What have I got myself into?

I ran over that tyne bridge! How cool is that?!

Last year, I went to a pub by the quayside seeing people running getting their medals and seeing their massive grins on their faces. You know what I can do that! So here I am, writing this with achy muscles the day after the Great North Run. What was I thinking? 

Most people who run a half marathon train 16 weeks, me nope! I somehow did the Gateshead 10K and haven't put my running shoes on to do serious running since the children break up for summer holiday. What was I doing? I could of logged in some miles at least get my legs going but hey ho. I was walking from town to Byker four days a week, that counts as exercise. Right?

The day before arrived, it hasn't sank in that the next day I'm running 13.1 miles. I did knitting and had to redo my seaming, I was not a happy bunny when I had to take my lastest seaming apart but I must say my knitting does look neat now.  After knitting it was time to get some pasta and oh my goodness look at how many people they are at the Quayside. My friend and I were on a tight schedule, I am not keen on huge crowds either. A a nail hit my head when I was reading the good luck messages while queuing for the pasta party.  That's when reality sank in I am doing the great north run, without sufficient training. What have I done?

So yes, I did the great north run yesterday (Sunday 10th September) with no training. Something I don't recommend! Please don't do it. Note to myself, please train more than you did.

Pasta with leftover chicken from chicken fajitas 

Dinner was two huge bowls of pasta.  I watched a film with cake and a cup of tea before bed. I woke up 6am to make sure i'm up and awake and get a lot of food down me. Porridge, jelly babies, and tracker bar. Yes all of this for breakfast is needed!! Time to get ready, and that's when I cired. I'm doing this!!

I got the bus in to town each direction you looked you saw loads of people, people wearing costumes people wearing charity tops, people wearing running clubs vest. It was awesome. Everyone so excited at the same time nervous. Put the bag on the bus felt like I was heading home. Such a shame I wasn't otherwise I could get a cup of coffee! Then it was time to find my pen and start warming up. That's it, no turning back. I made it! It was awesome, how people talked to each other, amazing people were fundraising for such amazing cause. And yes, I cried by looking at people messages on the the back infact I cried quite often more of that later.

Look at me, at the start line!

The run was good the atmosphere was amazing, people cheering you on, children giving you high fives and throwing water at you. People giving you  jelly babies, ice pops, biscuits and sweets. If you were fast enough and liked beer at mile 10 you could get beer.  I will definitely do this run next year and this time I would train a lot more and maybe get my time down.

I love all of the great north run, firstly was to see Mo running the route backwards. Yes after he ran the route he decided to run it again from South Shields to Newcastle. Because why not? Second was to run on the iconic tyne bridge. I actually ran on the Tyne Bridge where the cars are normally are but not yesterday, yesterday the roads were covered with runner's. Then going underneath the tunnels people were saying 'oggy oggy oggy' towards the end people were saying it though we had no energy to say 'oi oi oi.' Running over the bridge brought me to tears! I was very emotional yesterday.

Lindisfarne, run for home

And they even sang this song, which always gets me. Ever since hearing it in Ryton last year in our local pub at the time just reminded me of all my friends back down south. I was in tears and not just little tears literally sobbing so everyone asked 'Are you OKAY?' I just said yes, it this song. It's weird how a song can bring you to joy but also sadness.

I planned my route out, the first 6 miles was supposed to be a really s-l-o-w pace, then the second half the first half of the half (got that?) was gonna be a really slow parkrun then the second bit of the half a really fast parkrun. What I didn't take into account? Is people. Yes people. Mostly everyone were walking and when you were running it was draining you had to weave in and out of people so sometimes it was quicker to walk than run. How does that even make sense?

Anyhow I made it to the end with a sprint. My instinct is to sprint at the end, don't give me those eyes. When I was younger I used to do running so I can do a mile in a 5 minutes and kilometer in three minutes when I would like to try. I just want to end the run mentally even though my body can easily carry more. Drum roll please. My time was 2hr:58mins:08sec. I'm so chuffed with that, just under three hours with no training mostly walking at a fast pace.

