8 tips on how to pull off a NEW YOU

Change from a Dreamer to a Doer by dreaming about the thrill of achieving your Goal

IS THIS THE OLD YOU?

Noticed the growing number of people out exercising recently?, look closer, these are not “Athletes” but rather ordinary individuals like you or me, they come in all shapes and sizes, some look the part and some, like myself look dodgy enough. The common bond is that they all want to improve, be it their weight, shape, mental health or wellbeing.

Excuses are easy – not for me, too busy, too cold, look silly….. . If you could match each negative response with a positive one like – I could beat him, improve wellbeing & energy, go stress busting, then you’d be half way on your way, just focus on your Goal, desire and reason you started this in the first place and dream about the ecstasy and excitement you’ll feel by accomplishing.

You’ll never start a new chapter in your life if you keep reliving the last chapter, don’t be the observer be the doer. Change and success seldom happen within your comfort zone, be prepared to have to make that extra effort knowing the vast reward that awaits you on the other side.

He is my tips

1. Goals -Set realistic Goals and a sensible timeframe be it diet or exercise
2. Records -Write it down and keep records of progress
3. Diet -Choose a Diet that suits, ideally with natural fresh food.
4. Cravings -Fight cravings not hunger, starving does not get results
5. Support -Join a weight loss group or get an exercise partner.
6. Flexibility -Allow flexibility in your plan and bounce back each time.
7. Motivation -Surround yourself with things and thoughts that motivate you.
8. Positive -Remind yourself why you started and remember success stories

Believe in yourself – Don’t be afraid to fail – But be afraid not to try.

#running, #donegal, #Inishowen, # adventure, #wildatlanticway, #marathons

It is well documented that Inishowen is one of Tourisms best kept secrets, a statement used more as a whinge against lack of support from the establishments rather than a boast. Extreme North believed that Inishowen had a lot to offer, hence the decision to create innovative events here.

Innovative events, from the onlooker perspective, often start their life under the banner of “Completely Daft” or “He’s lost the plot completely” and I’m certain that the Inishowen onlookers were no different in their expectations. Well, what else could I expect when the notion had often entered my head also and I had to work my arse off so as not to be proven a “Complete Eedjit”

As it turned out, I only thought I had an appreciation for Inishowen, but as the growing number of visitors started to “sing the praises” of the area, compare it to more established locations around the world, tell their friend that they must come and talk about their lasting memories of the place & event, I suddenly realised that I didn’t really have a proper appreciation for the area that I was born, breed and call home.

To the people of Inishowen I say; We first need to truly believe in this beautiful peninsula and realise it’s worth, maybe then, outsiders will “come on board” with a similar enthusiasm. Inishowen is like the best ingredient you could have when preparing a meal, so it’s up to you to simply add the trimmings and present it in a fitting manner, then you will succeed

The Wild Atlantic Way is our true road map to Inishowen, and to date we have endless untapped potential, so when WAW delivers it’s visitors let us be sure to look after them and provide a menu of activity to keep them here a while, because I can assure you that they do get completely enthralled with our Beautiful Inishowen and their lasting memories are what we have to build our future on.

#Inishowen, #running, #adventure, #events, # scenery, #hospitality

Possibly an unhealthy lifestyle?

What motivates the growing number of runners and joggers on our roads and parks recently? It’s becoming obvious that these are not “Athletes” but rather ordinary individuals like you or me, they come in all shapes and sizes, some look the part and some, like myself look dodgy enough.

If your struggling to get your New Year Resolution on track through lack of motivation, cold mornings etc., just think if you could match each negative response with a positive one you’d be half way on your way. Always focus on your Goal, recall the circumstances that prompted this change and dream about the excitement you’ll feel when you achieve you Goal.

In the vast majority of cases HEALTH and MENTAL WELLBEING are the driving force, you’ll never improve these by being the observer, so stop dreaming up excuses, get stuck in and experience the FEEL GOOD FACTOR. A local song writer Patsy Cavanagh penned a song “You can’t hold the years back” ? As the observer maybe not but as the activist you can give it a damned good try.

