Almost that time of year again. 2010 - a summary.

2010 - it's been a ...

It's been too much to sum up in one word, so I thought I'd try just a few more. Here's a month by month summary - 12 months in 69 words (dude).

No heating. Curling.
Break Up. Incredible friends.
Paris. Secured flat.
Incredible friends. Ceramics.
Meet chg. Celebrate friends BDays.
Bridie goes. Discover Acoustic Dave.
21212 & spa with Meeper. Marrakesh.
Festival Madness. Scotland trip & discover Orkney.
Move to Edinburgh. chg moves to London. See new house on the Island.
Manchester. London. House warming.
London. Granny Greens. Time to Breathe.
Bridesmaid dress shopping. Chopper xmas party. Xmas expectation & preparation.

Ultimately I can't have imagined this year; but then the things you don't expect are often the most fundamentally life changing and life enhancing. It's been a big year: Friends have got married, friends have got engaged, friends are emigrating, and it starts and ends with SNOW. Not only is snow a challenge that makes you realise you are at the whim of the elements, but also makes you want to play like a kid. Bloody brilliant.

Not even the random occurrence of my neighbour (below) letting me know the main soil pipe is frozen could dampen my xmas spirit. [Luckily neighbour across the way has given me her key (and is away) so we have a loo until the thaw comes!! Thereby demonstrating that it pays to be nice to your neighbours, and friendly! She gets a big bunch of flowers as a thank you come 2011.] Although this does make it clear that plumbing problems are not just restricted to country dwellings. (Damn it... DAMN IT.)

I'm looking forward to 2011 with much, much happiness as I sit in my warm and lovely flat with a snoring dog beside me, a fridge full to bursting, and the chg on her train north. Only my cold is a minor irritation, but then again, even that could be worse. It's just a cold.

There's a lot to look forward to in 2011. I've got another birthday approaching. (I like birthdays but can't quite understand how they seem to be so close together these days!) There are wedding's aplenty; I even get to be a bridesmaid for the very first time! And a whole world of opportunity out there. (Some possibly exciting work projects in the planning!)

I normally give a running update at this point but shucks, the running has been a bit poor this year. Still churning out 5ks with regularity - but life has been a bit busy... I do have ONE decent stat for the year: January saw me do my fastest ever 10k at 53.40... pretty sure there's been no improvement on that... might even be much slower. But hell, I'll get there. More running is definitely in the plan for 2011. Need a few more 1/2 marathons under the belt. Maybe when the ice clears ... whenever that might be.

There have also been many challenges this year, not least of which was behaving like a grown-up when my contractor held his phone towards me and said: I've got some great pictures of black knobs for you!

Ah, the kitchen does look good.
*cough*
Moving on to 2011 at great speed.

Enormous amounts of love to all my incredible friends and all those who have helped to turn 2010 into something very very special.

Monthly update!

If any of you are still reading, congratulations on almost endless patience!

The real news is that I went for a run, a 4 mile run... read it and weep fellow runners... 4 miles. Go me.

The fact I'm so excited about a 4 mile run suggests that I'm still a bit behind on the whole idea of a schedule at the moment. Although, living on the 3rd floor I am generally walking far more than I ever have for the last 10 years. And carrying stuff a lot more too. Not that I really feel any fitter - but then I was fit through running for a while... must get back to that level of fitness.

4miles - 39minutes 9.53/9.31/9.47/9.47

I'm not over the moon that I'm still slow - but this time my 5k time was 30.15 which is about 30 seconds faster than last time; despite it being a pathetic improvement, I'll take it.

Lovely London sums up the last month. Has been great to discover new bits south of the river, and to go and see some shows (BP Portrait Award), enjoy the parks & The Heath.

Also made it to The Island to see the nephews; this was wonderful. A new house to visit and 3 very excited small boys who were DELIGHTED by their modest Go-Go gifts. At first you think, "what is this plastic shite that entices them?"; then you realise that the plastic shite is really cheap. Brilliant. Fresh Mackrel & fantastic beach walks were a real highlight, that, and the company.

First trip to Manchester to see Tigger & Badger. Great, great hosts; incredible food; and a lovely place to put us all up. I think Tigger enjoyed her birthday and HH enjoyed her dress shopping.

After all this madness I'm back in the big smoke, and loving the change. Managed to make my first stock & some soup... if I post again it means it was edible.

Off to grab a drink and rest my aching legs. ('Cos god, they do ache after 4 miles, last time I did that was July 19th.. v shabby.)

So, it really has been a while.

It's not that I stopped running - but I sort of did for a bit. (I'm back in the saddle now - one run on Monday and I'm *just about* to go out for another.)

Life got a little bit hectic. A little bit different. And a lot better.

I'll start by saying that I met someone (CHG) - and it's all good. But that's all the detail you'll get about that.

The last 3 MONTHS - (3 months - holy christ! how did that happen) have been quite sociable and included the following: (Any details missed out are purely accidental and if I've missed anything vital - screw it.)

1. Sometime in the summer RF & Wheeler had a BBQ - this involved the police (due to a crash down the road, not our antics) and drinking whisky all night... yes, all night. I went to bed at 6am. It was a great party... I think.

2. I discovered the joy that is Acoustic Dave. I had help in this discovery from a psychic Australian... this sounds like the start of a bad joke - all true I swear.

3.Very kind friends who hold BBQs (see above) lent me an incredible pad in Edinburgh on the basis that I did a little light painting. They are forever blessed. In fact, that might be why the Pope is visiting.

4. Managed to catch up with a visiting friend from the states. He was hale, happy, and flashing his new iPad and iPhone 4 - we didn't talk much, there were gadgets to drool over.

5. MaYa and brood descended for a lovely few days in Perthshire. 'Phews were fantastic company and I think all had a good time (including me).

6. I carried my dog into a ceramics class in a bag for 3 days and she behaved impeccably! They still miss her (more than they miss me). I still have to go and finish some pieces... one of which is a fancy dog bowl...

7. I was treated to an incredible spa day and lunch at 21212 in Edinburgh. Many thanks go out to Meeper and Ceegar.

8. I finally saw a new continent by going to Marrakesh with RF & HH for 5 days. A better trip could not have been had. Thanks to HH for all the planning & organising.

9. Lots of good times, and good food, with friends old a new. This sounds quite general but they did all make it a great summer.