I wanted to phone my Mum saying 'I actually finish the Great North Run, I did it!' Though my phone died or it switched itself off. Hey ho! Why does phone always play up at the moment you need it. I just want my blue hoodie (the one that I'm always wearing). I talked to this person and we were using the same transport to get to town which was the metro. I was so glad we meet each other. Could you imagine queuing a line with no phone, no one to talk to? Me neither. So I got on the metro, it was like back in London on the underground! Yep it was that bad. I went to a shop in the Haymarket (metro station) To ask if I could use a phone to contact Mum to ask where my Mum and Dad are. And this person said yes because A) You ran Great North Run B) The boss is at home. Luckily my folks chose a pub which is two minute walk away and I even had a meal out. And I told my parents and friends, i'm going to run a marathon next. Challenge here I come!!!! With open arms and yes I will do more training this time.

Now phones are weird! I thought my phone was dead, so when I charged my phone up in the pub as you do. I switched it on in order to get to Grandpa's house as I use my phone as a bus ticket. How cool is that? Strava managed to track my run, and even when I was on metro it still managed to track me. How is that even possible? I had to switch my phone on. It makes no sense at all. Technology is now beyond me. You can even get a Garmin watch and pay for something with your watch. That is pretty cool but just weird.

After all that running, i'm having hot coco and rocky roads chocolate brownies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monthly Musings: June and July

Did you miss me? I know it's been two months since I blogged, how does time just vanish from you that quick. It's not often that you get two Monthly Musings in a row, is it?  In fact, it's not ever that you've had two Monthly Musings in a row. But I have been so busy, busy as meaning living under a rock. Remember in December when I said if I don't blog for such a l-o-n-g time it means that I am reading. 

Well over the last two months I have been doing? (In pictures)

Lots of reading books, here is just a selection. As most of them are from the library which I handed in!

If you can't tell from the t-shirts, I have successfully completed the Blaydon race (1hr 06mins 2sec) and Gateshead 10K (1hr 16mins 5secs) 

Which means I was allowed to have chocolate brownies!

I don't always drink coffee, I also drink tea and eat plenty of chocolate brownies of the last two months! Though it's fine because I run it off. 

Baking!!!!!!!!!!! And eating plenty of cake, if we had no cake in the house,  I will just make it!

Made scones pronounced to make it rhyme with cone! My church just like to rope me in doing things when I drink black coffee! First time, I went to church was to go to the coffee morning got roped in doing messy church. Second time drinking coffee got myself into toddler group. The last time was making 30 scones! This was my third batch the last two looks more like little rock cakes!!!!! Though they would be nice with a pot of tea, clotted cream and strawberry jam. 

Had plenty of pasta when my folks were out for a weekend break. Well I'm doing running, need all my carbohydrates I can get! The pasta I made that has four servings was buttnersquash mac 'n' cheese. 

Cooked myself potato and parsnip gratin with sausages. Though there are no parsnips as I don't like them!!

Tex mex version of mac 'n' cheese. I can live on mac 'n' cheese and chocolate brownies. Not a very good diet, I know.

The old pound coin with the new pound coin

I have rule when making myself hot beverages, which is to stay in the kitchen, as I keep making myself cup of teas in different stages. Entertained myself when the kettle was boiling to make a flower with a big battery as the middle bit of the flower than my hearing aids battery as the petals.

Every year, I make it my intention to taste all the summer specials in Costa. So here is one of them. I forget what it is! Have I told you have a goldfish memory?

I went to Jesmond Dene received a text from my friend to go the hoppings only to look after her bag. Nope!! I managed to get on the rides for free or half of the price. Have no idea how I managed to do that, though I'm still not keen on rides, I enjoyed it to an extent but I wasn't overall happy not like my friend who was just grinning the whole evening! I was grinning went I went home to do knitting! 

Hopefully, I would August wrap up on time! 

Monthly musings: April

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” - Charles M. Schulz

I'm writing this by being blinded by the sun, window open. I think the summer is here. I don't want to rejoice that much in case the sun goes away. 

My Mum did some calculations at the beginning of the Month, it been a year since we knew about Dad redundancy and a whole six months of living in Westerhope. (And still no house tour.) Where has that time gone? 

April has been weird month for me with my well being. I have been so overwhelmed thank goodness I had the Easter holidays when I did. To recover, by going off the grid. Though I did respond to messages that were deemed to be important. You know where everything gets to you and you cannot seem to run away and hide. Then sort things out.

