"OK, you're a runner. Get over it"

I'm not normally one for responding to flame war provoking articles on the internet, but for this, I'll make an exception.

A few days ago, Chad Stafko wrote an article in the Wall Street Journal, which you can find here, wondering aloud why runners find it virtually impossible not to scream from the rooftops: "I'M A RUNNER!!! I RUN LOTS!!! LOOK AT ME!!!" (except put in a far much more articulate way, of course).

Go on, read it. I'll be right here waiting.

...

Read it? Good.

As you can imagine, the piece sparked outrage in the running community. There was even a rebuttal in Runners World, which quite frankly I found childish and quite cringeworthy.

So here's my rebuttal, which hopefully is fairly honest and actually assumes Mr Stafko actually has something going on between his ears, which the Runner's World piece sorely fails to do.

"What's with this infatuation with running and the near-mandatory ritual of preening about it?"

I'm not going to deny that there is a culture of "preening" (as Mr Stafko succinctly puts it) in the running community. Heck - I have a blog about it, I'm one of the worst offenders!

Medal selfie!

I like shouting my running achievements from the rooftops, and here's why: if you had told me 5 years ago that I would turn into a runner, I would have thought you were having a laugh. If you had told me two weeks into my Couch to 5k training that I would still be going strong over two years later, I would have said you were nuts.

Running is HARD. Sure, it gets easier, but it never gets easy. Running 10km is HARD. Running a marathon is HARD. So if I do something HARD, I want to give myself a little pat on the back, so I have the motivation to keep plugging away at it.

But it's not just the case with running. In 2006, I won the SBEA Award for the highest score in SQA Higher Administration in the country. That was HARD. Seven years later, I'm still riding that wave. That baby is still on my CV, I bring it up (semi)jokily in conversation whenever I can, and that little medal has pride of place on my shelf. Getting recognition for that award gave me the confidence I needed to study hard and get a First in my degree at uni (another achievement I'm proud of - sorry about that).

But you've got to celebrate your achievements. Whether it's mental, physical, whatever. If you don't find joy in your victories, then your life is going to be a long, hard and miserable road.

"When they're not out there sweating through the miles. they can relax with a running magazine... Runners World... Running Times, Trail Runner, Runner's Gazette and several others. Reading. About Running."

I like reading about my interests. Gosh, imagine that.

"Or these runners, when they're not running, can go shopping—at a running store...It sells only running equipment and apparel...This "equipment," of course, is nothing but shoes and clothes. You can buy these same shoes at a sporting-goods store or online, probably for much less...this apparel serves a clear purpose: We can look at them and immediately know that the person wearing it is a runner—perhaps even an accomplished one.

Here, Mr Stafko kind of has a point. You definitely can buy most things in a running store at online, or at another more general shop for much less.

Which is why I shop online, or in a more general sports shop, for my running gear.

Heck, it took me a over a year to actually get myself kitted out properly. And I certainly didn't get the stuff from a running store, when I could get it elsewhere for much cheaper.

Having said that, I do get my shoes from a running specialist. But thats not so I can smugly parade around town with my branded shopping bag looking like an accomplished runner, as Mr Stafko seems to believe.

The reason I go there for my shoes is because I have shitty feet. I need to get my gait analysed by a specialist, which are only found in these kind of shops, before I feel confident enough to make my purchase. Yes, it means the shoes are more expensive, but you are paying for that specific expertise. If it means I am going to avoid injury, then it's a premium I don't mind forking out for.

"Why would someone want to get up at 5 a.m. and run 10 miles...?"

Because I'm too shattered to go for a run after I come in from work. I do it first thing in the morning, because I actually have energy then and it's a great way to wake up.

Plus, I don't really fancy dying of a heart attack at 50.

"I have a theory. There is no more visible form of strenuous exercise than running. When runners are dashing down a street in the middle of town or through a subdivision, they know that every driver, every pedestrian, every leaf-raker and every person idly staring out a window can see them."

I don't know where Mr Stafko lives, but have you ever been outside at 5am?! The streets are DESERTED.

There's absolutely no one about. If I wanted to be seen by every Tom, Dick and Harry, I would choose a more "peak" time. And maybe consider putting some makeup on. The "halfway-through-a-run" look is not a pleasant sight.

