Eat For You Dietitian

I haven’t written in 3 months, feels like a long time ago but at the same time it doesn’t. New normal, social distancing, face coverings when indoors, the rule of 6, self isolating. These are all phrases we are very used to by now and they don’t seem to be disappearing anytime soon. It’s been over 7 months since Covid-19 global pandemic changed our lives as we knew it. 

Even though our year hasn’t gone the way we thought it would. I had planned landmark races, to complete a Specialist Masters course for my career and finally run the iconic London Marathon with close family and friends pub crawling. These being pushed back doesn’t mean these goals are no longer achievable. 

Deferred race places are confirmed and I haven’t quite decided if I’ll run the London Marathon in October 2021 or April 2022 just yet. Courses postponed and changed to virtual format next year. Most importantly I sought a qualified S&C/Running Coach to guide me towards new goals. After everything that’s happened I am happy for Emma Kirk Odunobi to tell me how to plan my movement. I haven’t run for over an hour in months and months and to be honest I’m not missing those longer runs. What I’m enjoying now is running fast, recovering and repeating, AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible) and EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute) conditioning workouts. My 5kg dumbbells and 12kg kettlebell are actually feeling lighter. 

This weekend is when I find out if the past couple months of speed training has paid off when I retest by 1km and 1mile personal bests. 

My goals 

Physical goals – Last year I was 49 seconds away from achieving my sub-25 minute 5km in the Richmond 5k Sundown race in Old Deer Park. 25:48 was good enough for me at the time. Now I am more determined than ever to make it to 24.59. Getting faster does hurt but the benefits of these running sessions is focusing on speed for those few minutes. All my focus and thoughts on putting one foot in front of the other faster and faster. In the midst of managing life in a global pandemic I am treasuring these moments. 

Personal goals – Continuing to make our home as cosy and welcoming as possible. My own paintings, plants flourishing, herbs and tomatoes growing from cuttings, growing my own vegetables. Ever since I was little I’ve always dreamt about having my own home, decorating it and making it feel like a safe haven. We were lucky enough to have moved in after lockdown restrictions eased. 

Your goals are your own goals. With social media showing us millions of people’s lives constantly it can easy to feel we are falling short. It’s not true. One photo is one small part of someone’s life. If someone’s story is making you feel negative in any way then it’s time to unfollow, take a break from social media and be thankful for what you do have. 

Gratitude.