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CATHY'S TOP TIPS

Correctly fitting running trainers (& sports bra or two!!)

A realistic, structured consistent and progressive training plan.

Distance – build up slowly, little and often, BUT cover the 5 km distance at least once in a training session prior to the race.  It doesn’t matter how long it takes – just do it!

Good nutrition – complex carbs, lean protein, good fats, as well as adequate hydration.

Flexibility and posture.  Enough said.  Work on it!

Cross-train – to reduce chances of overuse injuries.

Tuesday 8th April

Ok - so I obviously wasn't training properly before. I had my first session with Cathy last night and today I HURT. I was fairly nervous but she was lovely and totally put me at ease. We started off with some fairly horrific weighing activities (using a set of scales that not only upsets you by telling you how much you weigh, it also works out how fat you are!)

She then got me to do a number of tests which involved standing on one leg, doing crunches etc to see how aligned I was. Apparently my left hip is lower than my right...I will now use this as an excuse for my laziness and lack of ability for the rest of my days!

We then went for a 'stroll' round West Bridgford park. I say stroll but I was cajoled to run part of it. It was at this point I realised my new jogging bottoms didn't fit round my bum as snugly as I'd hoped and I feel the need to now apologise to anyone in the park at about 6:30pm last night because they more than likely got flashed by me...sorry ;-) 

So after the torture session - sorry, personal training session, I was feeling what I can only imagine is that 'fitness high' people talk about. I though this would therefore be a good time to get some shopping in. I now know that going to the supermarket is how people at Trent FM spend their Monday nights. Every isle I turned into I bumped into various colleagues...now, I can't decide if this was good (because I had a VERY healthy trolley) or bad (because I looked stupid in my running gear and was red and sweaty!)

Anyway - back to today, I literally can hardly move. I appear to have woken up thigh muscles I didn't even know I had.

So...if you're following the run-walk-run training plan today is walk 1 min, run 2 mins repeated 8 times totalling 24 mins.

xx

P.S I bought a new sports bra too....ladies, it's AMAZING!!! If you want more details drop me an email :-)

Friday 11th April

I've always thought that my lack of enthusiasm for sport was genetic. However, I spent last night with my lovely grandparents (it was my Nans birthday too so extra special) and it seems that I come from a very sporty family - my second cousin Ian was an exceptional runner and could have made it professionally and my Granddad's cousin was John Caldwell who won a bronze at the 1956 Summer Olympics (for boxing rather than running but that's not the point)

So - it's in my genes....I can be sporty!

My trainings going well...if you haven't already done your second bit of training its walk 2 mins, run 3 mins repeated 5 tims totalling 25 mins and then you've got a final one to fit in before this weeks over which is exactly the same.

Thanks for your emails so far, it's good to know I'm not alone! Kate Fly from West Bridgford mailed in saying that she 'used to hate any kind of sport but since doing the Race for Life a couple of years ago she can't get enough' whilst Sally Booth says 'I hate every second of running but the feeling I get when I finish is soooo worth it!'

Keep 'em coming - oh and if you have any 'proper' running questions, my lovely personal trainer Cathy is happy to answer any questions catherine.faughey@ntlworld.com

Finally, to anyone mad enough to be doing the Marathon this weekend GOOD LUCK! Having tried to run 3 miles (and thought I might actually collapse) my admirations for anyone getting round a 26 mile route is huge! Let me know how you get on!

Emma x

Monday 14th April

Just a quick one today - I've just finished the show and am heading off to another Personal Training session but I wanted to say a huge CONGRATULATIONS to everyone that did the marathon yesterday...here are a few people who've contacted me to let me know how they did...

Paul Spindler did it in 6 hours and now says (unsurprisingly!) that his legs hurt today

Tony from Colwick did it in an amazing 3 hours 42 minutes

Jennie Knight did it in a fairy costume and came in at 5 hours 35

Alan Jamison from Beeston did it in 4 hours and 17 minutes and raised £3000 for the NSPCC

I am most impressed!!! And will be joining you for the 2009 race*!!!

Right - off for a run!

Emma x

* In no way is this legally binding - I've got to get over a 5km race before I tackle a blinking marathon!!!

