2018... Hello Gym Membership

So, 2018. Here we are. Somehow you are flying by already.

I thought I’d take time for a little catch up, now that we are solidly into 2018… February already?!!

I have become the cliché! January 1st arrived and I joined a gym. Since taking up running I’ve been quite smug about not needing to be a gym member. ‘I get all the cardio I need through running.’… ‘I do my own strength training at home.’ ...Why would I need to join a gym?

And yet, I haven’t seen any major progress in my running for a long time, my jeans are all feeling a little... well... a lot more snug (darn you Christmas!) and my strength training now pretty much consists of a couple of squats and stretches whilst watching Eastenders. So when one of those new, cheap and cheerful, no contract, 24- hour gyms opened on my doorstep, I thought maybe, just maybe I could benefit from a helping hand.

I’ve now been a member for just over a month, though two weeks of that was spent booking and then cancelling classes. I was actually nervous about working out in the company of others. Running has always been a solitary affair for me- not by choice I must add. With no running club nearby and children to juggle, my runs are nearly always under the cover of darkness once the long suffering husband is back from work.

When my work partner said he was looking to join a gym, I took my opportunity to pounce. ‘Join mine, we can work out together, fit it around meetings. It’ll be great!’ And it has been. If I’ve ever felt like flaking, he’s been there to give me the gentle push through the door, or shove after the kids have kept me up all night. For the love of God, sleep children! The classes are great, and with each class I am discovering strength exercises and routines that can only benefit my running. And the buzz! Oh, that wonderful buzz that feeling strong brings. The extra classes and strength training have also given me a much needed boost in confidence that I feel I can achieve some of my running goals. I’d been feeling a little defeated recently, like I’d never improve. I actually was feeling like a bit of a fraud in the world of running. But with this new found drive, I’m feeling a confidence resurge. I can do, I will do. Just watch me! 2018… Bring it on!

Post-gym glow... clearly

Comments

Big Marathon Challenge

Drumroll please... I have been shortlisted for the Women's Running Magazine Big Marathon Challenge team. I am pretty stunned to say the least. If I make the final three then I'll be on my way to competing in the Manchester Marathon, receiving top notch training and full kit courtesy of Asics. I'm in amazing company, the women are all pretty inspirational and each have their own reasons for wanting to run as part of the team. So, what's mine? I have tackled two marathons but feel I succumbed to the dreaded wall in each one. That little devil on my shoulder won each time and to finish the thing I had to switch to a walk/run strategy. Physically, I know each time I could have run the whole thing. But that little voice, that seed of doubt in my head took over. I know I can do it. I know I can finish a marathon, running the whole way... I also know there is no shame in using a run/ walk strategy, many runners do it and it's still a huge achievement to complete a mara

Financial Advice in the Midst of A Crisis

I was asked if I could write a blog post full of financial tips for those who are taking those first terrifying steps of the cancer journey. They clearly looked at my two overdrafts, recent spout of homelessness and my woefully underpaid self employed position and thought, ‘here’s the girl we need in times of financial crisis!’ If you have come to this blog because you are taking those first steps, I am truly sorry that you are joining this sucky club. It’s not one that any parent ever wants to be part of. I assure you, you will find the strength to get through this. It will somehow reveal courage you never knew you had and show you that children are truly warriors who face adversity with such bravery that your love for them will elevate to levels you never believed possible. When you are told your child has cancer, the last thing on your mind will be money. But it’s incredible how much your finances will take a knock. From hospital car parking fees, to takeaways (you

Back to face The Beast

Well, hello there... I have long declared myself ‘missing in action’. Life has been hurtling by at tremendous speed and I’ve found myself spread thin, wondering what deal I could possibly do to gain more hours in the day. I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to recall the password to log back into my blog page. If you’re reading this, then ‘go me!’ I’ve succeeded in getting in! So, why pick this up now? I’m still running but my running has been sporadic at best. Since the hell that was Brighton (sorry Brighton, it’s not you, it’s me...) I’ve seen my joy for running coming and going in waves. Bursts of it being the brilliant, empowering tool that has brought me to new PB’s and then lulls whilst being relegated to the injury bench... I’m currently recovering from one stubborn shin injury just as others are nearing the end of successful marathon training cycles, churning out jubilant, and well-deserved, medal bling pics. Yes, the green-eyed monster is currently thrashing out this rambli

Got to Run Mum

Search This Blog