Blog

So…. where do I start to write this blog, and how do I write it!! I’m not sure… I just know that I have promised Team Energised as their Head Coach & Trainer I would write it 🙂

Sharing my day is probably the easiest to explain the paradox of my training, rest and thoughts! So, morning training, what I love, running in the torrential rain and mud,running. Running for me, gives me a sense of freedom, it clears my mind. It’s where I create my ideas, get rid of my frustrations and explore (I know that dance does the same for many)  Sometimes I use music, sometimes I don’t.

I have been training for the Great South Run on Sunday 27th October, and I am proud to be part of #TeamSouth, running with Iwan Thomas MBE, 9 other fabulous people and hopefully raising lots of money for MacMillan Cancer.

You can support MacMillan here  http://www.justgiving.com/energisedkimingleby or text KIMY78 £1,3,5 or 10 to 70070, thank you! I would love to raise as much as we can for this amazing charity.

So that was the morning session…. completed in my Mizuno Running Wave Saynoara (sometimes in Wave Ferus depending on the weather and route!), with my Shock Absorber Run Bra & Sweaty Betty Run Capris & Run Protector Jacket… well people always ask what I wear… !!

Chilling in my 2XU Compression Tights I then contemplate the madness of an afternoon session in the gym.  The irony of this is that last year when I was training for the Ironman UK I thought nothing of the training, comparatively. Of course, if you read my blog for Sportsister (click here: http://www.sportsister.com/category/kim-ingleby/)  you will understand everything I learned from the experience.  Yet, endurance challenges are definitely my thing, I am one big straight, slow twitch! So whilst I never know if I will be able to complete, I am 100% committed to doing my very best….

Which is exactly what I will do at Miss Galaxy Universe, on Saturday 26th October! However, let me tell you that heading out for a 6-8hr bike last year stretched my boundaries, and I learned a huge amount.  Yet I didn’t need to look sexy, pretty or stylish…. 4 hours posing practise has stretched me in a totally different, a tiny insight into how the Strictly celebrities must feel! Both challenges are similar in the amount of stretching and foam rolling required….

Galaxy tested my boundaries, it tested what I believe is possible for me, and how I perceive myself.  I was comfortable in endurance sports. Some may say, why on earth put yourself into this environment then. But then, why not? Life is for living, trying experiences and stretching your boundaries…

“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better’ Emerson 

Two fold, one I entered when I was really unwell with Weils so clearly wasn’t thinking … and two, more importantly, I knew, 100% this would challenge me massively, get me out of my comfort zone (so far I don’t even know where that zone has gone too), put me in a complete beginner’s space & make me do something in a different way… this undoubtedly will make me a better coach for my clients.

I must have nearly pulled out from ‘not being ready’ because of the Weils (and really because the whole competition scares me!!) a million times. But I kept saying, you have to practise what you teach Kim, you must do this and hopefully it may inspire someone to believe in themselves & do something they keep saying, but not acting on.

So to prevent this from turning into a chapter off a book (although I keep getting asked to write one… would you like one)… I went to posing camp (arghh, this I can only assume is how my complete beginners feel at my triathlon workshops, you lose sight of that feeling when it’s so normal for you!!).

My good friends thought I had lost my mind going to posing camp. Well, the first one I had, I lasted half the session, can’t remember any of it or anyone really, just the line, very bad,  walk like a solider.  Hmmm, now this was 100% true, I can’t walk in heels, my balance is now even worse than before, I was brought up on a farm, never wore make up, did ballet, dance or gymnastics… I rode horses, ran and lambed sheep. My Problem identified!

Fast forward two months, second posing camp which I remember!! Thankfully…. however the description is now a farmer holding a gun, so clearly I didn’t remember as my posing skills had not improved…but I loved it (in a marmite way) , yes, really! And direct feedback works for me, I need that as I always want to learn & improve, whatever I do, personal or work.

I have also been moved from Beach category (which I had got comfortable with) to Bikini Diva section (which makes me uncomfortable, but you know what… you learn more from getting uncomfortable so bring it on…!!).  I equate this to moving my client from a 5km to a half marathon, but they have to trust me, that I know they can do it….. so I trust them;-)!

‘Every day brings an opportunity to kick off your shoes and dance.” Winfrey

I have met some truly amazing people in the Galaxy Crew, from Sarah, Jacqueline, Alina and everyone who runs it, to the other girls taking part. A massive thank you to them all…

They are supportive, positive, passionate people… and seriously fit, they train hard & smart, empowering women to be there best, exactly my philosophy. There are fitness tests at the beginning of competition day, they are all plyometric strength based tests…. 3 months of the rat disease and endurance athlete = interesting challenge! But, I am committed to doing my absolute best, training smart & hard.  I love that Sarah links fitness with beauty, and many Galaxy girls do fitness challenges with the Marines, so it’s a wonderful concept.

I massively digress but after some time chilling and eating a few chickens ( a less endurance nutrition plan has been adopted) I headed up to the gym to lift a few weights and to define my muscles, stretch into a graceful dancer & then pose with poise in the studio. This was in Mizuno trainers, Sweaty Betty leggings and a Shock Absorber High Impact sports bra, as my feet bled from posing practise on Sunday… But I did practise… ..for a long time!

In 10 days the practise will work….  I will learn & nail the fitness tests to the best of my ability and health, and turn into that girl that struts her stuff with confidence and style on stage,lean and strong, Bikini Diva….  no more farmer, soldier or guns…(Alina I promise!)

You have to put things out there.  With my mental training I will be modelling excellence for both the Great South & Galaxy Universe. It’s key to practise what I teach (& practise I will).

What I can tell you, if you have lasted to this point of the blog (thank you!) is that I have loved learning something new, I have loved meeting totally different, inspiring people. You know who you are, and you rock.

I know 100% that making yourself do something you never thought you could, or would, or that is ‘you’ is definitely worth it.  You will still be you, just a better version with bigger visions of what is possible……

So please text KIMY78 £5 to 70070 to support MacMillan Cancer and I will give you 100% effort in the fitness tests (including squat thrusts, press ups & bench press), posing in a bikini and evening wear… then having a big (or perhaps not that big!) sleep, and running the Great South Run… every penny will be earned and gratefully received. Big Thank YOU!

I found this quote which i like everyone should believe this…. (well the first line anyway),

” You are doing this because you are fantastic, brave & curious. And yes, probably a little crazy. And this is a good thing.” Baty 

You can post and questions or tweet me @kimingleby

I may write another pre competition blog if you would like, and definitely one after.

PS. What will I do next… have a rest, get fully balanced with Weils recovery and then there is a list waiting… it is Energised 10th Birthday next year…things to be done ;-)! x

Links for you 🙂

You can come and watch Miss Galaxy Universe, tickets are here, Super Soeli O’Hagan & me will be representing Bristol, road trip team… !: http://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/theatre/productionpage.aspx?hid=6&nid=5594_2&zid=2

Alina Andrews has helped me 100% with her patience, kick asse direct feedback & skill, thank you. Her expertise & skill in this area is brilliant & I would highly recommend her:  http://youtu.be/k68QOOHgqag

Read our latest blog on Energised http://www.energisedperformance.com/blog/clients/standing-tall-strong/

The Strictly Come Dancing Pro’s I know who give me awesome models of excellence 🙂

What do you keep thinking of doing…..? x