Well well well

So I began the week knowing that at the end of it I would be up for the biggest challenge so far. Putting together for the 1st time swimming, biking and running is something that is so new to me that it could be the start of more or the end of a dream. The weather once again played it's part at the beginning of the week, there is no point in me trying to get the best out of myself when I know that the weather will immediately put paid to that. So Thursday had the best forecast for the week, I set myself up for it by carb loading the best I could on Wednesday. This is also something that is against my nature, the most carb I would normally eat is new potatoes, but now I need to draw on this energy during and after training. I have to admit that I do enjoy the extra bits of food that I need, porridge with banana and honey for breakfast, scrambled egg and wholemeal toast for elevenses, Mediterranean chicken with pasta and baby tomatoes for dinner.
The triathlon I am heading for consists of a 400m swim, 20km bike ride, 5km run. My aim for Thursday was simple full distance swim, anything over 5km on the bike and full distance run. I rode to the swimming baths which gave me a 3.4km start. I needed to also test how my swimming costume sat underneath my cycling shorts, as this is now what I will wear on triathlon day. The swimming baths was quite busy, but enough space to do what I wanted to do. 16 lengths and I need to time myself, it has been a long time since I have needed to put effort into swimming, I begin at 12.25 by the time I have done my 16 lengths it took me 16 mins, I was surprised but happy. I jumped out of the pool, and tried to dry off the best I could wearing a wet costume, trying to pull up cycling shorts over wet legs and costume is not something that is possible with style or grace. Once I was ready I was out the door and ready to meet my co-pilot for the uphill slog back home. I found the uphills difficult but not impossible, I don't like hills even in a car. I reached 6.4km and headed for home ready for my run, I wasn't overly tired but I could feel that I had worked. As I set off out I felt my legs were tight, but not painful. I tried to maintain a steady pace of a 7min km, this is a slight bit slower than I am usually happy with but after the mornings other activities I was happy with the pace. When I arrived back home I felt fine in my body I wasn't out of breath, the only thing was I was Hank Marvin, food time.

Today was meant to be the day I set off to Lanzarote I was going to be taking part in the music marathon. Instead I spent it sat in a hospital. This really peeved me off, as upto December I was really looking forward to having a few days with great friends and running in Lanzarote. During December it became obvious that my appointments were going to take me well into the New Year. Little did I think that 3 months on I would be still having appointments and hospital and GP visits with terrible regularity, but it looks likely that they are going to carrying on for more months yet.

So weather dependent and how I feel, I shall be taking to the bike and my runners, no swimming as it's the weekend it will be very busy.

Enjoy your weekends one and all.
Live long and Prosper.

Not according to plan.

Well I started the week off really well, 15km bike ride a few hills in for good measure. The weather took its toll a bit with cold windy conditions causing me a few breathing issues, but I finished part 1. Then out for my 5km run, I am strangely finding this part easier than I expected. I am trying to pace myself so I'm not too tired but whilst maintaining a sensible pace. I don't feel any aches or pains after I finish or the following day, but this time my left achillies tendon is a bit tight so I know the only option is rest it. I'm hoping that by Sunday / Monday I should be ready to put together the 20km ride and 5km run. The only bit left is the swimming, my intention is to concentrate on the full swim length then add a small bike ride in maybe 5km then do the full 5km run, as I know that my body will adapt from the bike to run easily I need to focus on getting all of it together.
I was due to go to Skipton on Sunday to practice the full route, however due to a very heavy Saturday night out, not intentionally I hasten to add, I was poorly all day Sunday. It annoyed me that once again I had done this to myself when I should know much better. So during this week I have hit a down patch of beating myself up for my shortfalls and misgivings. It has made my motivation leave my body completely and leaving behind my can't be arsed attitude. Work was on autopilot and trying to keep awake was a challenge. It's not often I have these times but when they appear they zap me and literally drive me underground.
So this week's tasks are to get the 20km and 5km bike in, then at the end of the week a distance swim, hopefully full distance followed by a bike sesh and a run. Hope is my number 1 guy.

Have you ever seen a million dollars  ?
No
So how do you know it's real ?

