Christmas is nearly upon us folks! Well into the 'silly season', and I hope you're all enjoying it and having a ball with family and friends so far. I am off travelling tomorrow, back to UK for said having a ball with family and friends (a well overdue reunion to be held in a castle in Scotland! Suffice to say I am massively excited for this).

Check it out, I made this festive video in honour of the upcoming holidays via Promo: https://vimeo.com/247710135
​This was lots of fun to make, and super easy. You can check out how to make videos with them here if you're interested: https://slide.ly/promo/myshare/e2a6157e5d66ef2abc639455101c43f4

​So, running (if you're tuning into this for running purposes!) is going well. The usual week of about 50km ish, and yes, managed to get onto those beautiful trails of Glenrock for some of these kms. Ahhh Glenrock: I will miss it a lot while overseas for the next couple of weeks. I will aim to keep my kms ticking over while away, and of course, have the requisite 'Christmas Run' on 25th (from chilly Inverness!) then it's not far off the Cadbury Half Marathon on 14th January in Tasmania when I'm back, so am looking forward to and casually training towards that one.

​Thank you to all my challenge participants from the recently ended 5 Day Challenge to Ditch Processed Sugar! This was lots of fun and the kick up the a*se that I needed to get back to cooking and meal prepping a LOT more, despite being busy and time-poor as a standard setting (which apparently is not going to change). There are lots of  recipes from my challenge that I absolutely love and will use again and again, and I am so glad I reminded myself of these old favourites! (Namely: the chia and coconut pudding/porridge and the lentil stuffed mushies.) Don't worry, if you feel you've missed out on this freebie challenge, you can always sign up for one of my online programs and do it at your own pace and start whenever you like: http://lousweight.com.au/main/page_programs_programs.php More will be coming soon in 2018!!

Now, I better go and get on with the many, many, many things that I've foolishly booked in for my penultimate day in Newy! Wishing you all the love, and an early very Merry Christmas one and all! Yours, Lou xxx :)

 Vietnam Mountain Marathon. 70km. September 2018. Just putting it out there.

​This was a race I was aching to do last year, but fate and my health had other plans (an impromptu hospital stay in Hanoi instead, hmmmm, wasn't meant to be.....). This year I was busy working away back here in Oz. But next year?! Oh yeah baby, I sincerely hope it's on. It will be one of the most epic, beautiful and challenging runs I reckon, held in stunning Sapa in Northern Vietnam (with an option of a 10km, 21km, 42km, 70km or 100km distance) but will be so very worth it. What life's all about after all. Watch  this space. While you're watching this space: check out the details and come and join me!! https://vietnammountainmarathon.com/en/join-vmm-2018/

I. Bloody. LOVE. Trail. Running.

​My happy place for sure.

​This past week I was lucky enough to have two trail forays: one at my usual beautiful, local Glenrock with some legends, and the other out towards Mount Sugarloaf yesterday, with some other legends, and perfect conditions. Sunday Funday indeed, ahhhh..... (Photo credit to Wil  xx)

​Today marks DAY ONE of my 5 Day Challenge to Ditch Processed Sugar, and so far so good! To all those doing this challenge with me: you are all legends!! I am particularly excited by the bonus workouts and plans that will be delivered by the wonderful and very experienced Josh Day, each day in the private Facebook group. I am planning on doing the Day One workout later this arvo either before or after my usual run. Thanks again to Josh!

​Have a wonderful, Woottastic week one and all! :) xxx

As the days draws nearer to the end of the year, and I realised that in two weeks today I will be hurriedly packing pre-venturing to Sydney to depart for UK for a well overdue family reunion for Christmas and New Year's, it's got me thinking about just how seemingly fast 2017 has gone. As well as just how amazing it's been too. Wow, what a ride indeed. It featured all  this and more: life in three different countries, as the start of this year saw my return from Vietnam to Oz via Thailand; 3x marathons, one ultra-marathon, 2x halfs, and countless other awesome trail runs and road runs with friends; a return to study and a brand new qualification in the form of my newly acquired Masters degree; new jobs and new skills (including telephone banking and pedicabbing, of all things, so an eclectic mix, as ever); amazing and inspiring nutrition clients; teaching English to kids; a return to beautiful Newy; falling in love; and wonderful times with family and friends. Who knew?!?..... Ahhh, 2017, you've been a blast thus far and very special: full of living, learning, loving, and amazing people. Thank you.

