I choose cheese ...... 🧀

I seem to have encountered a problem
Maybe the route of it is boredom?
I lie here at night - it’s quite a sight
Stuffing my face with festive delights.

The countdown to Christmas has truly begun
The problem I have is I’m already rotund.
The fitness advent sits proudly in situ
But as we all know it takes some getting in to.

12 days of challenges are ahead
But quite frankly I’d rather stay in bed.
What was I thinking oh why did it buy it
I figured I’m lazy so I may as well try it.

Why didn’t I see what was in front of my face
Let’s be honest and cut straight to the chase
The choices out there are truly surreal
I could have had a calendar that made a meal.

I could have had gin, wine, chocolate or cheese
Wouldn’t those choices have been such a breeze.
But I chose the fitness - the active delight
Behind each door could lie quite a fright.

At least at the end I gain a bright medal
I wonder with advent why we decided to meddle?
So I’m going to brave - they can’t be that bad
Next year I choose cheese - not quite so mad.

Advent - Day 1 - let the games begin.....🎅🏻

Oh the excitement - I nearly got up mega early to open this bad boy 😂- not!

Day 1 - challenge
Park and walk - so park car a bit further away and walk - step target today 10,000.

Mmmmm right I rarely meet my step target of 7,000 steps AND it’s Sunday - my day off - the day we have a huge roast dinner and I roll from the dining room table to the lounge and binge on The Crown. 🤔

So this may not seem like much of a challenge to some of you. For me, currently, this is a challenge!

I’m off to Pembroke Castle Christmas market today so I may have to walk around it several times 😂. I’ve also got a bit of a sweat on because my Garmin is charging so I’m thinking about those wasted steps 🙈🤣🏃‍♀️.

Who ate all the pies - I did - mince pies - now I’ve got to get a grip 💪🏻.

Anybody else joining me today - 10,000 steps - come on - it’s Christmas! 🎄🎅🏻☃️

Festive problems...... 🎅🎄🎅🎄

Mince pie anyone.....

There was a young lady called Joe
Who loved a mince pie don't you know.
She ate them too often
She was quite a boffin
But her belly was beginning to grow!

🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄

In cahoots with fitness.....🤔🏊🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

“Are we going - are we going - you know you said you would
You said you were going - you know you really should.”
Say the voices in my head knowing I’d like to go to bed
I really could stay at home and watch TV instead.

Reluctantly I consider the proposition that’s been made
You remind yourself you are on a personal crusade.
I find my insides screeching - staying in would be just peachy
But those voices in your head are really rather screechy.

I drag my weary body off the oh so comfy sofa
I’m going to go and swim like a forceful supernova!
I pack my little rucksack and sling it on my back.
I expect by the time we hit Christmas I’ll be nurturing a six pack.

I’ve had a very busy day running here and there
I’ve smiled oh so sweetly and been rather debonair.
Up and down the stairs, my bum hardly on my chair.
The thought of going swimming is just to much to bear.

I’m finally on my way and I’m feeling rather proud
I finally conceded and to that pesky voice I bowed!
Pah I put that voice to sleep and now I cannot hear a peep
From the sofa to the pool truly was a giant leap.

Besides if the truth be known there’s more than meets the eye
I need to go swimming - I did eat that mince pie 🥧
Besides my stinky hair needs washing and I’m not even joshing.
It’s dark and cold outside so maybe this beats jogging 🤷🏻‍♀️.

I soon feel the water washing all around my limbs
I’m sure when I get out the pool I will be super slim!
The troubles of the day begin to slip away.
I will be ready for Red January come what may.

So 40 minutes later and lots of lengths completed
Those stress demons in my mind have truly been defeated
My head is crystal clear and I’m feeling quite refreshed.
Who knew a dip in water would leave me at my best.

So when you’ve had a busy day and you’re feeling very tired 💤
You know if you go do something it will leave you feeling wired
Dig deep my friends - down to your boots
Who knows you and fitness may end up in cahoots!



#MIND #Fitness #Swimming #REDis coming #LCW2020 #Cardiff2020
Just do it 👍🏻🏃‍♀️🚴🏻‍♀️🏊🏻‍♀️🧘🏼

Sting like a bee.....no - high five like a bee

Well can I really use that great man's saying
Float like a butterfly
Sting like a bee....?

Mmmmm maybe not - there was no "floating" around that Cardiff Half course, despite the fact that I did actually wear wings 🤣 - it was a hard slog of 13.1 miles but do you know what - as mad as it sounds - I loved it.

I had, as some of you know (I know I went on and on and on about it) gone down with a cold 😰 - I could not believe it.  Of all the weekends - after all the months of training - why oh why.  I was straight to that famous chemist, that may be related to feet (why are they called Boots - what is the connection there to pharmaceutical products? Am I being stupid and missing some obvious link).  Am I going to end up "filling my boots" is that why they are called Boots?  Was it a Mr Boots who founded it?  Or maybe a Mrs Boots? Lets leave that shall we - answers on a postcard to JoeBlogs....

Where was I?  Oh yes - buying the contents of Boots to stave off my stupid annoying cold.  Well that is another thing isn't it - not MY cold - my husbands cold.  So kind of him to share - not!  So I stocked up on all things cold remedy related and hoped for the best.

I woke up early Sunday morning - my next mission - paranoia setting in about avoiding "runners trots" - yes I know you don't wish to know that!  Well I was up at 7am eating my HUGE (that is tiny obviously) porridge pot - fuelling (hardly lol) for the big race.   Allowing plenty of time for that breakfast fit for a king (NOT) to completely digest.   Also restricting myself to one cup of tea and some water.  Oh yes I thought smugly - I will not set off across that start line and think mmmm I need a wee.  I had this - yes!!!! ✊ Or did I .......

Met up with the lovely ladies from work also doing the run (insert word as desired - race/walk/jog/stroll around the city 🏃😀.  We were ready to smash this.  Well we really had no choice at that point to give it our best go.  Make people proud.  Lots of money raised for charity so hey we all on a winning streak anyway.

It was a truly glorious day, the sun was shining - it was just a perfect, perfect day 😎. There were thousands of people lining the streets - music playing - fire flashing its way up the towering impressive Cardiff castle walls - thousand of runners surging forwards (27,000 plus of us) - bit crammed lol.

