Marathon Training | Half Marathon Mark

So as you may know I am currently slowly jogging through my first ever marathon training plan and the start of February has seen my endurance run go up a few notches to around the half marathon mark. It is incredible to think that I have already doubled my distance in just one month from 10k to 14miles, and I have learnt a little bit while pounding the parent in the past few weeks.

Lesson 1: You Are Stronger Than You Think 

For the first time in my life I have actually started to see a change in my body, especially my legs. with every run they get larger, tougher, and STRONGER! Having spent the last few years being small and slim (with virtually no muscle tone) the goal when working out was always just to lose that few pounds of fat around my middle and arms, I never really saw the appeal of muscles....that was until now. There is a strange, overwhelming sense of achievement that I have as I see my legs muscles develop into these powerful limbs.

Lesson 2: You Will Have Good Runs & Bad Runs

Not every run is going to be an endorphins fuelled party like my handful of first endurance runs. As the runs get past the 10mile mark, my body is starting to adapt. I have noticed that the first 5 miles tend to be slow and boring.... but as soon as my muscles get warmed up then I usually get a good few boots along the next couple of miles (especially if my route takes me down a hill). I have also had my fair share of cold & miserable runs with very little to no excitement along the way, but as long as you are making every run count, the bad runs will make the good runs even better.



Lesson 3: The Last 2 Miles Hurt

Pain is inevitable... suffering is optional. This has been my mantra during the last two miles of my endurance runs as the distance creeps up. My legs become exhausted and start to burn, but this is an important part of training your muscles to the limit so they grow and develop. The most important thing to do is just not give up and keep in mind that nest week you are going to be able to run 2 miles more because of the work you put in now!

Are any of you training for the your first Marathon?

Comment & Subscribe

Sarahxx

A New Year | Part 2.....My 1st Marathon

The second major change this year that I am facing is that I am running my first ever marathon. Having only ever run 5k and 10k before this is fast becoming one of the most physically enduring challenges that I have ever faced. The new year has seen a massive increase in distance in my weekly endurance runs. So far I am two weeks into my training schedule that has consisted of two shorter, strength building runs, and then one endurance run at the weekend. Thought the week I am also trying to incorporate some cross training at the gym, but this is has by far been the hardest as I am so used to just cardio work.

Week One

My first endurance run took me along the banks of the not so sunny Clyde in Glasgow. This was a 10k route (6.2 miles) that I had done before when I used to be quite into my running. It felt good to get back out and keep a steady pace, but unfortunately I am quite a bit slower than I used to be. The run took me just under an hour, where I was usually looking at running 10k in around 55-56 mins.

What I took from this first run is that is is important to stretch and warm up/down as my legs were a little stiff after this one.

I also have a good idea that my marathon pace is around 6min / kl. Even if this is slow it gives me something to work on.

Right now My aim is to finish he marathon without injury, and if that also happens to be slow, then so be it!

 

Week Two

My Second endurance run found me back home in the North East of Scotland as I was visiting my family for the weekend. With bad flooding the previous week, and freezing temperatures I was dreading this run, and not only because it would be the longest distance I have ever run in my life at 13k (8 mies).

I am very blessed to have a Fyvie Loch only a few minutes drive from my family home, so I reluctantly laced up my runners and headed out. around 0.3k into my run I has my first accident. I slipped and fell just coming into a wooded area. with a cut hand and skinned knees I considered getting my phone out and calling for someone to pick me up... but I knew if I had any hope of ever running 26miles... then I could run through this, and I am very glad I did.

Within a 10mins or so the sun came out and the Loch was stunning...even after several laps the ice cold lake and trees were so refreshing compared to running in Glasgow that I enjoyed every minute.

The run was also around the 6min/ kl mark and apart from the last 2 kilometres, i felt strong and steady through most of the run.

As my training journey continues I hope to keep you all update along the way! Also since I am a first time long distance runner, any tips & trips, or good blog or websites that anyone could recommend would be amazing. 

Comment & Subscribe

Sarah 

A New Year | Part 1.....Going Vegan

Happy New Year!!

Are we still allowed to say that? I was holding off writing this post until well into January because this post is not about a new years resolution but a lifestyle change that I have been pre-empting for the past few months, and one I plan to stick to for the rest of my life and not just the year ahead, and that is making the Jump from Vegetarian to Vegan.

I started my meat free journey when I was 12 years old when on leaving primary school I made the concise decision that I no longer wanted to eat meat. My youthful decision was down to the basic concept that I didn't understand why as humans we would choose to slaughter and eat animals when we didn't need to. As I grew older, and throughout often having to defend my life style choices in many an argument, I slowly educated myself on farming conditions overseas, the effect that eating animals has on the environment and the major health benefits that comes from removing meat from your diet.

As the years passed and I turned 25, I had now spent more of my life as a vegetarian than I had a meat eater and it was at this point I began making a concise effort again to re-educate myself on matters of the environment, animal welfare and my health. It was also at this point that I came across the documentary 'Cowspiricy', when I realised that virtually all my reasons for being Vegetarian bleed through into Veganism. I discussed the ideas with closes friends and family, and the most I discussed it, the more I knew that if I wanted to live my most ethical life, I had to give up all animal products. Over the next month or two I started to cut down on the animal products I was consuming. I decided that the New Year seemed like the perfect point to make the change for good.