Running progress

I can now run 8K, with a bit of walking-only because I have to the cross over the road. One day I even managed to run 14K. I ran 6K in the morning that I was intending to do before college just for my sanity. I then had a such a bad day at college, I ran another 8K in the evening  Even got a runner high as they call it. You can see i'm into this runner business, can't you? I had to run though one major problem 'hitting the wall.' I'm sure hitting an actual wall is less painful than hitting the wall while exercising. I only managed 5.5K in an hour run, where I could normal run 8K in an hour with a face pace but a 6k where I am comfortable.

April meant one thing for my running. I got PB (personal best) for the parkrun where you run 5km for run on Saturday morning. Just you and the stopwatch.  Not just once but twice in one month. That meant I could eat twice in 'Creames'. Believe it or not, I haven't. My first time I got a PB my Mum got me some yarn and I'm knitting myself a cardigan. The second time I got a PB, is a token to go to 'Creames' as my Dad wants to go. I will have to wait much longer.

I also got my Blaydon race number through the post. About a month to go and still have no idea about the song. It's all on in Geordie even the information booklet is. My Mum had to translate it for me!

College

I am now getting there with my work load. My well being plummet right down and college work left to the backseat where my emotions were everywhere it was even driving the vehicle. Though now my mind is and things are getting done, slowly but surely. That's for certain. I now have two projects on the go though they link to each other very well. So hopefully I can get them done before the marking is over. 

I have made a firm decision where my career is going. It's not photography. Computers and I don't get along and I much prefer working with young children and I think I am more academic than generating ideas. Especially creative ones. I'm not good at coming up with idea on my feet, I much prefer solitude time to myself analyze the idea. Maybe I over analyze things. Is that even a thing?

Personal life

The weather even allows me to put the washing outside to dry!

I didn't do things out of the ordinary, this Month. It could be summarized as knitting and running. Though my lovely calendar said, that I met up with two of my friends One on a bank holiday Monday where I met Clementine in Durham for a quick coffee and went for a short walk in the city. I didn't want to spend a lot of  time with my friend because she was visiting her relatives. I met another friend in  Newcastle town for a cup of a tea. Thanks for a lovey afternoons, Clementine and Alice! 

Mum and I had some 'Mum and Daughter time' One of them was to see 'beauty and the beast' which was so lovely. I just had 'be our guest' song in my head for the entire month. The other time was having a walk in town seeing all the historic buildings.Which meant one thing, after the walk we could get a well earned drink. Though my Mum don't ask me which pub to go to as I just go to the expensive ones. I don't mean to.

Speaking about drinks, I had my first alcoholic drink that I enjoyed though took me three hours to drink 'Kopparberg' even then it was half the bottle. I will just stick to appletiser!

Knitting progress with pictures

My left knitted sipper. Can you tell I like purple! There should be button where my finger is.

A bit of my knitted cardigan!

Running is my rescue

Running is a simple! All you need is running shoes and you are off to go, not only that you can do it anywhere. You don't need good countryside to run in and admire the landscape. Nope you can just admire the sound off you footsteps. Or even seeing traffic and you are passing each car by your own footsteps. (Something that doesn't happen up here a lot)

In fact, most of my creative ideas and random thoughts (including this blog post) have come to be while on a run. I like to give my mind the freedom to wander. Thoughts come and go, and for whatever reason, my mind seems to be able to reach and explore areas that i'm not capable of finding when not running.

Though not all runs turn out great, some of them I am mainly walking. But today, I was running and really full of energy even took pictures. As I just got back from running, this is going to be a quick post, as I'm going to have a bath and read my book maybe even use candles.

My feet stick the black rubber

Its like some kind of magnetic tape

Day after day, it pulls me back

For not only does my body demand it,

but my heart yearns for it

Its the cure to all pain and the rescue from all fear

It there when I need it, even if I choose not to feed it

When I want it, I get it, but never abuse it

It never talks back nor says I'm stupid 

Its always there for every stride and every cry

Its my track and I know I'll never lose it

Just a short  poem about my love for running. How it's the most dependable thing I've got. Friends may come and go, but running will always be a part of me.

