Tag Archives: before and after pictures

One month to go…

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Here is the penultimate progress picture…I realised that I have missed the last one when I was away galavanting in Southern Africa. Probably for the best as I fell off the wagon and spent 10 days eating steak cooked in butter, drinking and doing very little training haha.

Last progress picture but one, and as I said to Marcus at Combat Ready on Friday when he asked about how close I was to my target weight (70kg). I am virtually exactly the  same weight as when I started, just a lot denser. 

And my grand total weight-loss over 19 weeks of training is 3.8kg…I'm just a lot denser!

And my grand total weight-loss over 19 weeks of training is 3.8kg…I’m just a lot denser!

Now for my current psychological dramas. The brutal realisation dawned this weekend that there are only 4 weeks left before the race itself I am griped with a sense of inevitability/my impending doom, which was not helped by supporting my wee brother at this weekend’s City to Summit race.

He was doing awesomely well, finished the bike on schedule, but with a sore knee. Then it all went down hill…quite literally…and he ended up being dropped back at the finish by the medic not begin able to complete. As they say these things happen, but I was anticipating him doing fine as I have always been the least sporty (ability wise) of my siblings, so now I’m having a bit of a wobble. 

That being said this week’s training has been great. Fab OW swims at Threipmuir in the Pentland Hills, National Park on Wednesday and then Portobello Beach on Friday. Topped off with an awesome run on Saturday morning…pictures to follow. 

Now all I have left to go is one week of training followed by the race trial week and then two taper weeks. The end is in sight. However, any advice on psychology would be much appreciated at this point haha.

All that’s left is to show you the pictures of Scotland in the sunshine!

Claire loves open water swimming!
First summit of the morning 8am…no where I’d rather be.
Looking East from the top of the West Kip.
Looking West from the top of the West Kip.
I love a hill I do.
The view looking East from Scald Law.
At the top of Scald Law…it was very sunny at 8.30am in the morning.
West, East Kips and Scald Law in the Pentland Hills National Park for Saturday’s run.

Blue sky thinking…a new take!

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I loathe business jargon but I’m stealing this one: “blue sky thinking” definition; original or creative thinking, unfettered by convention and not grounded in reality: and I’m changing it to mean the kind of days where you feel that anything is possible. Last Saturday was one of those days. Happiness is a sunny day in the Pentland Hills.

I can see my house from here…not really!
Name that reservoir as I have forgotten…
30mins warm-up all up hill…how I like it!
Arthur’s Seat from the Pentland Hills.
View of the Kips and Scald Law in the sunshine.
The farmer obviously had a sense of humour.
Glencourse Reservoir, Pentland Hills National Park
A bit flushed after begin out in the sun…not really burnt just a little pink.

 

Time for a mid-way review…

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Where to start…

Pictures/Data

progress pictures, training, Celtman

Week 12, half-way there, 3 month progress pictures

So after 3 months here is a quick review of the numbers: I’m still the same height…training hasn’t made me shorter; weight, lost 3.1kg, all that muscle is heavy; bust, lost 3cm, no comment; waist, lost 4cm, which combined with, hips, lost 6cm, means none of my jeans fit. No point in buying new ones at the moment, so belts are becoming quite important.

Fundraising

Nothing to report. I will get a Virgin Giving page up ASAP, but I’m currently waiting for them to register the Rock Trust.This is so I can split the money down the middle between SAMH and the Rock Trust. I decided to go with Virgin Giving because of this option and on SAMH‘s recommendation as they felt it was the best option for them. So watch this space I will be asking for money soon, just not yet! 

Sponsorship

I haven’t taken any action on this front as the day job has got in the way and I wanted to have the fundraising bit taken care of first before I set out to look for kit. As I’m sure you are all aware triathlon can be pretty expensive. I have so far got by on kindness of friends and family…lots of borrowed kit. Not because I’m cheap (well okay maybe a bit cheap), but because I set up my business last year and, a year and 3 months in, I just can’t justify spending hundreds (to thousands) of pounds on fancy gear. But don’t worry even if I don’t find anyone to give me lovely kit to promote, I will be fully clad in stuff borrowed from the great and the good. On the other hand if you know any lovely kit suppliers who might want to be connected to me and Celtman send them my way.