Wednesday 16th April

I've been covering breakfast for the last couple of days whilst Jo is off . For some reason, in my head, getting up ridiculously early (and having to deal with Twiggy and Brainz) is reason for me to indulge in a breakfast cob after the show. Yesterdays bacon sarnie was brilliant and worth the extra calories. Todays was wolfed down and I'm left feeling unsatisfied and annoyed with myself for wasting precious cals...gutted.

Saw Cathy again on Monday and we went through some stretches. Stretches for me are usually the bit at the end of an exercise class when you get to lie on the floor....not here! Cathy had me in positions I didn't know existed! And they hurt. But it was good hurting where I could feel magic happening and I had images of my poor, underused muscles jumping for joy at the strain!

I also went to a salsa-size class in Lady Bay last night with Charlie from our news team. It was brilliant but has quashed any dreams I had of becoming a dancer....I thought I had good natural rhythm. It turns out I don't. However, I really enjoyed the class and you kind of forgot that you were exercising because you were concentrating so hard at learning the moves...and rumba one two three, and mamba two three four! Roll on next weeks class and someone pass me a rah rah skirt!

Ladies - just a reminder - if you haven't registered for this years Race For Life, you NEED to do it. There are three races this year in Nottingham; 11am and 2:30pm at Victoria Embankment on Sunday June 1st and the third race at Holme Pierpont on Sunday July 27th at 11am. 

Cos I did the breakfast show today, I get to leave work early :-) I can't decide whether to have a sleep and then do something 'active' or get it all out of the way and then not have to do anything until The Hoosier Live At The Local tonight at the Trent FM Arena Nottingham...

Either way....I'm still doing some kind of excersise which, 4 weeks into it, is good by my standards x

Monday 21st April

This weekend was a mixture of me being very impressive and me being...well...a greedy pig. The impressive part was that I went swimming THREE times over the weekend (I went away for some R&R in rural Yorkshire and the place we were staying in had a pool so that helped) I also walked...a lot...and went for a run. The less impressive part is that I ate LOADS as it was a very sociable family weekend that consisted lots of ladies, lots of gossiping, lots of shopping and lots of eating! But I think, if you had to weigh it up the exersize won in the end.

This week is my last week as a 27 year old. I turn 28 next Tuesday. I can't decide if I'm having a mini freak out about nearly being thirty. When I was a little girl, I thought by this time in my life, I would be married, have two kids and live in a country house with a white picket fence and a gingham apron round my (thin) waist whilst I baked Victoria sponge cakes. In actual fact, I am single, with no kids, live in a flat and buy cakes from M&S...

Still, it's not all bad - in my final week as a 'mid twenties' person, I plan on doing a lot of physical activities. A quick run (!) tonight and then tomorrow I have a PT session with Cathy and another salsa-size class straight after. That's two hours of exhaustion in one go!!! That size 10 bikini has my name all over it!!!

xx

Thursday 24th April

I think my 'post exercise pains' are a day delayed. I had a massive day of exercise on Tuesday - a PT session and then the Salsa-size class straight afterwards. Yesterday I felt great and didn't ache much at all. Today, I can hardly walk!!! Ohh - whilst I'm here I must say hello to Heather, Angela, Louise & Jackie, the lovely ladies from Trent Bridge Medical Practice who came along to the Salsa-size class. It was a good class again this week but I did feel sorry for them as I was at the (dreaded) front so felt sorry for everyone behind me who had a view of my butt encased in lycra...let me assure you, it's not a pretty sight!!

I never thought I'd be saying this in a million years but I'm joining a running club!

It's for total beginners, we're not talking about 5 or 10 mile runs here...they'll be no one sprinting and no one in all in one running suits (except if you want to of course!).  It doesn't mater if you can't jog for even five minutes - it's all about getting a bit fitter and maybe even running some of this years Race for Life.  If you're up for it ladies it would be ace to see you there. For more details ring Cathy on 07816 584 229 or drop her an email for more info (catherine.faughey@ntlworld.com) or if you have any questions. The first one will be a week on Wednesday (the 7th May) and will start at 6pm and cost only two quid. So get it in your diary and dust off your trainers!

Just incase anyone thinks I am getting TOO into this whole fitness thing I'd like to reassure you that I had pizza and a Yorkie last night...but did feel bad about it so that's a start ;-)

Emma x

P.S Am becoming addicted to Pomegranates - they're like sweeties but fruit - double bonus!

