In November I achieved my 85k (52 mile) target for the month, so this month I’ve upped the target to 100k (64 mile), and I’m planning a Christmas day run. I’ve had a few aches and pains after the long runs, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Running makes me feel so good, it’s a great stress reliever, and gives Helen and I some quality time out in the fresh air, chatting about our day.

After Christmas I’m going to invest in a better pair of trainers to go with the new running gear I’m hoping Santa is going to bring me. I’m not quite up to a marathon, but In the new year I’m going to be entering some of the local races, and work up to a half marathon by May/June.

Our route takes us over fields, down quiet country lanes, and through woodland. The scenery is fabulous, and gets us away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, giving Helen and I time to catch up.

We’ve both struggled occasionally, but we pushed on and feel so much better for it. Our stamina is much improved, and we are noticing improvement in our Kuk Sool Won training. In the past month I’ve lost 2 st  and Helen has lost 1st 6lb!

Here’s some pictures from our route.

There is so much info out there on how to run, what speed, distance, etc, etc, that we’ve decided to follow the 5k runner program to start. It’s iPhone app that takes you from the sofa to a full 5k run. It takes you through an eight week program from novice to running 5k, and it’s learning/training pace suits us well.

Here’s a couple of pictures of the app in action, so you get an idea of how the training program works.

So far we’ve completed two training sessions, and it’s been a mixture of brisk walking, running, with a warm up and a cool down. Our route takes us out into the countryside past an old church, through a park and along little used roads, so it’s quite peaceful, and a real pleasure. We’re planing to alter our route to give us a bit of variety, and to encompass the only hill in Carlton Colville.

It’s funny, I’ve spent years driving past runners thinking they must be mad, and asking myself why they do it, and now I know. It feels good!!

I do have some fitness equipment that I use occasionally. I have a treadmill, a rowing machine, and a stationary cycle in the gym. I also have a punch bag and some small hand and leg weights that I use when I’m practicing Kuk Sool Won. The trouble is I don’t do it as often as I should.

What do you do for exercise in the winter? Do you go to a gym or work out at home, or does your routine falter like mine once the weather outside turns bad?

Congratulations on your medal, I’m very jealous!

It’s grown a little, but its pinker rather than redder. It means I should probably get an eye exam. The list of causes ranges from pressure on the eye, or a sneeze,or high blood pressure. My blood pressure has been higher than it should, so it’s important that I get that under control (more pills). However, I have been a little stressed out lately, so it might be correlative.

A typical bruise appears black or blue underneath the skin, a subconjunctival hemorrhage appears bright red underneath the transparent conjunctiva (the white bit to you and me). Apparently, the hemorrhage may spread and become green or yellow, like a bruise, that’s going to be nice . . .

Thankfully they usually disappear within 2 weeks.

Man-Flu is more painful than childbirth. This is an irrefutable scientific fact, based on a survey of over 100,000 men.

Man-Flu is not ‘just a cold’. It is a condition so severe that the germs from a single Man-Flu sneeze could wipe out entire tribes of people living in the rainforest. And probably loads of monkeys too.

Women do not contract Man-Flu. At worst they suffer from what is medically recognised as a ‘Mild Girly Sniffle’ – which, if a man caught, he would still be able to run, throw a ball, tear the phone book in half and compete in all other kinds of manly activities.

Men do not ‘moan’ when they have Man-Flu. They emit involuntary groans of agony that are entirely in proportion to the unbearable pain they are in.

Full recovery from Man-Flu will take place much quicker if their simple requests for care, sympathy and regular cups of tea are met. Is that really so much to ask? Florence Nightingale would have done it

More men die each year from Man-Flu Neglect, than lots and lots of other things. (Like rabbit attacks or choking on toast).

Men suffering from Man-Flu want nothing more than to get out of bed and come to work, but they are too selfless to risk spreading this awful condition amongst their friends and colleagues. In this sense, they are the greatest heroes this country has ever known.

Man-Flu germs are more powerful than He-Man, The Thundercats and The A-Team combined. They are too strong for weak, nasty tasting ‘lady medicines’ like Lemsip, so don’t bother trying to force them on a victim of Man-Flu.

Every minute in this country one man is struck down by Man-Flu. Women, all we ask is that each of you offers them a cup of tea, some kind words and your undivided attention and care. Then maybe, just maybe, we’ll beat this monstrous disease together…

So how have I done? Well it’s just two months since Christmas, and I’ve lost 13.6kg, or 30lbs, or 2st 2lbs of fat, through healthy eating and exercise. However you look at it, its huge loss, one I’m proud of, and half my target weight loss.

I’m training hard to learn the skills, and knowledge necessary for my upcoming Black belt testing. I have slowly improved my diet, and felt ready, and willing to stop eating those empty calories that have had me in their grip for so long. I’m talking about chocolate, chips, junk food etc. I know that I have been addicted to them for so long, using them as a crutch to bring happiness to my day after feeling overwhelmed by the stress, and demands around me.

Now, I feel mentally strong enough to walk away from these temptations. I know that they do nothing for me. It’s a lifestyle change for the better, and it’s enhancing my good health. I have survived the withdrawal period, and my body has adjusted to less sugar, fat, and salt in my diet.

There’s a huge difference between health and fitness. Health refers to our overall physical and mental state, our wellbeing, and our ability to go about the day without suffering from illness. Good health means our minds and bodies are working in harmony.

Fitness is specific, and often fit for purpose. You can be a highly trained athlete capable of putting yourself through extreme physical endurance, and pressure, but if your immune system is weakened through improper diet then your health will suffer.

So the trick is to train smart, and remember that rest is as important as action. Take a break in between training sessions to let your body recover, and stay healthy. That’s why people refer to “health and fitness”. You can have one without the other, although it has to be said that fitness works best if you’re healthy in the first place!

Get fit, stay healthy and enjoy your training.