Sorting Out

Did 18yos's paper round for the last time this morning - in the rain!  It really did feel like the end of an era as he has been doing it for so long. Hopefully his job at the chocolate factory will work well.  We spent the day either on the phone sorting out administration or tidying out Rick's office and some cupboards.  13yos still has some work to finish so he plodded on while we were busy.  He looks so happy in the photo!!  Want to make the house run as smoothly as possible before the crazy year starts next year.  Found my big sister's wedding dress which we are storing for her as she lives in Botswana.  Showed it to 11yod which was nice. 
Also arranged all my sewing things on some shelves Rick has graciouslly allocated to me in his office!!!
Was going to go out for a 30 min run this evening but my legs are still quite stiff and sore and as we want to do a hill walk to the top of one of the local hills tomorrow I decided not go.  Rick couldn't manage without his run though so he went this evening. 
Had a fun sports evening at guides this evening and thankfully the weather had cleared up from the rain this morning for us to do it outside. 

Queen's medals

Rick received a Queen's Jubilee Medal today for his work with Mountain Rescue.  It's a really nice heavy medal (not that he is ever going to wear it).  Just wondering when us menial stay at home mums are ever going to get anything!!  However, 6yos proudly showed it off for us.

I did my last shift as an invigilator for this year - will go on the list for next year as well.  Did 18yos's paper round this morning which is a really hilly walk and good for the running legs.  He has to give it up now as he has a summer job so after 5 years he is no longer a paper boy. Life's stages pass by so quickly.  I will enjoy doing it for the next two mornings and that will be it for that round. 13yos has his round though, which he will no doubt need help with on occasions.  I also recieved a really nice running bag to product tests this morning so will wear it on this evening's short run to my parents.  It's 2.5 miles in total so good for practising bursts of faster running. 
Lovely weather again today, although slightly cooler which is nice.  Rick spent the morning on a cycle ride with two friends and the afternoon chopping wood and sorting the wood shed with 13yos. 11yod is making icecream which will be fattening but scrupmtious.  Have to make sure I record it on myfitnesspal.

Lost in the forest

Another really warm day today - we are enjoying the lovely weather so much.  Today is another ordinary day but with really nice things happening.  It's great to be eating meals outside, including breakfast.  Something we can't do very often.  I went out for a forest run with a friend this morning.  As there are a few new tracks laid we got a bit lost but it was a lovely run, in and out of the shade, quite hilly with views over the hills and the two dogs loved it too.  I felt like I had a really good workout.  While I was doing that Rick and the three youngest children went on a 6 mile bike ride (well Rick ran while the children cycled).
I started calorie and exercise tracking on myfitnesspal and it looks really good so hopefully it will be another tool on the journey.
Piano teaching friend came this afternoon for lessons then I walk 11yod to orchestra.  When summer comes and we flip into "experiential learning mode" it is amazing how much default learning the children do.  Who needs pens and books for learning - no-one all the time.  The children abosrb so much by being out and about and doing.  Summer is a wonderful time to be a home educating family and we are determined to enjoy this summer while Rick is off and with us.  Happy days.

11k run

Ran an 11k race yesterday in 24 degrees.  It was really hot but thankfully they had laid on two extra water stations with sponges at the third.  In my usual plodding way I got round and was actually pleased because it only took me 2 minutes longer than last year and given the heat that wasn't bad.  The photo tells all though.  I look a right sight when I am running - massive incentive to get the weight off I guess.
We had a BBQ after with the running club and I was talking to a friend who has been running about the same time as me and has recently really taken off.  She has also lost a lot of weight but she affirmed my experience that running doesn't take the weight off you - you can't get away from counting calories.  What a bore!!  However, I was massively encouraged by what she has done.  She is also home educating and has 5 children and a very busy life and it has to be a case of, if she can, I can.
Rick did the half marathon and did really well - looks much better in the photo too!!

Hot but not as hot as........................

............. Botswana where 23yos is spending a month with my nephew and family.  This picture from my nephew looks like they are having great fun.

We are having great weather and really enjoying being outdoors.  I am wondering about how I am going to manage the 11k tomorrow but will just have to walk if it gets too hot and made sure I am well hydrated. Haven't run for a couple of days and hopefully the rest will have helped a little.  It's lovely to be able to have the doors open and the outside coming in.  Wish it could be like this all summer, although doubt that it will.  Will be able to get to badminton for the first time in a few weeks this evening.  Haven't been able to go for a while as various things have been happening on a Friday so it will be good to have a game.

