Frustrated!!!

I'm so sick of not getting anywhere, especially since the only one to blame is myself!!! Gaaah!!!

I've finally gotten the right shoes in the right size and today I got a runner's set from Craft:

Very nice, and even nicer: the Large was too big so I got to buy a Medium! =)

Very strange, feels like I'm not wearing anything, but nice to run in!

Then we got home and I had decided I was done with the stupid intervals and ready for the entire kilometer... I was wrong... After 700 meters I got side stitch, that passed quickly, but still... Not a good feeling. Ended with good, strong legs and the timer stopped at 7:03 mins. It's a decent time for me, not the best I've done, but considering how poor my training has been of late, it's okay. 

I'm very happy about the shoes!!! My Nike Lunarglide +3 really did their job, for the first time my tibias didn't hurt on impact! A lovely feeling! But I know that I need to get better at warming up, stretching and taking care after training as well--today I just go out, walk 5 mins and start, then when I'm done I go inside and hit the shower... 

But now I realize that Anders has been right all along, I can't hurry this or force results. I need to give myself a better chance! I need to put my heart into planning AND following through, building a good habit and lifestyle with the help of people around me who know this better than I do. Making a perfect schedule for a horse or a dog -- no problems! But when it comes to myself, I'm totally clueless! And I need to let go of the pride in this case and benefit from their knowledge. I'm so glad that I have my colleague and friend Thomas to turn to! He runs like a madman, all the time, everywhere, for hours on end! A true inspiration and such a great mentor, never making me feel stupid or ignorant. Thanx!!!

I'm working on a plan and I'll give it to you tomorrow.

We went shopping for a calendar for our wedding, had to settle for a blank one and note dates myself, it's very beautiful though! I also got a training calendar and I hope it's gonna help me follow through better...

Today we planned a good long walk with the dogs, but the pouring rain stopped us and we ended up training instead. So much fun! I forget that sometimes and I coached Anders with both Yoggi & Harry. That is really my place in life, I was born to teach. I feel at ease and sometimes I'm worried about not finding the words when I stand in front of my pupils, but they never fail me! I wish it was easier making it a living, as I did with the horses. I long back to that, what an amazing job! I'm fortunate to have had it.

This evening we've enjoyed lobster, crab and a bottle of white wine in front of Sweden-Italy in hockey, lovely evening!

It's the Small Things...

...that can really make or break you. Today I'm on a high! Partly because I've gotten a good night's sleep and partly because I've been out on my first jog/walk in over a week, partly because I love my new shower-gel and lotion from Body Shop (Pink Grapefruit) and partly thanks to Mark Salling (Noah Puckerman in Glee)... So, nothing extraordinary, just everyday life and it's moments.

I smell FANTASTIC! =)

Yum!

Mark Salling is H O T and I love his voice and mohican!

Trying New Things...

Well, I know since long ago that I hate training if it takes too much time and/or effort to get there. Once there, I love it, but if I have to take the car or tube or whatever to get there--I'm likely to invent whatever reason not to go...
So, the best training is the one that gets done, right? Therefor jogging/running would be perfect for me! Just one teeny tiny problem: I hate it. Well, I used to hate it and then I loved it and now I kind of hate it again... But that's just because I've gotten really comfortable here in my comfort-zone since I met Anders. Sorry love, but you really messed up my training... =) Time to change all that now and I've been through many ideas over the past few weeks as to HOW to get me back in to it. Last year, I decided to start running and since I need to compete and never do anything without a tough goal, I set the goal to run The New York Mini 10 K for women... The plan was to run 1 K three times a week the first month and then add 1 K each month. That went really well, until November and 3 K--when I met Anders. Lost focus, lost the will to try and lost track of everything not related to Anders... It's sweet to be in love, but my, it makes you stupid! =)
Since then I haven't really even tried running. But, now's the time to change that and first I thought about doing it the same way again, but I changed my mind. See, where I used to live, we had great tracks on soft ground that felt good under my feet. Where I live now I don't. I can only run on asphalt here and that is not at all as nice... Since I'm so heavy I'm also a little worried about my knees and legs on this hard surface. So, I plan to invest in some really good shoes and also: take it slowly. I know myself--I push too hard and then give up when it get's too tough. Not this time. For 2 weeks (starting Monday) I will do intervals (jog 1 mins/walk 2 mins) at least 3 K's 3-4 times/week and then do 1*1 for 2 weeks and see the results on that.
I tried it today on my regular 6,5 K walk with the dogs, the last 3 K's I jogged 1 minute and walked 2 minutes all the way. Felt really good--but I need to constantly think about my posture, opening up and straightening up to breathe easier and better and to help my body as much as possible.
I'll get back to you on the progress... =)

My goals are these: manage 2 K's in 10 minutes by week 25 and I've also decided to sign up for ToppLoppet here in Stockholm on September 22:nd! It's a 5 or 10 K run in Hagaparken and it'll be my first competion ever...

If you haven't read ToppHälsa, give it a try, best ever in my opinion!

Summary Week 3

Well, nothing special to brag about this week either, a cold put a stop to any serious kind of training. Too bad--since it was my easy week at work and I had lots opportunities to work-out. I've started worrying about getting these colds all the time, I've never been sick this often before! I thought I'd get BETTER once I quit smoking, and I quit in December... And also I am a little worried that I might not have the best immune-system for swimming right now, my guess is that it might not be the most healthy environment in town... So, no more swimming before London, I do not want to risk having even the tiniest cold ruining our trip! I'll have to make do with walks and home work-outs for now...

