by thinkmarsh | May 15, 2017 | cycling, travel
I am so excited to share with you my next big fitness challenge. It started off as a plan to meet for social laps in the park (ending with cake) between a few fitness blogging friends and evolved into an international trip on two wheels. For most of my crazy adventures (World Marathon Majors, cage diving with sharks) I end up participating alone. Sharing this journey with close friends is going to be ace! Plus it corporates several of my favorite things- travel, exercise, exploring new cultures, and eating cake.
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| Elle, of Keep It SimpElle |
Departing on 14 July, 2017,
Sophie,
Elle, and I will be cycling from London to Paris unsupported. These ladies are also both personal trainers and fitness bloggers with a similar attitude towards health and fitness as me. We all live very busy lives between working and training but super exited for this challenge.
My husband will be joining us as the official #InstagramHusband of the trip. He loves cycling and I am happy to be doing something he enjoys too. His tolerance for running is limited to Parkrun so I know I will never see him train for a marathon with me. We trained for Ride London together in the past but I know I slow him down (and I would slow him down for running too). We have each completed Ride London three times but rode the course at our own pace. Two years ago we rode to Brighton with some other blogging friends and it was a great day out.
In total, our ride to Paris will be 164 miles (265 km) over three days. On Day 1, we ride from the Velodrome to New Haven where we hop the evening ferry to Dieppe. After spending the night in a bike-friendly Dieppe hotel, we spend Day 2 cycling to Beauvais, which will be our longest leg at 65 miles. Day 3 takes us right into Paris, ending under the Eiffel Tower for a ton of celebratory photos. There is a courier service who will transport our bikes back to London while we celebrate in the evening with good wine, yummy cheese, and probably a hot shower. Monday we have the day set aside to do some sightseeing before taking the Eurostar home in the evening.
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| Sophie, of The Fitology Way |
How am I going to prepare? I am continuing with
Julia B Fit’s home workout videos twice a week and aim to get out on the bike for a long ride on the weekends with James. Gradually, I will increase the weight of my saddlebags on the weekend training rides. Monday nights, I teach spining and #tracktuesdays with Advent Running will also stay in my diary. This ride will take me right into the start of Chicago Marathon training, which is perfect to avoid oversue injuries but keep my cardio fitness up. Win win!
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| Me! |
I am confident I can make it to Paris based on my experience with the
#FitbitFifty. But this trip will require me to make my own way on open roads while carrying everything I need and probably change my own tire. Travelling with friends under an extreme phsyical challenge should be interesting too. Having this date in the diary is a great motivator too. There is even discussion if this trip goes well, we will plan a longer excursion in 2018.
Fingers crossed, I hoping in the next few weeks there will be more opportunities for me to share with you that involve traveling and cycling. Keep checking back for updates.
Have you ever ridden from London to Paris? Leave your tips for us on what to pack in the comments below and watch for #3PTsToParis on social media as we make our final preparations. If you are a brand that would like to support us on this epic adventure, please get in touch.
by thinkmarsh | May 11, 2017 | fashion, product review
Spring is here and it is time to #getraceready. Get The Label is an online boutique that offers a variety of clothes for men, women, and children. They also have a strong fitness collection that includes tops, bottoms, trainers, and sports bras. All the top brands are there too- Adidas, Nike, Under Amour, Reebok, Asics and more, but at a fraction of the price. Seriously- a lot of the fitness stuff is about 40% off RRP (inlcuding trainers!). Get The Label generously let me pick out a few pieces which I thought would be great in this transitional spring weather (chilly mornings and cool evenings) as training season ramps up again for summer races.
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| My new outfit |
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| Cold Gear leggings |
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| After my spill. So sad. |
The bottoms are Under Armour Cold Gear leggings which are lined with a warm material but also wicks away moisture. The leg panels are water repellent, which is helpful in misty weather. The waistband is high and elastic, which makes it very flattering on my body (and stays in place when I run).
These became an instant favorite during the last weeks of my marathon training. I tend to have trouble managing my body temperature during workouts but these always kept it just right. Can you believe I tripped and fell during an Adidas Runners morning session and ripped them? Absolutely gutted and I am going to try to mend them. If I can’t, I will be ordering a new pair soon.
As I mentioned before, I am trying to replace my old sports bras that are sad and ragged. The description of the Reebok WorkOut Ready bra sold me- ultimate support and moisture wicking (are you seeing a theme here?). I have worn it for both spin classes and run sessions and been happy with the suport it gives my chest.
Finally, the Nike Air Drape Hoody looked so bright and cosy, I had to have it. I love wearing something around my neck to keep warm when there is a breeze, and the cowl neck hoody allows me to bundle up or cool off a bit. There are a few design details, such as the pointed cuff, printed hood and zippered pockets, that add to the unique design. The material is 96% cotton and soft. I wear this top on the way to morning sessions but also when I am home on the couch at the weekends.
