2012 ... DONE!!

Wowzers ... What a year!!

Before 2012 is replaced by 2013 I wanted to take a moment to look back ... reminisce a little and thank everyone who has made this year so amazing.

After doing 1,000 miles in 2011 I honestly thought that I would relish a break in 2012 ... Who was I kidding?!!?!  With 10 events booked in and the added pressure of attempting to hit 2012 self propelled miles in 2012, it was going to be anything but a quiet year.

January and February were event free so by March I was ready for my first medal at Bath Half!! 

 

It was a great event that allowed me to catch up with old friends ... And to meet some lovely new ones too!! 

Next up was Brighton marathon ... Having never done it before I was intrigued and nervous but I needn't have been as it was brilliant!!! In fact, it was so good ... I have chosen it as my 'One Marathon' for the 2013 challenge! It was great to have more 2012 support from Ollie and Anthea too!! 

The Virgin London Marathon was up next ... just 1 week after Brighton!!!  However, middle Wednesday had me quite literally stuck on Mr Osteo's treatment table ... unable to move!!! Needles were pushed into my butt, ridiculously strong painkillers were  prescribed and miraculously (I still don't know how) I managed to get myself to the start line!! Massive thanks to Jules & Andy (off of the Diddys) and David (off of http://www.mersearoadclinic.co.uk/) for everything you did!!!  

May now and so for the big one ... the never been done before 52.4 miles of back to back MoonWalking!! It was Ultra-Moon time!!!!  Watching the video of this reminds me of just how brutal it was but I can honestly say I only have happy and positive memories from this event.  I can't even begin to thank everyone who supported and helped to make this possible but deep down ... you know who you are.  From the WtW team who let me do it to the amazing friends and family who were there to see me across the line ... I could not have done it without you.  Would I do it again?  Yep ... Absolutely!!!! 

With that out of the way it was time to see if I could remember how to run so it was back to London for the Bupa 10,000.  I love this event but I was a little unprepared for just how hot it was going to be ... Hopefully it will be a little cooler in 2013!!

It's now June and Edinburgh is calling.  I rather naively thought this one might feel a little easier after the Ultra ... how wrong I was!! The rain hammered down ... the temperatures dropped and that was before we had even started!!  MoonWalk Edinburgh always feels special ... catching up with so many great friends before, during and after the event is truly wonderful and makes me realise just how lucky I am.

The next experience can't really be described as an event as such but can be described as totally life changing!!!  On July 6th, it was my turn to carry the Olympic Torch.  This has to be one of the most surreal moments EVER and the fact that it is leaning against the wall in my dining room still seems weird!! It was very humbling to have been part of something so huge and sharing the moment with my family and my little Praying Mantis was incredible!!! 

August ... Canterbury Half!!!  The less said about this one the better!!!  Don't get me wrong ... it was a stunningly beautiful course but OMG ... the hills were unbelievable!!! To this day I don't know how I refrained from shoving the camera of the photographer, who was sat half way up one telling me to smile, down his throat!! 

Come September though I would have gladly run those hills again instead of doing the London Triathlon in quite possibly the worst weather conditions ... EVER!!! High winds, driving rain and crashes everywhere made this an incredibly tough event and there were times when I thought I may be facing my first ever DNF but the support of Christina and Bev (aka Caz) was incredible and helped me more than I think either of them will every know.  I will be back to do this event ... knowing it can't be any worse than it was this  year is weirdly reassuring! 

And so back to the running ... 16 non stop miles in the Kingston Challenge.  I had never run this distance without stopping and so I was putting my self under huge pressure to get to the end without having to walk.  I almost lost a hamstring or two along the way but I managed it and was thrilled!!!  So thrilled in fact that it didn't even bother me this year that it was all for a china mug!!!! 

And so to the final event of the year ... the ***** that is Beachy Head Marathon!!! By now my hamstrings and pelvis had all but given up on me and I was physically and emotionally exhausted before I even began.  There was a time pressure on this one though as the lovely Heidi was waiting for us in Southampton!!! The song '4 Seasons in one Day' sprang to mind throughout the day as we experienced rain, wind, sleet, snow and sun and despite sitting down on one of the 7 sisters whilst refusing to go any further ... I did get to the finish line and more importantly  to Heidi's party!!!

