Tree hugging beast

Most dog owners have normal dogs

They don’t need to appear in random blogs.

They trot along tails up high

Noses pointing to the sky. 

My little fur baby seems a bit crazy

He’s definitely far from lazy.

He loves to go on muddy walks

All the way it’s like he talks. 

Singing here and whining there

People passing don’t half stare

A singing pooch is quite a feat

It’s truly something hard to beat.

But singing isn’t where it ends

Although that drives you round the bend.

He has this rather strange obsession 

Which does help get out any aggression.

You see he has a real dear friend

It’s something that tends to bow and bend.

Most dogs love to chase a stick

Run after a ball that you kick.

But not my Benji oh no no

He finds a branch hanging down low.

Jumps aboard and doesn’t let go

How he does it - we don’t know 🤷🏻‍♀️.

He hangs on tight with all his might

Swings about because he’s so light.

He’s hanging on bouncing up and down 

Lucy Lou rolling in fox poop she’s found 🤢

But he doesn’t stop there on no not him

Swinging on branches is just one of his things.

He’s a modern day boy don’t you know

Tree hugging is also in his portfolio 😂.

He surveys his land as he walks

Maybe looking for a tree that talks 🌳.

Once he’s found he’s chosen tower

Up he climbs with amazing power.

Perhaps he’s hunting squirrels or chasing birds

There he goes singing his doggy words 🙈🐶.

He stands so proud up his tree

Saying to all look at me.

He’s got no fear of any height

I’m sure he’s going to take flight.

He stands there oh so proud and tall

Despite the fact he’s only small 🐶.

So when we are out for a stroll 

Please remember Benji has no self control

He thinks he’s a bird or a plane

Or maybe he just needs a lions mane 🙈

Good job he’s got Sally keeping him safe

She really is his best human mate. 

Dog walker extraordinaire 

His doggy adventures she loves to share ❤️

Diets - the struggle is real 😂🧁🙈❤️

I’ve gone all day without a treat
Not even a single sneaky sweet.
Well ok there was an incident in the kitchen
Which involved the pesky bread bin.
But I’ve tried so hard to be strong
Why are treat-less days so long?

I fear that Shrove Tuesday is looming
So many pancakes I will be consuming 🙈.
I best sign up for a treat-less Lent
40 days of discontent 🤦🏻‍♀️
Chocolate bars luring me in
Knowing they are my deadly sin.🙅🏻‍♀️

Why oh why is food so nice
It’s my poor thighs which pay the price.
Everywhere seems to be
Naughty things for you - for me. 🧁
I’ve gone all morning and not eaten
I think this diet has me beaten.

I slowly climb upon the bathroom scales
Which seem to shout out “ahoy beached whale” 🐳.
I look down in despair
Another pound on they declare!
That can’t be right, it can’t be true
Now I’m feeling truly blue!

I mean I’ve been so very healthy
I should also be feeling mighty wealthy
I mean the struggle I’ve endeavoured
By stomach thinks my throats been severed 🙈.
How long - how long has it been
Feels like ages I’ve been eating clean.

I check the calendar with such hope
Oh flip I feel like such a dope.
I count the days that can’t be right
I felt time was going like the speed of light
Has it really only been a week 🤦🏻‍♀️
No wonder I’ve got the same physique.

😂

Diets - the struggle is real 🤪 - but that said beauty comes from within. So don’t let the mirror, scales or people rule your life - just be you ❤️. Happy, healthy and wise!

In a world where you can be anything

In a world where you can be anything
Be kind

In a world where you can be anything
Be caring

In a world where you can be anything
Be thoughtful

In a world where you can be anything
Be generous

In a world where you can be anything
Be there

In a world where you can be anything
Be tolerant

In a world where you can be anything
Be fair

In a world where you can be anything
Be selfless

In a world where you can be anything
Be a listener

In a world where you can be anything
Be nice

In a world where you can be anything
Don’t judge

In a world where you can be anything
Be you

❤️

#MIND #MentalHealth #Stigma #LetsTalkAboutIt
#LoveOneAnother

Eat the rainbow - begin to glow 🌈

I rest my arms upon my belly
It’s wobbling like a beautiful jelly.
I don’t really mind my muffin top fat
So long as I’m healthy I am happy with that.

