Showing posts with label Bath Half 2017. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bath Half 2017. Show all posts

Friday, April 14

March Madness

March 2017 was the wildest month of my life. So far. Here is what I did:


 Okay, well I didn't really do any park runs but I was doing a few long distance runs to prepare for the Bath Half on the 12th of March. Craziest few days when I stupidly did two 16km runs in the span of 3 days, alongside dance practices for BAMSA Night and a bit of fencing. NBD except for the sore legs and taking the longest time to climb down the stairs. Damn it leg muscles, you weak.


Then the big moment came. 12th March. Ran 13.1 miles. I enjoyed the run so much and it was more to do with the atmosphere than anything. Jelly babies and oatcakes were given out by residents along the way which was most likely the only reason why I didn't stop running. So cheers, Bath residents. The signs you guys made were amazing as well: "Pain now, wine later." & a few Trump-related ones made running less miserable.

Finished it under my goal time which was a great achievement. Wished I could show you my grateful, close-to-tears face at the finish line but unfortunately, you need to pay to download them and from my previous post, you'd know that I can't afford such luxuries.

Special shout out to the housemates, Sean and Pings for doing this as well. We were all crazy, but eh, I like how far we pushed ourselves (& each other). Full marathon, sometime? Maybe?? (heh, kidding. You guys can go ahead. I'll stick to 21km)


A week later, this happened. A sold out, three hour long show. Three dances and a few cameo here and there. Pics of those are NSFW but I can tell you, that it would remain among my Facebook friends and that I might have to avoid adding and lecturers/future employers/potential husbands on Facebook. Oh, the after party was great too, despite getting Coke thrown at me at McD's while I was innocently eating my cheesy chips from Ye Olde Al Falafel.

In between those, I was furiously typing away 4 essays that were filled with mediocre knowledge masked with long, sophisticated sounding words. Remember my struggles with academic writing? Yes, still struggling but thanks to a good friend (Jade, hope you are reading this x), I leveled up but only so slightly.

While writing this, I finally realised the true extent of the madness that the 31 days had put me through. It was all a blurry rush and it is finally hitting me. Coming out of this made me realise that maybe, I do have the strength to power through anything. That, or I'm used to the whole concept of casual mental breakdowns that it doesn't have a lasting emotional impact on me anymore. Either way, March showed me a newfound ability to charge through anything. Well, at least until my department/life/h8ers decide to challenge this freshly garnered strength with another crazy month, or months? Only God knows, I'm pretty sure He does. Right?

Anyways, two more months before I end my second year in university (don't panic). Still clueless with the whole university self-learning concept, but I'm getting the hang of it. Alright, now onto the preparation for 4 essay exams. Anyone has any good tips to prepare for that? I don't care for no "early planning/essay practice/read loads" advice. I meant like GOOD TIPS, i.e. how to write under pressure, how far can you bullshit your way in an essay while showing the marker that you kind of know the stuff, how to not panic etc. Please pm me or comment or tell me in person. I'll promise to bake you some good cakes to show my gratitude (once I pass my exams).

So update done here. Just needed to write this down to allow myself the opportunity to look back to this month if when my life gets on this level of craziness. #forwardthinking

Liza x


Tuesday, October 18

Karma, among other things.

*Cue Alicia Keys' "Karma"* 

I cannot believe it has been a month since my last post! Time has gone by so fast that I simply lost track of it.

Just a quick summary of what I've been up to since my last post:
  • Flew back to the UK
  • Moved into a new house
  • Started 2nd Year Uni
  • Signed up for Bath Half!
It was a whirlwind of events and comes with it, the inevitable roller coaster of emotions. Not going to lie, there have been pretty bad days where all I wanted to do was give up and go back to my old habits. Then, I'd go on to Facebook, read my messages and think about the support that I have and I'm motivated again (after a few hours of sulking and mini 'treats' for myself).

I am so incredibly blessed and humbled by the actuality of the huge support system that I have. I was literally in disbelief and rendered speechless when within a few hours of putting up my fundraising page for the Bath Half, I managed to surpass my target! Like WHAT?! What's more, I'm still receiving donations days after that! I just don't know what to say but THANK YOU to all who donated, anon or not, you guys are amazing human beings that deserves all the goodness in the world!

£73 above target! This money will be able to help so many people! Much love xx

This journey has shown me the effects of spreading positivity to everyone and it has been amazing. I've been able to talk to people that I'd never will about my journey and getting to hear how my story has inspired them is just the icing on a perfectly moist cake (yum).

Despite all the good that has happened, there were a few downs to it (life can't be all sweets and roses now, can it?). Recently, I've posted an instagram of me in a crop top with my not-so-fit tummy. It took quite awhile to convince myself to just do it and sod whatever negativity that comes with it.

This was the said photo. I honestly think I look fab, despite the unfit belly..that's what should matter right?

Thankfully, I was on a train ride back from Birmingham (shoutout to the bestie, Heids for the amazing top) and reception was bad so I only managed to read the comments after I reached Bath a few hours later.
The majority of the comments that I got were positive ones (thanks to all the fierce women on my insta feed) but there was only ONE negative comment that bugged me. It's always that bad one that affects us the most, no? While I've tried my best to ignore it, it just lingers in my subconscious and bites me in the butt when I least expected it. If it were a stranger making those comments, I could easily brush it off. But this came from someone whom I trusted to be supportive; it is just a bit hard to get over it.

This is just what's been going on (in my mind, mostly).

I do appreciate and love all the support and encouragement from everybody else and I CANNOT thank you all enough for it!

Keep spreading the good vibes guys, you'd never know who else you'd be helping!


Wednesday, September 14

Baby steps

*Day 1 of being enthusiastic*

Today, I snoozed my alarm less and woke up feeling determined. I wish I could say that I worked out the whole day but I didn't. I ran for 20 minutes and did 3 minutes of skipping. It isn't the ultimate calorie buster workout but I felt immensely better after that. Plus, I got to shower with my Lush Refreshing body soap that smells like citrus heaven and feels amazing.

 My first run! Incline: 7; Time: 22mins; Distance: 1.68miles (about 3km). 
Watched AndyMetSonia vlogs while I ran! p.s. how cute is Levi?! 

I was relieved with the support I got after publishing my previous post. I was expecting a lot of eyes rolling and smirking but instead I got the support and love from only the amazing human beings I am fortunate to be Facebook friends with (you know who you are). Also, Amy (mentor and will be mentioned a few times) have been so gracious with her support and keeping me motivated by saying the right things and offering to be my running buddy in Bath!

Along the same lines, I know I needed a huge challenge to conquer to keep me motivated. That is why I have decided to run the Bath Half next March. It is supposedly to be an easy run with not much elevation but hey, 21km is still 21km. It is daunting but I'm moving one step at a time.

Starting with getting my stamina good enough to run 5k in 30 minutes. It is all about realistic goals and moving upward from there. See, using my sports psychology knowledge to good use.

Tomorrow, is a new day.