Juneathon, DONE!

I don't like that this is my last blog for Juneathon. I'm already thinking about next year! Slightly sad that I didn't run the whole 30 days but I did manage 22, which I'm really proud of.

Today I swam, I noticed that I'm getting better. 10 minutes after work isn't easy as I was hot and achy. The back is improving every day, so as the Osteopath has told me to avoid the gym for a week. I'm going to take a few days rest! Actually I'll probably go swimming on Friday morning, as it's weigh day.

As I few Juneathoners have mentioned their weights, I will too! As I'm following Weight Watchers too, I should have lost something. I've lost nothing! Exactly the same weight as I started. Interesting and annoying. I think my eating what I like at the weekends is the reason.

I've been avoiding the total stats information, as I really don't like numbers and having to total create a decent set of understandable stats something I can do easily.

As I've done more then 1 activity on some days I just counted the running or the main activity.

Here are my 30 days of stats.

22 Days - Running

5 Days - Swimming

2 Days - Pilates

1 Day - Walking

TOTAL KM: 56.86 km

I'll miss reading everyone's blogs, but seeing as I've also learnt to use blogger and google reader I will still be able see what you're all up to.

Stats

Activity - Swimming

Time - 10 minutes

Distance - 12 lengths.

Only One Day Left

Slightly exhausted after a fun weekend celebrating my birthday, I wanted a lie in.

This is my conversation with Chris morning:
C: You going gym?
D: No
C: When you going gym?
D: Never!
C: Idiot, you've only got 2 days left.

So I guess I'm going gym. After 28 days of Juneathon and a back that doesn't like running, I had to do the last 2 days. Sometimes the boy is right. As swimming is the only thing I can manage and paying to go to the Leisure Centre isn't really a good idea at £4.85 a go. I had to use Market Sports.

First I had to see the Osteopath and get my back worked on again. He cracked and manipulated the poorly bits. Then I waddled off to work.

I went to the Market Sports after work and went swimming. It was busy and I didn't want to undo the Osteopath's work by pushing myself too hard. I did 10 minutes.

Stats
Activity - Swimming
Time - 10 Minutes
Distance - 12 Lengths

Sunday Lunch in the Pub

It's my birthday tomorrow (sorry another mention), so I've organised a Sunday lunch at The Waterpoet. Only there is a certain World Cup game on too. England v Germany. I've had to change my booking to 1pm as the pub is not going to be serving food during the game.

I made Chris come with me to the leisure centre, so we could both go swimming. We've been meaning to go for a weekend swim for a long time.

I managed a full 20 minutes in a full sized pool , so I reckon I did well!

Anyway, have to get to the pub, so hopefully England will have a good result and ll will be right in the world (doubt it , but the football is taking over everything, this summer!

And I can I mentioned, I'm not jealous that I'm not at Glastonbury...

Stats

Activity - Swimming

Time - 20 Minutes

Distance - 14 lengths

Running again, just!

Weigh in day and an attempt to run is today's agenda.

I wanted to try out Slim Jim's Gym (catchy name) today, as it the other gym I can use with my menbership. I'm lucky that all 3 gyms are within my work area and Liverpool Street station. It's a 'city' gym, which is open 24hours Monday to Friday and it's closed at weekends.

I wondered down to the changing rooms, which are massive and have hair and make-up stations. I was so impressed I took a picture!

I've now drunk 2 large glasses of rose, so my blog is gonna be a little squiffy!

I started running and after 10 minutes, my back really started to hurt. I carried on for the full 15 and I'm now starting to wish I had finished. My back really hurts. I'm can't sit at my desk for long and even with a few glasses of wine, it still hurts. I have a birthday weekend, so I'm not going to think about it and drink until it stops hurting! (not really, but it makes me sound hardcore)

Stats
Activity - Gym Running
Distance - 2.41km
Time - 15.01 mins
Calories - 169
Pace - 6' 12"
WW Activity Points - 2

A Calm Juneathon Day

Since I've been struggling with the old back ( I gonna be 32 in 4 days!) today is a Pilates only day.

To increase my activity today I walked to Stratford which is a mammoth 0.7 miles and then walked to work from Liverpool Street Station via the Millennium Bridge. I passed a very long line outside the London Wall branch of o2. Crazy people wanting their iPhone on the first day. I don't understand why, but I do own alot of Apple products.

I had my lunch Pilates class today. I told my Mel about my back and she kept an eye on me throughout the class. It wasn't too bad and I managed to do all the exercises. It's always rubbish going back to work after Pilates, I always want to have a siesta!

Chris met me after work and we both walked to Liverpool Street. The route we walk totals 1.7 miles.

