zzzzzzzzzzzz

hehehe- still sleeping soundly!!

New Bed

Bought a new bed on Sunday and had it delivered on Tuesday, put it altogether Wednesday and now we're longing for it to get late so we can justifiably go to bed!!!
We bought a king sized be several years ago and although it was a hard mattress it has sagged and is just not very comfortable. So- we've downsized to Queen , bought another hard mattress ( despite one shop assistant assuring me I needed a soft to mid range mattress- eugh!! why don't they listen- the customer is ALWAYS right!!)
The bed looks really small in the room after the other one, but now there is heaps more room around us. Looking forward to Christening it!

New Bed

New Bed

Back in the saddle again!

back to tafe after a 3 week break. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy the students. However I did enjoy the extra time and a more leisurely pace of life!
Had a touch of gastro on Friday so since then exercise has been nil!!! I was looking forward to running on Saturday but there was no way I could have faced that. Now mother -in-law is in hospital so even if I felt so inclined there really isn't much time or opportunity to get stuck into anything ( even as I write that I'm aware this is just one big fat excuse!!)
Never mind- tomorrow's another day and I may even make the time to so something a bit more active.

ooops!

I re read my last blog and it made it sound as though Kek and I do the same! However I do know- from many previous blogs- that Kerryn is far more dedicated and will push herself far harder than I ever do!

Training

I was thinking about my training methods and reading Kerryn's blog Mind Power confirmed my basic philosophy! I sometimes have a program written out but mostly have in my mind what I'm going to do. The weights I use I remember, but if on any day I feel a bit weaker in that area, or feel the strain, I lower the weights and don't beat myself up about it. I really think that consistency is the most important part of long term fitness and no injury. I've had to had lay offs a few times and when I return I always lower my expectations and gradually build up again. I'm not in this to win weight lifting competitions! Also- if I really don't feel like going to the gym- I will go but do a lighter workout or something with more balance than weight. It's not hard to achieve and I've still maintained that contact with exercise ( too easy to say I won't go this time- and then never go again!!)
I won't ever do boot camps or anything competitive cos I know I'll injure myself. If in competition I'll just keep going even if I know it's not the best thing for me- duh!!
Anyway- it's my way and it seems to be working for me.

working out is fun!

did my 'fun' workout today- the one where I get really sweaty - yes even in Melbourne winter!. Run and walk on treadmill between lighter weight exercises. Do this for about an hour and you really feel it. I know I could prob get the same benefits in a shorter more intense workout but hey- I am a princess you know!
Now, tonight, ny legs feel quite tired! I think it's the extra running I'm doing. A pleasant and relaxed tiredness with just a hint of the old DOMS-lol

Crash! Ouch!!

Went rollerskating and just as I was thinking I was doing so well.............. crash, down I came!! Got myself all tangled up in miss 5 year olds legs and a big bump on the bum and elbow! OUCH but luckily no lasting damage!
Miss 9 was all concerned for her sister- but they didn't give nana a second thought!!
oh well...maybe they think I'm indestructable!

Getting there

Another Saturday, another longer run. Did the base run of 9km and then ran and walked the last 3. I ran more than I walked so prob covered about 10.5 running. Doesn't sound all that impressive but it is a huge increase for me!
After this I went to the gym as per usual. There is a flight of stairs leading up to the gym and usually I run up these- well.......no fleet of foot today, more like I had a lead ball and chain holding me back!!! Even the upper body weights were a struggle. Guess this running is more of a challenge than I realised. However.... I feel mentally terrific!

2 years!!!

The littleist girl will be 2 years old on Sunday!! Can't quite believe it's gone so quickly. Ariel is the best almost 2 year old I know! Just lovely and funny, funny, funny!

As you can see, from the pics, I still love dressing my dolls!!

hopefully a bit more interesting

Kek has been making murmurings about bloggers and fitness and perhaps sharing ideas or at least inspiration- a great idea!
At the moment I'm training for a half marathon in october. I've never run this distance before- the most has been 15k ( run for kids) and a lifetime ago - 18k- but that was when I was young and very foolish!
I'm not sure that going in a half marathon isn't also very foolish but I'm working around past injuries and hopefully not incurring any more.
I hit the gym most days- whether it's to train myself or run classes for the over 50's. I love the weights! Since working in a gym ( 5yrs) I;ve worked out far more consistently and consequently had far less injuries. I push myself but I never go to the limit- yeah- you could call me a 'princess' and you'd prob be right. I have learnt though - that training when you're older- is different . You can still get 'there' but you need to go slower, smaller increments, and don't compete!!!
I'm going to look for some of my favourite exercises and post them on here,

Progress

Ran 9km on Saturday- only 12 more to go!!!!!