It's feeling good

Well this triathlon training is proving more fun than I expected, I am sure that this will change once I pop in the swimming. However at the moment I am enjoying the combination.
During the last week I have changed my diet to lactose free. I have found that my belly has calmed down, it has made a huge difference but I am sure when I go to the specialist they will say I don't have  lactose intolerance.
Today I took the bike out with my co-pilot and we completed a 10 km ride on quite a few hillocks. But as the gears on the old bus have been sorted and the brakes are now no longer sticking on the wheel. My biking bud rode behind me shouting instructions to me and it worked a treat. After I returned to the car to store my bike, I changed my shoes and got under way. The changing of the shoes needs to be addressed as I don't ride with cleets due to pain in my knee. But the trainers I bike in are barefoot runners but just not as good as my little shoes. I am going to use my runners next time I combine the 2 disciplines. I set off with a little bit of jelly in the legs but it soon went, I kept repeating to myself 'no records just finish'. I was very surprised that once again the running felt fine, no breathlessness or pain in my legs. I tried to pace at a 7min km as this is on the slow side for me but comfortable after the bike.
I finished the run 3.74 in distance and maintained the pace which I was really happy with, I felt good, not exhausted. My legs were bright red and burning from the cold, they looked like I had been laid in the sun wayyyyyy too long. Home and in the shower, the stinging was horrendous from the warm water hitting my legs. A few hours later my legs feel fine and I am not afraid of the challenge that lays ahead for me.
This weekend I am doing the actual bike course of the triathlon full 20km on country roads, all down hill ish for 16km then comes a hill from hell. Next week I shall be taking to the pool to test my stamina, as a youngster I was a very good and capable swimmer, and as I have taking to the pool at varying times since I still hold the strength to do it. It will soon be time to put all 3 together and test it, now that scares the shizz out of me.

Have a good one peeps 'catcha later'

1st training sesh for the triathlon

The weather has not been in my favour of late, too cold or windy and I can't breathe this equals a huge problem. Due to the problem with my vocal chords, if really cold air passes them they go hard and don't allow the air to pass. I usually use a bandana to lift up over my nose and mouth to stop the cold air immediately causing a problem. This however has its own drawbacks as the fabric goes in my mouth, the area around my mouth covers with condensation or my sunglasses steam up all of them are irritating. But this morning looked good, once the frost had cleared it was time for the bike leg first. Instead of taking on way too much too quickly I decided that I would do a 10km bike and a 5km run. At this point I will add I HATE HILLS this is a blanket description of any gradient. No matter which direction inset off in I either start with a hill or end with one, no easy pick. Taking the decision not to cycle up the hill directly outside of our door, we chose a more steady climb. It soon became very obvious that the air was very cold indeed, I managed the climb, slowly. But even on the flat the air was killing me. About 3km in I decided that I would go to 5 or just beyond it as I knew that to do the 10 today would mean I wouldn't do the run. I cancelled out at 6km. Straight after the bike I got myself sorted and with jelly legs under me I set off back out into the cold. On the day of the triathlon I will need to be much quicker in transition but this I will practice nearer the time. My legs felt very weird and after letting the jelly wear off a little with a walk up the very steep hill outside the door. I started my run, I didn't want to set out too quickly so I really concentrated on keeping a steady pace that I felt happy with. I felt really comfortable with everything which I was constantly surprised at. As I approached my 3rd km I was still happy and feeling good, as I passed through 4km it felt strange that I felt so comfortable. As I headed for home the 4.5km point was upon me, I was confident in the up and coming challenge.

Last night we went to a quiz night in aid of 2 charities, Macmillan cancer care and Isla Grace. Now the 1st one we have all heard about, the great work they do for those affected by cancer. The 2nd one is about a 17 month old little girl who is affected by Ewings sarcoma a very rare cancer. She is going abroad to have proton treatment, her young parents need £5000 to help them survive as a family whilst Isla is having treatment, this will allow both Mummy and Daddy to be right by her side. The event raised a fabulous  £1540 but this isn't enough just yet. They are holding a fundraising event at a local gym on 1st March to increase the amount. My Daughter has arranged for us to do the pretty mudder to raise money for this family. When you hold your  children or grandchildren you love them with so much of yourself that you would lay down your life for them. This family now need others to help where they have become limited, as a Mum and Nanna I cannot begin to imagine  the devastation of news that your baby has cancer could bring. But if we help in a way that we can then life could be better for this little girl and her family.

