I'm just back from taking a Kickboxing class in Totnes, I'm buzzing from it, I love how enthusiastic my students are.....practising and stretching at home, learning their kata, working on foot positions, getting their kicks high, just everything, I feel mega proud of all who were there tonight.
It makes me glad that I took up Kickboxing, kept at it and have continued to progress, still challenging myself on a weekly basis.
Why did I start?
Well....... Buffy the Vampire Slayer had just started as a series on tv (yes, it was THAT long ago) and I was pretty much finished with my, then, boyfriend. He saw an advert for Kickboxing at the local leisure centre and suggested that we go. I did wonder if he just wanted to go with me to kick the s*** out of me, but he wasn't the type.
We went along to the sports hall, loads of people turned up for the first session, lots of fitness, punching and kicking pads, it was awesome. It seems that I was a natural, and 'he who will remain nameless' wasn't that good, well, I was at least fitter than him anyway!
Cutting it short, we split up, I kept Kickboxing, he didn't and we all lived happily ever, well, you know what I mean.
The rest, is history, and for the last 2 years I have been training at Tora Martial Arts, with Sensei Simon Hengle in Plymouth. I make the effort to travel the 40 minutes to Plymouth to train. Why? Because I want to be trained by the best, so I can be the best of me. Then, this can be passed on to my students. I like to work hard, I want perfection, and I will keep striving for it, just like my students did tonight.
I can sleep happy knowing that I picked the right journey.
Tuesday, 23 June 2015
Tuesday, 16 June 2015
The Ruby Run Half Marathon
Here's a little race tale for you......
Most of you know that I don't like racing, not because I don't like a challenge, but because I don't like paying to run!
After cancelling the Self Defence course on Sunday I realised that I had a day free and didn't know what to do. So I went into town, bought a copy of Runner's World, went to the Seven Stars, got myself a coffee and perused the magazine's race diary section....as you do!
So, I found a few races in July that were of interest, but it was July's edition, so back home I went and checked on the Runner's World website and found 'The Ruby Run Half Marathon' in North Devon. Entered straight away, so my Sunday was planned.
Half Marathon is a tough distance for me, I'm used to plodding for hours and miles, a half is short and speedy, it was going to be a push, but I was happy for the challenge.
Up at 5am, I took the dogs out and drove to Hatherleigh, from there I drove the route to Holsworthy. seemed somewhat undulating and at the time I thought to myself, this was no PB route and under 2 hours would be nice. I pulled up in the car park and waited with others for the 8.30am coach.
Chatting to the others who were waiting, some had done the route before. Every year they change the direction of the route, this year we ran from Hatherleigh to Holsworthy, next year it's the other way round. One way was harder than the other...turned out that this was the harder way, as I had suspected from driving the route on the way there.
We piled onto the coach and sat on it for a further 30 minutes, this was going to be a long day, the race wasn't due to start until 10.30am.
At 9am we set off along the route in reverse, we were noticeably going downhill a lot on the way there. Hills don't really bother me too much anyway, not when you live in Totnes, except the downs, don't like them much.
We arrived in Hatherleigh, got off the coach and headed in to register.
I got my number 84, and sat outside, propped up against a wall in the sunshine. It looked like the weather may be hot, and not the lovely drizzle I was expecting. Mind you, after the heat of The Forces March, and only 13 miles, it was going to be okay.
I chatted to a couple of guys from the coach, exchanging running tips and talking about ultra-running and The Forces March, actually I told a lot of people about the FM so hopefully a few may want to do it next year.
There were walkers at the Ruby Run, and also relay teams which is quite special, they were mainly young boys doing the relay and was good to watch their change-overs on route, what a good idea for people to get to experience a race, even if they could only manage 2 miles.
We grouped together and then we were off! I was fairly near the front, feeling competitive and there were only a few women ahead of me, one of them a young lady by the name of Meisha was in front of me, I was close to her at the start but she sped off, always in sight, I just couldn't get close to her.
