1. For someone at the end of her first week of marathon training I feel about ninety two!
2. My hamstrings have tightened up, I didn't feel at all like running and if Al and I could have thought of somewhere better to go at nine o'clock on a Saturday morning in our running kit and with the dog in tow we might just have headed the car in that direction and driven there instead. But in the absence of any other suggestions we found ourselves at parkrun.
3. This is where parkrun works. There is no way without it that either of us would have run today. Instead, with or without our running mojo present, we completed the course, chalked another one up on our way to joining the 100 club and got to sit outside in a lovely bit of warm autumnal sunshine afterwards enjoying our weekly catch up with our friends. Missed you this morning FMG and already looking forward to next week when both you and sisterofMG750 will be there!
4. The house is a tip and, for whilst I know my sister wont care, tidying the top landing so she can actually get into her room would probably be a good start in terms of preparing for her visit, but as I don't yet know where to put the huge bag of T-shirts (my next sewing project) that are currently living there, I opted for some mental preparation instead!
5. Fast forward to next Sunday morning and our early morning catch up over a cup of tea (but disappointingly no chocolate digestives for Mrs Milk Free) I can hear her asking me how things are going and how I am and, having known her for rather a long time, I can also hear her response to my moaning! In an attempt to pre-empt this I have taken Etsy Team Leeds off my FB newsfeed. No more am I going to torture myself on a daily basis reading about something that I couldn't get to work and didn't feel part of...
parkrun 93 - 1993
Challenge now is not to moan about the lack of notifications on my phone now it's gone!
London -176
Distance covered 3.1 miles
Total Distance covered 940.5 miles
Gym Attendance = 3 (target 12 by 20 November)
Saturday, 31 October 2015
Friday, 30 October 2015
Day 558
1. Third gym attendance in a week!
2. My legs are sore, and so I decided to spend the hour concentrating on foam rollering and corrective stretches in an attempt to ease things off a bit, all of which I could have done from home but this won't see me reach my self imposed target which was the only thing that motivated me to go in the first place!
3. And talking of self imposed targets.... I HAVE REACHED THE MAGIC 50 GUESSES ON NAME THE BEAR! Or rather H has reached it for me! Whooo hoooo!!
4. Which means only one thing - he's all yours for the other fifty FMG!
5. Sewing machine is back out! This time so I could spend the afternoon making a hood for H's 'Arrow' Halloween party costume - before spending the evening picking him up from a drama rehearsal to take him to the party, to come home for an hour and a half before having to head out to pick him up again! Lets hope he enjoyed it!
London -177
Total Distance covered 937.4 miles
Gym Attendance = 3 (target 12 by 20 November)
2. My legs are sore, and so I decided to spend the hour concentrating on foam rollering and corrective stretches in an attempt to ease things off a bit, all of which I could have done from home but this won't see me reach my self imposed target which was the only thing that motivated me to go in the first place!
3. And talking of self imposed targets.... I HAVE REACHED THE MAGIC 50 GUESSES ON NAME THE BEAR! Or rather H has reached it for me! Whooo hoooo!!
4. Which means only one thing - he's all yours for the other fifty FMG!
5. Sewing machine is back out! This time so I could spend the afternoon making a hood for H's 'Arrow' Halloween party costume - before spending the evening picking him up from a drama rehearsal to take him to the party, to come home for an hour and a half before having to head out to pick him up again! Lets hope he enjoyed it!
London -177
Total Distance covered 937.4 miles
Gym Attendance = 3 (target 12 by 20 November)
Thursday, 29 October 2015
Day 557
1. The plan had been to run this morning, the weather made me postpone until this afternoon.
2. What I hadn't factored in however was that it would be dark by the time Al was able to come with me - running in the dark is not my favourite thing (and far from Dougal's) but hey an opportunity to wear my bright yellow Liverpool Half T-shirt!
3. Setting off already feeling rather hard done to I couldn't help but feel that I'd been persuaded to wait to run with Al under false pretences - for someone who is clearly not well and had inferred that it would be a nice slow run he ran a bit too quickly for my liking.
4. Seriously disgruntled by the time I got home, it all paled into insignificance next to the pleasure of stepping out of the shower and into my pyjama's and it wasn't even six o'clock!
5. A binge watch of 'This Is England '90' and I crawled into bed feeling disturbed and sad and grief stricken and desperate yet at the same time happy, hopeful, grateful and exceptionally thankful for the life I have... even if I did have to run at 8 minutes 40 per mile to share in it with you this evening Mr L!
London -178
Distance 3.7 miles
Total Distance covered 937.4 miles
Gym Attendance = 2 (target 12 by 20 November)
2. What I hadn't factored in however was that it would be dark by the time Al was able to come with me - running in the dark is not my favourite thing (and far from Dougal's) but hey an opportunity to wear my bright yellow Liverpool Half T-shirt!
3. Setting off already feeling rather hard done to I couldn't help but feel that I'd been persuaded to wait to run with Al under false pretences - for someone who is clearly not well and had inferred that it would be a nice slow run he ran a bit too quickly for my liking.
4. Seriously disgruntled by the time I got home, it all paled into insignificance next to the pleasure of stepping out of the shower and into my pyjama's and it wasn't even six o'clock!
5. A binge watch of 'This Is England '90' and I crawled into bed feeling disturbed and sad and grief stricken and desperate yet at the same time happy, hopeful, grateful and exceptionally thankful for the life I have... even if I did have to run at 8 minutes 40 per mile to share in it with you this evening Mr L!
London -178
Distance 3.7 miles
Total Distance covered 937.4 miles
Gym Attendance = 2 (target 12 by 20 November)
Wednesday, 28 October 2015
Day 556
1. Back to the gym today... thankfully Mr October was nowhere to be seen and I didn't have to adorn the sunglasses and hat I had packed just in case!
2. Weather wise truly the most hideous of days, fire lit by lunchtime all plans to be motivated and productive seemed to melt into the sofa. Al is such a bad influence.
3. And for whilst I don't think it's to blame for my lack of motivation (as we've already established that's Al), I actually think I might be sickening for something. Profuse sweating at the gym when I don't usually even perspire is a bit of a tell tale sign of something and it wasn't increased effort!
4. My laid back attitude of last week seems to be dissipating and last night's Christmas angst is gathering speed - aaarrrggghhh!!!
5. Not a lot of point in starting to do anything about it today though! BUT I might write a to-do list for the morning and see if I can have a better day tomorrow. Finishing the clearing up from Saturday might be a good place to start!
London -179
Total Distance covered 933.7 miles
Gym Attendance = 2 (target 12 by 20 November)
2. Weather wise truly the most hideous of days, fire lit by lunchtime all plans to be motivated and productive seemed to melt into the sofa. Al is such a bad influence.
3. And for whilst I don't think it's to blame for my lack of motivation (as we've already established that's Al), I actually think I might be sickening for something. Profuse sweating at the gym when I don't usually even perspire is a bit of a tell tale sign of something and it wasn't increased effort!
4. My laid back attitude of last week seems to be dissipating and last night's Christmas angst is gathering speed - aaarrrggghhh!!!
5. Not a lot of point in starting to do anything about it today though! BUT I might write a to-do list for the morning and see if I can have a better day tomorrow. Finishing the clearing up from Saturday might be a good place to start!
London -179
Total Distance covered 933.7 miles
Gym Attendance = 2 (target 12 by 20 November)
Tuesday, 27 October 2015
Day 555
1. Al is home! And for a brief amount of time today all four of us were actually in the same place.
2. For once however it was Al and I who went out - to a gig! Thank you parkrunfastfinisher for double booking yourself and giving us the opportunity to see The Staves this evening. Lovely to be out although finding a settee in the Student's Union to sink into whilst we waited for them to come on, may have resulted in our missing the support act!