But I took one 6,5 K walk and ran 1 K last week, a really intense week huh?... =)

Summary Week 1

So, the first week of my challenge is coming to and end, weigh-in tomorrow--hopefully I've done something right...

Here's this weeks total summary when it comes to training:

PW's: 30,9 kilometers           5 hours & 3 mins

Swimming: 2, 75 kilometers   1 hour & 55 mins

I'm pretty pleased with that and I will do bad things to my scales tomorrow if they don't show a decent result... I'm afraid Anders might wake up early in that case... =/
But going in to the 2:nd week of my challenge, I am determined to put in a total of 3 kilometers of running and at least 3 home work-outs, even though this is my tough week with 60 hours at work... It'll all be worth it in London I hope...

What does your week hold?

Good Work!

Today I had the enormous luxury of just half a day at work, but this morning I was so tired I just threw things into my bag and had no clue if it even could be made into some sort of breakfast... But it went very well:

Yummy!

When I got home I did something (in my own opinion) truly amazing: I took the dogs and went out for a 8,5 K PW in the spring sun! My legs were pretty tired after a while but it still felt good to keep going! Nice!!!

We made dinner and it was FABULOUS! We made a sort of stew out of reindeer meat, with onions and mushrooms, served with lingonberries mixed with creme-fraiche and cauliflower. 

Click the pic for the recipe 

Then we went swimming 750 meters, lost 250 meters due to bad discipline but that's all right... =) 

Tomorrow I'm supposed to go running 1 K, hopefully my body will regenerate some energy until then... 

Enough Already!!!

Sick -- again!!! Am I making stuff up or wasn't I just sick? Now I'm out in another nasty cold and I absolutely HATE it! I'm not made for being sick. And especially not when I had worked up such a good feeling about changing things, which is necessary when you're me...

So, body--you brought this on yourself! Payback is a'coming and it won't be the least bit fun, but the blame is all on you.

In April we're going to London and doing some really great things and I need to work for it, to deserve it. So, I made a schedule for my work-out and if I don't follow it through, I won't get my reward. Since I am both lazy and competitive, this should work... =)
My own little challenge, that I hope to really turn up as time goes, is this to start with: a minimum of carbs (no potatoes, bread, rice, pasta) and no sweets, cookies, sodas or snacks. There are great alternatives and I need to learn to pick them instead!

Then there's the part with exercise, my weeks will look as follows to start with (this is the minimum amount!):
Mondays: Swimming, 1 kilometer + home work-out
Tuesdays: Running, 1 kilometer
Wednesdays: Swimming, 1 kilometer + home work-out
Thursdays: Running, 1 kilometer
Fridays: Swimming, 1 kilometer + home work-out
Saturdays: Running, 1 kilometer
Sundays: free

I must throw out a huge THANK YOU to two very special people: Johanna --thanx for the inspiration, you're awesome! And Johan: I may think you're a pain sometimes, but somehow you know that's exactly what I need... =)

The goal is to loose at least 1 kilo every week, but most of all: follow through! The results will come, if not now, then later on. But only if I follow through!!! I must be harder on myself and I will give it these 4/5 weeks and my reward will make it all worth it, so will the results. I will take pictures of how I look today and then after these 4 weeks and throw them up here... Maybe, if I dare, I should say... =)

I really want to make this happen, I want to be able to walk tall and proud next to Anders and let me tell you: I made a fantastic catch there!!! He's soooo out of my league, luckily for me: he doesn't know how great he looks! Hopefully I'll level with him before he notices... =) All jokes aside, I need to feel a lot better about myself and soon.

The reward will be revealed AFTER London--so stay tuned!

Time To Get Ahead!

What a wonderful week-end! It's been very cold, but since none of us has taken a chilly bath this week, it's all good!

Yesterday we planned a serious trip to a lake, made sandwiches and hot cocoa, bought Danish "semlor" and dressed the dogs in their overalls and got in the car.

After a short drive I realized the road was almost all ice and people  hit the ditches all over, so we turned back home and walked for a bit there instead.
In the evening we went to the movies (our first together...) and saw Hamilton with dad, who likes Guillou's books--so there was a slight chance that he might actually like this movie... No such luck! I didn't like it that much either--but I LOVE going to the movies!
Today we got up early, because we were supposed to hand the dogs in for trimming at 10. While they got stylish, we hit Old Town, had a very expensive pot of tea and just enjoyed being together.

The coming week it's time to get back on track, both with exercise and food... Not an easy task! Especially not since this is my tough week--5 days á 12 hours. But for next week (07) we've decided to try one of those ready-made food-bags that are so in style right now here in Stockholm! It'll hopefully give some inspiration for new recipes and make our dining a little easier, we'll try it out in my easy week. So the menu from varmiddag.com for next week will look like this:
*Risotto with crayfish and fennel
*Cannelloni with spinach and ham
*Roasted pork with onion sauce
*Chicken-stew with paprika and apple
I'm extremely fastidious with my food and seldom try new things, actually I never try new things unless I'm having dinner at a friends house or so... So it'll be a good experience for me and hey! I might even like some of it...

Then I have to get started on Johan's training-schedule and get my ass out running!!! Like it or not...

Have a great week!!!