Well that week flew by.

[TJFlute]

I can't believe that it was a week ago today that we were all desperately trying to reach the 20,000K target! It was a day to remember wasn't it?

I did my tennis lesson today, 45 minutes and then an hour gardening. I'm really enjoying the tennis a lot more than I did before the challenge, because I feel fitter and stronger.

It's good weather again tomorrow so I am thinking of doing a run in the morning, because it has been a week since I ran. I also have swimming booked with a friend in the afternoon. I'll let you know how they both go.

Today I have been thinking about what I'm going to do once the challenge has ended. My main aim during the challenge was to vary my exercise more, so that on 'rest' days I cross-train rather than do nothing. I've achieved this variety now and in doing so have dropped the running to once a week, in order to keep injury free. But once I've finished the challenge I want to do more running, and get a real rest day back into my routine.

This is what I am thinking of doing when the challenge has finished:

Monday: swim(this fits in perfectly after work and before I pick up Ellen, also a good de-stresser and stretching activity), Tuesday; gym(this also fits in perfectly after work and before pick up Ellen) Wednesday; swiss ball class(I love this class and don't want to stop doing it. A good way to strengthen my core and back too); Thursday; run, Friday: gym(this fits in perfectly whilst Ellen is at drama club and the trainer said I should do gym twice a week to get the benefits), Saturday: long run, Sunday; tennis (I'm loving doing this again, and we have an excellent coach)

But do you spot the problem: no rest days!!! Oh heavens, I don't know what to give up! Any thoughts?

Thank you for staying with me to the end of the challenge. Only two more days to go

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Well done TJ, nearly there, I can't wait to cheer you on Monday or is it Tuesday? 100 days exercise is some heck of an achievement, what are you doing to celebrate? I've got a bottle of Champers I could open and enjoy with you!

You know your variety of exercise is so good I think you could take off one of the days in rotation to suit your needs. I think thats the route I would go down to start with and see how you find it. Good luck for your final day and very well done, you are one heck of an example to try and follow.

[TJFlute in reply to Oldgirl]

Oh that's excellent advice; I hadn't thought of doing the rest day on rotation!

I have two days left, so day 100 is on Tuesday. You have a bottle of champagne at the ready? I do too, so we should pop the corks together!

Thank you again for the excellent idea for the rest day, and for your very kind words of support x

[Oldgirl Graduate in reply to TJFlute]

Yeh you rock TJ, you deserve every bit of support heading your way, Tuesday 28th is the evening I will prepare a nice meal for hubby and myself and we will pop that cork in your honour. I've been looking for a good reason to open this bottle and this is the best reason ever.

The storey behind the bottle is rather a nice one. So bear with me while I bore you with the details. We met a lovely Chilean couple on holiday in Cuba, very much in love who had not yet committed themselves to marriage. They spoke to us several evenings after dinner and the morning they left after breakfast there was a bottle of champagne and thank you card left in our room from them. We had luckily exchanged email addresses and we were able to thank them, they had said we were a couple who showed them what true love and commitment was all about, they hoped they would be like us 40 years down the line. Well I'm not sure where all that came from but the thought was lovely as were they, the bottle came home in a suitecase and is ready to go in the fridge, why, because the storey was all about commitment which is what you have shown us how to do TJ. bless you.

[TJFlute in reply to Oldgirl]

What a heart-warming story, and how wonderful to demonstrate to a young couple that marriage really can be a story of true love and absolute commitment! I am honoured that you will open this on Tuesday I tend to be quite stubborn about things, and if I commit to something then I stick with it come what may. I've just been lucky that I haven't had any injuries along the way, but I'm also proud that I haven't had one day off; not even when I was on holiday in Sydney, or even when I was flying there! Thank you, so much, you're really too kind !!

[TJFlute in reply to TJFlute]

I am very touched.

[DeliaItaly Graduate in reply to TJFlute]

Great work Theresa, you are a true star! Not long to go now...cheering you on till the end, Delia

[DeliaItaly Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

What a lovely story -- feeling quite emotional xd

[Rollertoaster Graduate]

Well done Theresa, we're all still here with you to the finish! I had a lovely long run yesterday, and a gorgeous walk today. I have also been cycling every day this week as usual, except, I confess a day on Tuesday when I worked from home and sat on my butt all day, oops, but my body appreciated it!

No rest days? Do not fret, rest days are for wimps!

Good luck for the last two days!!!

[TJFlute in reply to Rollertoaster]

Thank you, thank you! Thanks for staying with me to the end x

I was wondering about rest days, I wonder who said that we need one a week? After all, I've just done 98 days without one, and I'm not suffering. I know it's all about muscle repair time, but surely that happens in our sleep. Simply by working different muscle groups on a rotational scheme is giving the muscles time to repair?

[Rollertoaster Graduate in reply to TJFlute]

I'm no way an expert, but I'd agree with that. I think the trick is to have a good rotation of activities. After all us humans are built to be active, what's unnatural is sitting behind a desk for 8 hours a day 5 days a week!

[Malcy Graduate]

Agree about no rest days. Not so much on the argument of whether or not "you need to recover", but simply this ... if you enjoy doing all of the activities, I think you should keep doing them. If you start to feel it's too much (what, you?) you take a day off, whatever the activity.

