A great week

My first week in Darlington branch went brilliantly, and my first week back home from holiday and back to training has also gone very well. Last night I went out and did a run/walk with a 4:2 split for 22 minutes and reached the dizzy heights of just over 2 miles. The longest run yet! I was pleased but absolutley exhausted. The first half was slightly downhill with the wind on my back and coming home was the exact opposite and I could barely breathe. I felt like I couldn't expand my chest properly and for (not just the first time) I wondered if I was wearing the right size bra.

This morning I went out with the dog across the beach banks and did 5 miles walk which was lovely. It was really hot! Afterwards Graeme and I went to Newcastle as I wanted a new pair of trainers. My current ones are terrible since my injured foot days... the heel is too high compared to the forefoot, so I have been running on concrete in my trail shoes because they have a lower profile. The people in Start Fitness were extremely helpful and I came away with a pair of Saucony Progrid 5. Not a manufacturer I would normally use, but as soon as I put them on I instantly liked them, and despite trying others afterwards, these were the ones I felt were the best. I will probably buy some Brooks at a later date (if my road running ever requires that second pair) but for the moment I don't need anything else. Graeme got a pair of Nike trainers and I got new bras after finding out I'm wearing completely the wrong size. I tried the new size on and it felt very comfortable... the woman in the shop told me a sports bra should always be used (when new) on the second hook. I didn't know that! I can actually breathe in this size!

I was given a X-Bionic top free of charge, which is gorgeous... lovely to wear. I have to admit I'm a huge X-Bionic fan. My favourite winter long sleeved running top is X-Bionic, as are the only sort of sock I can get away with (I'm a fussy bugger when it comes to my feet).

So I'm all ready for the coming weeks of training. Everyone keeps telling me that my body will have good muscle memory and it will all just fit into place in a few weeks and my fitness will come back quicker than I think. I'm actually starting to believe it, because although I feel incredibly unfit right now... it was only a fortnight ago that doing 1 mile over a 2 minute run/2 minute walk split was pure agony!