Kirsty Midgley - Leeds Girls Can Ambassador

In an attempt to beat the winter blues and kickstart my triathlon training I’ve manage to get in two home workouts with Fiit, two runs and a yoga session. I’m currently laying in a bath of Epsom salts trying to get some movement back into my legs that stopped working around school run time!
I’ve also been to check out the local gym - I’m hoping the weather improves and I won’t need to join - plus I’m loving the variety of the Fiit workouts and I get to do them at home where ...no one can see me cry!! But I definitely think I will go to the spin sessions at the gym and you can pay as you go so definitely an option if another storm hits! Still not been in the pool though - I looked at it through the window - it looked ok - next step is to get in the water! Going to buy the new HER Spirit Zoggs UK swim cap tonight for motivation!! 🤣🤣
I’m feeling a million times better than I was a week ago. I forget just how much a workout or a run lifts your mood and really does give you energy and motivation to keep on track!
I’ve also been to the doctor this week and we chatted alot about perimenopause, the symptoms and what to do to guide your way through. It’s good to know that a lot of what I’m feeling with regards to my mood, anxiety, tiredness, aching and inability to get to sleep even though I’m exhausted can all be symptoms of the big PM!! So I’m on a mission to find some meno friendly exercises - all tips and recommendations welcome!
#menopause #exercise #mentalhealth
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I went to the gym... guess which one was me!! 🤣
https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/videos/4 05646129972401/?v=405646129972401

Anyone else doing the Fat Lad At The Back sportive on the 9th of May?
The Leeds HSBC UK Breeze Champions are taking on the 50mile challenge this year. I'm a little nervous due my serious lack of motivation coupled with my equally serious lack of cycling lately!!
If you're up for the challenge and you fancy joining us drop me a message and I'll share our discount code.
... I've also added some training rides (thanks to Janet who's not on facebook for always keeping me motivated!!) - check out my events - they are free to join if you want to come and keep me company (and by that I mean if you want to come and feed me Jelly Babies!)
Here's the link to the sportive if you want to check it out - https://fatladattheback.com/collections/s portive
What challenges do you have planned this year? Have you done any good races/events/sportives that you could recommend?
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Booking is NOW open!
Join me, Karen Shackleton, Susan Cunningham, Louise Walker and Donya every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30pm from the 24th of March.
New members sign up here - https://bit.ly/2VaVkM4
... If you've been before and would like to join again - YAY! Please drop me a message or send me an email on kirsty@midgley.me and I will sign you up.
Don't forget to join our private group for lots of support and encouragement - https://www.facebook.com/groups/201499670 459259/?source_id=1877799692452340
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4 years ago I completed the Leeds Go Tri. Before I even entered the water, on a day I was quite clearly nervous, a lady told me that the lake was full of dead bodies and disease (she was SUPER motivational)
About 3 minutes into the water someone swam into me, knocking my concentration and taking me out of my zone (my zone was basically me chanting 'swim faster before the dead bodies get you!) Anyway I had what can only be described as a completely irrational panic attack hal...fway around Roundhay Lake. A poor poor marshall in a canoe was subjected to me screaming "Something bit me! A shark! Something tried to get me! There are dead people in here! THERE'S DEAD PEOPLE TOUCHING ME!" He offered to pull me out and onto his boat but after realising I was the only person left in the water and they were waiting for me to get rescued before starting the next wave. I started swimming again. I've never ever been so happy to get onto dry land.
I've had a completely irrational fear of open water since then.
I've decided 2020 will be the year I overcome my fear and get back into Roundhay Lake for this years Leeds Triathlon.
Sooo next week I'm off to check out my local pool... I figure I need to feel comfortable in the pool before I can even think about open water.
I've also downloaded a swimming plan from HER Spirit to get my swim fitness up. (faster I can get back onto dryland the better for everyone concerned I think)
Then I've booked onto the Blue Lagooners Triathlon & Open Water Swimming Club open water swimming Beginners course - (I've not heard about any dead bodies in there!🤣) And Kerry Fleming is going too so I'm relying on her feed me jelly babies and keep me calm!! Who wants to join us?
Do you have any tips for getting through the swim part of a triathlon?
#LeedsGirlsCan
*** side bar - for anyone doing the Leeds Triathlon or Go Tri this year THERE ARE NO DEAD BODIES IN ROUNDHAY LAKE. There are also NO sharks, NO sea monsters and NO whales.
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How do you stay motivated in winter?
I'm not going to lie I'm struggling. I abandoned a run last week because it was hailing - AGAIN. On another attempt, between Storm Ciara and Storm Derick (or denis I forget his name) I nearly broke my neck slipping on mud and walked home feeling sorry for myself. One day I rescued my bike from the very back of the garage (where it's hiding from the storms) only to decide after 4 miles that I would have an ice bath then try and ride my bik...e into a headwind.
How do you do it? Give me some tips!
Tomorrow I've booked an appointment with my indoor trainer (such fun) and signed up for a Fiit class (one I can do at home).
Do I need to join a gym or do I just need to toughen up?
Help!
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Ellie Colman -Leeds Girls Can Ambassador this could be our next challenge?? (but not a married couple obvs) 🤣🤣
** picture in the comments of me and Ellie looking SUPER pro on a tandem!! ***