We were off - on our way - at last.  All those months of training down to this moment.  Carried away with a sea of runners - all shapes, all sizes, all ages, all abilities- you can hear the laughter, talking, nervous chatting, strangers talking connected in that moment,  serious pace checking - fancy dress - all sorts.  Everyone on their journey, their own journey - their own race, their own pace, their own challenge and their own achievement.  What a moment.

I have to confess that the first 5k was horrendous - I struggled to breathe properly, my legs felt like jelly and oh yes as soon as I stepped over that start line my brain screamed out those words "I need a wee".  Really - no way body - we are not stopping for an imaginary wee stop and I cannot do a pit stop wee at the side of the road in the middle of Cardiff (shock horror - I would be arrested!).  So it was onwards and upwards.  I have to say my body was also saying "look lady you fed me a measly tiny porridge pot and i have just got a memo from your brain telling me you want to run 13.1 miles - no way lady).  Ok, I conceded so I broke into my emergency wine ............ no sorry emergency wine gums 😂.

That was better, I finally settled in and found my pace.  I was happy - I was going to enjoy every minute, even the painful ones.  I had decided (because I am a serious athlete) I would go all out and run it in a bee costume.  I like to let people know I am a dedicated runner. I have to say the kids loved the bee outfit.  My heart leapt with joy when I heard children saying "look mummy a bumble bee" and "go bumble bee lady go".  It gave me a warm glow - is that selfish - maybe - I do like a bit of attention, I cannot help it - it is the drama queen in me.  Bit like this blog really - is this for me or you?  Am I capturing my memories - or am I sharing my joy and trying to inspire others.......

I had two amazing highlights in this race.  I was struggling, getting towards the last leg, probably 5k to go.  I was focused on trying to keep my run/walk/run ratio going despite the fact that each step was getting harder and harder.  I was high fiving all the children, taking their welcome offers of jelly babies - touching their "power up" signs - even buzzing on demand where requested 😁.  I ran past 2 children on the pavement giving them a high five with my bumble bee wand - delighted faces.  As I fly past (well ok lunge past, huffing and puffing, trying to still smile) I heard a little boy on the pavement say "aw Mummy I wanted to high five the bee" - well what could I do - quick bee turn - back I go - big bee wand high five - his little face - he was grinning from ear to ear.  He will never know how wonderful it was for me to have that moment.  I was spurred on to keep going.

Then it was here - the 20k mark - I fly over that board shouting out "20k yay" - 1 kilometre to go.  The end was in sight - well actually it was not in sight - it was 1000 metres away, round a corner, a corner which seemed like a long way away.   However I knew I had this and more so I could see I was going to smash my time of 3:33 from last year.  This really spurred me on but my legs really were off duty by now - they figured that the novelty had worn off and they did not want to run anymore.  Every run session was getting harder.  Then I heard my name being yelled - I glanced over - there they were - our running coaches from the local running club.  At this point the emotion of smashing last years time and smelling the finish line was taking hold. I was fighting back tears of happiness - pure nectar wanting to flow down my very hot red cheeks!  Well Mrs Cole took flight and ran along the pavement encouraging me to keep running.  "I am leaving you at this corner - keep going" she yelled - and she was gone.  Me nodding like some poor broken child! Feeling like I had to just get my breathe and my legs feeling run out I momentarily allowed myself to walk.  It was at that moment the most wonderful stranger came from behind and all I heard was "Joe Bumble Bee you are NOT walking - the end is just around this corner - I am going to run with you and you are going to run all the way to the finish" - every time my steps slowed this lovely lady just kept saying "come on bumble bee Joe you've got this - don't walk - run you can do it!".  Do you know what - she was right - I could do it - I did do it - we ran over the line together and I gave her a massive very sweaty hug - thanking her profusely - what a wonderful human being, sacrificing her own time on the clock to help a bumble bee cross the line.

Delighted, euphoric, ecstatic  - a feeling like no other.  I had indeed done so much better than I ever did dream I could in training and with a cold - 3 hours 7 minutes - so happy.  But do you know what that time does not matter - only to me - it really does not matter what time you do it in - finishing is an achievement in itself.  Your race - your pace - your dream - your goal - your journey.

Live it - love it - just do it!

If this bumble bee can do this - you can do whatever it is you want to have a go at - just don't give up. As small or as big as you like - even just going out for a walk, stopping to chat with someone in the street - whatever it is - just do it and do it style folks!

PS - just to report I actually did not go for a wee until about an hour after the race was over - see that pesky mind and body ganging up on me making me think I needed the loo!

Strong lady 🤔🤷🏻‍♀️🏃‍♀️💪🏻

Strong legs
Strong head
Strong body
🙌🏻💪🏻👍🏻👊🏻

Mmmmmm - well this was my mantra this morning. Shhhh we must not tell my brain that the above may not be true 🤫. I’m trying to convince myself of the above and not let my brain communicate with my body as it goes like this .....
My hip is hurting
What’s that pain in my calf
I think I need a wee
C-a-n’t  b-r-e-a-t-h-e
Pain in my toe
Thirsty thirsty thirsty
Ohhh my hip is definitely hurting (it’s not!)
I definitely need a wee
Break out the jelly babies Chicks
I couldn’t possibly run another step .....

Mmmmmm move over brain - stop it just stop it.

Last long run today pre Cardiff Half next Sunday - 10k - trouble is I’m not quite sure I can double that distance..... time will tell I guess.

Strong legs, strong head and strong body..... yes yes yes - well almost 😂🤥.

#CardiffHalf2019 #MIND #WhyWeRun #RunningForIola #RunForFun #RunWalkRun
🏃‍♀️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏅🙌🏻🥰😀

What’s a girl supposed to do when she’s eaten her emergency Bounty - asking for a friend 😂

I broke out the emergency Bounty......

Hello - hello - hello - you lovely people.  Yes I am still here - I am still going - I am still plodding on,  Chicks is plodding on.  My head ran out of space - my head has run out of space - I am spaced out.  🤩

I have been very busy training for the Cardiff Half marathon 🎽- I have been jogging (plodding) around the village week after week - ticking off the runs on the training plan (which I may not have stuck to religiously!).  Anyway between trying to juggle running, swimming and that thing called work (yes I am still doing that - well I turn up daily, run around a lot, juggle lots of balls - fail at achieving to do lists but they are still paying me so shhhhhhh - doing my best! 🏫) - so I felt like there has been no more room left in my head to blog. I expect you have all missed me greatly - not. What you did not even notice I had stopped ....... you were enjoying the radio silence..... mmmmmmm.

