Oops

Swallowed my mouthwash this morning. The stuff in my mouth, not the whole bottle or anything. Ack. I could feel something going wrong as I gargled, but it was a bit slow-mo. I was thinking ‘stop it throat, please’ but gulp, it was gone.

Brain not really engaged. I didn’t get to bed til almost midnight last night and then up at 5. First I snoozed the alarm, then I re-set it completely thinking I really couldn’t be bothered to run, then I thought about the fact that Darren’s series of alarms that start going off about 1 hour and 15 minutes before he actually wants to get up, would be kicking in shortly anyway, so I was unlikely to get any more sleep. So I got up, swallowed my mouthwash and went.

It was a bit rubbish, indigestion-y and not very far at 4.12 miles, but better than nothing and it means I can get home and watch Paul Blart Mall-Cop tonight, before anyone can come home and look at me disapprovingly :p

Had a really lovely time last night. Really enjoyed it, though we were late as Darren was held up at work. I hate people being late and it vexes me beyond words when I end up being late myself through no fault of my own. So I didn’t get time to really think about what I wanted to eat (and the menu is HUGE) and ended up on the safe side with chicken satay and a green curry with sticky rice. Absolutely delish.

It was a fun evening. A couple of the people who were out are running VLM this year. And as much as I tried to keep my head down, someone asked me about my marathons and I had to talk about them.

I feel a bit sick. Stupid Dentyl. Stupid special offer. This would never have happened with Listerine.

I shall start diluting with tea forthwith.

Slow in some snow

This morning, 5.2 miles in ferg, slersh and sner. And drizzle.

It was ok, took it easy. Job's a good'n. Listened to The Streets this morning. I'd love to go see them again.

I have decided that the perfect way to have a day off work, would be for your alarm to go off at the usual time, you get the 'errr nerr' feeling, then your phone rings and you are told you are having a duvet day. That is the only point in the day that you would really, truly appreciate it. Once you're up and out it's ok. If you plan it, it's not the same. It's nice, but you already know you don't have to get up. You need to really get the most out of it, you know?

Going out tonight. This pleases me in some respects - it's my friends birthday, we're eating and I like food, it's in Chapel Allerton so I don't have to go far...It also displeases me - it's Wednesday night and I don't really like some of the people who will be there. I really love some of them, but some are really not my kind of people. Lots of sqealing and campness and in your face OTT-ness.

I know I'm like the boy who cried wolf when it comes to races and how I think I will do but I'm kind of looking forward to Snake Lane in that I don't stand a chance of a pb. It will be a good training run. Genuinely. I'm not up to giving it full welly.

My 2 weeks of being good are paying off. I had lost 4lbs last week and I feel even better this week, although I'm not doing a weigh until the beginning of next week. It can really creep up on you, and whilst I wasn't unable to get in my clothes or anything, I didn't feel good. Now I feel better, more comfortable and running feels better that-wise.

Please can it be spring now please thanks?

Too cold

Can't type.

Ran 8.20 miles this morning. I've scratched the idea of a long run this week. It just isn't going to happen when I get in from work this week and I can't be getting up any earlier than I already do. Will race 10 miles at the weekend, then see about fitting a long run in the following week. I'm going to be properly hanging on in the latter stages of the Kilomathon anyway. One more long run isn't going to change that, really

Ahhh...tea.

I know we must have had colder weather than this, but I can honestly say it was almost unbearable this morning. My hands were just killing through my gloves and I still can't feel my face. Although I can see that it is, erm, glowing. Maybe I shouldn't have facially scrubbed my face with a facial scrub in the shower.

Meh. CBA. Too cold. Bye.

I wasn’t expecting that.

The snow. I got up yesterday, all prepared to do my 15 miles, put the kettle on, look out the window and it’s a blizzard. Now, I genuinely don’t believe I was looking for a way out of doing the run, but running for ages in snow, with it all going in my eyes and whatnot? No thanks.

Meh.

See this is what I hate about training ‘for’ an event. It was a fairly last minute decision to enter the Kilomathon, leaving me having to cram in a few longer runs. I’ve a race on Sunday now, and one the Sunday after, then the Kilomathon is the week after.

Now I’m all in a dither about stuff and I HATE that. I could go tonight or tomorrow night. I’ll see how I feel.

So, after I’d not got straight out on my run yesterday, there wasn’t really an option to go later as we were going out for lunch. After we got home I was doing my own and Darren’s head in about it, so I went out and did 7 miles at about 5pm. It was ok, but got a bit headachey last night and it’s lingering a bit this morning. A bit out of sorts.