End of another month

The end of January has arrived and it ends as it began. I went into hospital to have a biopsy of my womb taken as well as having something put in. I will not go into a too much detail as it's not important, but needless to say that once again I end up been in the 1% of the nation that has a problem with this thing. The idea behind it was that this Mirena thingy mi bob would help to calm down my visits from Mother Nature. So during the biopsy it was inserted and I was hopeful that this would be the miracle cure I was looking for. Oh how wrong could I be. The 1st warning that this wasn't going to plan was that before I even went into theatre they couldn't squish my vocal chords to allow the air tube to pass down without damaging them. Then the 'routine' op of 10-15 mins took 1 hour, I thought okay that's all the problems out of the way.  I was in no pain which was good,  but I had a great deal of bleeding which of course was unusual. 

After a couple of days of terrific pain from the anesthetic I began to feel hooman again, didn't last long. After 4 days I thought I would start to feel better day by day, but I had started slipping the other way. After only 4 days in work I was exhausted and very unwell, by now the pain was the most ridiculous I had ever felt. I decided that if nothing improved over the weekend I would head for the GP. As predicted nothing changed if anything it was getting worse, both pain and bleeding, time to see the Doc.  As soon as I explained the problem to the doc she said that the Mirena needed to come out after only 12 days, meant to be in 5 years. It didn't need to be removed it had removed itself, which was why I was in such pain. Within 2 hours the pain had eased. My GP is now concerned that the implant may have caused damage to one of the fibroids in my womb, this will now need further investigation once my results from the biopsy are back. A hysterectomy is still on the cards as a non emergency procedure as this could be the only way to stop me from becoming very poorly from anemia.

As a result of all this faffing about I have managed 1 run 1 bike ride a definitely no swimming because of the risk of infection. However, I am now feeling 100% better and ready to get back out there. My triathlon ambition is still a go and I am ready to go for it. I am also signing up for the GNR again, I just cannot help myself it's addictive.

Over the last two months we have struggled to come to terms with many things. But the support and love from friends and family near and far have kept us going. Not just over the last few months but in the last 13 years. A very special friend said this week that little gestures are few and far between these days. These gestures are the most lovely, they mean that people care, and they may not see you everyday but they are always there, a text, a message, some flowers all mean 'I'm thinking about you'.

Have good and safe weekend and start the next week like you mean business. Catcha on the flipside peeps.

What a nightmare.

I began my Jantastic challenge with gusto, I knew I could fit in at least 30 mins each day without too much hassle even with an impending operation. However my operation date came through with only 10 days notice, which shook me a bit as I was told I would have 3 weeks notice. The advantage was that at least it would be at my local hospital rather than the main ones in Leeds. I managed to get some running and cycling in before I went into hospital as I knew that I would be out of action for at least 48hrs. I thought it was amusing when I was told at my pre-med that I would be given a 2 week sick note. I was in hospital on the Friday and wouldn't need to be back in until Tuesday, plenty of time. Well after the first 4 days I knew I was in no fit state to go in to work, by the end of this week I really felt like I should have taken the sick note. It amazes me that what I thought was something simple and routine turned out a bit different for me, as is usually the bloody case. This was meant to be my final appointment to try and work out if the cancer marker was coming from my womb. This started straight away with what was supposed to be a 20min operation turning into an hour. However I was feeling fine when I came round not in any pain as I was told I would feel, so I was well happy. Apart from feeling a bit wobbly and sleepy I was discharged with the promise to rest up. This is one of the more difficult things, when I feel fine it's hard to understand why I needed to rest, but I did rest more than normal. The following morning the pain began, I felt like I had been hit by a truck. My whole torso from my neck to hips was reducing me to tears, my throat was so sore I couldn't swallow the pain killers so I had to put up with it. I now didn't have a choice but to rest. This pain continued for 3 more days, but at least now I could take something for it, but tomorrow I need to go to work. I knew I wasn't well enough for work I was struggling to stand upright because of the pain, I managed to get through my shift but was so glad to get home for an early night. I was surprised that the following day I was pain free, but by the afternoon it was creeping back up on me. It seemed to be getting better day by day so I would get to the end of the week. I'm on Saturday now and have paid the penalty for working through it.

