Adventures and running

Ive done it again. I've managed to not update my blog for weeks (well days) on end.

however i am trying out a bluetooth keyboard and apart from some sticky keys every so often i am finding it abit easier to type on than the ipad screen. Definately easier to correct mistakes although it has just taken me about 5 mins to write the word definately.

So what have i been up to. Well the last two weekends have been race orientated. The  first was Amsterdam Marathon where i managed a respectable time of 4hrs 54 mins and 10 secs, wiping off 15mins off my London time. Considering I did less training for this one plus I started too fast (kept up with my friend Emily who runs faster than me and then second half i had to walk run) i was very happy. planning on putting a proper training plan together with cross training and making sure my nutirition is correct. Hoping to get my time under 4hrs 50. 

After the marathon Emily and I vegges and ate alot. We  did go round a lovwely museum the day before so it wasnt all running and eating.

How ever i did sustain a niggle in my foot which i hoped would go away by the following weekend. 

When I returned back to Bristol I spent alot of time sleeping (when not at work) and my friend Simon took me to Pieminster to celebrate my marathon. I probably ddiint enjoy it as much as I could have as I was faling asleep.

Saturay of the weekend just gone, i headed up to Leicester. To run a half marathon. I stayed at my friends Clare and Keiths and it was lovely to see them.Clare was getting ready to head to Morrocco in the early houra of the morning on a school trip so it was up to Keith to see me safely to the start of the race. Theniggle was still there but alot better so figured I would be ok running with it... big mistake.Mile 7th mile, the muscle on the underside of my left foot decided it had had enough and started to cause me a lot of grief. The only way to contimue was to hobble/run/walk. I went up onto my toes for a little while but that caused other muscles to protest. I eventually hobbled in but I waspleased i had finished. It  wasnt a wellorganised race. Not enough toilets and running along side traffic on busy roads. Still I got anice medal and bright orange t shirt.

My foot has been taped up and Keith didnt mind me lying around watching Tv on his sofa. Today at work my foot has been in constant acheyness and Ive alternated between having it up on a chair and not having it up on a chair. I wanted to get stuff done but I cant stand on it too much and i have to keep trying to rest it. Not running this week -prob not next week either but I have no races till February so its no biggy. just need to ease myself back in and then I can start booking the races in for 2015. My main race is the marathon I will be running in Toronto in May.

The other problem is that as I cant run, I really want to run. Tonight was really boring. Room needed tidying as I have been a whirlwind in and out of my room. As im busy every night now till next week this was my last chance to do it before next week. Ive unpacked from Leicester and started thinking about waht to pack for this weekend. The nxt two weekends after that I am in Bristol but already busy. Then off to Brum and Scotland for the end of November. December is starting to fill up and Im sure illstart  booking in visits to people for Jan. Feb-April I will have to be clever with my time, as t will be training, so prob wont be seeing people much and then I have my three weeks in Canada when I get to see my amazing family. Im sure ill have more adventures planned after May but for now Ill enjoy the next few months and live life to the full. The new year approcahes and it can only get more exciting.

Flying solo with no electricity

So I am here in Amsterdam with Emily. Ready to run a marathon in two days time. Well I'm kind of ready. I'm sure I'll make it round. 

We both headed from different airports.emily from Heathrow and myself from Bristol. For me it was my first time flying alone. I've flown before but usually with other people so this time was a tad exciting. I watched as people queued up for the bag drop that wasn't even opened yet (you've checked in, you'll get your seat) , got felt up in security (security lady touched up my ass) and watched people jousting for position to get on plane (again it's prebooked seats!). I decided to take Sals approach which was pretty laid back and moved only when I needed to. What was the rush people! Met Emily at the amsterdam airport and we use the metro to get to our apartment. We are staying in an apartment so we can cook pasta when we need to plus it's just easier to chill out in an apartment. We managed to navigate a supermarket to get a few supplies before settling in for the night. TV was amusing. Some guy cooking quiche (in Dutch) - he was no Jamie Oliver. And the bbc programme The Musketeers. Actually there are a lot of British programmes. One wonders why they can't make their own.

Friday morning had an interesting start to it when I plugged the kettle and tripped the flat. So no electricity. That meant no coffee for Emily. That was not good. So we got washed, headed out to the marathon expo to collect our numbers. The expo was alright but not as good as the London one. Plenty to see and buy but I didn't buy anything. We did get a free t shirt (decent one too) and wristband. We also took a photo of us by our numbers. As we had no electricity the mobile phones were for emergency use only. When we got back there still wasn't any electricity and we were deciding to go and ask the cafe up the rd if we could charge mobiles when the landladys friend turned up. We worked out it was the kettle that had cause the problem and we were swapped a new one. We have electricity. Operation charging stuff had begun. With that problem sorted we went out to the supermarket to get weekend supplies. After trying to work out what ingredients were in things we headed to the tills and one was card only. As we were paying with card that wasn't a problem. What was the problem was is that they only accepted maestro which neither Em or I have. Luckily there was an ATM in the shop which took Visa so I quickly got some cash but as that till only took card I asked em to take the new packed shopping to another queue and we would have to have rescanned. When I got back Em was in the queue for the card only till - I pointed out the error and she realised what she was doing and moved to a till that took cash. We had to move fast because the ice cream was already starting to melt so when we got back to the flat we threw it in the freezer. After that we decided a little walk would be a good idea and we went for a little jaunt. Amsterdam is very pretty. Now chilling before starting today's pasta fest. 