So why do I not hide away in a gym and do my run on a treadmill to avoid offending people like Mr Stafko? Well, why the heck should I pay £25 a month to do something that I can do outside for free? That's what attracted me to running in the first place - you need hardly any equipment and don't need to drag yourself to a gym to do it.

"You can spot them, wandering through the mall or killing time at Starbucks, proudly wearing their "[Fill in the blank] 5K Run" T-shirts. They're getting what they want, without losing a drop of sweat."

If you spot me in a coffee shop with one of my old race t shirts, it doesn't mean I am showing off. It means I haven't done a wash cycle in a while and I am running out of actual clothes to wear. I will also be wearing my old, greying knickers.

"I saw a great new bumper sticker the other day. It read 0.0. I'll take one of those, please."

This makes me feel really sad. It suggest to me that Mr Stafko doesn't want to run, purely because he doesn't want to be seen as a "runner".

That is really such a shame, because running is a great way to keep fit and could probably do wonders for his health. Don't sacrifice quality of life for the sake of a couple of cultural differences!

Chad, if you read this, come and do a 5km with me. I'll show you how good it feels - then we can put a selfie of our sweaty faces up on Facebook afterwards. :)

This could be YOU, Chad!!!

Me after 45 minutes on the cross trainer

Sweaty is sexy, right guys...? :p

New Beginnings

I freaking love April.

Winter is well and truly behind us (well, in theory), the mornings are getting lighter, the days are getting warmer and I am feeling good.

Screw new year's resolutions - resolving to make a change for spring is where it's at, and here's why: there is a kind of hope attached to spring breaking that cannot be found at any other time of the year. With new blooms appearing, and the sunrise ready to greet me when I get up in the morning, it feels like the whole planet is awaking from a six month slumber.

Don't get me wrong, my ankle isn't completely better, but it is the best time of the year to start a new training plan. I went out for my first run yesterday in over two months, and boy it felt good.

Well, at the time. About 10 hours later the dreaded and inevitable DOMS set in (you know, when those muscles you haven't been using for a while go "remember us?!") so I've been walking like John Wayne most of the day, but I know it will pass.

The main concern is my ankle. I don't know if it is true or not, but a trainer once told me that the pressure equal to 8x your body weight passes through your foot every stride you take on a run. That's quite a hammering. So, I am starting out really really easy, only 15 minutes at a time, and then building up from there. The flare ups are to be expected, but I am trying to minimise them as much as I can.

In the meantime, so far so good. I'll keep you posted.

Why I Run

Just a short one today, I came across this pie chart (may or may not be wholly accurate) on why people run. It made me chuckle:

There's at least a couple of those reasons that resonate with me! How many do you identify with?

Exercises for a bangin' booty

I have a bit of a weakness.

Smelly stuff.

Tip of the iceberg - seriously. 

I have a fair collection of Soap and Glory stuff, so I thought I would show off my collection on my favourite mindless social network, Facebook. It was only a matter of time until one of my friends asked if I have tried "Sit Tight" - the brand's latest butt firming cream.

Whoo boy.

Now even during my pre-concentrate days, when I just sat behind a desk eating Wotsits and M&Ms, I would never have wasted my time on that stuff. First off, it is hella expensive (£16.50 for a tiny tub? No thanks) but secondly I couldn't see how rubbing a layer of cream on your skin could have an effect on the muscles deep underneath. Especially if it is buried under a mound of fat.

If you want a pert bum with a nice lift, ain't no cream or lotion or potion gonna do the work for ya. You've got to put the hard graft in yourself. Exercise (combined with a good diet, of course!) is your best bet at firming up your behind. And guess what? It doesn't have to cost you a penny.

Here's my favourite bun burners:

Squats

Lunges

Deadlifts

Hip Bridges

Donkey Kicks

Of course, all of these exercises come with the standard disclaimer: you can tone the muscles underneath, but you've got to burn the fat too. So be sure to pair with a healthy diet and a good dose of cardio (e.g. running, swimming etc) for best results!

Have I missed out your favourite bum exercise? Tell me in the comments!

Exercise Sites That I am Loving Right Now

Hey everyone!

So I'm nearly through with No Run February, and even though my ankle is feeling better (I think), it's still not 100%. So, I reckon I am going to keep off my running shoes for a little while yet.

I've got an appointment at an orthopaedic assessment clinic in a couple of weeks (which is lightning speed for the NHS in my opinion), so in the meantime I am going to keep going with my strength and pilates. To be honest with you, I have found that it has been plenty to keep me ticking over for now.

