The long road to recovery....

As we have a gap between events I thought it was time to update you all on things from the other side of our team. The side that has spent the last two months either lying down or in a physio room or doing odd stretches on the floor. Fun fun fun!

When the physio predicted a 3 month recovery time I was sceptical. Surely I would recover faster – I'm young(ish) and fit(ish) and have never had an injury like this before. 3 months, pah, I'll be running before you know it. It seems, he knew his stuff. Having compressed nerves is not like having a pulled muscle. Nerves are tricky little things and are somewhat unpredictable. One wrong move and the recovery is set back. So, 9 weeks on since then and I'm 85% better... apparently...

6 weeks of sick leave left me with far too much time to think and watch horrific daytime TV. I started to feel sad on Friday when I realised it was Eamon and Ruth instead of Philip and Holly on This Morning. It was horrific. Have you ever had to watch Eamon Holmes for 2 hours... blurgh... it was even worse when Phil had a week off and Eamon was allowed to flirt (harass?) Holly... But I digress...

Yes, I was over the moon when, a few weeks in, I was allowed to go for a walk in a swimming pool! Then I progressed to swimming with just my arms. It was a sight to brighten anyone's day. I really wanted to make a sign that said “I can swim really, I'm injured” so no one jumped in to save my flailing body. But it would get wet... Today I am able to swim properly (or as properly as I ever could) for 14 whole lengths of a rather small pool. It's all progress and I am just delighted to be allowed to do some exercise again. It is scary how unfit I felt the first time I swam a full length but day by day the fitness is coming back.

I can now also walk without hobbling and I'm back at work nearly full time. Sitting is still tricky for long periods of time but all in all life is good. Yesterday the physio gave me the go ahead to try to jog. For 5 minutes. Gently. And if it hurts I must stop immediately. But WAYHEY... this was the news I've been desperate for. He also cleared me to take part in Challenge 3 (The Bradford 10K at the end of March). I might be slow and be walking large chunks but I will be there.

So thank you to all of you for your support during these difficult weeks. I can't believe how many lovely messages, offers of help and visitors I've had. It really has helped... as has watching our sponsorship increase generously. Bri has carried on regardless and didn't kill me when he had to do the gym challenge from hell (my idea and the one I was really keen to do) without me. Thanks to Zoe for stepping in and having the energy of a Duracell bunny! Thanks again to my wonderful Mum who not only came over to look after me and keep me entertained but completed the 5k January challenge too. I'm looking forward to running an event together later in the year.

Now, onwards and upwards... Bradford here we come!

Roz x

Gym'll Fix it!

Okay, so our last blog update was for the January challenge of a wintry and hilly 5k run. February took us to a whole new level. I have climbed the odd mountain, done several half-marathons and taken on a few all you can eat buffets but the Gym Challenge was the hardest physical thing I think I have ever done - worth it for keeping up our 12-in-12-in-2012 fundraising drive:
http://www.justgiving.com/Bri-Taylor-2012-Challenge

Roz is continuing her convalescence after being struck down by sciatica and Zoe Nisbet, friend and legend, stepped into the fray for the Rozster. We also had a hardy group of folk for the various classes that joined the FCF team! It all started last Friday (Feb 3), a frosty morning at Fitness First gym in Glasgow; arriving before the gym opened at 06:15 to be greeted by a gym enthusiast doing a hula warm-up in the car park.

The Friday schedule is the really long one, two from the bottom!

The challenge for the day was originally 7 classes: 3 spin classes, 2 body combat classes, a core class and a session of yoga. The gym's timetable provided grim reading.

 



We now had 8 classes ahead of us (all the main group classes on the day barring clashing floor sessions). Instead of the 2 body combat classes we had 1 body combat class and 2 metafit classes. 'What's metafit?', we asked in mild bemusement. Turns out it was created by a former Royal Marine Commando and a gymnast to combine traditional bodyweight exercises with interval training to result in a high energy workout that continues to burn body fat for 24hrs after each session. We had 2 of them! So, all in all, 5 and a half hours of gym classes and the destruction of awful lot of calories lay ahead...

Hour 1

Zoe and I were joined in our first spin class at 06:45 by Roz's sister Pam. I had been telling myself that I would ease off a little in each session, so I could last the distance. Not so easy now when you are being shouted at by an enthusiastic instructor that appeared hell-bent on getting us to go at full pelt! My false moustache proved a hindrance to breathing and the spinning machine was a hindrance to resting. An hour later we said goodbye to Pam as she headed off to work and said hello to a core class. Ow, my sides.

