ice, hills and water

This afternoon my running pal and I were going to do another 12 miler.  However it is really icy on the roads and pavements so we decided to go into the forest where it is more sheltered.  As we run slower on the trails we knew we wouldn't have time to get to 12 miles so decided to try out some new paths and get some hills in.  As usual it was a lovely run - the frost was still lying in some places and made lovely patterns.  We did some really good hill work which made up for the miles.  The hills were snow capped to the tree line and I never tire of admiring our beautiful surroundings.  We did 7.2 miles in all - I used my new hydration belt again and managed fine although I still haven't decided which bottle holder to take off.
18yos is home for a few days and he made our tea, which I really appreciated as I got a night off the cooking (not my favourite activity).  This evening 13yos had a band rehearsal, 11yod and 7yos had their Tuesday club and Rick was running with the running club so I decided that I would see what the aquafit class is like at the local pool.  A few friends go and they have been trying to talk me into going so I went along.  I wasn't sure how I would feel going on the night of my longish run but it went really well - I really enjoyed it and it was good fun but challenging at the same time.  So if it works out on another Tuesday I will go again.
On Monday all the children got back to their music lessons and orchestra - Monday seems to be music day this term.  I have taken on the job of secretary to the orchestra they play in so that's another plate to spin!!  With Music Festival at the beginning of March, there is plenty of practising to get in!!

pamperings

Yesterday I was treated to a day of pampering by my very good friend.  For my Christmas present she took me up the road 55 miles to the college her daughter is at doing a hospitality HND.  Every now and then they have a day where the public can come in and have some pampering and can also eat in the restaurant so the students can practise being in the real world.  So my friend bought us both vouchers for a massage and a three course meal.
It was a really lovely day and great to be out for the day just doing our own thing.  The massage I had seemed truly professional and I certainly felt very relaxed after it.  My friend felt hers was more of a gentle rub so not quite as good.  We then went and had a little walk around the shops (not my favourite thing to do but I did enjoy it) and went back to for the meal.  It was really lovely and the only thing which reminded us that we were in a college was the tutor who was hovering to make sure the students got it right.  I would definitely go again for both and really appreciated my present.
Rick seemed to manage the day with the children and he is really doing great at the home educating when I am not there.  It is something we will have to get used to when I get a job (haven't heard from the two I applied for on Monday) and not an easy change for him.
I took 7yos to his swimming lesson at 6.30pm.  He has gone up into the top class and I think it was quite challenging for him but he did really well.  He is a really good swimmer.  He'll be joining the others in the club soon!
I went to badminton in the evening for an hour and it went really well.  My arm is still sore when I stretch but as I don't think it is doing any damage I just am trying to go through it.  It was good to be back at badminton again after a while.
This morning 7yos and I went down by the river.  He went on his new rip stick and I ran.  It was quite stoppy and starty as he is just learning to use the rip stick but he did really well.  He is very determined.  11yod was out at a friend's house for the day so I spent most of the rest of the day doing house work and grocery shopping for us and my parents.
13yos has announced that he wants to concentrate on running for a while and so he went out this afternoon and ran 4 miles.  He'll be catching his dad soon.  Rick is on a marathon training programme so he is making sure he gets all his training in - think he is aiming for another PB!
On Tuesday 18yos decided he wanted to hitch hike down to Manchester.  He took his back pack and gear and set off and got a lift just outside our little town.  That lift took him about 170 miles and then he quite quickly got another one for the last 30, almost to his grandparents' door.  Coming back was a little harder - he ended up having to sleep out and got cold and wet but he made it home in time for work last night.  All this in preparation for his European tour this coming summer.

frosty fog in the forest

Just had a wonderful 5.1 mile run in the forest with my running friend.  We didn't want to do a long run this week and so decided to do some exploring.  We set off and found a great path which took us up some lanes and through fields.  Really enjoyable and managed to get a load of hills in again.  I really enjoyed it and came back really refreshed.  It was quite cold - around -1 and the fog which has been hanging on all day was getting worse but that added to the run.  Great run.

81st birthdays and lego

Today is my dad's 81st birthday.  11yod made a cake for him, 13yos made a really impressive Welsh dragon card and 7yod coloured him a picture of a Welsh rugby player.  We went down this morning and had tea and cake with them and watched while he opened his birthday cards.  He seemed to have a lovely time and really does well for his age.  He was also enjoying getting phone calls from family and friends.  I am so blessed to still have both my parents.

  Yesterday 11yod and 7yos got their Lego magazines in the post and there were competitions in them so they immediately got busy and these are their creations which I will send photos of to the competition.