Wednesday 30th April

I know! I know! I've been totally lame in updating my blog this week - but I have had a good excuse...it was my birthday yesterday and, not one to shy away from attention, I have basked in the glory of the fact that I'm now (dun dun duh!) 28 for the last week and intend to carry on the birthday celebrations into this weekend too!

I did try to incorporate some exercise (in the form of dancing) during my Saturday night out at Alea and Oceana...but I'm not sure me busting my moves counteracted all the food and wine...oh well, birthdays come but once a year!

This, and the crazy bouts of rain we've been having in Nottingham have meant that my training has been...well...rubbish. I'm still walking to and from work everyday though so that's good (ish) isn't it?

Oh - I wanted to remind you that if you haven't registered for this years Race for life you only have one option left now - the afternoon race at Victoria Embankment on Sunday 1st June. This means that the other two races are full of people now getting themselves ready for the 5kms!

If you're a running novice don't forget about the running club starting this time next week - I'll give all the details in my next blog and you can always mail me or Cathy for more info.

Ok - I'm off to brave the rain...

Emma x

Tuesday 6th May 2008

I feel virtuous and fabulous today...had a training sesh last night and ran further than I've ran before! Hurrah! It still wasn't far but I could definitely see progress from when I first started. I also ache (A LOT) today but am becoming used to it and it makes me feel quite good. I have also eaten porridge for breakfast this morning, sushi for lunch and then a tub of grapes and a tub of blackberries as my snacks...BRILLIANT!!

You'll note I'm not mentioning the hedonistic birthday weekend I've just had whilst banging on about how great I've become...BBQ's, drinks and general badness...but let's sweep past that and focus on the positives eh? ;-)

I'm off to Salsa-size with Charlie from news again this evening (but am worried my legs will collapse due to their overuse running up and down steps in West Bridgford Park last night)

And then tomorrow it's my first ever running club! I still laugh slightly at the thought that I can say I'm in a running club but hey, it's for total beginners so I should be ok. If you fancy joining me the final details, as promised, are;

Where: Rear of 3-5 Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford, NG2 5FF Opposite Trent Bridge Inn ("TBI"), just behind Bombay Brasserie, DeliBite (sandwich/coffee shop) and Crumbs (sandwich/coffee shop), by bus stop and letterbox (email me if you want a map!)
When: Wednesday evenings at 6pm
Cost: £2 per session

As always - mail me with your commments, or if you need more info on any of this (inc my sports bra recommendation!!!!)

Emma x

Wednesday 14th May

Well, it's been a week since I last blogged...but rest assured I've been one very active bunny. Running club was brilliant last week - if you're even half thinking about coming tonight then do! The details are above and you're most welcome.

I also did the unthinkable (in my world anyway) and went on a hen night at the weekend and didn't drink. On a hen night! And you know what....it wasn't actually that bad. We had a gorgeous day in Cambridge, went punting along the river (the very fit punter man helped a lot!) and then for drinks and a Turkish dinner. All in all lovely and if you haven't been to Cambridge before I'd highly recommend it (although I think anywhere would have looked lush in the sunshine of Saturday wouldn't it?)

Ohh - I've had my first sport related injury too. It's not quite what I was expecting though...my new jogging trousers have a really scratchy bit at the top of the thigh where the label is and now I have a scab. Sexy ;-)

Tomorrow is a day off from any kind of exercise as I'm a guest judge on Dancing on Ice at the Trent FM Arena Nottingham. To say I'm excited is an understatement! I thought I'd have spent more time thinking about what I'm going to wear etc but I've just been too busy so unfortunately I'll be dragging something out of my wardrobe and hoping that the skater girls' outfits take any attention away from mine! It's all about the sequins darling...I'm most excited about meeting Torvill and Dean. They're Nottingham legends and I remember when I was little and any time we drove past the ice rink my Mum and Dad would say 'that's where Torvill & Dean trained...' like a mantra! I hope they're as lovely as I imagine them to be. I'll report back and get loads of piccies too...

Happy running! Oh, and congratulations to everyone who did the bikeathon at Clumber Park at the weekend.