Catching up

So again I've forgotten the blog. Looking at the date if the last one I'm a little behind so I'll either have to write a massive long blog or just summarise... I'll summarise.

So two weekend ago I pass my motorbike theory test. The was almost violence as the guy next to me wouldn't stop humming. Luckily for him he stopped. Not that I would have done anything because I wanted to pass. How I passed I don't know. I was sure I failed but somehow I passed. I now have 2 years to do my test in. I'm thinking of doing a week intensive course, somehow I think it's easier. I'm hoping to look at doing spit next year but it is down to finances and what else I'm doing.

I also ran the Bristol half marathon in a time of 2hrs 10. Not an overall personal best but it was a pb for Bristol so please there. I'm running brighton half in feb and aiming for 2hrs at that one. But before that I have amsterdam marathon and Leicester half to run. Currently tapering in readiness for amsterdam. I'm currently fighting a cold off so today I'm doing nothing. I spent some time in the sunshine but sleeping seems to be on the agenda so I can run tomorrow. Aiming for about 12 miles. My problem at the moment seems to be eating enough. I'm just so tired all the time!

The last few weeks have been busy with seeing people in the evenings and chilling out. Been catching up with friends, running, watching great British bake off with my landlady. I saw my mate mo who I haven't seen in ages and I was finally able to give her my Yule present to her. Everyone is just so busy it's difficult to catch up.

I've also been doing my painting. Probably going to do a bit more later or tomorrow. I'm currently working on a sunset scene. Has oranges and yellows and reds. Needs some pink and then a silhouette of a tree against it. Well that's the plan. I've also got a few others in the pipeline which I need to jot down. Got a load of glass beads that I want to use and some crazy ideS for them. Hmmmm. Need to clear off my crafting table... Again lol

Oh and I have signed up for toronto marathon cos I didn't get into London marathon. Going to combine it with seeing family and having some adventures. So just need to get accomodation and flights sorted.wxcited about May 2015. 2015 I might also do a week in the sun, depending on my finances. It's all about how to juggle the finances. Lol

Run before the storm

Wow what a light show last night. Coming back from the first run of the Weston Prom series, the lightning (hope I've spelled it right) lit up the sky. It was an awesome sight and brought back some lovely memories of watching storms on the continent. The spread of the forks across the sky was spectacular. What wasn't awesome is the thunder did keep me awake so it took forever to fall asleep which was surprising as I was knackered.

First race of the Weston Prom Series. 9 races, 5 miles, up and down the sea front. Not the most interesting of races, once you have gone up and down and you have to realise you have to do it again it's a bit blergh. The very first time I attempted it a few years ago I didn't manage 5 miles, only managed 2.5. This time though it was 5 miles under 48 mins which I'm pleased with. Now just need to get that time down. Started too fast this time but running with friends kept me going and I kept going, without stopping with a sprint finish at the end. I saw the clock at 47 and though I'm getting in under 50 mins. Possibly pushing myself with a Half marathon on Sunday wasn't the greatest idea but I'm pleased anyway. The main reason is the social aspect. A number of us went for curry after at the pub. I didn't go large for a pound and I still didn't manage to eat it all. I did have a chocolate brownie and two  cookies at work yesterday maybe that filled me up lol. Bit I'm looking forward to the next run. Hopefully it'll be a bit cooler. 

Gotta revise for me motorbike theory test tomorrow. Wish me luck

Canada planning

Just back from spending a lovely evening with my friend Carole. Her little boy is 9 months old and it doesn't seem five mins that she was pregnant so time flies when you are having fun. And it does feel like time is flying in which case it won't be long till I'm back in Canada visiting my family so I thought it best I start thinking about what  I wanted to do when I was out there. Logistics will need to be looked at but for what I can see the Greyhound is an option and not too dear. Also something's I may have to book especially as I am heading over in spring when the marathon is on (as I'm hoping to run it).

So what things am I thnking of doing

-CN tower revolving restaurant - even if all I do Is have lunch or a slice of cake

-CN tower edge walk - this is still a maybe as last time I was at CN tower there was no way I was doing it but you know what, you only live once and I don't know when I'll get the chance again. Obviously it's dependent on weather.