You’ll never start a new chapter in your life if you keep reliving the last chapter, also change and success seldom happen within your comfort zone, so initially you will have to make that extra effort but that will soon be swamped by the feel good benefits that you’ll experience. He’s my tips

1. Goals -Set realistic Goals and a sensible timeframe be it diet or exercise
2. Records -Write it down and keep records of progress
3. Diet -Choose a Diet that suits, ideally with natural fresh food.
4. Cravings -Fight cravings not hunger, starving does not get results
5. Support -Join a weight loss group or get an exercise partner.
6. Flexibility -Allow flexibility in your plan and bounce back each time.
7. Motivation -Surround yourself with things and thoughts that motivate you.
8. Positive -Remind yourself why you started and remember success stories

(NEXT – CASE STUDY At age of 39 I was 4-5 stone overweight, no training and generally unhealthy – I was stuck in      my own comfort zone, then I went blind and life changed. – My Story next)

Believe in yourself – Don’t be afraid to fail – But be afraid not to try.

Tip – Get a team of 4 and compete in short single stages in Shore 2 Summit – A doable target for 12 weeks

#running, #donegal, #Inishowen, # adventure, #wildatlanticway, #marathons

22 years ago I was 60lbs overweight with the occasional fad diet, no training and feeling down in the dumps – I was stuck in my own comfort zone.

Someone gave me a sports shop GIFT VOUCHER for my 40th birthday. Runners and kit were purchased and for some reason it didn’t stop there. The new kit, a bit of support and a challenge all added up to creating the kickstart that lead to completely changed my life.

22 years later I’ve run 36 Marathons, competed in charity cycle challenges all over the world plus a multitude of other stuff and more importantly I’m 10 times healthier and organise adventure challenges in Inishowen Donegal for a living.

Do you know someone who could do with that little push, that might prove to be the almighty step towards a healthier life?

Our gift vouchers starts at just €30. Book on line now and receive by post before Christmas. I’ll even give them a pep talk if you think they need it.

All the best.

Harold McGuinness

#running, #donegal, #Inishowen, # adventure, #wildatlanticway, #marathons

Completed a number of marathons! what next? Many runners look to Multi Marathon and Ultra running for a new challenge. Completing an endurance race or ultra challenge is demanding on body and training regime. At this stage many will have identified the type of training schedule that suits them and adapted it using principals that have worked for them.

Itching to do an Ultra

Before entering this arena make it is best that you have ample marathon distances under your belt to avoid unnecessary injury. As was the rule for marathon training, weekly long runs are now an even more important part of your training regime. Adapt a slower pace for your long runs as these are all about getting your body used to distance / endurance, so save you faster pace / speed work for shorter mid week sessions.

Back 2 Back distance training

This is an excellent technique for multi marathon or Ultra’s in excess of 60k. This consists of – 3 days of shorter / speed training – 1 rest day – 1 long run – 1 long run – 1 rest day. The first day long run builds endurance and the second day, ideally about 15% shorter, acclimatizes the body to having to keep going even when tired.

Run / Walk

Venturing beyond marathon distance where the whole emphasis may have been keep running, now you must revisit that strategy as pacing is even more important and virtually all endurance runners adopt a run-walk strategy at some point during the race. It is important to train you body to be able to run again after a walking break, so build walk breaks into your distance runs and judge for yourself the correct ratio of run : walk

Listen to your body

Get to know your body and listen to it, while a group of runners may stick together during training your recovery is personal to you, no 2 bodies are the same, weight, physique, wellbeing, age etc. all play a part in your recovery. If your body hasn’t fully recovered from the previous long distance then shorten, or scrap, your next distance run to aid recovery. Running on a fatigued / over trained body leaves a high risk of injury.

Emulate your training to your race

Check out your race for elevation, road, trail, mountain, beach etc. and emulate your training to reflect the challenge that you are training for. Weather conditions, day light, running at darkness with headlamps etc are all factors and should be likewise adapted into you training schedule if applicable.

Race day looming

Most runners are tapering their training 2 – 3 weeks before the race, it is important that your body is starting the race rested to increase your chances of finishing. Proper hydration and a well fuelled body play a major part also to make sure to experiment with these factors during training so that your confident of what works and makes you most efficient on race day.

Set your GOAL and make your goal work for you

When you decide to take that “Leap of Faith” then get focused on your chosen challenge, register now if that helps to motivate and drive you towards your Goal, get a training plan in place that mimics most aspects of the challenge and get started. Choose an event that you can really look forward to for the challenge, camaraderie hospitality and something that will leave you going home fulfilled, with a smile and lasting memories. Donegal is an ideal venue to tick all those boxes, so check our Rocks N Rollin Ultra or the iconic Quadrathon when searching for your ideal challenge.