FITNESS | My Colour Run Experience

On New Year's Day, I was up for a challenge. I had not ran in an organised event since my half marathon in February 2012 so I jumped at the chance to run a Colour Run with the Tone It Up Arizona girls. The Colour Run has been on my radar for a while now and I've wanted to run one for ages! I had signed up for one in September 2014 but it got rained off! I was devastated as I had really been looking forward to it so I couldn't wait for this race. What made it even better was that it was part of the new Colour Run - the Shine Tour! Think Colour Run + Glitter! 

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Learning to Run Again

I've always been an open book on my blog. I have nothing to hide but since my half marathon in February I've kept very quiet about running. Since my injury (stress fractures on both feet) and subsequent running ban (4 week blanket ban, 8 week outdoor ban) I've had an absolute fear as well as a mental block when it has come to running outside. I just have not been able to put one foot in front of the other. This week that all changed, this is the story all about how I learnt to run again!

Follow me on Instagram! My username is georgiamedwards

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Workouts You Love To Hate

Hey guys! It's officially day three of the Drop 10 Challenge with Tone It Up and Self Magazine and I have to say I am loving it! I've followed all of the set workouts thus far and kept my meals Lean, Clean and Green and according to the Tone It Up Diet Plan! Dare I say it that I'm looking forward to weigh-in day on Wednesday! Eek!

One of the Self Drop 10 Promos

The title of this blog post is actually because of the challenge! You'll know that I completed a half marathon recently and I've got to be honest, during the training I really fell out of love with running. I don't know if it was to do with the pressure attached but I really just did not want to run at all.

You'll know if you're following the challenge that a lot of the workouts are HIIT based (High Intensity Interval Training) and a lot of them are running HIIT's. I was a little apprehensive to begin with because, as the name suggests, I was going to be exerting a lot of pressure on my already fractured foot. I knew I had the all clear from the Doctor but I still need to be cautious!

I also hadn't run for four weeks (as per Doctor's orders) and given my new found feelings towards running, I wasn't necessarily looking forward to the HIIT workouts.

However, now that I'm three days into it, I've had three amazing empowering workouts, two successful HIIT runs and it is more than fair to say that I'm enjoying running again! It's not easy - but it's not supposed to be; as the girls of TIU say; "Change is Uncomfortable" and as long as I keep repeating that to myself during the intense parts of the run I'm fine! You will get through it!

Today's Workout (1 hour treadmill work and 15 minutes run to class hehe!)

I guess that the moral of the blog post is, don't be scared and absolutely do not go into a workout with a negative mental attitude. Positive thoughts only! What I've been able to achieve in the past three days has surpassed all expectations and as much as I'm learning to run again, I'm also learning to retrain my mind. 

I know that I can do it, I know that it's possible and I know that it is for you too!

Good luck with the challenge next week!

All my love,

Georgie

My Half Marathon Experience

I did it!! I can't believe it! I'm so proud of myself but let me tell you, it was gruelling! I worked my butt off and worked with every step that I made!

If you would have asked me three years ago if I would/could ever run a half marathon I would have laughed at you! In three years I have made the jump from couch potato to half marathoner! It has definitely been a journey

If I could offer you any advice, if you're looking to take on a half, please please please train! I didn't do nearly enough beforehand as I should have done and I definitely felt it. By mile 10 I was spent! I could hardly move. 

I didn't run the whole way - I would have killed myself!! I promise you, though, I gave it my absolute all and I couldn't have given it any more! I ran across the finish line and cried with relief and overwhelming emotion. I was walking faster than I could run anyway teehee! 

The weather for our run was perfect!! The course went right along the beach which was lovely and given the weather in the week leading up to the race (clouds, rain and even snow at one point), I was amazed at just how beautiful the day turned out to be! There was only a bit of wind, completely blue sky and it was relatively warm for February!

Taken with my iPhone! Amazing right!

I am so so proud of what I have achieved. I never ether thought that I would be able to do it and I did. 

I am so grateful to have shared this experience with my Dad. It is a memory I will carry with me forever because he carried me yesterday!! There is no way that I wouldn't have been able to do it without him. He is a true star, he is my hero and I will be in awe of him forever. 