The internet has been a huge factor in the reshaping of my exercise routine, so I want to share with you the two sites that I have fallen in LOVE with over the past month. Without these, I am pretty sure I would be crawling up the walls with run-less mentalness. Both of them have a comprehensive library of exercise programs, from beginner to advanced, so no matter what level you're at, I reckon you should give them both a try:

Blogilates: Pop Pilates with Cassie Ho

This came as a recommendation from a girl at work. When I told her about my initial dabble in pilates, she told me to try this site out for a bit more of a challenge.

Boy, was she right. Cassie, the pilates extraordinaire, is MENTAL (but in a good way)! Her challenges are grade A rock solid. Now, I like to think I have resolve of steel, but I have (shamefully) had to throw in the towel a couple of times. This challenge had me a quivering mess by the end:

But don't let that scare you off, there are plenty of beginner pilates workouts too if you want to ease your way into it ;)

Do Yoga With Me

Yoga is a great way to get some stretching in, and I really enjoy it, but I HATE yoga classes. I can't stand them. I have the flexibility of a steel rod, and wouldn't want to subject any yoga instructor to such a hopeless case. No, seriously. I studied yoga for six months in India and by the end I STILL couldn't squeeze myself into the lotus position.

At least if I do it in the comfort of my own home, the only one who can get frustrated by my lack of progress is me. Hence why I love this site. There is a huge variety of practices, focusing on all the body parts you can imagine, ranging from 15 minutes to over an hour and a half. So there is bound to be something to suit you.

My favourite at the moment is the Bend and Stretch. Melissa the instructor has an excellent manner, and I feel so relaxed by the end.  Doing it first thing in the morning makes for a great start to the day, and it's a really enjoyable way to make sure I am all stretched out :)

What workout sites do you swear by? I'd love to discover more, so please share them with me in the comments!

No-Run February: Update!

Is my ankle getting better? It feels like its getting better. It's still not totally better, but it feels better. I think it feels better. Is it really getting better?

We're over halfway through the month now (time flies when you're having fun, haw haw haw) so I thought I would give you all an update on my progress during No-Run February.

No it's not a national event or anything, it's just something I made up. I made it up to stop myself from doing anything silly and to give my ankle a chance to heal.

So how have I been getting on?... Well, to my complete and utter surprise, I haven't found it as devastatingly difficult as I thought I would. Yeah I still miss it, but not putting that pressure on myself to go out for a run as soon as I feel vaguely able is... nice. It feels like a weight has been lifted. I've made the decision not to run, and that's that.

I visited the physio last week, and I swear, the woman is a saint. She's not only my physical therapist, but kind of my psychotherapist as well. After all the bleating to her I do about my ankle, I wouldn't be surprised if she screams into a pillow the moment I leave the clinic.

Anyway, I told her about my decision not to run and the reasoning behind it, and she seems pretty happy. In fact, she was really excited when I told her I had been dabbling in pilates the last couple of weeks. She is a huge fan of pilates, because it is great for strengthening the muscles and correcting my alignment, which as I have mentioned before, is pretty dire.

I've also gone to see the GP, who has referred me to a podiatrist or an orthopaedic specialist... I can't remember which. I thought they were both the same (they both like feet) but apparently they are not. Anyway, the hope is that the foot person, whatever their specialism, will order me a pair of custom orthotics, which I can wear when I am running to make my feet function more like a normal person's, and not the mashed up disaster zone which I currently have to deal with.

So yeah, that's it so far. I'll let you know if I do manage to get back to running when the month is out. I'm started to feel quite zen about it now though - it'll take as long as it takes. Can't really argue with that.

DVD Review: Pilates for Dummies

As part of no-run February I am experimenting with different types of exercise that I wouldn't have tried before - one of them being Pilates.

I had a voucher that I hadn't used yet, so I bought this DVD from play.com: Pilates for Dummies.

Because let's face it, I am a bit of a Dummy.

I'm loving Pilates at the moment, pretty much because it works me out without putting pressure on my ankle.

This DVD has 18 exercises, and is about 25 minutes from start to finish (35 if you decide to sit through the intro).

