I’m seriously considering stopping drinking. I’m not saying I will never drink again, but at the moment, I feel like I could do with not having the hazy head that booze gives me.

I don’t think I drink too often. I probably have alcohol once a week. The problem for me is that I’m most often than not unable to just have a couple of drinks. I’ll open a bottle of wine with the intention of having just a glass, but end up finishing off the whole thing. And if there is a beer in the fridge, I’ll have that too.

I’ve done the non drinking thing plenty of times. I had no problems staying off the booze during my three pregnancies (with the exception of the off glass of wine with dinner every now and again) and have done dry January quite a few times without even finding it hard.

What I do find crazy, however, is that whenever someone isn’t drinking in a social situation, they are faced with a million questions. Unless you are pregnant or ill, it’s apparently weird not to have alcohol. When ever I’ve done my booze free Jan, I’ve sometimes ordered tonic water with lime, just so that people will think I’m having a G&T. That way I don’t need to explain to everyone why I’m not drinking or be faced with people taking turns in saying ‘just have a drink.’

I don’t think I’ll find giving up alcohol hard. I’m so determined to push my fitness and do well in my training and races that it should be enough to make me keep my ‘pact.’ What I always find hard though is deciding what to drink when you’re not having an ice cold beer on a sunny day or a lovely glass of wine with dinner. There are only so many diet cokes you can have…

I’d love to hear some good suggestions for drink that you can have at home and also order when you go out. A friend of mine swears by Elderflower cordial, which is lovely, but I could do with a few more options. Also, has anyone reading this gone teetotal?

So go on, any suggestions this way, please! Also feel free to judge me or say that I’ll never manage not to drink. And then watch me prove you wrong! I’m pretty determined and stubborn when I decide to do something, in case you
haven’t noticed…

I got my (very precious) new bike exactly a month ago. Before that I hadn’t cycled since I was a teenager, but since choosing to start ironman training, the biking was going to be pretty essential…

I have totally fallen in love with it and have managed to do 418 kilometres in the last four weeks. That’s only a total of nine rides, which doesn’t seem that many at all considering I have a 300km overnight bike ride ‘looming’ next month! (I really must learn how to say no to ridiculous challenges!)

But the ‘moral of the story’ is that cycling is good for you! My bum has definitely had a lift and my belly seems more toned. I know that part of seeing some results this quickly is because I am doing something new that my body isn’t used to. But it’s definitely working!

So anyone reading this who is thinking of getting a bike, go for it! Chances are you will see lots of new places that you wouldn’t visit otherwise, get out in the fresh air – and did I mention you’ll get a toned bum?!

And just to clarify, sadly that’s not mine on this post. I’ll be needing quite a few more rides (and a spray tan!) before I’ll share my derriere with you!

Yesterday I went for my longest bike ride to date with my friend James. He has been absolutely brilliant in teaching me about the gears, what to do on steep hills and bends and how to get comfortable riding behind someone’s wheel. And all this whilst having to put up with me cycling in my huge Zara sunglasses! Granted, they may get some looks from fellow cyclists, but the Oakley types don’t suit me one bit. And whilst I know it shouldn’t be a big deal, I haven’t quite managed to get myself a pair of proper ‘sport sunnies’ yet…

I was excited about the ride, especially as I hadn’t been on my bike for ten days. I had done about 12 rides in total before and had loved all of them. But not this one. As soon as we got to the first slight incline, I realised my legs were totally powerless. My heart rate jumped up to 180 and everything felt really hard.

I’m definitely not a wimp and don’t give up easily, but after about just 10km, I was ready to turn around and go home. Of course I didn’t. I carried on behind James, but I wasn’t enjoying myself. For the first time ever, my bum hurt on the saddle, my shoulders ached and I really just wasn’t feeling it.

I know that sometimes you just have a bad session, and it shouldn’t be such a big deal. But I was so angry with myself. I tried to push harder and keep up, but there was nothing left in my legs. I was mostly annoyed that I was holding James back. In fact, I told him quite a few times to just go and leave me get on with my pathetic ride. He didn’t.

