Monthly massages ROCK!! I have yes have to have them.... :) lush!!!!
Running at 6am means people look at you really strangely!! It literally had me laughing out loud the looks on people's faces when they saw me out running... have to say though it was a fab run - quiet, peaceful and a perfect head sort out before work!
Turbo sessions are fun... yes Sophie I now get it... sitting on my bike in my living room listening to Chrissie Wellington tell me to ride faster, train harder and go through the pain because it makes you stronger and thats what you need to be!! Just need to remember to turn off the heating otherwise lounge becomes a sauna!!
Zone 2 heart rate is a nice pace to run out... I felt like I could run for hours...
I need steak on a regular basis... ever since Geneva I have loved steak and when exercising I get to a point of needing it... so dinner with Claire was lovely and the steak was delicious!! And then it was followed up by a desert that was had sherbert in it and it went whizz pop bang in your mouth and had Claire and I giggling like we were 5 year olds!!
Sometimes work goes nuts and you just have to go with it.... so this week w/c 23rd Jan I have skipped 3 sessions... a run, a swim and a bike :( not great, certainly not ideal... but at least its January not June... i think!! And I did kind of think this might happen given that its FEI review with the Gods in 8 days time!!
Biking in The New Forest is lush.... going home home, biking with Terry, stopping at Hannah and Dan's for a bacon sandwich and then chilling with Mum and Dad for the afternoon and eating yummy food was lovely and just what was needed after last week and feeling very stressed!!
Lets see what the next two weeks bring.... hopfully less work and more training!!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Well that was a week!!
Its Sunday night and I'm on the sofa chilling.... and its needed...
That was a week and a half... in every every way!
Training was good.... I had a few wow moments
- Wednesday's run with Pete was funny... I was on a mission to settle the debate about my heart rate... So I did two sprints in a 5 mile fast run... got the HR up to 161 which was 88% and thats a highest ever! I now know how to get there... its not pretty but it actually felt good!! Told Mark... that wasnt my smartest move... I could regret that in spinning in the future!
- Thursday's turbo... so everyone talks about turbo ie getting on your bike in yor living room or garage or somewhere indoors! So I had everything set up and I was ready to go so off I went! Ummmm 5 mins later I was like ok lets try that with the TV on.... yeah no thats dull too - downloaded a spin set from itunes and manned up.... 45mins later I was done! Lessons learnt 1) need to sort out my set up as bike felt wonky 2) need to find something to make it less dull..... Oh roll along a twitter about a downloadable set from Chrissie Wellington...actually looking forward to my turbo next week!!
- Saturday's run..... I LOVE where I live! It was the coldest day of the year so far, thr ground was covered in frost.... and Windsor Great Park just looked beautiful!! It was a day to think WOW I love where I live and the fact that I am fit and healthy enough to be doing this! Grateful!!
- Sunday's bike ride... basically see above about the run!! Not gonna lie though did have a what the hell am i doing this for moment as I was under my duvet knowing it was freezing outside!!! July 1st...
So a good week of training but a tough emotional week and I need to recognise how exhausting the emotional stuff is.... this week as agreed with a certain next door Jennie... its about Little Jo and making sure she is looked after... rest.... food.... simple things really!!
That was a week and a half... in every every way!
Training was good.... I had a few wow moments
- Wednesday's run with Pete was funny... I was on a mission to settle the debate about my heart rate... So I did two sprints in a 5 mile fast run... got the HR up to 161 which was 88% and thats a highest ever! I now know how to get there... its not pretty but it actually felt good!! Told Mark... that wasnt my smartest move... I could regret that in spinning in the future!
- Thursday's turbo... so everyone talks about turbo ie getting on your bike in yor living room or garage or somewhere indoors! So I had everything set up and I was ready to go so off I went! Ummmm 5 mins later I was like ok lets try that with the TV on.... yeah no thats dull too - downloaded a spin set from itunes and manned up.... 45mins later I was done! Lessons learnt 1) need to sort out my set up as bike felt wonky 2) need to find something to make it less dull..... Oh roll along a twitter about a downloadable set from Chrissie Wellington...actually looking forward to my turbo next week!!
