Shadows!

The trouble with the sun coming out to play is that it also bring out my slightly dumpy and very slow running partner. Uninvited running partner. Every time I catch sight of her it really pisses me off. Who does she think she is plodding along next to me!! I have my head phones in and do not acknowledge her at all! I mean that is not running, it is barely a power walk with a wiggle! Go away!!!! Everywhere I go, she is there! Arrrggghhhh! 

Anyway I took great glee in slamming the door in her face when I got back home. Ner ner ner ner ner! Sod off shadow! Come back when you look like a runner!!

Wowzer!

I was aiming for sub 33 (get me sounding all athlete!) at my first Park Run and I was a little miffed at 33 mins 14 secs. However I have since had a little word with myself. A month ago I would not have even gone. When I arrived I was petrified but everyone was so smiley and friendly. I ran the whole way round the lovely 5K course listening to my running partner of the day rabbiting on as if she had the lung capacity of a blue bloody whale!! She was lovely to stay with me as her springy step hinted that she had much more in the tank! I kind of loved it - when I had finished!

Like I keep saying - I am a runner now and although I keep saying there is no membership card I do now have a barcode for ParkRun! 

Anyway, I am now very pleased with myself because I looked back to the beginning of January when I started my challenge and just look at the difference!! I am so much faster. I AM A RUNNER. Also for the record I am a STONE lighter!! Completely fandabbydosy! Big whopper #crushagrape day!

EJM x

My Smile Today is Brought to You By - Fabulous Feb

So January is already in the bag and now on with February. Still running, just not every day and now I look forward to my runs and actually sometimes miss not running on the rest days?! Looking forward to the Spring when we can all start galloping across the fields....

Speaking of Spring. Just brought a little Spring into my kitchen. Made this table centre piece that I thought you might like. Grabbed some Narcissus Tete a Tete (ickle daffs) from Lidl for 79p a pot - used 4 pots. Got the kids to find some little twigs in the garden. Shoved it all in a wooden bowl (note to visitors - might not want the salad next time if served in this!).

Sunshine in a bowl.

Rest of the house is a shithole but the table looks smashing!

Have a lovely day and bring some sunshine into your lives.

EJMx

Run Jan - Done!

I still cannot believe that I have done it. I ran every day. No cheating. I ran every blooming day. Come rain or shine!

Whooooppppppppppeeeeeeeeeee.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and especially those who ran with me now and again. It has been amazing. Dare I say life changing?!?

75.1 miles run.

Just a little matter of the Winter Run 10K tomorrow. I am most definately having Monday off from running but this is it now. I am a runner.

MASSIVE THANK YOU TO YOU ALL. It has been emotional.

EJMx

Day 24 and 25 - Day Dreaming

Saturday I ran 3 miles

Sunday I ran 3.5 miles.

I felt pretty good on both runs,  a little springy even! I have lost a bit of weight with all this running and blimey it makes a difference so I am encouraged to keep eating well. 

Mr EJM got me a running snood fleecy thing at Christmas trying to tempt me into running more. This was before my weird idea to run every day in January surfaced. In the bag was this card and he put it with the present. It really hit home to me. Finally after 25 days of running I really do believe it - I am a runner.

I do not mean in a Paula Radcliffe kind of way but that is the point. The minute I step foot outside that door I am a runner. Get me! A runner! 

So on Sunday when I was running in daylight I did not worry that people might see me running. 
Might see my wobbly bits jiggle. 
Might see my bright red face shining in the distance. 
I always used to feel embarrassed, especially when I saw a 'Proper Runner' but like the quote says - there is no membership card, no licence! Who cares?! I am a runner!

I ran along the river and always see this property and think how amazing it would be...  My Dad would have a fit if I ever tried to move here having worked for The Environment Agency. Living by a river - "Asking for trouble!". Just look at it though!!

So whilst running I started to design the beautiful bay window in the Master Bedroom with a fitted window seat and that top bit with all that light flooding in is just crying out to be a studio...... Might double up on the lottery this week!

