Motivation for Fatcats and possibly for chumlies of Fatcats!
Huzzah, my ankle is better, and by better I mean it's holding up over a hilly sort of run of about 8k. Naturally j'suis un lobster and I was alarmed to see I was puffing and blowing like a common Jeremy Clarkson on my second and third kilometre, but then after that I felt pretty damn good actually, and on my last K I was tickity tock and had to slow myself lest I undo all the good work resting and complaining and rowing a stationary imaginary boat has done.
Now, some of you chumlies expressed an interest in running and general keep fit stuff so I thought -seeing as I'll be waffling on about it one way or another- I might post up a weekly thing here. A Motivation for Chumlies sort of thing. It's easier to keep track of your training if it's right there under you nose in ink, well, computer print, and since I can't imagine anyone would be bothered their arse making up running times and efforts I figure it's a good self shaming/motivation tactic.
It doesn't matter that we are in different countries, at different levels of fitness, are different ages or after different goals. What matters is we are a supportive sort of crew and that some exercise is better than none at all. Also I firmly believe no matter how out of shape or a novice you are you can improve. You all know that before I started training for the marathon I couldn't really run from here to the off licence, but on Oct 31st I ran 26 miles AND i did it with a stupid grin on my face.
There are tons of shorter runs and walk and hikes and longer runs between next year and now. I have signed on for the April fun run in the park here, it's a nice run 10k great atmosphere, and I've roped poor Country Gay into with me. So he'll be pretty much where I was this time last year, a complete novice. For myself I want to try gaining some speed and shaving time off my runs, so this will take a different sort of commitment. I also want to improve my gym work outs and what not.
I can put up a post every Saturday and we can put down what we did over the week, how we trained, distance, times, how we felt, what improvements we made-if any, any injury or equipment queries (without this site I would more than likely have damaged my knee when I started running in an old pair of sneakers). We can set out whatever goal we have in mind and work towards it. Mine is to do next year's marathon in under 5 hours, nothing terribly dramatic, but a goal nonetheless.
So there you have it. That's my idea.
Anyone in?
Now, some of you chumlies expressed an interest in running and general keep fit stuff so I thought -seeing as I'll be waffling on about it one way or another- I might post up a weekly thing here. A Motivation for Chumlies sort of thing. It's easier to keep track of your training if it's right there under you nose in ink, well, computer print, and since I can't imagine anyone would be bothered their arse making up running times and efforts I figure it's a good self shaming/motivation tactic.
It doesn't matter that we are in different countries, at different levels of fitness, are different ages or after different goals. What matters is we are a supportive sort of crew and that some exercise is better than none at all. Also I firmly believe no matter how out of shape or a novice you are you can improve. You all know that before I started training for the marathon I couldn't really run from here to the off licence, but on Oct 31st I ran 26 miles AND i did it with a stupid grin on my face.
There are tons of shorter runs and walk and hikes and longer runs between next year and now. I have signed on for the April fun run in the park here, it's a nice run 10k great atmosphere, and I've roped poor Country Gay into with me. So he'll be pretty much where I was this time last year, a complete novice. For myself I want to try gaining some speed and shaving time off my runs, so this will take a different sort of commitment. I also want to improve my gym work outs and what not.
I can put up a post every Saturday and we can put down what we did over the week, how we trained, distance, times, how we felt, what improvements we made-if any, any injury or equipment queries (without this site I would more than likely have damaged my knee when I started running in an old pair of sneakers). We can set out whatever goal we have in mind and work towards it. Mine is to do next year's marathon in under 5 hours, nothing terribly dramatic, but a goal nonetheless.
So there you have it. That's my idea.
Anyone in?
Labels: Run fatcat run.
posted by fatmammycat at 4:00 p.m.
