Day 474

1.  Yesterday for the first time in a year, a month and a day my tinnitus stopped - twice - albeit only for a split second each time but nevertheless it lead me to hope that it might just happen again. It hasn't - yet!

2.  Had planned on going to the gym this morning - but a rare moment of spontaneity put paid to that plan....

3.  Both boys off doing their own thing, Al and I took the opportunity of not having to be anywhere to go somewhere!  Lovely walk with the dog alongside a river, with a nice cafe to stop at along the way.

4.  Must have walked for between two and two and half hours with around half an hour cake stop.  Came home ate some more and promptly fell asleep for an hour and half...

5.  Forget running training - I'm going to have to put some serious practice in just to be able to stay awake on my feet for long enough to finish London!

London - 261

Glasgow - 58
Total Distance covered 783.2 miles

Day 473

1.  Had a text from C (and Etsy Favouriter) last night, they'd been catching up on my blog and don't think I should go work at Lidl.  Not because I am worth more or am far too talented, but because apparently it's horrible and you don't get toilet breaks so I wouldn't survive! Charming! But it's nice that my son was concerned for my welfare.

2.  Finally got to run with FMG this morning as I recruited the fourth member to the Pavlovian running regime experiment.  Not sure she's a convert, but early days!

3.  Had the pleasure of running past H at the bus stop en route.  Nothing like a kiss from your son and a wave from the back of the bus several minutes later to put a spring in your step!

4.  Summoning up all his patience Al stepped back into the role of Etsy photographer this afternoon, and at first glance I think we might have nailed it! Haven't had time to list any but all internal shots are done too and I could be ready to roll!  Sewing finished but still no jobs done!

5.  Dog show is now so close the weather for the day is showing on the BBC Weather App! Eeek!! Was thrilled to see that it is to be dry and 19 Degrees, when I realised that I was looking at the weather for where I live and not where the park is - disappointingly it's raining there but I'm not sure they can predict that accurately over a distance of six miles ten days in advance... best keep doing the sun dance to be on the safe side!

London - 262

Glasgow - 59
Distance covered              5.5 miles
Total Distance covered 783.2 miles

Day 472

1.  I was going to save this till last but I can contain myself no longer....

I HAVE FINISHED SEWING THE BAGS! 

All fifty seven of them are now complete, four are sold, ten are heading FMG's way to peddle, leaving me forty three to find buyers for - you have been warned! (Although to be fair you might have just been able to see that coming....)

2.  Thank you Mr L for making me leave the house and go the gym this morning - thank you even more for texting to say you had arrived to pick me up just as I was about to start foam rollering.... no one's ever seen me look even remotely happy when I'm there let alone nearing ecstatic.

3.  A quick stand on the scales this morning and my mantra may have to be "three quarters of an hour - three quarters of a stone!"

4.  My right ankle isn't great but I can't tell if it's running related or repetitive strain from operating the foot peddle on my sewing machine, but seeing as we've just eliminated one of the variables possibly time will tell...

5.  I have to admit to feeling a little bit lost and bereft of focus (and it's only been half an hour) but plenty to do tomorrow picking up the threads of what's left of the rest of my life. (Damn I've just remembered the Etsy photographs!)

London - 263

Glasgow - 60
Total Distance covered 777.7 miles

Day 471

1.  Woke up this morning and my calf muscles were so tight my legs felt like they were about two inches shorter!

2.  Only one thing for it - more running!

3.  Not entirely in the mood but have a new mantra - "half an hour - half a stone" although admittedly it might take a bit longer! But even when I'm not in the mood it is only half an hour, and loosing half a stone before Glasgow isn't going to happen by itself (and for whilst I'm not sure I can find the motivation to diet, I'm hoping that the incentive of not having to carry it around for thirteen miles might spur me into trying!).

4.  Two bags finished - remaining six all half completed - no jobs done! I did mean to do the ironing just never quite found the time! Six bags, approximately forty minutes to finish one means I should finish sewing in less than a marathon! (Actually I could probably take significantly longer than forty minutes for each and still finish way ahead of how long it will take me to run London - but it's not about the time, it's not about the time!).