- Saturday's run..... I LOVE where I live! It was the coldest day of the year so far, thr ground was covered in frost.... and Windsor Great Park just looked beautiful!! It was a day to think WOW I love where I live and the fact that I am fit and healthy enough to be doing this! Grateful!!
- Sunday's bike ride... basically see above about the run!! Not gonna lie though did have a what the hell am i doing this for moment as I was under my duvet knowing it was freezing outside!!! July 1st...
So a good week of training but a tough emotional week and I need to recognise how exhausting the emotional stuff is.... this week as agreed with a certain next door Jennie... its about Little Jo and making sure she is looked after... rest.... food.... simple things really!!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
How to have a good training session....
Find out your ex husband got married to the woman he left you for....!!
I'm working through the emotions of this.... they are changing from well I'm glad he left me for a good reason.... to why am I still single... have I moved on... when's my turn to fall in love!
There have been tears of anger / frustration and sadness... and thank goodness there was a spinning session this morning that got a lot of that out of my system.... Im exhausted from thinking about it and go through the what if scenarios....
But bottom line....I know this much to be true.... I am happy and I am alot happier than I would be if I was still married to Dave! I have lived an incredibly blessed life since he left - I have such incredible friends and family and my life is filled on a daily basis with lots of love and laughter... Do I wish I had a gorgeous husband and kids waiting at home for me vs an empty house tonight... yes I do... I trust that one day that will happen.... fingers and toes are all crossed!!
I promised this would be an honest account... thank you for being there! xx
I'm working through the emotions of this.... they are changing from well I'm glad he left me for a good reason.... to why am I still single... have I moved on... when's my turn to fall in love!
There have been tears of anger / frustration and sadness... and thank goodness there was a spinning session this morning that got a lot of that out of my system.... Im exhausted from thinking about it and go through the what if scenarios....
But bottom line....I know this much to be true.... I am happy and I am alot happier than I would be if I was still married to Dave! I have lived an incredibly blessed life since he left - I have such incredible friends and family and my life is filled on a daily basis with lots of love and laughter... Do I wish I had a gorgeous husband and kids waiting at home for me vs an empty house tonight... yes I do... I trust that one day that will happen.... fingers and toes are all crossed!!
I promised this would be an honest account... thank you for being there! xx
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Got it wrong this weekend!
Can't wait to see Mum tomorrow and be looked after... just someone to cook me dinner will be lovely!!
This weekend was good and I really enjoyed myself but two really late nights hosting dinner parties and generally being on call for everyone plus trying to fit in all my training + do my tax return as well as all the other chores including Evo work has left me feeling wiped out and very wobbly!
Having a reality check about how much I can give to others.... need to look after myself and my basic needs.... sleep and food above and beyond everything else! Otherwise the wheels come off!!
So 9pm... time for bed!
This weekend was good and I really enjoyed myself but two really late nights hosting dinner parties and generally being on call for everyone plus trying to fit in all my training + do my tax return as well as all the other chores including Evo work has left me feeling wiped out and very wobbly!
Having a reality check about how much I can give to others.... need to look after myself and my basic needs.... sleep and food above and beyond everything else! Otherwise the wheels come off!!
So 9pm... time for bed!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
IMA training begins!
Ok so here we go.......
January 1st was day one of training and as Paul (my coach) said "Every session counts" so off for a run I duely went! I was in a really good mood and you know 9am on New Year's Day is a great time to run - it was so quiet!! I posted on twitter that I was feeling virtuous - Soph you were right a better word for it was smug!!
I had a lovely run but need to see the osteopath to get a few bones put back into the right place after a few skiing crashes!! But day one of training - not too bad!!
Day one of New Year's resolution not bad too - lovely walk up to the pub with Jo, Amy and Jennie for a fab lunch and tons of giggling! Just lovely!!