The count down is on to the launch of our Spring/Summer couch to 5k.
We've helped hundreds of women reach their 5k goal - and you could be next!
Joining isn't as scary as you think and just if you believe in yourself you will be running 10ks in no time!!
... Don't forget to join our private facebook group for Kirkstall Abbey for updates, motivation and exclusive discounts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/201499670 459259/?source_id=1877799692452340
#LeedsGirlsCan #couchto5k
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So this might be just what I need to kick off my triathlon comeback (as if I ever started!! 🤣)
Who fancies a trip over to York to next month to pick up some tips?
🏊🏿‍♀️🚴🏽‍♀️🏃‍ ♀️

This is EPIC!!
It takes me longer than 12 minutes to warm up before a run!! I'd still be tying my shoelaces and throwing down some lunges and Cheptegei would be heading home! 🤣🤣
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/515 20932…

Very excited to be back at the Abbey next month leading my SIXTH couch to 5k!! Plus this year when we finish Couch to 5k we will be continuing with 5-10k!! 😬
We're currently knee-deep in planning - all the dates and times will be announced next week... WATCH THIS SPACE.
In the meantime, don't forget we have our own private group - if you are planning on joining us at Kirkstall Abbey definitely join and myself and the other leaders, plus lots of very friendly ladies who've d...one the programme in the past are there to answer any questions you have.
I'll be introducing all the new leaders in the next couple of weeks and we'll be giving you lots of info you will need before we start. Plus I have a cheeky exclusive pre-season competition next week for members and I'll be posting discounts to up and coming races exclusive to Leeds Girls Can members.
#LeedsGirlsCan #Couchto5k #Running
https://www.facebook.com/groups/201499670 459259/about/
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I’ve been thinking of doing the Sprint distance triathlon this year - probably need some coaching for the swim though (given the last time I swam in Roundhay lake I screamed at a poor Marshall in a canoe that I’d seen a shark!!)
Anyone up for the challenge?
HER Spirit have some great training packages available.
... #Triathlon #GoTri
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Join me and the rest of the Leeds Girls Can ambassadors at the Potternewton parkrun as we celebrate International Women's Day.
As part of the This Girl Can #IWDparkrun campaign several parkrun's in Leeds will be hosting their own This Girl Can purple take-over. This is your chance to give parkrun a go! Put on your finest purple kit and head down to your closest parkrun - or join me at Potternewton Park on Saturday the 7th of March.
There is no last place at parkrun. You can... go as fast or as slow as you want - everyone is friendly and welcoming and the amazing parkrun volunteers are always there to cheer everyone home.
It's totally free to join, just sign up for your own parkrun barcode online here - https://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/
#ThisGirlCan #IWD #parkrun
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