10. The beginnings of festival madness: Nina Conti, Phil Kay, Dead Cat Bounce.

11. An incredible trip round Scotland. Stopping points: Lunan Bay, Secret Location near Inverness, Dunnett Head - THEN ON TO ORKNEY* - Across Sutherland, down the west to Ullapool (not Unapool which is substantially closer when driving!), back to Inverness, then Fort William, then back to Edinburgh to finish festival madness with:

12. Henry Rollins & Chris Addison. (Not together - that would be quite something.)

I'll pause my list here to say that Orkney was incredible. Not only was it beautiful but new acquaintances were kind, generous, funny, and loved the gold dog (again, far more than me). It could not have been a more spectacular trip. Particularly heading out to a far flung island to find stunning weather, white sand beaches, and Caribbean blue seas! Felt privileged to have seen it all.

13. Then, just to top off this madness I moved house. It was a little more stressful than anticipated. Advice: Never let anyone give you a moving quote over the phone, insist they come and see it! It was a shitty experience and one I hope not to repeat. However, it was one day. And I am delighted with how the new place turned out. Still got to unpack the workshop - but I'm getting there. Managed to feed friends 48h after moving in ... not bad, I think. Optimism was rewarded.

14. After moving I then loaded the wee car with CHG's stuff and headed to London. As it's only right that the week I move to Edinburgh, she moves to London... c'est la vie!

15. I'm now enjoying London life in small bursts. EXPOSED exhibition at the Tate was the first cultural highlight (although it's bloody depressing).

Now I'm off for my second run of the week. The first being 5k in 30.40 - I was unimpressed with myself - but that's what you get for not having run in about a month (the fact I don't even know disturbs me). All I know is it was along the water of Leith and it was before going to a festival show as I was trying to exercise the gold dog...

So, once more into the breech. Good to be back - lets hope I can keep up this blogging malarkey after such a long hiatus.

Busy, busy, but not always productive.

To try and get me back into the swing of this blogging malarkey I'm going with the simple list formula. Since we last communicated I have:

Walked the dogs for 39.4 miles
Run 19 miles (all under 9m/mile though - I'll take that positive)
Done innumerable arm and tummy exercises
Collected a new (to me) car
Attended or hosted 10 social events (yes, I do mean met with friends)
Made lots of things in ceramics, including making cakes for election night
Been to see a Diane Arbus exhibition - thanks HH
Voted - lets see how that turns out!?
Found an NHS Dentist - thanks Tigger. Was told I need a filling. :-(
Hot smoked my own salmon for the first time - v tasty (thanks Dad)
Contracted a nasty chest virus which has stopped me doing v much. Boooo
Worked a fair bit - but not enough.
Lost no more weight - but gained no weight. Again a plateau is better than nothing.

Hope this manages to keep you all caught up. The progress with the flat is slow for reasons I do not understand. I think 'cos the people selling are on behalf on an estate they aren't as desperate to get it done.... but jesus people, lets get this moving!

Generally quite frustrated as the virus just makes me a bit lethargic. Want to go to the gym to make myself feel better, but also know I can't do too much. Might go and give it a go tonight though. Just use the bike and elliptical - nothing too stressful. Got to try though. I'll take it easy.
Still got work to do, and I'm away all day tomorrow - hmmm, it might be a long night.

Finally the muse is with me.

It got to the point where there was only so much bitching about the heating that could be done! So instead of writing about other stuff, I just shut up.

Luckily during the worst of it we were taken in (in a kindly way, rather than in a slave labour/ sold to pirates way) by RF and Wheeler. Thank god for friends. We, in turn, showed them a great restaurant just 20min from their house ... this seemed like a fair exchange.

Fitted in (since I last blogged):
5 miles in 43.41 - rocked the socks of my old time.
5K in the gym
5 miles - 45.05
5k in the gym
5K - Outside in the sodding snow and a gale. Hideous the higher I went, luckily Black dog looooved it.
5K in the gym. 26.43
So I've not really been slacking or progressing in the running stakes; more just making sure that I maintain a decent level of fitness. And I've got a plan worked out for the next half in April - so watch the miles start to tick up. (As I bitch about the cold more and more.)

My nearest and dearest friends also came and celebrated my birthday (31) in a very cold house, in a very cold month, in a very cold year - when we had no heating. So they were brave souls (and god are they great; these are the same friends who have had dinner at midnight as we had no water and no electric one year!). The all survived without frostbite and with good humour. A lot of radiators helped. And blankets. And a fire. And keeping everyone in one large room as much as possible.

After a night out at East Haugh pub we headed home and made a relatively early night of it. Friday can see people a bit knackered after a busy week, and we knew we had to get up early the next day.

When we went CURLING. I know! When told MaYa said, "how terribly ethnic" and she might be right. I think the Scots are mighty fond of 'sports' where you can have a pint, and stop to have a fag, and not really ever get out of breath. Brilliant.

We had almost 2h with an instructor (Claire - brilliant) and just had a great time. I had felt quite apprehensive about waking up in a cold house and then going to stand in a cold place for hours at a time but it worked really well. I'd recommend it to anyone. We did eventually split into 2 teams and have 2 'ends' - it was a pathetic tie. 1-1.

A lovely walk, and lunch (obviously) eventually took us all back home where roaring fires and heaters made it quite nice really. We did all sorts of art activities and just chilled out. All through this TheO was damn ill. She had a cold of epic proportions and was just about managing to stay upright. She even held it all together long enough to put together the epic feast of deli good, fantastic bread, a huge salmon she cooked, and the lobster Teech brought. It was fantastic. We all dined like queens. (Okay, and kings.) Shame TheO had lost the ability to taste all food. :-(

We all parted ways the next day - and managed to entice RF to the gym with tails of hot tubs. So I even fitted in a work out on my birthday. Finally that evening we headed off to see Stephen K Amos in Perth. It was v funny, but - as is always the sodding case, we had seen a lot of the show earlier in the year.

A few lovely lunches catching up with friends we've not seen in a while also made the end of January really great. Being sociable stops you from being quite so introspective and gives me the interaction I desperately need (but am, for reasons I don't understand, incapable of organising myself!).

