Sunday - Totnes 10k

So - I was up at 8.30 - and we were out just after 9am - making our way to Totnes for a 10K run/race.  I thought I had received an email saying - if you are not used to hills you might want to do some training - but when I went back to try and find this - all I could find about the course was a statement saying 'mostly flat'.  So...I assumed the email about the hills must have been about another course.

It was difficult to tell when we got there as you could not see the course at all - where it was going to go or anything. 

I was nervous - it was very hot - probably the hottest I've ever run in and no clouds.  There were a lot of people - and most looked really fit and slim - like proper runners lol. 

We were off....we went across a field and out...straight to a standstill as there was gridlock! I thought straight away - well this isn't going to be a personal best! Once through it was quite narrow so you could only go the pace of the people in front.  It would widen out a bit and then go narrow again - and a few times we would be walking.  There were also steps that I had to walk (probably would anyway!).  It was gorgeous scenery! The trail would be rocky one minute, then huge tree roots - so not too easy to run - then there was a massive hill! Felt more like rock climbing rather than a run!!  The down hill bit - where I would normally try and make up time - was single file so i couldn't really run full pelt like I usually do.  It was fun! I say that now - I know at the time I didn't really think so hahah.  Eventually I started to be able to hear the guy on the microphone in the field at the finish line - and it sounded far away lol.  I was quite knackered and couldn't really manage much of a sprint on the way in - my time was 1hr 15m....quite bad! But not considering the queues and hills and terrain! 

So - I was still a little disappointed with my time - but quite happy too - that I had done it!

We wasted no time - got back to the car and back home!  I decided to have a lounge in the bath for a while - which was really nice.

We didn't really do much after that - watched a film in the evening....

Sunday - Exeter 10k - then Newquay Cornwall

So - Andy woke me up when my alarm went off (as I had ear plugs in and didn't hear it!) and I got up - not feeling 100% but not as hung over as I could have been!  I got ready for my run and we arranged with the hotel that I could come back and get showered afterwards.  We went off for the run!

I was a bit nervous to be honest - 10k run - it could possibly get really ot and I might possibly start feeling ill!!  We hung around a bit - and then we were off!  It was a fast start really - first 1k was just under 6 minutes - which is fast for me - and I managed to stay a fairly quick pace for the first 3k or so!  I saw Andy who took a few pics...it was really nice to see him while on the run - and the next time I saw him - Helen, Paul and Eli were there!!  Made me feel quite emotional really!!  Or - as the woman I was sort of running with at the time said - 'totes emosh' lol.  I saw them a couple of times and it really spurred me on!!  I felt okay on the run! I never find it easy and some hills were still too much - but I ran my fastest pace - an average of 6.30 per kilometer.  I didn't get an official time - it was a Race for Life - cancer research UK.  My watch also told me that I had only ran 9.8k but at the pace I ran and from the stats I had - I did it in 1hr 5m.  So I was really happy with that!

So - after that and a quick chat with Helen and Paul - we rushed back to the hotel so I could get a shower - and then we headed off to Newquay in cornwall.  We booked a hotel for 2 nights - as we sat in the car about to leave lol.

We arrived in about an hour and a half - and got booked in no problems!

The room was really nice - the bathroom tiny - which isn't a problem and the view was pretty cool!!

We got sorted and then went for a walk!  Not that my legs were still aching or anything lol.  The beach was amazing - never really seen a beach looking like that in the UK before - sunny for a start lol...big, packed and the sea looked awesome!  

We continued walking around the coast line - taking in the views and just feeling great!  

We then stopped off at a pub and sat and had a couple of drinks - outside watching the people of the beach and the seagulls! We were there quite a while.

We then headed off to another place for a bit where we joined in a pub quiz and bingo hahaha - didn't win either but did discover a new gin - Tanqueray Sevilla (which Andy ordered a bottle of on Amazon).  We then decided to head back to the first place for food as it had looked awesome.  The place was called Bellushi's....we headed back after this - and crashed - I was still feeling so stuffed....

Saturday - Park Run

I was up quite early because Andy was snoring...so I went up to the top attic floor to sleep and all the cats followed me - I can't shut them out as there is only a curtain to shut off that room! They woke me up constantly...then the bright bright sun was up at 5am!  I got up about 7.30 and got ready for the run...the others appeared about 8.10...and we left on time about 8.40am

So....park run...with Lissa, Erika and Adam!