3. I am exhausted. My legs are killing me after yesterday's appearance at the gym! I had hoped that this morning's run might have loosened them off but it would appear not!
4. Very foggy and somewhat eerie run this. For the first run of my training plan I am hoping it is very very different to the final run in London. For which I am picturing blue skies and a pleasant 12 or 13 degrees!
5. Trying to get to sleep this evening, I had my first panic about Christmas and how on earth am I going to be ready in time! Which is going some, even by my standards!
London -180
Distance covered 5.2 miles
Total Distance covered 933.7 miles
Gym Attendance = 1 (target 12 by 20 November)
2. For once however it was Al and I who went out - to a gig! Thank you parkrunfastfinisher for double booking yourself and giving us the opportunity to see The Staves this evening. Lovely to be out although finding a settee in the Student's Union to sink into whilst we waited for them to come on, may have resulted in our missing the support act!
3. I am exhausted. My legs are killing me after yesterday's appearance at the gym! I had hoped that this morning's run might have loosened them off but it would appear not!
4. Very foggy and somewhat eerie run this. For the first run of my training plan I am hoping it is very very different to the final run in London. For which I am picturing blue skies and a pleasant 12 or 13 degrees!
5. Trying to get to sleep this evening, I had my first panic about Christmas and how on earth am I going to be ready in time! Which is going some, even by my standards!
London -180
Distance covered 5.2 miles
Total Distance covered 933.7 miles
Gym Attendance = 1 (target 12 by 20 November)
Monday, 26 October 2015
Day 554
1. Five hundred and fifty four days after deciding to run the first day of actual marathon training has arrived! Consequently I gave myself a bit of a pep talk and made it to the gym!
2. Admittedly the real test of whether or not the pep talk took hold is whether I make it back again on Wednesday.
3. Basically I have to change my mindset about going - if I tell myself I hate it I'm never going to like it. Instead I am trying hard to grasp that it is the one thing I can do that will significantly improve my chances of getting to the start line without injury and therefore be something I should want to do.
4. Not convinced that I'm going to buy this (however much truth there is in it) I found myself telling a couple of members of staff that it was six months to London in the hope that saying it out loud might make it feel more real! Wasn't prepared for the response from one who spoke to me on my way out, like a real life calendar boy - all rippling biceps and feather duster in hand (and here on in referred to as Mr October) he said that the best thing for motivation was to have someone to run with and offered himself up as my running buddy! Fear not FMG you have never seen me try to extract myself from a conversation so fast in my life! Unfortunately in my fluster I said something about him chasing me with his feather duster if I didn't go on Wednesday and now am dreading him being there and want to go even less!
5. After which a lovely relaxing spa evening at fellow parkrunner's was just what I needed! Thank you RLB x
London -181
Total Distance covered 928.5 miles
Gym Attendance = 1 (target 12 by 20 November)
2. Admittedly the real test of whether or not the pep talk took hold is whether I make it back again on Wednesday.
3. Basically I have to change my mindset about going - if I tell myself I hate it I'm never going to like it. Instead I am trying hard to grasp that it is the one thing I can do that will significantly improve my chances of getting to the start line without injury and therefore be something I should want to do.
4. Not convinced that I'm going to buy this (however much truth there is in it) I found myself telling a couple of members of staff that it was six months to London in the hope that saying it out loud might make it feel more real! Wasn't prepared for the response from one who spoke to me on my way out, like a real life calendar boy - all rippling biceps and feather duster in hand (and here on in referred to as Mr October) he said that the best thing for motivation was to have someone to run with and offered himself up as my running buddy! Fear not FMG you have never seen me try to extract myself from a conversation so fast in my life! Unfortunately in my fluster I said something about him chasing me with his feather duster if I didn't go on Wednesday and now am dreading him being there and want to go even less!
5. After which a lovely relaxing spa evening at fellow parkrunner's was just what I needed! Thank you RLB x
London -181
Total Distance covered 928.5 miles
Gym Attendance = 1 (target 12 by 20 November)
Sunday, 25 October 2015
Day 553
1. For some inexplicable reason FMG decided to run another half marathon this morning!
2. There was no part of me that wished I was running with her, but a HUGE well done for doing it.
3. My legs are enjoying their rest, and I seem to have slipped very quickly from a place where running thirteen miles seemed doable to wondering if I'll ever do it again, let alone go twice the distance.
4. But 26 weeks today hopefully that is exactly what I will have done! In the meantime I'm working on picking up another couple of potential wannabe marathon runners to join us in training! One who is toying with the idea, and one who is in denial! In my head the weather is kind to us and we have lots of sunny Sunday long runs, it isn't wet and windy at all and I am vehemently avoiding all weather reports concerning 36 days of snow this winter!
5. House isn't the same without you in it Mr L xx
London -182
Total Distance covered 928.5 miles
2. There was no part of me that wished I was running with her, but a HUGE well done for doing it.
3. My legs are enjoying their rest, and I seem to have slipped very quickly from a place where running thirteen miles seemed doable to wondering if I'll ever do it again, let alone go twice the distance.
4. But 26 weeks today hopefully that is exactly what I will have done! In the meantime I'm working on picking up another couple of potential wannabe marathon runners to join us in training! One who is toying with the idea, and one who is in denial! In my head the weather is kind to us and we have lots of sunny Sunday long runs, it isn't wet and windy at all and I am vehemently avoiding all weather reports concerning 36 days of snow this winter!
5. House isn't the same without you in it Mr L xx
London -182
Total Distance covered 928.5 miles
Saturday, 24 October 2015
Day 552 - Parkrun 92
1. Six months till London!
2. What better way to mark it than with both running and fundraising?!!
2. What better way to mark it than with both running and fundraising?!!
3. Twenty four minutes twenty - not difficult to say which I enjoyed more!
4. FMG and I did however have a fun afternoon. The tips picked up at the dog show were put to good use, and our £1 for five chances and then keep picking a ticket out until you win something tombola was a success! The bags and purses less so, but thanks to my friend's mum, FMG and Etsy Favouriter not a complete non event!
5. So in the end a busy yet successful day, but I didn't get to spend much of it with Mr L which was a shame especially as he goes away tomorrow till Tuesday. This would have led nicely to choosing 'Stay' or 'Please Don't Go' for my song from 1992 to mark my ninety second parkrun, but I don't like either of them. Instead I've chosen something more apt for Tuesday than today when you're on your way home Al. I'll try and remember the sentiment when I'm cross that you're tired after your holiday and all I want is to be able to hand everything over to you the minute arrive back... (try being the operative word).
parkrun 92 - 1992
London -183
Distance covered 3.1 miles
Total Distance covered 928.5 miles
4. FMG and I did however have a fun afternoon. The tips picked up at the dog show were put to good use, and our £1 for five chances and then keep picking a ticket out until you win something tombola was a success! The bags and purses less so, but thanks to my friend's mum, FMG and Etsy Favouriter not a complete non event!