After a particularly long spell without heating we began to get a little bit hardier, and a lot more worn down. It really took a toll on our collective mood, so it was beyond wonderful when it was finally fixed. However, we have taken further action and 2 sets of stove engineers are now about to furnish us with quotes. Our living room really, really needs more than the small fire can provide. So lets see if they can get us a bit warmer for the rest of the year (whilst simultaneously using a bit less heating).

That was a great welcome to February. A great welcome to 2010 really. People eager to turn up and provide you with a quote. So far we've only had to make one enquiry each, no chasing, no further phone calls, no rubbish. Lets hope they keep it up.

February started with far more promise. We not only discovered a great wee place for lunch in Crieff (Delivino) but TheO, with her incredible style managed to surprise me with a further birthday outing. She took me to Andrew Fairlie. (Her blog does cover this in detail.) This was just brilliant. The best service I've seen anywhere. And some of the best food. A tiny bit lacking in 'show' but not in ability or quality.

This fantastic night also enabled me to get dolled up. Something I do occasionally enjoy. I even put (clear) polish on my nails; but I used it as an opportunity to try out my birthday present from HH. I've been desperate to have some heated rollers for aaaages. My hair is quite flat and doesn't really do much unless I put the effort in. Heated rollers seemed like such an easy way to get a big effect.

OMG do these things work. On dry hair, with a 5min heat up and left in for about 15min I got brilliant curls.

Honestly - these were great curls. And this is a rubbish picture, taken just as I was running out the house; I'm quite happy at this point, but am appearing FURIOUS in this picture! (I'm also wearing the necklace I got as a bday present from TheO... who spoils me, and I don't deserve it.)

So, what with the excellent food, brilliant company, big hair, and too much booze - it was a damn fine night.

I now feel much more like tackling 2010 head on. And it might even be a bit great.

Heat and aching muscles.

The heating has been "fixed". I say "fixed" as there were some horribly unanswered questions, the kind that are always true but deeply frustrating. "Oh, we have about 5 or 6 units in Scotland that break down in winter, yours is one of them, we don't know why!"

Also when your heating engineer suggests you call his mate and have a different boiler/furnace system fitted ... well, let's say we're not that desperate yet but I do spend a considerable amount of time delighted that we only have to pay the bills, we didn't pay to have the world's least useful system (for this house) fitted!

And breathe.

So, in retaliation for being sodding cold I went to the gym today with a mission. A mission to beat my 10K time. And, luckily for humankind as you'd have heard the shrieks of anguish world wide, I kicked my old time's arse. 53.40 (45 seconds off my old time) and this did involve running up a 3% slope for 12.5 mins of this time and a 2% for 12.5 min also. It was a damn hard work out but it felt great.

This week I've managed 13.3 miles which is a huge improvement on the last few months.
I desperately need to kick-start this year.
With the heating off doing anything (apart from waiting for engineers and leaving the house to go somewhere warm) has been pretty impossible. Everything has felt a bit like being on holiday, but not in a good way. You feel you should start the year with a bang or January will be over and then... and then.

So tomorrow - back to some sort of grindstone.
And preparing the house for MaYa her youngest too and MaryPoppins ... a flying visit starts on Sunday and they leave on Wednesday so we'll be lucky enough to celebrate Goose's birthday! My godson - I'm delighted.

Right - make a list for tomorrow and lets get this month started.

ps/ We can't really turn the heating off properly... just in case. Anyone care to imagine how crap the bills will be?

Still going strong

Well, a little weakly today as I went to circuits last night for the first time in TWO MONTHS. TWO. MONTHS. How the hell did that happen, and oh god why did I go back if it hurts sooo much?
Ah well, I'm pretty sure it does me good, in some way.

We have, as usual been pretty goddamn busy. It never seems to stop.
After the dogs were clipped (they may just have forgiven us) we headed south. Our first stop was a B&B - and it was crappy. Not the kind of crappy where you can complain, just the weird every surface is painted peach and an old man is watching the god-channel in the lounge way. They did food. I was served an entire quiche for 6 people... I tried v hard not to eat it all. She didn't have ANY caffeinated coffee in the house... in case she was given some by accident. In what world could that happen? GIVE ME MY DAMN COFFEE IN THE MORNING. *and breathe*

Then we made it to Staffordshire which was delightful and quite relaxing. Although it was a place that highlighted by addiction to the internet. I need to do something about that. Really,do you think blogging helps?

After a few days there we went on to London (a first for the dogs!) and all went swimmingly. We ate wonderful food, far too often, and far too much. But it was delightful. Also managed to catch the Maharaja exhibition which is ££ but worth it. Spent some time with other sister-in-law which was lovely as we don't get to see her much.

In London I paid £15 to run for 45min. It makes me quake to think of it. But, the only up side was that those 45min covered 5 miles dead - and this makes it a new PB for 5 miles. 4 miles at 2% and 1 mile at 1.5% so not slacking on the incline... delighted.

On Sunday after tennis, tea, brunch and many other meals along the way we headed north. And my god is that a long journey. I swear the entire M6 is just one set of roadworks after the other. Pah.

We arrived home to find that Dotty had not managed to find the appropriate key and therefore our house was COLD AS THE GRAVE. Or possibly colder. It took a fire, and many blankets before we even thawed through. Good to be home though.

I feel a bit like I've sleep walked though the last 4 days. Who knows what happened, not much, and yet I've been busy. Just catching up with life, work and everything I think.

It seems like 1 exercise session a week is all I've managed recently. Must UP this significantly or Christmas will end up bloating me to the size of a house. Eeeek.

Right, off to write other blogs and maybe even head to bed.
Oh it feels good to be back.

I've been neglecting you.

After the 4 miles it's been a complete whirlwind.
Stayed with Spartan and Blarney with BLARNEY COOKING. She did a fantastic job (the first time she's ever cooked for 6 people) with 2 full courses, the final of which was cheesecake !!!! my personal favourite.

Then we had a night away with a wine tasting and 6 course dinner. Wheeler and RF were happy to accompany us as TheO's gift to RF to help stave off her SAD. It was a brilliant night, good food, good wine, good chat. Went to bed most lubricated and fell asleep to the sound of rain pouring on the chalet roof. Wonderful.

The next morning we fortified ourselves with breakfast and headed out on a dog walk. One of the wettest dog walks I've ever taken part in. We walked for a good hour and saw the view down the valley just before the weather closed in (again).