As a workout DVD, it's great. The host, Michelle, is really friendly, supportive and is excellent at explaining the movements clearly. Being used to the tough love of Jillian, Michelle's patience and encouragement came as a bit of shock! You can see an example of her loveliness in the video clip below:

But how is it as an actual workout? For me, it's not challenging enough. I think this DVD is aimed at people who are maybe a little bit older, or are completely new to exercise. Don't get me wrong, I do get a little knot in my stomach that I get as a result of most ab workouts, but I just don't get the same kind of satisfying burn that I get when I am lifting weights or doing crunches with Jillian. One of my friends has recommended Blogilates for more challenging stuff, so I am going to give that a go next.

Meanwhile, I have recommended this DVD to my Mum. As she's a bit older, I think this DVD will be perfect for her, plus she'll benefit from the crystal clear instruction.

Think Pilates for Dummies is for you? Feel free to ask me any questions about it in the comments section!

How to Make a "Smug Holder"

So for Christmas this year, I decided to make Mr MFC a special holder for all of his bibs and medals. The man is so great, he has started to collect a fair few.

I know it's a bit late for Christmas, but Valentine's Day is coming up, and it makes a great gift for a significant other. Plus, the materials are really cheap and it's super simple to make (don't tell Mr MFC that, though)!

You will need a plank of wood, a couple of clothes pegs, superglue, and a bunch of nails. You might want paint as well to make it pretty, but that's entirely optional.

All my projects seem to start with a plank of wood...

 First, I checked that the wood fitted the bibs.

They did, hurrah!

I decided to make an explosive design, so roughly drew it on with a pencil...

You can see my other Christmas shopping in the back there...

To give it a real professional feel, I thought it would be an idea to make the edges straight and clean with some masking tape...

Next, I sourced some sample paint that I had bought for another project a couple of years ago. It had been sitting in my drawer for a while, but thankfully the paint was still good.

Who needs a mixing palette when you have a Sainsbury's invoice?!

Next - painting!!!

Looks a bit rubbish at this point

The masking tape worked a treat.

Starting to look awesome...

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Boo yah.

I waited for the paint to dry, then I superglued on the pegs and hammered in some nails at the bottom. 

And here is the finished article:

I'm really pleased with the way it came out, and so is Mr MFC. He worked so hard to earn those medals, so it's only right that he gets to show them off in style!

Weekend Chuckle: Running Motivational Posters

So the other day I came across some really funny motivational posters by Runners World. You can check out the full set here, but here are some of my favourites:

No-Run February

I know, I know, I keep going on about it. But this dang ankle is getting me down. It's been five months, and still very little improvement. When you like to run as much as I do, having an injury like this is very frustrating.

Just to be clear, I haven't been sitting on my backside idly waiting for it to clear up. I have tried loads of things, including regularly seeing a lovely physio in Edinburgh called Liesel. Her treatment has been great, but while it helped greatly in the beginning, I've seemed to come to a bit of a plateau.

Luckily, my ankle isn't so bad that I can't run AT ALL - just not very far. 5k is my absolute maximum distance. I suppose that is better than nothing at all, but I am really keen to get back up to 100% so I can start thinking about doing longer distances again.

Unfortunately, as my physio puts it, I am a "biomechanical disaster". I think a combination between unlucky genes and 22 years of slouching around has turned my legs into a pair of haphazard drumsticks. Basically, I have flat feet, weak inner thighs and knees that refuse to take their fair share of the impact when my foot hits the ground. That can be a fatal combination - as the last few months has shown.

However,  my physio says that I am actually really lucky. This injury has drawn my attention to all my biomechanical faults and as a result I can work on them, so I will avoid something much more serious cropping up further down the line when it is too late. Every cloud and all that...

I got running again as soon as I could - I think I was out of the game for about 6-8 weeks when I got the go ahead to start going again. My first run was only about 2k, and boy I suffered for it afterward. But I persevered and am now at the stage that I can run about 5k and only suffer minor pain afterwards. It's great, but I'm getting to the stage that even this (in my view) half-assed attempt at a running regime is nearly frustrating as not having one at all.

So I have made a resolution for February: no running. At all. Now that doesn't mean no exercise - far from it. In fact, I have found some amazing yoga, stretch, and pilates programmes online that I intend to do, as well as carrying on with my old faithful swimming and my favourite Jillian Michael's DVD. This month is going to be all about the strength and stretch.