We all started off together...a fairly slow start because of the volume of people...it wasn't long at all until Adam said...see ya! Not long after Lissa went off ahead.  Me and Erika stuck together for a while...then I was struggling to I backed off.  I kept Erika in my sights (and Lissa for a while - but then couldn't see her anymore).  I needed to walk and get my breathe twice, and I saw Erika get a bit further away....the last 1.5km I tried to increase my speed slightly so I wasn't so far behind Erika...I slowly slowly closed the gap a bit...but it was killing me lol.  On the last 2-300 metres I was right behind Erika and was going to try and get past her, but as I tried to increase speed - she did too! I past a guy who acted as though he was not impressed and it felt like he tried to pass back in front of me - so I gave it everything I had! lol.  I tell you this as he ended up in the same photo (below)....he didn't get past me!   Erika came in just before me with a girl between me and her.  As soon as she past the finish line - she went off to the side and threw up! lol. 

So our times were.....

Adam - 25:34 (ish...as he didn't have a barcode)
Lissa - 29:41
Erika - 31.54
Me - 31.57

So....my time was exactly the same as my previous pb.  So I was really pleased....so was Lissa for getting under 30...although she's done it in 26 before...

It was awesome having family run it with me - and a great way to start the day!

Some pics....

The only one I could find of Erika (top left corner)

Adam....

Me and Lissa

Lissa

Me

Sunday - Chew Valley 10k!

So....my alarm went off at 6.30am - very early for me! But I was up and getting ready straight away - didn't want to leave late and put more stress on myself about getting there on time - it was about an hour away.  Andy then appeared and said he was coming with me! yay!!! I really wanted him to come with me but didn't want to put pressure on him to come with me as he is up so early every day with work.  So - he drove (big relief).  I was chatting about the run - saying that the quickest I'd ever ran 10k was 1.09/1.10 so my aim was 1.10 however, I knew that there was a huge hill, and so as long as I got less than 1.15 I'd be happy.  I just wanted to get my first 10k under my belt!

We got there about 8.20am after negotiating tiny little country lanes....as we approached I could see markers saying 6KM and 5KM so I knew we were driving on the route I'd be running...it looked hilly lol.  We eventually got parked - it was very busy! Then I went and got my number and my t-shirt - and then we had ages to wait around - which I hated - I just wanted to get on with it!!  After a big group warm-up we eventually made our way to the start - Andy made his way to the BBQ to get a bacon butty lol.  I ended up near the back - as it is organised in to times - so the people that could run it in less than 40 minutes went at the front! How they can run it in that time I don't know!

When the gun went off it took me over a minute to get to the actual start line - but I had a chip in my number so that didn't matter....and off I went.  Quite slow at first because I couldn't get past the mass of people there....but it was a nice steady pace.  I kept going and at about 3km I had a small breather....I didn't think I was doing well and those first few kilometres were not easy, and at 3km it seems you still have soooo far to go....at about 4.5km we hit "The Hill", I'd chatted a little to the people around me - asking when we'd hit the hill and one woman said she thought it was around 4km....I thought - that's good because it will be downhill after that!  They were giving out jelly babies just before the hill - which I took! and there were water stations - so it was nice to have a bit of water - something I don't usually have on a run!  So - the Hill....it was a killer - I couldn't run up it - and walking up it was really hard - my heart rate was so high even though I was walking - but the ppl that could run up it were not going much faster than me - so I thought - I'll make up the time on the down hill!  Finally got to the top and it took a while to get my breathe back - but I was off again....however, rather than coming down hill there seemed to be more up hill bits! I joked to the people around me about these hills and wanting to know where the down hill was!!  It was not really until about 8km that it started to come down!  There were loads of ppl cheering us on after about 6km which was really nice, primary school kids banging drums and chanting - you can do it! There was a choir! and a bloke with a hose pipe so you could run under the water lol.  It was so cool in the last 2 km - I was running fast! (for me) on the downhill and really felt good! The closer we got to the end - the more you could hear the crowds of ppl and I felt really proud to be a part of it and not just a spectator - was awesome to see signs to say 400m to go - 300m to go...as I turned the corner for the last 100m there were loads of people! My pace was good and I felt strong - and I spotted Andy and managed to wave!  Then I was done!!  Andy met up with me and it was so good that he was there!!  Then I got my medal (and I thought there were no medals on this run so I was dead chuffed!) and then I collected my official time! My chip time was 1.08.30 - so better than I ever though I would do - even though I walked up the hill!! I felt SO HAPPY that I'd done it!!! I loved the atmosphere of it all!! I was so glad Andy had been there to share it with me!