5. So in the end a busy yet successful day, but I didn't get to spend much of it with Mr L which was a shame especially as he goes away tomorrow till Tuesday. This would have led nicely to choosing 'Stay' or 'Please Don't Go' for my song from 1992 to mark my ninety second parkrun, but I don't like either of them. Instead I've chosen something more apt for Tuesday than today when you're on your way home Al. I'll try and remember the sentiment when I'm cross that you're tired after your holiday and all I want is to be able to hand everything over to you the minute arrive back... (try being the operative word).
parkrun 92 - 1992
London -183
Distance covered 3.1 miles
Total Distance covered 928.5 miles
Friday, 23 October 2015
Day 551
1. Both boys away meant no school run - whooooo hooooo! I'd even got myself organised enough so I didn't have to go to the supermarket this morning - didn't get quite as far a lie in!
2. Downstairs and baking my 100% vegetable fat pastry for tomorrow - only one word for it fellow parkrunner.... sacrilege!
3. I am remarkable calm about tomorrow, even when my neighbour came to tell me that loads of people had cancelled. "it will be what it will be" I told her, and "any money is better than none"...
4. Not sure if this new attitude is down to my recently acquired state of mindfulness learned over the past six weeks (I have now completed the course and qualify for a certificate!) or because my fundraising is done and anything made will be a bonus... I leave you to draw your own conclusions!
5. But lets just say it would appear that my mindfulness isn't all encompassing! Went up to bed a little over sixteen hours after first coming down to discover that I hadn't actually been back upstairs all day. The washing that I was going to put away was still sat there, the washing I was going to put on - still tumbling out of the laundry basket, the dried washing that I was going to iron - untouched, the extractor fan still on from my shower and all the blinds were still drawn! At least the last one saved me a job!
London -184
Total Distance covered 925.4 miles
London -184
Total Distance covered 925.4 miles
Thursday, 22 October 2015
Day 550
1. Up at ten past five as H was going on a school trip that left at six, I had two trays of Brownies baked (for Saturday) before heading back to school with C at eight!
2. With hindsight I think I might have been better going back to bed and then I might have managed to keep going for a little longer later...
3. A Tombola prize drop off from FMG at ten, and I never seemed to quite get back on track!
4. Eschewing the idea of going for a run in somewhat blustery conditions, Dougal and I headed out for a walk in an attempt to blow the cobwebs away and see if I could regain my early morning focus. Can't say it worked, but I did have a nice guilt free tramp around the fields enjoying every last minute of my last week without a training schedule.
5. It was hard baking today and not being able to sample any of it. Definitely going to have to look at some milk free alternatives that I actually want to eat as opposed to feeling so cheated by things I can't have, that I went and bought some biscuits (that I know I don't like) just because I'd found out they were 'allowed'. A week in and I can't say I'm seeing any noticeable improvement in my digestion, but then I'm not sure egg and chips (from the chippy) really have the 'eat well' plate covered! Might make up something slightly more healthier for today's food diary entry.... one week and I've turned into a food liar - it's like she saw me coming!
London -185
Total Distance covered 925.4 miles
2. With hindsight I think I might have been better going back to bed and then I might have managed to keep going for a little longer later...
3. A Tombola prize drop off from FMG at ten, and I never seemed to quite get back on track!
4. Eschewing the idea of going for a run in somewhat blustery conditions, Dougal and I headed out for a walk in an attempt to blow the cobwebs away and see if I could regain my early morning focus. Can't say it worked, but I did have a nice guilt free tramp around the fields enjoying every last minute of my last week without a training schedule.
5. It was hard baking today and not being able to sample any of it. Definitely going to have to look at some milk free alternatives that I actually want to eat as opposed to feeling so cheated by things I can't have, that I went and bought some biscuits (that I know I don't like) just because I'd found out they were 'allowed'. A week in and I can't say I'm seeing any noticeable improvement in my digestion, but then I'm not sure egg and chips (from the chippy) really have the 'eat well' plate covered! Might make up something slightly more healthier for today's food diary entry.... one week and I've turned into a food liar - it's like she saw me coming!
London -185
Total Distance covered 925.4 miles
Wednesday, 21 October 2015
Day 549
1. First day of the second half of my 100 day challenge and instead of waking up feeling energised and full of optimism #thisgirlcan it was much more a case of #thisgirlcan'tbearsed!
2. Didn't help that I came back from dropping the boys off and promptly dropped my phone and it broke.
3. A little disgruntled with how long it took the repair shop to look at C's broken computer before deciding that they couldn't fix it, and not really wanting to have to go in and admit to my failings - again! I found somewhere new! The woman was so lovely and empathic having dropped her ipad down the stairs on several occasions, and better still truthfully told me that it was only a screw that had fallen out, replaced the broken screen protector and charged me a fiver! Very happy and know where I'll be going next time...
4. A lovely walk blowing the cobwebs away and I came home in a better frame of mind to start tackling the to do list, first up a bit of cleaning ahead of Saturday. Pulled the piano out to hoover behind it and it was like Sid the Dog was still here. Slowly eliminating the number of places we'll find his 'hair' but I don't think he'll ever leave us completely.
5. With two and a half days to go and a million jobs still to do, I have decided that displaying my wares for only me to look at in the meantime was top priority after cleaning somewhere no one was going to look! I am hoping that the very visual reminder might spur me into action tomorrow!
London -186
Total Distance covered 925.4 miles
Tuesday, 20 October 2015
Day 548
1. Half way through the 100 Day Challenge and today's top tip... to stop and reflect about how far I've come over a cup of tea!
2. Uh-oh I hear you groan here comes another milk free rant! Well actually no! I have discovered that soya milk is perfectly fine in a cup of tea (and on granola).... where is a salesman offering you a tea delivery to your door in a nice old fashioned basket when you want one?!
3. So how far have I come? 38 bags nearer my goal for starters, no longer spending my days endlessly trying to get things listed on Etsy, no longer checking my stats and no longer whittering on about it either! I think that's called PROGRESS!
4. My legs however felt awful when I woke up this morning, foam rollering and a five mile run and they are feeling somewhat better but they, like the rest of me, are tired! Just as well that the mileage eases off for a bit me thinks.
5. Had an overwhelming burst of euphoria mid run. It really is the most wonderful feeling I just wish that I had been able to convert it into action when I got home!
London -187
Distance covered 5 miles
Total Distance covered 925.4 miles
2. Uh-oh I hear you groan here comes another milk free rant! Well actually no! I have discovered that soya milk is perfectly fine in a cup of tea (and on granola).... where is a salesman offering you a tea delivery to your door in a nice old fashioned basket when you want one?!
3. So how far have I come? 38 bags nearer my goal for starters, no longer spending my days endlessly trying to get things listed on Etsy, no longer checking my stats and no longer whittering on about it either! I think that's called PROGRESS!
4. My legs however felt awful when I woke up this morning, foam rollering and a five mile run and they are feeling somewhat better but they, like the rest of me, are tired! Just as well that the mileage eases off for a bit me thinks.
5. Had an overwhelming burst of euphoria mid run. It really is the most wonderful feeling I just wish that I had been able to convert it into action when I got home!
London -187
Distance covered 5 miles
Total Distance covered 925.4 miles
Monday, 19 October 2015
Day 547
1. My daily to do list now has three goals...
100 Day Goal - sell all 39 bags
50 Day Goal - Pre Christmas Blitz
1 Week Goal - Saturday's Handmade Party
2. The fact that I have only been able to score one thing off the list and it wasn't related to any of the above just about sums up my day!
3. But the wash basket is almost empty and I caught up on an episode of Downton Abbey whilst doing the ironing!
4. Meanwhile my fellow 100 Day Goalers are (it would seem) all starting to make inroads into their business plans and starting to reap the rewards of their hard work over the past forty nine days.
