Well Saturday's meeting went well. Got some more information about the training and the race and also about the chosen charities that we are going to be running for. Got our T-shirts for the race too (will upload a picture at some point) as well as some other free goodies and discount vouchers. There's a good recipe for Flapjack too that I'm going to have to try :)

We didn't get chance to do the bleep test. We ran over time for the meeting with so much to discuss and although they did offer to still do the bleep test for us we had to rush off as we had things to do at home. Part of me was relieved but I know that i should have attempted it. Maybe some time in the future another opportunity will come up.

So now I need to get working on my fund raising as well as my running! Cant wait to get my race pack! In 16 weeks the race will be over!

I'm going to both training sessions this week - Wednesday and Saturday but they're the only 2 days I'll have chance to get out and train so I need to make the most of them. Looking forward to it!

Wednesday's session came round quick! We were on the road again. This week we tried running for more lamp posts than the previous week. Going up hill we managed 3-4 lamp posts and downhill we were running for 6-7. We tried to only walk for 1 lamp post but sometimes did need that extra lamp post to catch our breath! Overall we did better than last week, we ran more distance and our pace had improved by at least a minute per km. Still enjoying it!


Saturdays session is going to be different this week. Its the launch of Love Running Manchester so it's going to be more of a meeting, to gain lots more info and our t-shirts and goody bags! But we're also going to do a bleep test - that makes me very nervous! Not looking forward to that if I'm honest. It reminds me of being at school and everyone watching me when I'm the worst one in the class! But I'm going to give it a go. I don't know if by being self conscious about it I will be able to give it my best shot but I'm going to try my best - that's all I can do :)

I recently subscribed to Runners World magazine. I thought it might give me some useful hints and tips for training and also good product reviews. My first copy arrived yesterday and it looks fab! Plenty of useful info for me to read through - My husband says I'm turning into a bit of a geek!

I missed Saturday's session just gone because I had to work :(
I really feel like I missed out but made up for it by going out with the girls tonight! We did a walk/jog for a total of 50 minutes, so very impressed! Can't wait for Wednesday's session! Bring it on!!!!

Went to the 2nd training session last night. Was a bit tougher than Saturday mornings session but we all did well again. With it being dark we ventured onto the road after the usual warm up. We did approx 25 mins of running the distance of 3 lamp posts and walking the distance of 1 lamp post in between runs. It was more tiring and there was more a hill but it was good training. It was definitely warmer too which helped!

Recognised a few people from Saturdays session but there were even more people last night - so lots of motivation! Seems like we're gonna have a really good team :)

I gutted I'm going to miss Saturdays training session because I have to work. Will have to make up for it another day - don't want to start falling behind! Roll on next week!

Went to the first training session yesterday. Had a really good time! We did a good warm up - a bit of jogging, skipping, side steps and step overs - to get the joints moving. Then we did 24 minutes of alternating between runs and walks for 60 seconds a time. We finished it off with some stretches. It was a really good start to the training and we all did really well. Cant wait to go again on Wednesday!

We showed good dedication seeing as it was freezing too! My fingers and toes were like ice! Been out and bought some gloves ready for the next session.

18 weeks to go! :)

So I've not set up my fundraising page. Still need to add more details to it yet but at least it's there! Visit www.justgiving.com/mariatickle10k

Ok, so in a moment of madness I decided to sign up for the Manchester 10k race in May 2012. This will be my first 10k race and although I have been doing a bit of jogging and completed a 5k I'm a little nervous! So I've joined a group called Love Running Manchester and hopefully with their support and training I will be able to complete it in a good time! Two of my close friends have also signed up and joined the group so there's plenty of support and motivation!

I thought I'd blog about my training so that I can reflect on my progress, keep some motivation and also as a diary to look back on after the event. I also thought it might be nice if the people generous enough to sponsor me had something to laugh at - which might encourage them to sponsor me more! :)

Anyway, the first official training session is on Saturday - just 3 days away! Im excited!!!!!

Wish me luck! :)