And there you go ... 2012 - DONE!!!! I honestly thought that this year would be it for me for a while ... Seems quite the opposite though.  Seems this year is serving as a nice little warm up for 2013 but more about that in the next blog! 

To name names of those who have helped and supported would be impossible and I fear I would forget someone important so I am not going to do it.  What I will do is thank each and every one of you who has been there for part of or all of quite an incredible year and I hope I can continue to count on your support in 2013.  

A very Ultra-Crazy happy new year to you ... keep being brilliant ... you're all fab!!! 

It's body beautiful season, so ..........

I was 15 when it happened.  It was in a science lab at school and someone pointed at my stomach, laughed and said it was sticking out.  I will never forget how that comment made me feel but unfortunately, I have forgotten who it was who found it so amusing to point at me in that way.  I really would love the opportunity to tell that person just how destructive their opinions have been.

Since that day I have controlled almost everything there is to control about food.  I have lied, I have deceived and I have abused my body in the most shameful of ways but it is only in the past few months that I have actually been able to admit that I have an eating disorder.

However ...

4 months ago I began to reduce the control I had over my addiction.  

2 weeks ago the battery ran out on my scales and as yet, has not been replaced.  

4 days ago I made the decision to stop everything in an attempt to overcome the control I have had over myself.  

And today??  Today I think I might just be able to say that for the first time in 25 years, I have taken my first tentative steps towards recovery.  

 But why 'come out' in this very public way?  Well, if I am going to stand any chance of achieving recovery, I need to be honest with myself and others ... but the thought of doing that face to face scares me more than a plate full of pasta so I apologise to those who feel cheated but this is all I am capable of right now!!

I have no idea what people will say when they find out about this and to be honest, that is pretty scary.  I'm sure some will judge and some will not believe me, some will ridicule and others will no doubt accuse me of attention seeking.  But I hope most will support and attempt to understand ... even though it is almost impossible to do that without actually experiencing the torment that grips you every single day!! 

Never did I think I would be sat here, writing this but I have 'met' some hugely inspirational people over the past couple of weeks who have shown me that recovery is not only possible but also something that can have a hugely positive affect on your life.  So I'm giving it a go and I feel so fortunate to have the support of these people along the way. 

It's staggering to discover just how many people are affected by this and as shocking as it is ... it can also be so inspiring, particularly when you find out that these people have turned their lives around in the most incredible ways.  Chrissie Wellington, one of the worlds best triathletes, overcame her own eating disorder to become Ironman world champion 4 times over ... Her picture and these words "It is this faith in my body that has enabled me to reach the huge highs and overcome the lows that come with training and racing" are stuck on my cupboard door and both inspire me every day!!

 As most know ... when I set my mind to something, I become intensely focused so I guess people might wonder why I have never just set my mind to this.  Trust me ... If I could have then I would have done it a long time ago but this is something more powerful that my own stubborn determination.  Or so I thought!!  I am now feeling just about brave enough and strong enough to tackle this head on and show it who is boss!!!! 

I am under no illusion that it is going to be easy.  I am sure I will stumble and trip and fall a fair few times before I get to the end of the road ... if I reach the end of the road at all.  But for the first time ever I know that I want to travel down the road and see what's at the end.   

For this, and all the huge physical challenges that I have planned for 2013, I need to see food as something positive and not something that can damage me, hurt me or make me fat.  Don't get me wrong ... I like food.  I enjoy cooking it, tasting it and even eating it but I don't like what it does to me.  Or rather what I THINK it does to me.  I need to start seeing it for what it is ... as something that can help me and make me stronger and healthier than I have been in a very long time!!!  (I am told that one day I may just believe this!!) 