It's gonna be a hot night, so I hope the crazy rasta across the road doesn't spend all night shouting and drinking his can of red stripe! I called the nuisance neighbours line last night, they said he is know to them and that they will follow up my complaint. Result!

Stats
Activity1 - Pilates
Time - 60 Minutes
WW Activity Points - 2.5

Activity2 - Commuting Walking
Total Time - 1 hour and 10 minutes
Distance - 6.89 km
WW Activity Points - 3

Football Crazy Football Mad

Todays Activity was swimming. My back is too painful, for me to go running. I don't want to be left with bad back, so I think it's best to stick to swimming. I like swimming and I've not been able to swim for long until recently, my fitness has improved immensely because I've been running

It's a lovely morning and we walked to Stratford to get the train. I headed left to the gym and Chris went right towards Southwark. I like the mornings, when we can chat and catch up.

The pool wasn't too busy and I shared the lane with 2 other people. I managed 20 minutes and 21 lengths of the pool. I felt sweaty and hot, so I knew I had done enough.

Because of the England V Slovenia game being at 3pm UK time. We were told we could watch the game, if our work was done. Everyone was exited and a few people had brought in wine to drink while watching the game. It was like the last day of school, nobody was doing any work.

This is my office during the final minutes of the game.

I had my appointment with the Osteopath, straight after the game so I hobbled off down the road to London Bridge. My Osteopath, Robin Kirk is good. I explained the hurty back and he went to work. He's brilliant. I think I counted 6 places, where he cracked by back! It felt good straight away. He told me I may need to go back, but I should see how it get on.

When I got home, Chris was in the garden putting the clothes on the line. I had a look at the veg we have growing and noticed the berries along the back. They've grown loads. I picked a load and ate a few, delicious!

Stats
Activity - Swimming
Distance - 21 Lengths
Time - 20 mins
WW Activity Points - 1

I'm a Mayor

The back is still not good, so today is the last time I run. I have an appointment to see the osteopath tomorrow, so I'll be swimming for the rest of Juneathon. I don't want to give up now. I've done 3 weeks! My gym still has cold water and no air conditioning, so going to another gym will be nicer.

This mornings foursquare checkin meant I am now the Mayor of Bankside Heath Club hurrah! According to the stats, it only took 12 checkins. If I'd have know that I would have been mayor ages ago!

The run today wasn't bad and my back didn't hurt while I ran, but sitting down at my desk has made the pain come back. :-(

I have a pile of washing to sort out tonight, so I thought I would get my post done this morning. Now for my morning cuppa.

Stats
Activity - Gym Running
Distance - 3.25km
Time - 20.09 mins
Calories - 277
Pace - 6' 11"
WW Activity Points - 2.5

Hurty Back

Since yesterday morning my back has been giving me a bit of trouble. I did run on it yesterday and It wasn't too bad. After the long drive it went back to hurting again. I wasn't sure if I would be able to do today's run. I decided to wait until the evening to see how it felt.

It felt better than yesterday morning and I didn't struggle to get my trainers on either. Chris was working late, so it was the perfect time to go for a run. I didn't want to push it too far so I kept an even pace. The park was quite busy, as it was sunnier than last Monday. Lots more people to try and dodge. There were a lots of pairs, who took up most of the path. A few times, it was a test to see who would move for whom. I won 3 out of the 4 encounters, purely because I was running and they were walking.

I'm a bit disappointed that I'm not able to run for longer than 15 minutes in the park. Now that, I've have been in the park a few more time, I'm getting more confident. Juneathon has been brilliant for me.

While I showered, Chris made Aubergine Wraps for dinner. They were really good. We saw the recipe on telly a few weeks ago. He's not a bad little cook.


Stats
Activity - Park Running
Distance - 2.19km
Time - 13.01 mins
Calories - 153
Pace - 5' 55"
WW Activity Points - 1.5

Today I Ran and Mowed the Lawn

This morning my mum just asked if I was going to go running and then asked me what I wanted for breakfast. Maybe they think running is a phase. I didn't explain Juneathon, as I would then have to explain blogging. My parents are great with the Internet and eBay, so they would have understood. I was just being lazy. My dad was amazed with my Nike+.

The sky was looking grey and it looked quite windy, but I quite like the run in the cool weather yesterday, so I was looking forward to the run. I set my Nike+ to run 15 minutes as I wanted to see, if outside running with a time goal would make me run differently. I started from the other path and soon realised that I missed a grassy path yesterday. It took me through the long glassy bit where the horses were grazing. I enjoyed seeing new parts of a park I have not visited in over 10 years. I did full circuit of the park and a bit more, so I could do my full 15 minutes.

