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

1st January 2010

I am a 40+ young-at-heart girl who is a blogging novice and I like running amongst other things. I started doing this mainly because I have read some inspiring blogs and thought why not, it's a New Year and yes, I did make it out for a run!

Armed with my new running trainers and jacket I ventured out to the woods. I'm pretty lucky that I live right next to miles of potentially excellent running ground...so no excuses. A recent Arctic winter spell has meant that my running routine has gone out of the window apart from the odd foray through some pretty hellish slush and ice. I felt surprisingly keen to get out there now that last night's party had slipped my mind.
Being New Year's day there were many dogs being walked and fuzzy heads being cleared. A few months back I was embarrasingly knocked down by two biggish excited doggies, so you can understand why I am now a tad wary.The snow had almost thawed to leave a sliver of ice down the middle of the path which forced me to run scratching through the overhanging broom bushes-an added joy.

In total I ran for 25 minutes with a little warm up walk first. On my ipod was blasting Audiofuel 30 minute track to keep my motivation up.

• number of times not knocked over by yapping dogs 0
• level of motivation-high
• fuzzy head- 0
• minutes ran-25