Emma x

Monday 19th May

I had my first running dilemma (well - apart from the reoccuring one of not wanting to go for a run) - what to do with my housekeys and mobile phone whilst I'm running? In the past I've been known to shove them all down my (gross) sports bra. I worried about the phone though...without going into too much detail it's quite sweaty down there and I worried I'd break the phone...I contemplated covering it in tin foil and then worried I'd electrocute myself (I didn't pay much attention in science class but isn't tin foil a conductor?) so I decided to wrap it in cling film. This was a fairly good solution but I did feel a bit stupid. This is why, this weekend, I bought a bum bag!

I actually felt quite sporty as I entered a well known sports shop in Lady Bay. There was actually a reason for me being in there (other than to buy a massive hoody to wear on hangover days) and, on instruction from my PT Cathy, tried various bum bags on for size to see what they felt like. Some of them had more compartments, clips and containers than my actual handbag but I settled in the end for one with a zip and a water container.

I've yet to use the bum bag (it'll get it's first airing tonight) and worry that I'll literally laugh my way round my training plan. If someone had told me, past the eighties, that I would be wearing (in a non ironic way) a bumbag I'd have laughed in their face. But no - I'm a 'serious runner' now (!) and have the equipment to prove it!!

Emma x

P.S Massive congratulations to anyone who did the Moonwalk at the weekend - a 26 mile trek through London in the middle of the night in a bra! Drop me an email and let me know how you got on!

Saturday 31st May

I'm on air at the moment - just hours before I head off to my first wedding of the year. My lovely friend from childhood Vicky is marrying Ben and I'm very much looking forward to it...I love a good wedding! I have my facinator and a packet of tissues at the ready!

It does mean I'm not around for the two Race For Life's tomorrow at Victoria Embankment but I just wanted to say a massive good luck to everyone taking part! Hopefully you're ready, fit and raring to go?! Drop me an email (below) afterwards and let me know how you and the girls get on and I'll do a roll of honour on my next blog.

I'm still in full swing for the race in July at Holme Pierrpont - infact I did such a hard core exercise session during the week my hands sweated!!! My hands! Gross but it did make me feel good and think I was working so darn hard! (either that or I'm developing some sort of excess sweat problem...nice)

Anyway - have a GREAT time tomorrow - it's always such a fantastic atmosphere at the Race For Life - enjoy it and I'll keep my fingers crossed for good weather!

Emma x

Monday 2nd June

MASSIVE congratulations to everyone who did the Race For Life at Victoria Embankment yesterday! I know the sun didn't shine as much as we'd hoped but it was a fantastic day never the less...I've been asking for your times on todays show so here are just a few people to big up! Keep them coming via the email contact button below;

* Julie emailed in to say 'I raced for life with my beautiful sister Diane who is battling breast cancer, she completed the race herself after just finishing her chemotherapy AND WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF HER...she is an inspiration to cancer everywhere, she is a star.We will be doing the same next year it was a fab day ...love you Diane, Julie xxxx

* Natalie May did the morning Race For Life and completed it in 32 min 26 sec.

* Trent FM's news guru Charlie Girling did it in 35 minutes (hindered - she says - by her friend Hannah who thought she was going to throw up half way through!)

* Sharon Wynn (she was the one in an NCT jacket!) did it in 58 and a half minutes.

* Liz Gibson from Selston walked it with her friend who's in remission - it took them an hour and ten minutes but they both felt they achieved a lot and were very proud of everyone who took part.

* Betty & Bettie sent this text: Hi, just wanna say we had so much fun on sunday at the Race For Life, it was hard work but worth it. My time was 52 mins and my best mates was 50 minutes. We're called Kellie Orange and Claire Jones (also known as Betty & Bettie!) we ran along with Louise Sills and Emma Jones - well done everyone - see you next year!

* Kev at the Evening Post says well done to his daughter Samantha Hill who did the 5KM's in 34 minutes and ran for her Grandmother

* Kelly G did it in 35 minutes

* Marisha H did it in 55 minutes

*  Trent FM's Thunder extraordinaire Becki Lee did it in1 hour 4 minutes - with Avril Jones - Becki's mother in law - who is recovering from breast cancer at the moment.