So it is now only a few more days to the BIG run - the half marathon.  So tonight I roll in from work and I really, really, really do not want to go out.  I forced myself to get my kit on, lifted a little bit by the fact that I could pull on my brand new race t-shirt from the Swansea Bay 10k completed Sunday 💖.  Oh lovely - that was a momentary lift.  So I am all set - delay, delay, delay - check Facebook, play with phone - ponder which music to listen to - dance in the kitchen💃 - well a girl does have to warm up properly..... finally I am out the door, on my way.

To say it was a bit windy is an understatement - gosh nearly blew my hat right off.  Another run underway - as I flew down the road (that was the wind not me running fast by the way) I got to thinking - the biggest barrier to going and getting out for a run is YOU! (No not you - me - well - you - well you know what I mean).  That physical and mental barrier - the door.  Getting your little chubby legs over that front door feels impossible at times - and as for getting past that mental block doorway in your head - that is a whole other level!  I don't know why I find it so hard just to get my kit on (better than ripping my kit off me thinks 🤣) - I could get arrested for that sort of behaviour) but I do find it hard to just get up and go.  Sometimes I have to give myself a good talking to for about an hour before I can get out the door - gosh in that time I could have been out and run 5k, stopped for ice-cream, taken a dozen selfies and got home.

Anyway - I was very pleased to get out, not having run since Sunday and also given the fact that I had to break out my emergency Bounty 🍫 today - so I had to run that off didn't I? 😅 (as well as the copious amounts of cakes, biscuits, wine gums, chocolate, toffees - the list goes on 🤫🤭.

#CardiffHalf #WhyWeRun #MIND #Running #Plodding #Chicks #JustForFun

A day on the beach

Birds flying up, oh so high
Way up into the marshmallow like sky.

Kites dancing around, up and down
Like sheets billowing all around.

Birds swooping over us ready to dive
Like they are coming in for a high five.

Dogs with their owners; allowed to run free
Tails wagging, barking - so full of glee.

Birds flying lower - harmless creatures so it seems
Until they swoop in to steal your ice-cream!

Little children paddling in the sea
Giggling and laughing - oh so free.

Couples walking hand in hand
Their bodies boasting a glowing tan.

An elderly couple watching the sunset
Neither wants to leave just yet.

Teenagers playing a game of football
Soon it becomes a free for all.

So much laughter, tears, fun and joy
For every man, woman, girl and boy.

Then the light begins to fade
Just one couple on the promenade.

Then they have all gone home
The birds are now all alone.

All you can hear is the sound of the sea
Waves crashing on the sand so subtly.

The day is over, the day is done
24 hours since it begun.....

Beautiful beaches - special times

Sunset over Llanelli 

Reclaim your youth - be brave!

I am going in come what may
Heading straight into that sea spray.
My belly rounded and thighs wobbling
Feet look like they belong to a goblin!

But do you know what I do not care.
So what if my body is like a conference pear?
It has served me well - I can't complain
So I am sorry if it causes you eye strain!

It is not about how you look
Those super models in those books.
Not real women like you and me
So come on ladies - hear my plea.

Just get out there - go and do it
Don't ever feel like some misfit.
It is your body - it serves a function
All it takes is a bit of gumption.

Take the plunge and set yourself free
Run girl run right into the sea.
Let the waves wash right over you
Despite the fact you are turning blue!

Now don't you feel oh so good
Reclaiming your lost girlhood.
See never think you are some has been
Now go and pour a great big gin!

I am but just a bumble bee!

I lead a very busy life, buzzing here and buzzing there,
You will notice me immediately as I sport rather funky hair!
It is a stunning black and yellow, I wear it as a striking stripe
But my coat, it comes with lots of stereotypes. 😞

You people think because I buzz I must be rather angry
I think that actually I am really rather spangly!
But still you hear me buzzing by
and all your arms - up do fly.

That buzzing sound that I omit
Is merely my wings on the beat.
I move them oh so very fast
The wind creates a mighty blast.

It seems you hear me from afar
You take that stance - ready to spar.
But please don't hurt me - can't you see
I am just a harmless bumble bee.

I have a purpose don't you know.
I land on flowers and make the pollen blow.
My wings create that magic beat
Nectar is my desired treat.

I love to land amongst the flowers
Sometimes I have to dodge the pesky showers. 🌦
I love it when the sun shines through 🌞
I can collect my nectar - my home brew.

I am a very busy bee - flying around from flower to flower
Lavender, roses, marigolds - I bob around with super power.
I only have a tiny window - not much time to collect my gold.
Then I see you, over there, what is that thing that you hold?

Oh no, here we go - please don't let that sight be true!
That familiar dance we have to do. 💃
There you stand with your menacing frown
A rolled up paper - ready to bring me down.

I fly away as fast as I can
but you are swiping, like an evil man!
Oh stop it, stop it - please don't hurt me
I am just a harmless fat bumble bee.

My wings transparent -  my fuzzy body which is rotund
With one swipe I would be stunned.
Leave me alone with your giant fly swatter
Your eyes just focussed on my slaughter.

My heart is beating oh so hard
I must not inadvertently drop my guard.
I could just use my secret weapon
My sting which is as tough as teflon.

I really don't want to sting you
I want to just say adieu!
You flailing arms are really swinging
Is that the Daily Mail your flinging?

At last it seems you are giving up
Does that make you the runner up?
That little girl is pulling hard upon on your arm
"Stop" she's saying - "the bees, you cannot cause them harm".

What is this that she is saying?
A reprieve for me from a slaying?
"Daddy stop" she pleads again
"Please let me just explain".

"We need the bees in our lives
Let them go back to their hives.
They pollinate the flowers and plants
Besides Dad - you are in your underpants!"

"Come inside and leave him be
Let him go - let him flee."
I hover a little and watch them go.
Inside I feel a little glow.

I am free once more to do my work
I allow myself a little smirk.
I land upon on a beautiful petal
Here I sit and finally settle.

The sun is beating on my wings
I listen to the birds as they sing.
I must get on - I must get back
The Queen will think I have begun to slack!

So when you see a busy bee
Remember that it is them we need.
They are so important in our lives
So lets all make sure they truly thrive!

Sunny summer hazy days - you may need to avert your gaze.......

I never thought the day would come
I’d put on shorts to go for a run.
But my car was telling me it was 28 degrees
Wow that heat could bring me to my knees!

