Yep I've returned

It's been almost two weeks. I'm sorry. I neglected you. So I'm writing now. Do you forgive me? I'll be more up to date, but obviously not writing boring crap like - I ate dinner.

Sooo I have been fighting off a cold. Haven't been able to run which I think has upset me more. I was so lurgified that I ended up having a day off work. I was proper ill. It seems to have calmed down a bit down. It has meant I've lost more weight due to a loss of appetite but I've sorted that with a pizza round my mates house. I'll have those 3lb back on in no time. And being busy of an evening is the other reason I have been lax in my blogging. I've been pretty much catching up with local friends ( or waiting for buses that never turned up). This next week will be a little bit more sedate unless I have forgotten to add stuff in my calendar in which case stuff is going to jump up from behind the sofa and I'll go 'oh yeah' I was supposed to do that. Running will be the main focus of my time as I have to start training for my first race if the year which is just over 5 weeks away, with the big race just over 15 weeks away.. Shit!

Races away do mean accomodation so brighton hotel now booked for Brighton half marathon. I have my hotel booked and my flights booked for Toronto (although passport is in wrong name). All that left for Toronto now is to book some fun stuff to do, oh and save some money so I can afford to do the stuff!  At least staying with family means I don't have too many accomodation costs. 

That then leads me to thinking about my other holiday time. Well there is two more mountains being walked up and I might be hopping on over to France for a camping and cycling holiday. Actually I'm thinking more camping, more wine and less cycling. Maybe I could have a holiday where there is less exercise - that would be a novelty. Oh and potantially a skiing holiday but that will depend on cost as well. Beauty of local government. Loads of holiday but no money to actually spend ha ha. 

Just have to make the most of my weekends... When I'm not running 18 miles ;)

Muscle weighs more than fat... Doesn't it?

I'm not sure how but I've managed to lose weight. Only a lb (well maybe 2lb but the scales aren't that easy to read). I'm not supposed to be losing weight. Im supposed to be maintaining it or at least putting it on. Im the only person I know that is currently keeping a food diary to ensure that enough food is consumed. I will admit I'm under the amount today and yesterday. I have been eating my smoothies, maybe I need to increase the volume. Who knows, its a fun balancing act.

What I do want to know is where that lb has gone from. Better not be from my chest. That needs all the help it can get!

So running today. What a surprise. I warned you, I'm training again, that means running will be mentioned. It was a tad chilly but I warmed up and had a nice easy run with the club. Respectable 5 miles. Going to try for 6 tomorrow.

Oh and cooked proper food yesterday. Quinoa and tofu stirfry, all from scratch. Who knew I could cook. Well actually I did, I just choose not to.

Happy New Year

So its 2015.well four days into 2015 to be precise. I would have blogged sooner but the bluetooth keyboard im borrowing hd run out of juice so i had to charge it up, plus cut my nails cos it is very hard to type with long nails on asmall keyboard. to be honest i think ill invest in a bigger keyboard.

Sooo i have done my first run of 2015. Managed 5.5 miles. Was aiming for 6 because I need to start my marathon training and need to build up the miles. But its a good start, plenty of hills which is good for the marathon im doing in October (yes im doing another marathon in October). This years races are 2 halfs, 2 marathons and potentially 2 10ks. There may be more but I think this may be enough, I dont want to overdo it. the next 15 weeks will be training for Toronto marathon. I need to check out the course but it looks to be fast and downhill. I should finish it before the sweeper coach though. Partt of this years training is looking at nutrition. I have bought a blender and already had a pre run and post run smoothie. I recommend soya choc milk,almond butter and cherries after a run, yummy :). ive got to keep an eye in my fat intake as almond milk which I have started drinking can be a bit fatty. i may revert to soya as it has more protein in it than almond. Ive also switched to drinking hot water and lemon at home (although still drinking tea at work as I need the caffine). I woont bore you the rest of my dietary details but Im hoping they work. From 12 Jan my training plan kicks in so there will more talk of running and strength training.

After Toronto marathon Im planning on spending just under 3 weeks in Canada. Some time with my family and some time exploring. Depends on expenses of course, but Ive seen a couple of things I want to check out.A wine tour I think is a must. Be nice to go for acouple of days and stay elsewhere and meet up with new people.  we shall see.