The weather was changing, it was getting hot, the inclines were gentle, but long, I wasn't feeling it, I was too pacey compared to usual standards, then there was a downhill section, and in the words of the legend that is 'Downhill Running Lady' aka Rita from The Forces March I went for it. I'm not much of a downhill runner as a rule, but I threw myself down it, arms flailing, running like a small child without a care in the world. I started overtaking people, unheard of on the downhill for me ut I felt I was making up time, my legs were just carrying me with no effort, I actually enjoyed it.
By around mile 8, I was starting to get into it, it takes me that long these days, by mile 9 and 10 I was feeling fresh and ready to go further and faster. I caught up with Meisha finally. This was the longest she had run, I was now in Ultra-mode. I ran with her and she asked to run with me for a bit, I was glad to, we chatted as we ran, our spirits lifted and by the time we knew it mile 12 was close.
Meisha told me to go ahead if |I wanted to, but I wasn't going to leave her at this point, we were going to keep going together and finish in under 2 hours which we both wanted.
That last hill....what can I say, it was a beast, Meisha's boyfriend had met us on route by then and ran up hill with us, soon we were up the top, turning into the square, we held hands and speeded in to the finish line at 1.46.13 joint 5th females and she got 1st local female back! Awesome running and a new friend.
So, interesting, I like to study what has happened, and it seems I can push faster and still have more miles in my legs, by the end of the half I could have carried on, I had almost only just got into my stride, bodes well for the future and the 101 miler in January. More races are needed so I can push myself to my own limits, I appear to be in the zone for getting better, faster and stronger and I couldn't be happier. Bring on the next race....July 26th...coast path again in North Devon.
Most of you know that I don't like racing, not because I don't like a challenge, but because I don't like paying to run!
After cancelling the Self Defence course on Sunday I realised that I had a day free and didn't know what to do. So I went into town, bought a copy of Runner's World, went to the Seven Stars, got myself a coffee and perused the magazine's race diary section....as you do!
So, I found a few races in July that were of interest, but it was July's edition, so back home I went and checked on the Runner's World website and found 'The Ruby Run Half Marathon' in North Devon. Entered straight away, so my Sunday was planned.
Half Marathon is a tough distance for me, I'm used to plodding for hours and miles, a half is short and speedy, it was going to be a push, but I was happy for the challenge.
Up at 5am, I took the dogs out and drove to Hatherleigh, from there I drove the route to Holsworthy. seemed somewhat undulating and at the time I thought to myself, this was no PB route and under 2 hours would be nice. I pulled up in the car park and waited with others for the 8.30am coach.
We piled onto the coach and sat on it for a further 30 minutes, this was going to be a long day, the race wasn't due to start until 10.30am.
At 9am we set off along the route in reverse, we were noticeably going downhill a lot on the way there. Hills don't really bother me too much anyway, not when you live in Totnes, except the downs, don't like them much.
We arrived in Hatherleigh, got off the coach and headed in to register.
I chatted to a couple of guys from the coach, exchanging running tips and talking about ultra-running and The Forces March, actually I told a lot of people about the FM so hopefully a few may want to do it next year.
There were walkers at the Ruby Run, and also relay teams which is quite special, they were mainly young boys doing the relay and was good to watch their change-overs on route, what a good idea for people to get to experience a race, even if they could only manage 2 miles.
We grouped together and then we were off! I was fairly near the front, feeling competitive and there were only a few women ahead of me, one of them a young lady by the name of Meisha was in front of me, I was close to her at the start but she sped off, always in sight, I just couldn't get close to her.
The weather was changing, it was getting hot, the inclines were gentle, but long, I wasn't feeling it, I was too pacey compared to usual standards, then there was a downhill section, and in the words of the legend that is 'Downhill Running Lady' aka Rita from The Forces March I went for it. I'm not much of a downhill runner as a rule, but I threw myself down it, arms flailing, running like a small child without a care in the world. I started overtaking people, unheard of on the downhill for me ut I felt I was making up time, my legs were just carrying me with no effort, I actually enjoyed it.
By around mile 8, I was starting to get into it, it takes me that long these days, by mile 9 and 10 I was feeling fresh and ready to go further and faster. I caught up with Meisha finally. This was the longest she had run, I was now in Ultra-mode. I ran with her and she asked to run with me for a bit, I was glad to, we chatted as we ran, our spirits lifted and by the time we knew it mile 12 was close.
