Magoo222

First parkrun completed! New 5k PB, 27:42, smashing my previous best of 35:00 (which was admittedly a bit off, I'd run ~6k in that time since, but because it's not 5k it apparently doesn't count according to Garmin?) 318th overall, 247th male. Good fun, I'll definitely be going back there whenever I can from now on!

Wow, can't believe it's been a week since I last posted! And because of that, it probably won't surprise anyone to learn it's not been a good week...! I don't think I've logged into MFP once since I lost my streak (strange how something so simple can knock you off?) I went for a run last Saturday, complete with stretching, but have been so busy at work that I've not run since. I'm planning to do my first ParkRun tomorrow morning, this is the first time I've been at home at a weekend and not drinking on a Friday night in months, so I may as well make the most of it! On the subject of stretching, I've just signed up for the NF Yoga Classes - Not sure if anyone else in here has, I'll have a read of all the posts I've missed shortly! Just logged into my fitbit dashboard to see how the sleep has been going: Sun - 23:46 Mon - 01:00 Tues - 00:54 Weds - 00:37 Thurs - 01:28 I'm not sure if that's caused by stress, excess coffee, being out of sync (so sleeping later, then not being tired) or a combo of them all, but I need to break it really. Summary time: Stretches: 1/1 (9/9 total) Bedtimes: 0/7 (6/21 total) MFP: 0/7 (13/21 total)

Today was a sad day... I lost my streak on MFP. Just logged in now to update my food for the day, and realised I'm 10 minutes too late. I also missed my first stretch session this week. I went for a run before work on Tuesday morning, but it was only a short 30 minute one. I wasn't really feeling it all the way around, I've gotten very bored of the local park, it used to take me 30 mins to run a lap whereas now I can do about 1.25 laps - Yay, until it comes to walking home afterwards and I have to walk further. So I did the run, got in, made coffee and breakfast. showered etc. and was on my way to work before I realised I'd not done any stretching. Sleep - Well that's been laughable. Work has been busy again, so I'm not getting home until 7 at the earliest. By the time I've run and eaten my wind down alarm is going off within the hour, so I'm just ignoring it. I've decided that this weekend will be the last weekend I drink before doing my HM, which is in about 8 weeks time. Partly to lose a bit more weight, and to save some money! I've got tickets for the cricket and rugby world cup so I'm allowing myself some leeway there, but no more drinking at home or going to the pub mid-week certainly. I'm also cutting back on the coffee again, after my last challenge I went back on it hard, for the last 3 weeks I've had a large Americano from Starbucks every weekday (it's subsidised at work, but it all mounts up) In better news, I started guitar lessons properly this week, and I've been thrown in the deep end with learning the intro to Johnny B Goode! My fingers are a bit sore as I'm typing this, but I'm loving it!

Quite a busy week this week, so haven't been able to post as often as I'd have liked, but I've been checking in on others' progress still!! So, quick update: Monday I had a guitar lesson, and no running scheduled, so that was a pretty chilled out evening. Tuesday and Thursday I played squash (stretched before and after - and went to the pub after one game...!) Tues and Thurs were meant to be 30 mins easy runs, so I didn't feel too bad about skipping them. Wednesday I played 9 holes of golf, which combined with the two squash games left me with a rather sore elbow. Weds was meant to be interval training, which I missed. Again. I've missed quite a few interval sessions now, and whilst I'm not really struggling with the distances involved in my training I'm still finding I'm a bit slow, so I need to make sure I'm incorporating them more. Friday was another day off, I was stuck in work until 8 so just got home and crashed on the sofa. Saturday was meant to be hill running, I was off out in the afternoon so it was going to be a squeeze anyway, and then I found my watch was flat! So another missed workout, followed by lots of alcohol and pub food. Today I managed to fit in a ~8.9 mile run, and I'm feeling fine afterwards. I've got the foam roller out as we speak, and loosing off what I can whilst I type. I think I made it to bed once on time last week, and that was after playing golf when I got home with a terrible headache and couldn't face staying up. Some late squash games and just general faffing around meant that I failed here. I've set an alarm on my phone for 22:30, the idea being at that time I start getting ready and I'm tucked up by 23:00, but it comes around too early. Even now it's only an hour away, I've not eaten yet, nor made anything for lunch tomorrow. Not really sure how to get around this one, other than try harder! I've logged something into MFP every day, I know there are a few bits that are slipping through the cracks, but my diet this week has been terrible (although I still hit my macros somehow!!) I was talking to a friend about weighted training, as in putting a backpack with weights on when you go running, and she said she'd struggled adding 2.5kg. I then realised I was essentially already doing that, but with about 6.4kg of belly fat!?! I've also been out and treated myself today and joined the fitbit revolution! I'm interested in seeing what my sleep patterns are like more than anything. It's an expensive way of finding out, but I love gadgets...! Summary: Stretches: 3/3 (inc. 2 squash games) (8/8 total) Bedtimes: 1/7 (6/14 total) MFP: 7/7 (13/14 total)

A quick recap of week one: Nights in bed early - 5/7 Stretches/Runs - 5/5 (Including squash) Days Tracked - 6/7 Not a bad start, but room for improvement. Forced myself to bed early the last few nights, but I've ended up lying there wide awake and then not able to get up in a morning. I managed to get up and get moving at 6.30 today (compared to 9.15 yesterday!), but required quite a lot of coffee to do so, so we'll see how that affects me later. Just been onto MFP and added in all the food I could remember having. I know I've missed some bits out, but I'm getting better at remember that I need to do it (as in, I remember an hour afterwards, rather than a day later...!) Got another squash game later, so skipping my easy run again. Will make sure I stretch to keep up my results! They've released the route for the Birmingham Half Marathon this week too, between miles 11 and 12 is a f'*off hill. Thanks organisers.