34 Comments:
Miss Cat I’m baring in mind her that you think me an immature little imp but nevertheless I think your dedication is fantastic I am fairly fit myself but bottled the marathon half because of nerves but mostly because of cowardly-ness anyway my lil mofo bro and I are going to do it next year so we are definitely in, I still can’t master those fucking weights even though he tries gallantly to help me. Anyway in light of her youngest children’s efforts my mother moans relentlessly about how she could never exercise etc etc. She is not even 50 yet (Now before you give out I am not comparing you to a 50 year old). Plus she is a well educated professional it is not like she is not exposed to the benefits fitness. About 2-3 months ago I got her to read your blog. I went back through to when you talked about reaching 30 being unfit etc and then I showed her Motivation For Fatcats and such, ye get the gist I’m sure. Well I took Mammy off to the gym, with the “If YOU can do it SHE can do it” attitude. She has been going steadily now for the last 9ish weeks (early days) but she is loosing a little bit of weight, has more energy and seems happy. I probably sound odd or mental! But the point is I think the plans for regular motivation postings and tactics are just swell. Thanking you and have a nice weekend.
Miss Cat I’m baring in mind her that you think me an immature little imp but nevertheless I think your dedication is fantastic I am fairly fit myself but bottled the marathon half because of nerves but mostly because of cowardly-ness anyway my lil mofo bro and I are going to do it next year so we are definitely in, I still can’t master those fucking weights even though he tries gallantly to help me. Anyway in light of her youngest children’s efforts my mother moans relentlessly about how she could never exercise etc etc. She is not even 50 yet (Now before you give out I am not comparing you to a 50 year old). Plus she is a well educated professional it is not like she is not exposed to the benefits fitness. About 2-3 months ago I got her to read your blog. I went back through to when you talked about reaching 30 being unfit etc and then I showed her Motivation For Fatcats and such, ye get the gist I’m sure. Well I took Mammy off to the gym, with the “If YOU can do it SHE can do it” attitude. She has been going steadily now for the last 9ish weeks (early days) but she is loosing a little bit of weight, has more energy and seems happy. I probably sound odd or mental! But the point is I think the plans for regular motivation postings and tactics are just swell. Thanking you and have a nice weekend.
All righty then! We have a start up.
I'll do it.
Akshly but, I forgot to tell you this but the day you ran the marathon I plunged into a freezing cold outside, unheated pool at 8am and did a goose-pimply 20 lengths before turning Smurf blue and running in for the most delicious hot shower ever. I did it for solidarity, and then I forgot to tell you about it. All these frigid laps for flippen freezing nothing. Me's a chump.
I like the idea of a transcontinental cheering group. This is the perfect season for it too, especially for me, cos it's cooler here and if I ran in the morning it would be just fine. Summer in Ojai is too hot to do anything other than amble very slowly from ice-tea vendor to lemonade stand with perhaps a quick frolic under the garden hose in betwixt.
Excellent, and I thank you for the laps, you're truly tops and if you ever do manage to make it over this way I shall take you for the biggest gin-iest g&t I can lay my paws on.
Good idea, FMC.
Yesterday I walked for an hour with Jack.
He moves pretty slow but it was an hour.
Maybe by the time you post the next "motivation for Fatcats and Chumlies" I will have finally joined the gym. I'll make it a goal.
Awesome. You're in toots. I won't be putting the first one up until Saturday week. You should have a look around and see if there is anything coming up that tickles your fancy. Helps with the motivation on those cold snowy days. (still jealous)
Great idea! I'm hoping for a Spring marathon (maybe Paris/ Rotterdam), will join in!
Weee, I hear the paris marathon is fabulous and the course is supposed to be stunning. Well done! You'll be brilliant. Do you run up with the elites now? ( bows)
...or log it through traineo by setting up a group?
http://www.traineo.com/
Okay, I'm in. But bear in mind my workouts will be lame compared to yours. Especially as the winter darkness makes getting up early so difficult (I cannot get up in the dark) so my workouts will mostly happen on the weekends and those rare days when I manage to get up early or throw myself at the elliptical after work.
Great idea FMC. Count me in! I got sick of all the time lost driving to the gym so I canceled my membership and I've set up my own little gym in the basement. All I really did at the gym was row and a teensy bit of weight training. I do enjoy rowing, so after Christmas I plan on getting a Concept 2, but for now I'm just working on weight training as well as hiking the hills in my neighborhood with my dogs.
welcome aboard lovely ladies. No workouts shall be considered lame and dog walking is HIGHLY recommended.