So on went the shorts - out come the thighs
Maybe I should not have eaten all those pies.
I won't be put off - I won't be ashamed
My fitness needs to be reclaimed!

So I will go out proudly - legs on display
Keep on going - come what may
For we all come in lots of shapes and sizes
And for perseverance - your fitness rises!

The Lion King played by Benji Boo

My dog climbs trees don't you know
I think he does it just for show.
Maybe he thinks he is a monkey
Or perhaps he was feeling a little spunky.

Maybe he thought he was in the Lion King
I swear I thought he was about to sing.
The Circle of Life or Hakuna Matata
Why it could have been quite a sonata!

Oh please don't fall from that tree
or find a nest full of bumble bees!
He really does not seem to care
As for me - I'm now turning to prayer!

He seems to want to go up higher
Next he will be wanting a high wire.
Oh good - relief - he's coming back down
Thank goodness all four paws back on the ground.

I swear though when got back down
He grinned and turned back around.
I swear I heard him begin to sing
"Oh I just can't wait to be King!"

A doggy welcome 🐶 🐕

When you have a dog there is one thing that you learn
When leave the house, for that money you must earn
There will always be a welcome home
From your dogs who you left all alone.

They’ll bound towards you in full flight
Jumping up with all their might.
She’s back she’s back - their yelps will say
They’ll try and lick you come what may.

Their tails will wag like planes propellers
Their jumping skills are really quite stellar!
They’ll twist and turn to reach your face
Whatever you were holding is now displaced!

Their joy is clear for all to see
wagging tails and yelps of glee
The thing that really makes you smile
Is you’ve only been gone a wee short while!

Unconditional love I think they call it
We pick up their poo - we can’t ignore it!
They damage our brand new dining room chairs
When I’m lying resting they will come pull my hair.

They sit with their head on our laps as we eat
Hoping we will throw them a tasty treat.
You look at those eyes all forlorn
Oh go on - you can share my popcorn.

They lie on our laps as we watch the T.V.
Only moving when they need a wee.
They follow you round from room to room
That even extends into the bathroom.

And when you stand and shout out “treats”
They return faster than Olympic athletes.
They’ll sit, lie down and offer their paw
All for that juicy bone they want to gnaw.

I love my dogs - they bring me cheer
Despite the fact they chew my ears!
They truly are man’s best friend
And may this relationship never end ❤️

Hide and seek

I went to open the cupboard door
Now what was it I had come here for?
I scratched my head and and pulled at my ear
Nope still no idea why I was here.

I will walk away that will work
I’m beginning to feel a bit of a twerp.
I stroll around - looking down
Still the answer can’t be found.

I know, I will try and retrace my steps
That’s what always what works the best.
Trouble is I’m not quite clear
From which of these rooms did I appear?

I will sit and have a cup of tea
Balance some biscuits on my knee.
I will forget about that blasted cupboard
It’s making me feel like old mother Hubbard.

It’s so annoying don’t you agree
When you can’t recall things easily.
Perhaps I made a note somewhere
Now I’m starting to really despair.

Yes that will be it I will have written it down
You see I’m not such a silly old clown.
Now where’s my glasses - where could they be
I really must find them as  I do need to see.

Oh dear my poor memory is really quite testing
But I guess there’s no point in standing protesting.
I know where I put them - of course - silly me
And I now I remember - I needed to see.

So back to the cupboard I go with a stride
That says woman on a mission - so stand aside.
I open the cupboard door feeling triumphant
Oh look a cheese sandwich smelling quite pungent!

I wondered what had happened to that gourmet delight
That I lovingly made just the other night.
Of course you know what this discovery means
My specs are in the fridge with yesterday’s beans!

Happy Birthday Georgie Boy

I know you think I’m a little late
A happy birthday I need to state.
We’ve sat and shared a drink or two
As usual the time just flew.

My husband has turned 56
And here he is - still with his chicks.
We’ve shared a lovely Chinese meal
The gin and tonic was my archilles heal!

Now with a full belly and bleary eyes
I need a blog that’s truly pint size
A short little ditty that’s full of cheer
Just like my George when he’s full of beer.

So Happy Birthday to Georgie boy
Too old now to buy those fancy toys
Instead it’s clothes, beer and slippers
A few years back it may have been strippers 🙈😂.

I hope you’ve enjoyed your mini party
I’m sorry there were no bags rammed with smarties.
Here we are - another year has passed us by
Whoosh - gone in just the flash of an eye.

We’ve had quite a year of drama
More than our fair share of trauma.
Tonight we sat and enjoyed the now
So goodnight by love - I will take my bow

31 years we’ve been together
Gosh that seems like forever 😂
And though I drive you round the bend
You will always be my best friend
(Well maybe after the dogs 🐶😜🥰)

Happy birthday Stevie Wonder ❤️

Pam Ayres - a treasure in the making ....

We went to see Pam Ayres tonight

And it really was a true delight.

She’ll bring a smile across your face 

Her comedy delivered with such grace.

She radiates a humour that reaches across the room.

She will lift your spirits way up high and bring you out of gloom. 

So you really need to see her - before it is too late!

Her poems are so clever and written from the heart.

You will want to sit and listen to her right from the very start.

Her delivery of her written word really hits the mark.

It is like your listening to an old friend

And the laughter really never ends.

Pam Ayres I do salute you as you are an inspiration.

You’ve been delivering your stories for years to our nation.

Long may you carry on your entertaining show

Stories of your dogs, hedgehogs and all those things we know.

Your witty take on life and all its observations 

Are really truly funny relatable creations.

So thank you Miss Ayres for sharing your work.

Especially your funny story about your static skirt 😂.

Not to mention husbands and of course our poor old teeth.

I think there will be some of us turning over a new leaf.

So those of you yet to go ........

You will enjoy it - this I know. 

😀

Flower power

Life is like a beautiful flower
💐

Do you not think that life is like a flower
That rises up as a tall as a tower.
It starts off in the dark like a baby in the womb
Then bam 💥 it emerges from its earthy tomb.
All small and weak at first, needing food and nurture
It stretches up and up until it really can’t go any further.

Then it starts to to open up no longer shy and retiring
Bees, birds, insects and humans all stopping and admiring.
For now the flowers showing off it’s glorious blooms
A burst of petals like a bird showing off it’s plumes.
Loved and nurtured it’s got so much to share
The smell of it’s perfume is everywhere.