After that it was full steam ahead, first to the new cottage where RF and Wheeler are staying. TheO made them dinner for later and RF and I built a wardrobe whilst Wheeler emptied out 'the kit room'. A very productive afternoon all round.

Then, despite this being designated as a 'quiet month' MaYa was due to arrive with Tertius. She needed to get lots of things sorted for the new house so we spent many days looking round John Lewis, Dundee and Perth to find tiles,bathrooms and the like. I think it was time use productively. (Particularly as we managed to fit in Dim Sum with Blarney too!)

But this is meant to be a blog about exercise (but the walk counts, honest)!
So, on the 18th I managed to get back to the gym.
5k in 27.46 - aerobic 1 setting. Really pushed it! It felt good to get back in there.
Then 11 proper press ups, a small rest then, 4 proper press ups.
36 sit ups
2 proper press ups -ok, 2 weak wobbly arm things that shouldn't really count.
6 scissor leg up/down things
20 bicep curls w/4kg weight
15 tricep dips
DONE (definitely said in Gordon Ramsey tones).

Since then life has been getting back to normal, catching up on all the things that need to be done. Organising a whole bunch of stuff for Christmas. And time is still running away with me.

We're off to the Peak District and London next week. It should be fun.
Right. I'm off to have breakfast (a little late I know), finish the cleaning and then go to the gym. Oh yes, and the dogs desperately need a walk..... damn.

Getting back to it - and oh god it hurts.

It's been a fairly hectic week domestically and socially.

Brunch and Dim Sum to celebrate with Teech. Oh, the glory of msg and weird gloop with 1000 yr old egg. Mmmmm.
Blarney and Babybelle came for a visit, my child holding skills are still standing firm. As is my love for the little tyke. She gets bonus points for not giving me her cold.

We got a new freezer for outside to finally hold the vast amounts of meat we keep being given by neighbours. Also stores extra supermarket offers! And, the cherry on the domestic cake, a new Hoover. I could wax on for hours about hoovers, but finally I decided I could live with the current arrangement no more. Despite having good 'suck' I would not drag our 8.5kg upright dyson around a house with a large surface area which is all hard floors. As soon as you start to kick an appliance hoping it will DIE you know the time has come to move on. Found a great wee, cheap, hoover that got a Which Best Buy in April 2009 - it's bloody marvellous. (But enough about that - and I haven't even mentioned the search for a spray mop... oh what an exciting time I've been having.. TheO found me researching the options and practically wept with laughter... it is only a mop after all.)

I've also been trying to 'up' the running this week. And sort of managed. Early in the week I set out to do my 9 mile run. After 5 miles (in 49min) I just gave in. It wasn't working, in any way. I did then follow it up directly afterwards with a 2 mile dog walk... but this doesn't really add to the running.

We then went to circuits, having missed out for several weeks. It was being taken by Springbok who can give a fairly half-arsed workout. Not this time. Oh god. 3 days later I'm still wincing when I laugh. We did the usual circuits for 1min each, but between each one was another 1min of core torture. Sit ups, plank, leg raises - the works. Then do it all again with the core torture between every second exercise. All v v hard work but made me feel all endorphiny.

A lovely dinner with some semi-distant relatives of TheO's on Friday rounded out the week. Why do people keep making us 2 puds at dinner? It's happened a few times now and I just can't say no to sweet food.

The following w/end was packed. We met up with the Cheese Board in Harvey Nicks to have lunch and discuss quilt making... I know, sounds a little odd, but worked v well. After a lovely lunch we discussed designs, plans and themes for our own squares. Much discussion and decision making was done. A result all round.
On the way home we then popped in on Meeper and Ceegar who were on fine fettle, and the dogs appreciated a long walk around the school grounds. More plans were made for further catch-ups and we finally wended our way home.

Just before we got back we discovered a tree down across our road. Too big too move, and too precarious to get under. Luckily Dotty filled us in with a secret back road which led us round to home, we met Farmer (the clue really is in the name!) and told him about the tree. By the time we got back and changed in anticipation of having to move the sodding thing, all had been done. Nothing like a team of people with a tractor and the desire to scavenge wood.

That takes us to today:
I awoke at 8.30am; a time I know is laughable to many, but which I will refer to as DAWN. I stumbled downstairs, made my porridge, ate it, and went back to bed. At 9.45 I made it up, and started to dress and prepare for the run. Finally I managed to have some coffee -this improved the day immensely.

I did 9 miles in 1.28.50 avg 9.53
9.16 - flat
9.39 - short climb
10.16 - generally up but gentle gradient
9.43 - flatish/ down slightly
9.58 - flat
9.31 - slightly down
9.50 - flat
10.16 - half mile climb
10.18 - flat one very short rise

This was quite momentous as it really cleared my mind of the crap distance runs that have occurred recently. I needed to know that I could do it - I needed to know that it was all as possible as it can seem on a good day. I was very lucky with the weather. Quite cold, but not nippy, some breeze but not too much, and perfect sunshine. A great day for running.

It gives me far more hope for the run in a few weeks. I think I might, once again, be ready for the half marathon distance.

Now I wasn't overly excited by my time for the 9 miler as in the gym recently I've been so much faster and averaging just under 10min/miles seems like a bit of a back step. But my carefully kept records tell me that it's a 9 mile training run record. A good 5 min shaved off the old record. This gives me even greater hope for racing as I always get a bit of a boost from knowing it's all or nothing.

But the 9 miler wasn't the highlight of the day. We got to celebrate Tigger's birthday. Her delightful otherhalf had baked an enormous mountian of various and delicious cakes. It was lovely to celebrate, laugh with friends, eat great cake, and chill out. Although the sugarhigh after the run did almost do for me. I'm just coming down now.

But that's it - I'm off, it's late and the family descend next week - need to get that hoover into action sharpish.

xx

Run and Walk and Sleep.

Lovely fast 4 miles on Thursday - but in the gym again as cold and windy. Did 2 sections of 3min at 9% which was bloody hard but managed not to slow down and keep a good 9.15 pace.

No time to let the legs relax as we had a great walk with RF and Dougal-dog on Friday. We finally walk over the big hill at the top of our road. The best possible day for it, amazing stretching views, wonderful sunshine and enough wind to make you feel like the 'summit' was much higher than it really was. 6.5 miles in 3h 15min. Not too shabby given dog distractions.