Photos time, (not all of these photos was taken this evening, but they have been taken while running)

Oh pretty sky, 

Daffodils 

Not to sure, what these flowers are, though they look lovely

I just missed the sunset, but a lovely MR sunshine just about to do his disappearing act

This sort of represents the running wall, oh and the shadow is me

my delicious snack, cup of coffee and peanut crackers and chocolate spread. 

By eating those tasty crackers, got me to do to this!!!!!!!!!!

Now i'm off in my lovely bath, reading "Reading in bed" Yes that is the title so don't worry you haven't read wrong. 

Another running event

Does that not give you an idea?

Does ask me to translate it, i'm no good at Geordie than you are. Though what I do know is that I am running Blaydon race (10K). In total I am running 3 events this year. I am doing Blaydon race, 10K in July as part of the great north run and of course the great north run. So not only I have to train for running the half marathon I have to learn the song.

On that note, i'm off learning the song. Sorry friends and family you may have this song in your head.

Just keep running

Or should I say "Just keep swimming" The phrase is not mine it's from our little fish friend Dory. I still haven't watched the film Finding Dory.

I was getting used to my walk and run drills with my zombies training and getting chased by zombies. I am now on week four on my running to 5k plan. This week has put me where I just starting running for my first ever time. I wasn't doing my normal walk and run drill oh no! It was more complex than that. It went something like this:
1) 5 minutes walking
2) 5 minutes free form run (which I ran the whole time)
3) 1 minute slow walk and then 1 minute fast walk then 10 kneel lifts. Oh and repeat that five times. See it's not that hard.

I want to run, i kept saying myself

Now it's time for some running.

1) 30 seconds s-l-o-w run
2) 1 minute walking
Then repeat that 5 times, oh and running up an hill. Hills are evil. Even cycling up then and running. Walking is bearable. If that is such thing.

Now it's time to do some serious running, 15 minutes free form running. OK, maybe I spoke to early about I want to run. My legs were aching and moaning. Though I just had the scene from finding nemo where Dory says 'just keep swimming, just keep swimming' So I kept saying to myself keep running, keep running.

The more steps I take the more badges I get on my Fitbit. I am not obsessed with my fitbit.

On that note, I am off either for a run or a walk to get my 10,000 badge.  Told you, I'm not obsessed with Fitbit.

I made it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deep breath.

Physiotherapy, O.F. (2014) RUN FREE™ program and RUN FREE™ running assessments. Available at: http://www.orionfamilyphysio.com/services/additional-specialties/running-assessment-and-running-free-program/ (Accessed: 9 February 2017).

I am officially doing the Great North run this year on the 10th September. All I have to do is put one step in front of the other numerous times to the finish line. How hard can it be?

My training is going very well, I did had a hiccup after my park run where my body was rebelling at me. 'Hey, you are taking it too far, please rest.' By rest I had no choice. Never mind. My body and I have been working things out. I just need to try and workout if my ears are ok to go for a swim. Apparently swimming is good for especially if you are running. If not cycling is another good thing to do. Can I trust myself not to get lost? Probably not! I will just to do Yoga, which funny enough I won't be posting my yoga moves. Maybe a yoga mat. You just have to wait and see what photos come up!

I tried to edit the photo of my cross stitch though I can't make my mind up which one is better. It might only take me two months to complete a little book mark. It was meant for the secret santa though I made a classic error of not having enough embroidery thread. I did manage to make some mittens with a bit of help.  Though the only thing it needs now is some felt and work out how to attach it to the back of my cross stitch. Then give it my friend hopefully before two months. 

So it's been a week full of praise, I got in to do the great north run. I have actually finish something less than a year. Now if you don't mind that deserves some cake and a cup of tea!

I made it out of bed to run a park run

Excuse my posing skills. Though pleas bear in mind this is me after run a 5k!

I'm writing this post and my body is rejoicing "that was good, Rebecca. But why do it again?"