As it was Fathers Day I offered to mow the lawn. My parents garden isn't very big, so I knew it wasn't going to take long. It took 30 minutes to do the whole lawn. I wasn't allowed to use the streamer, as it was my dad's new toy. It's petrol powered and loud! I got to have a break, while he did the edges and then I tidied up. Sweeping is a hard job! I reckon I must have earned my self at least 2 WW points!

Stats
Activity1 - Park Running
Distance - 2.36km
Time - 15.14 mins
Calories - 165
Pace - 6' 27"
WW Activity Points - 2

Activity2 - Mowing & Sweeping
Time - 50 minutes
WW Activity Points - 2

It's Football Friday

I have another busy weekend planned, so this is going to be a quick post.

Today's was a shorter one, my muscles are starting to ache all the time. I woke up feeling like I'd had no sleep I hate that. I had a cheeky weigh in at home and knew I had put on some weight this week, so I was dreading Weight Watchers.

After 2 days not not being able to use my iPod, I made sure the thing had power and that I would be able to use my Nike+ stats. I think the technology is making me more obsessed. Now I have nikey levels to make me/keep me motivated.

Another false start with the new legging meant I had to hoik them up a few times or they would have ended at my ankles. I must have look ridiculous. Eventually my sweaty body kept them up and I didn't need to hold them up.

I manage a respectful 2.2 km. Couldn't be arsed to go swimming, so I spent the extra time straightening my hair.

As I suspected a little gain on the scales today. 1.5lbs which is rubbish, but my leader was really lovely and said the extra exercise I'm doing will take a while to catch up with my body. I told her my shape and changed and that I didn't feel heavier. She said the scales aren't always right and that I should stick with it. Interesting, but that still means I should hand over my cash! Might stop going before our holiday in the Lakes. Although I do still want the keychain, so maybe I'll stop once I get that. I need to loose 4lbs for that. I'm an idiot!

Distance - 2.2km
Time - 13.25 mins
Calories - 155
Pace - 6' 02"
WW Activity Points - 1

Run Deepa Run

I've not done a long run this week and with weigh day being tomorrow, I have to use Market Sports and I will probably swim tomorrow. Which reminds me I have to refill my shampoo and conditioner bottles.

I made a little detour to the gym to see if I could spot the fat cat of Southwark. I wanted to take his picture, to prove that he's a big fella! I was too late I woman had already spotted him and was stroking him. I'll try again next week. I will take his picture by the end of Juneathon.

Having enough clean running gear is getting to be a challenge too. I bought a new pair of size 12 leggings. I've never bought a size 12 in my life! Then again, I bought a smaller size on purpose.

I started off well, but had to pause to pull the leggings up. They weren't too big, just needed adjusting. The iPod had already died on me, so I plugged into the telly. I started on level 8 and after 10 minutes, moved to 9. After 20 minutes, I moved it 9.5 for the last bit. I did start clock watching for the last 5 minutes, I was finding it hard to keep going. I was already sweating buckets and aching, but I had to keep going. It was such a good run, I really liked that I beat my 4k time again!

I was really glad I had Pilates at lunch time. It's one of my favourite exercise activities. My teacher is good cos and makes sure you're doing the exercises correctly. From the ones we did today, I'm sure it's gonna hurt tomorrow!

Stats
Activity1 - Gym Running
Time - 26.45 minutes
Distance - 4km
Calories - 273
WW Activity Points - 3.5

Activity2 - Pilates
Time - 60 minutes
WW Activity Points - 2.5

Another Day Another Run

I'm bash the blog out this morning, so I can enjoy the evening watching crap telly. Chris going to a a geek drinks thing, so I have the telly to myself!

It is press day and I should have started working, but I start at 10 and I still have 12minutes...

I bought a new t-shirt from the Nike Outlet in Salford at the weekend. I made Chris take a picture of me this morning, cos I like that it says Run Run Run. Simple thing init!

I'd forgotten my waterbottle, so decided to get the one from my desk. I put my lunch in the fridge and headed to the gym. Once I go into the changing rooms I realised that I'd left my iPod on my desk, too late to go back upstairs and I was gonna have to go for it with out any sound or Nike+ stats. Oh well.

I manged a decent 20 minutes and upped the level for the second 10. The gym is being rubbish recently and the showers have been cold. Today was a cold shower morning. I don't mind it once in a while, but once a week is rubbish. It's hot in the changing rooms and trying to put on make-up while still sweating it not easy!

Stats
Activity - Gym Running
Time - 20mins
Distance - 3k
Calories - 199

Halfway Through Juneathon

So I made it to the halfway way mark. I wasn't sure I would get this far and I'm really pleased with myself.