5. Have to keep reminding myself that I am one bag away from reaching my target at the half way point, and that for whilst a pre Christmas Blitz on the house isn't the highest of aspirations I'm hoping that it signifies me getting ready for a fresh start in the New Year. Fresh start to what as yet alludes me, but at least the house will be tidy!
London -188
Total Distance covered 920.4 miles
100 Day Goal - sell all 39 bags
50 Day Goal - Pre Christmas Blitz
1 Week Goal - Saturday's Handmade Party
2. The fact that I have only been able to score one thing off the list and it wasn't related to any of the above just about sums up my day!
3. But the wash basket is almost empty and I caught up on an episode of Downton Abbey whilst doing the ironing!
4. Meanwhile my fellow 100 Day Goalers are (it would seem) all starting to make inroads into their business plans and starting to reap the rewards of their hard work over the past forty nine days.
5. Have to keep reminding myself that I am one bag away from reaching my target at the half way point, and that for whilst a pre Christmas Blitz on the house isn't the highest of aspirations I'm hoping that it signifies me getting ready for a fresh start in the New Year. Fresh start to what as yet alludes me, but at least the house will be tidy!
London -188
Total Distance covered 920.4 miles
Sunday, 18 October 2015
Day 546
1. Fellowparkrunner was running her third half marathon in five weeks today! Amidst my comments of 'go for it' 'you're fab' and 'nutter' came the realisation that once we get past the thirteen mile mark on our marathon training plan we'll be doing this on a regular basis - eeek!
2. What we might not be doing is running it in 1 hour and 56 mins - WELL DONE RLB! You are indeed a star.
3. Wading out into the North Sea by way of an ice bath afterwards was however taking things too far!
4. Surprise! Surprise! All purses for Saturday are now sewn. Leaving me a whole five and a bit days to tidy and clean and plan the rest of it!
5. Very nearly at the half way point of the 100 Day Challenge and only one bag to go to reach my goal! FMG is on the case and although arbitrary it would be great if it sold before Tuesday's milestone. Question then is - what is going to be my goal for the fifty days that follows? Somehow I think it should involve the word gym, but I think it might be more likely about tidying the house in a pre Christmas blitz, no one remind me that I said I'd have Christmas sorted by the end of October this year!
London -189
Total Distance covered 920.4 miles
2. What we might not be doing is running it in 1 hour and 56 mins - WELL DONE RLB! You are indeed a star.
3. Wading out into the North Sea by way of an ice bath afterwards was however taking things too far!
5. Very nearly at the half way point of the 100 Day Challenge and only one bag to go to reach my goal! FMG is on the case and although arbitrary it would be great if it sold before Tuesday's milestone. Question then is - what is going to be my goal for the fifty days that follows? Somehow I think it should involve the word gym, but I think it might be more likely about tidying the house in a pre Christmas blitz, no one remind me that I said I'd have Christmas sorted by the end of October this year!
London -189
Total Distance covered 920.4 miles
Saturday, 17 October 2015
Day 545 - Parkrun 91
1. Wasn't really feeling the parkrun bug this morning when I got up, but three and half laps of Crownest Park and it was back!
2. My ankle wasn't great when I set off but it soon eased off and I couldn't feel it any more. Run over it's back - it's almost like my foot's preferred position is that held whilst running! But I haven't heard of many running injuries that require you to keep running... perhaps I should check it out with the Biomechanics Man next week when I'm in the gym!!!
3. Tombola prizes are starting to arrive! For someone who isn't a great fan of tat and has a problem buying presents for the sake of it, it's a little odd to find myself collecting bags full of the stuff from kind friends! Funnily enough everyone who has given things has done so on the strict instruction that they don't want it back if it isn't won.
4. My mindfulness course has somewhat fallen by the way side this week, and with more busy times ahead it looks like I might be a little late in finishing. I'm not altogether sure what effect it's having although I am becoming increasingly conscious of the need to live in the present moment and not worry about what's been and gone, or is yet to come. A large part of that is self acceptance. Which I think I've managed to work round to being the perfect excuse to pick one of my favourite songs for
parkrun 91 - 1991
I might not be able to eat cheese - but I can still play it! (There is however, no excusing that shirt!).
5. And, much as I kept my musical taste to myself around the dinner table this evening (when the muso's were discussing bands I'd never heard of) so, by not publishing my blog until Sunday, did I keep the news that I am now an egg away from being a vegan out of the earshot of our hosts! Springing that news on them at three days notice might have been stretching our friendship a bit far! Instead I kept schtum and allowed myself to savour every morsel of delightfully baked brie. Thanks for a lovely evening L and parkrunfastfinisher!
London -190
Distance covered 3.1 miles
Total Distance covered 920.4 miles
2. My ankle wasn't great when I set off but it soon eased off and I couldn't feel it any more. Run over it's back - it's almost like my foot's preferred position is that held whilst running! But I haven't heard of many running injuries that require you to keep running... perhaps I should check it out with the Biomechanics Man next week when I'm in the gym!!!
3. Tombola prizes are starting to arrive! For someone who isn't a great fan of tat and has a problem buying presents for the sake of it, it's a little odd to find myself collecting bags full of the stuff from kind friends! Funnily enough everyone who has given things has done so on the strict instruction that they don't want it back if it isn't won.
4. My mindfulness course has somewhat fallen by the way side this week, and with more busy times ahead it looks like I might be a little late in finishing. I'm not altogether sure what effect it's having although I am becoming increasingly conscious of the need to live in the present moment and not worry about what's been and gone, or is yet to come. A large part of that is self acceptance. Which I think I've managed to work round to being the perfect excuse to pick one of my favourite songs for
parkrun 91 - 1991
I might not be able to eat cheese - but I can still play it! (There is however, no excusing that shirt!).
5. And, much as I kept my musical taste to myself around the dinner table this evening (when the muso's were discussing bands I'd never heard of) so, by not publishing my blog until Sunday, did I keep the news that I am now an egg away from being a vegan out of the earshot of our hosts! Springing that news on them at three days notice might have been stretching our friendship a bit far! Instead I kept schtum and allowed myself to savour every morsel of delightfully baked brie. Thanks for a lovely evening L and parkrunfastfinisher!
London -190
Distance covered 3.1 miles
Total Distance covered 920.4 miles
Friday, 16 October 2015
Day 544
1. I've done it! There are now six bags and four purses for next Saturday afternoon! (With a further five zips in the post - I know... what am I doing?!)
2. Ignoring the question of whether or not there is any sense in this later endeavour I am somewhat pleased that the last two purses have finished up almost identical is size - I think I might have cracked it!
3. I am therefore kind of hoping that the zips don't arrive until Monday so I can get some other jobs done over the weekend, because if they are here I know I'll want to prove to myself that I have (or not as the case may be!).
4. I am a little anxious over running tomorrow. My hip is feeling a little easier but my ankle isn't great. Timely then that I should receive this on my Facebook wall today
5. Trouble is, if I listened to every whisper from these runners feet and legs, I'd never put my trainers on again!
London -191
Total Distance covered 917.3 miles
2. Ignoring the question of whether or not there is any sense in this later endeavour I am somewhat pleased that the last two purses have finished up almost identical is size - I think I might have cracked it!
3. I am therefore kind of hoping that the zips don't arrive until Monday so I can get some other jobs done over the weekend, because if they are here I know I'll want to prove to myself that I have (or not as the case may be!).