And then it’s beauty starts to fade
It’s petals colours slowly lose their shade.
Then the petals start to slowly drop
Some faster than others, some just flop.
Some fade away faster as they cannot weather the storm
Some have the strength to dance through the rainfall.

The final petals finally fall drifting on the breeze
This wonderful plant no longer able to feed the bees.
It’s helped so many in its life and now it’s time is done
It’s probably seen sadness, tears, laughter, happiness and fun.
If it could think it may feel it’s touched and helped no-one
But this would not be true for we all know what it’s done.

So don’t ever sit and wonder how your own life touches others
It will be the little things you’ve done - maybe even undercover!😀
We grow in some way with every day that passes
You don’t have to try and reach out to the masses.
Just be yourself and kind and caring
Giving a little and maybe sharing.
Like the flowers we all come in different guises
We really do come in many many sizes!

So it’s fine to be different - stand proud and tall
Never shy away feeling insignificant and small.
You really will be someone’s rock
You may well be their ticking clock.
We all are beautiful in our own way
So stay strong come what may.
Push out your petals for all to see
Sing and dance and jump with glee.

If you look and think others are better than you
Don’t be silly don’t be a fool.
Find your inner strength and believe in you
We all have something to offer - it’s true!
You may not know it when you are in the storm
Hang on to your petals don’t let them be torn.
Your truly awesome 😎 so remember to believe in you
For when your gone you will want them to know you truly flew ❤️

🌹💐🌺🌷🌸🌻🌼

The little wooden box

Well as promised it was swim night! The best thing about glorious sunny weather - empty pool - yippee - it’s a long walk from that changing room to the safety of that pool you know. My word I absolutely did a catwalk routine from the changing room to the water having the place to myself 😂.

Also nice because whilst you are swimming back and forth (which is actually quite boring) you can pretend you’ve won the lottery and you are just winding down in your pool.  Thinking that you should be throwing a pool party for all your chums - oh but who to invite? Or pretending that you are not inviting real friends but your idols - you know like that old question- who would invite to a dinner party. I think I’d set The Beatles up by my jacuzzi and then I’d invite Martin Kemp to play in the pool - maybe Boris to fetch a ball or something - just to entertain me. Then Nelson Mandela could rest on the sun loungers and feed me words of wisdom. What do you reckon? Then in the changing room I would have The Killers so I could sing out loud whilst washing my hair. By the way in steam room and sauna I would pop some shallow self obsessed celebrity just to see if they “melted” 🤣.

So there I am, I can’t say dream to much about lottery style living or perfect pool party guests as I have to count my lengths - so annoying when you lose count. Seventy lengths later - oh yes people you heard me 70 lengths - are you impressed - no arm bands - no pink unicorn 🦄 inflatable - just sheer power. Seventy lengths ...... well ok so the pool is only 14 metres long but hey you were impressed momentarily weren’t you 😂😜🏊🏻‍♀️.  After my exhausting swim I thought I would venture into the sauna.

The sauna - the little wooden box. First mistake - I think I should have taken a towel to sit on - man that wood was hot hot hot 🥵. Well by now there were people in MY pool so I thought well I can’t just walk straight back out - defeated by dry heat.  So I perched my ample bottom on the edge of the wooden seat. That was ok but now my feet were burning - so I had to sort of put them up on tip toe. I sat looking out - beyond MY pool - through the windows which framed the wonderful, serene countryside. Field upon field, sheep grazing, wonderful strong, tall trees with years of secrets hidden away, the church nestling in between the glorious outdoors. It was a beautiful scene - peaceful. So here’s the strange thing - I’m sat, well perched, in the little wooden box (hot box) - I’m feeling like I’m in the doctors surgery waiting to be seen, I’m doing that whole looking around, up, down, sideways - move feet ouch. Survey wonderful view ..... wondering how long I’ve actually been in there - one minute probably.  Do that whole pretend to whistle thing. Then actually think mmmmm if I had my phone now I could scroll through endless rubbish (like this blog lol 😆)! No! Stop! What is wrong with me - I must have lasted 5 minutes - 5 minutes in a box of emptiness - just me my burning buttocks and a full mind. It made me think how we’ve just forgotten how to stop, relax, think about nothing and how hard it is to do that! Well for me it is - my mind just doesn’t stop - it’s like mindless drivel on a loop 🙈.

So the challenge? To be more zen 🧘🏻‍♂️ - even if it is in a little wooden box which burns your bottom. Note to self take towel in next time - who knows I may be try the steam room next - are you with me........🤣.

#Mindfulness #LifeIsShort #UnicornsRule #Relax #chill

Recovery run and gin what more could you want .....

Recovery run

Well we are making progress folks and I’m so excited! Tonight in this glorious sunshine I ventured out, a little nervous, for a jaunt around the local nature walk.  I was not sure what to expect and I swear it took me as long to get ready as I planned to run for - 20 minutes. Eighteen of those minutes are just getting into your sports bra 🤷🏻‍♀️.

This was it - the first step of my journey to my Cardiff half training plan, at one point I thought I’d never be pulling my trainers on again.

So the rules stick to the grass or soft surfaces - no concrete - walk and run only - start with 20 minutes - no more no matter HOW tempting.

I decided I needed a good fall back plan - music - choose wisely my child - choose wisely. So I opted to drag The Killers along - I mean why not - what’s not to love. They are a good bunch of lads.

How lucky I had the place to myself so off I set and just blasted out at the top of voice “are we human....or are dancer” well who knows the answer to that one! As mad as it sounds I was so excited to get outside and get my little chubby thighs plodding around again. Got frightened to death by a dog sneaking up on me - decided at that point my music was clearly too loud 😂🙊. Also hoping they had not heard my cats chorus 🙀.

So 20 minutes walking and running - flipped my ratio to 1 minute walking and 30 seconds running but that was fine.

The sun was shining and all was well in the world, made better by the fact that my gin club delivery had arrived.  So it was home for tea, ice pack on hip just to be sure and I now have the excitement of seeing which fabulous gin the lovely gin people have sent me this quarter.

Does it get any better - no really - does it?  😂

Gin gin 🍸

I’m on my way back ........ I hope 🤞🏻

So I’ve not disappeared you lovely people I’ve been tired and sleepy!  My hip is on the mend, albeit slowly but surely! It’s been a drag and it seems to have sucked my mind down with it - sat trying to think about a little blog - but nothing there, nowt - tumbleweed blowing  round and round and round. So I gave up - given it all to other things not by choice.