​Now that 2018 is just around the corner, new running goals (amongst other things) are on my mind, and which particular events I will take part in. Oh the possibilities hey! The only locked-in/definite race that I have so far, is the Cadbury's Half Marathon in Hobart in January. After that, the events I'm thinking about include UTA50 again (providing I can track down a ticket that someone may be selling nearer the time) in May, and throughout the year I want to take advantage of all the local close-to-Newy races that I missed this year due to weekend work commitments, such as the Lake Mac half, Hill to Harbour, and the Wineries run (half or full). Oh, and Blackmores in Sydney in September. I would also love to do another marathon (making it my 10th official 'full') but not sure where or which one. Although the Outback Marathon at Uluru sounds amazing. As does the Goldfields Pipeline Marathon near Kalgoorlie. Then of course, there's the Gold Coast Marathon again, one which is very dear to my heart. Hmm, decisions decisions hey. There's something in me that is erring towards running more halves than 'fulls' this year, and possibly even getting back to my previous times of around 1:34/1:35/1:36 and maybe, finally, at last, cracking under 1:34 in an actual race and getting a pb. But then, who knows. It's just for fun, so will see how it pans out.

​What's on for YOUR 2018 goals? Races, travel, study, sea change??? So many exciting possibilities and I just can't wait to see what will happen next. Starting with so much love over Christmas/New Year's with some very special people.

I had a different name though. However, I had the same time it took to finish the Central Coast Half Marathon yesterday morning however: 1:40:05 official time, and 1:39:95 according to the race chip. Same bib number too. It seems my bib, number 9, was not supposed to be mine but was intended for a completely different runner, and I inadvertently ran with his bib on (the bib lady accidentally did the ole bib switcheroo on me). It is all fixed up now though, and I am now once again female, in my 30-39 age category. Apparently I was 8th in my age group, of 113 women, and 86th overall (of 650). Hmm, so, not a competitive race, and was definitely not a pb for me, but was a beautiful, fun race all the same. Despite the crazy heat! Wow, it was excessively hot and sweaty and humid yesterday. Scorchio! I was melting. I was also not used to half marathons either! Having not done a half since January this year in Hanoi, and having favoured an ultra and marathons instead this year. But I miss halves. They are lots of fun. I see a return to half marathons in my future / 2018. Watch this space.
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Here is the before, during, and after:

The Entrance is beautiful too! My first time visiting there yesterday, so was stoked to combine a race with a trip to somewhere new. Now I better get off and continue on with some work shizzle: two programs being launched almost simultaneously (my Eat To Win program and 5 Day Challenge to Ditch Processed Sugar program) may have been a bit ambitious, hmmm, nothing like working towards a deadline.... If you're curious re: either one, here are the details: Eat To Win details here: http://lousweight.com.au/main/page_eat_to_win_challenge.php - this starts on 1st December!  And to sign up to my FREE sugar-free challenge, which starts on 11th December (includes a meal plan, recipes/shopping lists, strategies, info/advice, support etc), click here: http://eepurl.com/c_7d9X

​Also, donning my best teacher voice today, as today I am going back to teaching English again, woohoo! Teacher Lou coming atcha. Well, part-time Teacher Lou, of course... Much love to you all, and have a superb week! xx

Well, what a fun week! What a super fast week too. This past week has flown by all too quickly. Hey-ho. Seems to be a recurrent theme for this year. Last week featured a Glenrock run with an awesome group of humans, plus a return to beach running courtesy of taking part in the Beaches Parkrun on Saturday. This was brilliant! Loved it. It had been far too long since I last ran barefoot on sand. High tide and a bit of a head wind made it all the more fun too (and also, shhhh, I was the first female finisher!):

Seeing as I had run my 'long run' of the week on Friday, and merged a road run into the trail run for a glorious 21km ish (ok, so not very long, but long enough at the moment post marathons) yesterday, the traditional day of the long run, had no long run. Instead, it featured so much fun and a high-intensity sweaty workout courtesy of visiting Revolution in Maryville: an indoors trampoline and inflatables park. I. Had. A. Ball. Definitely a great workout too, what with all the running and jumping and climbing over things. I highly recommend a visit.

