Am I half marathon ready??

The best answer I can offer is I hope so. I have been putting in the miles but compared to this time last year probably not enough. But I won't panic Yet! Maybe around mile 8... #touchwood.
Over the past few weeks I have had some lovely blue sky runs. There is nothing better, everywhere looks fabulous and as long as it's not too hot and muggy the run is always good. I find I smile more and everyone you meet is smiling too. Although a run in the rain can be good too living in Ireland we're more used to the latter.

I've been making friends with the local wildlife too as last Sunday I ran into a swarm of bees. They weren't interested in me thankfully preferring to fly in large circle but my pace quickened significantly so they wouldn't get the chance. On another run I ran into wildlife of a more woolly kind...

Only in Ireland...

I feel my legs are definitely stronger than last year which is as a result of better running and Crossfit. I have Crossfitters thighs,  although mine were big long before I found Crossfit but were way more flabby than they are now. As the Crossfit games are on in California this week I'll be distracting myself from the half marathon by watching the athletes do their stuff online especially the ladies #strongwomen. Also I'll make sure to take on some extra fluid.
Over the last few years the Runkillarney half marathon has become a regular part of my running year. As I love a good view the scenery on this half marathon is truly stunning which is always a plus when I run.

The Lakes of Killarney

I'm hoping to finish strong  by which I mean I finish smiling with no aches. Other than that my only plan for my run is to cross the finish line and collect my bling...

Putting in the miles..

I have just been trying to get out as often as I can to run. The half marathon is at the end of July so I have been trying to put the miles on my legs. The weather has not been co operating with me especially when I have planned any kind of long run its either humid and clammy or wet, windy and humid. I am a real #sweatybetty these days.
About two weeks ago on a Sunday morning I headed out for a steady 10 mile run. As I set out the mist descended and very soon the rain fell but worse than that the wind picked up. The first couple of miles was a battle against the elements running into wind it was just URGHHHH!!! There were also a few climbs but I kept moving.

A dark dreary slog uphill

Glimpses of good weather?

I had a bit of a wobble in my own head I thought its too wet, the hills, the wind is making this hard, I'm too slow but unlike other times when I've left my mind wreck my run I pushed on. I was running at a steady pace. The rain was heavy I was completely soaked, thankfully I was wearing my
Gore-tex asics which saved my feet as best they could but the rain was so heavy my feet were squelching in my asics by the end of my run. (Living and running in Ireland Gore-Tex runners are an essential).

I thought at one stage it was going to clear up but it was not to be. The showers were heavy and just after I hit the 7 and half miles my legs felt heavy and from there the run felt like a real slog through to mile 9. I always try to finish strong as its a weakness so the last mile or so wasn't too bad as I dreamt of a hot shower, change of clothes and a coffee. It wasn't a great run due to the weather but I was happy to be increasing my mileage.
I haven't run as much with the girls as everyone is busy with life even this past Monday I didn't get to run with them but I did  a quick run around the roads at home. It was a beautiful evening sun shining blue skies and sweat. I took off too quickly and paid for it at the end when my legs felt heavy and I missed out on a new 5K PR..

Missed PR selfie...

General things from the last few weeks:

I just seem to have piles of running and crossfit gear to wash all the time due to me being a #sweatybetty or wet damp gear.

I am NOT a Sprinter

I need to foam roll and stretch more.

I still can't straighten my arms over my head.. but I'm working on it!

I have developed a taste for Earl Grey tea, it's so refreshing.

And so the next few weeks will be about putting in time and the last few miles on my legs before the Half marathon while enjoying it and keeping a smile on my face.

Crossfit, regionals, half marathon training..

Even before I started Crossfit, I had began to watch it on Youtube in particular the crossfit games and regionals. So with great excitement at the end of last month, I headed to Madrid to see Europe's top crossfitters compete in the Meridian Regionals. What an experience it was, edge of the seat excitement for three days. Teams, Men and women competed, I have to say the women's competition was absolutely brilliant. The regionals were held at the Caja Magica which is easily accessed via the metro. The whole venue buzzed with excitement, each event and heat added to it and everyone was willing all the athletes to do well. Crossfit heaven...