On top of that, I am going to show my ankle some SERIOUS love. I have my various physio bands at the ready, so I am going to do my physio exercises with even more vigour. I'm even experimenting with cod liver oil - I'm a bit of a cynic when it comes to supplements but I'm at the stage where I have absolutely nothing to lose.

So here goes, fingers crossed these measures will heal my ankle once and for all! We will see, though.

Have any of you suffered an ankle injury? I am desperate for hints and tips, so please share them with me in the comments!

I'm back... Kind of

Just a quick update for you -

The ankle is still giving me jip. It has cost me both my 10k races, so I'm pretty devastated. I would never have guessed that the little twinge two months ago would have had me off my feet for so long.

But I am tired of sitting on my backside and feeling sorry for myself. My physio has given me the green light to run, albeit for very short distances, so I am slowly easing myself back into it.

She reckons that my ankle is just complaining after months of hard training in worn out footwear. So, I got a new pair of trainers, and while they aren't the comfiest, they certainly provide my feet with lots of support.

My foot is getting better. Just very very verrrry slowly.

But I refuse to give up. Watch this space.

p.s: Mr MFC completed his marathon in 4 and a half hours. What a mancake.

Still Guffed

So in case the three week long silence hasn't given it away... my ankle is STILL giving me bother. I haven't been out running in about a month now, and it's really starting to get me down.

I have been to the physio, who says I have tendonitis. The really bad news is my River Ness 10k is looking kind of unlikely now. :(

However, I do have mighty colourful strapping!

So yeah. Kind of gutted at the moment if I'm frank with you. The fact that it is dragging on so long is frustrating, however I'm still doing everything I can to get back on track. I'm still swimming and doing the bikes, plus fitting in easy weight training and yoga when I can.

I have another appointment on Tuesday, where I will be fitted with some fancy insoles for my trainers to stop this kind of injury happening again, then I can probably go out running for short distances. But as I said, the 10k next week isn't looking good. Pretty devastated.

Anyway, I'll keep you all updated....

I'm baaaack!

Hey everybody!

Good news - I've recovered from my ankle injury and am BACK with a vengeance!

I've actually been off on holiday too and had high hopes for sprucing up the blog while I had some spare time, but alas I have been too busy running around on my FUNCTIONAL ankle!  :D

Seriously - I've been like a kid at Christmas. I normally rack up about 20km a week, but in the past seven days I have done 35! The reasons for this are twofold: firstly, fixed ankle (yay!); and secondly, I've been up in Aberdeen so I've been using my runs to do a little bit of exploring. 

In my opinion, Aberdeen is quite underrated and in fact a really beautiful city - it was quite nice to get lost somewhere different for a change. Oh yes, there was a lot of getting lost. My personal favourite was when I ran out of pavement and got stuck up to my knees in grass while wearing my short-shorts...  still it all adds to the fun, eh?

However, due to lack of kit (I refuse to cart free weights about in my rucksack), I've been kind of neglecting my muscle toning. I intend to be on it again next week though, and I might through a little bit of yoga in too... we'll see. 

Anyway, that's been me for the past week... how are things with you? ;)

My ankle is guffed

I knew it was going to happen eventually. 

On Thursday morning, during my interval training, I went over on my ankle. I thought I had got away with it at first, but that evening the swelling started and it began to hurt whenever I put substantial weight on it.

It wasn't too bad, just a twinge really, but when I got up to do my Friday morning jaunt I made it to the end of the street before I realised that running on it probably wouldn't be a good idea. 

So I'm now sporting this particularly snazzy number:

I've co-ordinated with my toenails and everything!

Don't get me wrong, it isn't a serious injury by any stretch of the imagination. But this isn't the first time I have suffered an ankle injury and so I know the consequences of not treating it with extreme caution. 

The last time I guffed my ankle I was only three weeks into my running training. I was full of excitement and enthusiasm for my new routine, and I was shocked by how frustrating I found it to be stopped in my tracks at such an early stage. I sat and cried as I iced my foot night after night - not because it was particularly painful, but because I felt that I had lost control of my body's health just weeks after I felt I had grasped it. 

So I started to look for alternatives to keep the momentum going. I went on a powerwalk - but that just made things worse. So I signed up to a gym and spent every second morning on the exercise bikes - a great way to get in some cardio without putting any pressure on my ankle at all. 

Needless to say, it all worked out well in the end - I was off my feet for about three weeks before I started up again pretty much where I left off. But those three weeks were slow and frustrating, and I would hate to suffer a repeat of that.