I’ve been re-visiting my youth as well with a Take That concert and then last weekend an amazing two nights rocking the local castle 🎤🎹🎸🥁🎟.  Status Quo, Gabrielle, Bonnie Tyler and Sister Sledge - what a couple of fabulous nights. Do you know the funniest thing of all - I can bounce, jig, jump and strut myself (because of course I think I’m the worlds greatest dancer once I get going - clearly that’s the vodka - or quite possibly me just being high on life 😂) - anyway I can dance my little socks off and my hip is fine. 🤷🏻‍♀️ How bizarre is that?  Run - no - Dance for 4 hours solid - yes that’s fine - off you go 😂.  At least I know if all else fails I can dance my way around Cardiff half marathon. 💃

Today though - today was a little breakthrough day. We took the idiot dogs for a walk, I popped my trainers on - ever hopeful - clinging to that memory of what it was like to pull them on and go for a run (or walk/shuffle in my case 🏃‍♀️).  Off we set and I thought let’s try a little run - just a little gentle jog for 30 seconds - I felt ok 👌🏻.  My hip is still not quite recovered but no longer squealing with every step - just that annoying niggle. So I did a bit of running on our walk and I do mean a little.

Do you know it felt so good - it’s like it frees your mind, body and soul - it just brings a whole sense of freedom - my mind felt free and it just felt good being outside. The sun was shining (well I lie a bit there - the sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds ⛅️) but hey it was warm and dry. The birds were singing - not as well as me at Take That and the castle 😂(cats chorus 😸) - there were butterflies bobbing around on all the plants. The flowers were standing proud, swaying, showing off their colour in all their glory - it was like they were saying “I’m alive and happy just simply being here”.  You see you just don’t get that feeling in a gym - it’s static, stale and boring - I don’t think the other members like me singing out loud. However when at one with nature - well - they don’t care what I sing and how bad I sound.

So today we moved a tiny bit closer to getting back out there. I’ve promised my osteopath that I will embrace the cross training to be a better stronger walk/jogger (and no that doesn’t mean me just being angry whilst running 😡). Hopefully that will help avoid injuries - we shall see. So sadly the gym and I need to make friends and people are going to have to put up with me desperately counting every length I manage in the pool whilst breathing heavily and spluttering 🏊🏻‍♀️. I will get there 👍🏻

Today’s highlights :-
- Feeling like writing a little blog
- Having a BBQ in the garden
- Relaxing with a G and T in the sunshine (not while running)
- Lucy Lou putting both front paws straight into a muddy pool as we were about to get back in the car 🙈- worse than children my dogs 🐶🤦🏻‍♀️.

So happy Saturday folks!

Remember love yourself, love others and just be kind. If you can’t do those things try drinking gin and giving it another go 😂🍾🥂💞.

#MentalHealth #LookAfterYou #OthersAreWorseOff #TreasureTheLittleThings #WLB ❤️

The road to recovery

Oh dear me I feel so sick
I really need to get a grip.
I’ve pulled on my running gear
But running properly - I’m no-where near!

So it’s all down to my poor old hip
Tendinitis- just a minor slip...
Alas not quite it’s been a while
I’ve nearly lost my ability to smile!

So there I sat feeling ill
Sat on the sofa ever so still.
The green light given to have a gentle jog
Just in 30 second bouts - surely that can’t be a slog?

So why did I feel like my legs were heavy
Sat watching Corrie all prepped and ready.
Couldn’t quite move from my cosy pit
Honest truth - nerves - feeling like I wanted to quit.

Finally I make my way out the door
Feet ready to hit the floor.
One minute walking and a short slow jog
Surely that won’t be too much of a slog?

Off I set feeling like a novice
But heart and feet full of promise.
Alas not so much from my pesky hip
It really giving me a bit of jip.

Who knew just once around the field
Would be so hard  - all the way round I squealed!
Not giving up I struggled on
Finished my lap and I was done.

So I won’t give up oh no not me
Back to the bike and maybe a swim in the sea?
Maybe I could just take up dancing instead
And waving arms high above my head 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

Be More Cat 🐈.........🤔

So I’m embracing my new found fitness plan to hopefully get me back on track with my running. My new gym membership is in full swing- today’s activity - swimming.

I cannot remember the last time I went swimming - you know like proper swimming and not chasing my grandchildren around the pool pretending to be a shark or throwing plastic toys for them to fetch from the pool floor - like little human dogs these grandchildren 😂.

So I dug out my costume and decided to brave it 🙈- it’s really not a pretty sight. I mean you think it’s bad enough my chubby chunky thighs controlled under Lycra bouncing about while I run, plod and crawl around the village. These bad boys exposed - wow there is nothing to control them.  So costume on - lovely orange dimply thighs proudly on display wobbling about,  I strode towards the pool - where I promptly nearly fell into the pool as the first step down was way deeper than I realised. Oops that could have been embarrassing 😂. I was away - not that I was powering down the pool like an Olympic athlete - really it was more like a dog wading through the water paws sprawling everywhere making a big splash - head bobbing up in attempt to stop the water going in my eyes and up my nose. 🏊🏻‍♀️

It did strike me as I was cruising through the chlorine filled pool that maybe runners could be put in two camps - not to offend anyone mind - please bear in mind this is tongue in cheek.  You see I think there are the “dog” runners - so this is me - oh oh oh a race, a race - I wanna do it, I wanna do it - please -.oh look at the shiny medal 🏅. I will start training for it soon..... mmmm race day approaching fast - not trained enough - never mind run run run - it will be ok - finish race - take lots of pics with medal and t-shirt (which you don’t really know where you are going to wear 🤷🏻‍♀️) and then realise in your post “dog” excitement that you’ve once again picked up an injury 🤔.

Then there are the “cat” runners 🏃‍♀️- this is where I need to get to. “Cat” runners are smart - cat runners know that those with long term goals to run forever need to cross train. So off they go and spend some time doing the things they don’t like quite as much as running. swimming, cycling, rowing, yoga 🧘🏻‍♀️ and stuff like that.  The cat runners are smiling because come race day - Chicks the “dog” is running wildly behind them - stopping to high five anyone who offers and pulling over to pick out some jelly babies with a ohhh thank you 🙏🏻 😍.  Maybe even having a little dance as I’m distracted by the fab music blasting out - then thinking mmmm I never did see that “cat” runner again 😂.

