Last one for this year!

Saturday 31st Dec 2011

Completion is a beautiful thing! I ran on the 1st of this year and now on the very last too!

This is not to say that everything in between was as dedicated but it's a bit like picking up the pace of my run when people happen to be watching! Very pathetic I know but we all do it!

I decided to do the Janathon nightmare//challenge again this year mainly because it burns all those peanuts and crisp related calories and also because I think I quite like the blogging thing.

Today's fantastic stats are:-

3.5km
30 mins
Music by audio fuel
Reward-fizz and peanuts

What have I done?

Friday 30th December 2011

I have just signed up for Janathon, which seems crazy as my running regimes has been pretty slack for the past 7 months. Don't know what makes me think running in the freezing cold will be any different but there's always hope I suppose!! Christmas holidays always make me very sleepy and I have spent the last few days eating crisps and watching the I player and worryingly, feeling very, dry sleepy. Hope i can rise to the challenge!

lawnmower man

Friday 22nd July 2011

Finally got to meet the man who chops the grass along my woodland running route. I always thought that it was some luckless soul mowing at midnight but no..he's a jolly farmer! Reading that bit over makes me sound a) sad b) sad and mad or c) all of the above!
Anyhow it was a cool sunny evening so I felt that I really ought to make it out before the weekend. Made it a longer run cos there was no rush. Past the bench and got as far as the woods where Hobbits live (that's what I call them) so further than a maintenence run but not as far as it could have been I suppose. Just glad that I was enjoying the whole thing!

distance: 5km
time: 40mins
music: audiofuel/some country/Rush
reward: drinking copious amounts of chilled white wine

Tuesday 19th June 2011

A quick blog about a slightly longer than maintenance run whilst the chicken was roasting. It said cooks in 1hour 10mins so that would give me ample time. I really do know how to multi-task!
A lovely Scottish summer day, fine mist and drizzle to provide a gloriously refreshing backdrop to my running. Took a slight change to my usual run, scared some sheep munching and jumped over a massive pigeon that had met a nasty end. All good!

stats:

• 4.79km
• 35mins + 5 min walk at start
• reward-yummy roast chicken+ homemade ratatouille :)

one two three squelch

Saturday 16th July

Probably one of my most interesting runs to date. The picture above does not reflect the conditions I started out in. If it did I don't think I'd be hardcore enough to make it out the door!

I had only just begun my 5 min walk warm up when boom, bash biff the heavens opened and paths turned into gushing gullies within a matter of minutes. I could have turned round but a little voice inside my head uttered 'don't turn back, this could be a laugh in the end!' It was pretty funny as I jogged along sporting now soaking clothes and sodden trainers that made odd squelching sounds. It was warm though and as I trekked along I begun to quite like the feeling and didn't bat an eye at doggie walkers who were sheltering under large golf umbrellas. A well heeled looking lady stopped me and shouted 'have you seen my Westie?' So I stopped in the lashing rain and had a conversation about run away terriers. She was very angry to be getting wet while her AWOL doggie irked her. Oh well I said, I will look out for him on my travels.

Next came a crash of thunder which added excitement. I've always loved thunder and lightening and once stupidly stayed in an outdoor swimming pool during a lightening storm in Florida just so I could experience it!!

This is how I looked when I got back. Now I don't normally post hideous photos of me in my blog but I have been having a laugh at my expense.

Bye





a sunny run

Wednesday 13th July 2011

Another glorious day which was spent pottering in the garden.with a feeling of contentment at my weeding talents. It's at times like these that I usually rush along to the garden centre to buy 'gap-filler' plants and then remember that I have to plant them pretty quick despite the next 10 days of rain. However I didn't succumb to mad plant expense today. I do think I need more colour though...
Enough already! Did a 'maintenance' run along ye olde trusted route which is probablynot as far as I keep thinking it is but it is so pretty that it kind of cancels out the lack of distance. I waqs spurred on by the thought that husband and I were going for a drink at one of the most beautiful pubs up here. It's in Findhorn bay and when the sun shines on the water you just know that it can't be all bad. And lo' I am actually going to post up a pic just to prove it... Well it is one of me but you get the general idea!