Training swim/bike/run

Swim: On target starting to hit 1:40 for my 100s, which I’m happy with. Now I’m twitching to get out in the open water…it’s just too cold at the moment and I would like a wetsuit upgrade as my current one is so loose around the shoulders I end up carrying an extra 5kg in water. Streamlined I ain’t!

Bike: A bit behind. And a bit slow. Thanks to the weather I have only managed to get out in the last couple of weeks. The rollers in the house just aren’t the same. But now the weather is picking up…at least fewer blizzards…it’s time to put my nose to the grindstone and get out more. Show me the hills!

Run: Struggling a bit with tight calves, now that I’m back on the bike for longer periods, so the last two weeks have been a bit of a struggle to get up the hills. Getting enough to eat is also a bit of an issue, but I’ll get there. The focus over the next few weeks is going to be on getting faster, so hill sprints and 1km timed reps are on the cards. Such fun!

Strength: Coming along nicely. My core still isn’t strong enough but the difference in my hips, knees and ankles in the bike and run is fantastic. Issues that I had with the longer distance at the end of last year because of strength imbalances seem to be a thing of the past. Now to concentrate on getting faster!

Mental state

My initial connection to SAMH was because I know lots of people associated with triathlon who have suffered from mental health problems, most commonly depression, but when I sat down and thought about it I started to think about my own mental health. I’m going to talk more about this in more detail in a future post, but sufficed to say I think at the beginning of the year I was struggling a bit. Whether it was the time of year, weather, business or just life in general, not really sure. What I do know is that I feel 100x better 3 months into my training. I’ve fixed my diet. I’m getting out in the fresh air regularly. And I’m back to getting high on those wonderful endorphins…drug of choice. If you haven’t discovered them come and join me. You’ll love it (eventually)! I swear!

Pictures of the story so far…

Looking down the hill from the West Kip…visibility?
Tread was everything…
Wk6 View of Edinburgh…just need it to warm up a bit so it goes green.
Wk5 Run fail…slid off the road on the way into town…sweary words!
Wk4 Beautiful still day in February in the Pentland Hills.
Wk5 Soreen was the fuel of choice.
Wk4 Beautiful February sunshine…little did we know what was coming for March!
Wk6 wrong shoe choice, but I survived.
Wk11 Got a bit muddy due to a face plant coming down the hill. Lacking my usual dexterity.
Valley between the hills. Peace from the wind.
Wk12 Best self portrait I’ve ever accidentally taken LOL
…well totally freezing!
Who an I kidding ‘patches’?!
More pretty views…
The right footwear choice this time.
Wk12 View looking towards Abington on the B7078 the day before the Tour of the Borders…boy did they pick the wrong day!
Wk11 Oops! Watch survived intact.
Top of the hill at Maiden’s Cleugh
4 Weeks in…
Wk6 happy in the Pentland Hills with cousin Beth
Pretty views!
Snow on Monday morning too…still made it to the pool!
A wee hill on the way back from Moffat. The Beeftub is such fun!
It was quite windy at the top of the East Kip.
So here are the vital statistics at the start of my challenge.
Even with the correct footwear it was challenging.
The windburn and bloodshot eyes is a good look for me I think 😉
Great fun running off the hill giggling it like an idiot.
Coming down off the hills…so much fun!!!
Wk6 So hands up from all the people in Edinburgh who have never been in the Pentland Hills…shame on you!
Wk5 My first wee jaunt out on the bike before the snow came back 😛
The view from the top of the hill at the Beeftub outside Moffat on the way home.
Wk11 I am a muck magnet!
Wk5 waiting for me when I got back from my bike. Did someone say cake? Don’t mind if I do!
Now I’m here do I have to get out of the car?
Wk6 Questionable recovery fuel decisions, but I was just so hungry!
Week 12 half-way there 3 month progress pictures
Happy Girl at the top of the hill…mostly downhill from here on.
Week 9’s long run…less hills more sheltered.
Wk12 Legs are out for the summer…I even managed to get a faint tan line.
All finished.
Wk11 So what am I going to sit on in the car then?
Wk5 This isn’t much snow. I’m not letting it stop me running, but pride come before a fall and on the way in to Edinburgh…
Wk4 Happy girl in the sunshine up a hill.
Wk4 Me and cousin Beth looking a little flushed after running up a hill…it’s genetic!
Wk6 Random injury…loss of skin to décolletage due to zip. Stingy!
Here we are again. Week 8 progress pictures.
Wk11 Running on the crust is all well and good until you break through!
Half-way up the hill from Red Moss car park.
Wk5 top of the hill at Dreva, Scottish Borders.
Wk6 Cousin Beth admiring the view of Glencourse, Pentland Hills.
OMG! The pain of a specific defrosting for the next hour…can you guess where?
Wk11 Me and Roddy take the Black Hill.
Anyone for some OW swimming?
The Kips Week 8’s run

