Week 8

This week the weather has been lovely in Edinburgh- despite promises of snow. On Monday I happily skipped out of work for a run in the sunshine. We headed to the grassy hill below Arthur's Seat

I also did a good swim sesh after running. We did about a thousand metres of drills and then we did a timed 20 minute swim. I started near the back and overtook everyone by about 800m! I managed a respectable 1250m in 20 minutes. Leading the swim was stressful though because I felt like I was being chased! But it was good.

Wednesday was a really tiring day- I got up at 6 to go to a pre-work spin sesh. After work I went running and swimming and didn't get home until 10.30pm- so I was pretty tired! I had two scrambled eggs on toast and went to bed. The run had been quite intense- we did a warm up and a few sprints and then we did 6x1k intervals with a 90 second rest invetween and every kilometre was under 4 mins.... The first few were significantly under 4 mins- about 3.45 for me. I slowed down a lot towards the end but still kept to just under 4 minutes! 

Friday morning I went for swim- look how light Edinburgh is at 5.45am!!!!

It was so nice being in the pool and looking out of the windows to blue sky and sunlight rather than pitch black! We did lots of sets of timed 100m, with the time allowed for each set decreasing as the session went on. We then did a timed 400m and I took 10 seconds off my time set in February! I did it in 6 minutes 16 seconds- I'm now aiming to get below 6 minutes. If I swam it all as fast as I did the first 100m I would be at about 5 minutes 54 seconds- so it's achievable! 

Lovely weather! The view from the office

I treated myself to a yummy pistachio icecream to celebrate my good swim!

On Saturday the weather was very windy so I didn't go out and cycle but I decided to try and learn how to tumble turn... 

I went to David Lloyd and after relaxing in the spa.... I went to the pool.

After an hour of tumble turning into the wall I felt light headed, dizzy and a bit sick! I can do tumbles better than before but I'm quite slow..... I'll keep practising!! 

Week 7

Running
Total: 25.7 kilometres

So this week I have done 3 lunch time runs.  The weather has been quite dreary in Edinburgh... 

However for the third run, when I was joined by the other members of my work's running club the sun came out!

A few fellow runners was exactly what I needed to boost morale (and leg speed!) 

My final run of the week was around Linlithgow canal and loch. It was a beautiful Saturday morning! 

Cycling

I have been to spin several times this week.  The weather hasn't been fab so I haven't done much cycling outdoors after work.  Spin is always so intense.  Wednesday morning spin is my favourite one of the week.  It is a really good way to start the day although it is a killer for my poor legs.  In the room full of spin bikes there is a projector which shows routes and videos of the Tour de France which are a good way of feeling like you're getting outside and cycling round the mountains.  I also went to one on Thursday night and took my flatmate with me - he loved it too!

Swimming
Total: 4,900 metres

On Monday we did an intense session at the Commonwealth Pool.  We warmed up and then did 8x50m of fist drills (swimming with your hands in a fist... It's quite hard!).  We then did 6x100 at race pace, which was exhausting.  Then we did 3x200 increasing pace every 25 - again super tiring! We finished with a 100m at threshold pace.  

On Friday morning we did 3,200 metres! We did 800m then a 600m then a 400 m all at race pace - we did some smaller drills in between. I always leave the pool on Friday with nothing left in my shoulders or legs but I really feel like I've achieved a lot.  It almost makes the 5.30am wake up worthwhile......... Also it is starting to get light at 5.30am! When I leave the pool at 7.45 ish it is proper daylight - yay for longer days!

Other Sports

I have played a really fun game of tennis with Craig, Gordon and Robin! Safe to say that I was rubbish! I was allowed 3 serves.... But it was really fun. 

Week 6 brief update

This week I haven't taken photos- but this week has been very exercise heavy! In 6 days I have done 3 runs, 3 cycles, 3 swims and played a netball match! Here are my totals:

Running

A total of 20.4km 

Cycling

I have been to two spin sessions and one bike ride- totalling 70km...! Oooooph my poor legs! 

Swimming

I have done three swimming sessions and I have swim a total of 8000m.... That is the equivalent of 320 lengths! Safe to say that a lot of pasta has been consumed this week! 

Fundraising

I have raised £260 so far which is so fab! Thank you! 

I'm now totally exhausted and I'm having a well deserved glass of wine while watching England v Scotland rugby 

Week 5

On Monday Edinburgh looked like this....

A horrid mixture of rain and sleet... I went for a triathlon run 

However on Tuesday Edinburgh had transformed into this....

Much better! 

By Wednesday the snow and ice had cleared and I went for a spinning session at 6.45 am and then a triple loop around Arthur's seat after work. The weather was brill 

I'm loving my new bike so much and can't wait for the weather to get better and for the days to get longer so I can cycle in the evenings! 