Even managed to find a geocache too - hidden but spotted by RF - we left snacks... and took tools.

This was after our impromptu plucking and gutting lesson. In return for dog sitting our neighbour (Tay) had left us some very recently shot Grouse... feathers'n'all... luckily Dotty was on hand to make it a simple, if occasionally stinky process to get them 'dressed'.

Today got the house sorted. And seeing everyone tomorrow to celebrate Teech's bday. :-)

So now I'm back, somebody new, not that ....

you get the idea.
Roberta is the only way I could return without feeling shame, SHAME I tell you, for abandoning you all in this month of rain and misery.

Now I'm usually quite stoic about weather, it happens, you can't change it, you just have to live with it; but Jeeesus, it has to stop raining soon. No really, anytime would be fine. Sometime before most of the road and some pieces of the house actually float off would be most appreciated.

Now since the run of greatness (see far below) things took a somewhat pear-shaped turn as my bursitis flared up in my hip and I had to both take break from running and cancel running the Coll Half (it has not been a good year for races this year). This means that I've been trying to do a few bits and pieces so as not to lose the fitness.

Managed to swim 1K in the pool - which isn't tiring at the time, but you feel it a few hours afterwards. Also lots, and lots, and lots of dog walking. Have discovered that if I walk them enough they behave like angels in the evening - it's incredible - and fantastic. Definitely 2 long walks a day from now on... oh well, maybe not in the worst bits of winter...

During this time of blogglessness we had a fab w/end with HH, Teech, Spartan and Blarney who even brought the littlest up to see us for the first time (first time here, not first time seeing) and she behaved like an angel - went to the pub, survived a dinner party and was generally adorable. We were also spoilt by the neighbours who turned up with a rifle on Sunday for some target practice and mushrooms, which HH fell upon with glee.

One of our lovely neighbours also fed us last week. A fantastic 3 course dinner with 2 puddings! How did she know. It was fantastic and we managed to get drunk enough to stumble home very slowly at 1am.

Now TheO is away with HH in Copenhaaaaagen enjoying the finest food known to humanity and I am here, blogging, getting some work done and sorting out some housey stuff. Yesterday was a right-off for various reasons (but I'm blaming the rain) so today is going to be much more organised. Oh yes.

Killing one bird with 2 stones.

Now, this could be a post about weight, but sadly there is well more than 2 stone that I'm dragging round as additional ballast.

This post is about the idiot who thought that combining my hill training with my long run would be time well spent. IDIOT. It was time knackering myself. The stats are pretty horrid.
I'll describe the run:
Out of the door and 1.25 miles uphill
Back down again (total 2.5miles)
Then up again
then down again (5 miles)
Then 0.25 miles along a flat section and back (5.5miles)
Then up hill for 0.75 miles
and back down again - 7 miles total.
Was meant to be 8 miles but the hills really did me in. 1.15.00 time. Avg 10.44 (11.54 was my slowest mile - eek)

So, I'm still at least one week behind on my training for the Island Half (which may become the Island 10K... it's been a while since I raced that distance...). But I have managed 17 miles this week and a circuits class (which was shit - taken by new guy who was rubbish).

Also - that time has come again to celebrate another anniversary. It was 3 years since my first ever run yesterday - and I'm still going.

Now last year there was a lot of stuff going on, this year has been quieter-ish.
We really did move house - it only took 2 months longer than expected and there's still plenty to do! We also managed to sell the old place. TheO passed all her exams with flying colours and qualified as a massage therapist. (Lucky, lucky me.)
Got a new nephew and the Cheeseboard had it's first addition (finally a girl!). There was Friends' Christmas, my Dad got married; we went to Santorini, and I developed a love of Gardening and asthma.

So put that way, it really was a quiet year compared to the year before. However it was the year we/I needed. Now I can focus on the future, and work, and a burgeoning love of travel - I'm already planning the next trip...

From a running point of view this year had been pretty shocking. I did the IslandHalf last August but haven't raced since. Mostly due to laziness. Luckily it's the Island that calls me again this year and hopefully that'll kick start the racing again. I've also logged my fastest 5, 8 and 10 mile runs this year so the PBs do keep improving all be it incrementally.

Whilst I haven't blogged as much this year as last year, and I definitely haven't run as many miles - it's fantastic to have a record of everything, and to be able to assess what I've done and how I've done it (slowly and with much winging) a the years pass.

Feeling quite introspective now but I think that's just the endorphins leaving the need for a shower growing. Here's to another year where I might even get the extra ballast shifted too.

Still slacking

Now, when you read - you'll understand the slackerage. But really, I need to get my arse in gear.

I've managed a lovely night our for dinner with HH, Tigger and Badger who were all in delightful form. Hastily thrown together by TheO as HH was having a nightmare set of hours and stress at work. Luckily she's getting to the end of the tough bit.

I've spent 2 days cleaning the house - in very vigerous and determined style - things have been cleaned that hadn't had a proper going over since we moved in! (Eeeeek) And as I had to shower after doing it, it definitely counted as exercise!

Then MaYa turned up, with her 3 boys. And my were they the most deliciously delightful that they've ever been. Apart from Eldest running in on arrival and throwing his arms around me and saying, "I'm soooooo happy to be here!"; they all were incredibly good. Now this was aided by Aunty Fun and mygoodself. We took them to an activity park on their first day. Huge swings, slides, castle, go-carts, zip line, tramploines, the whole lot. They loved it and ran themselves compeltely ragged - as did we. A double go-cart peddling up hill on gravel with a heavy boy in tow is no easy feat.

The next day we took them to Butterfly World. Less of a 'world', more of a 'big-green-house'. It was identical to when I was last there - 20 years ago (the horror of that statement has still not left me). The boys loved it, even Middlist was impressed by the creatures, the flowers, the fish and everything else. The very best bit was handling the creatures though. A giant millipede, a python and a tarantula were all presented for handling - it was brilliant. I'd never held a snake before! And I'm never holding a tarantula - thought I'd be ok - but TheO took great joy in being 'brave and unconcerned Auntie'. I'm still in awe.

