Approximately 3 years ago, I was preparing to go out for a night on the tiles & that is when it hit me, MY WAKE UP CALL!! None of my clothes fitted me. I looked at myself in the mirror & there & then I decided that Only I could make the first step in helping myself & it was only I could make the first step in doing something about it. Monday morning came, wains were shipped off to school & my first port of call was Personal Health & Fitness, where I was greeted by Lorraine (You’s are killing me here this morning or No harm, next week, take a cup of coffee before my class - statements that anyone who knows her will understand). Personal Health & Fitness immediately became a part of my daily routine. I loved it, even though I was a physical wreck after my sessions. I just loved the BUZZ that working out was giving me. After a few weeks toiling in the ladies gym, I was hungry for more. I had the FITNESS BUG, so I asked if I could join a Group Class. Every Wednesday morning, I had the pleasure of being trained by Lorraine (Anna You’re Breaking My Heart) Hyndman. My first weigh in was 11stone 7lbs & I now know that it was the best decision I had made to attend PHF for gym & classes. I whinged, maybe an odd wee swear word (or five), pulled an odd face once (or a thousand) times but I am now sitting at 9stone 3lbs. Eventually I was getting on track week by week, dropping maybe a 1lb or 1/2lb or some weeks maintain previous weight & an odd time going upwards as well (sure we can’t be good all the time ). I would receive questions on Why, How, What I Ate as my initial goal was weight loss & low & behold, there was always a diet plan prepared for me. The group was going great and my partner, Marty, suggested that I join the Adventure Training with the Muck Hogs, running the trails on a Saturday morning. I joined up & I am completely hooked. The training with Shane (Mo Farrah Speed) Mullan is both intense & enjoyable. My first event was the Lost Worlds 25k, even though I had done very little trail running at this stage. Talk about a baptism of fire lol. I loved it all, the training, the event, the more than odd swear word going Shane Mullan’s direction, but you know what, I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. Fitness had become a big part of my life & I was so proud of how far I’d come with the support of everyone at PHF & Muck Hogs. I’ve had my injuries, but the importance of classes showed through when I completed Omagh Half 25th anniversary race in 2hours 1 minute with very little running previous to it. The strength I had built up in the classes carried me through this event. Afterwards, the running bug returned. YES, I was back on track & I (WE) made a decision to sign up for Donegal Marathon. We being myself & my trainer Lorraine Hyndman. Donegal Marathon, 24th August 2014, was our first crack at a full Marathon. It was daunting, our training involved early starts, Muck Hogs hill training & long runs on a Sunday. It was very tough at times but we both pulled each other through these runs. The memories we have of our training & actual event will be with me forever. My words at mile 26 to Lorraine were, “I can’t run”, her reply, “JUST *** RUN”, not unless you collapse, JUST RUN!! I can still see her face and obviously the statement that actually came out cannot be printed here lol. Priceless memories. On a high from completing this marathon, Mr Mullan suggested that we run the Causeway Coast TRAIL Marathon (as if Donegal wasn’t hard enough). In his words, “Sure it’s all downhill Anna”. So off I went training again for Causeway on 27th September & to my absolute delight I finished it, feeling strong and proud. Now a 3rd Marathon has been entered, Dublin Marathon on 27th October. 3 Marathons in 3 Months … BOOOOM!!! I have also given up smoking, although it is early days yet but with the support I know I will receive from my “friends” at PHF / Muck Hogs I am left thinking of what my next challenge will be. Swim, Cycle, Run - Only Time Will Tell!!
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 11:11:45 +0000
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