Beaches and chocolate

Yesterday was a day for the home education group to meet at the chocolate factory and then go on to sing at the care home.  It was another wonderful hot day and it felt like it was really summer.  The children had a great time playing with pals and enjoying being outdoors.  The last few times we had met there it had been terrible weather and only play inside was possible.  The singing at the care home went well too with 6yos playing recorder and piano and 11yod playing piano and clarinet.  It's an honour to be able to entertain these elderly people for an hour.
Today Rick got up early to cadge a ride 17 miles into the hills with a friend who was working up there and he cycled back home.  I was still in bed when he arrived back!! and by the time I had showered and come down he was having a coffee.  I was just about to join him when he got a mountain rescue callout and was out most of the day looking for a chap lost in the hills.  Thankfully they found him mid afternoon.  I took the children to the beach for the afternoon and Rick cycled down and met us.  Really good to be doing nothing but reading and relaxing.  Reading a book now called Coasting Around Scotland about a chap who cycled in stages around the coast of Scotland.

I haven't run for a day or so to rest my leg as I fell through the decking in the garden when chopping some wood!  I have an 11k on Saturday (hope the weather cools before then) so don't want to make it any worse. Sitting on the beach is a good alternative to running though - just wish it used up as many calories.  It's 9.30pm - just sitting in the kitchen with Rick having a coffee and lo and behold he gets another mountain rescue callout - it never rains but it pours.

Doing an ultra marathan (but not running it!!)

Just spent a lovely time about four hours north where Rick was running an ultra marathon - 55 miles of really hilly trail and road running.  We dropped the children off with various friends and headed away on Friday, arriving late afternoon.  Although snow had been forcast at the beginning of the week, the weather was perfect and after an initial comedy with the room we were allocated, and a quick move, we spent a relaxing evening before an early night.  Breakfast was 5.30 am and it seemed as though everyone but me was an ultra runner but nevermind - good porridge anyway.  The runners were off at 7am and the day was so beautiful that I didn't want to go back into the hotel and decided to set off straight away to the first checkpoint.  Rick wasn't expecting me at this one so I hope he was pleased to see us (the dog and I) as he came up the hill.  We managed to fit a little walk in before the next checkpoint, where he was running strong and looking good.  It was so lovely driving and walking in the beautiful hills and even the waits at the checkpoints went quickly as I had a good book to read (No Need for Speed by John Bingham).  At the 3rd checkpoint Rick had taken the dog and she was raring to go.  By the 4th checkpoint Rick looked like he was having to dig really deep to continue (there were 11 drop outs in a race where only 69 were running).  I decided then to get to every point I could in the hope of giving him some encouragement.  It did make me realise that it doesn't come easy to him either so I perhaps need to be more disciplined about digging deeper.  I got to the end in time to have a quick cup of tea and watch Rick and the dog run down the hill for a strong finish.  Boy did I feel proud.
Will I ever run any more than 6.2 miles.  I hope so, but I am not sure I have the strength of character to give it what those guys on Saturday did!!!
Lovely day yesterday, enjoying a BBQ with some friends in the afternoon.  Life is good.
8.30 pm - Just been on a forest run with the two dogs.  What a wonderful evening to be out.  Forest runs in the morning feel like the forests are really mysterious, waking up and wondering what the day will bring.  In the evening, they are full of the happiness of how the day has been.  Today the light wasn't even fading yet and yet there was still an evening feel on the air.  It was a wonderful run, down beside a river, through a field and then into the forest.  The bluebells were out in the openings and it was altogether the best thing to be doing this evening!  Probably did 3 miles in total.

out and about

 Didn't have to get up early this morning to do paper round so more of a normal morning.  Why is it easier to get up at 6.30 am than it is at 7.30am?  Anyway - did some sorting this morning.  Rick went for some more swimming practice at lunchtime at the pool and realised that there were a number of my friends there so guess who will be going to the next lunchtime dips!  After that we went for a lovely walk in the hills/forest.  It was great to be out and walking and enjoying the fresh air.