back to normality

Monday 11th July 2011

I am sooo glad to be back home after a pretty mad week away on a very last minute holiday to sunny Majorca. It was a searing 30 degrees most days which was lovely for a while but then got annoying. on the first day I even managed a run along a stretch of walkway by the beach that went on for miles in a straight line so I couldn't get lost. There were many others with the same idea-you know-very fit guys with no tops on. This made a pleasant change from running in the NE Scotland. However, despite the sunshine and pleasant surroundings, I never made a repeat of this activity. Strangely, reading books whilst sipping sangria became an even better proposition!
After a productive morning unpacking dishevelled clothing dripping with sand and sun cream, madly catching up with all the cleaning I never got round to before i jetted off, I donned my running gear and headed out along my favourite route. No topless men, a cool breeze but it felt like I was beginning to return to normality. Managed a respectable 4km. Not bad for a woman filled with tapas and sangria. Oh and husband bought a very bad set of scales to weigh luggage on. They are clearly broken cos I haven't weighed myself in years and they LIE!! The contraption is now banished to the spare room with a dirty look from me. I won't setting foot (feet) on those again. The cheek of them.
The end.

• 4km
• 30mins approx
• topless men-zero
• bad weighing machines-1
• dirty looks-still going on
• desire for sangria-lots

The Sunny one this week

Friday 24th June 2011

It's been a pretty gloomy week here and felt pretty cold so was pleasantly surprised when the sun made an appearance today. 

My son turned 13 yesterday so that reminded me of what I was doing this time in 1998! Never thought that I'd be jogging and blogging in 13 years time, in fact I had jogged back in the day but blogging wasn't invented. Except for secret girlie diaries you kept under the pillow sort of thing-NOT for sharing!

Anyhow I managed a good run today which I felt more than made up for my skivving yesterday (sorry Miss). Ran to the bench and back which I think is roughly 4km. Here is the bench:

Bye.

The end.

Not taking this seriously at all

Wednesday 22nd June 2011

How come I was much more fired up for running/logging/blogging in the darkness of Janathon than I am in June?? I have been fairly remiss in my hand ins-a bit like cakeofgoodhopes blog the other day. I will be getting letters home to my parents about my poor performance too!

Did manage to go to Zumba last night which always cheers me up. They are even organising a Zumba Christmas night out to some Lady Gaga tribute thing. I am of two minds about this-will we have to wear a rump steak dress + matching sausage fascinator I wonder?? Also I am pretty sure that we will be expected to dance. Yes but without the expert guidance of Zumba teacher! It could be that we are all sadly mistaken in our belief that we are soooo good at it!

I wonder what today will bring.

'Can't think of a title'

Thursday 21st June 2011


Feeling that jogging and blogging was slipping, I decided to get my act together this evening.
The Scottish mist was all around and added a refreshing feel to my run. Not at all sure which route I was going to take, just let my feet decide at each turn.
All very enjoyable :)
The End.

• distance-roughly 4km
• time-roughly 30mins
• music-audiofuel + Beegees
• mood-resigned

waiting for the rain to stop

Saturday 18th June 2011

Well today was a non event. A combination of sleeping, watching a dodgy James Bond film ( ooh James...) and keeping fingers crossed that the rain would stop coming out of the leaden sky. Hah, a Scottish summer-temp in the low teens, grey sky, rain falling and the unmistakable scent of fake tan on my body!

At last it all looked much more promising and got out for a maintenance run along my tried and trusted route. It's like an old friend with it's predictable twists, farm animals and pleasant outlook. No surprises and leaves me with a feeling of contentment. Actually this analogy doesn't make sense 'cos my old friends don't own farm animals...but you get the drift!!

• distance 3.5km
• 30mins
• music-audiofuel + random stuff

Note to self-must get in gear for a longer run soon or else I'll think any previous ones were just flukes.

Amen.

Juneathon day 17 is cancelled!