To be honest I muscles were feeling a little achy, so I didn't really want to run today. I decided on swimming, as it's good exercise and less strain on my achy muscles.

My gym has a little pool at 25m. It's sectioned off in 3 lanes slow, medium and fast. It was busy and I started counting, but soon forgot. I think it was around 15-16. I spent around 20 minutes in the pool varying between breaststroke and front crawl. I was feeling tired, so I knew I wasn't putting as much energy as I did on Fridays swim.

I wanted to post this blog earlier, as I knew it was going to be short. I logged into my computer at work and realised the internet was really really slow. The internal email was working, but nothing else. I'm a Picture Researcher for What's on TV magazine (nice plug) and everything I need is online or requested via email. No electronic communication, is rubbish. As soon as it was lunch I decided to go for a quick 20minute walk, it not like I could do any work. Everything started working eventually, but I'd already started doing paperwork and quite liked having no distractions like twitter, email and facebook.

Stats
Activity - Swimming
Time - 20mins
WW points - 1

I ran in the Park

After the busy weekend, I thought a calmer to start the day would be nicer. I wanted to do another run in the park, so I decided I would run tonight.

I made a light dinner of Salmon with a Cous Cous salad. I had booked a Tesco delivery between 7-9pm. I left Chris to wait for it, as I was worried it would start raining. It was already dark and overcast. Armed with my Audio Fuel and my Nike+ I was ready. I love gadgets!

I knew a lap about the edge of the park was 2km, so I followed the paths. Running in the park is good, cos you get to people watch! I passed a few couples wearing new trainers on power walks. I crossed the path of one woman twice (she was running the other way). There were the usual park drinkers on benches, dog walkers and even a police officer and community support officer on patrol. West Ham park is quite nice.

While running I did have a few flashbacks of cross country running at school. I was a large teenager and hated all forms of exercise. I'm so glad I've grown up to actually enjoy it!

Stats
Activity - Park Running
Distance - 2.3km
Time - 13.07 mins
Calories - 161
Pace - 5'41"

Spa Morning and a Visit to Leicester

This morning I went straight to the hotel gym. I'd booked a back massage for 9.30am and knew I needed to get the running done, so I didn't undo the nice work. This time I had to use the broken treadmill, which didn't let me change the level. I had to run on level 8.9 the whole time. My Nike+ worked all the way through and I have proper stats.

The therapist lead me to the relaxation room, to sit before my appointment. It big sofas, relaxing music and a water fountain. I necked loads of water, cos I was thirsty and hot from the run. She chose a massage oil good for exercised muscles and worked her magic. Lovely

Before we drove back to London, we went to visit my parents in Leicester. Actually it was to eat a home made dinner and to visit my nephew Aryan. He's nearly 4 months and I try and see him when I get chance.

Stats
Activity - Gym Running
Distance - 2.2km
Time - 14 mins
Calories - 147

Spicy Hot Poached Beancurd

A hangover isn't the best way to start the day. The hot night and the small amount of wine last night are clearly to blame.

To celebrate our 5 years since we met anniversary, I decided that Chris and I should spend the weekend in one of our favourite cities, Manchester. The last time we stayed in a hotel, that had a good spa and gym, called the Macdonald. There is an ulterior motive...

We finally left the London via the recycling centre in Leyton. We had a few wine bottles, that needed to be thrown out. The drive wasn't too bad, we made it in just over 4 hours. With a 30 minute stop at the services.

Once we made it to the hotel, I headed straight to the gym. I still had to get my Nike+ working! I liked having a mini mission. It keeps me motivated. The treadmill was quite impressive, it had a touch screen with integrated TV. The iPod Touch was a better choice, as it's bigger screen is easier to use, while you're running. The notes app, is also good to make a note of the treadmills stats.

We still had time to wonder the city before the England V USA game started. We headed to out favourite restaurant, Red Chilli in Chinatown, they do massive portions and they do an amazing chili filled bean curd dish (top i bowl) I didn't think the three chili icons meant that it was that hot! It blows your head off.


We waddled back to the hotel to watch the rest of the game in the bar. The Weatherspoons and bars around Piccadilly were full and neither one of us wanted to join the scary drunks. We ordered our drinks and sat next to a group of people, once we sat down we realised they were American! We didn't talk they were too engrossed in the soccer.

Stats
Activity1 - Gym Running
Distance - 2.48km
Time - 2omins
Calories - 177

Oh and the motive was the food! You guys should know me better ;-)

Red Wine Friday

I have a mission. I want to get my Nike+ working. Last night when I couldn't get it to work, I made Chris help me and he did it straight away. Now that the things are linked all I had to do was test it out.