EJMx

Total Miles in Jan: 63.1

Day 23 - Less Bounce!

Just about to go for run 23. 

Anyway, wanted to just let you know about my fabulous new boulder holder sent to me by the brilliantly named LessBounce.com.

They heard all about my Barbara Windsor booby moment the other week and sent me their top selling running bra - The Shock Absorber Ultimate RUN bra - to see if that contained the beasts, I mean breasts. 

Well they may be called Less Bounce but believe me there is no bounce at all. They are soooooo secure!! Not in a 'cannot breathe and have created forty other sets of breasts' kind of way. It is not too high up at the sides like I have found with some sports bras. It is simply great for running in. This bra is the Tina Turner of all bras - Simply the Breast! Sorry, too tacky?  

The straps are padded and so when I take it off I no longer have a bra imprint for the next two hours and honestly when I am running it is fabulous. No rubbing, no digging in. Just perfect.

The most amazing thing about this though is - IT IS BRIGHT PINK. Usually the sports bras I have had to get are dull and boring and even though there is NO WAY this bra will ever be on show - I love the fact it is pink! How blooming lovely! The peeps at Lessbounce.com were so helpful as well, really making sure the fit was just right with lots of really helpful advice on their site and in emails.

Anyway, boobs are secure so I am just off for run 23. Bit chilly out so expect there could be some peanut smuggling going on but with the layers I have on I will not be poking any eyes out. 

EJMx

PS.
There is currently £5 off the super dooper Shock Absober Ultimate RUN Bra at Lessbounce.com

Run 21 and 22 - The Long and Winding Road

Thank goodness for the girlies tonight because I am so over running around these same old roads!! It is so dark in the evenings I am restricted to where I can run and if I want to avoid a hill there is only so many roads to go down!

So lucky for me I had some chatty running pals tonight who brightened up my route! We did do hills tonight which seemed steeper than ever! Running with people really does keep you going though and despite my tired legs we plodded around 3 miles today. Had a cheeky run yesterday of 2 miles in between various pick ups and drop offs of kids. Fitting in a run seems to be part of my routine now. I wonder what is going to happen in Feb!?

Total Miles in Jan: 55.6

EJMx

Day 20 - That's what friends are for

Today was a tough one. In the cold my knee was telling me not to bother but I was lucky to have a little tippy-toe motivator with me today. Somehow she managed to get me round 3 miles. Without her I would have struggled with one. 

On our runs we sometimes have a catch up, sometimes have a moan, sometimes a gossip, sometimes a giggle. Often all of the above.

I really do get by with a little help from my friends.

So 3 miles takes me over the 50 mark!!!!

50.6 miles in January so far and still 11 runs to go!! So I am now aiming to get to 75 before the month ends.

With my running pals behind me (or usually in front) I will smash it!!

EJMx

Day 19 - Speedy

Some days I feel like I am flying. Today was one of those days. Only 2 miles but I felt like a runner, not a plodder!

Happy Days!!

EJM x

Total Miles: 47.6

Day 18 - On the Uppers

Blimey - this running lark is an emotional rollercoaster! Today it was like torture. I really could not face a run. Yesterday had really knocked the stuffing out of me so I was not expecting great things when I was reaching for the Lycra.

Now "great things" may be pushing it somewhat but it felt a million times better than yesterday and so my run tonight was complete Westlife. 

#flyingwithoutwings

#youraisemeup

#phew

EJMx

Day 17 - Feeling Dippy

No mojo. #bigdip

1.5miles. Hurt. No elation. No happy feeling. #doubledip

Really cold. Slippy. No bounce at all. Entire body made of lead today. Feel really heavy. Heavy headed. Heavy in body. Just ouch.

Amazing how you can go from a high like yesterday to a slump like today! 

I really did not want to run AT ALL. I knew it would be awful but the mahoosive positive out of all this is just that - I did run. And do I feel better for it? As I type this in my sweaty lycra, I suppose I do. 

