Well duh!

This nugget of wisdom has changed the way I think about running. You'd think I would've worked this out for myself before now, but nope - it took this pin for the penny to drop.

One thing I knew I wanted was a long sleeve top with thumb holes. I can't stand having cold hands at the best of times and it seems to make running unbearable. I also needed an extra pair of running tights (why don't they just call them leggings?), running in the wet and mud teamed with trying to run more regularly means I needed back up.

I'd seen Fabletics advertised on Facebook (every so often one sneaky little ad gets into my subconscious and does it's thing) so I checked out their website and less than ten minutes later had signed up and ordered an outfit consisting of leggings, top and beanie. With an introductory half price offer I got the lot for £36.00 which I thought was very reasonable.

For my first run in this little lot it was cold, there was snow on the ground, so they were really put through their paces. The leggings are nice and thick and have a deep waistband which I find really comfy. The top is larger than expected but has my prerequisite thumb holes and is long enough for some good bum coverage. As it's quite thin I can wear a fleece over the top that I bought eons ago - it's lightweight but super warm.


The hat is larger than expected but kept my head toasty without getting hot. Being able to pull it down over my ears stopped my ear buds from falling out, which they have been known to do more than once - extra bonus.

Overall I like everything and am pleased with the quality.

From this point on I can get an outfit every month from £44.00, if I want to skip an month I just log on between the 1st - 5th of the month to skip it. I've popped a note in my diary to remind me in case I don't want anything, it also means I have time to review my purchases and earn points for each one. 1,000 points gets you a free outfit - I know they cover the cost of it in the other outfits I'll buy but it'll seem free when the time comes and that's exciting.

It's easy to skip a month, I've already skipped February as I've only just received my first outfit but I've looked at the other outfits and they look pretty good.

In my last post about running Elise commented that she gets 'suddenly psyched up for the gym' when she gets new kit and I think there is something to that. Not only do I love wearing new purchases but I'm dreading my run less now that I have some more suitable clothing. Am I running faster? No. Is it any easier? Nope. But I'm more comfortable and that goes a long way to making it more enjoyable.

Where do you get your workout gear?

I haven't spoken about my running on the blog for a while due to the horribly lacklustre nature of it. But new year, renewed focus and all that! My trainers were looking very sorry for themselves and I'd planned a cheeky new purchase in the sales but, as luck would have it, I was offered a pair of Mizuno running shoes just before Christmas by Millet Sports. To me new trainers are like new shoes - they make me want to get out there and strut my stuff. I can't say there has been much strutting - more enthusiastic jogging, interspersed with some breathless walking, but I'm getting out there none-the-less.


The trainers I picked were the Mizuno Wave Sayonara 2 Ladies Running Shoe. I liked the pattern and colour combination, but most of all I liked that they are light weight and allow feet to breathe. I hate clunky feeling trainers and hot feet more than anything.


They feel light when running (and I use the word running in the loosest sense of the word) but they have good grip too. I run on uneven ground a lot of the time and have been known to slip but these felt really safe (I'm not saying I'm not going to fall over again, because I will). I wouldn't say that these are trail trainers but they feel pretty steady underfoot. The breathable material means that they aren't waterproof, so icy cold puddles can feel pretty, erm, refreshing, but I'd take this over hot feet any day.

The above photos are the fresh out of the box shots, they look rather more 'rural' now. Having been running in them a few times, I can say I'm really pleased with them. Since July I'd been running in Nike trainers, but I think I prefer these Mizunos for fit and for the terrain I run on.


Mizuno isn't a brand that immediately springs to mind when I think of running shoes but I'll definitely give them another look when I need a new pair. What shoes do you run in? Any favourite brands?

Thank you to Millet Sports for sending me these items to review. All opinions are my own.

Exactly one year ago today, I wrote a post called A short run is better than no run at all. How true that is. And how much I wish I'd stuck with it, I'd have a year's worth of running under my belt by now.

I've been running again over the past few months, once a week, most weeks but not all. This doesn't feel like nearly enough. I love the feeling of being out there running (and, OK, with a bit of walking as well), and I especially love the feeling I get after a run. But I struggle with the initial getting myself out there bit.

I've set up a motivation Pinterest board in the hope that it'll help. I'd love to take part in something like this Glow Neon Fun Run, I think an organised run might give me something to work towards.

How do you motivate yourself to exercise (or to do anything really)?

Love

So I had a little grumble about feeling out of sorts a few posts ago, and we have a rule in our house that we're only allowed to grumble if we're prepared to do something about it.

Truth is I've been feeling pretty crappy about myself for a while. It's all my own doing, I don't eat particularly well and I've let my running slide, so it shouldn't come as a shock to me that my body is responding exactly as it should - by becoming out of shape. I want to get back to feeling healthy and strong.

How am I going to do this? Through exercise and a healthier diet. I'm not going to 'go on a diet' as I don't believe in them. I grew up watching my Mum go on diet after diet to lose weight, then put it all back on (and then some), only to have to start the process all over again. It never made her happy. I need to eat more healthily - have a proper breakfast and stop grazing on unhealthy snacks throughout the day.

As for the getting fit element, I've recently started running again, starting over on the 5K Runner app but I've also got a new running app that is about running for weight loss that I'm keen to try. I'm so annoyed at myself for stopping my running, I was getting on really well and I was even starting to enjoy it but then things / life / work got busy and I stopped. I guess this happens sometimes but what I should've done is start again when the workload eased but I didn't, I ate crisps instead.