BBB I'll take a gander and thanks for the link.
Great stuff FMC! Look forward to your posts and hope to join in in some shape or form, and not just vicariously this time!
Alright honey you're in!
If I was a car I wouldn't get a warrant of fitness due to a dodgy back (an operation in my teens resulting in some wiring being inserted, chased up by another in my twenties - after I tumbled from my brother's shoulders at a ball- to remove wiring which I had managed to snap! In short - my back is royally screwed and it hurts a lot, even though i pretend it doesn't.) So that, coupled with the fact I am sensationally lazy means the only exercise I ever get is my half hour walk to work. Until a week ago when I embarked on a swimming regime. Thought my first goal would be six measely lengths - managed 22 and in three sessions up to 30. Now terrified novelty will wear off - SO THIS IS A GOOD THING.
Oh and - whilst spending the best part of this morning getting hair maintenance - saw a beautiful Stella Mc Cartney emerald green dress in a mag. Couldn't tell you what it looked like as the model was lying down. Colour great though. Could be worth checking out though.
First, cheers for the dress spotting, and how bloody stupid is it to have models lying down. Most people don't lie down in their dresses
Second, eek on the back and all right LK! I am a terrible swimmer, truly terrible, so I am MIGHTILY impressed with 30 lengths, how in the name of marmalade can you do it without swallowing half the bloody pool?
Liking the taste of chlorine would help a lot. And the smell. Unfortunately I don't like either. Why chlorine makers have never got Clarins on board is a complete mystery to me.
great idea, and as a former marathon runner myself, I'll be here keeping an eye on things
I'm in.
I'll do my best to run from here to the off licence.
(sorry darling ;)
*Puts the doughnut down...slowly*
Okaaaaay then..where do I sigh..I mean sign up? *sigh*
i'm in. i've started the 'couch to 5k' program about three weeks ago, meaning i've hit that spot where all of a sudden my motivation flags and i begin to skip workouts. so this would really help out.
i ran a half marathon once, loved it, and kept telling myself 'i can skip my run today - i just ran in the half marathon!' until all of a sudden i had gained a couple of dress sizes and had trouble riding my bike to school.
Welcome in chumlies, one and all.
Devon, I'll be posting the first one up next satdee, anything you do this week make a record of it, what you did time and what not and post it up. Say whatever you like darling.
Daisy Mae well done. It's easy enough to skip training, especially when the weather gets miserable, so fair play to you for the turn around.
I must tell my son about your blog. He has always loved running over the years but not more than half marathons. He has recently started running again after an ankle injury and I think he would find this encouraging.
BTW i don't run but as Sam has told you about her swimming I've just walked a very difficult 6.3 miles and got black toe nails in the process. Come and have a look if you don't believe me(at the walk not the toe nails:))
Pat, walking and swimming or yoga or biking, whatever makes you feel good, all perfectly acceptable here. If your moving and putting the effort in then you're in.
No photos of black toes required. I actually have one myself from the marathon and I am most worried that it will fall off. Bleee.
Jesus, this means that my half-ass goal of that 10k next June has to mean something.
I went too hard last summer after coming home from a 3-month stint in Dublin, and got "thigh splints"--no joke--before I mastered the 5k, had to spend weeks going super-easy and doing a biking-only routine, then took another trip to Dublin and left my trainers at home since I walked 3+ miles a day anyway, and now I'm back home and working back up to 2.5 miles/day, 5 days a week. Being a bit smarter about it this time, though, so there's a fair chance I'll do it without excruciating pain.
I didn't even know a person could GET thigh splints. Sounds very nasty. Well done for the June challenge.
Count me in! I joined the gym last Saturday week, have gone three times and love it so far despite the aches and sweats and general lobsterness.
You're a source of inspiration FitCat!
I couldn't run for a bus, but I'll chase after a few sheeps in your honour FMC.
I would but ... you know...
I'm with Twenty... must be a having a brand name thing, or age. If I manage to get back to the swimming I'll report for duty.
Fair enough so Conan.
I knew you wouldn't Major, it might balls up your pint lifting arm.
Caro and SW, well done.
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