Anyway for me - my problems are down to sitting down all day, not training sensibly and I hate to say it being more “mature” in years and generally unfit - probably a bit lazy and addicted to sugar as well - oh and fond of gin 🍸🤣. So I know there are lots of you runners out there that only run and are fabulous and doing fine.  Don’t let me put anyone off though from having a go - download couch to 5k today - do it - if I can anyone can! 🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️

So this is me - I’m being more “cat” but to be honest I will always be a loyal dog lover at heart. After all the party is always at the back!❤️ 🐶

#SexyPace  #DoingMyOwnThing #NeverTooOld #MentalHealth #BeMoreCat 😸

I don’t wish to “mown”

Well what can I say - my weekend involved doing something I’ve not done for years and years - I broke through that psychological bubble and took a deep breath and went to the gym 😱.

So here is the deal - I have a bad hip - so I’m on a running ban. My only option to get over this was to bite the bullet and venture into the world of cross training. So I had to embrace something new to do along side running (once my hip plays ball) - so something like cycling, rowing, swimming - three of my favourite things - NOT 😂.

So I took myself off to a local spa - lovely setting - nice pool, gym, jacuzzi, sauna and treatment rooms for massage, pedicures etc - you get the picture.

So I committed to a three month membership - see if this sorts out my hip and maybe brings along some lovely stress free times.m with some nice treatments.   Contrary to my friends kind Facebook post reminding me to pop some clothes on before I go on my bike - I decided yes naked cycling could be off putting so I best pop my kit on not off 🙈😂.

 So today for the first time in years my little bottom (well I say little .....) found itself on the exercise bike and rowing machine. The worst bit?  Sat on a bike staring at the treadmill and wishing I could go on that instead! Also it was quite a challenge not to burst into song every now and then - also I had to refrain from doing little dance moves with my arms as well! See the benefits of running solo and outside - you can have a little dance and sing and nobody sees it or hears you. I did get a couple of odd looks from my fellow gym goers as I had to pretend I was just stretching my arms out not busting out some moves 😂. They may not let me back.

So I return home - knock out a roast dinner and ate my lemon meringue pie guilt free. Lovely - I was ready for a kip on the sofa - what better way to spend the bank holiday.  That was until hubby announces we need to mow the lawns. When he says WE he means ME - he’s still on light duties following his operation. Reluctantly I dig out my wellies and slap a smile on - of course darling let’s go smash it.  I can tell you that smile did not last long. Man those petrol mowers take some starting, I’m pulling that bit of string like my life depends on it - George having to hold the handle lever thingy in because I can’t pull and hold that in. We were like Laurel and Hardy out there - I’m sure the neighbours had a hoot. And how quickly does that stupid box fill up with grass - I had to get George to keep the mower running while I emptied it as I couldn’t face trying to start the flipping thing again 😂.  I finished the front lawn - let the mower go off - his lordship says - no no you need to cut it twice 😡- mmmmm go back to your strimmer I think 🤔.  So off I go again - apparently I had not given myself a wide enough “turning” area - I should have mown three strips so I could turn more easily. Whatever. I also had to contend with a load of bees who it seems have made a nest in the front lawn.  Well I guess that is better than last years visitor - Mr Mole.

At last we are done - “oh look” I say “the green bin is full so we won’t be able to do the back lawn - never mind” I chirp. “Oh no” he says “we can push that down and get more in” - there he was again using that WE word - what he meant was I could push it down. 🤔

Off we go to the back garden - at least nobody can see me taking 10 attempts to get the mower going I thought. So on I go - mowing away. At one stage I somehow got in a right pickle and the mower was dragging me along and my brain would not engage on how to stop it! Yeah those large stones pretty much stopped it 🤭- quick check George still strimming at the other end of garden so mums the word 🤫.

Mower stopped again - by now George has taken to standing ahead of me waggling his finger where I need to mow so I am no longer even attempting to smile. I can’t start the flipping mower again - pulling pulling pulling - huffing huffing huffing. Finally I just bleat our that I can’t do it - I can’t start it. The icing on the cake - “oh it’s probably out of petrol” he says. I had no words other than “well you best fill it up then” massive sigh 😡getting very cross now.

Honestly if I had known that job was looming I would not have spent the morning at the gym- there really would have been no need.

In fact I’m thinking I should be offering a mowing service and get paid for it  - it’s a bit like taking the shaver over someone’s hair - like giving the lawn a little haircut 😂.  Problem is I don’t think my customers would want to hold the lever in while I empty the cuttings just so I don’t have to restart it all the time 😂. Mown over and moan over 😂

I don’t want to bruise my peaches 🍑🤷🏻‍♀️🤔

I know I know - I disappeared - off radar - to be honest I am nursing a hip injury. A result of poor training so completely self inflicted. It’s ok I’ve taken professional advice about it and the advice:-
No running - no walking 🚷- NO 😱😫. Very frustrating and annoying.

It would seem that I have to re-think my approach - you can’t sit all day for long periods and then go flying around the village, thinking you are Paula Radcliffe with bad taste in music. To think I had just downloaded a best of the musicals album to listen to whilst running - I was going to be defying gravity, dreaming a dream, donning my multi coloured coat and all that jazz.   Alas that soundtrack will have to wait until Joe Bloggs is fully recovered ......... or will it......

So it seems I need to do cross training - non-weight bearing exercise to complement the running. Well that’s all I’m allowed to do until my hip is better - what is that I hear you say? The suggestion
Cycling or swimming
No and no - that was my immediate reaction 😂.

Well I had to take on board the sound advice given which to be fair I had paid to hear!

So what’s a girl to do 🤷🏻‍♀️. Well I can’t listen to my music in the swimming pool so it looks like it may have to be a bike 🙈. I had a little trial while away as I used my daughters exercise bike - man o man that saddle did not half hurt my amply padded bottom. Ouch that hurt - put me off a bit to be honest.

So I’m contemplating using a proper bike - I like to get outdoors but I’m not sold on the idea. Not after what my poor bottom endured this week and a few short cycling sessions.

So let’s watch this space ......... I need to do something and find something I like and also something that doesn’t make my bottom feel like it’s lost all feeling and is more bruised than James Giant Peach 🍑

Cushion tower anyone? Why not beats Jenga

Anybody else spending their life plumping cushions and re-folding blankets only for the dogs to bowl onto the sofa at top speed and mess them all up. Or they decide be nice to scrape the blankets into a big ball going round and round in a circle before finally settling in to their “nest” and then they will hear an imaginary noise and whoosh they are gone leaving me looking at a crumpled mess. Or when the grandchildren are home they like to remove them all and create blanket and cushion towers.