5.  SisterofMG750 has signed up to join us in Glasgow! In FMG's words "Welcome to the team fellow endurance athlete!" wouldn't have been the same without you sis xx


London - 267

Glasgow - 61
Distance covered             3.5 miles
Total Distance covered 777.7 miles

Day 470

1.  OK you ready for this.... 6 bags made AND a trip to the gym! What is the meaning behind such productivity?!

2.  Mainly that Al is around to do all the other jobs!

3.  Legs feel OK, although admittedly I didn't put them through a full workout this morning.

4.  Desperate to crack on and finish sewing - I am sooooo close - but in fairness there are more jobs than Al can get to and it's going to be a real challenge to get me to do any of them tomorrow when all I want to do is sew and sew and sew! I know I should prioritise and tell myself that I can be finished by Friday if I make two a day (you got it - only 8 to go!) and get on top of all my other jobs but it's just not how my brain works.

5.  One of the best and most wonderful things about being parkrun addicts is that Al and I frequently find ourselves in the company of other addicts we are fortunate enough to call friends, sharing the highs and lows of our weekly runs and snippets of other news over a post run coffee.  Unfortunately sometimes the lows are significantly more serious than a missed PB.  I have no idea if you'll be looking for a distraction and reading this any time soon SC but I know I speak for all of your parkrun 'family' when I say that we're thinking of you and sending every prayer and positive thought your way for tomorrow.

London - 268

Glasgow - 62
Total Distance covered 774.2 miles

Day 469

1.  In need of a little motivation fellow parkrunner and I set out for an 8 mile run this morning.  I'm a little confused as to why, as a regular reader, she thought I was the right person for the job, but chuffed to be asked I donned my trainers and accompanied her on her inaugural run-walk-run!

2.  Took it nice and steady and finished nice and strong! Proof will be in our mid week recovery but I am daring to believe that my ITB issues might be behind me, and that I might have a convert!

3.  That said as the day progressed my legs have started to seize up a bit and I think I might have to reacquaint myself with my foam roller.  That or a hot bath - but I'm not sure I can face cleaning it first!

4.  A little hung over Al declined the opportunity to be Etsy photographer again this afternoon and H was even less keen, so I immersed myself back in my sewing.  I think my wee sewing machine has had about as much as I have and really didn't want to work today, but I persevered, swore a lot, and got another bag made!

5.  Managed to relax enough to have a snooze in the sun on a blanket with Al and Dougal - almost felt like the summer!

London - 269

Glasgow - 63
Distance covered           8.1 miles
Total Distance covered 774.2 miles

Day 468 - Parkrun 85

1.  Gatecrashed the Dewsbury Road Runners parkrun tour this morning and ran at Halifax parkrun instead.  Disappointingly the course was very similar to ours - three and a half laps and huge hill, but with the addition of a 180 degree bend which was hard work... BUT Yorkshire Day celebrations meant lots and lots and lots of cake!

2.  Breathing was a little laboured after my week off and my cold, but legs starting to feel stronger, I enjoyed my run and didn't really mind about being slower than the last couple of weeks!

3.  I hope the following link works... 

Watch out for Al and Dougal around the 1.05 minute mark!

(and for a parkwalker a few seconds behind them who starts to run when she realises that she's being filmed!)

4.  I have not been offered a stall at the Esty Made Local Christmas Market.  I wasn't entirely convinced that this was the way forward as I know I would end up over making and be left with it at the end of the day, but I really am starting to feel like I'm banging my head against a brick wall with any attempt to fund raise outside my immediate circle of friends.  I just can't seem to get anywhere - which brings me here..

parkrun 85 - 1985

5.  Thankfully we went out to friends for dinner this evening and the subject of Etsy and fundraising didn't even come up! A night off from worrying about it and repeated checking my viewing stats - especially as they had no phone signal at their house!

London - 270

Glasgow - 64
Distance covered           3.1 miles
Total Distance covered 766.1 miles