However my diet has been pretty shocking
Those cakes and biscuit I’ve been a rocking.
I need to stop and take stock of it all
At least I will bounce should I have a great fall 🙈.

Tomorrow I will start, I promise I will
I will stop stuffing food down - just eat my fill.
The world is full of a rainbow of food 🌈
So why eat the junk when you are feeling blue?

It seems I like puddings, chocolates and sweets
I’m also obsessed with my daily portion of meat.
So I’m sitting here talking myself fit
Of my rolls, lumps and bumps I must get a grip!

So as the sun rises tomorrow - or maybe the rain just stops
I shall stop eating everything until my belly goes pop!
A rainbow of food I shall endeavour to eat
And if I could go to the gym that would also be neat.

So wish me luck folks as my willpower is low.
I may end up face planting a whole chocolate gateau!
I will find my resolve and leave the junk well alone
Although when I see it my heart will just groan.

That junk food is addictive - my terrible vice
It all just tastes so terribly nice!
But I will think of my rainbow if I’m feeling weak
And try to remember junk sticks to your butt cheek!

Hello February - grow like a Daffodil

I think I officially slept through all of January - not quite but it felt like it.  Like a lot of people I have not been feeling myself by a long way - so many illnesses doing the rounds and sometimes us humans are not very good at self care are we!

I was beginning to think I would forever be spending my weekends in my faithful, loyal and comfy PJs.  Man a girl definitely needs a good cosy pair of jimjams and a dressing gown - if you cannot sink a wine or gin or demolish a kilo of chocolate then your fall back is ALWAYs PJs and dressing gown 🤣.

So it has been a bleak start to 2020 - I am seriously considering a re-think on my July half marathon for 2 reasons:-
1) I have not done any running for so long now by trainers have upped and left home to go and live with some woman who promised them a life of regular runs (or they may be buried in the bottom of my gym bag..... 🤔
2) And this one is mega unfair - somehow I have done something to my Achilles tendon - no idea how - I have not been doing anything. Honestly my body and mind are falling apart!  I am contemplating the way forward with this one at this stage - strengthening and stretching seem key.

So all in all I have spent January sat on the sofa, wallowing in a massive, deep, never ending pool of self pity.  Maybe it was a touch of SAD syndrome thrown in for good measure - who knows.

Tell what I do know .........

This week I most definitely have felt much better.  Actually left the house yesterday - and no not just to go to work (well that would not be happening on a Saturday anyway!).  I left the house in a social capacity and followed it up with a fantastic walk with our beautiful (if not slightly crazy) dogs.  The sun was shining (that did not last long did it 🌞 #StormCiara) - there were signs of Spring everywhere too so all was well in the world.  If those bulbs can stay underground all that time and use all their energy to force their way back through the earth, mud and soil and emerge victorious, proud and strong then surely we can do this as well.  It was lovely to see those daffodils standing up loud and proud and those delicate snowdrops peeping through the hedgerows, like someone who is not sure if they have been invited to the party or not, so just slip in quietly and observe the wondrous hedgerow around them, peeping their delicate snow white heads through the greenery - giving us all hope and joy.

So I feel I have been like the humble but beautiful daffodil - hidden from view but I am slowly but surely getting back out there.  Maybe not running but just living and enjoying life one day at a time.  If I develop a great big yellow head though you will let me know won't you?😜

Happy Sunday folks ❤

REDJanuary2020 - normal service will resume .....🙁

So that’s it - I may be fool hardy at times but I’m not stupid. I am not feeling tip top by a long way. I’ve spent the day in my PJs on the sofa, dosed up. It makes me so sad inside to say I’m going to have to halt my Red January journey - I’m simply not well enough to do anything, I need rest and relaxation - so that’s what is happening this weekend.