Because I had to walk a lot over the last quarter of the course, I had a big build up of lactic acid before I had even finished so it is more than fair to say I am sore today!! (I was sore by the time I got home haha!) My upper body is fine (despite my shoulder twinging at about mile 8!), by legs are 90% there after feeling like lead but my feet are in agony still! I am waddling about like a penguin today - I keep laughing at myself hehe). When I got in yesterday I jumped in a cold bath (that was harder than the actual half marathon!) and have been doing stretches and yoga moves frequently so I should be fine soon!

I'm not sure if I will ever do a half again, I know there is no way I could ever do a marathon! I would love to do the Disneyland half and if the opportunity presents itself then I probably would enter but I have really learnt the importance of a training schedule! I'm just not sure if Im a runner! I really enjoyed my experience and it's something I will take with me forever, what's more, I am so proud of myself for completing it! I learnt that I am strong enough and I am good enough and I am brave enough. 

One of the things I learnt was that in situations like a half marathon you really need to focus on your own race. To begin with I was thinking that I could stay with these people in front of me because they had a good pace etc. But I had to keep checking myself - I was running my race for me! I had to do what was right for my body! If I had run full out towards the end of the course, I would have really hurt myself! Listen to your body!

At the Start Line!

I keep thinking of how far I actually ran and how my mind kept pushing me instead of bashing me and I can't believe that I've made this journey! It all still seems a bit surreal - I have run in a half marathon --- and finished!!

If you're looking for a goal and you want to push yourself, I can absolutely recommend a half. The experience was incredible, I don't regret it at all and I'm filled with such a sense of achievement - I want to share it with everyone!!!

Here are some of my own pictures, as well as the official pictures from race day! Enjoy :)

Georgie x

**Update**

Hey guys, so after writing all of this I've found out that I've developed a stress fracture in my left foot and have got tissue damage in both feet because of the half marathon (namely the lack of training the few weeks before the half and mainly my Nike Free 3.0's! I love these shoes - they're super cute but I will only be wearing them in the Gym now! They are 100% not long distance running shoes! There's no way I'm going to let this slow me down though over the next few weeks! Stay tuned!

It was such a lovely day for it! Run along the beach anyone?

Wish it didn't have the watermark but love this! 

Looking and feeling  good at mile 5-ish?

Half Marathon; My Journey. 3 Months to Go!

Hey guys! 

You may or may not know that I've signed up for a half marathon in February! I'm really exctited and I've started a video series to vlog my progress!

Check it out below!

xo 

Sport Relief 3 Mile Run - My First Competitive Run

You may remember this past summer that I defied all odds and ran my first 5k. I proved everyone in my life, yes everyone, wrong and showed them that I could perform when it came to fitness and athleticism. 

Today I defied myself and ran in a competitve run. I say 'competitive' lightly however as it was a charity run. Whatever it was, it was 3 miles and I completed it. Me. Yes me the 'fat' one from High School. Yes me the one who a year ago couldn't run for 100 metres. I ran. I conquered. I finished. 

Not only did I finish, I finished in 28 minutes. A time which I never could have dreamed possible. I had my doubts going into the race that I'd ever even ran 5k. I was convinced the iPod app I use wasn't accurate and I was going to really struggle because it would be my first time competing that distance. I'd been averaging around 31 minutes whenever I'd ran 5k just training at home. I'd set myself the goal of finishing within 35 minutes. 

Goofing off with Charlie during a warm up

The day arrived and I was nervous. I wasn't running as part of a team and I thought I'd get really 'lost', to a certain extent and give up entirely. I can proudly say I ran for all 3 miles. The last half a mile was really tough. My feet were starting to ache and my back was beginning to hurt. However I now know what it feels like to be a 'runner' because I found this strength from somewhere and sprinted the last 100m. It felt like I was on springs! (It may be down to my Skechers Liv's - Thanks TIU!) I shocked myself. 

Heading into Mile 3

The week leading up to the run was not easy. I went to the gym on Monday and did a really intense HIIT workout from the Self/Tone It Up Drop 10 Challenge and I knew when I finished that my ongoing back problem had flared up. I then took the decision to take 'active rest' for the rest of the week as I wasn't going to jeapordise my run! However up until Thursday I was in pure agony. I couldn't even drive on Wednesday. It was absolutely the right decision though as I woke up this morning and felt good to go. My back is a little bit sore now but it's nowhere near as bad as it was earlier on in the week. 

