Braving the pouring rain and freezing cold in running shoes, shorts, my anorak and Ipod!

Today I just proved the ultimate test of dedication... I hadn't been for a run in 2 days and I was dying to get out an go, but it was absolutely FREEZING outside and pouring bucketloads of rain. I decided to suck it up and get out and go anyway. I was definitely motivated by Caitlin's blogposts on running in less-than-desirable conditions on her blog HealthyTippingPoint.com (which is an awesome blog by the way, I strongly recommend you check it out).

So I borrowed my mothers new red Anorak (second hand), put on my tiny running shorts, laced up my running shoes and off I went! 

WELL, let me tell you..

I. Got. WET. That anorak was most definitely NOT water proof, I felt like I was running through a constant full-force shower! I was able to wring-out my running shorts at the end haha and my shoes had a pond in each. When I was running, I originally tried to avoid puddles because I wanted to reduce wet-feet as much as possible, and I was going pretty well till I got about 1.5k's in and I stepped in what I thought was a very shallow and safe puddle, and actually ended up being a good 2 inches deep. Good stuff lol.

So for the rest of the 5k I gave up caring, despite the fact that the amount of water was so great that it felt like I was running with weights attached to my ankles.

Nevertheless, I ran the fastest 5k I have ever run before! I clocked it in 33 minutes!! That's a new PR! I was so so happy. I'm not entirely sure what caused my huge boost of energy so I was able to knock so much time off, It could've been a number of things:

1. Super-food sushi for lunch

2. Day days rest from any intense exercise

3. A good 11 hours of sleep last night

4. Freezing my butt off and dripping from head to toe with water and just wanting to get home.

Hmmm, probably a combination of all four I'd say?

Either way, I was very VERY pleased, and that just made it more worthwhile having run in such icky conditions.

I find that if I rest for longer than 2 days, I tend to lose motivation, so I try not to go more than two days without running because I forget what the endorphins feel like and I get just a little too comfortable with being lazy, which isn't good.

I think that by setting long-term fitness goals though, that will help me stay motivated to keep running.

Once I got back from running, I removed all my wet clothing, stretched in front of the nice warm fire, showered, then did some weights to help strengthen my arms. I just used a 1kg today.

Oh! Something I've forgotten to mention thus far, I found out some wonderful news yesterday which completely lightened my mood considering that I had a really terrible day and I was generally miserable the entire time.

I made it into Year 12 P.E Elite!!!

I can't believe I did it! Considering I didn't take P.E this year, I am so lucky to have been academically successful enough to prove that I am capable.

Ms Dobben, the Head Of Department for P.E said that she felt I was well capable and that the motivation was there and she expects me to do well. I was so proud that she has that level of faith in me as an athlete, that that alone is enough to keep me going.

I couldn't thank her enough.

P.E Elite will offer so many opportunities in sport which will be so beneficial to me and will also look fantastic on my application to Wintec in November of next year.

An example of and awesome opportunity we're offered is a two day Ski Trip! I love skiing and I haven't been in four years! Next year will make that five, so I'm so excited at the prospect of being able to attend that.

Anyway, I just sent an email to the local newspaper, the Whakatane Beacon, asking them to consider the possibility of letting me write an entertainment article for them. I feel I'm capable and I outlined the reasons why I thought I would be good for the job.

I was inspired to do this after reading one of the blog posts from HealthyTippingPoint about being afraid to ask for things.

I found it really thought-provoking, and instantly decided that I was going to do something I've been meaning to do for months, request permission to write an article for the local newspaper.

I would love the experience and the exposure it would give me, also the pride I would get from knowing I am good enough to have my work published locally.

That's a step in the right direction towards my ultimate goal of being a healthy eating/fitness blogger and journalist.

Lastly, eats for today included:

Homemade raw Granola and Milk for breakfast with a coffee (of course!),

Walnuts and Almonds plus and Apple for Interval

Marmite on Wholegrain bread, an Apple and four pieces of AWESOME sushi for lunch

and Lean beef with brown rice and peanut sauce for dinner.

nom nom nom!