January 2nd... bike ride! Wow what a lovely day for a bike ride! A few of the Evo crowd went out today and it was just a gorgeously sunny ride over a great route!! I love days like today on the bike... but blimey do I have some work to do.... 9hours on the bike sounds like a big ordeal at the moment!! Need to train hard for this!!!!
January 3rd.... back to work!!! I was actually quite excited about going back to work - last year I was bored and seriously thinking its time for a new job - luckily someone changed my job so now I have a new one so new job without the hassle of having to leave the company and write a cv.... although I know that is on my 2012 resolution list!! Anyway started the day with a Mark style spinning session which was (fun!??!) and then went to work.... it was crazy busy....... so much for finishing off the remaining chocolates and easing in gradually - No chance!!! Just managed to escape at 6 for my pilates session!!
If there is one session I cannot drop in the next 7 months it is Pilates - I really feel that I have missed it in the last few months so its good to be back although my glutes and stomach muscles didn't think so at the time!
And just to round the evening off I went for a swim.... Pete had volunteered to give me and Paul a lesson as we need some help.... I spent an hour on my extension -ie driving my hands forward as they go into the water.....!! This could be a long process!!!
Wednesday morning I woke up feeling quite rubbish - full of a cold :( woe is me! Berocca and Vicks were consumed in vast quantities but had to admit defeat and skip training.... running hills in the rain not ideal really! And this is where I really should have listened to little Jo.... but instead of getting an early night I decided to keep going and meet up with a friend for a drink (IMA not taking over life!) - it was a lovely evening and I stayed on water but paid for it later in the week!
Having not really slept much on Wednesday night I decided that swimming was a good idea.... so 6.30am saw me getting in the pool at Hillingdon and completing my 2km set before work! I loved this swim... it felt really good stroke wise and was just a very nice way to start the day! Not sure it helped the cold though... it definately brought it out!! Thursday night..... shattered (are we surprised?!) so sofa and an early night!
If you asked me to rank the triathlon disciplines in order of favourite at the moment I would say run, swim, bike..... will be interesting to see what I say at the end - I think swimming could hit the favourite spot!!
Friday night I decided to get another swim in - it was definately favourite sport this week! Pete and I headed to the pool and I thought I was doing well - even got a compliment from Pete... but this man kept tickling my toes in the pool... not for fun either but in a get out of my way angry mode! Anyway with reluctance I moved to the medium lane :( great swim though and eye candy alert in the pool!! Ladies don't search the bars of Windsor for hot totty go to Windsor Leisure Centre!!
Friday night I had a cheese fest - LUSH!! I had bought back a load of cheese from the ski trip so had a friend over and ploughed our way through it over a bottle of wine and a lot of chat! Lovely Friday night!!
So now we come to Saturday........ today.... and I smile as I write this thinking... ummmmmm yes its all quite clear isnt it!! I woke up this morning at 9 - went for a run and did my strength work and then thought Im tired I think I will just have a quick nap!! 3 hours later I woke up!!
So lesson from week 1.... I don't want IMA to take over my life BUT equally I have to when not feeling 100% STOP and REST!!!
Right on that note - back to the sofa I go!! Why do I feel like I am being lazy? Planned hours training = 12 Actual = 10.5 not bad for a week with a cold!! Doh!
January 1st was day one of training and as Paul (my coach) said "Every session counts" so off for a run I duely went! I was in a really good mood and you know 9am on New Year's Day is a great time to run - it was so quiet!! I posted on twitter that I was feeling virtuous - Soph you were right a better word for it was smug!!
I had a lovely run but need to see the osteopath to get a few bones put back into the right place after a few skiing crashes!! But day one of training - not too bad!!
Day one of New Year's resolution not bad too - lovely walk up to the pub with Jo, Amy and Jennie for a fab lunch and tons of giggling! Just lovely!!
January 2nd... bike ride! Wow what a lovely day for a bike ride! A few of the Evo crowd went out today and it was just a gorgeously sunny ride over a great route!! I love days like today on the bike... but blimey do I have some work to do.... 9hours on the bike sounds like a big ordeal at the moment!! Need to train hard for this!!!!