The usual disclaimer applies I know everything and nothing, so take nothing as truth…well apart from the maps. They’re awesome!

2 months…8 weeks in…time flies when you’re having fun!

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I should have taken these pictures in the morning, before I spent all day stuffing my face LOL…and guess what nae difference (well almost) so for all those out there who are struggling with their goals, stay strong!

Here we are again. Week 8 progress pictures.

Here we are again. Week 8 progress pictures.

Just as well my goal is not to look svelte or after 8 weeks of slogging my guts out I might feel a bit hard done by. Fortunately, everything else is going well. Swims are starting to hit 1.40 for my 100s which is my goal. Runs are coming along…loving my hills, thought I need to do some more speed work. The bike is my one sticking point as the lovely Scottish weather keeps chucking snow at us every bloody weekend. So most of my distance has been done on the rollers in front of the 6 Nations Rugby…with the rugby finishing the weather better improve because if I have to do another 4 hours inside I might lose my mind. I’m going to try and add in a spin session to increase my speed work without the possibility of serious injury…rollers always have an element of danger 😉

What I need to do next is sort out my donations page. I’m waiting for the Rock Trust to get on board with Virgin Giving, so watch this space. I will be looking for money for all these pictures of me in my pants…you know it’s only fair people LOL

And incase you were doubting me about the snow here’s a few pictures.

Snow on Monday morning too…still made it to the pool!

Snow on Monday morning too…still made it to the pool!

Now I'm here do I have to get out of the car?

Now I’m here do I have to get out of the car?

Half-way up the hill from Red Moss car park.

Half-way up the hill from Red Moss car park.

Looking down the hill from the West Kip…visibility?

Looking down the hill from the West Kip…visibility?

It was quite windy at the top of the East Kip.

It was quite windy at the top of the East Kip.

Great fun running off the hill giggling it like an idiot.

Great fun running off the hill giggling it like an idiot.

Valley between the hills. Peace from the wind.

Valley between the hills. Peace from the wind.

Coming down off the hills…so much fun!!!

Coming down off the hills…so much fun!!!

All finished.

All finished.

Tread was everything...

Tread was everything…

The right footwear choice this time.

The right footwear choice this time.

 

 

In the beginning…

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So I’ve been humming and hawing about putting this type of picture up, but after a few people’s comments about what they want to see and read about in fitness and sports blogs here it is.

My reservations were not based on the picture itself…the winter coat will come off soon, and while I’m not keen on a picture of me looking pudgy in my underwear being on the internet forever…that wasn’t my issue.

My goal in doing Celtman is not to lose weight, it’s to challenge myself and to raise money for charity. I’d add to that that I’m also not a fan of the whole dieting/weight loss obsession that society seems to have, and sticking up before and after pictures seemed to be part of that thinking. However, I realised that I was just creating a drama where they was none. I was always going to do the pictures as I want to see the changes in myself and to remind myself what is achievable with hard work, so there was no real reason not to share them.

A picture will be going up at the end of each training month to see what has or hasn’t changed. I don’t have any goals in terms of weight or vital statistics, so it will just be a case of seeing what happens, an experiment if you will. I love a good experiment, don’t you?

I’m also keen to show that even without a triathlete’s physique (I have no intention of getting anywhere near the 8-15% fat of proper female triathletes) I will still be able to haul myself over a Munro as part of the run section of Celtman.

Anyway I’m just avoiding the inevitable posting of this picture…so here it is!

8 images of woman

So here are the vital statistics at the start of my challenge.