Meisha told me to go ahead if |I wanted to, but I wasn't going to leave her at this point, we were going to keep going together and finish in under 2 hours which we both wanted.
That last hill....what can I say, it was a beast, Meisha's boyfriend had met us on route by then and ran up hill with us, soon we were up the top, turning into the square, we held hands and speeded in to the finish line at 1.46.13 joint 5th females and she got 1st local female back! Awesome running and a new friend.
So, interesting, I like to study what has happened, and it seems I can push faster and still have more miles in my legs, by the end of the half I could have carried on, I had almost only just got into my stride, bodes well for the future and the 101 miler in January. More races are needed so I can push myself to my own limits, I appear to be in the zone for getting better, faster and stronger and I couldn't be happier. Bring on the next race....July 26th...coast path again in North Devon.
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
Swings and roundabouts.....
Hello all *waves*
I've decided that I need more work blogs, so that in my personal blogs, I don't have to bore people with work, although to be fair, I do still bore them with running adventures!
Four years ago today I was told that I was being made redundant from Devon Tree Services. We had lost a big contract and 3 of us had to go...I was the most expensive, so naturally I was on the list!
Just prior to this, I had been warned, I had started the process of doing my personal trainer qualification. I had always wanted to do this and it would complement the other classes I was already teaching....Kickboxing and Boxercise.
Four years ago today was another fairly epic occasion, it was the night before my 2nd Dan grading in Kickboxing with South Hams Martial Arts.
With all this I made a bold decision.... I would start up my own business, training people, getting them fit, getting them Fighting Fit in Devon. The company name was a no-brainer really and has spread over South Devon, and some of North Devon in the last 4 years.
This blog isn't about how I started, you can read the book when it's released (once I've written it) but it's about the highs and lows that you have to endure owning your own business.
Today I had a major blow, with cancellations of my Self Defence course meaning that it was no longer viable to run it.
I could have sulked, cried, taken the negative stance, but the last 4 years have taught me something....never try to flog a dead horse.
Over this time I have cancelled the following
Kickboxing in small villages
Boxercise in village Halls
Boxercise in leisure centres
Bootcamp outside in the winter
You have to make that decision, if it's not working anymore, or at all, ditch it.
I haven't given up on my course, I need to market it differently and ultimately I know it's going to be a good one, but maybe not launching this time of year, I think September. The nights will be drawing in then too, darker in the evening leaving you feeling more vulnerable.
But also this week I have been working on my own Kickboxing training, 4 years since my last grading is a long time, and my next grading is going to be a 'proper' one! That's why it's taking me so long to prepare for it. So much to learn and perfect, and I want perfect, same as the standard I expect from my own students. So my focus is on this, and a couple of other charity challenges for the time being and I shall re-launch the self-defence in September.
In the meantime though I will be working on 1-1 in The Box Room, to give people a chance to know what to expect.
Onwards and upwards....on September 27th Fighting Fit Devon will officially 4 years old, and I am constantly learning and growing with it.
I've decided that I need more work blogs, so that in my personal blogs, I don't have to bore people with work, although to be fair, I do still bore them with running adventures!
Four years ago today I was told that I was being made redundant from Devon Tree Services. We had lost a big contract and 3 of us had to go...I was the most expensive, so naturally I was on the list!
Just prior to this, I had been warned, I had started the process of doing my personal trainer qualification. I had always wanted to do this and it would complement the other classes I was already teaching....Kickboxing and Boxercise.
Four years ago today was another fairly epic occasion, it was the night before my 2nd Dan grading in Kickboxing with South Hams Martial Arts.
With all this I made a bold decision.... I would start up my own business, training people, getting them fit, getting them Fighting Fit in Devon. The company name was a no-brainer really and has spread over South Devon, and some of North Devon in the last 4 years.
This blog isn't about how I started, you can read the book when it's released (once I've written it) but it's about the highs and lows that you have to endure owning your own business.
Today I had a major blow, with cancellations of my Self Defence course meaning that it was no longer viable to run it.
I could have sulked, cried, taken the negative stance, but the last 4 years have taught me something....never try to flog a dead horse.
