1 chai
Drank quite a bit of water
Slept for 8 hours
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