I'm actually going to start writing again

You may shake your head in disbelief but it's going to happen.

And here's why...I SIGNED UP FOR A TRIATHLON TODAY!

Why?! Why have I done such a thing?!

Well, I returned from South America last week (it was incredible, thanks for asking) and during a four day trek along the Inca trail to Machu picchu I remembered that I like this exercise stuff.

I really like it.

I like the feeling of leaning into the "burn" instead of resisting it, the feeling of accepting that you are out of breath and pushing harder. The feeling that your body can DO THINGS. And it can do them WELL. Grrrrr.

But I'm not going to lie, I also hate exercise. I hate the stupid burn, I hate feeling out of breath, I hate pushing harder. I can't do anything well, eurgh.

So why do I do these things to myself? I guess eventually the like of exercise wins over the hatred, and of course being able to prove the point, over and over, (mainly to myself) that I am not the fat kid any more and I am now in fact an awesome exercising machine is a huge added bonus.

Also peer pressure. Peer pressure is why I started running in the first place (I got asked to do a 10k with a friend) and is why I've just signed up to a triathlon (I got an email yesterday from a friend suggesting it).

And for the first time I'm not actually scared of training with the four friends who are doing this. I did a lot of swimming as a child, some competitively, so I feel relatively confident, even good about my abilities in the pool (stroke-wise, if not speed-wise) and the rest will take some hard work but I'll get there.

All in all, some exciting training lies ahead. And I plan to blog it all here...

Couch to 5k, week 3, run 2

Weighed in today at 207.6, a 0.8 lb gain which I possibly deserved for gloating about skinny jeans yesterday. I REGRET NOTHING! :P Can't lie, I'm quite tempted to keep the label with "super skinny jeans" on, haha.

So to make up for a couple of lazy days I ran to the swimming pool this evening. I was considering running back but wet hair plus coldness put me off. Although I did manage to get the clothing/warmth levels right on the way there which I never do - not freezing to detah or overheating was an added bonus for the night!


Also the guy on reception at the pool complimented my running gloves. I say complimented, he was possible being slightly sarcastic as they look like this....

Ain't nothing wrong about furry, fluorescent-yellow, children's gloves from the pound shop!

Ok, so some snazzy running gloves and matching hat are definitely on my Christmas list! I'm also thinking about getting a foam roller for my IT band issues, maybe not for Christmas (bit of a random/boring Christmas pressie really). Just watching foam roller videos makes my legs feel better!

Any length you can swim, I can swim faster

The good:

Well hello number 6, haven't seen you in a while!

Whole Foods Market - my pay day treat - it's like the Narnia of supermarkets.

The bad:

Dried figs you are so delicious but why must you have so many calories? You make me sad :(

The ugly:

A goat in a swimming costume!

Haha, but at least I went for a swim, and it does seemed to have eased my knee a bit. Also there was no sign of this 'SwimFit' business I expected, I thought there would be an instructor or something? Anyhoo I just got on and did 36 lengths - that's 1188 metres in "one of the largest pools in London" FYI.

Tomorrow - a dreaded morning run (as I'm going out after work). Will I make it? Will I die trying? Will the world end if I get out of bed earlier than 7? Who knows....