It was also cool to see that Andy and helen had been tracking me from my Map my ride app...and had been having a conversation about how I was doing - Andy had looked up about the course and new where the hill was (roughly) they discussed how I was going quite fast (first 4 km were under 7 minutes each) and then they discussed how I slowed down hugely lol and that I must have hit the hill. Then they saw when I speeded up - and Andy said - She's going for it!!! and I was! hahaha

So, I felt on a complete high afterwards!

By the time we got home I was starving!! and we made a big BLT....and I got a shower - and Andy went in his studio and I was so tired that I went for a sleep! lol

Later we played pool - then watched TV...and bed.

All-in-all an awesome day! :-)

Monday/Tuesday

Hi,

Well yesterday I managed to go out and run 10km for the first time in ages.  Well, I say run...there was quite a few walks - mostly on the hills... I did it in 1 hour 12 minutes....which is 36 minutes per 5km...so i obviously can't keep up my 5km pace over 10km - but is not bad considering the hills!  The down hill parts help!  Anyway - I was not in too much discomfort with my hip, which is awesome.  So - I have my first 10km race on Sunday arrgghhhhhh!!!  I checked the route and there is a massive hill!!  So....I'll walk up the hill and make up the time running back down it!  I have to leave here at 7am, so Andy has already said he doesn't want to come which is understandable, but it is shame that I'll have nobody there to cheer me on or see me come through the finish line :-(   Guess I'll come through the finish line - wander back to the car and come home lol. 

After my run yesterday - I recovered for a while - did a bit of wallpaper stripping....yes still not finished....then I had a bath...chilled out for the evening...

Today...Andy got up and went to London and is not back until Thursday night.  I am planning on - guess what - yeah, stripping wall paper...and then going to a yoga class tonight...

Trying to hire a sander for the hallway too - that'll be good to get done.

So...guess I'd better go strip.....

1 hour gym session in 10 seconds

https://youtu.be/KWOJ2cuEL28

You'll have to copy and paste this to see it. It's not very good....too fast....but my 1st attempt!

Thursday...

This morning - despite my sore hip that means I cannot run properly - I tried out my new gadget - the SHFT.  Took me a while to get kitted up! with my polar watch and chest strap, my new polar foot pod, the SHFT chest strap and the SHFT foot pod, get everything synched, got my app on the phone ready (already wearing my new trainers!) and off I went - just up and down my road (its 1/2km from my house to the top of the road)...I expected to be out for about 20 minutes.  The app - gave me a warm up - and 3 lots of 6 minute runs...I ended up running 4.3km.  The app was telling me in my ear that it was analysing me - then told me that my foot was spending too long in contact with the floor.  I then had to run trying to improve this! I didn't know how to do that! lol.  I was trying to take baby steps - and then just trying to run faster! Was really frustrating though because it was just painful to run - so my stride and everything is probably different to when I am not in pain.  Anyway afterwards I could see all sorts of info about my running!  I know that I am not a heel striker! I land neutral/midfoot which is supposed to be the best way to land.  I know my stride length, how long I am in the air - my body bounce, step length, brake effect - lots of things that mean nothing to me atm, but it means I can find out! and once I get my contact with the floor reduced, the app will help me work on something else to improve my running! JUST NEED TO BE ABLE TO RUN! So, I am very pleased with that!  My trainers were good too - although I think they will be better when I have broken them in a bit! 

Anyway...

Our plan today - as Andy was off work - was to spend the day in the garden and play games and have a BBQ...but it wasn't quite warm enough! So I ended up cutting the grass again...(ended up doing 20,000 steps today!).  Then Andy got out our huge tent and we put that up - we wanted to see if we had wrecked it, because last time we put it away it was raining and we never got it out again to let it dry.  Anyway - it was fine! It brought back memories of when we used it last which was years ago, when the kids were younger.  The things I remember about that holiday was Adam was sleep walking/talking, and freaked the twins out - me and Andy had joined Helen and Paul in their caravan and I got a call from Lissa.  She was freaking out saying Adam is being weird!!  When we got there, Adam was gesturing towards his room in the tents demanding to know what colour the invisible pipes were!  He then threw up! I also remember cooking sausages and stuff and watching huge black clouds coming towards us - we just managed to get it cooked and run inside the tent with the food when we ended up in the middle of a massive thunder storm! It was quite scary and apparently lightening hit a tree in the field we were in.  We played lots of games too - got the kids running an assault course carrying a cup of water...I also remember us getting chinese take-out and eating that at a table inside the tent - and we taught the kids how to play poker and Connor thrashed us all!

So - the tent is fine - but we can't find the tent pegs. 

It had got nice and warm after about 4pm so we stayed in the garden, having a drink, playing cards and chatting! Twas much fun!!

We then came inside - got take-out AGAIN! and watched TV - until I fell asleep about 10.30! so we got an early night!

Parkrun Saturday

Hi!!

Yet again I got up early to do the parkrun...quite surprised at myself for actually getting up early to do this on a Saturday!

So - got there as usual and hung around on my own waiting for the announcements and then the start - me and another woman realised we were both on our own so we started chatting - her name was Gemma.  She seemed younger than me - and looked fit - like a runner! It was her first parkrun however...she had to hang back after the annoucements as it was her first one - and I went ahead.  Off I went - struggling as usual!  After a while Gemma appeared beside me and we started running together - but I couldn't keep up with her, so I stopped briefly.  gemma however, didn't continue - she stayed with me - urging me to carry on!  I did - and the rest of the run was with her - pushing me to keep going and speed up!  God, it was hard!!  The attempt at a a sprint at the end nearly killed me!!!

I had definitely beat my time - so I rang the bell and Gemma took a pic (which she sent to me later!):

I was soooo pleased...not only did I really like Gemma - but she really pushed me, and it felt great (afterwards that is!)

She said that we had ran an average of 6:15 per km....she also said - you need to bring that down!  I was thinking - you're joking! my last best pace was 6:25 per km!  Based on the average pace I thought that we must have ran it in about 31.15 - but unfortunately the official time was 31.54.  However - still my best time EVER!

My big worry now - is that Gemma will be there again in 2 weeks - and we will meet up and run together - and I'm so scared!!!  Her pace is much quicker than mine - and I don't want to slow her down!!

I even saw somebody from taunton running club afterwards and we had a nice chat walking back to the car - and I was so happy that I finally feel that I am getting to know some people!

Gemma texted afterwards too which was nice.  So - now I need to train like crazy for the next 2 weeks to increase my pace!!

ANYWAY....after all this - I got a shower and me and Andy headed to the food festival in Taunton - which was really good!  Watched a cookery display from the chef of the amazing Indian restaurant we've been to - apparently they do cookery lessons later in teh year - so I REALLY want to do that!

We bought, pork pie, scotch egg, cider, cheese, beer, cake - and had it later for tea!  Was very good!

Played pool - watched the Eurovision song contest! lol...whilst messaging helen and paul who were watching too...there was a stage invasion during the UK song - which was rubbish anyway - and we came 3rd from the bottom as usual!!  Israel won - it was a good one!

Friday already!!

Hi!

well....if you read yesterday, you'd know that I was very nervous about joining a running club and was meeting for my first run with them last night.  Well....I went and I did it!  We met up in a car park and I introduced myself - there were 2 other Sam's....the people were really nice - but as always everybody already knows somebody.  So I introduced myself and started chatting about how nervous I was - and I was reassured...then a woman came up and stood right in front of me effectively cutting me off from everybody!  I know she didn't mean to do it...but I though ahh that makes it easy for me...not!

So we split into 2 groups (apparently Tuesday night is the main night - where there is about 10 different groups)...off we went.  There were about 10 ppl in our group.  Was quite good at first because we needed to cross roads so had to stop for traffic! Phew...bit of a rest!  Then we headed away from the main town and into the greenery...and up a hill.  I struggled with this hill and had to stop a few times (as did a few of the others).  At the top there was a bench and we all stood and chatted for a little bit.  I really liked this as I got to chat to people and we got a proper rest.  A woman took a pic.....and I managed to pic it up from the Strava app....

So....I am on the bench with Michael (only male) and he is the organiser of it all I think, and next to him is another of the run leaders...she was really nice and reassured me a lot and ran with me for quite a while.  I liked everybody I met...  One brilliant thing - is that we ran in some gorgeous places with amazing views - through fields with cows (Lissa you would have loved that) and alongside water, over bridges...it was just gorgeous.  We ended up doing 8.23km - although at a very slow pace...well, the pace probably wasn't that slow - but stopping and chatting meant it took longer.

I wish I could duplicate this run - and it looks really simple in the above pic - but it wasn't!

So anyway....very pleased that I did it - and was able to add it to my YVSTY challenge - back at 30km ahead after a couple of easy days.

I was STARVING when I got back - and I had prepared most of the food - we were having the Asian pork meatballs from the Hello Fresh thingy....it was amazing! So yummy!!!

So.....today....I plan on finishing getting the curtains up in the four-poster guest room...and weeding in the front garden!! Exciting time eh? lol.  Love it!