Since then I have been on a food adventure... sampling some great vegan alternatives to various dairy products, trying out Glasgow's impressive (for Scotland) range of Vegan restaurants and emerging myself in vegan online culture. 

I hope now that I can use this space to share this part of my life with vegan food hauls, recipes and vegan beauty. I would also like to say that I am very new at this so any help and advise would be greatly appreciated as I tackle this new ethical lifestyle. 

Hears to a Happy and Healthy 2016

Sarah xXx

Health | Review : Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred Workout DVD

Hello everyone!!!

During the summer/ Holidays it can be had to keep up your normal Workout or fitness routines!! This is something I struggle with every year but this year I seemed to have adapted quite well!

My Usual Workout Routine Usually consists of The Gym 3/4 times a week and on top of that i walk around 4 miles most days (in and out of town) My Gym workouts consists of Cardio Training on the treadmill and Cross trainer as well as circuit training! This is Perfect when living i'm in the city as my Gym is a 25min walk away (perfect for that warm up and warm down you need!!) But in returning home There is no Gym in sight and it rains a lot!!!

Source

So I have decided to take the plunge and purchase a fitness DVD!! Over the years... on my constant struggle for that washboard stomach I have tried lots of dance workout DVDs, and although they are a lot of fun I have never really found them challenging for my fitness level and never loose any weight or gain any muscle until now!!! In a passing trip to Tesco I saw on sale Jillian Michaels '30 Day Shread' workout DVD! Jillian Michaels in on the US version of Biggest Looser ( a programme i am obsessed with and cry along with the contestants ever week :p) so i thought what the hell... i'll give it a go!!

The DVD contain three 20min workouts, each increasing in intensity! With someone who gyms 3 times a week I thought Level 1 would be easy.... and I was VERY wrong!! After 20 mins of the Level 1 one I was sweating, my muscles were burning and it was a tough mental struggle but I felt great!!! Only after one week of working out 20mins every day I feel more toned than I have done in a long time ! I Cant wait to see what the other two levels have in store for me and I love the challenge! 

To keep up my Cardio i still run for 20mins, 3 times a week! as well as doing this video 5 days a week! Its important to have two 'rest' days!! 

I cannot recommend this workout more!!! If you keep it up you WILL see results!!! If you don't want to splash out on the DVD (It only cost me £5) the Workouts are available on YouTube for free!!! What more could you possible want!!!

Have any of you Tried out this workout? Or have any great workout DVD's you would recommend??

Thats all for now

sxx

Health | Mealtime Teatime: Tuna Stake and Kale Salad

Hello everyone!!

As a part of my Health page I thought I would add my favourite cheap (I'm still a student) and easy meals to maybe help inspire some of you to whip up something new this evening for dinner!!

One of my Favourite quick, healthy meals is this Tuna Stake and Kale Salad. It is low in Carbs (perfect for an evening meal as you need less energy in the evening) and is high in Protein and fish oils. Kale is also a great alternative for lettuce in a Salad. Kale is Low in Calories, High in Fibre and has Zero Fat!! It's packed full of Vitamins ( K, A & C) and Antioxidants so get muching guys!!!

I added bread with soy butter as I needed carbs for my evening workout

I buy my (frozen) Tuna Stakes from Aldi in a pack, for 4-5 small stake it costs £3. I Usually start defrosting the Stakes in the morning so they just need to be cooked by dinner time. I lightly fry the stakes using fry light ( a low calorie cooking spray) with some garlic and rosemary. while my stakes are cooking I take my Prepare my kale (roughly chopped) Radishes (sliced) Carrots (uses vegetable peeler to get thin strips) and tomatoes and add a small amount of a low calorie salad dressing of your choice!

If you are not a Tuna Fan you could always swap the fish for Chicken or any other lean protein!!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe

Thats all for now

Sxx

Health | Dairy Vs. Soya?!

I have been A vegetarian for around 10 years now and even though my love of chocolate and cakes runs very deep I have been tempted to try a more vegan - or dairy free-  diet! With no meat it is very important for me to get lots of protein into my diet (especially if i'm working out and trying to tone up) My usual source of protein comes from meat substitutes (Quorn being my 'meat free' substitute of choice) as well as beans, cheese and milk.

I have recently been researching more and more into the benefits of cutting out Dairy in your diet;

* Clearer skin

* Less skin irritations

* More Energy

*Alternatives are often lower in Calories and sweeter

 As well as some claimed longterm benefits such as reducing the risk of certain cancers!!! 

There are several arguments for and against so I thought I might give it a go for a month and see for myself if all the benefits pay off!!

My Main Dairy free food swap is from:

 Flora light (margarine spread) to Pure Dairy Free Soya Spread

(source)

So far I am loving this spread, I think i may even prefer it to my old family favourite Flora! For butter lovers this would be a much harder switch but i find it slightly sweeter and creamer than my Flora light spread so it feel quite indulgent!!

And Semi-Skimmed milk to Tesco's Organic Unsweetened Soya Milk

(Source)

This milk seems to go off very quickly once opened, much faster than regular milk! I Don't notice much difference when added to my porridge in the morning but the taste isn't quite to my liking so much yet that I would enjoy tucking into a glass of it, although it is really yummy in....

Starbucks Vanilla Soy latte!!
I think I have found a new firm favourite!!

I'll keep you guys updated to see if i notice any benefits!

Thats all for now

Sxx