Over this time I have cancelled the following
Kickboxing in small villages
Boxercise in village Halls
Boxercise in leisure centres
Bootcamp outside in the winter
You have to make that decision, if it's not working anymore, or at all, ditch it.
I haven't given up on my course, I need to market it differently and ultimately I know it's going to be a good one, but maybe not launching this time of year, I think September. The nights will be drawing in then too, darker in the evening leaving you feeling more vulnerable.
But also this week I have been working on my own Kickboxing training, 4 years since my last grading is a long time, and my next grading is going to be a 'proper' one! That's why it's taking me so long to prepare for it. So much to learn and perfect, and I want perfect, same as the standard I expect from my own students. So my focus is on this, and a couple of other charity challenges for the time being and I shall re-launch the self-defence in September.
In the meantime though I will be working on 1-1 in The Box Room, to give people a chance to know what to expect.
Onwards and upwards....on September 27th Fighting Fit Devon will officially 4 years old, and I am constantly learning and growing with it.
Monday, 1 June 2015
Once upon a time.....
Once upon a time in Devon, there was a Personal Trainer (that's me) and last year she issued a challenge to her clients to run one marathon with her on an event called, The Forces March.
3 challengers took this on, Hannah Day 2, Hannah knows me from Bootcamp and now Insanity. Then Rachael took on Day 3, Rachael started off at Boxercise and then onto Personal Training. The last person was Donna, taking on Day 4, also a boxer and one of my PT clients.
They all absolutely smashed their days with me, Donna, however is still in disbelief at what she did, over a year on it hasn't sunk in yet.
After last year both Hannah and Rachael decided to take on the BIG 5, the full Forces March experience, I think maybe Donna would have done if she actually realised that she's run an Ultra-marathon.
So, training took place, Rachael ran with me, Hannah took on the challenge with her brother and spent weekends out walking for miles around the county.
Then horror struck! Rachael became very ill for weeks and weeks, it was looking unlikely that she could do any further training for the event, tough times!
The decision was made that she would do what she could, no pressure and just enjoy the experience.
The full story is on debbiedoesdevon.blogspot.com and you can see how well they did, but this story has a happy ending.
Hannah and Ben smashed all 5 days walking, smiling the whole way through, she is still recovering but I had a lovely text to say she may do next year, yes, she has the FM bug!
Rachael smashed out day 1 with me and days 2 and 3 all on her own, sadly resulting in an injury taking her out day 4, but she returned for day 5 doing what she could to finish.
I wanted to write this little blog to honour these 2 amazing women and their magnificent achievement. I feel so proud to say that they have trained with me and what an accolade for Fighting Fit Devon.
Congratulations....see you next year....maybe Donna will return to?
And we all lived happily ever after.
3 challengers took this on, Hannah Day 2, Hannah knows me from Bootcamp and now Insanity. Then Rachael took on Day 3, Rachael started off at Boxercise and then onto Personal Training. The last person was Donna, taking on Day 4, also a boxer and one of my PT clients.
They all absolutely smashed their days with me, Donna, however is still in disbelief at what she did, over a year on it hasn't sunk in yet.
After last year both Hannah and Rachael decided to take on the BIG 5, the full Forces March experience, I think maybe Donna would have done if she actually realised that she's run an Ultra-marathon.
So, training took place, Rachael ran with me, Hannah took on the challenge with her brother and spent weekends out walking for miles around the county.
Then horror struck! Rachael became very ill for weeks and weeks, it was looking unlikely that she could do any further training for the event, tough times!
The decision was made that she would do what she could, no pressure and just enjoy the experience.
The full story is on debbiedoesdevon.blogspot.com and you can see how well they did, but this story has a happy ending.
Hannah and Ben smashed all 5 days walking, smiling the whole way through, she is still recovering but I had a lovely text to say she may do next year, yes, she has the FM bug!
Rachael smashed out day 1 with me and days 2 and 3 all on her own, sadly resulting in an injury taking her out day 4, but she returned for day 5 doing what she could to finish.
I wanted to write this little blog to honour these 2 amazing women and their magnificent achievement. I feel so proud to say that they have trained with me and what an accolade for Fighting Fit Devon.
Congratulations....see you next year....maybe Donna will return to?
And we all lived happily ever after.
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