There is always so much do see when you are out like this.  The picture above shows everyone examining a dead shrew which was being taken apart by orange backed beetles.  Very interesting!  It would be nice to spend every day walking and being outdoors but it isn't going to last. Rick was looking at outdoor jobs last night but not much available at the moment.  Lets just enjoy life now!  18yos has an English exam tomorrow so he is busy going over the work for it.  His university place hangs on the biology one next week though so that's the important one.
No running today - good stretch of the legs though and great to be out.  Entered an 11k which is a week on Saturday though while Rick does the half marathon so that should be good.

Ordinary Days

Today has been one of those ordinary but special days.  Days when just being together is important and nice. I got up at 6.40am to do 18yos's paper round and it was a very bright morning, although chilly.  The hills looked really lovely and once again I was reminded how beautiful this part of the world is.  I had the first of my Hep B jabs this morning in preparation for returning to nursing.  Enjoyed the walk to the surgery and back.  We spent quite a  bit of time in the garden in the sunshine and Rick and the boys washed their bikes.  11yod made chocolate brownies which were really yummy, and then she planted some peas and flowers.

It is nice having Rick around the house and we are trying to get some jobs done before our new life begins. This evening, while the children were at swimming and Bible club Rick and I went for a run.  He went in the forest with the dogs and I ran down to my parents about 1.5 miles away.  It was bright but cold and blowy and I enjoyed it very much.
Yesterday I did the paper round as well and we had a day sorting out school work and reading. 

beach and forest

Got up this morning and had a lovely run in the forest before the others were up.  Took two of the dogs with me and did about 2.5 miles.  Legs quite sore but the springer spaniel was even more pathetic than I was - she ran at my heels the whole way and anytime I slowed down she sat down as if to say "I've had enough now".  Perhaps her beach day yesterday had tired her out.

Oldest son is leaving this afternoon as he is flying out to Botswana tomorrow for a few weeks.  Would love to be in his shoes!  Some sun would good down really well, especially as it feels like we are living through a winter, not a spring.
Yesterday we spent the afternoon on the beach with some friends.  It was raining in the morning and overcast when we left home but just a few miles down the road, at the beach, it was sunny and relatively warm.  We are so blessed to live in an area with a lovely beach so near, as well as forest and hills.
Oldest son had this crazy idea that we should take a BBQ and it all worked out rather well really.  Rick decided to do some more open water swimming in preparation for his Ironman and looked like a seal bobbing about in the water. Think his wetsuit held out though, which is good.
I took my book by John Bingham - "No need for speed" which is a really good book for me at the moment. He says "if you give up running today, how do you know that tomorrow might not have been the day when you say some massive improvement". So hang in there girl.
With beach yesterday and forest this morning, I've had some good outdoor time in the last two days!  I love being out doors and feeling the air and wind on my face - gives me such a feeling of freedom.

Son's 18th

Where does the time go?  It was our third son's 18th birthday today so we have more adults than children in our family now.  I just don't feel old enough for that!  We aren't doing an awful lot in the way of celebrating as he wants his 21st to be the big one but hubby and I are paying for driving lessons for him (he needs to pass quickly 'cos there's not much money in the pot!) and I made him the scrap quilt in the top photo out of some beautiful pieces of African material which various people have given me.  I really like the material and, despite my imperfect sewing, I am pleased with the result.
Our 13yos made and decorated the cake above.  He had much more patience than me, especially with the icing he used for the writing as it just would not stick and I would have given up on it.  However, his perseverence paid off and he did a good job.
Chinese takeaway this evening with the 8 of us, 18yos's friend and 21yos's girlfriend.  Then some friends coming around to play some games for a while.  Lovely to be all together and lovely to have a house full of laughter and fun.
I am also enjoying a couple of days off running to make the most of the recovery from the 10k.  I hope to go out on Sunday morning for a forest run with the dogs but may also do a couple of miles tomorrow.  Its bright here today, but very windy and was raining all morning.  Not May weather at all!!!