I long for the day that I can walk past a mirror or window and not check myself.   Actually, forget that, I'm female ... that day is NEVER going to come!! Instead, I shall long for the day when I can look in the mirror and think "so what if my tummy is sticking out a little bit" and instead see the inner me and feel proud of what I have achieved and how far I have come along the recovery road.
If I like the external reflection that looks back at me ... well that's a bonus!!

To follow my progress with this and other challenges you can find me on facebook at:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Another-Ultra-Crazy-Year/267458936633858?fref=ts

Or to donate to one of the charities that I am supporting throughout my Ultra-Crazy year, please go to:

http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/ultra-crazy

or

http://www.justgiving.com/ultra-crazy

 

And so it begins again ...

I'm struggling to remember how to do this blog thing but there are big changes happening at Ultra-Crazy HQ so here's a little update!!

So ... 2013 was supposed to be a year of rest, a year of recovery, a year of 40th celebrations but a simple musing back in June has put a stop to the rest and recovery ... but I still fully intend to celebrate and embrace turning 40 at every opportunity.

My simple musing involved a question and that was "If I could only do one of every run/triathlon distance ... which events would I choose" A simple enough question you would think ... but selecting just one 10k, one half marathon, one full marathon etc is actually quite tricky as there are so many good events out there.  The more I thought about it the more I started to think this would actually make quite a good challenge and so the idea began to take shape and I began to plan the year ahead.

I had to find one event for every run and triathlon distance ... 

I had to make sure they didn't clash ... 

I had to make sure they were in a reasonably sensible order ... 

I had to make sure I could get in (damn those closing dates!!)  ...

and all the while I had to convince myself that this WAS a good idea!

Many phone calls were made and lots of negotiating took place and last week the final event was confirmed so I can now tell you how next year's Ultra-Crazy year will look:

March: Bath Half marathon - This 13.1 mile run will kick start the challenge 

April: Brighton marathon - I've done 27 event marathons but never have I managed to run the entire way ... THIS event is where that all changes!!

May: London 2 Brighton challenge - 100k on foot starting in Richmond and hopefully  finishing before midnight in Brighton 
And one day later ... Bupa 10,000 - Well, what better way to stretch tired legs???

June: Great East Swim - A 2 mile, open water swim ... the perfect prep for what is to follow!! 

July: Outlaw - 2.4 miles of open water swimming, 112 miles of road biking and 26.2 miles of running!! Total and utter madness!!!  
Later the same month I will be doing the London Triathlon and just to add a little more interest to this event I shall be doing both the Sprint and the Olympic distances within the same weekend.

August: The Vitruvian - Half the distance of the Outlaw shouldn't be a problem but I have set myself the target of trying to complete the course in half the time!!   

October: The Kingston Challenge - An 8 mile river run to get ready for ...   
The 10 miles of The Great South Run.

December: Santa run - 5k of pure festive fun

I have been incredibly fortunate to gain the support of blueseventy (http://www.blueseventy.co.uk) Buff (http://www.buffwear.co.uk)  Compressport UK (www.compressport.uk.com) Garmin (http://www.garmin.com/en-GB) and the expertise of a local osteopathy clinic (http://www.mersearoadclinic.co.uk) for my 'One of Everything' challenge and I cannot thank them enough for their support.

May aim for this challenge is simple: To inspire ... to raise awareness and to raise funds!!!
Since my challenges started almost 9 years ago, I have got to know a number of incredibly special people who have been affected by this dreadful disease and so long as I can keep 'doing' ... I will continue to to push the limits and do all I can to help.
I am taking on this challenge for all of those women and men who are going through or have been through treatment and trying to raise as much money as possible for Walk the Walk (http://www.walkthewalk.org/) and Breakthrough Breast Cancer (http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/) along the way.

As I write this, there is a huge wall planner on the floor in front of me waiting for a training plan to be added to it but I have to be honest ... I haven't got a clue where to start.  I still have one event to finish off my 2012 events and then I shall focus on what needs to be done to be ready for next year.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and I look forward to benefiting from your support throughout 2013

  To donate to one of the charities that I am supporting throughout this Ultra-Crazy year, please go to:

http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/ultra-crazy 

or

http://www.justgiving.com/ultra-crazy 

  And if you need mending ... try here: http://www.mersearoadclinic.co.uk/

Follow me on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Another-Ultra-Crazy-Year/267458936633858?fref=ts

And the answer is ...