January 3rd.... back to work!!! I was actually quite excited about going back to work - last year I was bored and seriously thinking its time for a new job - luckily someone changed my job so now I have a new one so new job without the hassle of having to leave the company and write a cv.... although I know that is on my 2012 resolution list!! Anyway started the day with a Mark style spinning session which was (fun!??!) and then went to work.... it was crazy busy....... so much for finishing off the remaining chocolates and easing in gradually - No chance!!! Just managed to escape at 6 for my pilates session!!
If there is one session I cannot drop in the next 7 months it is Pilates - I really feel that I have missed it in the last few months so its good to be back although my glutes and stomach muscles didn't think so at the time!
And just to round the evening off I went for a swim.... Pete had volunteered to give me and Paul a lesson as we need some help.... I spent an hour on my extension -ie driving my hands forward as they go into the water.....!! This could be a long process!!!
Wednesday morning I woke up feeling quite rubbish - full of a cold :( woe is me! Berocca and Vicks were consumed in vast quantities but had to admit defeat and skip training.... running hills in the rain not ideal really! And this is where I really should have listened to little Jo.... but instead of getting an early night I decided to keep going and meet up with a friend for a drink (IMA not taking over life!) - it was a lovely evening and I stayed on water but paid for it later in the week!
Having not really slept much on Wednesday night I decided that swimming was a good idea.... so 6.30am saw me getting in the pool at Hillingdon and completing my 2km set before work! I loved this swim... it felt really good stroke wise and was just a very nice way to start the day! Not sure it helped the cold though... it definately brought it out!! Thursday night..... shattered (are we surprised?!) so sofa and an early night!
If you asked me to rank the triathlon disciplines in order of favourite at the moment I would say run, swim, bike..... will be interesting to see what I say at the end - I think swimming could hit the favourite spot!!
Friday night I decided to get another swim in - it was definately favourite sport this week! Pete and I headed to the pool and I thought I was doing well - even got a compliment from Pete... but this man kept tickling my toes in the pool... not for fun either but in a get out of my way angry mode! Anyway with reluctance I moved to the medium lane :( great swim though and eye candy alert in the pool!! Ladies don't search the bars of Windsor for hot totty go to Windsor Leisure Centre!!
Friday night I had a cheese fest - LUSH!! I had bought back a load of cheese from the ski trip so had a friend over and ploughed our way through it over a bottle of wine and a lot of chat! Lovely Friday night!!
So now we come to Saturday........ today.... and I smile as I write this thinking... ummmmmm yes its all quite clear isnt it!! I woke up this morning at 9 - went for a run and did my strength work and then thought Im tired I think I will just have a quick nap!! 3 hours later I woke up!!
So lesson from week 1.... I don't want IMA to take over my life BUT equally I have to when not feeling 100% STOP and REST!!!
Right on that note - back to the sofa I go!! Why do I feel like I am being lazy? Planned hours training = 12 Actual = 10.5 not bad for a week with a cold!! Doh!
Monday, January 2, 2012
2012...... will be a journey!
2012....I am excited about!!
Gosh how different the start of this year feels to the start of last year... There are numerous reasons for this... namely I feel way more settled and sure that the UK is where I want to be and I love Windsor being my home, so much so that I bought a home... and as I sit here writing this in front of my open fire in my cosy lounge I feel really at home! The friends I have here are brilliant and we had some really fun times in Windsor and far away too! The friends I have from days gone by are close enough to see whenever I want too which is wonderful! Life is good and although there are days when I don't feel that and I want other things in my life (gorgeous man and kids - just in case you were wondering!!) I am truely blessed to be living the life I live....!!
So 2012..... well as I found out with Jo and Amy on NYE I have a few New Year's resolutions.... but the biggest is to not let Ironman Austria take over my life!!
Ironman Austria.... Yikes!!! July 1st 2012... Klagenfurt, Austria!!
Back in July a few of us did something amazing/foolish/exciting.... (insert words as you feel fit!!) we signed up for an IronMan..... for the record this is a long distance triathlon..... and will see me swimming 2.4 miles in open water, cycling 112miles and then running a marathon.....