Friday 17th June 2011

I will not pretend to be ill, have had a mega busy day or any of the other variations on excuses that may normally pop into my mind. It's just that I am on strike. Terms and conditions have been broken but I'm pretty sure that after last night's poor run I was feeling a tad despondent. Now this is the beginnings of an excuse so I will end it right now!

Normal service will hopefully be resumed as soon as tomorrow comes. 

Juneathon day 16

Thursday 16th June 2011

I had the whole day to go running, so you would think actually putting on the clothes and trainers would be easy, but sadly I decided to fritter away the day doing mundane stuff. Eventually made it out the door to try a new route which I'm never doing again! Yawn.

• distance about 2miles
• time 25 mins
• mood grumpy
• new routes never doing again-1

Juneathon day 15

Wednesday 15th June 2011

Hurray it's Wednesday, meaning my working week over plus Zumba. It was a great session tonight, there were even two men there which is brave amongst all the wiggling, shimmying females! Some nasty stomach crunches at the end made me think-oh I'll have a six pack tummy in no time-NOT!!!

mono running

Tuesday 14th June 2011

Felt like I'd already done heaps by the time I went out for my run. Then I realised that helping out @ my school's sports doesn't mean that I'd actually done any form of exercising myself. 

Lent my son my earphones this morning as he seems to conveniently lose his ones all the time, Lord knows how this can happen-maybe there's a cable eating monster that hunts down unattended earphones! When i used them for my v important run I discovered that only hearing music in one ear :( I guess they weren't the highest quality to begin with but even so... Things just don't last as long as they used to grumble grumble!

• distance 4.5km
• time 30mins
• music audiofuel + beegees
• reward-the sun is still shining aahh

run in between the showers

Sunday 12th June 2011

Really quick blog:-

• distance 4.5km approx
• time 30 mins
• mood Mrs Grumpy
• music-all the usual stuff + quick burst of Shakira

Juneathon day 9

Friday 10th June 2011

Quick blog tonight. Actually feeling like ranting about a number of things but since none of them are running related I'd better not start! 

I had a whole day to myself today which was a novelty. You would think that I'd be straight out there getting my run in early but no...kept on thinking that something really important and distracting would crop up that took me away from it. Don't get me wrong, I really am thankful that I  started running two years ago as it is the one thing that keeps me sane, but sometimes I think 'no sorry can't run just now because I've got a private jet waiting to whisk me away for an exotic time!' Or is this just abnormal ?! Or sad!

Don't care, you've gotta have a dream and anyhow I'd no doubt have to run in the exotic location just to feel sane- ha!

Just to say-

• distance 5k
• time 35mins
• mood-unrealistic
• music-audiofuel/Journey/Zumba
• reward-came back from my run to find husband had cooked dinner and a glossy jet was parked in the driveway.

a funny run

Thursday 9th June 2011

Scene 1 Act 1:

Jude is in the kitchen doing her pre-run limbering ups, the sun is shining, all is well and a good hour after a yummy M&S sandwich (my mum always said wait an hour after eating before I jump in the pool).

Enter stage right, teenage son looking for a laugh.

Boy then takes the p**s out of his mother's attempts at lunges and squats and is actually looking like he is having some sort of 'turn' but actually says some other non-pc type descriptions.

Mother is now experiencing side splitting laughter @ son's impersonation and has to sit down to stop the tears from rolling down her face

Mother slightly put out of kilter, decides that run she will!!

Scene 2 Acts 1 to the end:

Despite her giggles quite randomly and embarrassingly in front of random dog walkers, the mother sets off and does a maintenance service type run, of a not to be sniffed at, 4km.

• distance 4km
• time 30 min with 5 min walk warm up thingie
• number of inappropriate giggles in front of strangers 2 
• number of commas needed when writing a play-quite a few!

Juneathon day 8

Wednesday 8th June 2011

Quick blog about today's exercise.

Zumba class:

• one hour
• number of wiggles-zillions
• number of salsa moves-loads
• number of new dances to tackle-a few
• number of old favourites dropped, leaving me sad-2

That's it for now. Hopefully back to running next.

nearly didn't do it!