Troon 10k 9/5/12

Troon 10k last night.  Quite an exciting day all round really as we were also picking Rick up along the way after his week in Italy.  I missed him so much!  He landed at lunchtime but wanted to fit in a run so he left his luggage with friends near the airport and ran to meet us.  He ran down the main road, in his usual crazy way, and we met him after he had run 15 mles.  It was so good to see him. Had a sort of picnic in a layby and got to the race in good time.  6yos was eager to run the children's race and thankfully we got there in time.  It was a bit of chaos and he ended up leaving with the over 12s but had a good time all the same. 11yod had forgotton her trainers so was a bit disappointed she couldn't run. 
Met up with some of the other running club members but I was kicking myself that I had left my phone in the car so didn't get to meet my friend until we got to the start.  My 23yos was running with me, which I appreciated very much.  I really enjoyed this run which is the first time I can say that about a road race.  The weather was ideal, overcast but dry, and it was great to know there were some runners behind me, even though we had run off last.  The race was chipped and I would have loved to have taken some time off my last year't time but didn't manage it.  Came in at a very slow 1hr 22m 09s but I am trying to focus on the fact that I enjoyed it more this time.  Once I start putting more miles in the legs I am sure to get faster.  I sure can't get any slower!
So a great day in all. Just looking forward to tomorrow.  It is one of my son's 18th birthday, and all 8 of us will be together again - a mum's idea of perfection!

Winning Scrap Bag Challange

Our local textile artist - Linda Woodfield (www.linda-woodfield.co.uk) is holding an exhibition of upcycled items. Things rescued from the scrap heap and given a new lease of life.  There were some fantastic entrants.  The children and I put things in various categories and to our delight and surprise my daughter and I won first prize in two of the catogories.  I won the household category with my recovered chair (top picture) and my daughter won with her scrap quilt (top picture).  My 4th son made the blue scrap quilt, youngest son made the sock  monkey and daughter made the hat.
We are really thrilled to have won.  What a good start to the day.  Just hope that the 10k makes me feel just as happy.

Rainy morning but lovely afternoon so myself and three youngest cycled to my parents' house after a morning doing craft and French.  Windy but sunny and so a lovely ride - only 3 miles in total but the hill at the end worked my legs.  Probably the right preparation for a flat 10k.  It was lovely to be out and, after so many years of having a young child not able to ride independently it is great to be able to get out with everyone on bikes.
The river is still low enough for quite a few people to be fishing and quite a few people were walking, enjoying the late spring sunshine after all the rain we have had.
It is good to be alive, it is good to be out and it is good to be a mum!!
Looking forward to picking my oldest son up from the station this evening when he finally arrives home from his year in Italy. 
He has said he will run with me tomorrow on the 10k so I really appreciate that.  Hope for at least a couple of seconds off last year's time but want to just enjoy being able to do it.
Trying not to be too jealous that my friend will be in for her first sub hour!!

A lazy day

Wanted to go on a cycle ride today with the children but the weather was awful.  So actually not managed any exercise today - even took the car on son's paper round as needed to take the younger two children with me.  Managed to eat well and healthily though so quite pleased with that.
It's so good being a mum - we are reading The Story of the Amulet by E Nesbit so spend a long time this morning reading that to the children. Then watched some wildlife programmes and played some games.  So a lazy day really but cosy.  We are missing hubby and had to chase B up to see when he would be home but altogether life is good (when I remember I almost worry about the job situation but it's not worth it).

As I am running a 10k on Wednesday I am not sure what I should do about exercise tomorrow.  Perhaps a cycle ride or walk would be good.  I am feeling more positive about being in control though and I think that is the key.  Seeing where I want to be and realising that only I can do it.  I will always have to be careful what I eat and always have to push myself to run - but only I am in control of that.
The photo above really inspires me to be out and about.  We live in a wonderful part of the world and I love being outdoors and it is always worth the effort.  That's something to remember when I don't feel  like going out

After my first 5k - March 2011

The Road to Running

The story of probably the most unlikely person in the world to ever run and how she gets there (hopefully)!

Episode 1 - Forever holding coats

Have you ever heard the expression “if I can, anyone can”? It’s used so many times but often it is not true. Usually you find out that the “if I can anyone can” person used to be a brilliant swimmer, regular tennis player, or even a runner somewhere in their dim and distant past. Something, somewhere, can usually be dragged out of their history which sets the basis for their running journey.

With me though, the expression is true.  I don’t even know if I can yet, but this is the story of how I am determined to get from holding the coats to joining the race!

I have always been quite an adventurous person but NEVER sporty. I jumped out of   aeroplanes for charity, went waterskiing with friends and on safari in Africa but the one thing I always completely avoided was sport and the worst sport of all was definitely running in all its forms.  I did shot put and javelin at school to avoid track events. On cross country runs I took the short cut down our street and called at home for a cold drink. If I had to take a bus I would make sure I was early to avoid ever having to run for one. Running was something I never intended to do because I knew I would never be able to do it.

