Snow stops play!

As beautiful as our rural setting looks in the snow, it is really beginning to play havoc with my training. More Bambi like running on Boxing Day, it was still very slushy and icy so my carefully planned 11 mile hilly route turned into my normal 5.5 mile round the blocker which I had to mainly walk. Not good. We had yet more snow yesterday too, just hope that's the lot know otherwise gym membership will be needed. Fingers crossed the New Years 10k won't be affected.

Merry Christmas!

Didn't realise it had been over a week since my last blog, I've just been so busy working and preparing for Christmas! No running mid week but manage 10 last Sunday, however was late meeting everyone as had to srape an inch of ice and a dusting of snow off the car and then that silly dusting of snow meant it took 3 attempts to get up the hill! Saw some familiar faces at Symonds Yat and in the race to catch them up nearly went flying on the ice, I think I looked like bambi taking his first steps but luckily I managed to keep my balance and stay on my feet. I stupidly forgot to wear my hat but actually it was lovely running weather, sunny and still and it looked stunning down the river.

I've had a lovely Christmas today, so many presents!! One of which was a running belt which I'll try tomorrow morning on my run. Just a little festive drink today, you've still got to be able to let your hair down a little:-)

Baby it's cold outside!

Brrrrrr, my face is so cold. Nice gentle run tonight, just fast enough to warm us up! Snow predicted for later how very festive!

Treasure Hunt fun

Big brother really is watching! The moment I mentioned my knee issues in the blog the adverts changed from marathon related to knee replacements, very impressive!

Last night our lovely coach set us a bit of Christmas fun, in pairs we ran around Monmouth finding the answers to questions such as what is on draught at The Griffin pub, obviously runners being runners it got quite competitive, my partner Mark though had obviously had his weetibix and redbull yesterday as I spent most of the evening hyperventilating from trying to keep up! Great fun even if we didn't win. Well deserved winners though with Darren and Jo. Arrived home way too late as just couldn't tear myself away from the training night, which had reconvened into the pub! Just 6 more days of work left till a well earned rest. Obviously no rest from the running though, just 129 days until the big event - okay now I'm scared!!

Oh and have new trainers, saddo that I am I can't wait to try them out Thursday night, just need to buy some new orthotics.

Is 35 too soon for a knee replacement!

My right knee is still doing a great impression of a 90 year old so no running again last night, just really hope that all will be well for the Sunday run. It is not a continuous pain however just a sharp little niggle when walking down the stairs but I really don't want to aggravate it.

I'm hoping it's just my trainers, they normally have a life span of around 500 miles which I have now done so probably need a lovely new orthotic too. On the plus side after tomorrow when I'm limping down the stairs at home I'll finally be walking on carpet, only taken us just over 2 years! Actually thinking about it, there goes my lie in this weekend as the carpet man will be round early tomorrow morning and then up for running on Sunday. 2 weeks to Chrimbo, bring it on!!

Troublesome knee returns!

Who would have thought that running up hill was easier than the downhill! My knee is suffering again and as I had to take a break for a whole month last time I had a knee problem I've not taken any risks this time so didn't run Tuesday. Thought I'd need to do an SOS call to hubby on Saturday on my long run but once I was back on level ground the knee managed to cope again. I'm hoping for the 12 miler this Sunday so may not run tomorrow night either, I figure the endurance run is more important than a fast 4 miles.

Last weekend was incredibly busy, we had the running club Christmas party which was excellent fun, plenty of us there and very shocked winners of the club awards. Then on Sunday morning we had our Santa Fun Run, over 250 runners in Santa costumes running down Monmouth high st was definitely a site to behold! Right off to get some shut eye, way too many late nights and early mornings. Roll on Christmas for a week off :-)

Frosty

Just in case you hadn't noticed - winter has arrived, had to use the scraper this morning on the car. Is it sad that a part of me rejoiced in the fact that I'd finally wear my bright red craft winter top for training tonight? Don't answer that :-)

Oh and of course it rained!

Another mad person!

Congratulations to Fiona who had her name picked out the hat at our running club tonight for a place in the VLM. Just need to up my pace to try and keep up with her now!

So excited for her!!!