So I am keeping off my foot as much as I can. I'm on the bikes again, which personally bore me to tears but I would much rather do that than just sit on my backside and feel sorry for myself. 

I don't think my ankle is as bad this time around, so hopefully I won't be off my feet for quite as long but it is still pretty gutting. Ho hum. I'll keep you posted.

Podcast Review: NHS Couch to 5K +

They're finally here: The NHS Couch to 5k + podcasts! You have no idea how excited I was when I realised that this had been released.

I was so excited, that as soon as I got home, I downloaded the podcast, laced up my trainers and headed straight outside.

There was one problem though - I had just devoured this:

Picture taken by my lovely friend Mhairi!

So I was feeling slightly full and, dare I say it, nauseous. How was I supposed to know that the series was going to come out on the same day as my work's special afternoon tea?!

But that wasn't going to stop me! I had a podcast to review!

The NHS Couch to 5k + podcasts are a follow up series to the AWESOME Couch to 5k plan, which is aimed at getting absolute novices up and running for 30 minutes non stop in only 9 weeks.

But what do you do when those 9 weeks are over? Well, that's where Couch to 5k + comes in. The series is a set of three podcasts, each one aimed to help you achieve a different goal. So whether you want to increase your mileage or your speed, or whether you just want a halfway house before moving on to something else, these podcasts will give you a helping hand.

The podcasts were made in conjunction with AudioFuel, who specialise in making training plans based on music with a specific bpm (beats per minute). As a result, pace is a very prominent feature in these podcasts.

So, you have a choice of three sessions: Stepping Stone, Stamina and Speed. Unlike the original Couch to 5k plan, you can do the podcasts in whatever order you want. So, as I want to increase my pace for my upcoming 10k races, I decided to go for the 'Speed' session.

The Speed podcast is an interval training session, which is a great way to train if you want to increase your pace. The structure was pretty simple: a five minute warm up walk, followed by a warm up run at 155 bpm, followed by six 60 second intervals at 160 bpm, with 60 seconds of 150 bpm recovery in between. The whole thing clocks in at about 26 minutes, so it's shorter to what the seasoned Couch to 5k graduate is used to, but it is still designed to pose a bit of a challenge.

The main difficulty for me was getting used to the structure of the music: you have to synchronise your strides to the beat. As I've been setting my own pace pretty much since I began running, it was a little bit awkward at first having my own rhythm dictated to me. However, I got used to it and about 10 minutes in I felt pretty good.

The thing is, I completed the Couch to 5k plan over a year ago (oh my, time flies when you're having fun) and since then I have been covering about 20k a week, completed two half marathons and broke the 10k under an hour. So, I'm sorry to say, I may have overshot a little bit. For me, the pace of the workout didn't get me into the satisfying sweat I normally aim for. Besides the odd urge to throw up some rogue cake, I didn't find the session particularly challenging.

But as I said, I have been training hard for a good while now so I think I might have been a little bit worried if I had found it tough. Don't get me wrong, I still got a decent workout, and it was really nice to be under the guidance of Laura again. However, I think this series is aimed at more recent graduates of the Couch to 5k plan, or those who have been going at a bit more of a steady pace since their graduation.

In any case, they are still worth a bash. They're free after all, so you have nothing at all to lose!

Get them here from the iTunes store.

Fitness DVD Review: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism

Okay, so it's time for me to review another of Jillian Michael's fitness DVDs.

I love this lady. About a month ago, I bought a box set of her workouts, and I have really enjoyed working through them. Each has its own focus and its own benefits to bring to the table, and I've definitely seen an uplift in my overall fitness as a result of them.

I've already reviewed No More Trouble Zones, so this time I'm going to talk about Banish Fat: Boost Metabolism.

I'm sorry to say that this one is the one I probably use the least, which is a shame because in terms of enjoyment, this one is hella fun.

So why do I not take it for a spin more often? Well, the focus of this workout is cardio. This DVD aims to get your heart rate up, your metabolism ticking and makes you burn calories like an absolute powerhouse. Remind you of anything?

Yup, you pretty much get the same effect from going out for a run. And as I have mentioned so many times before, I am above everything else, a runner. So why on earth would I jump around my front room like a loon when I can go for a nice jog in my local park?