Monday 6th June 2011

Well I was racking my brains for some sort of excuse to avoid running as I drove home from work today. Maybe I could check out the swimming timetable, I muttered to myself but then remembered how much I loathe council pools-so cold and also so full of kids/serious lane swimmers etc! Ahah-there is a zumba class I could go to tonight as well as Wednesday so that is a definite option. As you can tell from my ruminating, I was less than keen. As it turned out I picked running-which wasn't a bad plan. Managed a medium sort of plod tonight, nothing to shout about just a sort of maintenance service so to speak. 4km, 25mins + a walking bit at the end just to wind things up. Grand!

Juneathon day 4

Saturday 4th June


And on the 4th day I couldn't run at all-not possible! Actually, I was up pretty early since I had to drive through to Aberdeen to visit mum who isn't well these days. My parents live in a city which is my old home so I do always have that deja vu feeling when I arrive there but really don't fancy city living anymore. 
As I parked outside mum's house I noticed a runner coming up the pavement of the busy main road and I thought poor soul not having the fields and woods on her doorstep, then I thought I sounded like a right sanctamonious madam so I shut up!
Anyhow I had a good natter with my family, had a wander around some of my favourite shops and typically ended up buying a T shirt for my son.
So basically this is a big pile of excuses to say-NO RUN !!
Manjana! (spelling-anyone speak Spanish??)

Friday 3rd June 2011

Must be mad but did venture out in a scorching 26deg heat. The farm pathway looked like a moonscape as I plodded along knowing full well that this was going to be short, sweaty and yucky. It didn't disappoint. A few folk gave the kinda look that suggested pity or wtf! I just nodded in agreement as if I opened my mouth it would come  out as parched, grumbly shout over the top of the earphones!!

Off now for a cool shower and then toss the salad for a BBQ! Summer time is my time :)

• distance-prob about 2.5km
• time-20mins approx-there was a bit of walking
• music-audiofuel
• reward-a big juicy burger, then a kebab,and maybe a vino or three!

Juneathon day3

Thursday 3rd June 2011

What a scorcher of a day here in Forres-makes a huge difference to my life/mood! So I spent most of the day in the garden as it was a non work day for me. Not that there was much gardening going on though that's another story. I'm one of those people who gets all green fingered about once a year then I think I'd like some sage like gardener to come and do it all for me as I generally don't have a clue. Anyhow this isn't a gardening blog so I better move on.

Decided an early evening run would be best and so it was. Absolutely beautiful route through woods and farmland. Said hello to the sheep and cows oh and the grumpy bull. No dogs at all tonight-obviously they all had walkies earlier on. Decided that I would push on a bit from my usual 4.75km since there was no rush. 

Roll on tomorrow-actually today sine I am blogging this the morning after run. 

• 7.5km
• 45mins
• music Audiofuel/Muse/Rhianna

Wednesday 1st June 2011


It is Wednesday so it is always Zumba day for me. Worked all day so didn't run beforehand which I did try once and found that I was too tired for Zumba so don't do that too often!
Life is a bit stressful for me at the moment, no more than many I'm sure, so I am looking forward to the jog/log/blog cycle. It will take my mind off things.

• one hour Zumba class
• distance-impossible to say!

Friday 27th May 2011


5 weeks today and I'm away...not quite sure where but definitely Gatwick then who knows. Consequently, I have been acquainting myself with special offers on all  the usual travel websites looking for that elusive offer that isn't a pile of old tat. Quite tricky. Best avoid the tell-tale phrases-'animation (international), close to lively night spots, popular with the British holiday-maker and has authentic Eastender style pub/ quaint Irish Guinness bar on the door step. All  these are self explanatory but there are more subtle ones to catch the uninitiated.
Anyhow there is Juneathon to grapple with prior to any holiday taken either in London (if nothing else is booked) or somewhere else.
Did a wee run today between rain showers. Nothing like my mega run last weekend but still...

• distance-4.5km
• time-25mins
• music-Rush/Audiofuel
• mood-ok
• mind-in the Mediterrainean
• reward-tbc!

didn't know I had it in me!!