All of this comes down to feeling good and part of feeling good for me is to look good (or think I look good when I look in the mirror - is that the same thing? I'm not sure). Dressing the part half the battle, if I feel good in my clothes I'm more likely to stick to it. For now I've relegated any clothes that have become uncomfortable or unflattering to storage and have a selection that I feel good in now.


When it comes to gym gear I have a few items that don't make me wince when I look in the mirror but I've also been lucky enough to have been offered some items to try by Sportsshoes.

I picked out a pair of Nike capri length running tights (I'm not ready to face shorts just yet) as the first time I went running recently my full length tights felt too hot. Although running on one of the hottest days of the year so far, probably wasn't my smartest move! These are much better and super comfy. I really, really like them and love the little zip pocket on the back - perfect for my house key.


I also picked out some Nike trainers in a cool purple design (in my head pretty trainers make me run faster) and I've found them to be really comfy and noticeably lighter than my previous pair. They're really nice to run in - well, run and walk in for a while and then run a bit more ;o)

Any tips for motivation, healthy eating gratefully received!

Thank you to Sportsshoes for sending me these items to review. All opinions are my own.

Love

Last Friday I completed my 5th run with the 5K Runner app and I'm pleased to say that the running bits felt a teeny, tiny, eeny weeny bit easier. I've switched my route and now I'm running on smoother terrain which could have something to do with it but I'm choosing to see it as progress!

I feel a little silly going out and running/walking (mostly walking at this point) for 30 minutes when people are running half marathons all around me but considering I haven't moved at anything over a brisk walking pace in three years I think I'm doing OK. I was talking to my brother about it at the weekend (he runs 10K regularly, for fun) and he said that it didn't matter how long or how far I go - the important thing is that I'm doing it, getting outside in the fresh air and not sitting on my ass. Older brother wisdom is the best!

After my first run I promised myself that if I managed 5 runs I'd treat myself to a sports bra. Running in a normal bra just doesn't seem right, but I wasn't prepared for how expensive they are! I wanted a proper one, not just a cropped vest but one specifically designed for running. Whilst I don't fall into the big busted category - hell, I'm not even in the medium sized category (my sister-in-law refers to me as 'doll sized') - I wanted to be sure I was properly supported. This is where I found my biggest stumbling block, A cups aren't very well catered for.

I wanted the Shock Absorber zip front bra that I saw on Rosie's blog but no matter where I searched, I couldn't find my size. I wanted one that had a fastening rather than an over-the-head job - I've always found these difficult to get on and off in the past, especially when hot and bothered after a workout.

In the end I settled for this Shock Absorber Run Bra, which has two fastenings at the back. I was tempted by the pink one but it cost over a tenner more than the white, which was £22.90 from Amazon (although compared to compared to £38 in Debenhams, it's a bit of a bargain). The most I've ever spent on a normal bra is about £15, so spending over £20 on a bra that I won't even be wearing all day felt a little bit like daylight robbery. Hey ho.


I also decided to buy an armband for my iPhone, as it's probably only a matter of time before I fall over and smash it or drop it in a puddle. Hopefully both will arrive before my next run.


I'm already eyeing up some new trainers (my reward for 20 runs) and it'll come as no surprise that all the ones I REALLY like happen to be in the upper price bracket! I used to work in a sports shop and had 'trainer training' regularly, so I understand that you're not just paying for the name but for the technology and processes that go into developing and making them. I am also aware that for regular runners (4-5 times a week), trainers should be replaced every three months - and at £80+ for the ones I REALLY, REALLY like, that makes me wince a little! Yes, there are cheaper ones out there that are just as good but they're not lovely colours and I have a feeling that lovely colours will make me run faster...

What are your favourite running buys?

I woke up today with a strange urge. An urge to run. It's a very unfamiliar feeling for me, I've been thinking about running for ages but done nothing about it. Sophie's Running Commentary posts have played a part in the spurring me on and a number of posts for Day 5 (Fit and Healthy) of Elizabeth's #BEDM challenge further whet my appetite, including Janey L who introduced me to the 5K Runner app. I bought it the day I read her post but hadn't even looked at it until this morning.

I think 5K Runner is going to prove to be a excellent trainer. He didn't flinch when I told him to 'take a running jump' and he ignored me when I moaned about running in the sunny bits and walking in the shade. I've called him Brad.

The first run is a 25 minute session, 5 mins each end of walking and the middle 15 being 1.5 mins of walking and a 1 min run. I thought this sounded easy but three years of sitting on my arse has taken it's toll, it wasn't easy. I thought I'd be able to run for a minute without any problems but they just got harder and harder.

My final minute of running as so slow, my body felt too heavy for my legs, my feet didn't really want to leave the ground. I felt Brad silently judging me. In hindsight Ed Sheeran's The A Team probably wasn't the best tune to spur me on. Stupid shuffle.

My best running minute had to be to Run-DMC's Walk This Way, I added arms for some slightly wobbly run-dancing. I run in the middle of nowhere, through woodland, with not a soul for miles. This is done so no one can see me suffer and puff and sweat, I like it this way. But if I collapse I'll do so alone, in the middle of nowhere in the woods... *thinks for a moment* I'm sure Mr Joy will come looking for me when he gets hungry.

My final 5 minute walk was completed at a good pace, with a little walk-dancing thrown in - Maroon 5's Moves Like Jagger - I'm attributing this to the elation I felt knowing I didn't have to run anymore. I felt good when I got home, although the irritating label in the back of my trousers was removed almost immediately. And I'm kinda looking forward to my next walk/run. I wonder how long that will last...?

Just one question - how long will it be before my face returns to it's normal colour?