Making progress

I'm one step closer to achieving all those goals I've set for my 60th year.
Ran 3 times this week- one longer ( 7km) one shorter ( 3kms) and one with weights interspersed!
Also- and this is a BIG ONE- I've entered for the half marathon in October!! Yikes- now I'm committed! Also entered my daughter ( whose idea this was in the first place!! Blame it on the kids I always say! lol)
Another goal- I've rung up about learning German- through U3A- hmmmmm not so sure how I'll go with that one but at least I've made a start
I love lists!!!!!

Getting there

In relation to one of my 'tasks' (see list in previous blog) I upped my running to 7km - that's a 1km increase! I figure that with 16 weeks to go before the half marathon , that if I increase I km per week then I;ll just about do it!! In actual fact- I prob won't increase by that each week but I will endeavour to at least get some more running under my belt. That, and a short run during the week, should get me in the right direction

Add one more!!

One more to add to my 'List'- get naturalized! After 54 years it's probably time!

A new list

Just had a birthday and now in my 6oth year!! Yikes! So- for the year leading up to the BIG ONE I'm planning a list of all things I want to achieve before I hit the big 60.
The list keeps growing so some of the stuff may need to be carried on to the next decade- lol

1. Learn a language


2. gardening- I have a goal of getting right around the house this year! I'll give photo evidence to keep me honest.


3. Try a new recipe at least once a month- no- bread, jam and cream does not qualify!


4. Renovate and paint- the house. We need to do carpets and curtains and something with all the woodwork and beams ( I'm loving the bathrooms so at least I've started on this one)


5. Do the Melb half marathon this year-


6. Maybe......maybe.... try a mini triathalon ( I think its Jan or Feb- run by National Breast Cancer foundation This would be a MAJOR challenge and would require a serious effort at swimming!! Yes- even for I whole 100m!!

Probably that's enough for the time being- but as I said- this list is still growing

Brrrrrrr

We've been back from up North for almost a week and I think I've shivered my way through it! Those who live in Qld don't know how lucky they are with the weather!

So- for the first time in about 20 years- I've been shopping for slippers! Now we have tiles on the floor ( yeah yeah- we were warned they'd been COLD) my little tootsies are feeling a bit chilly. You would have thought I had the most gigantic of feet! I could barely get my foot into any of them! Aae they made for midgets???? Eventually found a rather ugly - but able to fit- pair in Kmart. I truly felt like the 'ugly stepsister' today!!!

This was how I spent EVERY day when we were away!!

Confession

When I was about 10 years old I developed a 'horse mania'! Not uncommon in girls that age. This lasted and lasted and has left me with a real interest and love of horses- although not with the 'passion of youth!'.
I had books and books of horses. For some I saved my hard earned pocket money- others were pressies. I still have a fair collection of them sitting in the book case.
My confession?? - well- sometimes I revisit my youth and enjoy the stories I read when I was 12! My most recent one- Show Jumping Secret. I still have all the 'Jill' series and one of the more interesting ones was 'Prince Among Ponies'! I enjoy them for the nostalgia they bring but really..... I truly enjoy the stories!
Anybody else got some 'confessions' from the past???

Making an effort

I've decided I'm a very lazy blogger! I made a half hearted attempt to leave a post a few days ago- but lost it all when , for some reason, I lost the whole jolly lot!! grrrrrr
I regularly read other blogs but leave mine bare!
We're off up north in exactly 2 weeks time! yaaaahhhh. Can't wait! I hate the cold and Melb has been particularly cold the past couple of weeks
I've been really struggling with fitness too. Seem to have lost my mojo after being sick for so long. I did hit the gym the other night but it was a real work of 'determination' not of 'love'! I know you don't have to 'want' to do something to actually do it- but it sure helps. I usually really love the challenge of the weights so hopefully that will return.
ok- this was a start. I'll try to write about something more interesting next time.