Looking back, it wasn’t such a bad ride. We did 87km with an average speed on 25kmph, which isn’t terrible. And like James said, it was the longest distance ever and I did better riding on his wheel. I of course know all this, but my competitive mind is still angry…

It’s simple though: I did too much a few days before the ride so my legs were totally wiped out. It was my own fault. Luckily, I think you actually learn from those sessions that don’t go according to plan, at least mentally…

I’d love to know what you all do when you have a bad session. Do you let it go, or do you analyse it? Does it make you more nervous about the next time you train, or is it the opposite and makes you more determined to ‘smash’ it?

I have become ridiculously competitive in the last two years since I took up running. I have also started looking for challenges that will push my body to the limit and not only test my physical but also mental strength. (300km overnight bike ride, anyone?!)

Last October I won my first race. It was a 10k run around a lake and the prize was a pumpkin! My time wasn’t very good, (well over a minute slower than my PB of 42minutes, which isn’t that great for that distance either) there just weren’t any fast people taking part (only two guys beat me.)

Two weeks ago I ran a 3 mile race. I didn’t want to do it, but had promised a friend I would and couldn’t get out of it. A lot of people expected me to win, but I wasn’t feeling too confident. In fact, I was nervous! I ran behind a young girl at a comfortable enough pace. My plan was to sprint past her right at the end. However, just before the 4k mark I saw another woman behind me. She was catching me up quick, and I there was no way she was going to beat me. I picked out a guy in front of me and decided to catch him. I sped past the young girl who had been in the lead, and left her and the other woman quite far behind.

That was a win I was actually quite proud of, as my time of 18.26 was decent enough. Also, there were a lot of speedy people there – the male winner ran the course in 15.30! I didn’t feel sick at the end and managed to smile at the finish line, which made me think I could probably pushed myself a bit harder.

I do sometimes wonder if it would be better if I didn’t have such a competitive streak in me. Would it be nicer to do a race where you weren’t trying to beat your PB and all the other women taking part? I will never know, as I am unable to
‘take it easy.’

I am fully aware that some people think I am totally nuts. But if I wasn’t signing up for all these different challenges, I wouldn’t get people telling me how I’ve inspired them to start exercising again after years of doing nothing or upping their own training to see how much further they can go.

Not everyone will want to do an ironman like me or sign up for a single race, but knowing that I’ve gotten people who have previously done nothing to make fitness part of their lives makes me seriously happy!

I have decided that from now on, I am going to be happy with my body. I’m sure I’ve spent most of my life thinking that my tummy could be flatter, my thighs smaller or my arms more toned, but you know what, I’m really not in bad shape for someone who has carried and given birth (naturally) to three (big… 9lbs big…) children less than two years a part.

When I was in my early twenties, I used to teach a lot of classes at all the gyms around London on the side of my studies. I was fit, but never totally happy with the way I looked. It was only when I flicked through the photos from that time after I’ve had my first child when I realised I had actually been in very good shape.

Having kids changes your body, that’s a given. But if I am being totally honest, I am now probably in the best shape of my life. Bare with me here, as I know it sounds crazy! But because I am so busy with the kids, shop, fitness classes and PT, I am having to train a lot smarter. Being pushed for time makes you give it your all each time you exercise, whether it’s a cycle ride, run or a resistance training session.

Of course I would still love smaller thighs and arms and belly that had more definition, but I’m no longer going to make a big deal out of it. I am training well and eating the right things. Yes, I occasionally drink too much, but I’m not gonna beat myself up about that either.

Now, the question is… who is going to join me in ‘celebrating’ their bodies rather than constantly obsessing about what could be changed?

And no, that is not me in the picture!

It’s official! My business is one!