Aaaanyway, another super speedy weekend. Had a lovely evening with the laydeez on Friday. J Did a comedy Fall Asleep when I got home though. I must have been in all of ten minutes when I sat down on the sofa and practically nodded off before my bum hit the seat.

Got up Saturday and just went out for 4 miles, then watched Saturday Kitchen whilst Darren went out on his bike. It was a gorgeous day on Saturday. Why did I not do my long run? Whyeeee? Then we went off to get the pictures from Frame Man. I’m pleased with them.

Went to the LGI to visit Carlo who was readmitted on Friday, as he has a haematoma (I think?). That was grim. I felt ill myself when I left. I hate it there.

That’s about it really. I could ramble on a bit more but I don’t think any of us wants that.

Early Finish

Friday. Isn't it.

Didn't run last night. It was so cold and rainy I just didn't want to. This cold is really getting into my bones, I'm sure of it. My hands actually hurt with it, even with gloves on, once I get to the car I really don't want to put my hands in my bag to find my keys because everything hurts. That's not normal, is it?

I was stopped and asked had I voted yet in the Student Union elections and would I please vote for Dan. HA! Hahahahahahahahahaha! I look young! Or it may just be that I had my woolly hat on and looked like a twat.

Went into town yesterday lunch time, to get a birthday present for my friend. Came back with a new top, a skirt and some trousers, plus a Julien McDonald candle for Kate, which I think I'm going to keep. Oh well

Do NOT understand the attractiion of that skating rink in minellium square. Honestly. Loads of parents in the queue , their eyes screaming 'halp me'.

If you're in Leeds, and I realise the vast majority of you aren't, go have a look at the pictures there, specifically the great grey owl one It's wicked.

Masterchef:

2x 'change life' statements and a 'cooking doesn't get tougher than this' within the first 30 seconds.
Jonty Rhodes has lost weight.
Blubbing blonde bint. Meh.
Yiwen. Had anyone asked him if he wanted to be called Ewan?
Beef wellington. lol.
Massive Cous Cous Mountain. Ack.

Yay for it being back though

Ran 8 miles this morning. It was a bit bloody slippy though, unrunabubble in some places. I wore my Marathoners today. They are not good on ice. Some roads looked great, like there were millions of tiny diamonds in front of me. Then my eyes started trying to look at all of them at once and I was nearly sick.

I LOVE early Finish Friday. Today, I'm going to lounge about before getting ready a little later on to meet my homeslices, NSC and Chromebone. We will be eating a Gourmet Burger in a Kitchen. This has been planned for weeks and is not a hastily convened coven

This weekend, I will be collecting my framed pictures, dishing out orders for where they will be hanged, running at least a 15 miler, seeing friends and family in general. My friend is having the first of her birthday do's tonight and I suppose I could turn up later on, but everyone will be mashed by then and I'm going on the second of her do's next week. I think I'll go home and watch Mastercrafts

Have a magic weekend, you smashers

One of those phases

Just tired. I hate whining about being tired, there’s plenty of time for just nodding off whenever I feel like it when I’m old. And I will. In my dinner, in front of the telly...

I’m sure I get enough sleep. I just sometimes go through a patch of a few days when I feel like I’m carrying an invisible duvet around with me. Today’s switching off of the alarm didn’t seem to involve any conscious decision making. Running was never on the menu really. Got up at half six (half six!!), shower etc. and out by 7:05. No tea til 8am.Very traumatic *shudder*

So, despite a lie in, an invigorating shower, a 10 minute walk from the car and 2 cups of tea, I don’t feel any more awake or up for the day than I did earlier.

Unusual injury: Trapped my finger in a coathanger. One of those wooden ones, but the wooden ones that have TEETH. It actually really hurts, like I’ve slammed my finger in a car door or something.

Stole some Tesco clubcard voucher rewards things from Darren. £12, thought I’d get some petrol. They exclude Esso fuel though. Do they have garages where they sell Tesco fuel then? Had to fucking well pay for it myself. Not impressed :p

I appear to have a few races coming up.

I’m smiling now. I’ll start getting imaginary colds and broken bones nearer the day.

1st up is Snake Lane 10 on 28th Feb (thanks Toolilac!), short notice, not much time to stress over it, not setting my heart on a PB, it’s just training. Mantra.

Had an iced finger last night. They are not cake, nor biscuit, nor anything else. Strangely nice and comforting though.

I might run tonight. I might not. Whatev.