4. I am a little anxious over running tomorrow. My hip is feeling a little easier but my ankle isn't great. Timely then that I should receive this on my Facebook wall today
5. Trouble is, if I listened to every whisper from these runners feet and legs, I'd never put my trainers on again!
London -191
Total Distance covered 917.3 miles
Thursday, 15 October 2015
Day 543
1. I want a cup of tea. I really want a cup of tea. In fact I'd almost kill for a cup of tea... but no milk = no tea :(
2. A little cruel then that today, for the first and possibly last time ever, a salesman called asking if I'd like to order some tea to be delivered to the door, in a basket, like in the good old days. I bade him farewell before venting any of my milk withdrawal anger at him! Oh the injustice of it all!
3. More unexpected and most welcome company on my dog walk today - this time with FMG.
4. I have become obsessed with my sewing again to the detriment of everything else, which is why you're reading this on a Sunday as I fall ever further behind with my blog!
5. C has returned from the wilderness safe and well. He's a lucky boy to have Etsy Favouriter as his girlfriend for many reasons, top of today's list however has to be the fact that she's no sense of smell!
London -192
Total Distance covered 917.3 miles
2. A little cruel then that today, for the first and possibly last time ever, a salesman called asking if I'd like to order some tea to be delivered to the door, in a basket, like in the good old days. I bade him farewell before venting any of my milk withdrawal anger at him! Oh the injustice of it all!
3. More unexpected and most welcome company on my dog walk today - this time with FMG.
4. I have become obsessed with my sewing again to the detriment of everything else, which is why you're reading this on a Sunday as I fall ever further behind with my blog!
5. C has returned from the wilderness safe and well. He's a lucky boy to have Etsy Favouriter as his girlfriend for many reasons, top of today's list however has to be the fact that she's no sense of smell!
London -192
Total Distance covered 917.3 miles
Wednesday, 14 October 2015
Day 542
1. The twenty minute YouTube purse making video didn't make it any clearer - the person giving the tutorial just waffled on for longer! But I managed to make another one which was slightly more to plan that the first!
2. About a year after first asking the doctor if I could see a Dietitian, the day finally arrived... I almost wish it hadn't! She didn't smile much. She didn't put me at ease. She made me feel incredibly self conscious about the fact that I eat rather a lot of oatcakes - although in hindsight perhaps she was just incredulous that anyone would choose to eat that many! I'll bet she sees a lot of liars and every time I said 'oatcake' what she heard was 'chocolate biscuit'.
3. I was given one of two options to try to start working out what foods might be causing me a problem, low fibre or milk free. Originally opting for low fibre I quickly changed my mind when I was told I would have to peel all veg (including tomatoes), cut out any pulses, switch to white bread and Rice Krispies for breakfast, with my options for tea coming down to a Quorn fillet and mash potato - err no thanks! So we switched to the milk free option.
4. I'm starting tomorrow and consequently found myself craving all the things I won't be able to have! A somewhat milk, butter and cheese heavy afternoon followed!
5. Not all bad news today however, an unexpected walk with Mrs J and Sapphy made a nice treat (just as well I'd got her purse ordered after last night's blog made by lunchtime) and an opportunity this evening to go and see H perform Shakespeare on stage in Leeds #proudmum. No idea where my other son is - on camping expedition as part of his DofE and maintaining radio silence!
London -193
Total Distance covered 917.3 miles
2. About a year after first asking the doctor if I could see a Dietitian, the day finally arrived... I almost wish it hadn't! She didn't smile much. She didn't put me at ease. She made me feel incredibly self conscious about the fact that I eat rather a lot of oatcakes - although in hindsight perhaps she was just incredulous that anyone would choose to eat that many! I'll bet she sees a lot of liars and every time I said 'oatcake' what she heard was 'chocolate biscuit'.
3. I was given one of two options to try to start working out what foods might be causing me a problem, low fibre or milk free. Originally opting for low fibre I quickly changed my mind when I was told I would have to peel all veg (including tomatoes), cut out any pulses, switch to white bread and Rice Krispies for breakfast, with my options for tea coming down to a Quorn fillet and mash potato - err no thanks! So we switched to the milk free option.
4. I'm starting tomorrow and consequently found myself craving all the things I won't be able to have! A somewhat milk, butter and cheese heavy afternoon followed!
5. Not all bad news today however, an unexpected walk with Mrs J and Sapphy made a nice treat (just as well I'd got her purse ordered after last night's blog made by lunchtime) and an opportunity this evening to go and see H perform Shakespeare on stage in Leeds #proudmum. No idea where my other son is - on camping expedition as part of his DofE and maintaining radio silence!
London -193
Total Distance covered 917.3 miles
Tuesday, 13 October 2015
Day 541
1. My leg had not miraculously cured itself over night, sat first thing feeling rather sorry for myself, not knowing what to do to fix it other than not run... if only I knew a man who would know!
2. The wonders of his new(ish) on line booking system, a slot available this afternoon and I was booked in before I'd even had my breakfast!
3. IT'S NOT MY IT BAND! Yipppeeeee!! It's my hip. A few days rest, corrective exercises, an unsurprising suggestion that I should return to the gym on a regular basis, and all being well I CAN RUN ON SATURDAY! Thank you Biomechanics Man!
4. The zips have arrived for my latest venture into little purses! No prizes for guessing how I spent any spare minutes today...
5. Tomorrow I am going to try and find the time to watch a video clip about how to make them that lasts twenty minutes instead of opting for the six minute version! There has to be an easier way than the hash I made of it en route to the finished article!
London -194
Total Distance covered 917.3 miles
2. The wonders of his new(ish) on line booking system, a slot available this afternoon and I was booked in before I'd even had my breakfast!
3. IT'S NOT MY IT BAND! Yipppeeeee!! It's my hip. A few days rest, corrective exercises, an unsurprising suggestion that I should return to the gym on a regular basis, and all being well I CAN RUN ON SATURDAY! Thank you Biomechanics Man!
4. The zips have arrived for my latest venture into little purses! No prizes for guessing how I spent any spare minutes today...
5. Tomorrow I am going to try and find the time to watch a video clip about how to make them that lasts twenty minutes instead of opting for the six minute version! There has to be an easier way than the hash I made of it en route to the finished article!
London -194
Total Distance covered 917.3 miles
Monday, 12 October 2015
Day 540
1. Found myself at the fabric shop a little after opening this morning, so early in fact that I arrived during the team briefing which was all about asking customers to provide an email address and sign up for a newsletter prior to the shop going online... it would appear that I was the only one paying attention because for the duration of my visit no one asked me for mine!
2. It took a while for me to switch off the 'what on earth are you doing buying fabric for more bags?' side of my brain and allow the creative side to get into the swing of things, but I got there in the end.
3. As a result every spare minute of the rest of the day has been spent planning, measuring and cutting!
4. I have even ordered some zips to make some little purses... all very exciting or it would be if I only had more time, and H hadn't come home asking for a Halloween party costume!
5. My left IT band is poorly again. Absolutely gutted. Just when I've really started to enjoy my running again I'm going to have to have a rest, potentially slow things down, and invariably get back to the gym. Aaaarrggghh!
London -195
Total Distance covered 917.3 miles
2. It took a while for me to switch off the 'what on earth are you doing buying fabric for more bags?' side of my brain and allow the creative side to get into the swing of things, but I got there in the end.
3. As a result every spare minute of the rest of the day has been spent planning, measuring and cutting!
4. I have even ordered some zips to make some little purses... all very exciting or it would be if I only had more time, and H hadn't come home asking for a Halloween party costume!
5. My left IT band is poorly again. Absolutely gutted. Just when I've really started to enjoy my running again I'm going to have to have a rest, potentially slow things down, and invariably get back to the gym. Aaaarrggghh!