Yeah, come out of nice warm bed to run a 5k in the early morning when most people are still in bed. Doesn't sounds appealing, does it?  What about the coffee and cake afterwards? That does. OK you might just put back on the calories that you burned during the run. Though surely that doesn't matter. Once now and again you have to treat yourself. Especially if you are like me coming out of bed when its a nice and warm,  turn that annoying buzzing sounds, is not a nice morning! Actually I don't have that buzzing noise to wake up. I have the Sherlock Holmes theme tune to look forward to wake up to, And my Fibit buzzes on my wrist 30 minutes after. I have to have a bit of lean way, after all its winter. Cold winter.

I'm afraid to say I actually got lost on my way to the Exhibition park where the parkrun takes places. I'm sure I am known in Newcastle "The girl in the Blue coat with coffee take out cup and a map is once again lost" You have to get lost in order to get to know the place. Don't you?

Though I managed to find someone who goes to the parkrun and they walked me to the start line. I then find two new runners. Which is also their first park run and one of them live around a corner from me. Yeppe!! It's a small world isn't. We actually run together then separated for a bit we tried to get back together though doesn't help that the last 100 meters I sprinted. When I say I sprinted like Usain Bolt. Well not that fast, but you get the generally idea.

I am only on my week 3 workout two so I know I won't be able to run a 5k in 20 minutes which I used to be able to do. Though I am alarmed to tell you I actually done  5k in 37 minutes. Now that does deserved coffee and a flapjack.

So why do it again? Because it was good fun surprising myself. When someone say's you can't do that? Why not? Prove them wrong. Getting out of bed into the cold morning was good fun seeing Newcastle when no one is around. Walking on Grey Street without people bumping into. Running in the cold hearing your footsteps and hearing someone footsteps behind you actually makes you want to run faster so they do not over take you. I'm not competitive. (Maybe a little)

Right enough of me bragging. I'm getting off my bed to do some yoga to ease my muscles a bit.

How's your New Year's resolution doing? Have you broke them yet?

Second run this year

I learned the hard way don't eat and run you get stitch. A rather painful stitch. It was a Sunday but it wasn't a Sunday roast that I ate before my run it was soup and a slice of bread.

It went OK, though I push myself far too hard. I thought I could easily run 175 beats per minute. UMMMMMMM  no I can't. Never mind. Pushing yourself to achieve more is a good thing don't get me wrong. But push yourself too hard also demotivates you. Though one good thing I learned is to get my bearings. I DID NOT GET LOST. Result. 

Even though I couldn't run 10 minutes in my free form fun. Which I was aiming for. I did not get lost. I also discovered paths and wonder where they go. 

Though doing 15 seconds of running and a minute walking is going fine. I can do that without any problems. Honestly. 

I have now signed up for the Great North Run and a 10K. The 10K is in July. So not long to go. 

How is everyone doing with their New Year Resolutions? 

My first run this year

I did it! OK it was a start. It wasn't difficult to run 15 seconds and walk a minute and repeat this ten times. Though imagine yourself not knowing your area and yet you decided to run.  Never mind it's dark and cold. I got lost though managed to find my surroundings by a MacDonald's. Thank goodness I brought no money otherwise I would go there and have coffee and anything that looks nice. I did had a porridge after my shower.

Yes I only done one run this week because it happened to be snowing on Thursday morning therefore no run on Friday. I do have common sense, only a little bit though. Next week I would do more running, well that is the plan.

I have also registered the park run which I will be doing next Saturday at nine. No more lie ins for me, Not even my Sunday as I wake up early to go to church. Never mind. The great north run is partly completed just have to pay. Put the 10th September in your diaries as that is when I doing the half marathon.

I ordered my self a new fitbit as mine decided to break well you can still use it though it is an air bubble. My Dad got its eye on. Maybe I could add my Dad as friends on Fitbit. I could have a healthy competition too see who take most steps for the day.

Normal New Year stuff

You know the drill! Every year people make new year's resolutions. Though how many of us actually met our goal at the end of the year? I didn't last year. Don't give me that look. It's not normal in life to move twice. Or why move once within two months when you can move twice.

I haven't been running for ages. I keep saying to myself "I'm going to run and even to a 5K sometime." Yet something happens and I put it in the back seat. Something comes along and running just get abandoned. I am determined to stop this habit of mine. Yet, I left running in the backseat. Thanks to the Great North Run email saying its time to subscribe. I got eight months to train from nothing to run a half marathon. Maybe you could call a bit crazy? I totally agree with you. 

