Tussock traverse training, vitamins and herbs for energy…

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My decision to train for the Tussock traverse (27th January) has given me the kick up the proverbial. You see…usually, after my 45 minute weights workout  at Les Mills, I either, do a few things in town I need to and go to a cafe, or I just…er… go to a cafe. (Paloma is in the creche for two hours, this is my  time..). So, as from decision day I have been doing my weights programme, (new and improved) followed by at least a 45 minute run.  I have run into howling northerlys, blistering hot ‘nothings’, (prefer the howlings of Wellington actually.) I have been pushing Paloma into town with a borrowed pushchair (with flat tyres), doing weights, running and returning. My legs have felt tired and a tad heavy, but I take this as a good sign.  I have been feeling a bit dizzy, (so much so that I have felt the need to sit…) and tired, lethargic. I made an appointment with the Hataitai herbalist. He gave me good advice, and now I am taking B12, iron, multi B, flax oil, calcium and he made me a concoction of herbs as a sleep tea. So I’m sorted man! I feel the energy seeping back into my body and soul…

I eat raw oats soaked in warm water mixed with bee pollen and calcium powder, followed by a vegetable juice for breakfast. Previously, I was just having the juice, which is not enough. ahem. That maybe had something to do with the dizzines. It has also been suggested that I have a protein snack every two hours, to keep my blood sugar levels even…nuts..I need to go nuts. I have been drinking at least two vegetable juices per day, and I really can feel the difference. A new vitality. (Yet here I am, struggling with nutritional deficiences!)

first summer day at the beach...Here are my loves at Hataitai beach on the first summer day! We bought fish and chips and walked down to the beach which is only ten minutes walk down from our house. Yes..I did partake of chips..that is a requirement of summer beach dinners with kids! Friends met us there and they happened to have..um..more fish and chips, chocolate, fruit and juice. The kids were even happier. I feel this is a new beginning. My training is improving, the weather is t-shirt weather, and...I am married.wow.summer kids

For more on my exciting life http://cenglish-memento.blogspot.com

Excersise and health goals….veganning again..

Image by jcolman via Flickr

I have been slightly haphazard with my goals…(is ‘slightly haphazard’ like being ‘slightly pregnant‘?-you either ARE, or you are NOT.) Anyhow, I was definitely going to do the Taupo challenge, but then decided not to, (because I just didn’t get on my bike to train..at all.) I was also very enthusiastic regarding the ‘Goat’ mountain run. I Was absolutely going to do that one! I even emailed the organisers of the goat and told them how unhappy I was that this year it was running the exact same day as the Taupo challenge!…How could people like me, I exclaimed, make a choice between the two!? Both were great races and I thought the goat should change their day..er…for ME. Consequently, they did and of course, ashamedly, I did not enter either one. The Taupo bike race is this Saturday and the Goat is next Saturday. Now all I can do is re-live my ‘glory’ from the year before and plan to train for them next year.  

What I have to do therefore, is sit down and really think about my training goals-properly. I started this by buying a spiral notebook and a training diary for next year. Into the notebook I will write out my weeks exercisegoals, weights plan (reps etc) and then how I felt physically and emotionally. Into the training diary I will write what I’ve done. I have had a training diary for two years now, this years reads like an old Lady’s…its  full of…”ran 30mins”, or just “balance class”. I have completed in good time a few half marathons and a mountain run, but the training was indiscriminate. Yes folks, I have lost FOCUS. And I am determined to get it back.

me, in black, finishing the mt lowry mountain run

So, my next race goal is the ‘tussock traverse’, running on the 27th of January. I will keep you, dear avid readers of my life-updated. I have begun training by, after doing weights at the gym, instead of having a coffee, I have gone for a 45 minute run. I could go for an hour before I need to pick Paloma from creche, but so far, 45 is my limit. It is all in my head.

As for nutrition, I am trying to sort it. Lately I have been a bit lightheaded when doing weights, or during and after a run..so much so that I slow down, or sit down because, it would be very embarrassing to actually faint.  To counteract this, I have begun slow release irontabs. I think I am feeling a bit more energetic..maybe a little less tired. I have juice at least twice per day, raw salads and have been having more protein in the form of couscous, quinoa and lentils and rice. It seems to be a fine line, and a much thought out one- to be able to get my vegan/raw nutritional level at the right level with my exercise lifestyle. I don’t want to feel weak, or faint..obviously. Maybe I will buy another note book to write it all down..umm…I have so many notebooks, i write about stuff I read, think, scribble little drawings of painting’s I will do, lists of things I want for the kids..etc..yeah..so whats one more note book huh?