​I'm also hugely excited right now because I'm working on two very exciting programs! One is my previously run 30 day program Eat To Win, which starts on December 1st. Yep, right, slap bang in the middle of the 'silly season' (So maybe I am the silly one??). Here's the link if you want to read more and sign up: http://lousweight.com.au/main/page_eat_to_win_challenge.php

​The second one is a shorter, 5 day challenge designed to help you ditch the processed sugar and curb any sugar cravings/addiction. This one (starting on Monday 11th December) is FREE, and features: a meal plan, recipes, daily strategies/info/advice, and a ton of motivation/support. It is completely online, and to join this free challenge, simply sign up here: http://eepurl.com/c_7d9X

​So, come one, come all: join us for the 5 day challenge or commit to the longer 30 day program for amazing results. I have a race in January that I will be preparing for and training for, hence the launch of Eat To Win in December, as this will be perfect timing pre-race.

​So, the rest of this month, and December, will be very busy times for me (as well as everyone else, I'm sure). I am so glad that recently I listened to my gut instinct and intuition re: a certain venture I had undertaken that just didn't feel right. One that was causing me more and more anxiety and stress each week. That just didn't gel with me or feel right. So I made the decision to end it (despite saying goodbye to a lot of potential dollars) and focus 100% on my passions and the reasons I jump out of bed each day: nutrition work, teaching, writing, and alcohol/drugs/addiction work (I have just finished a Masters degree in this: watch this space in the new year for a special nutrition program aimed at those who are overcoming an addiction or who have recently detoxed and are in recovery). Our bodies give us very clear signs when something is not right (or conversely when it is!). It is so important to tune into these and to recognise when something is just not aligning well with us or if something is detrimental to our overall health. Trust your gut.

​Have an amazing week everyone! To all those running the Central Coast half marathon or 10km this Sunday: wishing you all the best and I will see you there!!

So, I recovered well from the Melbourne Marathon, nothing to report there. Then just 3 short weeks later, ran another marathon. Unplanned, untrained for, and with only 1.5 days of carb loading under my belt. And all went well. The power of the mind and motivation hey, and of running for a good cause. (Plus, good nutrition before, during and after the run.) The reason behind the impromptu marathon was the Cancer Council's fundraising Relay For Life, held in Glendale last Saturday, 4th November. I was taking part as part of the Wooters team, however I wasn't quite clear on the rules until the day or so before, when I was informed that I could definitely run as many laps as I wanted, continuously, and that it wasn't a traditional pass-the-baton-relay. Hmm, well of course I wanted to run a full marathon around the track upon hearing this news! Why ever not?! It's the least I could do.

​I was so inspired and motivated by all the legends around the track that day, lots doing the full twelve hours of lapping it up, in the pissing down constant rain too, I might add. An inspiring and emotional day, where many a half marathon and full marathon, and even double-marathons were smashed out by various participants. Everyone who took part, you are all amazing!!! I know we are all affected by cancer or have lost loved ones to it, or are currently battling it, and to witness so many people come together and make a positive difference towards beating this all too prevalent disease, well it was simply so awe-inspiring and beautiful. Special shout-out to our team captain/coordinator/absolute-legend Matt, thanks again for everything you did towards this event and on the day.

​So, after the impromptu/unplanned marathon last Saturday, this past week has seen less running, and more resting / bodypump classes / a multitude of healing/recovery foods. So, my legs were feeling fresh enough for a beautiful and oh-so-much-fun Glenrock trail run on Friday morning with a group of total legends. A couple of whales even graced us with their presence. Unreal, and so beautiful:

Also, was lucky enough to be shown a few brilliant techniques and warm up drills, that some amazing Kenyan Olympic runners use (thanks again Doddy!) before this trail run. Tried to put this into practise on yesterday's long run (the 'long' run being a modified and shortened version of a long run however, and my wheels fell off at the 19.5km mark - the marathon's effects lingering methinks, either that or the heat).