Though I haven't been running for a long time. The last I did some serious running was when I was in Ryton. I'm determined to get back into running. I thought about how to do this. Every week, I'm going to upload my progress for running. OK, maybe not every week.  Though I am a people pleaser and going to use this in my advantage for once. I hate letting people down. The plan is do couch to 5K then attend the park run for a 5K then plan for a 10K then do a race for a 10K then train for a half marathon then my finish line (no pun intended) to do the Great North run. How hard can it be? 

So I'm going to do more running, while you are going to keep reading.

Monthly musings: September

Good heavens, I can't believe autumn is upon is upon us once again.

This month was the most difficult month settling in a new environment and getting my bearings. I know the metro center, Eldon square, Ryton of course and the next village along from where I live which is Crawcrock, Winlaton and Blaydon. Any where else is a complete mystery to me apart from Corbridge and Hexham. This month is where we get back to normality apparently! Though is there really such thing as normality?

I started my new college course. I thoroughly enjoying it. Getting the hang off Abode Photoshop. I have had a workshop doing a Low poly. If you're not familiar with the term, you've certainly seen the style. Simple geometric shapes placed side-by-side to create angular minimalist compositions. The "poly" from low poly comes from the word "polygon," which is a merely a 2-dimensional shape made of straight lines and angles. I have been getting messy with paint by doing Jason Pollock Art. And much more great fun. Plus I met some lovely people and made great friends.

I have days where I finish early so use this time to explore the city or go for a walk by the Quay Side. My Fridays is where I try out a new cafes or coffee shops and read my book. I have been reading books like there is no tomorrow.

I have entered my first ever photo competition and received positive feedback. It was good to see other people photo's and how I can improve to become a better photographer. Well you can only go up!

Well done! You have found a snowdog. 

My Dad had a weekend away doing kite bugging at Camber Sand with his friend from work. Yep that's a thing! So Mum and I had a lovely girly weekend to ourselves. Which involved, going to the town and doing the Great North Snowdogs trail with my Mum friend from school and her daughter. Where you have an app on your phone and you become a tourist in your own city. You have to find 50 snowdogs some are big and small which are dotted around Tyne & Wear, Then we decided to watch a film on Sunday. Whatever you do, do not trust me to pick a film for you to watch!! As my Mum found out. It was between Bridget Jones or Bad Mom's. I decided to watch Bad Moms now I think Bridget Jones would be a better suitable choice. Then had dinner out and my favorite place to eat Wagamama's.

When the great north run happened this year. Parents and I went to Open Heritage, we went to to the old power station for trams called CastleGate though it used to be called Manors Power station.
I won't bore you with the history. Though if you wish to look into it then here it the website. 

Quote of the month:
Me: Next year I am going to do the Great North Run
Mum: Me too
Me: Dad are you going to do the great north run?
Dad: yes!!!!!
Dad: We are talking about the helicopter. Right?
Me: No!!!!!!!!!! The actually running the half marathon.

Right, if I put it on here it means I got no where to back out. Right! I love running and doing my bit to help others in need. I am going to run the great north run marathon next year. It would be a shame not to since you get to the beauty of Tyne & Wear especially when the event is right on my door step. I already started training to get ready to run from nothing (haven't been running since some time in winter of 2016) to running a half marathon. Watch this space for my updates on my running process.

September was the month where I was between three houses. You don't hear that often. Do you?

I just got settled in Ryton and now it time to move across the river to Newcastle in Westerhope. I'm looking forward to put some roots down and being all settled completely. So watch this space for another tour around the house with Roger. Though this time you wouldn't see random things in weird place or boxes.

Now if you could please excuse me, while I just finish the packing. For my last move for a while. So you might find yourself refreshing the browser a couple of times before another blog post makes a appearance.

What running has taught me!

I am trying to blog a post each week so at least I get a break from my assignments and homework. Couple of days ago when I ran in the evening I learned new things because of running and here is what I learned.