I went straight to the treadmills to test out the Nike+, it still wasn't working. I gave up and carried on running. From now on I'm going to use the iPod Touch instead. It has the software already installed and isn't struggling to keep up the connection. Once I did the 15minutes running I headed to the pool. I've not swam for a few weeks. This morning I was quicker and wasn't out of breath so much. I managed 15 minutes, which is better that what I used to be able to do. It was really surprising to see that I wasn't out of breath. Before I started running I found it really hard to do 5 minutes. It's great to see the benefits of the extra exercise I've been doing.

Now it was time to head to Weight Watchers. The leader immediately greeted me with 'great the rain didn't stop you'. On the scales I went, I'd lost 1lb! Yay, but I still need to loose another pound to get my keychain. :-(

With my weekly progress I treated myself to a glass of red wine at lunch. I'm drinking one now too. I'm not a saint, just enjoying Juneathon!

Stats
Activity1 - Gym Running
Distance - 2.1km
Time - 15minutes
Calories - 144

Activity2 - Swimming
Distance - 13 lengths of a very short pool (325 meters)
Time - 15minutes

Evening Gym Run

I really didn't fancy another morning or rushing around the house, running up and down the stairs and dashing out the door to get the train.

This morning was a leisurely get out of bed and get ready, it was nice showering at home! My journey was fine until, the train decided to go slow, and then wait outside the station, due to congestion. Then I got the bus, as I'd been to a few shops and was running out of time. That was a mistake, but I'd made the decision and once you make a London Transport decision, you have to stick with it! The traffic was bad, I had to get off at St Paul's. So I ended up walking anyway.

I had lunch pilates, so I knew I would get my activity in, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from running and besides I had my Nike+ to calibrate. Pilates was just what I needed, the stretching and core exercises are brilliant.

After work I headed of to the gym downstairs. I was about the thread through the Nike+ sensor pouch to my lases and I made a great discovery. My trainers already have the slot for the sensor! I honestly didn't know. I'd bought the trainers in a Outlet shop in Salford, cos they were cheap! I'm going back on Saturday to stock up on more running gear. I had everything ready, but couldn't get the sensor the work. Damn. I ran anyway, the distraction was good. I was thinking about what was wrong and not the running.

Tomorrow morning is weigh day. I really hope I've lost something! If I lose 2lbs I will get my 10% key chain.

Activity1 - Pilates
Time - 60mins

Activity2 - Gym Running
Time - 20mins
Distance - 3km
Calories - 204

I have a new Gadget

I've not been able blog from work today. Wednesday is press day and in the world of TV listings magazines, once the schedules lock and the magazine gets printed.

An empty gym this morning. Very strange. I got to pick the treadmill I like, the one where you can't see in the mirror. I don't like seeing myself sweating and looking bright red.

I went straight to level 9. This morning I used the Jubilee line and didn't have the 30 minute walk, which gets me all hot and sweaty, even before I've made it into the gym. I decided I was going to run 2k and use the rowing machine for 15 minutes, which would make my cardio workout 30 minutes. I'm not a big fan of the rower, I don't really enjoy it. 15 minutes, is the most I've use it, but I don't think I got much out of it. I'm going to try the rower first next time.

Before I started Juneathon, I thought about getting the Nike+ Running gadget. I'm massive gadget fiend and want anything that's new. I'm also a Mac not PC! So the a gadget, that works perfectly with my iPod Nano (bought in 2005), is great. I ordered the Nikey thing using my nectar points, so all that swiping at Sainsburys paid off! It was delivered this morning, so I'm well exited about seeing my stats tomorrow. I'm gonna go, cos I need to read the maunal before tomorrows run!

Stats
Activity1 - Gym Running
Time - 14mins
Distance - 2km
Calories - 144

Activity2 - Rowing Machine
Time - 15mins
Distance - 2.6km
Calories - 135

4k Tuesday

I'm wearing my Weight Watchers pedometer today. No reason, just felt like it. I just took the picture to show how many steps I'd walked so far. (13.45pm)I think you're supposed to to 10k.

Anyway, back to Juneathon. Today I was determined to have a proper run. I've been tired and have done little runs. I had my Audio Fuel and I was ready. The gym was packed and I ended up with a treadmill without a telly. I quite like breakfast TV without the sound.

I started well and kept my pace consistent. By the 20 minutes, I was actually enjoying it. I managed my best run yet. I think I'm gonna do little runs during the week and a 4k one every Tuesday. That way I can see it I beat my previous time.

Stats
Activity - Gym Running
Time - 30mins
Distance - 4.1km
Calories - 204