I am really happy with the quality of items I was sent from Get The Label. As I mentioned, I will be reordering the Under Amour leggings (only £29.99) if I can’t find a way to patch the stretchy fabric. I will be checking back every month to see what new products they have added to their shop.
Get The Label generously sent me these items to review. As always, all opinions are honest and my own.
by thinkmarsh | May 8, 2017 | exercise, outdoors, product review
Did you know that May is National Walking Month? Set up by Living Streets, the UK charity for everday walking, the aim is to create a nation where everyone enjoys the simple act of walking. People often overlook walking as a form of exercise, but it is a great one. The impact to the joints is less than running and it can still raise the heartbeat. According to the NHS, walking has even been shown to reduce the risk for chronic illnesses if done at a moderate intensity. Walking can be done anytime, anywhere. It is free and just about anyone can do it.
We chose our flat as it is near a large park and I get in at least one walk a day by taking our dog for a romp. I leave my phone at home to unplug for a bit too and just enjoy being out in nature. But if you don’t have a dog or a nearby park, there are plenty of ways to get your steps in.
The easiest way to accumulate steps is to walk for part of your commute. Walk to the next bus or subway stop or get off one stop early. You could also make your tea break or lunch hour a time to leave the office and walk around the block a few times. When you get back to the office, rack up a few more steps by taking the stairs instead of lift.
In the evening, why not create a new family tradition of going on a walk with the family rather than relaxing in front of the TV? Your children will learn from your example and benefit from being unplugged for a while too.
The Cinnamon Trust is a great way to get involved with your local community and walk more. With this organization, you volunteer to walk elderly or disabled neighbor’s dogs (there are other pets available to care for too if dogs are not your thing). Not only will you get your steps in, but the doggies will be happy too. When we lived in Mill Hill, I walked a dog on Sundays that I was paired with through the Cinnamon Trust. Now, we have Oldland so he gets us outside at least twice a day, if not three.
On our dog walks over the weekend, I tried out the new Keen Terradora mid-walking boot. I had heard of Keen before (I have a pair of their sandals which are great for casual cycling and water sports) and knew the boots would be comfortable as soon as I put them on. The boots have a wide toe box (a signature design aspect of all Keen footwear) and a cushioned panel to support the Achilles. This cushioning really appeals to me, as my Achilles are very tender and I find some shoes irritate them more.
The Terradoras also have a heel lock linked to the laces which can give extra support if needed, depending on the activity you are going to take part in. I have a narrow foot and this ability to tighten the shoe to fit my foot is great. The tread is good for fields, city streets and icey conditions, but the footbed support isn’t designed for use with heavy rucksacks. The shoes are superlight, so for me it is a fair tradeoff as I don’t do any serious backpacking.
My style is a bit more ‘function over fashion’ or sporty, but I think the Terradoras would also work with a bootcut jean if you were travelling on a walking holiday and wanted to head to the pub. Or if you spent a day exploring the town rather than the mountains, you could wear these boots and still have comfy feet.
Being waterproof boots, I know Oldland and I can walk in the park no matter what the weather. On the weekend, we go as a family with my husband too. With our close friends starting to have children, we have found that walks to the playground with the kids are a nice way to spend the afternoon too. We also take walks with the in-laws when we visit them. Walking is a bit harder to do when we go back to America to visit my family. America is designed for driving, not walking!
When do you find time to go for a walk? Try to aim to get 10,000 steps a day or more this May in honor of National Walking Month. Just remember to carry water with you if you go out for a long walk, just in case you get thirsty (or lost!). If you need some inspiration, check out these sites:
John Harris’ Walking in England– links to free downloadable maps
The National Trails- explore the diverse landscapes of Britian (has info on horse riding trails and cycling paths too)
Walking For Health– search for a health walk scheme near you. Over 1,800 free short lead walks are offered a week.
London For Free– 12 free self-guided walks of London.
Free Tours By Foot- another bunch of free walking tours of London
The boots were given to me for a review. All opinons are honest and my own.
by thinkmarsh | May 5, 2017 | exercise, running, SMART goals, strength, WMM
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| At the London Marathon red start |
As you read on Monday, the London Marathon has come and gone. It has been my sole focus since mid-December, so to have it gone is a bit unsettling. I still have my long term goal of qualifying to run the Boston Marathon in 2019, but it seems so far away and I am not really happy with my London Marathon performance. Yes, I got a PB, but deep down I feel it is because I didn’t stop and use the bathroom as many times as I did in Berlin. I also didn’t stick with my goal of 9:30min/miles. Friends warned me not to start off the London Marathon too fast. I did though (the cheers are infectious!) and tried to rein myself in. Near the start of the race, my splits were estimating I would finish in 4:15:00. But my body just wasn’t strong enough. Hips and legs started to hurt at mile 16, which was 10 long miles from the finish line.