The two photos below are of our celebrations while Rick's parents were with us over New Year.

This afternoon 13yos and I went out for a 3.5 mile run round one of my favourite routes.  It has been a cold crisp day and it was lovely to get out and blow the cobwebs off.  No points for a fast run but it was certainly good to be out and 13yos makes good time.  He ran ahead and came back when he got to around the 3 mile mark so we could run the last mile together.  He pushed me to go a little faster on the last mile so that was good. I really hadn't wanted to go out of the warm kitchen today so it took a lot of will power to get out but I am so glad I did - it's always like that!  Must be my lazy nature!

practice nursing

Haven't managed a run for a couple of days.  Yesterday it was absolutely pouring down and although I have told myself I must run in all weathers I just couldn't bring myself to go out yesterday.  It was a really busy day here and what with music lessons and getting back down to work the day just flew by. Rick even went to the gym instead of running which shows how bad it was.
I spent last night filling in application forms for two jobs which have come up and writing letters to the local medical practices to ask about the possibility of practice nurse cover, which I would really like to do.
This morning I spent 3 hours shadowing one of the practice nurses whose holiday cover I will be providing.  I really enjoyed it and can see myself fitting in to do the cover, with the possibility of eventually doing practice nursing.  We shall see.
This afternoon 18yos decided he would like to go to Manchester so he set off and hitchhiked down.  He did well to get there with just two lifts, one from us to Chorley and the other from Chorley to the street Rick's parents live on.  We was going to go yesterday but the rain put him off.  I think he will have to hitch home in a day or so as he has to be back at work on Saturday.
Took my dad to the doctors this afternoon and then shopping so it has been a really busy day. There just was no time to get a run in today. Tomorrow is his 81st birthday so 11yod will make a cake in the morning and we will take it down to have coffee with them.
Tomorrow afternoon 13yos and I will do a 3.5 miler which I do fairly regularly.  Looks like a foggy day but at least not pouring down!

New hydration belt

Went for a 2.75 mile recovery run by the river with the dog to try out my new hydration belt before using it on a long run.  I love the run by the river - so quiet and yet easily accessible.  The view across the river is stunning, even with the mist which is hanging around here and there. I had done some research into hydration belts and  I chose the Nathan trail mix 4 bottle belt as I reckoned I wouldn't want to run with a hydration pack but might need more than two bottles.  Rick uses a Nathan belt and it has served him really well on all his miles.  On the run today  I was comfortable with the belt although I think I will want to take one of the bottle holders off so I only have three bottles and sew some sort of other pocket where the extra bottle was.  I like the fact that it isn't velcro fastening as that feels more secure.  Think I will keep it and it will be great with the adjustments.
This morning 13yos slept in and forgot his paper round so I ended up waking him up when his boss phoned.  That doesn't happen often at all and he was a bit upset.  He is usually very conscientious.  We did some tidying up and washing bedding and Rick went for his run over lunch.  11yod is out for a birthday party with a friend, going ice skating and then the pancake house.  They will be gone a while as it is quite a drive to the nearest large town.
I really enjoyed The Hobbit last night although I did have to disconnect from the book as there are some huge discrepancies.    Good film though and the effects are really good.

Hit the 12 miles mark

Yesterday I managed to break the 12 mile barrier.  It was a bit of an event as my running pal and I set out hoping to hit 12 miles but just planning to go with the flow.  After about 1 mile my pal had some pains in her legs which she had last year and caused her to have a break from running so we did some run walks and slower runs which helped but when we hit 4.5 miles out she decided we should turn back.  So when we reached her house we were at about 9 miles.  I knew that I had to carry on and do the extra 3 miles to take me up to 12 miles.  In my head, I knew I would feel so good after doing that and could cross off another goal.  So I carried on in a loop around the town and through some of the streets and got home almost bang on 12 miles.  Incredible feeling to have achieved that.  The run we went out took us up into the lower hills and with the mist hanging round and seeing nothing but sheep and cattle it was a fabulous run.  The weather was quite mild and we missed the rain which had been threatening all morning so it was great to be out.
Rick's parents left this morning and all the older boys have gone back to their various places so things are almost back to normal.  Part of my Christmas present from Rick's parents was some money and I sent for a pair of shoes from John Lewis.  They arrived this morning and I really like them. I ordered two pairs so I could choose the nicest but there is no competition - so I am really pleased with them.
This afternoon I will walk 2.5 miles to my parents and back as I am on a walk day today and this evening my Christmas present from my 13yos is that he is taking me to see the Hobbit.  Hope I am not too cross that it isn't exactly like the book!!
So Happy New Year everyone - no idea what ours will turn out like but step forward in faith.