​In other hugely exciting news, I am thrilled to announce that I am now partnering with a very talented personal trainer! We are planning some exciting things for the new year, including a new challenge, so watch this space. If you are looking to take your results to the next level, why not consider personal training? I 100% recommend Josh Day, from Blue Phoenix Health and Fitness, as he is very experienced and has similar values to my own, re: the importance of carbs and of eating 'real' food / the importance of food/nutrition first and foremost. You will be in excellent hands. Here's his info if you're keen: josh@bluephoenixhealth.com; ​http://www.bluephoenixhealth.com/.

This photo sums up just how much fun the marathon in Melbourne last Sunday was. It was awesome! I had an absolute ball. The whole run seemed easy and it didn't hurt once. I am not making this up! Ahhh, the power of love hey? I did run the whole thing with an amazing runner, and so I'm sure chatting and making jokes/bad puns along the way helped immensely. It started to get a little tough at km 38, but this was fleeting. This was marathon number 9 for me now, and I'm excited to see what marathon number 10 will bring, whenever that will be. I just hope it will be as fun as this one: Melbourne you have set the bar pretty high now. What a great course, and finishing in the MCG was amazing.
​So, we did it in exactly 3:33, not a second more nor a second less. Not bad for cruising through it, plus a couple of toilet stops along the way too. Things that definitely helped: proper carb loading in the preceeding 4 days out; catching up with friends and eating all the delicious Melbourne food; running the whole race with one seriously sexy dude; having a short shake-out run/jog the day before the race (yep, my third ever Parkrun!); and amazing support in the crowd courtesy of Jess, Mia and Andreas (seriously, those signs guys?! Incredible: "Brie all can brie!" "Make it look easy, Cheesy!", and the cheese hat! NB: my stagename/nickname is Cheesey-Louisey) amongst thousands of other happy cheerers.
​It was exciting enough that I could even make it to the marathon! Luckily, my part-time job shifts have recently changed and I can now make it weekend events, woohoo! So, of course a last minute marathon was the first thing I got excited about, plus seeing you wonderful Melburnians. (I will be back soon too hey!)
​Aaaand, now for more marathon-porn:

Huge congratulations and shout out to one of my clients too, who was also running the race. You smashed it!!!! Achieved your goal time and did not hit the wall. I am so proud of you and happy for you!! You're amazing :) :) xxxxx

​Now this week has been all about the recovery foods, of course. You know the drill: lots of green leafy veg, mushrooms, salmon, turmeric, ginger, citrus fruits, and dark chocolate, amongst other things. Oh and active recovery too, that can't be missed, so I've been easing slowly back into running but mainly focusing on cycling, and strength training, and today my legs feel completely back to normal, not even a slight ache. Amazing.

​Until next time! To all those running the Fernleigh 15 this Sunday, all the best!! I wish you an awesome run and that you achieve your goal. Most importantly: have lots of fun and enjoy it!!

I finally saw a snake in the wild in Australia. First one since moving here in 2006. Fittingly at the top of a trail called 'Snakes and Ladders' in Glenrock too. A huge, fat, black snake just hanging out directly across the path I was running on. I almost trod on it, thinking initially, what is that black tyre doing there, then, wtf, quickly ran backwards and froze in place while it stared back at me. Luckily it took this as its cue to leave and slithered off into the bush. Phew... So, that answers that age old question then: yes, there ​are ​snakes in Glenrock, ahem.... Chatting to someone afterwards and relaying my shock at seeing said snake, I was told that apparently that's where they release any caught snakes from around town!! Hmmm, Mum I hope you're not reading this, or no chance of taking you to beautiful Glenrock in the future.

​Apart from that, Glenrock was as beautiful as ever this morning. Just perfect. I love this time of year: Spring just smells so good.

​Also, congrats to everyone who ran at various races on Sunday!! You are ​all champions!! Particularly one marathoner who just ran his first ever marathon in an amazing time of 3:45!! I am so pumped for him. (Sidenote: he was my client who I saw for a pre-marathon 4 week program and I could not be happier for him: his dedication, focus and commitment to his training and nutrition has definitely paid off!)