Wednesday 9th May 2018

Morning!

Started the day getting a mouse off Murcky and setting it free. Then - getting a mouse off Bitsy, and feeling awful because it was alive but injured.  Took it away from danger and left it to recover...it was breathing heavy and looked like it had a hurt leg.  I came back to it and it had died.  It is just so sad!! These poor little mice are minding their own business and get plucked out of their world by a cat - brought into the house - and then tortured by cats who see it only as a play thing!

Anyway....last night, online, I joined Taunton running club! So, tomorrow night I am going out running with them.  No pressure!! Just have to not be shit!  They split into groups and so this is the group that runs at my speed - but there is mention of not stopping at that pace.  I might struggle.....

I also entered another 10km race...Helen sent me the link - it is in Totnes which I believe is near Helens - this one is 5th August.  So I have one in about 3-4 weeks, 10th June, then one in August - and then there is one in Taunton on 30th September.  Hope I get t-shirts! lol. 

So - I went out for a run.  I went down Netherclay - which is at the bottom of my road - there are public footpaths and its pretty cool.  However, I would follow a path and come out at a field or somewhere I didn't know.  So - ran 5.5km but there was a lot of stopping trying to figure out where I was! Looks simple on the map....

Okay - maybe it doesn't look that simple...but when you are there you don't know which way is which!  I ended up running around the field that looks brown in the pic at the bottom left.  Not where I thought I was! But I think I can figure it out!  It is also a lot smaller than it seems - so I had to keep going around and about trying to get to 5km.  The ground is a bit rough too....and I think I may have swallowed a fly or two....

Good news - my blister didn't hurt or get any worse - bad news - my hips is still bothering me!

So - got showered and ready and went off for an eye test.  Basically he seemed to think I was fine to continue with off the shelf reading glasses and contact lenses...but said eventually I wont cope with these - and that's when I need to go back.  Cool - no expensive prescription specs (for now).

Trying my first Hello Fresh recipe tonight - burgers again!  Its not rocket science - just the ingredients and a recipe.  But its convenient and means I don't have to try and think of what to do and go out shopping!

Tuesday 8th May 2018

Good morning!

Well that was a fun bank holiday weekend!!

Ended up having such a good day yesterday!  Me and Andy just chatted and drank!  Didn't get wasted or anything - but had enough to be quite happy! Stayed in the garden for ages - didn't even get around to putting the BBQ on - too busy having a laugh!

Eventually we came back in at about 8pm  and ended up getting take out!  We need to sort that out!  Should have a delivery today - its Hello Fresh - so we get all the ingredients and recipes for 3 meals.  Got it at half price which was £17ish.  So at full price a bit too expensive I think! Unless it is totally awesome...but I'm not expecting much.  But - we would spend that on one take-out and if it stops us getting take-outs and it gives us variety...we'll see!

Took me quite a while today to clear us the weekends mess - loads of stuff in the garden - around the bar - in the living room after the take-out.  But its all done now!  I have a choice today - could go to the tip and get rid of the asbestos and the rest of the crap in the car.  Or - I could strip wall paper - or - I could have an easy day!

I NEED TO START STICKING TO MY DIET I am fed up of going up and down and up and down....today my weight loss since january - which is quite a long time ago now - is 8lb.  It has been 11lb - then back down again.  With all the running I am doing, I could be quite successful if I could behave myself as far as food and alcohol is concerned!

Oh - I have entered a 10km race...10th June 2018.  I got nervous pangs just typing that!  It's silly because I know I can run 10km.  But I need to get some more training in for it.  At the moment I'm struggling with a bad blister on my foot and need to let it heal a bit.  I didn't run over the last few days - but still did loads of steps in the garden - so not exactly resting it!  I've gone from being 30km ahead on my YVSTY challenge to 20km ahead.  I've seen a training program on my running application - I can choose to improve my distance or improve my speed and I am undecided which one to go for.  I think I am leaning towards the - improve my speed....

I got lots of advice from the YVSTY group on facebook when I said I had entered my first 10km.  Here are some comments:

• Find a hill about 100yds long and once a week run up it and walk back down 6-8 times. Do a halfish mile warm up and at least halfish mile cool down
• Proper sneakers & socks are IMPORTANT!! Be sure to stop by your local run shop to ask about the best socks: often blisters are nixed when the right socks AND right sneaks are worn 
• You will be fine. Maybe run a 5k as fast as you can to build up speed a bit, but you got the endurance. The adrenaline of a race gets you going too. Have fun!
• U have 1 month... try 7, 8 miles for endurance training and 4,5 miles for speed... hill workouts if possible...
• If you're already doing it once a week, you're going to do great!
• Are you close enough to the course to run it at least once?
• Try to get longer runs in. I found the more miles I put in a week, the faster/easier my shorter runs/races get. I’m changing my thinking on how I want to get ready for my half in November

So - some good advice I think - from others runners. 

sat 5th May 2018

Woke up early - and I'm all ready for the park run.  Well...I'm ready but worried - I seem to have a painful hip, blister on my foot, some kind of pull in my calf muscle and the same in my thigh.  The sensible thing would be to miss  it today, but I'm hoping I'll be okay once I start running!

I covered in cats right now - I need to get them off, get my trainers on - and get going!  Always nervous....hate that!  see you later!

------------------------------------------------

Well - the run was tough - had about 4 rests - but must have run faster because my official time was 32:14 - so beat my time again! Very pleased about that because I beat my time from the 5km Bushy park race I did a few years ago - and that killed me! Think my time then was 32:22, so i must be the best I've ever been and there is still lots of room for improvement.

Its bank holiday weekend and the weather is supposed to be really nice.  It certainly is today!

We went into taunton and Andy got an eye test - and I would have gone shopping but I forgot my bank cards (they were in the washing machine - in the pocket of my running top!)

About 3pm we headed off to Helen and Pauls for this festival.  However, we learnt that they couldn't go until later on because Zack was out and he was needed to babysit Eloise.  So we sat chatting and burning in the garden.  Me, Andy and paul were having a drink but helen wasn't because she had to drive to pick up Zack.  Eventually she went and got zack and paul made helen a cocktail consisting of double vodka, topped up with prosecco.  She knocked this back and then he made her another which she put in bottle to take with her.   We then got a taxi into Paignton and got a pint of cider each and headed into a large tent where cover bands were on - covering Thin Lizzy and then ACDC.  It wasn't long before we realised Helen was WASTED!!! She could barely stand! She insisted we got right at the front to see the band - but then me and Paul were making sure she didn't fall over.  We saw about 4-5 songs and then left the tent because helen was so wrecked.  We had to leave!  Don't think anybody was massively disappointed - and I was too concerned about getting her home! On the way to the kebab shop/taxi rank - we had to go over the railway tracks and the alarm started going off and the barriers were coming down - and Helen and Paul (Paul was quite drunk too) decided to run across! Me and Andy couldn't believe they did that! People get killed doing that!  They then laughed at us from the other side because we had to walk up and over the bridge! Drunken fools! LOL

In the taxi on the way back we were chatting to the woman driver from Leeds whilst trying to ignore Helen who obviously wanted to be sick!  We got home okay and Helen went straight to bed - and I followed not long after because I didn't want the next day to be a right-off!

It is a good job Helen does not read this blog because she'd kill me for posting these pics.....

Monday 30 April 2018

Monday morning.....Andy left for London just before 6am this morning and is not back until Wednesday evening.  He works so hard - I am so proud of him.  His job is so demanding.  Andy is the only person I know who works as hard as he does, is so dedicated and is intelligent and driven enough to do it!  I miss him when he is not here.  Just knowing he is in the house is better - knowing he is close....

So....today, I need to get on all my asbestos safety equipment on and get rid of this stuff once and for all!! I'm not sure I can do it in one go, but I need to try as I don't want to have to be getting in and out of the safety gear and possibly spreading asbestos dust around.  so...wellies, overalls, mask, gloves and goggles...special bags....get in there get it off the walls and bagged up and to the tip with it all (after paying over £12 a bag to get rid of it).

I also want to run 10km as I didn't run on Friday - only did 5km on Saturday and didn't run yesterday.

Weight loss back down to 8lb after the weekend.  Seems to be a theme - get to 10lb loss during the week and end up back down to 8lb after the weekend.  So...I need to try harder! and stop ruining it at the weekend!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

So - I got kitted up and got most of the asbestos off and bagged up (although not sealed yet) apart from a piece under where the sinks were because it is full of screws I can't get out.  Better to come back to it fresh, rather than try when I've just had enough.....

I had lunch, then took ages to get myself out for a run.  I wondered how I would get on because I wasn't really feeling it....