Puddsicle

Proper struggle to get up today. I always feel pleased with myself when I manage to get up on days like this. It’s a real battle. Re-set the alarm for another half hour, which passed in 2 seconds.

Turtley foggy and freezing. The weirdest thing happened. At about 4 miles into the run, I put my hand up to my head and could feel ice in my hair. It was like icy beads and I felt like some fairytale ice maiden or something. In reality, I expect it was more Tramp with Matted Hair. How cool is that though? Nothing like that has happened before and I had to run up all the stairs to show Darren before my head melted. He was impressed.

I had properly red, round cheeks too Like Aunt Sally.

Did 5 miles, slow. Which was more than I had intended, so it will do.

Ran past a cosmetic surgery place where it said something like ‘..so there’s no need to go south’.

3 pancakes for dinner last night, with lemon and sugar. That was it. Well, I had eaten a giant bag of Revels earlier :-/ I never used to have such a sweet toot.

Had a close encounter with a blackbird. They are just not bothered and they can’t be arsed flying half the time. Creepy. Especially in the ferg.

Facebook is scaring me with its adverts. ‘Are you 35 in Leeds want some Uggboots and a Blackberry, you ginger haired runner?’

Srsly.

Zzzzzz

Don't know why I'm Zzzzzzz this morning, had a (nother!) rest day yeterday. I did 2 snoozes on the alarm, and I only do this when I actually can't actually wake up.

So I stumbled about for a bit, made a cup of tea, sat on the bed saying 'just do the four loop, anything, just get out the door'. In my head, like. I play tricks on myself like this. 'You only have to do a few miles and you can run as slow as you like'. I fall for it every time. I'm such a dumbass. I did 6 miles and it was pretty good. Icy though.

When I was running on Sunday, there was something I recalled wanting to tell Darren about. I couldn't remember all day Sunday or yesterday, but today I ran past the place where they had a farmers market on Sunday and I remembered I was going to tell Darren to go there on his way home and get some fudd. I doubt they've anything left now.

I'm quite looking forward to this Kilomathon. Totally new distance, long way but not silly marathon distance...Not sure how to pace it though.

Pancakes tonight. My record is 19. What?

I believe a line may have been crossed

This weekend, I was a bit excited about some wallpaper samples I ordered, I took some pictures to be framed (and chose the man with the ever-so-cute friendly old dog in his shop), thought about writing to someone about the state of the roads near my home, and watched a programme called 'Mastercrafts' (and enjoyed it).

I am old.

Friday afternoon, my Mum didn't come round although this is something we sort of 'do' now. Some sad family stuff going on, but no one needs to know about that really. So I settled down to watch The Lovely Bones (one of those films that Darren isn't interested in, so needs to be watched when I'm home alone). I also did my ironing, so it was an afternoon well spent, I think.

My life is WILD.

Saturday, we both intended to to parkrun but I was sidetracked, got a headache and binned that idea. Went to Headingley farmers market for about 3 minutes, then on to do the picture framery and whatnot. Home, watched some Rugby, caught up on some episodes of House. Dinner, then out to the Playhouse.

I enjoyed the History Boys. I'm not going to pontificate about it. I just enjoyed it. I'm simple like that.

I was bored in the interval though. I couldn't be arsed fighting 700 people for the bar or the toilet, so I stayed in my seat. Know how I know it was 700 people? Because I counted the seats.

I think people try to out-Boho each other at the theatre. Some pretty crud outfits on display, to be honest.

Sunday went thus: Had 2 cups of tea in bed, read my book a bit, got up and ran 13 miles. It was a good run, ave 8:35mm I think. I didn't have any plans, pacewise, but this is just what I settled into and was entirely comfortable and remained steady all the way. I included a good few hills and so am pleased with it. Bit further next week...

Saw the red kite again. I'm sure it's the same one and I'm doing well with not thinking about the fact that it seems to be stalking me.

I made a banana loaf yesterday, it is proper GORGEOUS and I don't really like bananas, I was just using some up.

Didn't run this morning, I stayed up too late watching Apocalypto. I shouldn't have, I've seen it before and given that a lot of my nightmares involve tribal savages without any extra encouragement, it wasn't such a good idea. It's a brilliant film though.

Predictably, I've had some nightmares. Not the screaming ones, and I feel ok. I'm a little tired, but that's due to not running, it usually wakes me up properly.

I'm trying my best not to let unimportant things / people bother me, but I'm struggling just a little this morning.

*must cheer the fuck up*

Cultured. Cultured like a yoghurt.