There was plenty of shopping to be had for any Crossfitter need among a few brands that were there were Reebok, Rogue, Rehband, Rocktape, PurePharma, Progenex, FitAid and many more. I have to admit I came away with a few bags.. To see the action up close was cool and motivating. One of the things I loved to watch was how everything was set up so quickly. 'Boz' was there this year for the first year it was cool to watch him oversee the events.  Women's Event 7, was beyond exciting the crowd was on their feet enthralled by the action developing in front of us. A no rep and a sprint to the line was the heart thumping, exhilarating finish that the women's competition gave us. I just cant wait to watch the Meridian athletes in Carson this Summer. There will definitely be a few of them of the Podium in July.  I also had the pleasure over the weekend of meeting a few crossfit legends..

Dan Bailey, Mikko Salo, Annie Thorisdottir and Rory McKernan #TEAMRO

I left Madrid full of renewed vigour for Crossfit hoping that some of the crossfit prowess I was surrounded by would rub off. I'm still waiting for it to kick in any day now!

The weather has been lovely and warm for the last few weeks so all physical activities has meant I end up in puddles of sweat. #Sweatybetty.  I have tried to be as consistent with my runs and so I was delighted when in the last week I hit a new PB in my Mile and Km. I also was able to knock a few minutes off my longer runs and more importantly I was able to run consistent over the distances. Instead of running off at pace and wearing out I was able to finish at a consistent pace.. #loveit.
That is my ultimate aim for my running as ye all know fast is good but consistent pace is better..

Big sky over the Top of Coom

I feel I'm on track with the half marathon training a few more long runs and I'll be there.

6 photos 6 runs...

Its amazing how a few weeks off can have an affect on your running. Previous to the injury I had picked up at the Banna beast challenge I had been treating myself for shin splints turns out they were small stress fractures. All this combined has meant my running is below what it should be 9 weeks out from the years first half marathon. I'm adding the mileage slowly but the pace I had run many miles to gain has for the most runs deserted me. I have been back at it now for a few weeks the following are the highlights..

The start of the month offered fabulous blue skies. I had to start back running by doing no more than a 5K with each run. It was glorious to be out once more and the natives seem to be enjoying the good weather too.  I felt my foot was weak as I ran the first mile or so, it began to ache so I slowed to a walk. To be honest I was afraid to push it!! After a quick stretch I ran on happy to be able to run.

As I needed to put more miles on my legs, I decided to run after Crossfit.  My legs felt fairly heavy to begin with but as I ran on they began to feel looser now It wasn't the fastest run but my leg didn't ache as much and I felt I had turned a corner. But my pacing was not there I was all over the place fast slow fast slow...no consistency.

A wet Tuesday evening found me at the track after Crossfit, I did a few 100m sprints and 200m sprints. I find the track really does help with increasing the pace, which I need. Also, I find running on tired legs helps with the longer distances. It was raining steadily, John took this picture and told me I was a crazy person!! But I really was desperate to do some running...

The smile was an indication that all was going well. I had finally been able to increase the mileage of my runs and was OK. Still a bit achy but not as achy..The sun was also out once more so an added bonus.. Although not the best running weather, as I just move and have sweat dripping off me. #SweatyBetty. But it does makes every view that bit prettier.

Friday 13th saw 'The Fitz Run' on the board as part of the evenings WOD. The run was from the entrance door up the road pass the Fitzgerald GAA Stadium by 200m and back down again.  As I took off I was running OK not at the speed of my fellow crossfitters. I crossed the road but  I noticed everyone else had not but I carried on and crossed back over further up. I  met everyone coming down against me at around 400m I slowed to a walk confused about the distance and pure habit. I don't know why I thought it was an 800m run rather than a 1.2Km run. I turned ran back down I didn't sprint. I probably should have considering how slow I was... Now I know the run I hope to improve the next time I take it on.

I might be turning a corner as yesterday I ran my best 5k in a few weeks and today I was able to put in a solid 7 miles. Both runs were on the plan but the rain that fell over the last two days meant it wasn't too appealing for running. Living in Ireland I can't use the rain as an excuse not to run although some days I do... The 5K run was just one of those 'yeah I'm having a great time' kind of runs whereas the 7 miles was a slog but not as much as I thought it would be. With todays run it took me 5 miles to ease into the run the last two felt the best and showed on the Garmin.

So over the next month or so, the mileage will increase in preparation for Julys half marathon. Hopefully at a pace that is consistent...

Taking control..