Hour 2

After a breather we were into our first metafit experience, along with Simon Harding who had been hoodwinked into this and the following spin class. We were doing squats, press-ups, star-jumps, burpees and assorted other exercises in 30 second bursts followed by 10 second rests. Repeated for half an hour. I was sweating more at the end of this than I had at the start of my last University exam. What to do after a high intensity workout? Go into a spin class. This was much the same as the first session but the instructor was less intense, thankfully, and the music was more rock based which was uplifting - though no Eye of the Tiger.

Hour 3

Yoga. My first time trying it and it must have been providence because it was just what Zoe and I needed. We were put into positions such as the Exultant God and Superman and our muscles breathed a long hard sigh of relief.

Hour 4



Zoe, wins! Now then, now then...



After the second break of the day we headed into the final, continuous session in good spirits and altered costumes. Zoe, in a fit of bravery and/or folly, decided that we needed wigs to brighten us up and bring more attention to the cause. A wig on your head during intense exercise. Fine, if you resemble a character from a manga-esque beat-em-up computer game. Not so much if you end up looking like a twisted version of a 1970s Jimmy Saville!

Into the final 135 minutes, joined by Pam for metafit, spin and body combat - valiantly rushing back form work - plus partner Aileen for combat. At least we knew what to expect from metafit this time and pacing yourself was much easier. It still had to be followed by a third spin class of the day and our 3rd instructor - the most energetic of the lot! We climbed hills, settled into sprints and my legs have never felt heavier. I was actually depressed to hear The Prodigy come on the sound system, what's wrong with a bit of Enya?

Hour 5

Body combat was a welcome relief from cycling and we entered the final straight with little energy but plenty of enthusiasm. I was almost coordinated, while Zoe, an experienced body combat class goer, was on auto-pilot and in sync with all the kicks, punches and general jigging. The last section on core body and stretching nearly finished me off but we were there till the bitter end to complete the challenge and bask in a fantastic collective effort.



Pam, Aileen, me and Zoe at the end of a very long day!



So massive thanks to Anders (for putting us up), Simon (for general support and class going), Pam for being hardcore, Aileen for being part of the team and Fitness First for allowing us to unsettle its usual membership. Most of all, a gigantic thank-you to Zoe for being an all-round fantastic egg and challenge killer. If we could harness her energy and positivity then our reliance on fossil fuels would diminish greatly.

On to March, the Bradford 10k and some much needed rest in between!

A big thank you to everyone for their ongoing support. Bri.

Great Winter Fun!

Happy New Year everyone - I hope 2012 has brought glad tidings along with its blank canvass; only the impressions of the year left behind for a vision to be rendered anew!

Well, the 2012 FCF challenge did not get off to the most auspicious start with Roz struck down with sciatica just before Hogmanay. It goes to show that doing all the right things and training hard does not mean life can't turn on its heel and give you a good kick. Roz is dealing with it in determined fashion, following doctor's orders and getting treatment that will have her back to her best in no time.

On the plus side, we were lucky enough to have Roz's Mum, Bronwen, around to jog into the breach for Roz and be part of the FCF Team that included Susie and Simon Harding - Susie competing in her first organised run!

The January 2012 challenge, the Great Winter Run in Edinburgh, went really well. It was windy but not gale force, it was overcast but dry and there was a great atmosphere around an event that had an international cross-country and a junior run - as well as our 5k around Arthur's Seat with 1,500 runners!

Everyone came in in under 35 minutes which, when you consider it has a 350ft ascent for the first half of the run, is a tremendous effort. Check out Susie, Simon and Bronwen finishing the race sporting the rather fetching CF Trust running tops - Bronwen clearly putting in practice for the sprint finish:

What to do after completing a run before the after effects of the Christmas pud have warn off? Have a fry up. We were treated to a banquet round at Roz's as she continued her convalescence:

A special thank you to Ken Latham who was our race support and cameraman.

So, a week where we got some local publicity http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/edinburgh/around-the-capital/we_want_to_go_the_extra_mile_in_2012_for_our_friend_1_2034601

Raised our first £600 for the CF Trust (thanks everyone) https://www.justgiving.com/teams/FCF

And completed our first challenge. Not a bad start!