I hope to feel better soon and I may be able to resume my journey - if nothing else once I’m well I aim to restart my fitness regime.

Sometimes you have to let common sense prevail and there will be other challenges and more January’s to come.

I will be back ..........

🙁

REDJanuary2020 - down and maybe out...😢

Oh my goodness - so I recall reading something somewhere about if your are poorly from the neck down carry on running - neck upwards don’t. So after my foolish jaunt last night (which in my Rocky head was kill or cure) I have felt decidedly worse today. Spent the whole night coughing and not much better during today - feel awful. Also completely and utterly fed up with not feeling 💯- I mean doesn’t my body know I’m a busy lady I have things to do, places to be .....

I left work early - don’t faint finished at 4pm, how I lasted that long I don’t really know. Home and pyjamas straight on ready to curl up on the sofa and wallow in self pity. I actually think that today I may actually be beaten - I’m weighing up whether I’m doing myself more harm than good trying to be active. I’m so gutted, this is not the RED January I wanted.

I am not over and out yet - the night is young - but I’m re-evaluating my options - my thoughts are that life is all about feeding mind, body and soul - so tonight may encompass some reading (something I never do these days) or meditation (something I’ve never tried). So I will try and do something nourishing but I’m definitely giving my body a chance to recover.

One sad red lady here - onwards and upwards though, it’s the weekend so I can just chill and get well.

#REDJanuary2020 #Day10 #Despair #StayStrong #ItsOk

REDJanuary2020 Day 9 - the worm turns .....

Day 9 - well we did not see that coming ........

I drag my sorry, tired, miserable body in through the door after another long day in work. I head straight into the kitchen to suss out the tea situation, which was in hand - fabulous. As I stood willing the food in the oven to cook faster (because I was so hungry) I picked up my best friend (that’s shocking I know) - I click on to good old book of the face. Here I’m greeted with my memory from last year - red t-shirt, red hat, big smile - smashing RED January 2019. I scroll down to be greeted with lots of running posts - people posting their running achievements for that day. I sigh and think about that flipping stepper sitting in the lounge and my blog. I just thought to myself I cannot do another night bobbing up and down “stepping into flipping Christmas” 🙈. I took a deep breath and thought right - enough is enough is - like the song “Enough is enough (is enough)
I can't go on, I can't go on no more, no”.  I felt this pang that I wanted to be doing what everyone else was doing - not just stepping in my lounge! 💪🏻

So I marched down to the bedroom and pulled on my fabulous red t-shirt (2020 version) and my head torch - other items of clothing were also put on ....... 🧐🤓😜. Benji Boo was following me round  tail wagging, looking ever hopeful - it was like he was saying I recognise that t-shirt, I remember that mad January last year, out all hours come wind or rain (or snow!) 🙈. Please say we are going (and don’t bring the white one 🤪).

I grabbed his lead and felt my stomach lurch as I finally stepped out the door - we were out - first hurdle. As I walked down the drive all I could hear in my head was - you won’t be able to run, you’ve not run since October 😱. 

A little walking warm up and then I started a slow plod. Oh look at me, look at me - running (albeit very slowly and like a baby elephant). I felt a little wave of excitement- that was soon suppressed by not being able to breathe, legs feeling like they were going to snap, chest feeling so tight,  cold air hurting my lungs and coughing. But I was out there and it was just me, my Benji boy and the night sky - no music, no phone - just someone breathing so heavy it sounded like Darth Vader was in tow 🤣😜. 

So not fast, not pretty but short run done ✅- whoop whoop 🙌. Few twinges so I think I need to get back on the strengthening exercises as well - maybe, just maybe I’ve found a smidgen of red motivation 👍🏻💪🏻🏃‍♀️.

#REDJanuary2020 #Day9 #MentalHealth #ThisGirlCanRun #GetActive 

REDJanuary2020 - like my school reports - could do better ......🙈🤦🏻‍♀️

Oh boy oh boy it’s now day 8
And RED January I’m beginning to hate.