Runs through Glenrock (my favourite place in the world; who knew?!) have me getting all existential and of pondering what it's all about. Nowhere in the world do I feel so enraptured and in love with life, and so very very present. While running there I get to thinking or wondering of how can I transfer that same feeling of peace, serenity, and of 'being present' and not worrying about my to-do list and how much work I've got to get through back out to the 'real world' (i.e. when I'm not trail running through there). Hmmm, I haven't found the answer yet, but my weekly or sometimes biweekly (if I can manage it) Glenrock gallops will continue until I have the answer (and even after I have the answer, should that ever occur).

​They also get me thinking about all the running events that I will not be able to make it to this year, due to having chosen a different sort of endurance adventure in the form of a new career path plus full-time Masters studies back in Australia, meaning that these events below I cannot make it to. But I am PUMPED for those of you who can and will make it to these races and I will be thinking of you all, you lucky ones:

​The Blackmore Sydney Marathon (and half etc) in September.
​The Sapa Mountain Marathon, in Vietnam, in September.
​The Long Bien Marathon, in Vietnam, also in September.
​The Melbourne Marathon in October.
​The Halong Bay Heritage Marathon in November.
​The Song Hong Half Marathon in Hanoi in December.....

​Ahhh, this list has me all nostalgic for Vietnam too. Sometimes I wonder (yes, usually when on a meditative run, tis true) about my time in Vietnam. Did that really happen?! Seems like a distant dream some days. Was an absolutely crazy year and one that I shall never forget: one of the best of my life so far. Love you and miss you Hanoi. xxx

​Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, where I lived for most of 2016, is also where I first launched my online and in-person group programs too, namely my Jump Into June Challenge, and my Eat To Win Runners Nutrition Program. Once my Masters assignments have been submitted later this year (around about early November), watch this space for some future online programs: ones that YOU can choose the start date of, so you can register and get started at any time. I'm working on a plant-based program, a corporate health program, and of tweaking the current Eat To Win runners nutrition program. There is, of course, still the option to have a custom/tailor-made program specially designed just for YOU with the one-on-one nutrition coaching (spaces are limited though, please shoot me a message if you're interested for current availability): www.lousweight.com.au.

​What about YOU, runners in cyber-space: are you taking part in any of these events listed above? What's next on your wishlist? What goal are you training for and working towards??

There is something magical about Glenrock reserve, I'm sure. Nowhere else do I feel such a sense of calm, peace and serenity, ahhh.... Bloody love that place. Even when I'm tripping and falling flat on my face. Even when I'm being scared the beejaysus out of by a strategically placed giant stuffed panda (its looming out from a tree in Dr Seuss's trail I think, or High Roller, one of the two: watch out for it). Even when I'm being nearly taken out by crazily fast mountain bikes. It is truly my happy place. Never fails to do the trick. ​​This week I've been lucky enough to get there for two solo trail runs. Finally. It had been about 2-3 months ish since I was there last. Unbelievable how fast this year is whizzing past.

Lucky I made it there at all, given the horrendous start to this week: where I was meant to be at my extra weekend job and then jetting over to Melbourne, Perth, then Sydney, to see some friends. Instead I was struck down with an unexpected sinus infection, nooooo.... Which effectively canned all my plans. I suppose that's life though. You can plan all you want, and have all the best intentions only for the universe to deliver something completely different to what you may have had on the list. Rather than fight it, or whinge about it (well, too much):give in to it. Take the rest. A couple of days off from the world will not kill you (well, one day it might but that's not the point). Life goes on and all your adulting responsibilities, projects, plans, and dates/catchups will still be there when you are feeling better and can breathe/move about again. And no better place to celebrate than with your favourite person in your favourite place. Thank you beautiful Glenrock.

​Aaaaand, now that I can breathe and move again (and trail run again!) I can also work again: cue lots of catching up with typing up of projects plus a couple of nutrition reports. To Melbourne and Perth and Sydney?? Better late than never yes? Postponed for now, but not forever. xxx
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​Throwback-Thursday to about this time last year, where I was cycling through the jungle just South of Bangkok: admittedly not trail running, but exhilarating trails of a different sort nonetheless, as I'm feeling all nostalgic for places visited, people met, and things experienced last year: