Another run

Today I set off with many members of my running club to run the Newham 10k.

SOme of us who ran in the green wave.
It was a run around the Olympic park, finishing on the Olympic track. The atmosphere was amazing there were many bands playing music along the way and when you were near the Olympic stadium there was music playing. There was a shower on route as well- it was so hot today the shower was very much appreciated. It was like a bus shelter with a water spray inside it, I've never experienced it on a run before, so refreshing! Just after 9km you enter the Olympic park- you run in the tunnels under the stadium I could imagine all the athletes warming up under there 4 years ago as I was running and then all of a sudden you see light and you are out on the track where the worlds most amazing runners raced- it was phenomenal to think I was running in their foot steps (albeit at a somewhat slower pace). I slowed down to try and take a selfie whilst on the track;

I couldn't actually see the screen of my phone so that's all you can see of me! haha

Some pics of the stadium from just beyond the finish line.

Outside the stadium

The run was a very twisty turny run, and over 12000 participants so not a PB race. That said I was only 1min off of my 10pb time.

I really want to run next year and to enter the family race with Stephanie. This running doesn't mix very well with money saving! But such amazing experiences, I will have to think on it.

Love it!!!

Run buddy challenge- August

To help me with motivation for my running I have decided to join the 100mile challenge set by run buddy. The idea is to keep a total on the miles that are run through August with the target being to reach 100 miles. I am not sure how well I will do, we are away for a fortnight in August, but I shall be taking my trainers, they will be shorter runs as Stephanie will join me. I am sure we can find some beautiful places to run though.

I like a challenge and this one enables me to run when I have time. I went for a run this morning with my lovely running group. Map my run followed me and decided that I ran 5.4 miles. I did this in less than 55 minutes. Running with the group really motivates me to push myself. It's a shame I don't have as much time to join them during term time but never mind. I didn't realise I could run that fast for so long as I managed today so I am feeling really pleased with myself. Partly as I went with the faster runners to make sure I pushed myself, also as I didn't know the route I didn't want to get lost! LOL Not that the group would leave me behind but pride won't allow me to have one of them sow down to be with me, so I sped up to be with them. I am planning on running the local park run in the morning so that will be another 3 miles to add towards Augusts total. A goal helps to maintain my focus, what helps you to remain focussed, whether it's running or another goal that you are working towards?

challenge and an over-achievement

I enjoy running, I have been an on/off runner for years. I enjoy the feeling when I run and just after I have however I often lack the motivation to run in the first place! Last week I was looking through the blogs I follow and I saw a post by frugal queen about how she enjoys running and her fabulous fitness after beginning to run. Froog's was very brave and posted some pictures of her self during her 5 km run last sunday. This motivated me to get myself up and out of bed running before work on onday, but Tuesday rain was torrential- so I laid in bed. Then Stephanie was poorly with  sickness bug so I couldn't go running before work. So today I decided I was going to make a a little moage to Froog's achievement laat week I went for a run and took some dodgy pictures of myself as I went. I do not do glamour when running and my selfies are awful but here you go!

I went to a lake a short drive from my home as it is picturesque and tranquil- and mostly flat! The lake is 2.4km or 1.5m all the way round so I set myself the target of jogging as much of 2 laps as I could.

just about to set off!

1 lap in and still running, I was amazed I hadn't needed to stop and walk!

A blurry (still running) shot of the wildlife- not quite the cattle Froog's has to contend with- rather elegant swans and noisy coots here.

end of lap 2- still no walking! I was so shocked I decided to keep going and see if I could run another lap bringin my total run to 7.5km.

I completed lap 3, starting to feel tired but still running so I went for lap 4. To see how close to 10km I could run. I wasn't actually asleep as I ran but well taking pictures of yourself is very tricky when running- I have lots of shots of the floor LOL

My amazed and happy face! I did it I ran all the way around the lake 4 times- NO WALKING!! that's a massive 10km. I must keep up with this.

My after run treat waiting in the car for me!

Shoes

It's no secret that I love shoes, I have lots of them. Some are on the downstairs shoe rack, some are hiding under my bed. There is usually a pair lingering by the back door.
Today as I was out running I was thinking about footwear, I passed lots of other runners most of them had BRIGHT trainers on. When I have been to the shops for footwear with the children I have noticed that bright trainers are everywhere at the moment. Some of them retailing for £££! My trainers I bought in the discount sports shop for around £15.00.

Here are few of my favourite shoes;

These are my running trainers I have had them for around 3 years. They keep my feet moving whether I am in the gym or running in the real world! Today they kept my feet safe as I ran 10k for the first time, it took me around an hour. I am very pleased with myself :-)

These are my gardening wellies. As you can see from the picture I have been out in the garden this morning, I have tried to scrub the fence treatment I splashed about yesterday off of the paving slabs. It has come up a little. It is water based so will come off just a few downpours should get the last of it off. These wellies were given to Dylan by my dad, they used to be my brothers. Dylan has now outgrown them by a couple of sizes, they are one size too big or me but I like to wear them for gardening. As they are too big when it is cold I can wear very thick socks, or several pairs quite comfortably. They also are very easy to get off when caked in mud due to the size.

 

I love these sandals, as being able to wear them makes it a summery day! They are very comfortable so I can wear them all day at work, or on a family day out quite comfortably. These cost around £10, may have been less 2 summers ago.

 

I do have some more dressy shoes that I love, they are put away upstairs for the rare occasion I get to go out somewhere for the evening. That's when the heels come out. I love tall heels. Even my 'posh shoes' don't cost me much. I wait to the sales and by them. With the exception of my winter boots which I paid £40 for, they are knee length and leather. I never pay much for my shoes, around £10 usually, then I wear them for years. That is why I have such a collection, although I have recently had a clear out and now only have half of what I used to, the others are destined for the bootfair.

 

All of those I own have carried these 2 feet for many a distance and will continue to do so for a while yet.

 

 

 

 

A new challenge

This year I have set myself a new running target. For a couple of years I have run the Race for life 5k. With Stephanie's success at the 5k I was prompted to commit to something I have been thinking about, I signed up to run the 10k race for life.
I am an erratic runner, I enjoy it when I manage to convince myself to do it. I started my training regime this week, I loosely use the NHS couch to 5k to train. I have completed 2 runs this week, I didn't go for one today and spent the rest of the day feeling guilty! The plan tells you to run every other day however I like to try and go everyday as I really enjoy the half hour outside and it is a great start to the day.

I have 4 1/2 weeks until my race, I managed to run non stop for 20 minutes yesterday I estimate that was about 2 miles. It is hard to tell the distance as during the week I run round and round my block. I am planning on going for a longer run at the weekend when Stephanie is with her Dad.

What challenges have you set yourself for this year??

Aim update

At the beginning of this year I set myself some aims for the year. I haven't looked at them for a little while so I want to see how we are getting on.

The aims set were

to finish decorating/ making our home our own

to save for the future

to enjoy more family fitness

frugal- I want to make what we have go further

to fix things- I have lots of things around the house that need mending/ altering that I haven't got around to doing.

to finish things, I have several craft projects started 2013 is the year to finish things

1. I haven't done anymore decorating since finishing the kitchen. I need to do the upstairs bathroom and my bedroom. I am going to get on with this soon. I know what I want to do in each room it's just time to do it.

2. I am saving hard for the future. I have an end of year treat I am saving for in the short term. I have approx. half the money required for this. I am also saving to buy our first home I have £700 so far, a long way to go but it will happen. I want to save a bit more and then get some financial advise as to which method of buying is best suited to me.

3. We have been getting much more active as a family, especially since the weather has got nicer. I have been going out each morning before work to have a run and then after school I have been taking the children out on their bikes. Today we were accompanied by a neighbours 2 children as well.

4. I have been trying hard, had a few slips, at being more frugal. I am definitely spending less and saving more. So something is working!

5. I have got better at fixing things and not letting them pile up. I have not had many items sitting around for months waiting to be mended. I did catch up on the items from last year which needed mending.

6. finish things. This one is not so easy. I start new projects for various reasons and old ones get pushed back. I did finish the jumper I made Stephanie. I have also finished several other projects I began this year. I still have not finished the cross stitch I started before Stephanie was born. I am needing to do this in the holidays more as I am too tired to concentrate on it properly after work. It will be finished before 2014!

 

Today's bike ride, I didn't get a picture of Dylan as he was riding too fast! LOL