I pledged to get active every day
Do something daily come what may.

It’s been a real struggle to know what to do
I can’t seem to find my running shoes 🙈.

I’ve tried to do something albeit it small
I’m not really getting the fitness call.

It’s ironic really that once I cried
When told running was to put aside.

And now I can’t even step out that door
Get these lazy feet off the floor.

I’m not beaten yet so I will carry on
And I will try and lay off the sticky buns!

January is not even half way through
I’m putting my motivation in to brew.

So tonight it may have to the stupid stepper
But honestly I’m really going to try and do better.

So stick with me one and all
This determined lady will not fall!

P.S. Please note I don’t anticipate looking like this by the end of the month 🤣😂😜

REDJanuary2020 - step into Christmas

Day 7 - day 7 - day 7 - RED January you are breaking me. I don’t know what’s going on, I have zero motivation and zero energy. Can I still blame the Christmas cold .....🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️.

However I’m determined to do something no matter how small it is. So having sat (and eaten half a box of maltesers 🙈shhhh), I finally got off my sofa and back onto the stepper. Ahhh the stepper - how I hate the boring stepper but it was that or nothing. I need to dig deep and find my mojo - I’m digging honestly but it must be with a teaspoon as it’s a slow job 🤣.

The other problem I have with the stepper is every time I get on it all I hear in my head is the song “Step into Christmas, step into Christmas”. Nooooo I would have to go backwards to step in Christmas because Christmas 2019 is closer than Christmas 2020 - I can’t keep stepping all year just to step into Christmas 2020!

Day 7 - done - oh my goodness - wish me luck for the rest of the month please!

#REDJanuary2020 #Day7 #GetActive #NobodySaidItWasEasy 🤣

REDJanuary2020 - toned down

Ohhhh Red 6 - what a struggle - sooooooo tired 🙈.  I wasn’t sure I had the energy for anything at all - I don’t know how I managed to run every day last year!  So not a lot going on tonight but I’ve been active so in my book that is a tick ✅

20 leg pulls each leg
20 leg dips both sides/legs
20 sit ups (all stomachs 😂)
20 leg raisers each leg
10 reverse curls
5 minutes on the stepper

Sorry these are my names for these exercises, I don’t know what the proper names are and to be honest nor do I care 🤣🤣🤣🤣.

It is a long month January isn’t it 🤷🏻‍♀️🙈.

REDJanuary - my Christmas belly is ready .....

Day 5, day 5 - oh what a terrible struggle. Energy levels zero - enthusiasm zero - determination 💯.  Never ever give up on the day - even at 9pm at night you can do something.  I mean I could not possibly fail on day 5 - I would not allow it. So I dragged out the faithful stepper - thank goodness for that bad boy - he’s a great fall back buddy.

Twenty minutes on the stepper whilst catching the end of the masked singer and thinking to myself, I don’t think I missed anything there - not that Dancing On Ice is much better 😂🙈🤷🏻‍♀️.

Anyway - day 5 done ✅ - it may have only been 20 minutes stepping but that’s more active that the following:-
Sit on sofa
Reach for phone
Scroll, scroll, scroll
Like, sad, laugh, wow
Watch remotely funny video of random dogs/people/cats
Reach forward
Further
A little further
Yes you have reached the Roses tin!

So here’s a picture of me and my stepper but not only that - my Christmas belly, snug as a big under my jumper 😂. Actually let’s get real I’ve been baking that belly for most of 2019 and I’m not convinced it’s going anywhere in 2020 either 🤣. It’s a good balance to my well padded bottom 🙊.

Happy and healthy that’s the most important thing - oh and dragging bottom off couch for 20 minutes 👍🏻.

#REDJanuary2020 #Day5 #MIND #GettingActive #KeepGoing

REDJanuary 2020 - oh to have a scooter

So day 4 and it’s not getting any easier - my head is like it is full of cotton wool and I will be honest if it wasn’t for RED January I wouldn’t be dragging myself outside. I’m not one to be easily defeated so it was wrap up and head out for a walk with the dogs and Isabelle.