Because I'm off to the theatre tomorrow.

Got an early night last night, then got up at 5:10 (lie in!), which only really left me time to run the four mile loop. I was not going to run at all and save it for this afternoon, but then I coudn't settle so I got up and went. I felt good actually, so it's a shame I didn't have time to go further.

I often see things that aren't there when I'm out running in the dark early morning. I thought the seating area outside the Lord Darcy was a big group of people with suitcases this morning. Turned out it was. Grammar school kids going off on a trip I reckon.

Carlo is still in the hozzer. I think they are not really telling him much, which is just annoying. Darren went down there last night and said he seems brighter than when we spoke to him the other day.

I've eaten really well and run plenty this week, so I'd better start seeing some results, dammit!

Long run this weekend. Definitely. I promise. Yes.

Kilamathonanononon

Entered it.

It's 14 March, so I haven't long to step up the distance in training a bit. Furthest run recently was the Great Cumbrian half back in October, since then I've done up to ten I think.

So, I have a vague plan to include LSR's this weekend, next weekend and the one after that. The week before the race I'm doing the Norton 9, which I guess fits in quite well really.

Did 6.15 miles this morning. I've done 6.something for the last 3 mornings (different routes). It was good, hilly and very cold, but I'm feeling quite strong.

I was really put out by someone being, I think, exceptionally rude to me yesterday. She's one of those women who says horrible things, but somehow gets away with it. She either laughs after what she's said or stuns you into silence. Thankfully, I don't have to deal with her much, but yesterday, I answered someone elses phone.

'My GOD, you're morose' she said. What the fuck? First of all, I'm really, really not, but next of all, how fucking rude? I wish I'd had an on-the-spot response, but I just sort of laughed and said 'ok'. Good one. *punches self*

She once made a big show of pretending to forget my name when she was introducing a new member of staff to the office. Just my name, no one elses.

It's just little things like that. I know when someone is being a bitch.

Going to watch The History Boys at the playhouse on Saturday. See! I telled you I would be Doing Stuff!

My friend Carlo went into Wharfedale hospital for a spot of keyhole surgery on Tuesday, but something seems to have not quite gone to plan and there was talk of a suspected internal bleed, so he has been moved to the LGI. Poor fucker went to sleep in a nice hospital and woke up on a ward at the LGI with a prisoner chained to the bed opposite.

I'll pop next door and see him if they keep him in today.

That's it.

A slippy sheen

Or you may prefer 'ice'. But it didn't look icy when I looked out the window, so I went out in the Wrong Shoes, Gromit. Had to be a bit careful, did some Three Little Maids dainty stepping, which no one was about to see, thankfully.

I'm reasonably sure I saw an Anteater, but I can't prove it so I'm not going to argue with you.

6 miles. Different route to yesterday. It's going ok, I'm enjoying it. But I do need to do some racing I think. I lose confidence and the longer I leave it, the worse it will get. I'm toying with the idea of the Kilomathon on 14 March. It would mean getting some long runs in pretty darn quick, but 16 miles is pretty much my absolute limit before boredom sets in, so this would be a good race distance for me, I think.

It's day 2 of the You Can't Get Away With Eating Everything You Like Forever diet, and it's going well. Yesterday I had cereal, caesar salad, fruit salad and yoghurt, a few nuts and then beans on toast for dinner as I was home alone. Today will be similar, with an added hot cross bun and a better dinner.

I'd just like to drop a few pounds as have spent much too long on the sofa with tea and cake lately. Hopefully, a week or so of behaving will see me right.

Last night, I got out the vintage posters I would like to get framed. Getting them framed is on the List of Stuff I Will Do. Putting them away again after looking at them, isn't.

Right. Hello.

Bit of a long weekend, had yesterday off.

Didn’t do Dewbsury. No real reason, other than I wanted to pb and didn’t think I would so I didn’t bother trying. That’s the way it is sometimes. It’s not a race you would want to do for the scenery and whatnot. I was definitely feeling a little under the weather, but I went out and ran 8 miles anyway. It's a guilt thing.

Yesterday ran 5 miles late morning(who are all these people and why are they not at work?), today I’ve done 6 hilly at 5am. I went off on a sort of ‘make it up as you go along’ route, and I felt nervous again. Unfamiliar roads I guess. Definitely seeing a few more berds about. I will cling to anything that makes me feel like spring is on its way.

Have been so lazy lately, I honestly feel like some big fat bear and would be happy to just eat and sleep until the sun comes back. I’m amazed I’ve still been getting out to run really. It’s pure fear of not being able to fit into my clothes.

