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This fat girl runs, breathes and believes

This Fat Girl Runs

Well, here goes my attempt at a training log!

Firstly, a little bit about myself: I'm 38, I'm overweight. Honestly, I am! I’m not a skinny girl bemoaning a few added pounds here and there; I really am a fat girl! Also, when I say 'fat' it's not a put-down, it's just a description! I live in Dublin, work full time and have a cat who I love very much. When I'm not running or working, I love to read and usually have 4 or 5 books on the go. I am also never without music and my earphones.

I started running in July of 2013, and since then I've gone from being barely able to run 100m, to running 5km three times a week. I've run in 7 races so far with two more planned for 2014.

I am very active on twitter (same user name if you want to find and follow me) and also have a website (again, same name). You can see those contact details in my boards profile too.

I have two goals at the moment (as of 1st November 2014):

I want to run a sub-40 5k (my current time is 40-44mins).
I ran/walked the Flora Women's Mini-Marathon this year, and for next year my goal is to run the 10k non-stop.

I'm starting this training log both as a way to remind myself of where I've been and focus on where I'm going with my running goals, and also maybe to help motivate and inspire others who might have a similar story to mine.

I'll be updating this first post as I achieve my goals and make new ones!

A word on my eating habits: I cook for myself and avoid processed foods. I eat bread rarely. I cook with lentils, chickpeas and rice more often than pasta. I eat 5 small meals a day. I don't use sugar and only the occasional sprinkle of salt. I only drink water (up to 3L a day), and have two cups of decaf coffee every weekday but do have milk with breakfast. I gave up chocolate about 2 and a half years ago. I don't eat crisps, cakes or cookies. I also don't drink carbonated drinks. I am working on getting my carb:protein ratio balanced, which is a struggle because I do love carbs! I do treat myself occasionally but in moderation. I drink alcohol rarely. Anyway, so that's an overview of where my food habits are!

(Also, "Breathe, breathe, believe" is my favourite running mantra from a favourite song of mine; in case you are wondering about my thread title!)

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This Fat Girl Runs

hillsiderunner wrote: »

Good luck for next weeks 5k!

Thank you!

I missed my run this morning - woke up with an upset stomach. I did try to get up and dressed but decided it would be better to rest.

Still feeling queasy but hopefully it will settle down soon!

8532110

Run forest run!

hillsiderunner

Good luck for next weeks 5k!

This Fat Girl Runs

I'm feeling really strong and capable lately with my running, and this week was a really good one. I covered 21k in 4 days of running, I'm getting stronger at lifting weights and feeling much more confident about the goals I want to achieve.

Monday 24th November
Monday’s are my short/slow runs because I also have a one hour workout with my trainer the same day. Today, both run and workout went well.
Distance: 3.08km
Time: 26:44

Tuesday 25th November
Tuesdays will be a longer run, 6k for now…simply because I can! I still need to nail down a route that is closer to 6k and not going too much over.
Distance: 6.20km
Time: 52:45

Thursday 27th November
During the week I decided to try for an 8k run on Saturday, so today instead of the planned 6k I went 4.
Distance: 4.05km
Time: 34:45

Saturday 15th November
I got a bit of a lie in today but still went in the morning for my run. I learned alot from today's run, including a few things I won't do again in a hurry! But very happy with my result, even if I did have to stop a few times mid-run. In addition to my run I did a one-hour workout with my trainer, concentrating on weights.
Distance: 8.02k
Time: 1:07:46

For next week I'm planning pretty much the same schedule, except that my long run on Saturday will be a 5k race! I might turn Tuesday's 6k into a 4k though.

This Fat Girl Runs

Firedance wrote: »

Here's some info on the 10% rule, its per week though, you're heading the right direction so keep it up.
http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/10-percent-rule

Brilliant! Thanks! I got conflicting info when I googled so went on the side of caution. 10% per week it is then!

Firedance

This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »

I know that you're not supposed to increase your distance by more than 10% each month, (or so says the general rule?) so for the coming week I'm going to adjust my route so I'm running at 6k twice a week (Monday's being the shorter run). The last thing I want to do is overdo it!

Here's some info on the 10% rule, its per week though, you're heading the right direction so keep it up.
http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/10-percent-rule

This Fat Girl Runs

I've been running just over 5k on a pretty consistent basis lately, so this week I wanted to try upping that to 6k. I ended up missing the mark completely, but all in all I'm happy with my results as I ran a negative split on a 6.5k.

Monday 17th November
Today was a recovery run so I kept it short and slow. I also had a one hour workout with my trainer, doing weights and pilates.
Distance: 3.15km
Time: 26:49

Wednesday 19th November
Today I wanted to try for 6km. I thought I knew my usual route well enough to hit my target, so I was very surprised and disappointed that I hadn’t. I was also a lot slower than usual but that wasn’t on purpose. I guess I was still in recovery mode!
Distance: 5.48km
Time: 47:43

Friday 21st November
Trying for 6km again, I accidentally ran further! I also ran faster, and ended up with a negative split! All this on about an hours sleep as I’d had insomnia the night before!
Distance: 6.48km
Time: 54:53

Saturday 15th November
A lot of walking around today as I was quite busy, but I don’t count that towards my training log. I did have a one hour workout with my trainer, doing 45 minutes weights and pilates and 10 minutes spinning.
Distance: 6k (spinning)
Time: 10:06 (spinning)

I know that you're not supposed to increase your distance by more than 10% each month, (or so says the general rule?) so for the coming week I'm going to adjust my route so I'm running at 6k twice a week (Monday's being the shorter run). The last thing I want to do is overdo it!