I don't want to bore you with a mile by mile run-through, just share how proud I am of myself. I promise you that if I can run 5k, you can too if you really put your mind to it. 

Do it. Surprise yourself.

Victorious

Running: Just Do It

I have a love/hate relationship with running. In the Summer there's nothing better than a leisurely run in the park in shorts and no jacket (seems like a distant memory now) but in the winter it takes so much motivation to get me out of the door to run. I love it when I'm doing it but I hate the idea of it in the cold/rain/frost. 

I think this is often the case for a lot of runners. Sometimes building up the drive to get out of the door and hit the pavement takes more effort than the actual run itself. I have some tips that I, myself, use to give me the kick I need to leave my house. If you're like me and have taken a break from running for a while and are looking to get back into it or if you're training for an event or even if you're looking for something to give you that extra inspiriation this post will help you!

1) Push through the first 10 minutes. It will get easier. The first 10 minutes are definitely the hardest. After this time your lungs open up, you get into the stride and pace of your run and your body adjusts to its new temperature. 

2) Find a terrain that suits you. I much prefer running on grass to concrete as its spongier. I find it much softer and easier on my knees to run on grass yet some people prefer the rigidity of concrete as you know what to expext (as opposed to different terrain on grass). It's unbelievable the difference the terrain makes for me. I can run a 5k on grass with ease yet I find a 5k on pavement torture.

3) If you need to stop then stop! If about to die, stop running and walk! No one will mind! You're not giving up by walking - you're still moving. It's a much better idea to finish in a little more time than collapse in a heap because you've burnt out. You're not exercising to punish your body so don't kill yourself by pushing yourself harder than you need to. Going alongside this is don't go faster than you need to. By all means push yourself but don't run so fast that you're totally out of breath and blue in the face. It's been said that the best pace is the one that allows you to be able to talk to a friend without getting out of breath whilst running.

4) Warm up and Cool down! This is so freaking important. If you don't walk for 5 minutes before and stretch and walk for 5 minutes afterwards you're risking pulling a muscle, aches, pains and tension on all of your joints. (I don't know if it's linked but I can honestly say in all the time I've warmed up I've never had issues with shin splints either) You're much less likely to have a bad back etc the next morning if you take the time to look after your body onec you've finished a run. If you have a foam roaller it's a great idea to use it post run. Tone It Up have a great routine,

5) Know what to expect. Treadmill running is a hell of a lot different to actual running. Prepare yourself. Know the difference. Your body will thank you for it. I think that hitting the tred is a lot easier than hitting the street. The 'terrain' (for lack of a better word) is softer, the speed and incline is constant and what you set it at and you're actually not going anywhere (covering a physical distance). All of which makes treadmill running easier. If you can run for hours on the treadmill, don't neccasarily expect to be able to do the same outside of the gym.

6) Lastly - enjoy it! Running is a great time for personal reflection or to catch up with a friend or to give yourself a real sense of achievement. Today I broke my 5k best time, by over 3 minutes. I was ecstatic. Run for purpose - something that will really satisfy you such as training for a race to raise money for your favourite charity. Exercise shouldn't be a chore. Have fun!

I leave you with this, 

Share, Love, Inspire, Sweat

It's Just One Day

I know from my own personal experience yesterday, and from reading quite a lot of Twitter / Facebook updates that sometimes people are not happy with how their day has gone and we beat ourselves up about it and think about what we could have done better. 

For me, yesterday I was aiming to hit the gym before we went out for my great Aunt's birthday lunch. However as we know, plans do not always work out. I woke up and yet again I had my monthly agonising cramps that accompany your montly reminder that you're not pregnant. For me it's  really, really bad. I was put on medication for it a  few months ago but really they do nothing for me. 

It's only ever for the first day or day and a half so I know I will get back on track but yesterday, as I mentioned, I had a birthday lunch to go to. I was planning to go and eat clean, order a salad or something similar but when we got there I found out it was a set menu and I had already been ordered for. The food that came out of the kitchen was crazily unhealthily and honestly I felt awful by the end of it. So last night, like so many of us I was fed up, dissapointed and dreading my weigh in on Monday.