Simples!

Lazy day here - I was heading for the Twin Peaks (Lomond Hills) but Mrs Malcy and daughter instructed me to take a day off after spending most of yesterday zonked on the sofa. However, I'm off to a meeting in Edinburgh tomorrow morning and, with no pressure to get back to the office, I'll get off the train at Haymarket and walk to/from the meeting, and I'll slip into McDonalds' loos, change into the running gear and do "The Great Edinburgh Run" route. That should make up for today's laziness. Tuesday? I was thinking of doing the Camperdown Park Parkrun route to see you up to the finishing line.

Not long to go now TJ !

[TJFlute in reply to Malcy]

You're obviously being well looked after by wife and daughter Great idea to do the Great Edinburgh run route tomorrow: let me know how it goes.

Ad hoc rest days. Good idea

[wilmacgh Graduate]

Have a great next 2 days. You are putting us all to shame with all those different actvities.

[TJFlute in reply to wilmacgh]

Thank you x It's taken me a while to find the right mix for me, but I'm there now

[LMS2110 Graduate]

What an amazing schedule planned for your 'cool down week'. I felt shattered just reading it. You have been an amazing inspiration. You are a super star. Lucky Ellen to have such a dynamic role model. All the best for the next two official days..... But your body won't know you've stopped the 5x100 challenge ...?... right ...?... Enjoy it all

[TJFlute]

Thank you for your kind words! I will enjoy the final two days, and then its my brothers wedding on Friday, so the week will finish in a very exciting way, and with a new exercise; dancing!!

[Hidden]

What a fantastic achievement and the new plan still has you as wonder women enjoy your last few days of this challenge and savour the reflection at the end. Take care

[TJFlute in reply to Hidden]

Thank Phill. I'm looking forward to the reflection part, but I seem to be on a treadmill and can't get off!

[Burstcouch Graduate]

Your a 100% superstar for doing this.

What a fantastic achievement, you should be so proud.

[TJFlute in reply to Burstcouch]

Not superstar, just determined and slightly crazy

[Soozz Graduate]

Hey TJ, glad to hear you're in good shape. I worked till really late last night, and also today, but then I thought about your amazing feat of willpower, and jumped on the exercise bike and did 5k. I hope that counts! Ran yesterday and am running early tomorrow morning. What have you got planned for your last day of the challenge?

[TJFlute in reply to Soozz]

Oh, that's amazing! Thank you for doing the 5k! Hope you're feeling ok.

I really still don't know what to do on the last day. A run is my first thought as it was running that got me here in the first place. But the weather report is wet,wet wet and I don't want to go out on a damp note!

[Soozz Graduate in reply to TJFlute]

There will be a magic umbrella over you - you will be glowing with your incredible achievement! You are a real inspiration!

[TJFlute in reply to Soozz]

Now that's a nice image

[Anniemurph Graduate]

You are such a star! Your 5x100 party is all planned, but if you have any special requests, let me know now so I can get them in the line-up as well!

Your 'last' week (it won't be, will it?) is a great plan. I love the variety you have put into your exercise. I'll be running with you on Tuesday, with a big smile on my face

[TJFlute in reply to Anniemurph]

I really like the Beatles, so a Beatles tribute band would be awesome. Thank you! I'm looking forward to celebrating The weeks plan that I've written out is what I hope to continue with for the foreseeable future. It was missing a rest day, and also pilates, which I was hoping to start up: there just aren't enough days in the week!!

Thanks for running with me on Tuesday!

[SBG356 Graduate]

A great mix of activities Theresa! I agree that using different muscle groups on different days is a good way of resting the ones used the day before......well done on being determined, it's paid off tremendously!

Off for a lovely sunny morning run now for your penultimate day of the challenge and ready to celebrate with you tomorrow!!

Sue

[TJFlute in reply to SBG356]

Enjoy your run in the sun Sue! Thanks for your support x

[greenlegs Graduate]

So, tomorrow's day 100 for you! Amazing. Your new schedule made me laugh - no time for rest days! I think the rotation idea is a good one though - expecting to do some exercise every day, but with leeway to have day off occasionally is you feel you need it. But if you don't - well, why not just carry on!

I had visitors yesterday, so had a little gap in laptop use (very good for my shoulders) - but I did half an hour of yoga in the evening - not ideal, as it was on a rather full stomach, but it was ok. I seem to have got to the point now where I don't feel quite right if I haven't done some activity in the day. A huge change from my previous daily routine, which was spent almost all sitting down.

Today has been almost all in the garden, including cutting a hedge, with rather blunt shears, so very vigorous arm work. I might well do some yoga as well later on - I really do enjoy yoga, and am really glad to have rediscovered it, thanks to 5x50, and fortuitious timing of a free class after work.

I will join you in celebrating your 100th day tomorrow, and I think I just might be carrying on with the new fitter me too. It's all good!

[TJFlute in reply to greenlegs]

That is so good to hear! It's great that we've rediscovered things by doing the 5x50..and found new things too. I can't imagine you sitting down all day! What a change in lifestyle

!00 tomorrow Yippee