Last week I was interviewed by the Elmstead Primary school council in their school assembly.  I was so impressed with their well though out questions that I posted them on Facebook and quite a few people wanted to know what my responses were so, for all those enquiring minds ... here are the answers. 

What inspired you?

My friend Caroline has inspired me.  She inspired me to do something so that I wouldn't feel useless when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She inspires me to keep going, to remain hopeful and to never give up.  I'm also inspired by ordinary people doing extraordinary things.  People like Tristan, Mary, Nina, Alex, Aiden, Luca ... you are all amazing.  Then there are the pros, the people who you can only dream of being as good as.  People like Chrissie, Paula, Liz, Lance ... I could go on but the message here is that anyone can be inspiring ... you just have to find the ones who do it for you!!

What has your toughest challenge been?

Without a doubt it has to be the Ultra-Moon: 52.4 miles of back to back MoonWalking through the night.  The challenge was set in the summer of 2011 and I completed it in 12hrs 2mins on May 13th.  I seem to remember saying "never again" but we'll see!!  You can take a little look at my Ultra-Challenge here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_MkaaI3eXQ.  Another tough challenge is always jumping in the lake on a Sunday morning ... it is never something I look forward to ... always something that makes me incredibly nervous and is always something of a challenge.  That said ... I always love it once I'm in!!

Do you know how many miles u have walked/ ran in total?

Last year my challenge was to complete 1,000 miles and I not only hit this target but went beyond.  This year I am part of a group who is aiming to hit 2012miles in 2012.  So far I have racked up 762.3 so I am a little behind target but I WILL get there!!! 

What do u eat?

I try to do the whole carb loading thing from about 3 days out from an event, I try to drink lots of water and try to eat lots of good stuff.  Post event I try to eat lots of protein to help recovery and rehydrate properly.  Having said all that ... I still enjoy chocolate, wine, and refuse to cut anything from my diet completely. Life is for living after all!! 

What message would u like to pass on to future generations?

Having never been very successful at anything in particular at school, I have had to wait a long time to find something that I can not only 'do' but also do well.  Children don't often have a lot of patience but if I could pass on one bit of advice it would be to have total faith in the fact that one day you WILL find something you can do really REALLY well ... so long as you work hard for it.

What motivates u to keep going?

Knowing that I haven't yet reached my limit helps me to keep pushing.  I thrive on the feeling that a challenge provides and I'm finding the bigger challenges provide life-changing experiences.  Raising money for a charity that is so very close to my heart (http://www.walkthewalk.org/Home) is also a huge motivator.  When people are so incredibly generous to donate ... how could I possibly stop??

What is your fave book?

It's a book that I have only recently been lucky enough to get.  It's a book written by Tristan Miller (http://runlikecrazy.com/) about his life changing experience of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks in 42 countries.  He was kind enough to send me a copy, signed and with a personal message of encouragement.  It really is a very special possession.

What is your hobby?

Training (of course), Facebooking (Another Ultra-Crazy year for breast cancer) and getting to grips with Twitter (@UltraCrazyGirl)
 

How do u relax?

Training (of course), Facebooking (Anothr Ultra-Crazy year for breast cancer) and getting to grips with Twitter (@UltraCrazyGirl)
 

How many year have u been fundraising for?

I have done charity work since 1998, focusing on helping Walk the Walk since 2004.
 

Do u know how much u have raised altogether?

Since I started fundraising for Walk the Walk, I have raised just over £24,000 (I think)
 

If u weren't doing marathons etc. what would u do?

(Tough question) I have no idea what I would be doing!!! Aiming for a 'good for age' ranking in triathlons perhaps??  Working with dolphins somewhere idyllic??  Walking guide-dog puppies??  Who knows!!
 

What has been the most beautiful location you've seen?