I’m so grateful for everyone who has supported me in the last year. And for those of you who ever doubted me, well, silly you…

I obviously had to throw a little party to mark the anniversary. Thanks for all the cards and flowers I received on the day. It really means a lot! It was a lovely evening and we had some delicious treats from the Olney Cake company and a new London based venture, Cookie & Biscuit. The cake pops were delicious, as were the mini cookies. But it was the parcel they arrived in that put a smile
on my face:

Main picture by Shaneen Rosewarne Cox

Muireann Carey-Campbell, or Bangs, as everyone seems to call her, is the fabulous and fit lady behind one of my favourite blogs, Spikes & Heels. Described as “a fitness site for badass women who train hard,” it’s an inspirational read. The site has just recently turned one, and if you haven’t bookmarked it yet, you are seriously missing out! I talked to Bangs about the weirdest fitness class she’s ever tried, her favourite brands and our mutual hatred for the term ‘bikini body.’

Your blog Spikes & Heels is inspiring so many women to get fit. Was the idea for it long in the making?
Ahh thank you! Well, it kind of came about almost despite myself. The more I was getting into fitness, the more frustrated I was feeling towards the traditional media aimed at women who are into fitness. I really disliked the pink/fluffy/all about weight loss approach to fitness. It didn’t reflect what I, or any of the women I was encountering on my journey, were about. At the time, it seemed more and more people were associating me with fitness anyway, so it just looked like all roads were leading to me starting a site. And no one was really doing my kind of site with the specific ethos and message I wanted, so I decided to do it. From inception to launch it was about three months in total.

You studied fashion, but have you always been into sports?
Gosh no! I’m not a natural athlete by any means. I played netball in primary school (as we all do), but by the time I was in high school, I was a dancer and that was my focus. I didn’t do any sports at all in school. It was just dance, dance, dance from the age 11 to 22. Then there was a period of prolonged inactivity until I was about 29!

I’m glad I’ve found someone who hates the concept of ‘bikini body’ as much as I do! Do you think the magazines will ever stop using that phrase and encourage people to get fit for life instead?
Man, I detest it. It’s such an unhealthy approach to fitness. Apparently women should only work out two months of the year to prepare themselves for two weeks on the beach. I think in general, the ethos of women’s magazines when it comes to fitness is all backwards. I work out because I love my body, not because I hate it. But the message they put out is that I should always be unhappy with some part of my body and something should always be improved. Sadly, I don’t think the ‘bikini body’ thing will stop any time soon, as women who haven’t yet found a healthy relationship with being active totally lap that nonsense up.

You love running, but have only quite recently started cycling. How do you find it and have you got any tips for anyone thinking about buying their first ‘proper’ bike? (Besides wear a helmet, of course!)
It depends what you want to use it for really. I have a great fixed wheel bike that I got second hand, that I love. My road bike is obviously a bit flashier. I had a proper fitting for that. I didn’t even know that was an actual thing, but it’s been invaluable. If you want to get into cycling more seriously, I think a bike fitting is imperative to get done. It makes sure the bike is properly set up specific to all your measurements.

What clothes do you feel the most comfortable in? And when it coms to sports gear, what are your favourite brands and items?
At the moment, I pretty much live in workout kit because I’m constantly training. I do love to dress up though and look very feminine and put together. When it comes to sportswear, I probably wear Nike the most and Rapha when I’m cycling. I also really like Sweaty Betty and Lululemon for really nice kind of cross over fitness/every day wear.

Lastly, what is the most bizarre fitness session you’ve ever tried?
Definitely aerial yoga, but it was amazing!

I’ve been running for just over two years. I started from scratch, as I always used to hate it before. I’ve gone from ‘I will never be able to run 10K’ to ‘no way am I ever doing a half marathon’ to contemplating doing a full one in Helsinki in August when I’m back home, and have already entered the London ballot
for next April.

Everyone can run, so just make sure you get properly fitted for a pair of trainers and you’re good to go, right? Well, so I thought, but apparently it’s not quite as simple as that…

I’ve been looking into this whole barefoot running thing for the last couple of months, as I have a few friends who do ultra distances, and swear by wearing thinner soled shoes and landing on your forefoot as opposed to your heel. And if you saw any of the London marathon and checked out how the top women and men ran, it was short stride on fore or mid foot. There are also a lot of people who claim ‘barefoot’ trainers have saved them from a strain of injuries.