Sunday 22nd May 2011


I am referring to my..da.da.daaa 8k run this afternoon. Yesssss!!
 I was googling running club routes in my neck of the woods and decided to follow one that I knew really well but hadn;t run the length of it, only cycled it during the 'Janathon' month. Despite the wind blowing very much in the wrong direction I was determined that it would be possible. It was but at my absolute limits here folks.
Oh and by the way when I was looking up my runs on some mapping website that a fellow blogger recommended, I discovered that my regular run distance is just shy of 5k-not bad for a slacker. I think this must have spurred me on to greater adventures.


the low down:-

• distance 8k
• time 50 mins
• resistance to strong wind
• mood-iron will don't stop me now kind of thing
• music-audiofuel medium intensity + a bit of Muse/Zumba at the beginning and end for a laugh
• reward-very sore legs tomorrow and something cold and white tonight :)

run like the wind!!!

Thursday 19th May 2011


Well it was much more like run in the wind I'm afraid but I was determined to keep on going (unless my lucky cap blew off...). Not a very exciting route though, said hello to the sheep, cows and one whopping big bull who looked nonchalant in it's gaze.
An email about 'Juneathon' came through the other day and having quite recovered from 'Janathon' I felt that it might be a possibility-no excuse really considering lighter nights and hopefully seasonal weather! Hence the return to my blog site and ramblings. Hopefully I can borrow a friend's Garmin so I can actually see how far I'm running this time round-last time was quite wild guesswork.

Spring is in the air!!

Thursday February 10th 2011

I honestly feel like a girl who has skivved off school with my long absence from blogging! How weird is that as it is just cyberspace afterall!
I have been out for quite a few jogs since Janathon RIP but didn't feel the urge to write about them. Oh and Zumba still rules of course.
A magnificent, sunny morning rose up but I couldn't get out for run just yet as I had the inconvenience and the expense of a trip to dentist + hygienist to contend with first. I have to confess to being pretty terrified of the whole thing, which is made all the more surreal as my dentist is also a friend and so is his wife the hygienist. Open wide.
Survived but only just as I have to return sooner than I hoped due to a 25 year old filling needing restored...AHHH big needles, drilling noises, dribbling mouthwash cos my mouth isn't working...all these images flashed before me. In front of someone who I normally socialise with at semi glamorous occasions. Ho hum.
Run came later on and more than made up for dental experience. Sun was low in the sky (should have taken pictures...drat) tractor was busy doing tractor things, sheep looking sheepish and me jogging along to a mad, eclectic mix of music. Just the way I like it. Also-no gloves were worn-it must be Spring!!

Day 29

Saturday 29th January 2011

Nearing the end of Janathon now and a bit guilty that I didn't manage to do some form of exercise every day but did an awful lot more than usual so all is well.
A pretty calm, sunny-ish day boded well for a pleasant Saturday run but discovered that my son's clothes suddenly no longer fitted him, nor did his shoes. How can this be, I hear you ask? Well I must admit he has been eating us out of house and home for a long time now but I didn't expect quite such a huge result! Needless to say, we had to go clothes and shoe shopping first. As these things have a tendancy to go we ended up having burgers at a well known Burger chain first to keep body and soul together. Frankly wish I hadn't bothered but it did keep me upright as I negotiated my way through the shops.
Didn't get back till 5 o' clock so it was a street run in the dark. Not my favourite things to do but I was surprised how much i enjoyed it.

• distance 2.5 miles
• time 30mins
• burgers 1
• son growing up too quickly 1
• finances ropey

a grim run

Thursday 27th January 2011

I've certainly lapsed quite badly haven't I? I do have an extremely valid excuse in that each night after work this week I've had documents to prepare to do with a university diploma that I seem to have been co-erced into applying for. The irony is that it completely stressed me out-you know being so snappy and not sleeping, and it's only to support an interview I have on Monday. I may not be selected but I dread the idea of actually facing an 8000 word assignment. Ho hum. Work smurk.
Had training course this week so was very glad that we were 'let' out early today so yippee I had time for w quick jaunt through the woods to dream about the weeks when I was stress free and had no worries.
Life really is like buses. Nothing for ages then....