:)

Goodnight everybody. x

Anorexics + My heart break coping mechanism.

I heard the most disgusting thing the other day, my friend told me about a few girls at my school who have begun starving themselves to lose weight. This topic of discussion arose because I mentioned a noticeable loss of weight in one of the girls, to which my friend informed me of her "effective" diet regime. I couldn't believe it. I am so disgusted by the prospect of people STARVING themselves to achieve weight loss. I can barely look at her now. 
I just find it so damn frustrating that there are some people out there who are so stupid and naive, that instead of developing a healthy eating plan, combined with exercise, they eat NOTHING! Hoping to lose a few kgs!
Look: Is it really worth it??

IT IS SO BAD FOR YOU! AND, you end up looking disgusting! It affects your physical appearance in terms of skin complexion, hair, teeth etc. It is awful to feeling a constant hunger, and have it be so intense, ALL THE TIME. If affects your sleep because you're so hungry, it affects your concentration because your brain can't function properly without adequate fuel, your muscles don't work properly because you have a severe lack of energy.
Not to mention that usually, it makes you look bloated because your stomach has no food to digest.
Also, i have never in my entire life met a guy who finds girls that thin attractive at all. Most of them, in fact will proudly admit that they love a bit of booty/curve to a woman!
When you go on diets such as these, or other ridiculous plans where you change your eating habits for a certain amount of time to lose a bit of weight, what people fail to realize is that the second you start eating normally again, you'll gain all the weight back on! That is why it is so important to simply eat a healthy balanced diet with food from all the different food groups, incorporated with regular exercise and you will be a happy, healthy being.
I know what i'd rather choose... obviously.
Another girl my friend told me about, I was so, SO disappointed to hear that she wasn't eating, because she's always been such a beautiful, confident girl who's so sure of herself and "doesn't care what other people think"... Well obviously she does.
I think my school need to make a bigger deal about this type of thing. It's generally just "swept under the carpet" and not dealt with, when during teen years, it is absolutely paramount that this issue is addressed.
I intend to see the Deputy Principle about it and ask them to somehow address this and see if we can't get a message through the heads of those stupid and naive enough to believe that the healthy way to be is by not feeding themselves.


Anyway, on to my next point which is that of my coping mechanisms when I'm upset... which i was rather a little while ago.
It seems funny to me that over the last couple of months, i seemed to have developed a new technique to help me deal with grief/heart break etc. Instead of curling up in a little ball and bawling my eyes out like I use to or binge drinking for a week like a mate of mine use to, I set fitness goals.
I sit there, more determined than ever, and set a bunch of goals and start planning the actions i will need to help them become a success. I spose it just gives me something to concentrate all my energy on... Stops me from becoming a hermit or something. I'm quite glad that this is how i react now. it kinda gives all the bad shit a silver lining..
Here's the list i wrote out about half an hour ago when I was very very upset, it's kinda like my fitness bucket list:


1. Start doing weights regularly at the gym.
2. Take up boxing.
3. Learn to surf.
4. Do yoga everyday for at least 30 minutes.
5. Win school x-country one year.
6. Scuba dive.
7. Run a half marathon.
8. Run a full marathon.
9. Do a triathlon
10. At some stage in my life, become a yoga instructor.
11. Become a black belt in martial arts/martial arts expert.


Having these long-term goals to work towards helps me stay focused and think of the positive. It gives me a genuine reason to get out of bed when all i want to do is curl up and cry.
I run a lot when i'm sad. It helps me run out all the pain.. I just run until i can't run anymore and my chest feels like it's about to burst, and my knees feel like they're going to snap and my body is so covered in sweat, it feels as though i've been drained of all liquid.
That is the best therapy for me. I truly helps me cope with shit.


What helps you deal with emotional strain?
What would you have on your bucket list?


xoxo