Today was my first run in about 6 weeks, I ambitiously went for the full 5 mile run around Hyde Park, which considering the temperature outside (29 deg C) turned out to be the best idea as it kept me in the shade for most of my run.
As I've been out of it for a while I was nice to myself and only ran about half of the distance, walking the rest. It was hard work and I was definitely feeling it by the end - the heat really didn't help. But then neither did the blisters I developed about half way round, but I chose to finish it and deal with the consequences when I was done. I'm all bandaged up now so no serious damage done there.
All in all I'm pleased with my run today, I pushed myself without being stupid about it.
The plan for this next week will be to go for a run Tuesday morning before work - approximately 2 miles. Then on Thursday evening I hope to run in a club organised 5k race after work in the evening, followed by a run with the club on Saturday morning. I'm currently entered in for a 5 mile race on Sunday, but we shall see how I'm doing by then.
I'm a member of the Serpentine Running Club (see link at the side). It's my hope that between them, the running club at my work and the internet I can get all of the information and support I need to train for the marathon, but if I don't feel I'm getting ready in time I may resort to using a personal trainer, but we shall see - they're expensive!
Sunday 27 June 2010
Weekly Weigh-in - 27/06/10
This is my first weigh-in as part of my marathon training. Impressively after spending two weeks on holiday in America eating whatever I wanted I've managed to lose a bit of weight, I'm guessing it must have been all of the walking.
My starting weight is: 73.8 kg (162.7 lbs).
My target weight is approx. 60 kg (132.3 lbs) but we'll see how I'm looking when I approach that weight, I've been "too skinny" before and don't want to do that again. So if need be as I approach marathon day and as my training intensifies I will speak to the nutritionist we have supporting our charity team and get them to bulk me up some.
Still to lose - 13 kg (30 lbs).
The aim for the next 10 months will be to weigh-in first thing every Sunday morning.
My starting weight is: 73.8 kg (162.7 lbs).
My target weight is approx. 60 kg (132.3 lbs) but we'll see how I'm looking when I approach that weight, I've been "too skinny" before and don't want to do that again. So if need be as I approach marathon day and as my training intensifies I will speak to the nutritionist we have supporting our charity team and get them to bulk me up some.
Still to lose - 13 kg (30 lbs).
The aim for the next 10 months will be to weigh-in first thing every Sunday morning.
Saturday 26 June 2010
Why I'm running for Hearing Dogs
When I was a child I was inspired by the story "Sounds like Skipper" by Kerena Marchant. In it the author, a BBC TV researcher, tells how she adjusted to being deaf, and explains how Skipper, her hearing dog, lets her lead a normal life. It was my first introduction to the concept of hearing dogs and it demonstrated to me the profound impact they can have in the life of a hearing impaired person.
Hearing dogs are trained to help severely deaf people by alerting them to sounds such as the doorbell, cooker timer and smoke alarm - sounds that many hearing people take for granted.
While the practical value may be obvious, the therapeutic value should not be underestimated. In addition to increased security hearing dogs bring their recipients increased confidence and independence to what can be a very frightening and isolating disability.
When out and about a hearing dog's special burgundy jacket helps others to recognise the owner's otherwise invisible disability. If you're in a crowded space and someone is stood in your way after you've repeatedly asked to get past how many of you would just barge past? I know that after spending 2 years in London I definitely would. However if you saw they had an assistance dog you'd no doubt approach the situation differently.
One in seven UK adults will suffer from some form of hearing impairment, some from birth, others as the result of an accident or illness. My father is supposed to wear a hearing aid - he had frequent ear infections as a child, resulting in ruptured eardrums, followed by a career as a diver which has left him with reduced hearing. I inherited his proneness to ear infections and in certain situations I'm reminded that my hearing has also been affected - especially in noisy environments where I struggle to make out specific sounds. While neither of us requires a hearing dog over half a million of people in the UK experience severe or profound hearing loss and could potentially benefit from having a hearing dog.