Ill also be walking up mountains again. 2 this time. Not sure which 2 we settled on. There are 2 in Ireland and one in Isle of Man. but it will be fun and I look forward to catching up with me mates again, camping and having a good laugh. 

Thats all that is planned at the moment but I hope to have many adventures this year. I need to get off my backside and visit people. Unfort I do lose a bit of time when I get into my longer runs becasue they take several hours and wipe me out for the rest of the day. But the right amount of planning I hope to spendsome time with friends and family in the summer. 

Wishing everyone a wonderful 2015 xxx

Catching up with friends before they run away

I have had two awesome weekends with some stuff happening in between. And the awesomeness isn't even over yet.

So last weekend was my friends Simon's birthday. I had a day off work on the Friday so we headed to e Christmas market where we watched a guy playing with green goop outside the Lush shop and then we blew bubbles with him with our hands. I thought that was rather cool. Then it was the usual task of eating German sausages whilst indulging in alcoholic hot choc (or in Simons case - beer)

There is also a snow globe that you can play in but we didn't do that. Might indulge in that another day.

Saturday saw me attempting fairy cakes. Not my best batch ever but they did have comic book hero icons (batman, superman, captain America etc etc). I won't give my day job up just yet but they didn't look too bad. Once the cakes were safely delivered to the restaurant I headed to laser quest. Played two games. First game was everyone for themselves and I came 2nd. I was beatend by Jon who is the terminator I reckon. He was awesome. So to come second I was incredibly chuffed. The second game we wre in teams and there are some students mixed in as well. Some students had no clue what they were doing and were easy targets. Some students were very hot and I followed them. Most of the time I hid in a hides hole and got people as they went past. Came fourth in that game so again very pleased . Look out people I can use a gun lol. 

After shooting people with lasers we heading to a Greek restaurant where we ate copious amounts of food (some got taken home) and the whole restaurant sang happy birthday to simon. Well it see,did like they did. The evening ended with drinking. 

This weekend was a complete contrast. It was very chilled and I loved it. I visited friends in Birmingham. Whenever I visit them I try to go to my favourite shop in the whole wide world - The Oasis. A heavenly place of alternative wear. This weekends misson - to find the dress for my works xmas party. Now I was being sensible this time. I'm 35 in a couple of weeks and so I do feel my days of skin tight latex are numbered. So I was going for something tasteful. And I found it. It's beautiful. I need help getting in and out so logistics are required but I have fallen in love with it. I just need to accessorise and I'm wearing to the next event after the xmas party that I can. Maybe I could run in it... Unlikely.

I also managed to get some new running trainers which is good timing since I'm starting my marathin training again in January. They are very pretty and they felt so comfy. Hopefully they will stay comfy. 

I checked out the Birmingham xmas market which is a bigger version of Bristol xmas market. I'll be checking one out in Scotland next weekend as well. And I'm sure there is plenty of time to check others out before Christmas. 

The rest if time was chatting and drinking lots of tea whilst discussing Sian running a 10k which I sadly can't run with her (clashes with marathon) plus the next three mountains we are all climbing in 2015. Logistics are going to be interesting this time as we have extra peeps including sprogs (not mine!!) but I think it will be fantastic fun again. Looking at Isle of Man, and the two Irish ones. My marathn training may limit when I'm available. And I'll have to work any other races round them. But should be a fun packed year. 

Currently deciding if it's worth doing an adventure marathon in 2016 ( after saying that toronto would be my last). I really am tempted by the polar marathon although not sure how I would train for it. Maybe I could go to a warehouse with a freezer section and run laps in it. Plus I want to do my motorbike licence at some point.so much I want to do and not sure how I'm going to fit it all in. Good job I've kinda given up the idea of having kids. Don't have time ha ha ha.

Off up to Scotland to see other peeps next weekend. I've decided to do my blog weekly unless I have something amazingly fun to say. So probably be updating on Monday 1 December. 

Quiet week

It's been a week since I blogged. Very lax. Currently sitting trying not to think about the chocolate on the table. Which is my landladys birthday chocolate. 

Soooo what have I been up to since last time I blogged. Wellll I met up with my mate Liz at the Watershed. I haven't been to the Watershed in ages so it was really nice to meet up there. Had a nice meze and enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine. The wine was definately well received. Had had a busy day. I do love catching up with people over wine and meze. It's always fun.