However I'm here to tell you it's just one day; for the rest of the week I'm sure, like me, you've eaten healthily and worked out and done better than you thought you had! Nobody's perfect - we're only human so we make mistakes. Don't beat yourself up over a day. Put it behind you, wake up and put it right. Today I'm planning to go for a run, eat super clean and hopefully make up for what went wrong yesterday. But I know if even that doesn't go to plan I've got the rest of my life to put it right - it's just 24 hours that wasn't perfect.

We can do this - we all slip up but for the other six days of the week - we all do amazing!

Share, Love, Inspire. Sweat

PS - GO PATRIOTS!!

Workout Buddy: Yes or No?

This post is kind of topical for my week! 

Heidi Klum and Miranda Kerr working out in New York

As some of you may know I rarely work out with anyone else. I joined my first gym with my best friend and she hardly ever turned up and I think since then I've not really wanted to work out with anyone but at the same time I know that Karena and Katrina from Tone It Up really reccomend working out with a friend to hold eachother accountable. In my experience I've found that I take fitness much more seriously than any of my friends so I've not got a 'workout buddy' as such. Just this morning I was willing to be proven wrong and had arranged to go the gym with one of my friends who's really unhappy with her apperance and she bailed. Nonetheless I went and had my best workout so far this year. 

Kourtney and Kim Kardashian hitting the sand

With that being said, I did also arrange, last night, to go for a weekly run with my boyfriend on Sunsday - hereby making every Sunday a Sunday Runday! Charlie does not need to lose weight at all, he's 6ft2 and perfectly toned but he's said he'd like to become 'fitter' I'm not 100% sure what he means like that but I'm 110% willing to support him just as he has with my Tone It Up journey. He's been so supportive and I couldn't thank him enough and I'm so excited for us to do this together :)

Charlie and I on a hike this Summer :)

So where do you stand? Would you rather work out alone or do you have a workout buddy? We all know about the successes of the BMore Toned group (which btw I wish I could join) and I would be all for workout buddy's if I could find someone who shares my motivation and goals. Any takers?

I love you guys! 

Weigh In Day - I Will Not be Demotivated

Today was weigh in day. To be brutally honest - I got what I deserved. Admittedly it was 4+ weeks since I'd last weighed in (I'm not really one for scales) but given the time period since I'd properly worked out and what I've eaten over the past few weeks I'd say I got off lightly.


The figure on the scales this morning was 161 lbs. I'm almost happy with it given that it's going to be a massive motivator to get back to where I was and then even further. Yes I was slightly annoyed but I expected it. I've not worked out more than once a week since the 7 Day Slim Down so I can't expect anything else. On top of this was my alcohol intake (the legal drinking age in the UK is 18) over Christmas and food over Christmas in general. I have decided to cut out alcohol completley through January. 


Today was the big start to my 2012 Transformation as it's a Monday - it made more sense to me to start today rather than yesterday. The tree is down, Christmas is officially over and I can get back to normal with my health and fitness routine.


I started today with a jog and it felt so great to run again! I've not really done a proper run since September so I was little bit worried about stamina issues but I'm pleased to report I ran 4.2km in 30mins. It was mainly running but there was a little bit of walking too. I'm glad I did walk for some of it (probably 3-4 minutes of the whole workout) because I think I would've stopped otherwise.


I woke up so late this morning! I couldn't believe it. Without an alarm I normally wake up at around 8 to 8.30am. Today it was 11am! I was so shocked! Because of my normal wake-up time I didn't bother to set an alarm as my plan was M1: Protein Pancake, Run, M2: Special K Bar. I had to drastically modify my plan so it ended up being Run: M1.5: Greek Yogurt and Cereal. I know next time to set an alarm thats for sure!


As it's also Music Monday I've decided to post the 'song of the workout'. When this song came on during my run, not only did it make me smile, it made me feel strong and raring to go and not stop!!! The song was Glee's mash up of 'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor and 'Survivor' by Destiny's Child. 

As I said, I'm not going to let 161 demotivate me - I'm going to let it inspire me to kick butt for the first week in 2012! Here's to a fantastic week beauties!


Share, Love, Inspire, Sweat
Georgie x