I've entitled this post 'taking control' and that's what I need to do. Of what, you maybe asking? Of what I put into my mouth is the answer. I've really let the nutrition side slide. I didn't take the losses I made in my weight and progress with it, instead I slipped back into old habits. I want to be a healthy person. Even though I run and do crossfit I am not as healthy as I could be. Of course there is also some or maybe even a lot of vanity I want to look good in my gym gear, to not worry about the jiggle of my 'gluteus maximus' as I run or squat and have thighs that don't have saddle bags attached to them. It isn't always about buying the right dress size etc.. I sometimes feel that I can't do a movement in Crossfit especially the gymnastics because I'm too large which when you consider the 1000's of people around the world who do these movements, is completely ridiculous. 

As I have been told the success to a healthy weight is 80% nutrition and 20% exercise, which is sometimes easy to forget. How easy it is to tell yourself you deserve the big cream bun after the hard workout or run. Now that's OK every now and again but lately the treats have becoming more routine and they have headed straight onto my saddle bags. 

And so, over the next few weeks I'm going to re-focus my eating habits.  Also as part of this renewal of fitness I am going to be doing some HIIT with Eric as part of the 4 week Body Shred Challenge, which couldn't have come at a better time for me.

Now don't get me wrong I haven't put an awful lot of weight back on but enough to make my jeans feel snug. It is easy to put your head in the sand, which I have done a few times, So this time I'm not going to, I'm going to get back on track and get to work.

So more funtimes ahead..

'It's good to have an end to journey to, but it is the journey that matters in the end'  

- Ernest Hemmingway

Banna Beast Challenge 2016

Saturday morning arrived and having slept in I headed with out too much delay back to North Kerry. Susan and my parents came to lead the support crew and to enjoy the sea air. As we drove towards Banna, I could see a scrap of blue amid the grey sky. Arriving at the registration hotel,  I was all set for the adventure ahead.. Meeting up with Bernie, Michelle and Siobhan I had a much needed coffee, we put on our warpaint and headed towards the beach..

It was about a 10/15 minute walk down to the beach. As we arrived at the beach the second wave was heading out, we watched them warming up as the rain..

Some of us braved the elements, some of us didn't no names mentioned.. 

We were in the next wave so we headed to the holding pen. It was cold and damp by this time. I met Cyril from CrossfitKillarney, I was hoping my crossfit would help with the obstacles and I it did.  Someone shouted out various exercises in a warm up which included push ups in the wet sand, fun. They 1,2,3 and we were away, over the hay bales and a run across the sand to the first obstacle troughs and peaks. Our hands were fairly cold at this stage..

Next we headed up into the dunes, over a hay bale, under some netting  and then we hit our first set of monkey bars. They were wet and it was impossible to hang on.. Next up was an obstacle called the 'hangover cure' were you had to hang on with your arms while going from one step to another. Done! Next up was the bouncing castle which was fun in itself. We headed into the dunes under the nets one after each other like a well rehearsed troop. We then met our first fence and with a leg up I was over. After a bit of  run we had to climb up over scaffolding covered in netting, I was a bit shaky about this one as I am not great with heights. But through the encouragement and direction of the other girls I got it done. That was a real buzz,  a fear conquered and deserved a group hug, which it got. Over some tyres, through some tyres and then onto the beach again

Then there were more round bales to go over. I pulled myself over without to much bother. We then had a run a long the beach which is an obstacle in itself. Running on the beach really works the legs. At the half way mark, we headed into the dunes once more. The fun part of doing a course like this is that its not a race, there's no clock so you can slow down when you need or you take a moment to take in the fabulous view.

I am trying to remember the obstacles and the order they came in, I think generally I have them covered.
Next up was the marshy watery part of the course. Which wasn't bad until we had to wade into dark black rank smelling water, to get on to the next obstacle which was to hang upside down on more bars.. I went along the side hanging on the bars upright.

My smile says how much fun we were having..

Climbing over the plastic tubing,  we then had to run in wet squelchy runners. Ughhh..  Even at that I was really enjoying the experience. We then ran on for a while, before long I could see Susan in the distance so I knew we were nearly back at the beach.

Next up were the Monkey bars moving across them offered much laughter

Hanging round

We then had to on up a sand dune, down the sand dune, through the tyre pit and up the highest sand dune..a great workout for the quads and gluteous maximus.