Next weekend I will be Doing Some Stuff and that is a fact. I’ve written a list of Stuff I Will Be Doing. That’s how srs I am about it.

I am aware that this blog needs improvement and I am still settling in. I’m working on it. Well, thinking about working on it. I’ll add it to my list.

This weekend

I will be running the Dewsbury 10k. Because I always do.

I've abandoned the idea of a pb, as I feel ever so slightly under the weather, but will run as best I can.

Have not very much else planned. Having a bit of a winter slump I think. Everyone just hanging on for the first sign of spring. I've bought some new short short running shorts in a moment of optimism though.

Grim weather today, looking forward to 1pm when I can escape the trauma that is Colleague Buying a House and try to drum up some enthusiasm for running in the rain.

I need to provide a photo for the Fetch MoTM thing. This is proving difficult. I have the questions to get through also, though I think I should wait until I'm feeling a leetle bit more chipper before I start that.

In the words of Len Goodman

SeVEEEN!

Miles done this morning. If you take a rest day for no other reason than that you are a bit of a lazy cow, you will be greeted with snow and dense fog the next morning at 4:30.

So, back on with the Inov-8's and away I went. Felt a bit scared today, for the first time in ages. It was really eerie. Some creature shot off across the snow just ahead of me. On days when you are a bit nervy and things cannot be seen clearly in the ferg, you get an Imagination Animal Free Pass, so it was a puma.

I've not seen fog that thick for some time and I couldn't actually tell how far along some of the roads I was. It was creepy, for sure. With snow melting and dripping on to my head, it reminded me of a ghost train. I know snow doesn't drop off trees, but they drop stuff on your head sometimes don' they. Do they? I think they do.

Undecided about Dewsbury. There is really no other reason to do this race than aiming for a PB. So do I want to bother? I don't know. I'm enjoying running regularly at the moment, but I've not exactly been pushing myself. Really don't know.

How can it possibly be Thursday already and how can it possibly be a week into February already? Slow down please.

Sent a text trying to get people together to go and watch The History Boys at the Playhouse. One of my friends replied 'who are the history boys?'. I reckon she thought it was a gig.

Collected my new funky green Fastwitch from the post office place this morning. They are Fab. What with that, running and HAVING to stop for petrol this morning, I'm a bit put out that I've a day of work to do now. I think I deserve to be at home, to be honest.

Srsly, who is it?

Who keeps gluing my eyes shut?

Not only did I not get up and run this morning, I slept right through the 4:30 alarm and woke up at 6:35. This is a first, I'm sure. So I'm later than usual for work, all the frigging construction workers are stealing all my Secret Street parking, I've had to park miles away and walk up a bit of a hill. Obviously, this is majorly traumatic when you are still asleep and no amount of slapping your own face will bring you round.

I did try secret street, but it was just rammed. I hope they all incur the wrath of Snooty Cow who called the police (the police!) on me becasue she couldn't get her car out of her drive. I wasn't blocking it and I was proper fuming to be called at work by the dibble. Me and her had a right old row in the street. It wasn't pretty. It involved me offering to get her car out for her, since she obviously couldn't drive and there was some throwing of post-it notes.

I've forgotten the milk for my cereal, so no breakfast.

Hopefully, I'll run when I get home this evening.

Fell asleep to a film last night. When I fall asleep watching TV, it often leaves me confused about things. For example, has there ever been a remake of The Wicker Man, starring Nicolas Cage? If there has, it was rubbish. If there hasn't, I've written it in my sleep (and it was rubbish).

Time for more tea.

So here I am, I've moved

I'll start talking about my running, scary wildlife and general whatnot here. Once I've got comfortable and found out where the kettle is, where the loos are and that sort of thing.

Today I ran just the easy 4 mile route, that being all I had time for having re-set the alarm due to being unable to unglue my eyelids.

Being out just that bit later means seeing more runners (I went out at 5:40am, late for me). Was blanked by a blond skinny minnie as she ran past and I smiled at her. Cowbag.

Dewsbury 10k this weekend. This was to be my sub-45 attempt, but I'm not feeling confident at the moment. Not helped by Beej having to pull out of pacing duties, I'm really in two minds. I should be able to just go along and do the race, no matter about time. But this is my only real chance at the PB for a while, and I don't feel fit enough. So, all or nothing...

Doctors after work. Looking forward to getting home today. It's rainy and miserable and time for cosy clothes and a nice dinner.

Day 87 of no alcohols...