Don't get me wrong, this workout is awesome. But it just doesn't get me in the same kind of sweat as a good ol' fashioned dash does. Nevertheless, it does have its moments: like the mornings I wake up and it's pouring outside; or when I have a niggling injury that couldn't withstand a fully fledged run. It's a great alternative in those situations.

Just like in No More Trouble Zones, Banish Fat: Boost Metabolism is comprised of seven six minutes circuits, each having a slightly different theme. So what does the workout entail?

1. Kickboxing

Squats and side kicks
Alternating punches
Squats and side kicks
Punch and hook combination
Alternating front kicks

2. Plyometrics

Burpies
Plie hops
Punch hop combination
180° Jumps
Single leg hops

3. Calisthenics

Butt kicks
High knees
Jumping jacks
Oblique crunches

4. Core

Mountain climbers
Supermans
Pipe crunch
Oblique twists
Walking plank

5. More kickboxing

Swing kicks
Uppercuts
Back kicks
Jab cross combination
Knee crunches

6. More plyometrics

Jump squats
Cross country skiing
Scissor kicks
Skaters
Standing mountain climbers

7. More calisthenics

Moguls
Standing pipes
Knee crunches
Jump rope

Guaranteed, your heart rate will be up, and you'll be burning fat in no time. If you're just starting out, this is a great place to begin cardio training. And if it's calorie burn you're after, then this workout certainly delivers. I burn about 500 kcals a session, however your burn will be slightly different depending on your gender, age and build.

Doesn't beat going out for a run, though. Well, in my humble opinion, anyway ;)

Owning the 10k Distance

I'm on top of the world right now!

Yesterday, I broke a goal that I have been working towards for weeks, if not months.

I ran 10k in under an hour. 59 minutes, 22 seconds to be exact. YAY!!! :D

To give you an idea, since I finished my half marathon training, I have been running 10k most weekends. I go round the same route every week, up and around Arthurs Seat. A prettier route in Edinburgh you will not find. (Think I'm wrong? Tell me in the comments!)


I missed it by 14 seconds last week. 14 SECONDS. I was devastated. I owed it to myself to crack it this week - and I am so glad I did!

This is a huge milestone for me, but I still have a lot of work to do. I've signed up to a couple of autumn races this week, and both of them are 10k. While they're less than half the distance of the half marathon, I still expect them to be pretty challenging. Instead of developing my endurance, I am switching the focus of my training onto increasing my speed.

The first one is the Loch Ness 10k, which is part of the Loch Ness marathon festival (despite several attempts by Mr MFC and other interested parties to persuade me otherwise, I will not be running the marathon. yet.). It's a pretty flat course, much flatter than my usual 10k jaunt, so I reckon that scoring a PB there is pretty feasible.

My second race is on my home turf: the Bupa 10k run in Edinburgh. It's a lot more up-and-down but I'll still be looking to get a decent time in. I have signed up to my work's running team, and we will be competing against other companies to get the fastest average time. Last year's winners clocked in an average time of around 47 minutes - eek! While I know I probably won't do it that fast, I don't want to drag down our team's time too much. It will be my first competitive race, and I refuse to let my team down.

Look at me - in a sports team. I'm like a proper jock! HA!

So yeah, being able to crack the 10k in under an hour is a huge achievement for me, but hopefully this is just the beginning. You ain't seen nothing yet!

Fitness DVD Review: No More Trouble Zones

Hi, chums!

Okay so I know I've been a little quiet of late... I have been really busy working making my way through my latest purchase:

Image via Play.com

Oh yes. That's over four hours of Jillian Michaels goodness for under 20 quid. Bargain.

I loved the 30 Day Shred, but to be honest I couldn't see myself doing the same three workouts forever. However, I realised that I definitely need that structure of a workout and the encouragement of a trainer (even if it's just on a TV screen) to push myself harder. So, I invested in this box set.

The box set includes our old friend, the 30 Day Shred, plus three other workouts: No More Trouble Zones; Banish Fat Boost Metabolism; and 6 Week 6 Pack. 

These DVDs are also available separately, and each deserve equal attention, so I'll dedicate one blog post to each one.

I'll start with No More Trouble Zones, which is my favourite, and my least favourite, all at the same time.

The basic premise of this DVD is to systematically target common "problem areas" (e.g. wobbly arms, saddlebags, droopy bums etc) through seven six minute circuits. 