• distance pathetic 1 mile
• time 30 mins including some disgruntled walking
• feelings of rising panic-many

Janathon day 23-not long now!

Sunday 23rd January 2011

Still feeling achy from the efforts over the last few days and am now beginning to wonder if I'm coming down with something as I don't think it's exercise that's doing this!
Managed to have a routine sort of run, nothing great like last weekend ( well, for me anyway!) but it can't always be fantastic I guess. Covered the roughly 2.5 miles in usual 30 mins.
I've got a packed couple of weeks coming up so I'll have to be pretty clever to work in the running.
I think if I could just do my running in the Mediterrainean right now then it would really lift the game...;)

family cycle

Saturday January 22nd 2011

Finally managed to get a family cycle together-my once very active son is currently going through the 'leave me alone I want to lie in my pit' phase, which is ok in small doses but annoying most of the time.
Anyhow I decided that we would take a trip down memory lane and cycle around a wood that we lived next to in another life. There's a 13th century church hidden in the trees and much of the area looks like Hobbit land (well in my mind it does!)
Glad I wasn't running today as my muscles are still aching from yesterday but a wee cycle didn't really feel like proper exercise! Definately tomorrow.

• distance-about 2.5 miles
• time 1 hour with stop at church to have alook around esp. tombstone reading!!
• music-sound of birds chirping
• reward-felt like a 'good' mummy temporarily!!

pain in the butt

Friday 21st January 2011

Cruel Zumba moves left my backside more than a little traumatised. The thought of another run today was less than appealing but I knew that I had the perfect amount of free time so if I didn't go I'd kick myself!
Set off to repeat my run route from last Saturday but ended up doing something different-quite how that happened I'm not sure but maybe was sooo relaxed that I just jogged aimlessly in any direction?
Met a sceptical farmer along the way, he looked as if he was on his way from Larkrise to Candleford as he doffed his cap! Next character I clapped eyes on was a steaming big Highland cow. Luckily it was behind a fence and wasn't impressed by my efforts either!
My run turned out to be quite productive and I think I may actually remember to do some stretches.
Bye x

• distance 2.5 miles
• time 30mins
• characters from a BBC drama seen-1
• steaming cows-1
• sore butts 1

Thursday January 20th 2011

Right I'll say this now- feeling great that i did get out for run but a bit disheartened that for the next TWO weeks i am to be working every day so no doubt that will hit 'thoning' to bits! February is looking slightly better. On the plus side, all this dedication will ,I'm sure make keeping at the running more second nature especially as I get into the pattern of doing it (nearly) every day.
My hands are slipping over the keys as I just finished watching 'Alien' 1979 original on blu-ray and have rather sweaty palms!
Looking forward to a wee run tomorrow!

• distance about 2.5km
• time 30mins
• music audiofuel etc
• reward-quite a lot of peanuts seem to have disappeared :)

Zumba night!

Wednesday 19th January 2011

Zumba was hot and fast tonight, really enjoyed it and actually remembered lots of the moves! Must run later.
Short and sweet.

Sunday 16th January 2011

Tired today but got out and ran anyhow. Did a shorter run which was just as well 'cos I was competing with the wind-it won! Returned to discover my husband trying to solve a maths problem for a 15 year old friend's homework-with the help of google and a protractor. He asked me to have a look but felt sick to the stomach at the dreaded words sin, cos and tan. What a flashback and didn't want to face those tricksy things EVER again. He did feel proud that he 'thinks' he's nailed the problem. I  just sipped my water.

• distance 4km
• time 30mins
• music audiofuel

my best for a long time:)

Saturday 15th January 2011

Really, really chuffed with my run effort today. Decided to follow a route that a local running group has painted km markers and by my calculations did 5.5km!!!! It did mean that I was running on tarmac the whole time but, hey who cares-no ice/ rubble/tree roots/dog poo so all good. Oh and the icy hill that never thaws-yep you guessed, IT'S THAWED!