On our way back from Butterfly World, Blarney and Spartan were kind enough to invite us to see the new babe - and my, were they brave when they invited in MaYa and all of her brood. MaYa was DESPERATE to see them and it all worked out well. They were marvellous for those who'd been home from the hospital all of 24h. Luckily they survived our visit and the joy of seeing them both ok, and meeting the new babybel was spectacular. I think both grandmothers were doing a fine job of being incredibly helpful, and slightly taken aback by the vast number of us.

On their final day of the Islanders visit our Neighbour brought her pony round and the boys got pony rides in the garden. It was pretty magical. Until the moment we realised middlist was seriously allergic to horses and his eyes swelled up horribly. Poor boy had to go inside, wash, and be comforted with milk ("in microwave" was asked for), and a dummy. Luckily the swelling did go down, but he was a little miserable.

They pushed off after lunch and we breathed a huge sigh and collapsed. But not for long as our neighbours were coming round for dinner. As I felt truly dreadful for a bit, TheO did sterling service and both went shopping and rustled up a huge chilli. Neighbours walked in with strawberries and champagne - a delight.

Making up for the lack of juneathon proper we went to circuits last night and knackered ourselves completely. It was hard work, and I'm horribly overweight at present - AND horribly out of shape. Must do better. Off to do some yoga before going out.

Juneathon days completeed: 8/12

No, the microwave risotto didn't kill me.

I know that you'll all have been concerned that I haven't managed to update in quite some time.
Highlights:

Ma came to stay - delightful, was bitten by the gardening bug in her presence, mostly as we went to see such beautiful places... gets you thinking.

Spent a w/end with Spartan and Blarney trying to distract them from impending parenthood and looming decorating. Antiquing played a lovely role in this.

Wheeler and RF visited and returned The Strimmer of Dooom. So I naturally had to spend the following days srtimming, raking and trying to make the garden look controlled.

ManU lost the champions league.
Another amazing w/end with Ceegar and Meeper - see details on TheO's blog. We ate. A lot.

Neighbour took pity on my lawn (and me, I hope) as the big mower had to be sent away for yet more fixing; and we mowed for hours...

I clipped the pooches, and later that night they had a huge fight in the garden. Had to have an emergency vets apt at 11pm. Luckily dogs ok, and vet lovely.

Blarney didn't pop the sprog so TheO distracted her with the pinkest of pink shoes. (I go greeeeen when I see them.) God bless Harvey Nicks, and places that serve coffee and cake!

Today I also, finally, only 7 months after moving in, got all of my workshop set-up in one location. With power, and the usual crappy heating. It feels v v good to have got it all done, and to finally know where everything is. Might stop me being such a grumpy bugger.

OMG

That was bloody awful. 5k - 30min bang on. Not terrible apart from I felt like I hadn't run in aaaages. Maybe that was because I hadn't run in 13days.

The good news is that I'm fit enough to help friends strip wallpaper and sand floors for 3 days straight. (House is really getting there and Spartan & Blarney have bagged themselves a bargin!) I'm fit enough to have a fantastic 14mile bike ride with TheO - small break for picnic mid cycle. I'm fit enough to go quad biking (which is nout except sitting on your arse really) and walk for almost 2h with 3 dogs. However as I am fit enough to do and enjoy all these things I lose my own fitness if I don't top-up with some serious other exercise - like running.

So, whilst it wasn't a disaster (although I did aim for 4 miles and then just give in) it did feel quite rough. My legs fel tight, my lungs found it hard and I almost forgot how to drink whilst running.

But, and there is an upside, it was damn nice to get out there again. I managed to time it so I went inbetween showers. A wonderful spring/early summer evening with baby bunnies and swallows everywhere and fields filled with cavorting lambs.

Other highlights that really made me delighted today are: the rest of the plumbing finally got fixed. Which means I can get started in the garden. (Oh god, I really never thought I'd use those words.) And tick off loads of stuff that has been seriously lurking on my to-do list. Brilliant.

In other news we apear to have bagged ourselves a serious antiques bargin. We bought a set of china... I know, like we needed more plates. But we bought it because it was beautiful, and really very cheap... Ikea cheap. It's cream and green with a great art deco pattern. We only ever buy stuff 'cos we like it, not ever for an 'investment' but this time we might have struck 'china gold'. It's original 1930s and it really, really, rocks. When we got it home and unwrapped all 69 pieces we checked the details online. Even taking into account damage and stuff (and some is very worn) we still paid about a 20th of what it would be worth if we sold it piece by piece. However all we're going to do is use it. Like it was intended.

As TheO is out, helping Spartan and Blarney with house shenanigans (and I'm a lazy arse) I'm off to make a microwave risotto. Wish me luck.

Falling in love again

Well the running is making a resurrection. I wont be marathoning at the end of the month. Maybe it's because I'm a lazy bitch, or maybe the time just wasn't right. I took my eye of the training ball and it sailed right past me before ricocheting off a post and knocking me out.

But now I no longer dread my schedule - now I can just go for a run. I've got plans for a half this year, and will enjoy both it and the training. I can focus on that speed and distance and not stress out about how much damn time it takes to run 20miles when 8 people are coming to dinner and you haven't had time to go shopping.

Marathon running - you were for me, but sadly it was just a fling. We might hook-up in the future but I wouldn't be holding your breath.

With that in mind I've been out a few times this week -nothing drastic, nothing stat worthy, but all good runs. Managing to maintain a relatively easy 9.30 pace which is nice to note. Gives me a base to work on. Have to up the mileage a wee bit though as the last 10k was a month ago! That kind of thing always freaks me out and I end up thinking I'm going to become unfit and decrepit instantly. Also managed to go to circuits again - bloody love that torture.

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SKIP THIS BIT UNLESS YOU CARE ABOUT OUR DRAINS (and our mental health)
We've had some real traumas this week - the drains, that never ending saga just ploughed on:
I got a written quote, was told the job would take a day and a half, and agreed to it going ahead. A day and a half later they called to tell me that the work done so far (the job agreed to) would be DOUBLE the amount quoted and the smaller amount left to do would be DOUBLE that again, by this stage we are talking about thousands of pounds.

When I questioned the difference between the quote and the amount I was seriously given the run around by a guy who was rude, patronising, offensive and threatening. (As in threatening to stop work and 'see if I could find someone else to do the job'.) I asked to have 5 min to think about it and then call him back. He called his workmen and got them to stop without further discussion. (TheO also called him to ask for a simple breakdown of costs and his offensiveness and rudeness was unbelievable.)