London -195
Total Distance covered 917.3 miles
Sunday, 11 October 2015
Day 539
1. A late night, a dog still asleep at 8.50am and consequently a lie in for me - I almost don't recognise my life!
2. Oh no brunch and the subsequent pile of washing up - it's back!!
3. Cannot believe I forgot to mention yesterday that FMG has sold ten bags. This means.... THERE IS ONLY ONE LEFT!
4. I am however planning a trip to the fabric shop tomorrow to have a look into making some more! Noooooooo! I hear you all screaming at me, but I saw my neighbour yesterday and she's got sixty friends coming round in a fortnight for a 'handmade' party she's organised on my behalf, only I haven't got anything left to sell!
5. HELP!!!
London -196
Total Distance covered 917.3 miles
2. Oh no brunch and the subsequent pile of washing up - it's back!!
3. Cannot believe I forgot to mention yesterday that FMG has sold ten bags. This means.... THERE IS ONLY ONE LEFT!
4. I am however planning a trip to the fabric shop tomorrow to have a look into making some more! Noooooooo! I hear you all screaming at me, but I saw my neighbour yesterday and she's got sixty friends coming round in a fortnight for a 'handmade' party she's organised on my behalf, only I haven't got anything left to sell!
5. HELP!!!
London -196
Total Distance covered 917.3 miles
Saturday, 10 October 2015
Day 538 - Parkrun 90
1. A mention over twitter by blog reader LC (thank you!) telling me to embrace the joys of winter running that lie between here and London came a little closer to home than I'm ready for with a rather foggy start to the day, but thankfully it had cleared sufficiently from the park so as to avoid any Santa beard misfortunes with condensing water vapour!
2. Almost a shame as it might have been somewhat befitting for my return to 'Silver Lady' status - nothing like a local marathon to reduce the field of fast ladies! Congratulations to Al for making it round in under twenty four minutes for the first time in almost a year, and his highest ever overall finish - 19th out of 98 not bad!
3. Facebook have decided to alert me to the fact that I've been 'Facebook friend's' with actual friends from parkrun for two years... only one way to react to the news - CAKE!! Thank you MC for the delicious courgette and lime cake with pistachio butter cream icing that was enjoyed sitting post run in the sun with a fairly sizeable gathering of our parkrun clan.
4. Busy afternoon with Al stacking the logs away in the log store, before coming in, lighting our first fire of the autumn and settling down to binge watch 'Dr Foster' on BBC iPlayer! Tense to say the least - it had me staying awake till 1am to finish it!
5. Had another good day - perhaps I'm starting to feel the benefits of my mindfulness! Bringing us to
parkrun 90 - 1990
or the middle aged West Yorkshire equivalent... take me wood stacking in the pale autumn sun, enjoying the colour, texture and smell of pine whilst wearing many layers, gardening gloves and a wooly hat to keep my hair free from any runaway spiders!
London -197
Distance covered 3.1 miles
Total Distance covered 917.3 miles
2. Almost a shame as it might have been somewhat befitting for my return to 'Silver Lady' status - nothing like a local marathon to reduce the field of fast ladies! Congratulations to Al for making it round in under twenty four minutes for the first time in almost a year, and his highest ever overall finish - 19th out of 98 not bad!
3. Facebook have decided to alert me to the fact that I've been 'Facebook friend's' with actual friends from parkrun for two years... only one way to react to the news - CAKE!! Thank you MC for the delicious courgette and lime cake with pistachio butter cream icing that was enjoyed sitting post run in the sun with a fairly sizeable gathering of our parkrun clan.
4. Busy afternoon with Al stacking the logs away in the log store, before coming in, lighting our first fire of the autumn and settling down to binge watch 'Dr Foster' on BBC iPlayer! Tense to say the least - it had me staying awake till 1am to finish it!5. Had another good day - perhaps I'm starting to feel the benefits of my mindfulness! Bringing us to
parkrun 90 - 1990
or the middle aged West Yorkshire equivalent... take me wood stacking in the pale autumn sun, enjoying the colour, texture and smell of pine whilst wearing many layers, gardening gloves and a wooly hat to keep my hair free from any runaway spiders!
London -197
Distance covered 3.1 miles
Total Distance covered 917.3 miles
Friday, 9 October 2015
Day 537
1. My posture was definitely better when I got up this morning but my plans to get tidying have yet to materialise - yet being the operative word!
2. Spent the day continuing my catchup on my Mindfulness course... am becoming a little concerned about the number of journals I am supposed to be keeping! Mindfulness, meditation, gratitude, anger, guilt, happiness, any other emotions, daily progress journal for the 100 Day Goal, 3 pages of whatever comes into my head first thing in a morning, and my favourite by far but possibly superfluous after writing all of the above - a procrastination journal!
3. Add in my colouring in charts and it's not really surprising that I forgot to go to the gym!
4. In truth I've yet to start most of them, and not sure that I will, but am already wondering what the business opportunity for selling blank books might be!
5. In the meantime I have however, decided on a new chart! 200 days of bunting to map my progress to London! I've decided on a key (all in Barnardo's green): diagonal stripes - gym; horizontal stripes - walk; vertical stripes - walk and exercises at home; dots - just exercises; and solid colour - RUN! I am hoping the fact that it pleases me aesthetically will mean this works where the break the chain calendar failed! Three days in and I'm loving it so far... and I even did some exercises so I could colour in a different pattern to yesterday! How long do you give it? A week?!
London -198
Total Distance covered 914.2 miles
2. Spent the day continuing my catchup on my Mindfulness course... am becoming a little concerned about the number of journals I am supposed to be keeping! Mindfulness, meditation, gratitude, anger, guilt, happiness, any other emotions, daily progress journal for the 100 Day Goal, 3 pages of whatever comes into my head first thing in a morning, and my favourite by far but possibly superfluous after writing all of the above - a procrastination journal!
3. Add in my colouring in charts and it's not really surprising that I forgot to go to the gym!
4. In truth I've yet to start most of them, and not sure that I will, but am already wondering what the business opportunity for selling blank books might be!
5. In the meantime I have however, decided on a new chart! 200 days of bunting to map my progress to London! I've decided on a key (all in Barnardo's green): diagonal stripes - gym; horizontal stripes - walk; vertical stripes - walk and exercises at home; dots - just exercises; and solid colour - RUN! I am hoping the fact that it pleases me aesthetically will mean this works where the break the chain calendar failed! Three days in and I'm loving it so far... and I even did some exercises so I could colour in a different pattern to yesterday! How long do you give it? A week?!London -198
Total Distance covered 914.2 miles
Thursday, 8 October 2015
Day 536
1. I've had a great day!
2. Wasn't quite sure how the dog sitting would go, so didn't have a lot planned for today and I feel loads better for giving myself a day off!
3. The dog sitting went well. Sapphy is a little gem and Dougal so loved having her here! A two dog family again?! Not this side of the marathon but never say never!
4. My mindfulness course is covering self-compassion this week so I have spent the day being especially kind to myself :)
5. Distance reiki does work! I felt the energies, muscles in my back which I can't isolate now that I'm thinking about it started to relax and I feel fantastic! Much as I would have preferred to be in the practitioners 'reiki shack' which, from the pictures, looked about as far removed from my bedroom as you can get, I closed my eyes and imagined I was lying in that beautiful tranquil place as opposed to the bit of a tip and desperately in need of a dust space that is our room! I hope the feeling stays with me till the morning, at which point I think it might be time to unearth those forgotten feng shui plans - Mr L you have been warned!