1. To be good at anything, you have to put in the time and effort no matter how talented you are.

2. Your abilities and someone else’s abilities are not the same. Do the best that YOU can do.

3. If winning is your objective, realize that you have to work 10 times harder than the next best person.

4. No matter how hard you work and how prepared you are, disappointments will happen.

5. The most gratifying experiences usually come as a result of enduring the most painful trials.

6. To be great at anything, you have to risk failing terribly at it.

7. A lot of people endure the same pains that you do.

8. If you focus on putting one foot in front of the other, you will eventually reach the finish line.

9. You cannot reach the finish line unless you start.

10. The mind is a very powerful thing. If you can train your mind to keep going even when your body wants to quit, you can achieve some incredible things.

11. Learning the difference between physically being unable to continue and giving up.

12. Accepting that every day is different — some days 5 miles is really easy, other days it feels like a cruel punishment.

13. Pace yourself.

14. You cannot give 100%, 100% of the time.

15. Sometimes you need a day off, a day off from everything.

16. The worst time, the slowest pace, the last person to finish the race is still better off than the person who refused to try.

17. Even if you fall, even if you cannot finish today, you can and should pick yourself up and try again tomorrow.

Watch this space for more running post!!!! With that said you have to excuse me as I am about to go for a run.

It's that time again to make targets for the year ahead.

Every year comes. People make resolutions. Reason behind that is to either get fit or be happy person really is to make a better person. Aren't they good intentions? It may come across surprising but only 8% actually achieve their New Year's resolution.

Every year I try and cut down on my hot chocolate intake, or how much chocolate I have. Does it work? No not really. It does until February then I revert back to my old ways again. It is easy right.

This year I had an intention to read more, one of my friends and I loved reading but never really had time with the revision we had to do in year 11. To overcome this problem we had set a challenge to read 17 books this year 2015. Drum roll please. The answer is yes we did the challenge. I actually read 18 books. I do not know the exact number my friend read.

Let me guess, you want to lose weight, or maybe just eat healthier. Perhaps you want to spend more time with your friends and family.

I know I do.

Right since you got the your new resolution for 2016. You might be thinking how can I succeed this year? Well read on then.

I  do not like having one resolution for the entire year, I like to have mini targets if I achieve them I get a reward like a book. Yippee! You can also try that. I particular find it helpful to analyze my mini month resolution by asking these questions to myself Why? Why not? working.

I am very competitive person. If you and a friend got a same resolution then compete with each other. If you are keen on running then why not see who can run 5k the fastest? You sure will keep your resolution.

Sometimes changing behavior can be challenging. It’s simple in theory, but when the rubber hits the road, we can easily fall back on old bad habits. Light a fire under your goals to make yourself accountable for what you really want to accomplish.

Consider using negative consequences when you don’t complete the action steps you’ve committed to. I will let you decide on that one.

If you are very busy person or forgetful. Hey, do not point me! What I am trying to say, if you need some thing to nudge you. You can always put a reminder on your smartphone. For example, if you want to start running, You can then always put running in your calendar and set a time. This makes sure you do it and get a rest day in between.

Now you have the key things to accomplish your New Year resolution. You may wish to make your New Year resolution as a target in which case. Read on and I will explain how can you write one that will work!



Specific- The target must be clearly stated, saying exactly what is meant, such as walk for 20 minutes a day for one week. This is clear and cannot be misunderstood or used as an excuse.

Measurable-Is it too vague too say do more exercise, an amount must be stated, therefore you can prove that you have met the target.

Achievable- You must feel it is possible to achieve the target set otherwise you will give up. If someone said they would like to exercise for 4 hours a day is not achievable but 20 minutes a day is reasonable.

Realistic-Target must be realistic, you must be able to do it. It is unrealistic to to expect who is older and not very fit to run for 30 minutes a day, but it is realistic to ask the same of a fit younger person.

Time-related- You should set a deadline set by which you reach the target therefore the progress can be assessed.

I might as well share you my two resolution. Most of you know that I like to run. But only when I would like to. I am going to make running a part of my life. I am training myself to do 5k run in about 20 minutes after I done that. I also want a challenge and going to do 10k run.  Hopefully I can train myself to run 10k before the Yateley 10K run. If you are available to, comment downstairs what is your New Year resolution/

The New Year is a time to hope and dream and to make those dreams a reality, but it takes work. You can set yourself up for success by starting early, setting up realistic action steps, and engaging supportive people so 2016 becomes a year of great accomplishments for you.