To date I have completed 5 sprint triathlons, 3 olympics and 1 half ironman.... and I have been doing this for only 18months.... however I love it!! I love being part of a club (Evolution) I love all the friends I have made through this club and I also love being fit and healthy and of course the endorphins are pretty cool too!
Having seen my wonderfully amazing and inspirational friend Sophie complete her Ironman in Mexico (well I wasn't there but I wish I had been!) the seed was well and truely planted and I knew (just as I knew after my first half marathon that I would run a marathon...) that I would be signing up to do an Ironman.... so which one.... clearly it has to involve travelling somewhere because its got to have some benefits!!
IM Austria (IMA) is a really popular event and relatively close, flat (ish!) and has an incredible atmosphere.... so that is the race of choice...... July 1st 2012 I hope to hear the words "Joanne Shearsmith.... you are an IRONMAN!!" Having seen the footage of the World Champs in Kona this year and getting goosebumps I feeling the fear, the excitement, the pain of this statement....
One thing I am very concious of is that IMA doesn't take over my life.... I know it will... but I want to still socialise and be there for friends and family as needed to chat with, laugh with, cry with and of course and eat and drink with.... probably a glass vs bottle this year though, explore parts of the UK and the world that I haven't seen yet and generally have fun and not just become totally one dimensional!! So dearly amazing friends and family.... I am asking for your support.... you are hereby entitled to get me talking about interesting things that have nothing to do with IMA, I would love to hear the words, can I come round for dinner and a catch up or even better - let me cook you dinner tonight Jo :)
As we all know.... life is a journey... its a roller coaster.... we have to enjoy the ups and downs.... and I know that the next 7 months will hold lots of ups and downs as I journey across the miles of training in the pools and lakes and on the roads and I am excited about it but I am also excited about all the other things that are going to happen this year and I can't wait to find out what they are...!!
So wonderful supporters.... I know you all think I am mad but actually you thought that before I signed up for IMA!! Thank you in advance for your support.... its going to be fun!! And on that note... I am off for a run!!
TONS of love xxxx
Gosh how different the start of this year feels to the start of last year... There are numerous reasons for this... namely I feel way more settled and sure that the UK is where I want to be and I love Windsor being my home, so much so that I bought a home... and as I sit here writing this in front of my open fire in my cosy lounge I feel really at home! The friends I have here are brilliant and we had some really fun times in Windsor and far away too! The friends I have from days gone by are close enough to see whenever I want too which is wonderful! Life is good and although there are days when I don't feel that and I want other things in my life (gorgeous man and kids - just in case you were wondering!!) I am truely blessed to be living the life I live....!!
So 2012..... well as I found out with Jo and Amy on NYE I have a few New Year's resolutions.... but the biggest is to not let Ironman Austria take over my life!!
Ironman Austria.... Yikes!!! July 1st 2012... Klagenfurt, Austria!!
Back in July a few of us did something amazing/foolish/exciting.... (insert words as you feel fit!!) we signed up for an IronMan..... for the record this is a long distance triathlon..... and will see me swimming 2.4 miles in open water, cycling 112miles and then running a marathon.....
To date I have completed 5 sprint triathlons, 3 olympics and 1 half ironman.... and I have been doing this for only 18months.... however I love it!! I love being part of a club (Evolution) I love all the friends I have made through this club and I also love being fit and healthy and of course the endorphins are pretty cool too!
Having seen my wonderfully amazing and inspirational friend Sophie complete her Ironman in Mexico (well I wasn't there but I wish I had been!) the seed was well and truely planted and I knew (just as I knew after my first half marathon that I would run a marathon...) that I would be signing up to do an Ironman.... so which one.... clearly it has to involve travelling somewhere because its got to have some benefits!!
IM Austria (IMA) is a really popular event and relatively close, flat (ish!) and has an incredible atmosphere.... so that is the race of choice...... July 1st 2012 I hope to hear the words "Joanne Shearsmith.... you are an IRONMAN!!" Having seen the footage of the World Champs in Kona this year and getting goosebumps I feeling the fear, the excitement, the pain of this statement....
