In all honesty, I can't say the exercise has upped my energy levels because when I went into work on Friday I needed matchsticks to keep my eyes open. After a few weeks of scatty sleep patterns, I've been sleeping very well again.
On Thursday, on Dave's advice I called into the The Runner's Centre on the way back from swimming. I'm really glad I did. The guy who served me really knew his stuff. He assessed my stance and walk and pointed out my right arches weren't particularly strong. He then brought out a couple of pairs of shoes. He ignored my shoe size completely. He put shoes on my feet, let me lace them up and then he'd whip them off and kept trying until he was satisfied at the fit. He flat out refused to show me the cheap option.
This is the first time I've ever bought running shoes. With my dicky knee and dodgy back, I'm not entirely convinced this is a great idea. But there are so many benefits associated with running, I'm going to go for it anyway.
When I finally told Dave about my new shoes, he quizzed me on the whole process and then said "well done, they're a good investment." I was relieved. Ill fitting running shoes can cause joint issues, as well toe nail loss.
The best thing though was being able to go in and say what I wanted to do, without being laughed at. He was so helpful. He made several suggestions about having a look at Park Run and getting a running app to help me get started.
It then made me think about the shoes I currently wear for my workouts at home. The pair I bought were cheap and they've lasted me very well. They're 9 years old now. But when I felt the support around the arches, there's nowhere near the support I've got with my new running shoes. So, I went off to the sports shop and got some new cross trainers as well. They are so amazingly light and comfy.
The runners are the flash ones with the pink soles. The cross trainers (grumpy shoes as I've taken to calling them) are the white with purple!
The thing that I find so frustrating about myself is why I've waited so long to do this. I knew it was something that would be good for me to do and I should be doing it. Honestly. I suppose all that matters now is that I'm doing it and that I do it as long as I enjoy it.
Oh, I also went for my post-40 health check. I'm not entirely sure why I should have much faith in their findings at all. It was supposed to be an assessment of my risk for cardiovascular disease. They checked my blood pressure, my pulse, height, weight and BMI and took blood to check my cholesterol. On the back of my results my risk has been calculated at 1.7%. This isn't too bad, I'm told. I'm told I'm well within the bell curve.
Except my cholesterol wasn't a fasting test. And I have high cholesterol in my genetics. My cholesterol results came back high, but within non-medicating limits. Colour me unsurprised. Is it worth me taking any more action? I don't think so. The advice on the email with my total results was as generic as to be almost a waste of time: exercise, don't smoke and drink appropriately. Given I always drink with my legs either crossed or at least ankles together, I'm not taking it terribly seriously at all.
I begin to wonder if it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a proper fitness test at the UEA gym.
Oh. Dear. Gods.
Did I really type that out loud?