The most beautiful location to train/event in has to be The Thames at night ... inky black, flat as glass, lights reflected on the surface it is truly magical and to see the light change as the sun begins to lighten the sky at about 3.30/4.00 am is something MoonWalkers are incredibly lucky to witness!! On the right morning ... the lake can be a very beautiful place to train too ... It's just a shame we aren't getting many of those mornings at the moment.
 

Do u know where you'll be carrying the Olympic torch?

July 6th in Ipswich ... still waiting for all the final details (and the shiny, white tracksuit) though
 

Have u ever met anyone famous?

My dad had a great job when I was younger which meant we met lots and lots of famous people but since being an adult those meetings have been more difficult to come by.  My most recent 'sightings' have been Fearne Cotton at the 2011 Bath Half Marathon, Denise Lewis on Tower Bridge during The 2012 Virgin London Marathon and my very lovely college friend Dermot O'Leary at the 2012 Bath Half Marathon
 

 

Have u ever been interviewed?

I have been interviewed over the phone by various journalists of newspapers and magazines but this was my first ever 'live' interview and although none of the children were over 11 years of age ... it was certainly the most nerve wracking!!!

So there you go ... my answers to their excellent questions.  Doing this has reminded me that I really must get around to writing about the Ultra ... and the tri.  I promise I will do it very very soon.   

XxX

One step beyond ... normal!!

I feel like I am standing on the edge of a cliff right now ... not so much thinking "Shall I jump?" but more "What will it feel like when I do?"

Marathon season is well and truly here and I think it's safe to say I am terrified! I have done marathons before... but this feels so very different.  The enormity of what I have taken on has hit me like a train in the last 24 hours and self doubt has set in good and proper!!! 

Everything is hurting just that little bit more ... energy levels are dwindling but my motivation remains strong.

Brighton is the first of the five marathons between now and June and (at the moment) I'm not really feeling the love for this event.  It really doesn't matter how many marathons you do ... 26.2 miles is 26.2 miles and it's a really really Really REALLY long way.  The weather is looking shockingly bad and with most of the 18,000 participants being runners, I know I will be near the back.  Power-Walking a running event is never easy and requires huge mental strength (another thing that is seriously lacking at the moment!!) and the fact that I am doing the London Marathon just 1 week after will really be play on my mind.   I have to do this though ... I have to do it to give my confidence a much needed boost for the Ultra in May.  But preparations have gone well and I will do my very best to cross that finish line and with Brighton (hopefully) done I will have just 6 days to over-dose on protein shakes, carbs, sports massage and osteo treatments ...

(God bless http://www.mersearoadclinic.co.uk) in preparation for the VLM on the 22nd.  

This will be my 8th (and quite possibly my last) London Marathon so I fully intend to savour every second of it.  I know lots of people who are taking part this year and there are going to be a lot of familiar faces supporting along the route (hopefully handing out red jelly babies and fizz) which will make this a very special event.  Maybe this will be the year I beat a Rhino?!?! 

After this, I have three weeks to recover, rest and prepare for the biggest challenge of my life so far ... 52.4 miles of back to back MoonWalking through night, through the streets of London!!  I struggle to remember what it was that made me think this was a good idea and all I could come up with was "because I want to" but I have recently found a new motivation and a far more meaningful reason for doing it.  There is a very special someone who is unable to do her own MoonWalk this year and so miles 26.2 - 52.4 will be for her (and I know she will kick my butt if I don't do it ... so backing out is not an option!!)  Knowing that these miles will be for someone else will help to keep me going when it gets tough ... so please let me know if you want a mile or two done for you too or for someone you know ... it really will give me a much needed push. 

Plans for this Ultra-Crazy challenge started way back in mid 2011 and I cannot believe how time has moved so fast and here I am just 5 weeks away from my first ever official Ultra-Marathon.  I seem to be dreaming about sock changes, toilet stops and cramp constantly and with just 5 weeks to go, I feel far from ready. 

 

2 weeks ago I completed my first ever 40 miler in training and with less that 100yds to go I was leaning against a tree, unable to move, speak or focus and I fail to see where I am going to find the extra 12.4 miles needed to complete this 52.4 mile, never-been-done-before challenge.  I'm told it will all be 'fine' ... but I'm not convinced!