I am wanting to enter my first triathlon this year,  I have found one in April but as I am unable to do an sport at the moment I cannot decide if this would be beyond foolish to attempt. I literally am taking each day as it arrives with the pain scale, I am getting so many complications  that are related to the operation that I am totally fed up when I get something new.
I am wanting to try and get out this week either a little run or bike. But I'm not going to push myself in any way shape or form, anyone who knows me will know this is a complete contradiction of my normal self.

This week I have purchased the 5 weeks to no sugar book by Davina Mccall, I needed more ideas for healthy low sugar recipes. I have tried a couple from the book and I am very happy with them.  Was quite pleased that on inspection at the foods I eat normally I didn't overdo the sugar. My problem was simple I like chocolate and crisps, don't misunderstand me I don't eat either of these in bulk either by day or quantity. But whoever thought that putting a resealable sticker on the packet to save choc for later was an idiot. So to find an alternative in any shape other than carrot sticks can only be good, I do like carrot but as it doesn't come in Galaxy flavour sometimes it just doesn't cut the mustard.
It is also an interesting experiment with my youngest Son who has a sweet tooth to see if he enjoys the sugar free varieties of food, so far he has gladly eaten all in front of him. So the food tasting will continue. Hopefully the recovery of a broken body will be returned to me soon.

Into January we go.

We had a quiet Christmas with probably too much food and booze,  although the latter was probably less than it felt. As I was unable to take part with the advent streak due to the mounts of GP and hospital visits that I had during December. I was feeling on a bit of a downer as it was something I really wanted to do. But I did manage to get out on Christmas Day morning, donned my Santa suit armed with my helper (hubby on his bike) we set off to fulfill our charity commitment. It was a great feeling to be out again and having lots of smiles, beeps and waves was just what I needed.  On Christmas eve I got my 2nd all clear for bowel cancer this time, although I had a polyp removed it was harmless, other than causing me problems.  I have been in pain since which I was surprised at, but as I have been on holiday over the Christmas period so I have taken more care about the affects the food I eat has on my body.  I have discovered triggers that I sort of knew were there, but confirmed them to myself after eating them.  I have one more investigation to go through which will happen in 12 days time, this one is to test the 3 polyps I have in my womb.
As I couldn't take part in the advent streak I have decided to take part in Jantastic. Which is to have at least 30 mins exercise everyday during January,  but it does continue into February and March. It officially begins on the 5th of January but I have started from the 1st. I have committed to 3 runs per week as well as 1 long distance bike ride, as well as swimming once a week. The reason I have taken the swimming on is because I am eyeing up my first triathlon in April. This is a monumental challenge for me, but one I have wanted to do for a while. During January I will concentrate on each activity trying to build up my strength. During February I will begin to bring them together so I can achieve the distances and also to grade my time scale.
As my jantastic challenge means I can do any activity I feel like for 30 mins, so at least I won't need to begin dropping days during hospital admissions and visits. Yoga is my new thing, well new isn't quite true as I first started yoga when I used the wii for my aerobics at home. I use youtube now and follow a lovely lady called Adrienne she sets out really simple routines that are injury free. 
So as of tomorrow I am out and about again, I am unsure of my entry to the GNR this year I will wait for the costing from my charity as the normal ballot fee has gone up by £13 which may not sound a lot. But unless you are at the front (which I am not) the chances of you gaining a personal best is slim, yes the atmosphere is unbelievable and it is the biggest half marathon in the world. But maybe after having a very serious injury after the GNR if it's worth risking it again. If I can achieve a triathlon and don't have many too bad after effects then I may take on the GNR, time will tell.

Behave yourselves during this month, don't do anything that makes you unhappy, be as bright as the frosty blue sky mornings.