My first race! (for life).

I ran my first race! It was the Race for Life, a 5k. I guess it was more of a fun run than a race, as there is no chip timing, and lots of walkers and fancy dress. However, its for a great cause, and I really enjoyed myself. I've a cheek saying I ran the race anyway, as it was a combo of running and walking.

I am still very pleased with myself though, especially seen as I went straight from a 12hr night shift to the race. My Mum came to meet me at work, and then we went for a McDonalds breakfast, probably not ideal pre-race food, but I needed something. We then met up with my friend and her sister, and headed to the start, which was at Glasgow green. We tried to get near to the front, but didn't manage that too well. There was a bit of waiting around, so plenty of time for a pre race selfie-

Now as this was my first race, I wasn't too sure what to wear. I decided on a long sleeved pink nike miler top, full length nike epic run tights, shock absorber run bra, and nike head band. However, on the day I panicked as it was a bit cold and threatening to rain, so wore my nike jacket too. As I had the jacket on, I took off my bum bag thingy, and just put my iPhone in my jacket pocket. These would later prove to be bad choices!

Slowly we got the the start line, and I started my garmin as we crossed the line. (Yeah, I got a garmin, and I love it). We started trying to weave around all the walkers, and straight away I had a bit of a panic, feeling like I needed to pee (I had just been), and that my trousers were falling down. Now I knew I wasn't going to be able to keep up with my friends, so told them to go ahead. I then slowed down, sorted out my trousers (tied them tight), and put my music on. That all made me feel much better, and I was able to run on for a good while. Before I knew it I was at the 1k marker. The markers were good, each one had a bagpiper standing under them, so you knew when you were approaching. (There had been lots of pipers at the start too).

One of the things I liked about the race was that there hadn't been an exact route map on the website, so I didn't know the whole route off by heart. This meant that each turn was a bit of a surprise, and gave me something to look at. My usual runs are on a couple of quite boring routes, so this was a nice change. I also really liked the race experience, with everyone else in the same boat. Now usually I don't like running in busy places, as I feel self conscious, and don't like people looking at me. I worried i'd hate the race, but actually I just felt proud, and enjoyed seeing all the other runners. I couldn't manage to run the whole race, but did a consistent run/walk, with only a minute of walking between running.

The route was a good one, starting off at Glasgow green, then alongside George Square, and then down Buchanan Street, one of the big shopping streets. It felt strange to run somewhere than I am usually shopping! It was then right along Argyle street, another shopping street, and another right onto the river side.  At this point I was roasting, and regretting wearing the jacket. I decided to take it off, and tie it round my waist. This was fine, but the phone in the pocket was weighing it down, which meant annoying flapping about. It was then along the river side for a bit, across a bridge to the other side, and a good straight run along the south side of the river. Another bridge, back across the river to Glasgow Green, which was the home straight, There was a section with flags and a foam blower type thing, then a loop back round the the finish area. I didn't see my Mum at all along the route, but my friends were there cheering me as I finished. (It turned out the parents were waiting on the first bridge, but we'd passed that point long before).

I managed to rally myself and run all along the finish area, stopping after I crossed the line. I then stopped my Garmin, which I am now annoyed about, as it was reading a bit under, at 4.8K. It must have been the corners or something which made it read under. I know its stupid, but I wish that i'd left it running to 5k, so that my fastest ever 5k was recorded and put in the record section. Anyway, I know I did my fastest, which I am happy with, especially straight after night shift.

Red faced and happy!

At the end I got my medal, a pink bottle of water, and a chocolate brioche. I was so happy to have run my first race, and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I have learnt my lesson with the jacket though, as I had to hold the side with my phone in up over the last part, which was annoying. I'll definitely just use my bum bag next time. I am still looking for the ideal phone holder for running, so would appreciate any recommendations.

Overall, it was a great experience, and I raised £250 for Cancer Research UK!

Have you ever done Race for Life?

How do you carry your phone when running?

