OK, OK, so I have been pretty poor the past couple of weeks. No blog updates and hardly any training done. I've been so busy at work and not been feeling too great so I needed a break. I did try a few runs but to be honest I was rubbish!

I've said it before but I'm going to say it again, this week I am back on track. I have to be because next week I'm on nights all week so I know now that I wont do any training!

I'm going to try messing about with my routine to see if I can refresh it all a bit and see if that can spur me on a bit more. Not just going out on all these runs but trying to focus on mini goals like doing laps and increasing my speed and putting some effort into some hill work too. I'm also going to go to a group session - I think that will really motivate me as I haven't seen them all for a while and when I see how much they have all improved I'll want to do the same!

With only 7 weeks to go I need to work hard now. People have been so generous with their sponsorship - I don't want to let them down! And I don't want to be seen on the BBC looking a right mess and walking because I haven't put enough effort into it :)

Wish me luck everyone!

Ok, so I've been a really bad blogger the past few weeks. But thats because I've been so busy out training all the time!

Done the 10-11k route a few times now and it's going good. As well as a few shouter routes to work on speed, pace and stamina. So we're all getting there. Had some nice weather recently too so it's been good to get out.

Dont get me wrong there a been a few days that I have not wanted to go and had to drag myself to set off. But there's only bee once when I talked myself out of it and then I got straight back on track.

We've missed quite a few of the group sessions due to work, times, and also because we have been enjoying our new routes so much. But we went to the group session on Wednesday and it was great to catch up and re-focus. Plus they started a new training route so it was good to have something else to focus on. I'm working this Saturday so no group session for me, but I'll be there again soon and in the mean time I just have to keep planning sessions with the girls :)

Fund-raising is going pretty well too! Took on form into work the other day and got another £50+ need to take in another sheet today. All makes it worthwhile! I've told them all they can eatch me on BBC on the day and that will keep me focused to do my best.

I've tweeted a few celebs to try to get them on board but no such luck - Gary Barlow's PA retweeted my tweet but think that was about it :( It would be great to have a stranger sponsor me too ha ha!

Just been catching up on some fund-raising for the 10k event. Can't believe I have raised £135 so far! Gotta keep up the hard work to help raise more cash but also need to work hard on my training now to make my sponsors feel proud for what they have given. Everyone has been very generous! Big smiles again ha!

Another great week for me this week!

Went out with the girls on Monday and managed 6.8k running most of it - we completed it in exactly an hour.

Went to Wednesdays training session with Love Running Manchester. I really wanted to see a difference in my training this week as for the past few weeks I have increased the amount I have been running yet only completing the same distance (those 3 full laps!). Anyway this week I had determination! I managed to run for most of the whole session - up and down the hill 4 times!!!!! A full extra lap!!!!! And I did the full hill every single time without stopping. The whole 4th lap I did without stopping. Boy was I tired at the end of it though. I finished with the stretches and then went for a McDonalds tea ha! Surely I deserved it after that! I was so proud of myself.

So then it came to Saturday's session. Ok so I didn't go to the session on Saturday. I know you're thinking I'm a let down but hear me out! We found out late on Friday night that there was going to be a professional photographer on Saturday morning - taking action shots! Well we were not ready for that ha! First thing on Saturday morning (the day after a 14 hours shift my I add) I did not want to try to look glam whilst trying to run around the park, tired and out of breath. We knew that if we went we would be conscious of it all the time and end not really trying our best.

So to make up for it we decided to make up our own new route and go it alone (well with each other really). Bright and early we were up and planning a route. We decided to combat one big hill (Old Kiln Lane - if you live near me) and then we'd head through a bit of countryside down hill and back our usual way. We mapped it out as about 9k give or take a little. So off we went.

We got the hill and although it was tough we gave our best shot - I only had 2 little rests and I'm determined next time to have none! Straight back down the hill we went and took the turning into the little country side bit. I thought "brilliant, all the hard bits are done now, all down hill from here Lyndsay tells me." And it was really lovely to run through the hills, past some horses and dog walkers. Then.... there's a hill! So up the hill we go to a bit of flat. Then what? Another hill! So up we go. There's a theme here - all hills! It actually made us laugh - No idea where we were, no roads to be seen, just hills, dirt tracks and horses! Oh and a reservoir which I took a picture of from one of the hills! ( I'll upload it later-HA) It was tough and we were beginning to get tired but determination kept us going.

Eventually we can to a road and guess what - IT WAS ALL DOWN HILL - YAY! We had made it! So off we go down the hill and we finally reached the main road to take us back home. We had made it near the Beehive in Horwich! We had to do a little cheer as we got on to that main road but we knew it was a good 4kish back and we were getting tired - but its that thing called motivation! We had run a lot of it already - unsure how much we had done (checking the app part way through is not allowed!). We managed to keep going, having a few short breaks as our muscles were screaming at us to stop!

First thing we did when we got to the end of that road? Check the app!!!! We had completed 10.7k in 1 hour 31 mins! We were so proud! Then we had to stretch - stop those muscles getting tight! I was so tired but so pleased. Felt good about it all day! Next time I want to do it quicker! And at least we will know the way!

So I'm sorry to disappoint those who wanted to laugh at me for torturing myself in to doing this 10k but at the moment I'm really enjoying it! Just a little blip a few weeks ago but back on track! I'm sure there will be another blip somewhere a long the line if you keep reading :)

Great start to this weeks training - and it's only Monday!

Been out with 2 of the girls (1 running the 10k with me, 1 not) and we managed to clock up 6.8k. We did have to walk a little sometimes but ran the majority and our average pace time was under 9 minutes per km so I'm happy with that.

I also managed to swap my shift at work which means I can go to the training session on Wednesday yay!

Also started my fund-raising this past weekend and so far I've got £30 of sponsors plus £7.50 gift aid. Makes all the training seem so much more worth while - so thanks everyone who has or is going to sponsor me.

Now I'm going to rest and chill out and have a twix whilst watching Biggest Loser lol! I deserve it!

Well I'm definitely back on track! Went to this mornings session and had a fab time!

Increased my intervals from 2 mins to 3 mins with 1 min walks in between. And we increased the overall session time to 32 mins. I was tired near the end but I did it! At one point I even miscounted so ended up doing 4 mins instead of 3 ha! I wasn't thinking straight by that point. I just kept thinking "I'm NOT going to let that whistle beat me!"

I was thinking about my blog whilst running and it occurred to that I bet you people think 2 mins to 1 min is easy! Try it! At a good, constant pace, that you're not usually used to. Also going up and down a hill! It's tough for us beginners!

I'm working late again on Wednesday - but I really don't want to miss the session as we're increasing the work there too. I really need to stay focused now - just need to keep thinking about crossing that 10k finish line!

I'll be happy just to complete my first ever 10k but it would be great to get a get a good time for it too!

Now I need to put some of my focus into my fund raising too! I haven't done anything about that yet. I hate asking people for money - even though it's for some great causes. So if you're reading this please take a minute to think about all the hard work I'm putting into it and spare even just £1 to keep me motivated to make a difference. Thanks :)

Stuck to my word and I'm back in the routine. Couldn't make it to Wednesdays session due to work but I have been out with a few of the girls for some practice. It's going good. Amazing how a week off can set you back - reminded me of the chest burning, leg aching pain that new starters go through. Ok so maybe it wasn't that bad really :)

I'm looking forward to Saturdays session now! Bring it on!!!!