Now, those who have been reading my Shredding escapades will be familiar with the circuit: Jillian sure loves her circuits. However, the structure of each one is different to the shred: instead of moving from strength, to cardio, to abs (a la Shred), in No More Trouble Zones, each circuit is all strength, baby.

That's not the only difference to the Shred, though: those who are good at maths will have already worked out that 6 x 7 = 42, which is much longer than the mere 18 minutes of the Shred. If you've bought this DVD, be prepared to be in it for the long haul. Including warm ups and cool downs, you're looking at an hour if you want to complete this thing in its entirety.

But that's the thing - you don't have to. The DVD has a nifty wee option where you can pick and choose which circuits you want to do. So, if you only want to focus on abs or bums, you can pick the six minute circuit that focuses on that, and skip the rest. 

However, I am a bit mental, and I do the whole thing. So what does that entail...?

I hope you're sitting comfortably, because this is going to take a while:

Shoulder and Legs

Squat and shoulder press

Backward lunge with lateral raises

Chair squat with anterior raises

Press outs

Chest and Abs

Chest press and crunch

Leg raise and chest fly

Bicycle crunches

Squirms

Push ups

Biceps and Butt

Deadlift and hammer curls

Stationary squat with a concentration curl

Lunge with a wide grip curl

Side lunges with a bicep curl

Thighs and Triceps

Tricep kickbacks

Sumo squats with tricep lifts

Surrenders

Crescent pose

Core

Double crunches

Oblique twists

Plank with toe taps

Windshield wipers 

Upper Body and Core

Plank rows

Supermans

Halloman with scissor kicks

Pelvic thrusts (not as fun as the name suggests)

Lower Body and Core

Side planks

Foot raises

Inner thigh raises

Donkey kicks

Round kicks

I mentioned earlier that this is all strength moves, and this is why I love it and I hate it all at the same time. I can't stand strength. I'd much rather run 10k than do a bunch of squats. There, I said it. I hate strength. But, like many other things, I suck it up and do it anyway because I know that it's good for me. 

Realising that it was going to be a long burn, I opted for my smallest weights (1.5 kg - around 3 lbs) but it still absolutely killed. And I got that 24 hour burn afterwards. And when you get that burn, you know you've got to stick at it. So while it's not the most enjoyable workout, I still force myself to do it because it's for my own good. Who knows? Maybe I'll manage to complete it with 3kgs (6 lbs) one day!

This DVD is for you if you are nearing the end of your weight loss or maintaining your weight, like me, but you want to tone up a little. In terms of calorie burn: it's a slow but tough workout, and if you're only looking to burn calories then you'd be much better going out for a run. But if you want to gain some muscle definition, then you definitely need to give this a try. 

Stay tuned for my reviews of Banish Fat Boost Metabolism and 6 Week 6 Pack. In the meantime, if you have any questions or stories about No More Trouble Zones that you'd like to share, feel free to pop 'em in the comments section below!

30 Day Shred: Results

Okay so my holiday came and went pretty quickly... it was pretty awesome and I have lots to write about on that front, but that will come later in the week. FIRST I'm going to finish what I started and report back on my 30 Day Shred results.

Remember that I technically didn't complete the programme - because of time restraints I completed 8 days on each level instead of 10, so technically it should have been the 24 Day Shred. But here are my measurements in any case...

Okay, so the changes weren't extreme, but considering I didn't really have that many inches to lose in the first place, I am pretty happy with those figures. My waist got even smaller (I didn't even know that was possible) and the programme blasted my upper arms - a common problem area and something that I commonly grumble about. So yeah, pretty chuffed.

In terms of the scales... well, I dropped 2 lbs (around 1kg) which again isn't exactly earth shattering, but the whole purpose of this exercise was to lose inches, not weight, so on that front I'm a pretty satisfied customer.

I definitely noticed some other changes, too. My running has got a lot faster since I started the programme, and there was an improvement in my overall fitness. While I could hardly do any proper push ups at the beginning, I found that I could bust them out towards the end of level 3.

But that wasn't all. I could definitely see some definition coming through in my mid-section, and my wee belly seemed to shrink a fair bit.

So I was able to strut down the beach with pride... All those hours sweating it out were worth it. Shame I undid a lot of the work eating ice cream in the sun (more on that later) but if you can't enjoy yourself on holiday, when can you enjoy yourself, eh?!