 What I do know is that there will be tears ... hysterical laughter ... severe cramps ... tubs (and tubs) of Vaseline ... a good number of tantrums (apologies in advance if you are one of the ones on the receiving end of one of these) and blisters/pain like I have never experienced before.  But I also think (hope) there could be some incredible support ... a few more pennies in the penny pot (http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/ultracrazy) ... some yummy mars bars ... a hug or two (any excuse to stop and rest) and the most amazing feeling when I cross that finish line on Sunday 13th May!!!! 

I cannot thank Walk the Walk (http://www.walkthewalk.org/Home) enough for making this possible ... your support has always been and continues to be amazing. Get those hugs ready!! 

Keep up with the progress on Facebook 'Another Ultra-Crazy year for breast cancer' and keep the support coming ... I couldn't do any of this without it!!

Let's talk blisters!!

It happens to us all at some point and when it does ... it not only hurts like hell but it can also seriously interfere with training and events!!  So, here (for those who have been asking) is a little masterclass in how to deal with those pesky blisters.  This is based purely on my own experience and so shouldn't be treated as proper, actual, medical advice (although having said that ... it really does work!!)  

 

So ... you have a blister ... and it really really hurts ... what do you do?

The first thing to do is to spend a good hour or two deciding whether you should pop it or not.  All the medics out there will advise you not to but, if (like me) you have one that is so big it wont allow you to put a shoe on, I would suggest you find a fine needle, sterilise it and make a tiny hole at the very edge and allow it to drain.  WARNING: This stings like you wouldn't believe but dig deep and deal with it!!!

Now, at this point you will need a Spenco 2nd Skin Blister Kit.  You can't buy it in any shop but you can get it on Amazon and it has EVERYTHING you need to get your feet back to being happy again.  

Take one of the gel squares and place it over the blister then cover the whole area with the fabric knit.  Change it every day but allow it to get some air from time to time too.  

When the top layer of skin has become thin and papery (and only if it has come away from the skin underneath) carefully cut it away and then continue to cover with gel squares and fabric knit until it has healed.

Now that you have had a blister there ... you are likely to get a blister there again so this is when you need to use the white foam pads.  Simply stick them wherever you need to and train away.  They are super sticky so stay on pretty well but if you need extra stick (or if you are going to be training/competing for a long time) you can cover the pad with some super sticky fabric knit.  I have completed marathons with this stuff stuck to my feet and it hasn't budged!!!

WARNING:  DO NOT use the sticky foam pads on any blister that hasn't healed.  It will rip the skin off and leave your foot in a much worse state than it was in before!!! 

Covering (and I mean REALLY covering) your feet in Vaseline is a great blister preventative too but if you don't like the feel of it, give BODYGLIDE a try.  I also have it on very good authority that SKINSTRONG is amazing!!! Also remember to stick anything to your feet first before putting on the slippery stuff!! 

 

So there you go!  Follow these rules and you can overcome the most horrendous blisters in record time.  This is my blister now, just 2 weeks after I got it and 2 days after a half marathon!!! 

Hope this helps. Xx

And ... S-T-R-E-E-E-E-E-T-C-H!!!

In the past week, there have been a number of people who have asked me what I am doing in terms of core stability and stretching.  Having tried (and failed) to explain how to do this stuff ... I have decided to put together a little core/stretch blog and let the pictures do the talking instead of my words (although I am going to add a few of those too).

Ready ... Mats down ...Let's do this!!

CORE STABILITY FIRST ... 

Prone Back Extensions

Lay over an exercise ball with no weight on your feet and only enough weight on your hands for balance.  Lift both legs at a controlled tempo without using any bounce from the ball.  As soon as your feet make contact with the floor, begin the next lift.  Repeat 10 lifts.

Super Woman!!

Start on all fours, ensuring your back is flat and square.  Tuck the opposing arm and leg in towards each other then extend out in a dynamic but controlled movement.  Repeat the tuck and extension 10 times and on the last extension hold for a count of ten.