#nuffsaid

EJMx

Day 16 - Turning Point?

I feel like I have turned a huge corner. Smashed through the massive concrete barriers I had placed around myself for years and years... This could be epic. Of course there is a huge piece of me that is like: "Do not mention it, it will jinx it", but if I did not share then it kind of makes this blogging lark pointless.

So - I used to run to lose weight. Well I tried but never really dealt with the food issues. I used to think, "If I run I might lose half a pound." The reality was after the run I used to think: "I have run so I can treat myself to a biccy." Then somehow the packet would be demolished.

A few days ago it suddenly occurred to me that I am now wanting to lose weight so I can run. I found myself thinking about how I could possibly run further, run faster if I was a bit lighter. Complete full circle.

I did not set out for this challenge to help in the whole weight loss thang or sorting head out thang. I just wanted to push myself and if I am completely honest I thought I would fail. That is what I do. Set myself a goal but believe I will fail before I begin! D'oh! I have so far surprised myself. I needed something. A new goal rather than the usual unobtainable goals like lose half a stone by next Tuesday or get into those jeans from 1996 by next month etc.

This challenge was hard but doable. I know, I know - I have not completed it yet, still 15 runs to go but I feel like it has found the switch. My re-programming switch that I have been searching for for what seems a lifetime. The switch that sets me free from years of emotional eating, secret eating, comfort eating - whatever name you give it. Just eating. 

Now I have only been eating well this week after joining a fat club and taking control so I realise I am not Slimmer of the Year or anything.....yet!

Funny how life is though. Been trying to get my head around something for so long and failing. This challenge seems to have set me free. I honestly feel different. Lighter. I do not mean on the scales. Something has changed. I need to learn how to hang on to this feeling and bottle it!! Especially as I know there will be a dip at some point. I want to be able to fight back this time. I want to be ready for that little naughty person in my head telling me to give up, eat this, go find chocolate, go find anything. I want to smack that little shitbag in the face really hard!! #gettingcarriedaway 

Back to the running. Little 2.5 mile run tonight. 

I thought I would be willing for this running madness to stop and yet here I am already thinking of next month! My aim in Feb is to run at least every other day but match the mileage of January. This running lark seems to be good for the soul so I am not stopping! #mojolikeflojo

EJMx

Miles in Jan - 42.1

Day 15 - A Running Club!!!

We were like a proper little running club tonight!! 5 of us - and ones with hairy legs with two husbands getting their lycra on and getting in on this running malarky!!!! 

So despite legs aching and as heavy as lead, despite my entire body screaming at me: "ENOUGH of this RUNNING LARK!!" Despite all that, we just kept on running and we managed 5 miles. I would never have run that far tonight on my own and would have struggled through 2 - you really can get by with a little help from your friends!

To top it off I even had my own little cheerleader (Thank you Cynthia) that put a little spring in my step!

So Day 15, still running.

EJMx

Total Miles in Jan: 39.6

Thinspiration:
The more you sweat now the less you jiggle later

Day 14 - Little Grim One

Run 14. Done. 1.5 cold and wet miles squeezed in on a very busy Wednesday night. 

#nuffsaid

EJMx

Total Miles in Jan: 34.6

Day 13 - Run with Chicks Part II

My running pals were super lovely today and escorted me on a little run and took me home before they did THE STEPS! 

So a nice little 3 mile run with a good old natter for 2.5.

Do love running with people as it really does make it so much easier!

Day 13 - unlucky for some but lovely for me.

EJMx

Total Miles in Jan: 33.1

Considering other daily sport challenges for next month - darts, snooker...

Day 12 - Fluro Envy

I do not want to get too used to the knee brace so I attempted a little 2 mile run without it and I realised it was not making any difference. It still hurts but I can run through it. So Day 12. Never thought I would get this far. I am surprising myself and that feels good.