We were a bit quicker than yesterday with Zaccy boy - we did have 2 stops though. The first for Iz to run back for my phone and the second for Iz to go into the graveyard (I have no idea why?), maybe my conversation was that boring 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Two dogs and we already know that Benji Boo likes to pull - well today I think he extended my arm by about another foot as he decided to try and keep up with Isabelle who had the advantage of a scooter. Ohhh my poor arm! I don’t mind telling you I wish I had a scooter - I reckon if I had a scooter with Benji I’d break the 4 minute mile 🤣.

Running seems like so far away at the moment but early days - walking leads to running eventually - surely??? 🙈😷🤧😞

#REDJanuary2020 #Day4 #Plodding #GettingActive #MIND #MentalHealth

#REDJanuary2020 -snails pace 🙈🐌

Day 3

The glorious sun makes an appearance- I’d forgotten what that looked like, how wonderful it felt to have warm rays dancing on your face. The only option today was a walk with the dogs to soak up this yellow baby. Isaac decided he was going to come along as well - this was great progress as he has not got dressed for about 3 days due to being down and out with the stupid cold. Happy healthy Hicks Christmas 🎄- joy!

So zaccy boy and I set off for a stroll around the village. I had not quite anticipated that we would he moving at a marginally faster pace than a snail. 🐌 I asked him did he definitively want to come along, yes he did, despite not looking the picture of health. So onwards and upwards - we trudged along for an hour not getting very far but it was worth it to soak up the suns glorious rays - I’m sure that probably did us both the world of good.

It was an interesting walk as I had to adopt the stop go crab walk. I’ve got Benji going 100mph in one hand and then plodder Lucy Lou in the other, which means a sideways approach to walking, stopping every 10 yards to wait for Isaac.

Never mind we got round - so that’s day 3 - more active than sitting on the sofa!

#REDJanuary2020 #Day3 #GetActive #MIND #MentalHealth

#REDJanuary2020 Step into 2020

So I spent today in the car - you can’t do much walking or running in a car. I had to collect my mum from Cardiff - lovely drive through wind and rain - was lovely in Cardiff but we drove back through weather more miserable than poor old Eeyore.

Anyway it was wet, dark, damp and unappealing by the time I got home and I am very much deploying sensible Joe for 2020.  So I decided it would not be a good idea to trek around the village in the wet with a cold. So I blew the dust off my faithful stepper.

Twenty minutes of stepping done ✅. REDJanuary2020 #day2 #SensibleGoals #GetActive

My head still hurts - sinuses blocked, head pounding - dosing up but doing what I can to do a little bit of exercise 👍🏻😷🤧😴. I won’t be beaten 💪🏻

#REDJanuary 2020 - a leap of faith into the dark

RED January Day 1 - nearly a non starter........

What a way to start RED January - I’ve been feeling poorly having had a stupid cold (note how it will only ever be referred to as “stupid” cold as it’s so annoying). It’s left me drained and my sinuses blocked so my head is like it’s in a vice.

I got up - always a promising start -  I pulled on my red t-shirt but with my jeans - there was no running going on here today that was for sure. Cooked a roast dinner and then promptly fell asleep on the sofa. 😴  I had gained something over the course of the day (in addition to more weight!) - some attractive stains down my lovely red t- shirt identified as gravy and strawberry tart 😂🙈.

The whole house had written me off , I was down and out day one. Oh no I was not going to let that happen. I had woken up and it was now dark but I knew I had to just bite the bullet and go for it.

The dogs were besides themselves with excitement - a walk - in the dark - the red hat was back out - the games afoot. I even managed to drag along Gina, told her she is now committed to RED January, she’s not so keen 😂.

So day 1 done - a 4K Walk in the dark - let’s hope that by day 31 I may be able to utter the words - today I went for a run ........💪🏻👍🏻🏃‍♀️ #2020Goal #LCW #CardiffHalf

#REDJanuary2020 #Day1 #MIND #MentalHealth #GetActive

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