Thanks to Fit PR, I was lucky to have a one on one three hour session with Rollo Mahon, an injury and athletic performance specialist, who has been teaching the skill of barefoot running for the last couple of years. I met him at the Battersea running track and after a quick chat, he told me to run a short distance as I normally would. After that, he asked me to do the same with no shoes on. All this was filmed and it was intriguing to see myself run.

I am, of course, a heavy heel striker! So we spent the next two hours or so at a gym doing various stretches and strengthening exercises. We did a lot of deep squats, which seem to be one of the key moves to strengthen the muscles and learn about the balance points and posture to nail this running style. Rollo also gave me some drills on the treadmill, so I would get the hang of the pace that would be the most beneficial with the landing that will not only save  energy, but put less strain on your joints and therefore prevent possible injury.

I have been lucky so far and haven’t been injured from running, so I am not thinking I need to tweak my form because of that. For me, it’s all about the potential to become a much more efficient runner, which means more speed! Being as competitive as I am (against myself just as much as against others), anything that can make me run faster and longer has to be a good thing!

So after an excellent session with Rollo, I decided I was going to give this ‘barefoot’ running a go. My plan now is to get a pair of Vivo Evos that have a 4mm sole and see how I will get on with changing my strike from heel to more forefoot. It will take me a while to build up, as you should take it really easy to begin with. And by easy I mean start from just running a maximum of 1km in them to see how your calves feel afterwards. You should also do various strength and stretching exercises alongside the running training.

As soon as I get the shoes, I need patience, which isn’t a word in my vocabulary! But with this, I have no choice, as if I try to go for my standard 7-10km run route in the minimalist shoes, I will without a doubt be in so much agony, I won’t be able to run for days after.

I could write a serious essay on this subject and my session, but I’ll spare you! Instead, if you want to find out more about the session I had, check out Rollo’s expert opinion about me and my running… And I now have a 6 week program he has designed that I need to follow.

I would love to hear from anyone who has done the transfer to barefoot trainers! What shoes did you go for? Was it difficult to get used to the new stride, and has the new technique made you a better runner?

I can’t believe a year has flown by since I opened POP The Fashion Store in May last year. It was quite a big gamble opening in a ‘tricky’ economical climate, but a year on the store is still  going strong. The support from people has been amazing, and it’s so rewarding when customers tell me they love my selection and that they have never experienced service like mine elsewhere. The online sales have been steadily growing  too.

Being nominated for Draper Magazine’s Inspiring Independents, and being included in their list of 100 best small boutiques alongside the likes of Dover Street Market, Browns, Donna Ida and Start Boutique was also amazing and totally unexpected.

The list of brands I have in store is also growing. I am mixing more ‘commercial’ labels, such as French Connection, Great Plains and Melissa with edgier ones, such as Finsk, Minna Parikka and Miista shoes, Moxham jewellery, Jane Goodchild bags as well as Ivana Helsinki, just to mention a few.

I am celebrating POP The Fashion Store’s first birthday in store on Friday 3rd May. If you can make it, come by for some bubbles and snacks, including mini cookies and muffins.

You can pop by any time between 7.30 and 10pm. Address: 4 Rose Court, Olney MK46 4BY. (If you are coming from London, the fastest way to get here is to take a 30minute Virgin train from Euston to Milton Keynes and then jump in a taxi for 15 minutes.)

I hope to see many of you then. And a huge THANK YOU for anyone who has supported me in the past year, I really appreciate it!

Since opening POP The Fashion Store pretty much exactly a year ago, I’ve been getting a lot of great feedback from customers, who are loving the mix of brands that I do. Yes, I stock ‘commercial’ brands, such as Great Plains and French Connection, but alongside with more unique UK or Scandi labels, that aren’t readily available just everywhere.

One of these is Ivana Helsinki, a very cool Finnish brand designed by Paola Suhonen. It’s new to POP for this summer and it seems I’ve picked well, as The Huffington Post has just listed it as one of their label’s to watch!

The currently collection is selling really well, which is great. Especially when I think that the Autumn/Winter collection that The Huffington Post features, is even stronger!

You can see most styles online. Here I am wearing the Lampa dress.
(Photo by Ed Lee.)