Then down onto the beach, through the plastic tubing. WHAT!!!  I bent down, started and said no no not for me but the girls urged me to give it another go, which I did and as I crawled through the reasonably short tube, I heard everyone urging me forward. Done! There was only one or two more obstacles left, down on my belly I had to crawl through puddles under logs and then more running/walking along the beach. Next up over a fence

Climbing these fences etc.. may not seem too tough to some but I a year ago I wouldn't have enough upper body strength to carry me over. And then through some more tyres,

and then the final obstacle the 'Half pipes from Hell'. After an an attempt or two in some cases, Bernie was first to make it up, then Michelle, then Siobhan and then I nearly made it up.
I was there I left go and down onto my foot. I got up though and after a few minutes thought I was OK. I was disappointed, it was the only obstacle I hadn't completed I wanted to try again only my support crew wouldn't let me.

All blinged up..

To reflect on the Banna Beast Challenge it really was great fun, you need a group that you can be silly with and have a laugh with me. I will definitely sign up again for next year. And I will conquer the 'half pipes of hell'.

High on adrenaline ...

On a side note my little mishap at the end resulted in a Saturday evening spent in the A&E. A suspected fracture which turned out to be damaged ligaments means I'm out of action for a week or two. I am now sporting  a very fashionable black boot..

The 2016 Crossfit Open and I...

I haven't done much running this week. I had to give my leg a rest. I  did go to Crossfit which held no pressure this week as the open was over. I began Crossfit last autumn and quickly it has become an essential part of my weekly routine.  

Over the last five weeks I took part in the Crossfit Open, this a worldwide event open to all crossfitters, each week a workout is done and your score is ranked. For most people who crossfit this is were it ends, for the fittest their aim is to get to the Crossfit games (kinda like the Crossfit Olympics!) here they will be crowned the fitness man,woman,teenager or team. Each workout is announced on the Thursday night (Pacific Time) via the internet, thursday nights over the open meant little sleep as I anxiously waited to find out what the workout would be. Friday mornings meant looking at the announcement fretting, it also meant watching my favourite part of the announcement the Ro vs Boz match up. #TeamRo all the way..

Why did I sign up? This was the question that whirled around my head on Friday 26th February. But I had and there was nothing to do only turn up and get on with it. Which I did. I was just delighted that first night to have it done. 

The main memory that I took from the first night which stayed and kept me going throughout the open was the camaraderie of my fellow competitors, the encouragement of those who supported us and the unwavering support of our coach Eric.

The first two weeks passed, I was happy enough but 16.3 nearly broke me. The workout was 10 power snatches at 35lb and 5 jumping chest to bar pull ups a 7 min AMRAP (as many reps as possible), as the clock started I did the 10 power snatches and then headed to the bar. And here I stayed, trying to get 1 jumping chest to bar pull up for the next 6 or so minutes. It was excruciating.   I cheered those around me as they achieved a full bar muscle up. I kept trying but I have to say I felt some relief when the clock went. I left that evening and went home and cried.  I know, I know, what a wuss!! But I was disappointed in myself that I just couldn't get it! 

The following week I was determined to put 16.3 behind me and give 16.4 a good go. I did OK. I got through, the 55 deadlifts, 55 wallballs and 44 calories on the rower. The wallballs wore me out. But I ended the workout smiling. 

I just love this photo (picture courtesy ewelina downey)

The last workout was for time and it was going to be a tough one. It was 21 thrusters 21 burpees, 18 thrusters 18 burpees, 15 thrusters 15 burpees, 12 thrusters 12 burpees, 9 thrusters 9 burpees, 6 thrusters 6 burpees, 3 thrusters and 3 burpees. It looks horrible in black and white and it was horrible. Burpees, I thought they were done with in 16.1.

Eric suggested to start off steady and if you can give it everything at the end, which I tried to do. It was a pure grind. The support of those cheering me on definitely got me to the end of this one. This is the workout that  caused my knees so much pain. (Thankfully, arnica and deep heat eased the bruising and tenderness.)

What did I learn over the five weeks:- 

my fellow crossfitters are an amazing bunch of people, who can raise you up even beyond what you think you can do yourself

I could have pushed myself further on some of the workouts 

I am determined to get better and do better over the next year

As I improve at Crossfit I know that my running will improve, which I look forward to. It already has improved my endurance as a runner as well as strengthen my legs. My hopes for the 2017 Crossfit Open would be that I complete each workout well and there are NO BURPEES!!