Plump - fold - plump - fold - repeat - repeat - repeat.

What are we doing with our lives people 😂🙈🤦🏻‍♀️.

Writers Block - let’s break down the wall

I’m afraid I’ve hit writers block
Because I’ve been working round the clock!

First it was the dreaded year end
Enough to drive you round the bend!

Then there is the weekly bins
That’s punishment for all my sins 😂

The pile of washing grows ever higher
I’m thinking of just having a big fire 🤷🏻‍♀️

Those blessed floors still need mopping
And the mop is really quite sopping 😩

The floors are really quite lethal
Shiny wet and quite quite slippy.

It’s probably down to the gin and wine
Making me lose my creative mind 🤔

I’m sure I just need a rest
Then I may be back to my best.

I probably need to get out and do some running
And not dragging smelly bins coz the lorry is coming.

I guess sometimes life is dull
It’s impossible for it always to be full.

Of course the silly season is looming
Spring is about and definitely blooming.

This really means only one thing for me
I’ve the Cardiff half to run come what may.

So maybe once I’m running around
And I feel my feet pounding the ground

My poor tired brain will re-engage
And I will find some humour come what may.

I am taking bets on two important tasks
Me run a marathon or the Brexit farce 🙈🤦🏻‍♀️

So bear with me during the dry dull times
As one day the inspiration bells will chime!

The Glass of Life

Do you ever feel that going through life is like watching that glass of water going down and down.   Sometimes you think that you have reached the bottom of your glass, it feels like you are chasing the final drips around the bottom of the glass - desperately trying to make those tiny droplets quench your thirst for life.  Some days it just feels like the glass is so full of emptiness it will never be full of life  again.

Then when we least expect it something comes along and fills that glass back up - life and living - that’s what fills that glass back up. People and laughter - that’s what fills that glass back up. Loving and feeling loved - that’s what fills that glass back up.  Giving more than you receive in life that’s what fills that glass back up.  Being in the moment helps us to evaluate those hard bumps in the road of life - sometimes the bumps are so big we may never get over them, always feeling like we are climbing up them, alone and feeling lonely. But sit back - look around - reach out - often you realise you are never really alone. Someone or something comes along that makes you appreciate you may be feeling lost in that moment but there is often a hand and a heart reaching in to gently pull you out.

It will be those small things in life - the things that just make you stop and smile for a moment - these things make us appreciate where we are.

I know that sometimes the glass is cracked or chipped and may never feel full again - but those moments are there that will help fill your glass up. Life is strange - if you ever feel like your glass is running dry don’t despair human nature is such that it will fill up again. If you want to help fill up the glass of life do some random acts of kindness - you will be surprised what a difference it can make. That gesture can sometimes be all that person needed to know that somebody cares about them.

So try it - see if you can replenish the glass - it’s doesn’t matter if it’s yours, mine or someone else’s - turn on the tap of life and let it flow come what may ❤️

Not your normal Mothering Sunday 🏃‍♀️

Hello - I’m back! Sorry been feeling uninspired of late 🙁. But there we go - park that there because today was a big day - nope not Mothering Sunday - Cardiff Bay 10k race.  That will be the race I hadn’t  really trained for - well not as much as I should have or would have liked! However as we all know we cannot turn back those pesky sands of time - no man or woman can do this aside from Dr Who of course 😂.

I was where I was - still stood on that start line with my chubby thighs and unfit body - stuffed full of cake from the day before - I’m sure that is not in the runners manual - stuff face full of cake before race day🤔. However brownie points for me - no alcohol pre-race 👍🏻.

So back to the yellow wave of runners - stood in a very cold and windy Cardiff Bay - edging forward step by step to the rainbow shaped start line arch - they really should paint those rainbow colours 🌈 and maybe have unicorns 🦄 jumping out of the rainbow. After all we are chasing some dream or other, some goal - mine just to finish - to finish and hope that they’ve still got a medium t-shirt left and a medal.

I love the medal - it’s like a permanent reminder of your achievement- same medal for everyone - same distance for all - the medal is a leveller - it doesn’t matter if you are first or last it’s the same medal and it means as much to the person coming in first as the person who endured and maybe struggled over that distance! Love my bling ❤️🏅.

Anyway back to the start line being blown away by the welsh winds - thankfully no rain ☔️ 🌧. We were off. I like to take things with me on my run - usually my music but not on a race day - my water bottle, my Gymboss timer,  my running belt with some sweeties, plasters and a tissue in oh and a full bladder 🙈. Yup I would say that it was probably about two minutes after crossing the start line that I really needed a wee. So here I am running and feeling like I’m bursting - giving myself the runners toilet talk - it’s all in your mind - it’s all in your mind - which to be fair is better than down your leg 🙈. I powered on weighing up losing time to have a wee or putting the mind over matter concept into action.  About 3k for the first time ever I could have just stopped and gone back - I had complete end of financial year exhaustion - how ironic that this race was held on the 31st March - my nemesis day - end of financial year 🙈. I gave myself a strict talking to - I was not giving up- I was not injured - being “a bit tired” was NOT an excuse. I set my mind to sticking with my 1:30 v 30 run walk run.

Before I knew it we had reached the 5k mark (still no toilets by the way 😂). Now it was downhill all the way - not literally! I had found my stride - just kept going run walk run walk - closely followed by a large group of adult sized bumble bees 🐝!  I thought that there mustn’t have been a 6k marker, great I was thinking 3k to go surely. Then I saw it - the 6k marker - nooooo - 4K to go 🙁. Could I do it? Then about 300 yards on the 7k marker - realising I’d looked at the marker on the other side of the path - result 3k to go 🏃‍♀️👍🏻. Funny what a difference that makes from down to up in a couple of minutes (still needing a pee mind 😘).

So there it was the 1k marker - the final countdown - the last hoorah- legs like lead, stuck to my intervals and ran for the finish line. What a glorious feeling, crowds cheering and all of a sudden you realise it’s over - at last - then you laugh to yourself as you recall thinking the night before maybe you would go a marathon 😂😂😂🙈🙈🙈. Oh man I can barely get round 10k - I couldn’t have gone and done it all again and a bit more to clear a half - marathon what was I thinking. More like pass me a Snickers bar!