Hannibal Smith

Hah! You just popped up on my fb news feed. ..mo running are sharing your story with the world!

shortstuff!

Well done on the PB, you smashed it!! Love your race report, you've a real talent for words:)

BeerTrixPotter

Congrats on the 5km PB and good luck with the 10km target.

Dubgal72

Fantastic, nearly had me in tears reading your PB account! Well done, you well and truly smashed it :-)

This Fat Girl Runs

Thank you very much for the kind comments and best wishes!

Chivito550 wrote: »

Just curious, how did you get nearly 2000 followers on Twitter? I'm impressed.

I'm not even sure myself! I'm very humbled and amazed that people are following me; when I first joined twitter I had no idea how many awesome runners and people I would get to know! It's been brilliant

Emer911

Congrats on the PB and good luck with the log!

Chivito550

Just curious, how did you get nearly 2000 followers on Twitter? I'm impressed.

Firedance

Best of luck with the log & the training, ill be following with interest too, go girl!

SamforMayo

Well done, build up slowly to your 10 km goal and your 5 km time will fall naturally.

Ososlo

This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »

Thank you! I can only imagine but I'm determined it will be even faster!

Keep going as you are and progressing the time on your feet and adding a bit of intensity gradually and you'll be running sub 30 no bother.
Well done again and have a great week of training next week.

This Fat Girl Runs

This week was one of the highlight weeks of my year! This week I was preparing for a 5k race on Saturday. It was a race which was significant for me, as I was going to try and run my goal time of under 40 minutes, something I had never achieved before. I am delighted to say that I did it! For more on that you can check out my website (link to same in my profile page) if you want.

Monday 10th November
A planned 5k for me today, last one before my race on Saturday. I felt good, strong and energetic but I still ran it fairly slowly.
Distance: 5.10km
Time: 44.50

Wednesday 12th November
Last run before Saturday's race. A slow and easy 3k.
Distance: 3.37km
Time: 28:45

Thursday 13th November
One hour workout, weights (upper body/arms) and core work. No spinning as I wanted to save the legs for Saturday.

Saturday 15th November
A very busy day in terms of activity! The highlight was the race, and running it in my target time. I then walked home from the race and also had a one hour workout with my trainer (45 minutes weights/core + spinning).
Distance: 5km + 5km (walk) + 6k (spinning)
Time: 38.29 (PB!) + 50 mins (approx) + 10mins

Now that I hit one of my goals (see my introduction), my next goal is to run 10k without stopping or walking. I'm feeling really confident, and strong and determined so I know I can do it! I'm going to take all the advice I've been given on running a faster pace (different thread) and apply that to my weekly runs. I'm looking forward to pushing my limits and seeing just what I'm capable of! Thank you, everyone, for your support and encouragement thus far!

Ososlo wrote: »

I read the report on your running blog from today. Big big congratulations. That's great improvement to see within a year. Imagine what time you'll be running this time next year!!!

Thank you! I can only imagine but I'm determined it will be even faster!

Ososlo

I read the report on your running blog from today. Big big congratulations. That's great improvement to see within a year. Imagine what time you'll be running this time next year!!!

This Fat Girl Runs

This was a kind of up and down week for me but in the end all is well and I feel good!

Monday 3rd November
After a fantastic rest day on Sunday I was ready to start the week with another early morning run! Felt myself lagging a bit and noticed my hamstring feeling a bit strained so, it was a bit of a struggle!
Distance: 5.08km
Time: 44.20

Wednesday 5th November
Nothing special about today, although I went for a shorter run as I felt I was overdoing it a bit lately. I’ve been foam rolling and stretching though.
Distance: 3.11km
Time: 27:42

Friday 7th November
Back to 5km today which felt really good. I also went for a 4k walk afterwards! (long story!). Hamstrings seem fine, thankfully!
Distance: 5.12km + 3.97km (walk)
Time: 43:08 + 42.50

Saturday 8th November
35 minute spinning session + 20 minutes abs workout.
Distance: 18.4km (spinning)
Time: 35:56

Next week: I will be preparing for a 5k race

This Fat Girl Runs

Ososlo wrote: »

Best of luck. Delighted to see you start the log. I'll be following with interest. Sounds like you have bucket loads of determination so I'd say you're in it for the long haul;)

Thank you! Feels pretty awesome to say I've been a runner for over a year so yeah, I'm definitely going to keep at it!:D

Ososlo

Best of luck. Delighted to see you start the log. I'll be following with interest. Sounds like you have bucket loads of determination so I'd say you're in it for the long haul;)

This Fat Girl Runs

This was a brilliant week for my running! Was very inspired by the Dublin Marathon, I PB'd a 5 mile and also ran my first ever negative spilt.

Monday 27th October
Today was the Dublin Marathon, and I ended up walking over 10km as I cheered at various spots around the city. With the walking and standing I was on my feet for over 7 hours, but it was worth it as the buzz from the race was amazing! It's always such a inspiration to cheer at the marathon!
Distance: 10.1km
Time: 2.30.00

Tuesday 28th October
I wasn't planning to run this morning, after the day of walking and standing previously. But I was in such a good mood and woke up early anyway, I thought what the hey!
Distance: 5.02km
Time: 44.25

Thursday 30th October
Another early morning run, nothing special to report. A little slower than usual though.
Distance: 5.33km
Time: 46.43

Saturday 1st November
Long run today, planned for 8km. Up early to fuel and hydrate, out the door early. Ended up PB'ing my 5 mile time by 3.06 minutes, and ran my first ever negative split.
Distance: 8.03km
Time: 1:08:06

Also, did a one hour workout, doing pilates and light weight lifting focusing on my arms and back.

Sundays are rest days so that's me for the week!