I've done similar before when going to the supermarket, so that I remember what to buy! The problem I've got at the moment is, if I'm making something like spag bol, it'll be 500g of mince, 150g of onion, 200g of pepper etc. and then divided by 6 portions. So trying to do that on the app whilst cooking is a pain, it'd be cold or burnt by the time I'm done!! Managed to get back into MFP, I'm cheating a bit and block adding the food I remember eating over the last 3 days, but as I was mentally tracking it in that time (including the kebab at 2am!) I'll allow that. Did an 8 mile run today, so lots of stretching before and after. I think I'll get the roller out later when I'm sitting in front of the TV and really try and loosen everything up. Ideally will be in bed on time tonight, I'm pretty shattered after this weekend so seems like a perfect day to start improving that side of things!?!

Since you added me I've not been able to login, on my phone or on the PC!! What have you done!?! Friday was my rest day from running, so no need to stretch there, had a few too many beers though so I really couldn't face interval training and swapped in a nice slow 5k this morning! Stretched before and after, with a healthy breakfast... that I can't add for some reason. I'll have to try and work out what the problem is soon, I've got a bit of a record of my main meals, but it's all the in between snacks that I tend to forget. My sleep went well during the week, but last night I was up until 2am, and I'm off out again tonight, so I know those days will slip. Will have to try and properly get into a routine all next week.

I've recently been running with a friend a couple of times. He's far fitter than me, which is good as it pushes me, but I do find myself regretting inviting him at times! He's happy to run at my pace as he quite likes having someone to run with, but my running has become my "me" time (which considering I live alone it a bit strange, it's not like I'm running away from anyone), and he likes to chat to me whilst we're going. Mostly I just want to listen to music!?!

Have you come across JustinGuitar? He's got some great videos on there for free. I've bought a few of his song books too, he strips down songs into pretty straightforward chords. He does a beginner course on there, I'd really recommend it if you're looking to improve.

It's my challenge and I'll make it as demanding as I like!! Day 3/4 I tried posting this yesterday, but my iPad kept crashing when I tried logging in. Stayed up until about 11.45 messing trying to fix it, but I was in bed whilst doing it (with f.lux installed, don't worry!!) so I'm counting it as an in bed on time day. Tonight won't be as good as I only had dinner half an hour ago, and I've got some washing in, but hopefully midnight at the latest. Food wise, I've tracked everything yesterday in MFP, and today I've got a record that I've still got to update. I've been taking notes on my phone when weighing stuff and then adding it on my PC later. The app is useful, but it's far too slow and cumbersome to do full recipes on. Ironically, it's easier to track using the app if I eat junk food as it all has a barcode... I went for my run yesterday, stretched beforehand, and then got out the foam roller and really went for it on my calves whilst watching the cricket highlights. Woke up this morning feeling amazing, I should definitely do it more often. Had some squash coaching this evening, so skipped my run (it was a 30 min light run, so I've probably done more than intended anyway). Didn't do a lot of stretching afterwards, I just jumped in the shower then drove home. It was only a bit later when I was making dinner that I realised I hadn't done anything. So I'm counting that as 3 from 3 yesterday, and 2 from 3 today (unless I really rush around doing everything I need in the next 45 minutes!) Pretty decent start!

What guitars have you got? I've just signed up for some guitar lessons, I'm currently at the point where I own more guitars than I know chords (and I know a few chords... damn you eBay!) I find it's such a good hobby when I'm in the mood for it.

A bit late to the party, but well done on your Thunder Run! One thing I've learnt since I started running is the sheer variety of events on offer. Before I started I'd always just assumed it was 5k/10k/Half/Marathon, with the odd fancy dress fun run thrown in the mix. I'm definitely going to have to find a more "obscure" race in the next 6 months or so!

Depends on your RPG history to be honest, I'm always a fan of Discworld/old school Nintendo RPGs where everything is a loose play on words. The Broken Drum - It Can't be Beat!

I'm really not a fan of running in the heat, I remember last summer when we had the "heat wave" in the UK (which actually was quite warm to be fair) I'd start a run at 10pm and still be drenched in sweat, so great effort for doing it whilst you've been away! I always think that if you try and be *too* good on a holiday then it'll backfire longer term. I'm not saying you should splurge and binge, but it's meant to be a break from the norm to let you recover, both mentally and physically. Just think, if you keep this up (which you will!!!) when you go on holiday this time next year you won't have to worry about a bad week or two!

Day 2 - The fact I'm posting this at 11.30 should give you some idea of how well my plan to go to bed before 11 has gone. But I'm wide awake and know full well I'll just lie there, so my aim is to get up tomorrow morning as early as is sensible, and then force myself to stay awake, in theory making me tired tomorrow night and I'll then be in a good routine. It's practically fool proof, right? I did a little bit of stretching before and after my run today, it was only a light run so just did some calf stretches (my worst muscle for cramping up). Tomorrow I've got a squash game followed by interval training, so I'll really need to get myself warmed up for that.