This has always been my problem during a marathon and I know how to solve it. Is it fear that keeps me from strength training? Lack of time? Self-sabotage? I have all the kit I need, the knowledge of the exercises, free access to a small gym, a membership to an online gym with tons of video resources yet there is a mental block.
After every marathon (or usually 2 weeks before), I swear I will lift for the next race. My butt shouldn’t be lazy. My heels should come up to my bum when I run not barely lift off the ground, right?
It comes down to how badly do I want it? How much am I willing to give to reach Boston, to finish a marathon feeling strong rather than limping around for the following week, to fit the expected aesthetics of a personal trainer (another one of my insecurities)?
To bring things into focus, I have set myself three SMART goals:
- Complete 2 strength sessions a week for the next eight weeks
- Three rounds of 10 kegals and clams six days a week
- Run Chicago Marathon in 4:15:00 (8 October 2017)
As a #fitnessrockstar in
Julia B Fit’s online gym (where a free basic membership is available), I am fortunate enough to have access to most of her videos. There are a dozen programs or you can mix and match videos as you see fit. Julia recommended a few specific workouts for me that fit in my two sessions/week goal, as well as getting my body into better running shape. She has introductory videos for all the programs to give you specific instructions on each move. This allows you to ‘hit the ground running’ when you watch the workout. As a personal trainer, I find her combinations of movements refreshing. The body is continually challenged, no matter which video you watch. A lot of the workout can be done without any equipment or simply
dumbbells and a
yoga mat.
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| Working out in my narrow flat |
Don’t worry, I will keep busy on the other five days of the week. I have a few spin classes that I am taking at the Velodrome and RUNch sessions mixed in too. In June, I am taking part in the
London 10 Mile race in Richmond Park (anyone up for brunch?) so I need to keep logging miles. Something else is planned for July too but I will share more about that soon.
After the eight weeks of strength training, it will be time for me to start marathon training properly again. I am considering hiring a run coach to give me a bit more structure to improve my speed. If you have ever worked with a running coach, please leave a comment below on any advice you have for selecting one. Or if you have any tips on getting over the post-marathon blues, I would love to hear about them.
This post contains affiliate links. They do not add any additional cost to the buyer but help pay for the maintenance of my website.
by thinkmarsh | May 3, 2017 | fashion, product review
Towards the end of last year, the lovely ladies behind La Redoute UK contacted me to try out some of the kit in their sportswear shop, as well as offer my advice to their customers about how to stay fit and healthy. You can check out their 2017 fitness guide here, which includes a few interviews with other fitness blogging friends too.
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| Dip in the pool at Champney’s |
I hadn’t heard of this site before they got in touch. The selection of sportswear is huge and includes many big brands, such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, Rebook, and R Essential. Every time I have a browse, I see their selection has a lot of classic pieces that will always be in style, as well as a few items that are brighter and bolder. There is so much selection that I had trouble picking out which clothing items to try.
In the end, I went with a one-piece Arena swimsuit with pink fish on it for my trip to Cape Town. Unfortunately, I only wore it under a wet suit on my cage dive because the water there is too cold for beach swimming. I hadn’t heard of Arena before but the product is meant to be chlorine resistant. I tried it out at my Champneys Spa break in early Febraury. It fits well but I knew to go order a few sizes up with my apple body shape.
Next I got a new sports bra to replace some of my Shock Absorbers that look a bit dingy. Have you heard you are supposed to replace your sports bras every 6 months? I struggle to find bras that are supportive enough for me, so I tend to stick to one brand and style. On the La Redoute site, The Z Sport Virtuosity bra claimed level 5 support and the color was bright so I though I would give it a try. I have worn it spinning and it did the job pretty well. It also supported my ‘kids’ well on a few Sunday long runs so I was able to discard my saddest looking Shock Absorber.
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Way outside my comfort zone here with a ‘topless’ photo. At least my bra matched the Overground decor.
Photo by Chloe Knott |
Finally, I gravitated towards the print of grey Puma capris, which fit really well and have a supportive waistband. To complete the outfit, I also ordered the grey branded Puma shirt to match. The bottom of the shirt flares out a bit, which would cover my bum. The shirt is made of cotton (I tend to prefer technical fabrics) but it is still really comfortable and fits me well.
The clothes are high quality and the prices on La Redoute are really reasonable for the brands and selection they offer. They have street wear as well so it might be you new go-to site for one stop online shopping. The collections are constantly being updated (which is why I cannot link to all of the kit I tried), so set it to your favorites and have a look around every once in a while.
Big thanks to La Redoute for the complimentary clothes and including me in their fitness guide. All opinions and body image concerns are my own.
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