So what changed? Well – having been married for 23 years (wow does it feel weird to say that - although 6 children, 3 house moves and a thousand arguments give testament to the fact) between us, my husband and I have had many hobbies. Little did I know how much his latest one would affect me. Three years ago he started running. He was one of those runners who ran a 10k race 3 weeks after his first run so really that should have confirmed that it would never work for me. After all 6 pregnancies and some serious self neglect hadn’t exactly helped my sporting prowess – in fact carrying 2 and a half stone in extra weight would mean more to drag along. But a seed was sown. When I went to Dublin with him and watched him run the marathon there, a little voice said “wouldn’t it be good to do this?”.  Of course, I squashed it as soon as I heard it but it kept coming back.

It lay dormant for at least a year. All sorts of excuses such as “you’re too fat”, you’d look silly” and “you don’t have time” planted themselves firmly in my mind. Then another event caused that voice to shout a little louder. We went to the club handicap with the small local running club which my husband had joined. By now he had got the bug and was gearing up for some ultra marathons. It so happens that close friends of ours are active runners with the club too.  When we arrived at the handicap the children were just about to do a run.  I ended up holding all the coats. My friend turned to me and said some words which burst the seed into blossom – “you’d better start running yourself or you’ll be forever holding the coats”.

Isn’t it strange how a few words can have such an impact on you? That voice was not going to go away now and at this stage I think I knew it. Nothing happened though. I didn’t become a runner. I didn’t even start any training plan or even verbalise my thoughts to anyone.  I just knew that one day I would run. Perhaps I was waiting for someone to tell me when and how. Then the third and final thing happened which got me going on my first tentative steps out of the door.

My husband entered the Highland Fling which is an ultra marathon up the first half of the West Highland Way alongside Loch Lomond.  Being his support crew on that run made me realise that I really did want to run – not half marathons, marathons or ultra marathons - just a 10k. And I wanted to do it before my 50^th birthday. I am only 46 but I imagined at that point it would take me 4 years to get there.

I also realised that no-one was going to do this for me. I knew then that it would push me outside my comfort zone. I have done hard and challenging things before but never really been pushed outside my comfort zone. I got books to read like “The New Runner” by John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield, “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall and various others but still I didn’t start running.

I don’t really know what made me take the first tentative steps but one day in early July last year I decided to see how it felt to run. I ran from one lamppost to the next on a back street in our little town and walked home. Somehow though, although it was pathetic really, it didn’t discourage me. Something had clicked inside me and at that point I became absolutely determined. I didn’t do much really over the summer but at the end of September 2010 the determination and desire met and I started on the journey which has brought me already further than I ever imagined and I hope will take me further still.

The next few articles will follow that journey with all its highs and lows and hopefully continue on as the new adventure continues!

I will no longer be the person forever holding the coats.

This is a photo of me on my second 5k in March 2011.  When I did the same run in March 2012 I was only 30 seconds faster.  This is my battle this year.  I don't want to give up running and want the enjoyment it gives but discouragements mean I loose motivation.
I ran the running club handicap last Saturday and again, was slower than the time before. 
I really wasn't "born to run" - it pushes me further outside my comfort zone than anything I have ever done (and that includes parachute jumps, giving birth to six children, home educating and much more).  This is a good thing in many ways but because of this I find many reasons not to run.  However, running is what I want to do. I have so many aims and getting my head round all the challanges involved in that is hard. 
I will blog and diary to keep myself motivated and hopefully inspire others that if I can - they can.

First Blog 7th May 2012

This is my first ever blog - ever.
I am mainly blogging for myself - to keep myself motivated on my new journey.
I am 47 years old, 3 stone overweight, mother of six and lack the motivation to change.  But I want to change my fitness levels and I want to become a runner. So, along with the other massive changes in our lives at the moment, I have started to blog.  I will continue this blog to get myself motivated into the changes I want.
These changes are
Loose weight
Feel fitter
Run faster
I have been running for 18 months and have done some 5ks and some 10ks but I am still slow.  The realisation that I am the only one who can change that came slowly and that journey is mine alone.  Husband's recently redundancy, my return to nursing, and home educating mean s a crazy year ahead.  This one thing I will be in control of.