Straight away I was walking more often and didn't do as well as last time on the hills.  By 4km I was debating turning around and coming back - as it would be a shorter 8km run - but it meant coming back on the busy road - rather than the nice paths and country lanes I was almost at.  I could feel a blister on my foot (always the same place)....I kept going knowing I'd have more down-hill runs now rather than up-hill.  It was not easy....at about 8km, my other foot started hurting.  This happens when my feet get too hot - the ball of my foot/toes start to burn and it's really painful.  At 9km, I paused my watch and sat down on the grass and took my trainer off, massaged my foot and let it cool off.  When I stood up to carry on that foot was okay, but my blister on the other foot really hurt!. I managed because I was almost home.  Glad to be back - and still glad I did it!  28km ahead on my challenge and hopefully burnt some fat off from the weekend lol.

Might not be able to run on this for a few days....and my hip is hurting a bit too.....going to go and get in the bath me thinks.....

Saturday 28th April 2018

Morning,

Last night we managed to get the cat (Bitsy) off a little bird she had brought in - it was breathing heavily and looked broken - after a while it calmed down and seemed to straighten up a bit - so we took it outside - and it seemed to run off....

Later we managed to get a tiny tiny mouse off Bitsy - and we released that too!  When we got up this morning - it seemed they must have found the bird and brought it back in again - it was very dead this time - its feathers were everywhere.  It is such a shame and me and Andy are so soft fussing and worrying about these little creatures - trying to feed them before we let them go,  but Bitsy is just too good at catching them.  The kittens love it when she brings them in too - I just hope they are not as good as Bitsy at catching them when they start going out!

Anyway....I woke up at 7am...my alarm was set for 8am so I could get up and do the parkrun - and I didn't go to bed until 1am.  As I woke up early - I got up - Andy was already up.  I felt a little icky, but got ready and went and did the run.  It felt really hard starting off and I thought I was running slowly - and I must have read my watch wrong as it also seemed to say I was behind my normal time.  I managed to run all of it apart from stopping for about 3-4 seconds once.  As usual it all feels awful as I was going around but feels better the closer you get to the end.  Unlike last week I was able to speed up a little near the end - overtaking a girl that had been ahead of me the whole way.  As soon as I finish, instead of thinking this is awful - I think - That was Awesome! hehehe

I am waiting for my official time but according to my watch, it should be just under 33 minutes!  I did the Bushy Park 5km a few years ago and that was my fastest 5km ever at 32.32.  Still slow for most people - but that is now what I am aiming to beat.

Hope I'm not disappointed when the results come in....

So - time was 32.44 - so beat my time again - last week it was 33.22 - and later changed to 33.25. I thought after last week I'd struggle to beat it!  Lets hope I can do it again next week.  Ultimate goal is 30 minutes or under!

This is the half-way point....



This one is coming in at the end!

relief.........

Helen and Paul came around at about 6pm....and we had a great night as usual, catching up, playing pool and generally laughing!  Helen is on a downer about running - thinking she actually doesn't like it and might not run again.  This is because she went out and had a rubbish run that left her feeling pissed off at the end.  I'm trying to persuade her not to give up on it - she hasn't done it much and I think she is expecting too much too soon.  I don't want to lose my running buddy!!!

Thursday 26 April 2018

I'm starving! Don't know why I woke up feeling so hungry! Probably because I didn't eat a massive unhealthy take-out last night!

Weight loss is back up to 9.2lb this morning - was 7.5lb yesterday - so feel a bit better that it was a blip.  I knew running 10km would have a good effect.  If anybody reads this and thinks that I am obsessed (about diet and running).  Then you'd be correct.  I don't think I do anything that I don't get obsessed about! I feel sorry for the people around me - I bore them to death, and as much as I try - I can't help myself.  I think to myself - I am not going to tell Andy all about my run today because he won't find it interesting - but then....I tell him all about it!

So - asbestos bags turned up this morning and they are huge - which is what I was hoping for, as it is in big pieces on the wall and I don't want to have to break it up anymore than I have to.  So - I need to go out and buy a protective mask and get on with getting rid of it.  It is going to cost me £12.20 per bag - and that is for a normal rubble bag - and these are twice the size - so I'll probably have to pay x2 for each bag.  :-(

Somebody should be turning up today to fit a smart meter.  No idea if there will be a problem when they see that we have a 3 par thingy rather than 1 par.  I have no idea about the terminology - we just have a bigger feed of electricity coming into the house because we have such a big house. #mansionproblems.

The grass needs cutting again - and I have no idea if the mower is going to start, as it cut out last time and I couldn't get it going again.  If I do get it going, I'm going to have to make sure I do it all in one go and don't turn it off, mid-way around like last time.  That was interesting wasn't it.  Okay, I don't claim to be interesting!!