* My lovely Personal Trainer Cathy Faughey (who you will have seen doing a fantastic job with the warm ups!) was there too and her three daughters also did the race. Emily (8) did it in 37 minutes and her five year old twins Bridie & Maisie did it in an hour and three minutes.

So - congratulations to everyone who took part - whether you did it in 20 minutes or two hours it's a brilliant achievement and you deserve to be very proud of yourselves! Don't forget to check out the mass of photos on the website and if you're still in training for the Holme Pierrpont race - keep going!

Right - I'm off for a run ;-)

Emma x

Tuesday 3rd June

Well - with the Embankment races out of the way - it's time to start focusing on the Holme Pierrpont race in July. I've set up an online sponsorship page and you can find it here www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/emmacaldwell If you've thought about doing a race this year but aren't quite ready...or if you can't do a race due to other commitments...or if you've already done one and loved it I want your money!

Whether it's three pounds, thirty pounds or three hundred pounds I don't care - it's like they say 'every little helps' and it genuinely does.

Cancer's all too common these days and I'm very sad to say I have all to personal an experience having lost my fabulous dad, Mike, to cancer on June 6th 2006 aged only 53. Not a day goes by without me thinking about him and if us gaggle of girls running 5km's and raising money stops just one more person from losing their dad, their mum, sister, brother or friend then we'll have done something good together. Something really good.

Anyway - if you'd like to sponsor me I'd appreciate it and I'll try not to collapse half way round ;-)

Lots of love, Emma x

Tuesday 17th June

The Holme Pierrpont race is five and a half weeks away so training is in full swing - in fact, straight after I've written this I'm off for a PT session AND a cheerleading class! Check me out!

I had my first running related 'heckle' on Sunday. I decided to jog to my grandparents house over in Woolaton to say Happy Fathers Day to my lovely Granddad and on my way back a group of 'yoofs' at a bus shelter (of course) started shouting as I was running past. It turns out - not everyone thinks my new hoody is 'kool' - I didn't know whether to be offended or laugh...I decided to concentrate on trying to run without passing out ;-) I was surprised, however, it was my top they chose to concentrate on - seeing as though I was wearing a bum bag!!!!!

Emma x

P.S For those of you who haven't managed to get a place on any of the races in Nottingham there is still a few places left in the Leicester Race on July 6th. If you fancy it and want more details click on this link http://www.trentfm.co.uk/Article.asp?id=746874&spid=22858 

Thursday 24th July 2008

Ok - ok! I've been really slack on the ol' blogging. But it's cos I've been so dedicated with my training over the last month - three sessions a week and lots of running....getting ready for the Race For Life on Sunday only for disaster to strike last weekend...I've broken my leg!!!!

I was on a hen do (and not even drunk) but ended up with a fractured and dislocated knee which isn't brilliant when you have a run to do seven days later. So, suffice to say I won't be running on Sunday. However, after a quick on air plea I now have the use of a wheelchair from Mr Mobility UK (call 01159 375155 for more details - they have an amazing catalogue of stuff I didn't even know existed!!) and will be pushed round Holme Pierpont by my lovely sister Helen and my Personal Trainer Cathy!! Bless them - at least it's a flat course!!

So - after four months of training and getting myself to a stage where I could (just about) run round the 5km course having started at a place where I couldn't even run for the bus I'm gutted not to be running on Sunday but glad I'll still be able to get round, by hook or by crook!

Ladies - if you see a rather flushed looking radio presenter in a wheelchair on Sunday please say hello - you can even use it as your excuse to walk with me!!!

See you on Sunday!

E x

Thursday 31st July

So - Race For Life 2008 is done and dusted. Holme Pierrpont on Sunday morning was packed with women of all shapes and sizes all ready to swelter in the sun as they walked, jogged or ran round the course. I was wheeled round in my very stylish pink balloon adorned wheelchair due to the broken leg but I still didn't come last which I think is an achievement in itself!!!! It took just under an hour but it was very leisurely (well - for me anyway, I'm not sure my sister Helen or PT Cathy who were pushing me would agree!!)

Huge congratulations to all who took part, or sponsored someone taking part - now comes the sponsorship collection - make sure you get your money over to Cancer Research UK - truly every penny counts.

The photos are now online too so make sure you check them out and see if you can spot yourself.

xx

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