London -199
Total Distance covered 914.2 miles
2. Wasn't quite sure how the dog sitting would go, so didn't have a lot planned for today and I feel loads better for giving myself a day off!
3. The dog sitting went well. Sapphy is a little gem and Dougal so loved having her here! A two dog family again?! Not this side of the marathon but never say never!
4. My mindfulness course is covering self-compassion this week so I have spent the day being especially kind to myself :)
5. Distance reiki does work! I felt the energies, muscles in my back which I can't isolate now that I'm thinking about it started to relax and I feel fantastic! Much as I would have preferred to be in the practitioners 'reiki shack' which, from the pictures, looked about as far removed from my bedroom as you can get, I closed my eyes and imagined I was lying in that beautiful tranquil place as opposed to the bit of a tip and desperately in need of a dust space that is our room! I hope the feeling stays with me till the morning, at which point I think it might be time to unearth those forgotten feng shui plans - Mr L you have been warned!London -199
Total Distance covered 914.2 miles
Wednesday, 7 October 2015
Day 535
1. 200 DAYS TO LONDON!!
2. Which was enough to see me back in the gym this morning! I know... hard to believe!
3. But I've been spurred on by my niece's pearl of wisdom to my sis at the weekend, who when deliberating over whether or not to run, was told she should do it "because you can".
4. Although I didn't enjoy being there very much (although it was nice to get the chance for a quick catch up with the Biomechanics Man!) I definitely felt better for going and I am really going to try to make a habit of it. It may even become my new 100 (or rather 200) day goal now that I've stopped being the Barnardo's bag lady!
5. Lovely surprise walk with Mrs J and her adorable black cocker spaniel Sapphy this afternoon, and (possibly more exciting) a play date for Dougal tomorrow as Sapphy is coming to spend the day with us! However I'm not sure that having two dogs careering round is going to be very conducive to catching up on my mindfulness course - appreciated that if I was any good at it I would be able to ignore the distraction, but I think it might be asking a bit much for week 4!
London -200
Total Distance covered 914.2 miles
London -200
Total Distance covered 914.2 miles
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
Day 534
1. Really?! Now that I've taken my bags down off Etsy the viewing figures are up?
2. This has seen me spending my lunchtime looking at fabric on the internet! Perhaps I should make some more?! Perhaps there is a market out there after all?! Perhaps I should stop looking at my viewing figures!!
3. Donation in from my friend and.... I HAVE DONE IT!!! £1800 for Barnardo's from me, £350 for Barnardo's from FMG (as her share of fundraising we did together before she knew she was fundraising too!). Thank you to all involved in making this a reality!
4. You would be mistaken in thinking however that this is the last you have heard about it... still seventeen guesses on Name the Bear to go before I hand him over to FMG to collect the other fifty! And a charity afternoon to organise that I committed to before I knew I wouldn't have any bags left! (Clearly now those last eleven have left the house I have written them off as sold!).
5. I think this means putting my thinking cap on to see what I can do instead... but I'm still so tired I'm struggling to focus on anything much today. I even felt the need to ring Morrisons customer services to check the maths on their latest announcement regarding their Match and More card... a change in November means that to get £5 back you'll have to spend £1000 on groceries! Or put another way the £250 worth of £5 vouchers that I've managed to collect in less than a year will, in the future require a spend of £50,000! "If that's how you choose to look at it" was their reply! Lidl here I come!
London -201
Distance covered 3.3 miles OUCH!!!
Total Distance covered 914.2 miles
2. This has seen me spending my lunchtime looking at fabric on the internet! Perhaps I should make some more?! Perhaps there is a market out there after all?! Perhaps I should stop looking at my viewing figures!!
3. Donation in from my friend and.... I HAVE DONE IT!!! £1800 for Barnardo's from me, £350 for Barnardo's from FMG (as her share of fundraising we did together before she knew she was fundraising too!). Thank you to all involved in making this a reality!4. You would be mistaken in thinking however that this is the last you have heard about it... still seventeen guesses on Name the Bear to go before I hand him over to FMG to collect the other fifty! And a charity afternoon to organise that I committed to before I knew I wouldn't have any bags left! (Clearly now those last eleven have left the house I have written them off as sold!).
5. I think this means putting my thinking cap on to see what I can do instead... but I'm still so tired I'm struggling to focus on anything much today. I even felt the need to ring Morrisons customer services to check the maths on their latest announcement regarding their Match and More card... a change in November means that to get £5 back you'll have to spend £1000 on groceries! Or put another way the £250 worth of £5 vouchers that I've managed to collect in less than a year will, in the future require a spend of £50,000! "If that's how you choose to look at it" was their reply! Lidl here I come!
London -201
Distance covered 3.3 miles OUCH!!!
Total Distance covered 914.2 miles
Monday, 5 October 2015
Day 533
1. I didn't want to leave Glasgow. I love it, I miss it and I will be back! Although perhaps not to run next time!
2. My legs felt better than after Liverpool, but still somewhat on the sore side and some of the steps up and off the various trains we had to travel on to get home were a trifle on the steep side! But awash with post run euphoria and pride in the fact that we've achieved our goal of three half marathons this year we coped admirably even if to the outside world we looked like the very antithesis of why you should run!
3. Utterly exhausted I don't remember too much about the rest of the day, except that it was awfully nice to see C, Dougal, H and Al again (in order of being reunited!).
4. I wasn't so tired however to forget to give FMG the remainder of the bags to sell! She seems optimistic that she can sell them and as a result a have taken them off Etsy and Ebay - Yipppeeeee!!!
5. I have had a wonderful weekend. There are a lot of training miles and nasty winter weather heading our way over the next few months but London awaits at the end of it all....bring it on! But I might try and catch up on a bit of sleep first!
London -202
Total Distance covered 910.9 miles
2. My legs felt better than after Liverpool, but still somewhat on the sore side and some of the steps up and off the various trains we had to travel on to get home were a trifle on the steep side! But awash with post run euphoria and pride in the fact that we've achieved our goal of three half marathons this year we coped admirably even if to the outside world we looked like the very antithesis of why you should run!
3. Utterly exhausted I don't remember too much about the rest of the day, except that it was awfully nice to see C, Dougal, H and Al again (in order of being reunited!).
4. I wasn't so tired however to forget to give FMG the remainder of the bags to sell! She seems optimistic that she can sell them and as a result a have taken them off Etsy and Ebay - Yipppeeeee!!!
5. I have had a wonderful weekend. There are a lot of training miles and nasty winter weather heading our way over the next few months but London awaits at the end of it all....bring it on! But I might try and catch up on a bit of sleep first!
London -202
Total Distance covered 910.9 miles
Sunday, 4 October 2015
Day 532 - GREAT SCOTTISH RUN!
I LOVED IT!!!
Day started well with us not waking up until 7.50 - such luxury on a run morning! Porridge pot of gruel eaten the dilemma over whether or not to have breakfast was easily solved by my sister returning from the shop with croissants and pain au chocolat!That said it was a lllllooooonnnnnggggg four hours wait until the start of the pink wave, but our hotel room was perfect! About as close to where we were to line up as we could get, we could hear the public address system from our room, and I was able to nip out and pop my fleece on the baggage bus so it was there at the end! All the excitement with none of the hanging around and lets face it the best bit of all - no queue for the portaloo!
Unable to decide upon my race strategy until the last minute I decided that having followed the run-walk-run method in training, I needed to stick to it in the race, and (on hearing that schoolfriendofMG750 was going to be en route just after the 4 mile mark) I wanted to stop and say hello.