- a wine tour - there are loads of them and some are done by bicycle or car or scooter. I think if I'm drinking wine someone else should be in charge

- Algonquin park - Ontario has lots of parks but this one has been suggested. You can hike, nature watch, canoe etc. It had adventure day tours so that will be something I'm checking out. You can stay nearby or camp. As I'm not taking my camping stuff I may stay in one if the lodges that has bunks and dorms so a cool way to meet people. 

- Niagara falls - just so I can say I have been three times lol

- Day trip to America. Niagara is right next to the border so could hop over for lunch

This is just a starter if ten. I have several months to really start thinking about it and want to cram as much as I can in, as well as seeing the family lol.

Back in the week...

Wow I haven't been posting on my blog for ages. Well luckily I can say it's cos I've been busy rather than I couldn't be bothered. Let me do a run down over the last week and then my blog will be back on track

Thursday 4th sept

Got picked up by Jenny and we headed over to the hotel for Lacey's wedding the following day. We took a bit of a detour as I lost my sense of direction and we missed a couple of the directions with the sat nav so we possibly didn't go the direct route but it was fun plus we got to go over a cute little bridge for 70p. When we arrive we chatted with friends before heading to bed. Thankfully our single room had become a family room so no need for a sleeping bag and an air bed.

Friday 5th sept

The big day. It was a sunny day and the venues were lovely. Everyone looked like they having a good time. I had managed to forget my shoes but luckily for me most of my girlfriends pack multiple shoes so I had others to choose from. I lasted about 4 hours before I hD to change into my flats. I drank copious amounts of alcohol but luckily for me no hangover :)

Sat 6th sept 

Very tired but as mentioned before no hangover. We all headed home after collecting cars from the venue and stopped on the way to check out the mulberry factory shop. Couldn't really afford anything but it was nice to wonder round and poke things. When I got home I slept some more and did some shopping before eating a large bowl of pasta.

Sun 7th sept

My marathon is getting closer so had to fit a long run in. Went and did 19 miles which I was pleased with. 

Tuesday 9 sept

I tried climbing and bouldering. Yes me I did it! I think I prefer bouldering but I am going to do a beginner course in climbing. If only to learn how to descend gracefully. As it was I would lean back (as instructed), put my hands on the harness (as instructed), place my feet on the wall and start walking down (as instructed), swing and bounce back into wall and then slide down with your back against the wall (not as instructed). The instructor couldn't work out how I was doing it. Every single time. Bouldering was very cool except sometimes I would jump down and forget to let go so pulled my shoulder muscle a bit.

The rest if the week was a jumble of running, catching up with friends and generally being busy (a bit like this week). Sunday was bliss just lying in bed doing nothing. Relaxing and having time to myself. 

I may do a retrospective blog to look back at the days I've missed but for now I'm signing off x

Showering in the dark

Sooo the lights have gone in the house. There is power to everything else (plug sockets etc) just not to the lights. Or the oven. For some reason the oven ain't working either. The breaker is refusing to stay up and stubbornly staying in the middle so an electricin is being called. It's probably something simple but we can't figure it out. I did message my dad and go through some basic stuff. It means that this morning I had breakfast and got dressed in the dark and this evening I had it have a shower before it got dark. There is currently a lamp in the hallway so I can get to the bathroom without walking into something and it's directed at the bathroom door so the light shines though so you can see what you are doing in there. All that time walking round my flat in the dark has really paid off. I knew it would come in useful one day. I must admit I prefer darkness however it is weird switching the light switch and nothing happening. 

I got my eyebrows threaded today. I was looking at my face and thinking urg blackheads when I realised my eyebrows needed doing. Luckily for me the salon could fit me in and now I have tidy eyebrows. I also have bought some face stuff that clears blackheads in one day. So see how that goes. Maybe my face will disappear. Sat doing my nails. Well I've finished now cos I wouldn't be able to write this blog if I had just done my nails, I totally understand why people pay other people to do their nails for them. I get bored so quickly. I keep thinking that mabe once a month I'll treat myself to a facial or having my nails done. There are some things I need to do regularly like getting my eyebrows tidyied etc. I should really have a better regime. Although saying that I do have a skin care regime and I am getting good at doing it morning and night. Not doing it tonight cos I used the blackhead stuff  -ahhh.

Waffling now about random stuff. Which may or may not be interesting. Depends who is reading it. Thinking I might go into work early again tomorrow, let's hope my PC behaves it self and doesn't need rebooting twice! The beauty of going in early is I get an hour to just get on with work and I can go home at four and I've still done a full day. 

Yep I'm definately rambling now so I'm going to say farewell for now. I'm off to wedding on Friday so my next blog entry probably won't be until Saturday when I hope to write up about a wonderful time:D