On Thursday I went for a nice relaxing lunch time 5k. And I did a stressful beasting spin session in the evening. My legs were so weak I could hardly make it up the stairs to my flat. 

Friday- 6am swim!!! We did lots of arm drills which was a relief because my legs were so sore! We finished with pyramid swims which were exhausting but good.

But I got to have porridge and a kale, grape and kiwi smoothie at work afterwards! I love my nutribullet 

Saturday morning I went for a quick morning cycle along the coast along to Musselburgh. It was pretty windy but very beautiful! 

No more exercise for me now until Monday! Off to Glasgow to watch andy Murray play Isner in the Davis cup! Woooooo

Week 4 of training (I BOUGHT A BIKE!)

So the usual training has taken place this week - running, cycling, swimming, early mornings etc etc etc

BUT

the most exciting thing about this week is that I bought a bike and it was delivered! I had been into several bike shops and was met with surprise when I stated my budget - "Oh... you only want to spend £300-£400.... You won't get much for  that".  I think that is a lot of money to spend on a bike, but apparently people who are keen about triathlons happily spend thousands on a bike... Well I'm not - so I went rogue and went onto Ebay!

I don't know anything about bikes - but spoke to lots of people and decided to search for a few brands.  I was outbid on a carbon fibre bike that went for £500 - but eventually won a Specialized Allez bike, with upgraded wheels, racing handlebars with pads, a b'twin speedometre. 

It arrived at work in bits- a local bike shop built it and serviced for me and I was good to go!! 

I decided to cycle on Friday afternoon from Edinburgh to Linlithgow.... There is a canal side path that goes all the way. 

It started off so well- it was smooth and recently paved. I loved being outside by the canal - hearing the birds and zooming along! The bike is great and so speedy and light. However the track rapidly deteriorated and became really rough and muddy.... I struggled for miles and finally arrived at least 45 minutes after I should have done and in the dark... Not ideal. But I enjoyed it! 

Lovely views! 

The next day I lovingly cleaned all the mud and leaves off my bike! 

Yay for cycling! And yay for eBay purchases that are exactly what they said they were! 

The only bad thing was that I managed to fall off a few times because I kept forgetting that my feet were clipped to my pedals and when you stop you have to unclip them before you can steady yourself. So I had a few embarrassing slow motion falls- thankfully not into the canal 

Bruises aside- I LOVE MY NEW BIKE!!!!

My favourite breakfast

http://www.kaylaitsines.com/blogs/news/18717447-the-easiest-overnight-oats?utm_source=Master+List&utm_campaign=ed1bf50a96-Newsletter_71_should_Exercise_when_sick_2_2_15_US&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2f136c59-ed1bf50a96-159484529&mc_cid=ed1bf50a96&mc_eid=fdd06aea28

This is Kayla Itsines recipe - she is such a babe.  Follow her on instagram!!

These oats are soooo good - I put in loads of random nuts and seeds.  But I hardly ever have fresh fruit on top because I'm poor. I make it the night before an early workout and put it in my bag and eat it at work after an early spin/swim - it is so yummy!

I also eat it out of a glass jar because I'm that edgy but I hear normal tuppaware does the trick too

(Disclaimer - this is my favourite HEALTHY breakfast.  My actual favourite breakfast is sausages, bacon, eggs, toast, pancakes, maple syrup, juice and coffee obvs)

Week 3 of training

This week has been a super sociable week of training

Monday - had a fun running and swimming session with Triathlon club.  We did sprints round the meadows and then some arm drills and races in the Commonwealth pool.  

Tuesday - PANCAKE DAY! My flatmate Gordon dragged me to running club 

I was feeling a bit ill and wasn't keen - but I got excited because I got to try out my new trainers! 

Also - I tried out Strava instead of Map My Run - I prefer it already.  It syncs quickly and easily and gives lots of information.  It will also be really good when I start cycling outside.

Wednesday - I got up early  to go to spinning at LifeCycle Edinburgh.  The session was tough with lots of hills but I felt great after.

Wednesday evening I met Millie to go and watch 50 shades! After the film we went to yoga 

On Thursday I went for a nice lunch time jog around work. I'm loving strava! It's so fab.

Friday! Early morning for Jess! 

I managed to wake up 5 mins before my alarm?! How??! 

Fridays swim is an hour and a half and at a horrendous time in the morning but it is my favourite session of the week! I love it. This week was particularly great! We did an hour of drills working on our arm action and kick and then we did a timed 400m. We started at 5 second intervals- the fastest starting first. I started in 4th position but managed to get the fastest time!!!! Yayyy! I was so happy! I should just say at this point that that there are two lanes and I was the quickest in the slow lane so I am by no means a super speedy swimmer yet- but I'm working on it! Here are my 400 m times to date: 

Massive improvements! 

Right well I'm off to have a v relaxed weekend- no swimming/running/cycling until Monday! Wooohooooo xxxx