Mini Marathon diary: Training with a view in the final week
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Wednesday May 27 2009
Wednesday May 27: Another week and yet another challenge to my routine. As mentioned last week, I had a weekend trip to Lisbon for work.
Knowing that the big mini-marathon day was ahead and not wanting to compromise my schedule, I opted to try what I affectionately call 'warm weather training'. Call it what you like but mastering what can only be described as a frustrated-looking doggy paddle for innumerable lengths early in the morning, after a night of indulgence, ain’t for the faint hearted. But I did it nonetheless. The long walks in searing heat on sandy beaches might sound pleasant in theory, but the reality is that dehydration hits and you begin to feel faint. I added high-altitude training to the mix when I got to Lisbon, as my suite was 15 floors up, overlooking the coastline, and I had a treadmill situated right at the window.
I can hardly believe that the event is just days away and I’ve spent 13 long weeks in training. I can say it has been a fun-filled adventure and I’ll take away some valuable lifestyle lessons. There is a myriad ways of training and getting fit, be it straight-forward running, cardio-kick or step classes, Pilates, weight-training or simply play acting in the park with children. Mustering the motivation and having the commitment to stick to a training schedule have been the biggest hurdles. Thereafter, it’s a case of keeping it as varied and fun as you can so that you stick to it - and even better - enjoy getting fit. Managing your diet and summoning the will-power to keep the cravings at bay takes great determination. There’s no magic solution and the only way it works is if you match calories consumed with calories burnt - boring but true. While I’m on a roll at the moment, I know only too well that I’m only one hangover away from falling off the good-food wagon. Here’s hoping it's not this week as there are only six days, and counting, left.
Elaine is running for her niece Sam. If you'd like to donate to Elaine's charity, email runningforsammy@gmail.com. You can find out more about Children's Interstitial Lung Disease at www.childfoundation.us.
- Elaine Roddy