75% of hearing dogs were previously unwanted - they may have been in rescue centres or donated by people no longer able to look after them. The remainder are supplied by breeders, or the charities own breeding program. Since the charity receives no government funding, it relies totally on the generosity of individuals and organisations to continue transforming the lives of deaf people.
I hope you will agree that this is a worthy cause and donate whatever you can - Thank you in advance!
Hearing dogs are trained to help severely deaf people by alerting them to sounds such as the doorbell, cooker timer and smoke alarm - sounds that many hearing people take for granted.
While the practical value may be obvious, the therapeutic value should not be underestimated. In addition to increased security hearing dogs bring their recipients increased confidence and independence to what can be a very frightening and isolating disability.
When out and about a hearing dog's special burgundy jacket helps others to recognise the owner's otherwise invisible disability. If you're in a crowded space and someone is stood in your way after you've repeatedly asked to get past how many of you would just barge past? I know that after spending 2 years in London I definitely would. However if you saw they had an assistance dog you'd no doubt approach the situation differently.
One in seven UK adults will suffer from some form of hearing impairment, some from birth, others as the result of an accident or illness. My father is supposed to wear a hearing aid - he had frequent ear infections as a child, resulting in ruptured eardrums, followed by a career as a diver which has left him with reduced hearing. I inherited his proneness to ear infections and in certain situations I'm reminded that my hearing has also been affected - especially in noisy environments where I struggle to make out specific sounds. While neither of us requires a hearing dog over half a million of people in the UK experience severe or profound hearing loss and could potentially benefit from having a hearing dog.
75% of hearing dogs were previously unwanted - they may have been in rescue centres or donated by people no longer able to look after them. The remainder are supplied by breeders, or the charities own breeding program. Since the charity receives no government funding, it relies totally on the generosity of individuals and organisations to continue transforming the lives of deaf people.
I hope you will agree that this is a worthy cause and donate whatever you can - Thank you in advance!
My First Post
Hi, thank you for visiting my blog. I'm Eleanor Macklin, (or Ellie as some of you may know me). For the past two years since graduating University I've been living in London, working and traveling and I thought it was high time I set myself a new challenge.
I started running halfheartedly while I was at University (Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh has a beautiful campus!) and now that I live in London I have the fantastic privilege to go for a morning jog around Hyde Park. When I get fit enough I'll be able to go running past such landmarks as the houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Number 10 Downing Street. I really have caught the running bug and so the "logical" challenge to set myself was to run the London Marathon. I've secured my place for next year - 2011, running for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People - a very worthy charity. This blog will be a record of my training progress.
Of course the added benefit is that next May, a month after the Marathon I will be getting married and so hopefully the training process will get me looking my absolute best in time for my big day. I hope to lose about 13kg (28 lbs) over the course of my training - one of the parameters I'll be recording on this blog.
At the present moment I have been out of running for about 6 weeks due to an injury sustained while horse riding, however my current running pace is about 12 minutes/mile and before my break I was running about 10 miles a week on average.
My end goal is to complete the marathon - I'm not aiming for any record breaking times, just to get across that finish line. However I am hoping to complete it in approximately 5 hours - less if possible.
I started running halfheartedly while I was at University (Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh has a beautiful campus!) and now that I live in London I have the fantastic privilege to go for a morning jog around Hyde Park. When I get fit enough I'll be able to go running past such landmarks as the houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Number 10 Downing Street. I really have caught the running bug and so the "logical" challenge to set myself was to run the London Marathon. I've secured my place for next year - 2011, running for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People - a very worthy charity. This blog will be a record of my training progress.
Of course the added benefit is that next May, a month after the Marathon I will be getting married and so hopefully the training process will get me looking my absolute best in time for my big day. I hope to lose about 13kg (28 lbs) over the course of my training - one of the parameters I'll be recording on this blog.
At the present moment I have been out of running for about 6 weeks due to an injury sustained while horse riding, however my current running pace is about 12 minutes/mile and before my break I was running about 10 miles a week on average.
My end goal is to complete the marathon - I'm not aiming for any record breaking times, just to get across that finish line. However I am hoping to complete it in approximately 5 hours - less if possible.
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