As part of the Life Style Sports #GirlsRunTheWorld campaign, Michelle McMahon, Editor of Her.ie and Sue Murphy, TV&Film Editor,were challenged to run a 5k race after 12 weeks of training. MICHELLE’S DIARY:  Girls Run The World. Two weeks down, ten to go. A fortnight in to our training for Girls Run the World and I’m finding my stride, so to speak. There’s been a bit of disappointment for Sue, as the flare-up of an old knee injury has meant no running for her in the past week, and none for the next week or so either. It’s hugely disappointing for Sue, and for our campaign as a whole, as we’ve missed out on training together for the last while – which was one of the big bonuses to me! I find it really hard to find the motivation to keep going on my own, so I need someone else to pull me up on the days I’m feeling lazy. We had our sessions with Peter from PB3 Coaching on Monday and Thursday of last week. On Monday I spent most of my time concentrating on drills and getting my running technique right, which is much more difficult than it sounds. It can be incredibly frustrating trying to remember to keep my arms in the right position, (pushing my elbows back and allowing them to fall forward), keep my back straight, hips pushed forward, work from my glutes… the list goes on and on! But I’m determined to stick at it and get it right, as I know mastering the technique will stand to me in the long run (another unintended pun). We were out with Peter again on Thursday morning, when we took to the Iveagh Gardens for a session. It’s nice to have a change of scene, and again it was all about technique for me. I had great intentions of going for a swim on Friday evening, but I finished work late after feeling stiff and sore all day, and my plans went out the window. I had also planned on a park run for Saturday morning, but when I woke up feeling just as sore and cranky on Saturday, I knew it wasn’t going to happen. Instead, I did some gentle stretches and some pilates exercises, following a video I found online. By the afternoon I felt much better, and well able for a bigger challenge. I took myself back to the Phoenix Park and ran 5k. When I say ran, I mean walked for three minutes and ran for one, alternating until I had covered the distance. It took me 35 minutes in total, which is four minutes less than last week. Peter has told me several times not to worry about speed etc at this point, but for my own head I find it really important to actually see and feel progress, so though I got soaked to the skin I felt fantastic after this run and it really got me back on track (seriously, count the puns) for the challenge. On Sunday I took it easy, again just taking myself out for a long walk and spending a few minutes on the stretches and exercises I’ve been set. We didn’t have a training session on Monday as Sue had her physio appointment on Tuesday morning, so our next meeting with Peter is on Thursday morning when we’re off to the Phoenix Park. I’ll be off out for a run tonight, and I’m actually really looking forward to it. I’ve also been looking to add to my gym bag, so I’m planning a visit to Life Style Sports this week too. Gloves are first on my list; it’s really cold out there! In terms of diet I’ve been very well behaved, by my standards! I’m limiting my chocolate/treat indulgences to weekends only, and I’ve only drunk alcohol once since New Year’s. I spent my Sunday evenings cooking, to fill up the freezer with good, healthy meals to last the week. It’s actually much easier than I would have predicted, and I’ve begun to notice my tummy slimming down and my skin becoming clearer and brighter too – very welcome benefits to the regime! Roll on week three… I’m ready for you. SUE'S DIARY: NO PAIN, NO GAIN. Following a very enthusiastic first couple of weeks, an old injury played up which has been causing a little more hassle now due to the running. On Monday when I met Peter, we both knew there was a fairly bad problem with my knees, I basically limped all the way to the hotel where we sat down for a chat. Peter decided that I shouldn't run that week (I wouldn't be able to even if I tried) and rest it out. We switched back to swimming as a better method for training and I have basically been in the pool since. I went along to the Rathmines Swan Leisure Centre on Tuesday to get back into the routine of swimming before work. I was up by 6.30am and in the pool by 7.15am. On the first day, I made it to about 17 lengths but stopped when I felt my leg was hurting a little and stopped, but I was still pretty determined to get back into the pool the next day. On Wednesday I managed to get the total lengths up to about 23 and then on Thursday, I was already at 25. Please take into account here that my technique is not brilliant, my breathing is certainly not as good as it used to be due to the chlorine in the last pool I trained in, but the Swan Centre is really nice with great staff and a brilliant gym. Following my swim on Thursday, we met up with Peter for our next training session. Michelle is performing brilliantly at the moment and is already completing a 5k, but I was reduced to just strengthening exercises which is incredibly frustrating, both because I can't train but also because it still hurts quite a bit to put any pressure on my knees. Going into the weekend, I was a little more confident however about my general fitness. I could feel my body starting to tone up again, particularly my arms and legs and I have dropped a dress size already, just from the changes to diet and the amount of swimming I have been doing. I am due to see a physiotherapist this week so I will keep you all posted on what is happening! For the moment, this is my training schedule, which is mostly focusing on swimming and strengthening the knees. To join Sue this week: Train 5 x times per week. Five swimming sessions – I am currently getting to 30 lengths of the pool in about half an hour. I am going to attempt to get to 60 over the next couple of weeks until my knees heal. Diet It does get easier, I swear this to you! I have cut out mostly everything you would think tastes nice at this stage and continue to replace certain foods with fruit, vegetables and nuts. I am basically LIVING on almonds at the moment but have also discovered the treat that is chocolate brazil nuts (just for a treat on Friday). With the added water I am drinking and the more balanced diet, my weight has dropped quite a bit and I feel like I have more energy. At the moment, I am still eating porridge for breakfast, an apple, a banana and some almonds, soup or eggs or a wrap for lunch and then a balanced dinner, with lentils, beans and rice. I always like to have Friday as a treat day, otherwise you might go mad. Find pb3 coaching on Facebook for more details on the training programme Whatever kind of training you are involved in, the Life Style Sports Product Experts (in stores nationwide) are on hand to ensure each customer selects the correct clothing and footwear to meet their individual needs, reducing risk of injury and achieving better results. Life Style Sports also offers customers a free Gait Analysis service in select stores which provides runners with an essential insight into their individual running styles. Customers can also find all the information they need on wearing the right technical apparel, including “Sports Bra Fitting Guides” and footwear while running or working out at “The Fitness Hub” on lifestylesports.com.