I found this route on walkjogrun.com - here is the link:

https://www.walkjogrun.net/functions/shareRouteBlog.cfm?rid=F9F53171-E355-1BCB-A758E4949B2E2B32&layout=false



It would be about 12.7km from our house.  I want to try it....although the advice is - only add 1km to your longest run every two weeks.  Actually it is about two weeks since I went up to 10km - but this is an extra 2.7km, so I might have to wait a while....it ends on a big hill too.....and I'd probably get quite a few rests whilst I check my map to see if I am going the right way.  something to aim for....

Saturday - park run day!

Morning all,

I woke up this morning at 7.30...before my alarm went off. I wanted to do the park run today and beat my time.  I've only done it twice before and my times were 35:51 the first time and 36:22 the 2nd time.  On both occasions there was a long section of really awful mud and on the second occasion the puddles were more like long long rivers!  Today was dry and so much better!  I was determined to beat my time and I've done a lot of running lately.  My time today was 33:22!! So beat it by quite a bit!

I am aiming for less than 30 minutes but that's quite a lot to knock off, so don't expect to do than any time soon!

I was really pleased with my time, although it was a little disheartening to see I was so far down on the list of the results - I came 294th out of 357.   This is an incentive to do better!

Hehe...I was obviously happy to finish! Think this is me saying YAY!

I came home and had a lovely soak in the bath...then we eventually got ready and went to Helen and Pauls.  Saw their amazing new kitchen, had a few drinkies and went out into Paignton, and to our usual haunt - The Spinning Wheel - AKA The Spinney.  They always have a band on and Andy and Paul said tonight's was rubbish - to be honest me and Helen were chatting so much I didn't hear them.  We chatted loads - lots about running as we have now both got into it.  It is brilliant having somebody to talk to about running - who is about the same standard as me.  We spoke about running shoes, running bra's, routes that we do, hill runs...etc.  SO boring for anybody not into running - I was worried I would bore Helen, but I really think she is just as enthusiastic as me!

Anyway - we also had a really good laugh too - it wasn't ALL about running!!

So, a good time was had by all!  We went home via the kebab shop and I had chips and curry sauce - god it was good!!!  Think I went to bed about 2am,,,,thinking...not too sure about running tomorrow....

Friday!

Morning!

I had a really bad nights sleep last night - decided to leave my door open so the cats could come in - not doing that again! Periodically one of them would jump on the bed and wake me up by walking over me and at 5am mercky decided to come and sit on my head and purr so loudly! She then decided to paddy-paw on my face and lick my eyelids and my lip!!

My eyes are stinging today, I guess because I didn't get much sleep! I am sat here with a dilemma about what to do today.  I should really be getting the tiles out of the bathroom as I now know that they are not asbestos...or continue to strip the wall paper in the bedroom.  However, I am also wondering if I should go for a run before it gets too hot but its already 10.22....I could also spend the day getting the house clean and tidy ready for the weekend....oohhh what to do.....

I could go and get ready for a run....do a shortish one....then get some work done in the house - and finish early enough to get the house tidy ready for Andy coming home.  That sounds like a plan.....

six hours later

So, I went for a run - 7.4km so not so short...here it is:

So my average time was 6.58 min/km which is quite good for me.   Just before I went for a run Mercky decided to try and climb up my leg...as soon as I looked down, my leg was bleeding! I have little cuts all over my legs as their claws are like little razor blades!!

Anyway, I got back home, and got the quote back from the plumbing/electrics for the annex - I had put £3,500 in the budget, hoping it would be less and it has come back as £6,200.  We don't have £6,200...so that was bad news.  Then I got a call about the asbestos testing we got done the other day on the tiles in bathroom.  He just wanted to check that I'd understood the results.  As it happens, I hadn't because I thought that it said it was not asbestos - but it was!! So - that was bad news too....got to figure out how to get rid of it now!

So, rather than work on the house, I decided to dye my hair and then go out into the garden for a bit. Its so gorgeous, we are so fortunate to have such an amazing house and garden.  Big cat Itsy joined me in the garden...

Underneath the Indian Bean Tree (which incidentally, doesn't grow beans and is not from India)

  

Big Cat (as opposed to one of the kittens) Itsy:

View of the garden (big tree is the Indian Bean tree)

Me messing about sending snapchats to Lissa:

So...now I await Andy's return.  He's caught in traffic so he will probably be a bit stressed and tired.  Hopefully getting back to our awesome house and having the weekend ahead will make him feel better! I am going to go and sit in the garden and give him a call....

xx