Glut Raises

Lay on your back with your knees bent, heels down, toes up and your arms above your body.  Lift your hips until your body is in a straight line from shoulder to knee.  Be sure to hold for a second at the top whilst squeezing your butt then lower your hips back to the floor.  As soon as you  make contact with the floor, raise again.  Repeat 10 times.

Reverse Crunch

Start on your back with your legs raised but bent at the knee.  Keeping your stomach pulled in and your lower back pressed into the floor, slowly lower your heels to the floor but keep the knees bent.  As soon as your heels make contact with the floor, start to raise your legs back to the start position.  This is a slow, controlled movement that moves at a constant speed.

It is vital you keep your head on the floor, maintain a flat back and keep the knees at the same angle throughout.  Repeat 10 crunches. 

Plank

Support your body with your elbows directly under your shoulders and aim for a straight line from your shoulders, down your spine and along your legs.  Hold this position with the knees off the floor for a count of 10 then lower the knees to the floor (whilst maintaining your back position) and hold for a count of 5.  Lift the knees and hold for 10, lower the knees and hold for 5 then repeat for a third time. 

Keep the stomach pulled in throughout.

Suitcase Sit-Ups

Start by laying flat out on your back then raise your upper body and your lower body in a dynamic movement until you meet in the middle.  Then unfold back into the start position in a slow and controlled movement.  Aim for the arms and legs to touch the floor at the same time.  Keep the stomach pulled in and the lower back in contact in touch with the floor.


 Hip Flexor

Find a stretchy band and secure it to something that is not going to move.  Hold it under tension and separate the feet.  The hand that holds the band and the foot that is back should both be on the same side.  Lunge forwards keeping the body upright and the back heel pushing down towards the floor.  Try not to twist the body as you make the movements.

AND SO TO THE STRETCHES ...

Apparently ... it is impossible to stretch too much so these can be done wherever and whenever you like!!!  I have not included the torturous foam rolling ... I may save that for a blog of it's very own ... but hopefully these stretches will keep you from seizing up too much as you work your way through your training program!! Hold each one for about 30 seconds.

                                         Calf Stretch

Stand with one foot in front of the other, both feet pointing in the same direction, front leg bent and the back leg straight with both heels on the floor.  Lean against something solid and if you can't feel a lovely stretch in the calf of the straight leg, move the feet a little further apart. To get a stretch in the lower part of the calf, bend the back leg slightly. 

                                         Hamstring Stretch

Raise your leg onto a step or chair and keep the knee bent.  Hinge forwards from the waist and imagine your hip being pulled backwards slightly.  Keeping the leg bent will ensure the belly of the muscle is the focus of this stretch.

                                         Quad Stretch

Hold the foot of the leg you are stretching.  Keep the knees together and the body upright.  If you are unable to feel the stretch in the front of the bent leg, push the hips forwards slightly.

                                                     Glut Stretch

Lay on your back and rest the foot of one leg over the knee of the other.  Reach through and hold behind the knee of the lower leg and pull towards the body.  Keep the stomach pulled in and the lower back in contact with the floor.  Try to keep the knee of the upper leg turned out.

         

                                Hip Flexor Stretch

Hold a lunge position with a wide base between the front foot and the back knee (that is on the floor).  Raise the arm that is the same side as the knee that is up and hold the wrist of the other arm.  Rotate over the front knee and lean slightly backwards.

Hip Flexor/Lower Back

Keeping the arms outstretched, sit back on your heels and relax into this lurvely stretch.  Hold for 30 then transfer the weight forward onto the hands and let the hips sink down towards the floor.  Repeat both of these stretches a couple of times.

And now for the disclaimer ... just to cover myself in case anyone gets hurt!!! I am not a pro and although professional advice was sought in the making of this blog ... anyone wanting to attempt these Ultra-Crazy exercises/stretches should do so at their own risk. 

Massive thanks to David at http://www.mersearoadclinic.co.uk/index.html
and Liam at http://www.bootcampit.com/ for their technical and professional support in my Ultra-Crazy year.