• distance 5.5km
• time 36mins
• music-audiofuel
• reward-huge!!

shedding a layer

Friday 14th January 2011

A landmark day. Only 2 layers worn on top so it felt positively Springtime!! Well it was a balmy 9 degrees which is a good temperature for a run. This feel good factor was reflected in a decent run today if I don't say so myself. It's funny - when I was little, the weather didn't feature in my thoughts unless it was sooo hot that I was allowed the paddling pool out, which rarely happened in the north east of Scotland I can assure you. I always wanted to wear summer clothes at the complete opposite time than you're supposed to. Nothing much has really changed come to think of it. Now however so much of how I feel and what I do depends upon the temperature. I can safely say that I was NOT destined to live in this climate.
Apologies for the meander down memory lane-less of a blog about running, more of a blog about nothing.

• distance-3km
• time-30mins
• music-same old
• mood-hope springs!

back in the saddle!

 13th January 2011

Well I did it!
This is actually my second posting today on account of doing yesterday's this morning. The day started off well when I got text from son's school to say it was closed! Puzzled, I peeked out of the window to see not a scrap of snow (hooray) but part of the school's roof I read had collapsed due to flooding. Naturally my son was delighted and it meant a day not entirely to myself. Somehow got conned into buying another DVD when getting sandwiches for lunch..no obviously doesn't always mean no!
Spent the rest of the morning perusing a luscious holiday brochure that a certain well known company send me every year despite the fact that their prices are quite a bit more than a DVD but not as much as a yacht. Enough procrastinating.
Eventually togged up and ventured out along my usual woodland path. A fellow runner (of the much younger/faster /male variety) sped past me nearly making me wish I had a taser to hand as my imagination ran riot. That's the thing about wearing headphones-you do set yourself up for these pulse racing moments when no real danger is around. As I haven't run since Sunday due to hectic work/ house/family commitments I was feeling a bit hopeful that today I would be magnificent, in a running way, but it was not to be. An average 'maintenance' type run I would say plus very wet trainers.

• distance-2 miles
• time 30 mins
• music-audiofuel
• frightening young male runners-1
• puddles-too many
• new trainer not looking so new-one pair

late blog after a few no blogs!

Thursday 13th January 2011

What I expected to happens has happened. The moment I go back to work the Janathon goes pear-shaped!
However i will hopefully be back on track on my days off. Last night was zumba night and teacher was obviously on a post festive mission to whizz up a frenzy. A very hot and salsa stepped Jude returned home an hour later! Thinking I may up the times I go to zumba since running after work is tricky just now.
Hoping to get out for a run later today but it won't be funny in the dreich Scottish mist. Tough call.

To sum up this late blog:- Day 12

• distance-hundreds of Salsa steps with added wiggles
• time-1 hour
• music-anything fast and Latino sounding/Bollywood mixed in
• reward-sitting doing French homework with my 12 yr old (not really a reward!)

Sunday 9th january 2011

Not going out...am going out...not going...oh well I think I will go! This was the conversation in my head this afternoon-I'm known for my decisiveness! Very glad that I togged up and boldly ran once again in the snow but mostly on the quieter roads as the pavements were worse underfoot. After yesterday's pathetic attempt I was quite amazed that things could pick up, not by loads but certainly an improvement. I think I was fuelled up with determination to get out before work starts again for me tomorrow..grrr. Well it was nearly 3 weeks so I musn't complain.

• distance-2.5 miles
• time-25mins
• music-audiofuel
• mood-a hint of bitterness tinged with hope
• reward-feet up in front of TV and a glass of something yummy ;)

barely at it at all!

Saturday 8th January
As you will have guessed from the title, I was off the boil today! Guess this is to be expected given that this is day 8 and beginning to get a bit tired.
I managed to suit up and get out there in the accurately forecasted snow before the sunset but my heart wasn't in it. Did more of a walky run bumping into several folk I had to chat to along the way. Glad I went out but makes for boring blogging.
On the up-side, I am going to a surprise 50th tonight...can't wait to see her face:) I am nowhere near 50, in case your wondering!

