Proper planning, adaption and still living my life

Well my first 10h30 training week went really well and proves that with proper planning, preparation and motivation it is possible alongside my long and rather unpredictable work. I only say unpredictable as I am freelance which therefore means I can have weeks I am working solidly going from late to earlies to nights with a day turnaround, to other weeks I may have nothing. It all equals out by the end of the month normally but I am not guaranteed a certain amount of shifts per month. Despite the uncertainty (which some months can leave me worried) there is a huge beauty to this in that I get the weekday times off meaning I can get long sessions in when the boys are at nursery. As well as this I have a degree of flexibility of being able to work when I want/can. I also now work in 5 different departments around Sky News and Sky Sports News which gives me a great variety. Obviously the downsides are pretty apparent, I don't get holiday or sick pay but it is working for us (in it's weird and wonderful way).

The boys having fun at my Mum & Dad's while we work

The week after this one however was not so great and I didn't hit anywhere near 10 hours. In fact only managed around 5. Strangely this also wasn't relatable to how much work I had on. The week I managed the 10h30 I had 4 shifts, a mix of one night (19:00-07:00), 2 lates (10:00-22:00) and 1 early (06:00-18:00). (These timings are shift start & finish times, not including my 1.5 hour commute each way).

In fact a way to show how much I was out of the house during the Friday-Sunday stint of days is that I didn't see the boys for 2 days despite them obviously being at home. I put them to bed on the Thursday night and didn't see them until Saturday night where I saw them for 1 hour before putting them to bed once again. I then didn't see them until Monday morning when they woke up. I really do miss those little monkey's during stints like this (which sadly are quite common) but also makes me think how weird it is that despite being in the same house this can happen. It really shows you (even if it would take too long and be insanely boring to explain) how difficult it can be to work out childcare around my long shifts and Nathan's work.

However, back to the second week (week commencing 2nd March). I had noticed after my 9 mile run the previous week my shins were really hurting. It was excruciating to run and as a result I adapted my training and did a lot more on the bike. I ran through the pain on a 6 miler 2 days after but knew it wasn't wise. So I booked a physio appointment for the following week. I have always had issues when I run with my back too so it was an excuse to finally get that properly looked at. She put the shin pain to unsupportive/old trainers and has given me exercises, including some specific core and breathing work, to try and help my back whilst running. Improving my core stability is something I know I have needed to do for a while so this is a great addition to my training; strength and conditioning is such an pivotal part to any plan. 



What overpronation looks like

With the knowledge that my trainers were possibly the cause of my pain I was recommended to go and get a run/gait analysis and get trainers that suited me. I know I overpronate quite significantly (my foot rolls inwards into the arch) and as such have had orthotics (insoles made by a podiatrist) for many years but I wasn't quite prepared to see how unnatural and painful my running looked in my current trainers (I was filmed on a treadmill).

I have used OnCloud for many years, doing all but one of my IRONMAN's in them so I like a lighter style trainer. However, my analysis showed I overpronated by 15% (the expected range is 3-6%). He found this by freezing the footage of each leg when I strike the bottom and calculated the degree against the 90 degree angle from my knee. After trying on 7 pairs of trainers I found some Brooks which amazingly put me in the 3% range. These give me the support I need but have that light feel to them (very different to some of the high support trainers that felt like I was running with bricks on my feet). I knew instantly upon testing these they were the ones. 

I cannot believe after all the years I have done fitness I have never done this sort of test and been so blind. I cannot knock On's trainers enough, after all they have done me well, but clearly they are not the trainer for me. At least not now as I do feel throughout the companies growth they have changed how they are made; and maybe not for the better for me personally. I hope however my new trainers (which already feel awesome) teamed with a good focus on S&C can improve my running for the better going forward. It is well known that running is my least favourite and slowest discipline but I don't want it to let me down for something I can control.

My new trainers teamed with Greepers laces

The rest of the week was actually spent having some social time. I am determined to still live my life despite training for IRONMAN. Whilst I am taking my training seriously it is still a hobby and it is supposed to be fun! I saw one of my best friends for lunch one day, sorted my trainers another, and then at the weekend just gone we all stayed the weekend in Essex some friends. I of course had some drinks and not let the training consume me; I do find it quick to switch off but have to say I am happy to be back on it this week. (I also think the extra day of unplanned rest may have also done my shins some good). Katie and I decided to start our weight loss journey together and check in on each other each week when we weigh in. Considering we have lost over 3 stone between us since 1st January we definitely deserved to have a little celebration together. Luckily the exercise has been helping as this weekend hasn't affected the scales too much, in fact I am still down from last week.

It all got too much fun at the pub

Dinner time at the zoo

I am now on a 3 week countdown until I return to Lanzarote for 10 days of training...with no children (and no husband)! I want to be fit enough to do the island and my training justice as well as lose a little more weight before going. It goes without saying I am SO excited for this trip especially as I'm staying at the triathlon mecca Club La Santa. Aside from all that I can't wait to get some sun (but I better stop gloating too much as Nathan will get even more jealous). I have no idea how I've even got away with this trip but serious brownie husband points and also a hell of a lot of thanks to my mum for helping look after the boys while Nathan continues to work!

Oh and after 10+ years of dying my hair bleach blonde I have decided to join the dark side! The maintenance of doing so finally got to me. I still give myself a shock when looking in the mirror at the moment but change is good.

This week I am going for another 10 hour + training week. Have a good one.

Hollie xx