On to February, fancy dress and quite possibly some zumba. Lucky me...

Good luck with the worthwhile resolutions and enjoy breaking the unreasonable ones.

Bri.

Change is good for us… right?!

Well, that’s what I’ve been told but as I write this with the start of the winter cold and a pulled calf muscle I’m not entirely convinced. So this is my first blog entry – apologies for the delay but the changes in my life have been coming thick and fast.

A new job and new flat in a new city have kept me busy over the past few weeks. Try to add in some training and life has been passing by in a flash. I’m now settling back in Edinburghlife and have joined a gym so all is on course for a fit 2012 – of course, the gym membership doesn’t start until Jan 1^st so until then I can eat and drink as much as I want (that is how it works isn’t it?!)

A real benefit of being back in Edinburgh is being closer to my challenge buddy Bri and having a few of our dedicated supporters on hand to keep us motivated. As the picture below shows – sometimes the help has been more wine related (lunging whilst drinking counts as training in my book!). However, that night was followed by a practice run of the Great Winter Run route on Saturday morning. Bri and I were accompanied by our friends The Hardings as we slogged up the big hill and forced ourselves to keep running even when the wind was biting. We all completed it though and despite a few aches and pains we are well on track for the big event to start. There’s still time to join us –
http://www.greatrun.org/events/event.aspx?id=2

But for now, I wish you all the best for the festive season.  I hope you’re all on the nice list and Santa makes it down the chimney - don’t forget the carrot for Rudolph! 

Let’s raise a toast to a challenging 2012!

Roz

Approximately 365 days to go and counting!

So, none down, 12 events to go. Not really sure how you prepare for 12 different events that incorporate running, rowing, climbing, cycling etc. Possibly go and lie down for a nap?

I have enrolled at a gym, got an exercise programme and have been introduced to the wonders of interval training. This seems to be a form of torture where you repeatedly flog yourself a little bit and then flog yourself a lot. Until it hurts.

That, and it appears that fit people should preen: constantly. I am getting the hang of some of the gym equipment but preening might be a problem. Anyone got any tips? I am settling for using an exfoliating face wash - a big step that for someone from the north east of England.

The run-up (boom-boom) to Christmas has started in earnest and the first problem is keeping fit while having fun over the festive period. Who would want to eat a Christmas rice cake? Or greeting, 'Want to meet up for a drink and a curry?' with the response, 'No thanks, I am doing circuits in the gym until my biceps tear or the monotony of what I am doing pushes me to a prolonged state of secluded introspection.'

No, me neither, so I am off to the gym to be followed closely by Sicilian biscuits and an increasingly compressed social calendar next week!

This blog will be updated by Roz and me during our progress in 2012 and throughout the challenges - we'll try and make it an interesting insight into what we are up to as we hope this will not only raise money but will bring us into contact with loads of different people doing different things in some exotic and not so exotic locations.

Bring it on!

Bri.

A short while ago, in a beer garden not so far away...

You know when you have one of those great ideas? Possibly in a pub with a beer festival, when your spirits are high and you are feeling more fearless than usual. Then the next day comes and you do nothing about it?

Yeah, we had an evening like that in April. Then we chatted about it. Made a few plans. Talked each other up. Convinced each other that it was not only a great idea but a fantastic challenge. And then, before we knew it, here we are!

12 events, over 12 months in 2012. Just rolls off the tongue. This is all in aid of the CF Trust, raising money and awareness in the fight against Cystic Fibrosis. A fantastic cause that is even more crucial as research funding is cut more and more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13643267

We won't lie, we're a little scared. There's a long way to go, loads of extra planning to do and more training than we care to think about. There's also the racing certainty of embarrassment. Often and colossal. We're not sure what will be hardest - canoeing the length of Lake Windermere, doing the Three Peaks Challenge or wearing all-over spandex. And the person that invented the tandem was clearly a practical joker.

We can't do it alone - we need your support: sponsor us, follow us, message us, promote us - any and all help will be greatly appreciated. It will be fantastic if you want to join us in our challenges, so if you see anything from our programme you want to get involved with, let us know and help us to raise money and awareness to Fight CF: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/FCF

So look out for our regular updates, we'll be keeping people in the picture on this blog and Facebook with photos and tales of what we get up to and who we get up to it with!

Thanks. Here's to uncharted territory - we've got lots of it ahead.

Roz and Bri