Friday 6th January 2011

I fear this may be the last snow free day as according to forecast we are due another icy blast tomorrow. Today was however, gloriously sunny and so skipped out along my usual route quite happily. Part of my upbeat mood was due in part I think to the purchase of a new super warm duvet yesterday and it seemed to have sleep-inducing powers. At least, I found it pretty difficult to leave this morning. My son was actually up, showered and dressed before me, saying that he was about to wake me up! His sudden show of organisation in the morning also aided the whole good mood feeling.
After he was off to school I did my usual round of picking up, cat feeding and general pottering.
I did plan to take some more photos to enhance this blog but forgot to take camera..again. The icy hill that will never thaw deserves a photo and a medal for endurance!

• distance-3 km
• time 30mins
• music-Bryan Adams/Lady Antebellum/Lisse/The Shins/Journey/Shakira- a right medley!!
• reward-tbc :)

24 days to go...!

Still at it!

Thursday 6th January 2011

Janathon day 5

legs of lead

January 4th 2011

Not one of my better runs today. Don't know why as I was mentally all geared up for it and clothes were washed (!) I thought I might try retracing my cycling route from yesterday but as I was jogging along a change of plan struck me. I think I secretly knew that I wouldn't make it and didn't fancy being stuck miles from home! Also I know this sounds pathetic but I only had a meagre bowl of soup for lunch and was now feeling a tad peckish.

A lively dog kept me company for a while as I kept a sneaky sideways glance to make sure it wasn't of the 'knock the nice lady over' variety. As I wasn't going to be throwing sticks for a laugh the dog soon lost interest.

On the way back I did face the icy hill that will never thaw, so did the sensible thing and gingerly walked up the edge, clutching at overhanging broom for help. I decided to walk a little bit more as it felt kind of good. Then I ran gloriously past some people washing their cars just to keep up the image/pretence. Then I was home.

"Good run darling?"

"yeah...great!" I enthused.

• distance-oh about 3 miles
• hunger-lots
• music-Audiofuel/Rush

Janathon day 3

Couldn't face a third run on the trot so got out the bike-"any takers?" I called round the house but a deathly hush fell. Actually I was feeling hacked off because I was to have a bit of company according to a quick discussion last night and also there was the dismantling of the xmas tree this morning. I swear I'll be finding said pine needles in May!! Apparently the best way to discover the little, sharp devils is walking around in the half darkness, barefoot.
Anyway, I'm getting distracted. So a cycle along a quiet country road which took in views of a cottage I once lived in and another that I call (quaintly) 'Honey Cottage.'
As I was zipping along, I noticed that some local running group had kindly painted km markings on the road. May be handy if I choose to actually run out this way soon! The air had a Grimm's fairy tale quality about it-damp, misty and ever so slightly ominous.
Was going to post a pic of eerie tree avenue but computer says NO!
Heres to tomorrow!

• distance 5km
• music-none
• weather-eerie Hansel and Gretel style!
• terrain-road/woods
• reward-tbc

Day 2 and still going!

Day 2

Just as well I'm not back to work yet cos when that happens I don't know how I'll fit these runs in. Anyhow another grey, dreich (Scot's word!) day and yes I get out my now trusty Saucony hurricane trainers and plug in the vibes ready for a wee run. Decide to take a different route today as yesterday's run was slightly hampered by slippy ice dodging. Hardly anybody about despite the fact that I ran past houses for part of the way. Did meet my neighbours playing pooh sticks down by the river bit they were concentrating so hard that they hardly heard me shouting Happy New Year over my loud music! I think that tomorrow I may take the bike out for a bit of a whirl and maybe even my hibernating pre-teen son could see some daylight too.

• 5 min walk/warm up-Rhianna 'Only Girl in the World'
• 25 minute run-Audiofuel 30 min coaching track med intensity
• 3 minute walk up the steep hill at the end (well, I'm only human)
• reward- Roasted hazelnut latte @ Costa...hmmm