Walking was really hard. I didn't feel like it, and I didn't like the feeling of people running past me, but I kept at it having told myself I could run after the 8 mile mark if I wanted. However stopping to talk to G and her two gorgeous girls R&R, was the best part of the race! I'd looked forward to seeing them all the way there, and it definitely put a spring in my step for quite a while afterwards. Thank you for making the effort to be there!
Eight miles in and I had a plan, phone Al, go for a wee, and then ditch the walking and run the rest! Flip belt proved to be less than accommodating in giving up it's Jelly Baby treasure as I couldn't find a slot to retrieve them through, but thankfully there were people handing them out - not the mile of sweets that C told me about later (if it existed I completely missed it!) but people who had turned up with packets of sweets to give out to anyone who looked in need! I appreciate that I am completely biased but it's true - People really DO make Glasgow! (Although that said the support over FB this weekend has been brilliant and we were so excited waiting for news of fellow parkrunner from the Brussels Half!)
Arrived at the finish line and almost immediately received my text - 1.57.26 Whooo Hoooo!!! Almost exactly the time predicted by Jeff (Galloway) and almost exactly the same time as Liverpool! Al was somewhat reluctant to tell me that I'd missed my PB by 5 seconds, but I genuinely didn't care! No honestly!
FMG loved it, sisterofMG750 might not go quite so far as to say she enjoyed it, but nevertheless she did it! Once again proving we are endurance athletes!!
Time with my sis cut short by her hectic work schedule and morning flight to the States, it was up to FMG and me to drag ourselves back out of our beds later in search of mojitos!
London's going to have to go some to beat this!
London -203
GLASGOW MINUS NOTHING!!!
Distance covered 13.1 miles
Total Distance covered 910.9 miles
Saturday, 3 October 2015
Day 531
1. International parkrun day was celebrated in a different country to the one we live in, eating at a French patisserie for breakfast, which I think covers international, but we didn't even contemplate attempting the parkrun bit!
2. Instead we headed up to the West End this morning for a quick bit of shopping, a whistle stop visit to the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, and a slightly longer than planned speed walk around Glasgow University campus looking for the way out before heading back into town to meet schoolfriendofMG750 for our annual lunch. So lovely to see her and hard to believe it's been a year since we last saw you G!
3. Lunch eaten and many laughs laughed it was time to meet up with sisterofMG750 and my niece for a bit more shopping before dinner - definitely got the carb loading bit of the training ticked, albeit in a slightly less liquid form to that of fellow parkrunner!
4. Back from Paris yesterday and jetting off to San Francisco on Monday (which really is international!) it was both a shame that my sister wasn't able to be around for the whole weekend and great that she was able to join us at all - especially as she has taken the decision to run tomorrow!
5. Dinner eaten it was time for a bit of a pamper session with all her recent duty free purchases (nothing quite like raiding your sisters toiletries!) before a relatively early night. Like in Brighton we have walked far too far today and think we should have given a bit more thought to our pre race prep but too late now! Besides I actually think the aim was to enjoy our weekend and we seem to have got that bit sussed!
London -204
Glasgow -1
Total Distance covered 897.8 miles
2. Instead we headed up to the West End this morning for a quick bit of shopping, a whistle stop visit to the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, and a slightly longer than planned speed walk around Glasgow University campus looking for the way out before heading back into town to meet schoolfriendofMG750 for our annual lunch. So lovely to see her and hard to believe it's been a year since we last saw you G!
3. Lunch eaten and many laughs laughed it was time to meet up with sisterofMG750 and my niece for a bit more shopping before dinner - definitely got the carb loading bit of the training ticked, albeit in a slightly less liquid form to that of fellow parkrunner!
4. Back from Paris yesterday and jetting off to San Francisco on Monday (which really is international!) it was both a shame that my sister wasn't able to be around for the whole weekend and great that she was able to join us at all - especially as she has taken the decision to run tomorrow!
5. Dinner eaten it was time for a bit of a pamper session with all her recent duty free purchases (nothing quite like raiding your sisters toiletries!) before a relatively early night. Like in Brighton we have walked far too far today and think we should have given a bit more thought to our pre race prep but too late now! Besides I actually think the aim was to enjoy our weekend and we seem to have got that bit sussed!
London -204
Glasgow -1
Total Distance covered 897.8 miles
Friday, 2 October 2015
Day 530
1. Ended up packing this morning! Was just about to leave when I had a sudden thought of going shopping and needing a handy bag to put my purchases in - if only I knew where to get hold of one at such short notice...
2. 24 down 15 to go!
3. Arrived into Glasgow mid afternoon - just so nice to be home. Lovely wandering round with FMG showing her a few of the sights of the city centre! Thankfully she thought the walk up to look at the outside of the Art School was worth it!
4. Our hotel was just behind George Square where the starting line will be on Sunday... signs of them getting ready and the anticipation has started to build!
5. Fab evening! The friends we visited last year in Edinburgh (which was probably over 500 days ago now!) came through to join us for dinner. Good food, great company and a further order from my friend for another four bags!! 11 left! Smiling all the way to sleep!
London -205
Glasgow -2
Total Distance covered 897.8 miles
2. 24 down 15 to go!
3. Arrived into Glasgow mid afternoon - just so nice to be home. Lovely wandering round with FMG showing her a few of the sights of the city centre! Thankfully she thought the walk up to look at the outside of the Art School was worth it!
4. Our hotel was just behind George Square where the starting line will be on Sunday... signs of them getting ready and the anticipation has started to build!
5. Fab evening! The friends we visited last year in Edinburgh (which was probably over 500 days ago now!) came through to join us for dinner. Good food, great company and a further order from my friend for another four bags!! 11 left! Smiling all the way to sleep!
London -205
Glasgow -2
Total Distance covered 897.8 miles
Thursday, 1 October 2015
Day 529
1. Had a fairly upbeat morning, an all right afternoon and a positively dire evening!
2. Having got to the point yesterday where I was almost grateful that my online money making attempts have failed, fast forward to this evening and I am being swallowed whole by thoughts of "OK what now?!"
3. I guess the short answer is run a half marathon and worry about it later!
4. What hasn't helped is that I've had my hair cut and I don't feel very much like me any more! Keep catching sight of myself in the mirror and wondering who it is I look like... I've been racking my brains all day and I just can't get there, although I did find myself thinking about a rather quiet, slightly mousey and decidedly middle aged woman who works on the checkout in the supermarket for some unknown reason earlier...
5. One sleep till Glasgow! And no... I still haven't put a thing in a suitcase, nor even got the suitcase out of the cupboard yet. It is somewhat reassuring to know that some bits of me have remained the same!
London -205
Glasgow -3
Total Distance covered 897.8 miles
2. Having got to the point yesterday where I was almost grateful that my online money making attempts have failed, fast forward to this evening and I am being swallowed whole by thoughts of "OK what now?!"
3. I guess the short answer is run a half marathon and worry about it later!
4. What hasn't helped is that I've had my hair cut and I don't feel very much like me any more! Keep catching sight of myself in the mirror and wondering who it is I look like... I've been racking my brains all day and I just can't get there, although I did find myself thinking about a rather quiet, slightly mousey and decidedly middle aged woman who works on the checkout in the supermarket for some unknown reason earlier...
5. One sleep till Glasgow! And no... I still haven't put a thing in a suitcase, nor even got the suitcase out of the cupboard yet. It is somewhat reassuring to know that some bits of me have remained the same!
London -205
Glasgow -3
Total Distance covered 897.8 miles
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