Friday saw me watching the weston carnival. I haven't been to carnival for years. It was amazing, the clubs are definately getting better. The floats were fantastic. Went along with Dave and Hannah and it pissed down with the rain. We got soaked to the point I lost feelings in my hands. But it was worth it. 

The weekend that followed was a lovely and chilled. I went to the comic book store and oh my goodness there is so much I want to buy. Heading there after work on Thursday. Feeling like a kiddie in a candy store. Cannot wait.

This week I've been haven't been doing much because I've been working late at work. So tonight it will be the apprentice and tomorrow it is my Friday. Next week will be running

Tidy your room or you are grounded

Watching The Apprentice after a long day. I would love to interview propel by setting them tasks. The episode today was particularly cringeworthy. I won't go into detail as people may not have watched it yet. But it was dire. These are supposed to be intelligent people... Aren't they?!?

This week has been busy again. Monday was supposed to be an evening of sorting stuff out, mostly my room (I feel like such a teenager when I say that). As I have been rushing in and out, stuff has just been dumped and I have a corner where there is just piles of stuff. It needs to be sorted so my room can be a sanctuary of calm... Also I think my room has swallowed two packets of noodles, a tin of kidney beans and a packet of rice. Either that or the kitchen pixie has eaten them. I know I haven't!

Tuesday was off up to patchway to see my mate Babs. Apart from missing my bus and getting caught in traffic it was a lovely evening and it was great to see her. Next time I hope to arrive on time.

I have decided that after next Weds, that the following Weds will be me days. Days where I pamper myself, where I don't worry about my room or anyone else and focus on me. My skin is getting spotty and dry and my feet need a good pedicure. So weds will be a leave on time day and get home and it's all about me. So I need to get my room sorted for that to happen lol. Starting to formulate some ideas for sorting that corner out. But sorting will have to wait as I'm heading to the Watershed tomorrow to meet Liz and Friday I'm going to watch Westin Carnival. 

Well I don't think I can for a minute that my life is dull. 

Poppies and rock

Well the foot hasn't let up but it is getting easier to walk. Running still isn't an option. I tried running for the bus and still missed it, plus foot hurt so not a great idea. Spent the day at work with my foot up on a chair. And it difficult trying to type at an angle.

Spent Weds evening with my mate Dave. Bought him dinner which consisted of one of the take away meals in a box from tesco. I'm very classy me. Still it was nice to have a catch up, watch a movie and eat fake Chinese food. The great thing about Dave is he has known me for years and I can slob and there are no airs and graces cos he knows exactly what I am like.

Thursday I sat and watched other people run. If I'm not able to run next month (unlikely as I am getting better) then I must remember to take a book cos sitting waiting for people to run past you when you have no entertainment is a tad boring. It's fine when people are running past you cos you can shout out to them. Plus the food at the pub after is always nice. Opted for the gammon. Wetherspoons curry doesn't inspire me. The nice thing about Thursday night was knowing I had a lie in on Friday.

Friday was Halloween, Samhain, All Hallows' Eve etc etc. so obviously I was going to have a day off. I have finally eaten in Grillstock. It was yummy. I like pulled pork and I like cider so all in all I was happy girlie. The evening was a party and I got to dress up. Again I'm happy. Went for simple, devil costume thing. If I thought I could get away with bright red hair then I would have my hair in a bright red bob. Played drinking pass the parcel and almost had a glass of wine tipped over me (by accident, I wasn't starting any fights). Then in Saturday I headed to London with my friend Simon to see Black Stone Cherry. My first Wembley gig, and I'd never heard of the band before. London decided that shutting several bits of the underground would be a good idea and we eventually turned up at our hotel at 5 something, scoffed down some room service and headed over to the venue... Which was a one minute walk as we were on the doorstep. Epic, awesome. Theory of a DeadMan and Black Stone Cherry are now firm favourites. They were amazing to see live. The atmosphere was fantastic. Loved it.

Sunday was the obligatory sightseeing. Stood in a queue for a while to see the ceramic poppies which were fantastic, I didn't queue for the whole time cos it was raining and I managed to get a glimpse. Then went to see a exhibition of paintings and drawings on witches and wicked bodies at the British Museum. Well worth seeing, plus we got to see an ancient Chinese scroll which only goes on view a couple of weeks at a time as it is so fragile. 

Monday seems a bit dull now.