Luckily in the 2min before he called the guys I ran outside and told the guys who'd worked their arses off what had happened and that we were v pleased with their work and they were great. That all the difficulty lay with the accounts dept. We were very honest with the workmen. They were then called and told to rip out all the work they had done - bear in mind this is our main house sewage drain - and take the pipes away. **Note that whilst I had questioned why it was double at no point had I ever said we weren't going to pay. Also note that we've used this company 3 times before for pretty serious jobs and always paid promptly.**

The lovely workmen looked at me, and we just said "tell your boss we refused you entry to the property" - it's nothing to do with you and it brings it on us. We then realised that life would be easier if we just paid for the work that had been done. We handed over a cheque, apologised to the guys for all the palaver, and thought we were done.

5min later one of the guys rings the bell, and this is when the biscuit is really taken, and he says in a horribly apologetic tone that the guy in accounts "wont accept a cheque as it might bounce". We have to pay by card. We do - luckily not having to talk to the waste of air who's just lost his company thousands of pounds worth of work.

Only possible glimmer of upside - whilst giving the lovely workmen coffee whilst I was busy calling to pay by card - TheO asked if they worked for anyone else... you know, just asking... and they said they'd come back and finish the job for us on Saturday (probably)... and I think they might as I found all the pipes to finish the job hidden behind a hedge in the garden this morning! They are very nice men who work for a very stupid company. (And right is very definitely on our side!) We now can use everything except the kitchen sink and dishwasher. So TheO was to be found carrying pales of water into the garden to wash-up the remaining dishes from a dinner party for 8! She most definitely rocks.

Had the guy in accounts had the brains to make up some shit that sounded realistic then they'd have got the job; because he was an idiot we'll never use that company again and we'll make sure that none of our friends or neighbours do.
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And breathe.
I will also note we had a lovely w/end (pre-drains) with RockGod and Professor. She told me about plants (and I took notes) and we travelled far and wide to find excellent cheap pottery, and delicious (not so cheap) chocolate. Result!

Oh yes, and my dad got married; and we were fine apart from the choice to begin the ceremony with many lengthy comments all starting with once in your life you find someone who ...- so you know, the last marriage, to my mother, the one that I'm a product of ... that was nothing. Brilliant. At best a thoughtless twat, at worst a complete twat. Idiot.
My 85 yr old gran also got drunk - she was hilarious and for me, saved the whole occasion. When she starts saying things like, "I'm a methodist, that's why I don't drink" whilst being neither a methodist nor sober you know the night is really kicking off.

And breathe again.

Best piece of advice I've been given in a while.

Last week I spent 1-2h with tools and a determined expression trying to fix some tiny, little, almost (but not quite) insignificant leaks under out sinks. [Fault of fuckwhit plumbers - lets not discuss that!]

After 1-2 hours I was a bit miffed and quite crotchety. TheO asked what was wrong and I explained that I'd just spent 1-2hours trying to fix something and "achieved nothing".

She pointed out that I had achieved something, I'd achieved the knowledge that I couldn't fix it, and did need to call someone.

Made me feel much, much, better. I then felt like at least I'd tried to fix it, and yes, I wasn't just been lazy calling a plumber, there was a reason.

--

She also just took me, Tigger and Badger away for a night up north which was damn fine. And we managed to find a really nice walk too. Now knackered and need sleep... but not food.

May have spread the antiquing bug far and wide. Age cometh.

I'm back - and I'm a Slacker

So, I return from the isle. I did manage a run whilst there - a stonkingly fast 5K (28.11) on a rolling route whilst corralling 2 dogs. (It was quite a feat.)

I then went out that evening - and had slap-up vegetarian feed (deeelish) and stayed out 'til 2am - crawled in only slightly tipsy and discovered *at that very moment* that the clocks changed and it as now 3am. MaYa was feeling v rough so I knew she'd need help as early as poss - and quite frankly the guilt at having a great evening when she had to leave early made me set the alarm for 7am. Lucky I did - she was not in a good way, neither was TheO who'd suffered all night whilst I snoozed as she has a crab allergy and was inadvertently fed it... me, 3 boys, and luckily a TV. It was a very long day - which ended with much cankiness from me as eldest was a brat and wound me up. Luckily Auntie F with her storytelling ability got all into bed before we all cracked under the pressure. Think the restful-ish day was just what MaYa needed. (Although she was still peaky when we left.)

Got all the animals done and kids off to school well on Monday and we were well packed and prepared for the ferry. We felt bad leaving as Islander (who was meant to come back the day after we left) had been delayed so MaYa was on her own for 5 days, which is pretty tough going with 3 boys under 5. However, especially TheO who did sterling 2 week Auntie service, we were pretty delighted to be heading home. We were given, by random act of chance, the old flag from the ferry as they were changing it - it's huge and fab, any ideas where in the garden it should go? It's been a tough month - with one or both of us being away for 3 1/2 of the last 5 weeks. Really need some down time, and some time to sort out work and house stuff.

However, I mentioned in the title that I'm a slacker. I should be getting up tomorrow morning at 7am and filling myself with porridge and running a half-marathon race. But I'm not. I'm at home and TheO is cooking me a whole roast dinner for Sunday. I'm delighted. I've felt v off-colour this week. Sore throat, intermittently v queasy, and very run-down. A race was not a good idea. Also managed to go out Tue/Wed/Thur since we got back - which was great for seeing people but lots of driving and lots of time out and about. This w/end is all about just chilling out and recouperating. Mentally and physically.

Although, quite bizarrely this slackerness has made me more determined to run the marathon, or at least, work out my training plan and really try to get back to a proper level of fitness. I'm feb up not being in tip-top shape. Once you've been there once it's good to feel that way a little more often.

All I managed when I got back was a quite average 10 miler. It was so beautiful though. TheO came with me on her bike and it was a perfect spring day. Sunny, not too windy, with incredible views and beautifully quiet. 10 miles were plodded through at 10.33 average pace. Not too shabby given how I'd spent the last week - but not brilliant. Quite hard work, but I'd stuffed up my eating plan that day and was a little distracted.

I can't wait to get some structure back to my life; some work, some running, and time to look around and work out plans for the house and garden. Time to think. Time to work on the master plan.

