Couch To Rainbow 5K: Week Two – Getting Better

In a new four-part series, self-confessed couch potato Marie starts a new exercise regime in an effort to ditch her lazy habits, get fit and complete the Rainbow Run 5k at the end of June. Week Two: Getting Better Last week, I filled you in on my latest mission - to get fit, overhaul my less than healthy lifestyle and complete my first 5K at this year's Rainbow Run. Ideally, I'm also going to try to do all of this without becoming one of those people who talks constantly about what they're having for lunch or posting smug social media updates every time they put on a pair of trainers. After beginning my personal training with Alan Stewart at Flyefit and nailing a 3k run in my first week, I was feeling pretty good about myself and sliding into that dangerous zone where I was no longer apprehensive about reaching my impending goal. Of course, this was a cue for the universe to give me a kick up the ass and remind me that that I was going to have to pay for all those lazy evenings on the couch whether I liked it or not. The beginning of the week flew by in a blur of work commitments and, ahem, social ones so I arrived to my second session with Alan feeling exhausted and a bit hungry as I hadn't had the chance to grab any breakfast that morning. This, as it turns out, was a total rookie mistake as it took its toll on the results I gained during my workout. They say that the body needs fuel to power its activities and, on an empty stomach, I felt like a clapped-out Ford Fiesta with an empty tank as Alan put me through my paces. By the time we got to the end of our allocated time, he had found a new device to torture me with, which I can only describe as a heavy metal contraption that I was required to push up and down the room like a particularly stubborn lawnmower. My heart beat so fast that I thought I might collapse and while Alan reassured me that this was bringing me to an 'anaerobic state', I was convinced I was on the home straight to heaven and wishing I'd been nicer to my mother on the phone that morning. All in all, it was tough and frustrating morning and the worst part was that it was my own fault. I learnt the hard way that you really are what you eat and solid nutrition is vitally important when undertaking a fitness regime. I learned from my mistakes though and have started this week by doing a seriously healthy shop and will not be leaving the house without a proper breakfast. According to the fitness maestro himself, complex carbohydrates are your best friend when training for an event such as this so stock up on wholegrains and slow-release foods that will give you enough energy to get through your work-outs. Always eat about an hour and a half before a session and opt for something with a high glucose content for an energy kick before the event itself. If you're a bit clueless about your nutritional intake, download the MyFitnessPal app (available in the Play Store) and log what you're eating as this will give you some helpful pointers (as well as highlighting all your bad decisions!). For some diet inspiration, check out Alan's Instagram here. Another thing that I have to do this week is finally get a new pair of decent trainers so if yours have seen better days, this is your last chance. Alan advises breaking in your runners for at least two weeks before an event to make sure they are comfortable and don't blister your feet on the day - so be warned! While it has been a bit frustrating at times, this week has been full of valuable lessons and I'm now ready to hit my final fortnight with some serious enthusiasm. As I'm quite new to all this, I'd love to hear any hints or tips you may have so tweet us@Herdotie with the #CouchtoRainbow5K! Marie is training for the Rainbow Run using the new Samsung Galaxy 5s, courtesy of Vodafone. The Samsung Galaxy S5 is available in black, white or gold on Vodafone Red bill pay, with a Gear Fit worth €199 at half price on selected plans, as well as Spotify Premium and extra data. See http://www.vodafone.ie/offers/samsung or http://www.vodafone.ie/spotify for further details.