Lots of people out there running tonight in all their fluro glory and I now have fluro envy and have decided that I need to get my fluro on a bit more. 

Unfortunately this pic below is not of my run just now BUT it will be come May when me and my wonderful running buddies take on the Electric Run. So excited. #crushagrape

#bringonthefluro

Off to google fluro running attire but trying not to turn myself into bigbird!

EJMx

Day 11 - Best Run Ever

Today was the first day that I really very nearly caved in and did not run. Not sure why. Just tired. I was printing all afternoon which is quite draining (I know - how very arty of me - draining darling!). Then ironing and more ironing. I had the thought of not running and I am surprised it has taken until Day 11 for it to happen!

It turned out to be a wonderful run which will stay in my heart forever. I would have missed out on a 'moment' had I not run. It was not far, 2 miles. My knee still hurts but nothing too bad. It was a great run because it was my first with one of my sons. One of my girls was coming and he asked to join us so off we went. He was awesome. He tripped over twice but sprang right up. He barely stopped - only for his puffer once. I was so proud I honestly could of burst. 

When he was born his lungs collapsed and as I held him in my arms for the first time he turned blue, then purple, then all hell broke loose. To cut a long story short he needed help to breathe for a little while. Tonight as I ran alongside my little man I vividly recalled the Consultant reassuring us he would be ok. "He won't be running marathons but he will live a normal life." #runningthroughtears

Well Mr Consultant, he is 10 now and I tell you, if my boy wanted to run a marathon when he was older, he could and he would smash it. I remember being so scared and if I think back to those days in SCBU my whole body can ache just remembering. All I wanted was for him to be healthy back then. 10 years on he is a happy, healthy and scrummy little man.

EJMx

Total Miles Jan 28.1

Best Run Ever

Day 10 - Saturday Night Out

What else would you do at 8.30pm on a Saturday night in January!? Go for a run of course!?!

No trouble with the chesticles tonight. 2.5 miles in the bag. 

Will not bore you with a post tonight as many of you will be out on the town. (Snuggled up in bed most probably!)

EJMx

Total Miles in Jan: 26.1

Going to not talk of Speed anymore.

Weight Loss - Zilch. Nadda. But feel good. Happy Days

Dreams don't work unless you do.

Day 9 - Disaster

Not my knee. No nothing as simple as that. Half a mile into the run and twang. Snapped. The pain!!! The high drama!

My super dooper strap-em and pin-em down sports bra decided to give up and set the beasts loose! Luckily Mr EJM was on the run and whilst fumbling around in the darkness with my boobies may be something he dreams about I doubt that involves layers of Lycra and being tied up by two dogs running circles around our feet. 

So he did the best he could but we had to run home rather than cause permanent damage. So tonight was just a mile. A funny old mile but just a mile. Saved by the bra. Will run further tomorrow.

#babswindsormoment

#nopicstonight

EJMx

Day 8 - Surprisingly Ok

Just a quickie post.

Finding times for runs is easier than you think if you know you have to do it. I put the dinner on, ran to Hertford North and met Mr EJM at the station and raced him home. He is a mad fool on a scooter. Not a motor-scooter, a scooter scooter. Bless his heart!

Anyway, he slowed down for me and escorted me home. Ah sweet. Poor chap looking all smart in his work clothes with a dumpy sweaty red faced heavy breather plodding alongside him. I may still be dumpy BUT I am out there. Running. Challenging myself and despite the slight knee niggle it feels good. It feels good to push myself. I used to train every day when I was younger. I was a gymnast. I pushed and pushed myself all the time despite aches and pains and sometimes huge fear. I think even in these 8 days I have lit an old flame burning inside me that loves all this. I want to get faster. Run further. Run better. Play netball. Get on my bike. I want to feel fit again. 

So all in all. So far, so good. Head and body are holding up. Just.

Thanks for all the support.

EJMx

Total Miles in Jan: 22.6 miles
Speed: Slow but past caring