Also v excited as the lovely people at Fitness Footwear have sent me out some new trainers so I get to have a go with them too soon. Brilliant. Just what I'm looking for.

Much like an old dog ...

... who gets a little left out when a new puppy comes along - my blog has been neglected for that little up-start twitter. Damn those easy 140 character posts (*cough* I mean tweets).

Soooo - apart from pictures of snow and the 1970s do I have anything to report? Well, yes indeed I do.

The 7th saw the most perfectly clear day so I headed out with my new Innov8 shoes. And here are the stats you've missed so much:
4 miles to PVS and back.
1 - 9.18
2 - 9.21
3 - 9.46
4 - 10.10

4m - 38.37

All pretty flat. Bit icy on last mile.
First 2 miles were incredible. That feeling of the world melting away, a crisp sunny day and suddenly all is right with the world. You feel like you're flying without even having to try. Just magical, the reason I fell for running in the first place.
3rd mile ok, 4th mile much harder than expected - really need to keep running outside - there is no substitute.

The shoes were marvellous - full post about them soon. And other related shoe news!

That night we went to see Rock God and The Professor as RG was cooking me a meal for my birthday as we hadn't been able to meet up on the day. (V sweet suggestion.) I'd been asked (weeks ago) about my favourite food and hadn't really thought much of it... then all became clear.

Scallops and black pudding on a bed of Colcannon with basil infusion drops and a drizzle of pumpkin seed oil.
-
Venison and dauphinoise with kale and a red wine jus
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Baked chocolate and raspberry cheesecake with cream with Edradour cream liqueur in it.

Now, not only was this a GREAT set of food for me it was all cooked incredibly well, like restaurant well! Kudos to Rock God. There was also insanely good chat that covered several gamuts from atheism to transgender, with a bit of politics thrown in for good measure.

I fell asleep a little heavier than the day started - god damn that cheesecake and its irresistibly.

On waking Prof ushered me into her study to show me my present. The lovely lady has [edit: given me a fab gift which for reasons of her own she prefer me not to discuss. She is CrAzY.]
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The rest of the week passed in a flurry of moving boxes. We're almost there. The boiler room is now almost how it should be. I discovered another 3 boxes of my stuff that I have to flick though and decide I really don't want. More of my workshop is set-up now. We've decided on what the workshop will eventually be, and found a great company to do it. Our neighbour - lets call her Athena - has all the skills and knowledge to help up take down the old shed and build a concrete base. (?!)

All of the above info from Athena came becuase she took TheO skiing on the 11th. They headed up to Glenshee and I emptied the sun room of all its crap - including a huge marble plant stand I had to move in 3 trips even with a trolley! I also got Valentine's orders made and sent off. V productive for once.

In return for the skiing we (I mean TheO) made supper for us all. All I could say at the end of my heavy lifting day was "Show me the gin and tonic!" Luckily my skills run to making gin and tonic for all.

Yesterday I braved the snow and went to the gym for my first ever organised exercise class. I chose circuits as I watched them last week and decided it would be the perfect combo of really goddamn hard but I wouldn't die/embarrass myself.

We did the following:
5 min warm-up just me on elliptical machine 19/5 - pre class.
Class:
Stretches

7min running machine 6.3/6.4
6min elliptical machine 19/7

1min each:
standing lunges 1.5kg weight each arm
plank - did manage to hold it the whole time but if was arm shakingly tough.
seated chest press
straight arm pull down
lateral pull
back extension (on ball)
step ups
tricep dips
then 30sec on each of the above!

6min arm bike

elastic rope thing
bicep curls
arm raises
tricep pulls

5 min cool down on bike

I survived and it was the best workout I've had in a while. I always neglect my arms.
As I discovered this morning I neglect my arms a lot. I had difficulty moving or raising them above my shoulders. A day's (and man I was lazy, it literally took me all day as I kept footering) hard cleaning has made me all ache, but look forward to tomorrow when Ceegar and Meeper join us. Valentine's day? A romantic and couple-y time? Don't be daft.

For the love of god...

why oh why am I in such a shitty mood. Quite a productive day - got most of the designs I have to get done sent away. Went to the gym ...

Ah yes, it might be this little sojourn that made me quite so furious with life. I put on my shiny new trainers with excitement and found them to be ... just not quite right. I think they're too big - well, the heel managed to grab my socks and pull them under my feet which is NOT normal. I then tied them tighter and tried the elliptical machine instead (1mile 9.40 - on 19 so it works all the legs and level 7 effort); then the running machine where shoes were okay, but not brilliant. My feet just ached a bit. Also - for no good reason my lower back was v v v painful if I even rested my hands on the bar, but if I used my arms (like I should be doing) then it was okay. Again - this is NOT normal. So I slogged out 1 measly mile. (9.15) Then 10min on the arm bike - the usual 2.5miles. Just all sucked a bit. I was also hungry and hadn't fuelled correctly. I bloody hate it when I know what I've done wrong but it's too late to put it right. Just all a bit shite.

I wont even go into my pudding disaster. Jam and low fat rice pudding when you really want CAKE might as well be a bowl of dog food. Pah. Bag humbug. If I could put a lovely big round venting scream down here I would.

However in a bid to do something useful I have finally started crocheting my blanket. I bought the wool eons ago and they are all colours I love but god knows where they'll fit into the house. They don't really. Bugger. But I had a revelation: my crocheting is just like my running. No really. I can tell you're just desperate to hear more. Well, I like to run mindlessly, long distances on nice flat, smooth tarmac make me happy. Hills are a dull necessity, not a break from what some people would see as ultimate tedium. I just really like running at a steady pace for a long way (something which I've been prevented from doing by a plethora of ice and fecking snow - just stop being so goddamn slippery and I'll get out there I promise). I like knitting or crocheting really simple things. No pattern, just slog away in the same stitch for what might be, particularly in the blanket's case, a lifetime. See same basic premise different results. Comforting repetition that requires no thought and acts as a sort of active meditation.

Am going to give my trainers a bit longer before I give up. I've never had achy feet before. I've got 30 days in which to return them, for any reason (even if you've worn them outside- I checked). I hope they feel better before that. I should so have bought the 1/2 size down like normal. None of that squeezing toe crap and 'oh these are *just* long enough' nonsense - they're my fecking feet and I should trust them. Again, I say Bah!