Stuck in a Winter slump

I am here to confess. I've been very lazy. I've hardly done any exercise, not blogged at all, not done much really. I don't know if its the time of year (a touch of SAD maybe?), or related to the fact I changed jobs yet again. I am settling into my new job now though, and am much happier. The shifts are long, 12 hrs, which doesn't leave much time for exercise or anything else once I get in. However, the benefit of the shifts is that I get more days off in which to do things. The added complication of the new job is that it is in Glasgow, and I live in Dundee. So, I stay at my parents when working. My gym membership is in Dundee, along with my bike and other fitness equipment. I have taken running things to Glasgow, so in theory I can run when I have days off there.

The only thing I am missing is motivation! I really need a boot up the bum, some get up and go, a bit of oomph! If anybody has some spare, send it my way. I hope by writing this post I can shame myself into doing something, as I can feel myself putting on weight, and generally feeling meh.

How do you get over a lack of motivation?

My favourite fitness apps

Now I don't know about you, but I love an app. I have apps for all sorts of things, and health and fitness is no exception. I thought I would give a quick run through of the apps I use and then give my favourites more in-depth blog posts of their own. I have an iphone, but alot of these apps are available for android phones as well.

Nike apps-I haven't actually used these apps much. The first one is used with the nike + sensor that I have in my shoes, and the second just uses the gps in your phone. These apps track runs, giving times, calories and all sorts of other things. I do like the look of the these, so will give them a proper go once I have finished my 5K training app. The nike + website is pretty good as well, as other people have uploaded run routes. More info here. Price- Free

Absolute Abs- Another one downloaded with good intentions not really followed through. This app looks really good though. It has different work out options (abs, fat burning and ultimate), and then easy to follow pictures of the moves. You play the workout, and the move is read out, with timings for the reps. I really should try this! Find it here. Price- Free (paid version available)

BMITracker- This is a simple wee app from the NHS which works out your BMI. Its easy to use as you can use metric or imperial measurements. I measure my weight loss in metric, I think because I use metric at work (I'm a nurse). With this app it immediately tells you which zone your BMI is in (It was a happy day when I got into healthy!) and you can also view a graph of your progress. You can also use this app to do quick calculate, and I use this at work when I can't find a chart and need to work out a patient's BMI. Find it here. Price-Free

MyFitnessPal- A well known one, and one I used alot in the past and need to get back into to give me a boot up the bum! Its an online calorie and activity tracker, and is great.  The app is very handy, but you can use this online without a smart phone. I'll do a more in depth review of this. Find it here. Price- Free (paid services available)

Fitbit- I LOVE this. Its the app to go with my Fitbit one, which is an amazing little pedometer and sleep meter. I got mine for Christmas last year, and haven't looked back. This will be my next post. Find out more here. Price varies depending on fitbit device, mine was £79.99.

MapMyFitness- Another well known good 'un. Its a GPS sports tracker, which you can use for running, walking, cycling, amongst others. I use this for walks and cycling, as I am interested in distances. The website is good for planning routes in advance to work out distances, as well as searching for routes others in your area have done. Find it here. Price-Free (paid services available)

Zombies 5K- Another one I LOVE. Its the beginner version of Zombies run, and is a 5K training app. Its all based on a story, with voiceovers and run/walk drills designed to train you for a 5K. I've been using this for my running and will do a full review of this as well. Find it here. Price- £1.49

Tracker Lite- This is a really simple app, basically a calendar which you can track something on. You can set a goal and tick every time you do something. I tick when I exercise, and have set a goal to exercise 20 times, then I can treat myself to some new exercise clothes. Yes, I need to bribe myself. In the free version you can only track one thing, but can track multiple things in the paid version. I may splash out in future. Find it here. Price- Free (Paid version available)

LFconnect is an app for the machines at the gym which I haven't got working yet. Price- Free

Nike Training- Is another on the 'to do' pile. It has loads of work outs for free, and looks really good.  I have this on my ipad too, as it will be easier to watch the video's on that when working out. Find it here. Price- Free

Wow, that took a while! I hope it has been of some help to you, and please come back for the more in depth reviews.

What are your favourite health and fitness apps?