One thing I am very concious of is that IMA doesn't take over my life.... I know it will... but I want to still socialise and be there for friends and family as needed to chat with, laugh with, cry with and of course and eat and drink with.... probably a glass vs bottle this year though, explore parts of the UK and the world that I haven't seen yet and generally have fun and not just become totally one dimensional!! So dearly amazing friends and family.... I am asking for your support.... you are hereby entitled to get me talking about interesting things that have nothing to do with IMA, I would love to hear the words, can I come round for dinner and a catch up or even better - let me cook you dinner tonight Jo :)
As we all know.... life is a journey... its a roller coaster.... we have to enjoy the ups and downs.... and I know that the next 7 months will hold lots of ups and downs as I journey across the miles of training in the pools and lakes and on the roads and I am excited about it but I am also excited about all the other things that are going to happen this year and I can't wait to find out what they are...!!
So wonderful supporters.... I know you all think I am mad but actually you thought that before I signed up for IMA!! Thank you in advance for your support.... its going to be fun!! And on that note... I am off for a run!!
TONS of love xxxx
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2011 recap!!
I know its the first day of 2012 and I am only now going to write about 2011... Oooops I wasnt very good at blogging was I!! But this year I am going to blog again..... Why?? Well I have signed up to do this thing called an Ironman and I just think I may need to have a way of expressing what is going on!
But first... a recap!!!
January was dark..... wow did I struggle to get my head straight..... It wasn't helped by the fact that I couldn't run but even so it was not my finest hour... Having spent so many years doing something BIG this year seemed like it was going to be quite dull!! HOW wrong was I!!!! So January was spent reflecting, baking (!) and generally being quite low!
February.... I could run!! Hooray!!! Gosh how I missed it.... Marathon training commenced..... I was given the gift of a place in the London Marathon from a colleague -
March..... marathon training.....
more to come on the rest of the year!!
April - London Marathon, Cooking with Mum and First ever trip to The Lake District oh and making an offer on a house!!
May - Baking with the Em & Liv, Hazel, Westonbirt Tri
June - Croyde, Windsor Tri, Ascot, Wakeboarding
July - 13 Rectory Close, Chichester Tri, Polo
August - Slovenia, Rugby, Housewarming
September - Hosewarming, Provence
October - The wheels come off! Curtain Making
November - Morocco, Lille and turning 37
December - socialising, skiing and Christmas
Even just by writing the highlights without mentioning all the chats and laughs over lunches and dinners you can tell it was a great year... sometimes you just have to trust!! Thank you to all who made this year so great and my home so homey!!
Word for the year.... SETTLED!!!
But first... a recap!!!
January was dark..... wow did I struggle to get my head straight..... It wasn't helped by the fact that I couldn't run but even so it was not my finest hour... Having spent so many years doing something BIG this year seemed like it was going to be quite dull!! HOW wrong was I!!!! So January was spent reflecting, baking (!) and generally being quite low!
February.... I could run!! Hooray!!! Gosh how I missed it.... Marathon training commenced..... I was given the gift of a place in the London Marathon from a colleague -
March..... marathon training.....
more to come on the rest of the year!!
April - London Marathon, Cooking with Mum and First ever trip to The Lake District oh and making an offer on a house!!
May - Baking with the Em & Liv, Hazel, Westonbirt Tri
June - Croyde, Windsor Tri, Ascot, Wakeboarding
July - 13 Rectory Close, Chichester Tri, Polo
August - Slovenia, Rugby, Housewarming
September - Hosewarming, Provence
October - The wheels come off! Curtain Making
November - Morocco, Lille and turning 37
December - socialising, skiing and Christmas
Even just by writing the highlights without mentioning all the chats and laughs over lunches and dinners you can tell it was a great year... sometimes you just have to trust!! Thank you to all who made this year so great and my home so homey!!
Word for the year.... SETTLED!!!
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