Signing Out

Well, I have decided after a great deal of thought that this will be my final post... for now anyway.

I haven't run since the Great North Run and I have, to be honest, loved it. I never tire of waking up on a Sunday morning and thinking "I don't have to go out and run today" I'm not saying never again. If all the stars line up and the wind is in the right direction then it may happen again, but for now I have other things to enjoy and look forward to and it has absolutely nothing to do with mountains.

Of late I have been trying to keep this blog alive but it's all a little disjointed and lacking of any direction so I think it's time to call it a day... for now at least.

I have so enjoyed writing this blog, I haven't had a huge following but it's been nice to keep the people who have supported us up to date with our progress - or lack of!!!

I have discovered a great deal about myself and the world around me through running...

I know that I can achieve more than I ever believed possible but I also know that sometimes the true achievement isn't about the goal you had in mind when you set out on the journey. I've learned that seeing someone cross a line is nowhere near the whole story and that there is no difference between the achievements of the front runners and the one's who finish at the back.

Because of the marathon I now believe in Angels, I know that when you think you can't go on someone will always say or do something that will spur you on and that will reassure me for the rest of my life . I've learned that your truest friends, supporters and champions are not always the people you expect.

I'm learning to let go of the people who have done me harm, there are unfortunately constant reminders of them all around but I'm gradually cutting the pathways so they don't feature so regularly in my vocabulary.

I've learned that I love to write and I would love to do more of that in the future.

I'm so happy that we managed to do something positive in Malcolm's memory. Of course he will always be with us. My medals that are now in frames on the wall are for and because of him and I look at them and smile and that's how everyone should be remembered.

So, to everyone who has stayed with me throughout my 'journey'

Thank you
Viv x

Three Years Ago Today...

I can't believe it's been 3 years today since Malcolm passed away. So much has happened in those years but at the same time it feels like only yesterday.

We don't have a place to remember Malcolm, nowhere we can take flowers or spend a bit of time so I guess for now this has to be the place, I decided to take on the marathon because of Malcolm and because of running I started this blog.

so, I went in search of a quote, and this is what I found:

"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure"

Remembering you not just today but every day... miss you xx

youtube link for the cake

I thought I would post the youtube video that I used to make the cake, the instructions were really easy to use, just make sure you have plenty of icing and the sticks she uses for the pleating would be useful too:

There are links on the right for a couple of the tins you would need, the tiny ball is available at Lakeland.

The Pregnant Belly Cake Got Made!

So the cake got made and I was somewhat impressed with myself. It had to be viewed from a particular spot and I needed a strategically placed flower... I had vastly underestimated the huge volume of icing that I needed.

Baby Shower was great too. Lovely company, lovely bodyshop lady and Madi had lots of lovely presents for baby. Haven't done a lot today - totally shattered!

VivsMountain is Available on Amazon

Just to let everyone know, my book is finally available on Amazon & you can get free post and packaging on it. There won't be as much profit for the charity because both Lulu and Amazon will be taking a cut but if I manage to sell loads then it would soon add up!

Of course, unlike the authors of the thousands of books released on 'Super Thursday' in time for Christmas, I won't be able to go on the endless chat shows and talk about my book. So I have to rely on you. If you have read it and you enjoyed it please tell people about it, if you could write me a review I would be very grateful.

If you hated it, then don't... please, just quietly forget about it!

Thank you


http://www.amazon.co.uk/VivsMountain-Vivienne-Kanharn/dp/1300751142/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381779801&sr=8-1&keywords=vivsmountain

Taking Stock

Well the running machine has been unfolded and has moved to the middle of the room. It has been turned on and running has been performed on it... but not by me.

The book has sold, ohhhhh..... 5 copies and I have no idea of how I can get it promoted on a budget of... nothing! With the exception of my lovely Madi I have yet to hear from someone who has read all the way to the end.

I have purchased a baking tin for the pregnant belly for the pregnant belly cake but couldn't run to the boobs so the cake could end up looking a bit like... well, like me.

&

I have finally managed to set up hosting for my new blog but can't now think of a thing to write on it.

All going well then...

As luck would have it though the weather is turning, it's going to get a lot colder and wetter towards the end of the week which is much more my kind of running weather... I wouldn't go placing any bets though.

If you would like to buy my book and help the Association for International Cancer Research in the process just click on the Lulu link to the right of this page.

Going Nowhere!

Despite many 'would be a good day for a run' days I haven't actually managed to get out of the door!

When you are training for an event (at whatever level) it does give your life a focus, I think I've talked about this before, and when it's over you do feel a bit lost. Do I keep on running? if I do, why? if I don't then what, because when you are over fifty and you spend hours of the day sitting down there has to be something in order to hold off the 'jelly belly'. The hours I used to spend training have been filled but I have no idea with what. I've looked at doing yoga or palates, zumba or the gym but it all costs money and one class a week just isn't going to crack it!

I think for now I shall take a few more weeks to decide and just see how I'm feeling, maybe as the pounds begin to pile on I will be prized out of the door?

To be getting on with, I have a little project, I'm attempting to make a 'pregnant belly cake' for Madi's baby shower... just how much do fancy cake tins cost????? I'm trying to improvise but struggling to find anything that might do, at this moment in time the belly and boobs may end up flat on top!!!!.... I shall, if it's anything like ok, post a photo when it's done.

I have for now given up with transferring my blog. I have come to the conclusion that there is an age when the internet, possibly computers in general, overtakes you. I guess that age is different for everyone but for me it's fifty five and a half! I used to think I could work out most things online but this was just beyond me. I managed to find a different host last weekend that did appear to be a lot clearer. I signed up for what I thought was one month and they swiped 2 years worth of payments from our account... panic!!!!  we have yet to check but I believe they have thankfully refunded the money which is great but still leaves me 'host-less'. Following a few angry/frustrated tears Andrew said to me 'just write - you've been so tangled up trying to work all this out that you're not doing what you set out doing only because you loved doing it - writing' of course he's right, he's always right. For a man who's always right I can't work out how we get so much wrong! Anyway, for now I'm going to keep writing and hopefully the rest will work itself out.

Web Hosting for Idiots!

Well there's another one I can chalk up on my list of 'Things I was not born to be' ...

Web hosting manager... who'd have thought!

I must admit that when I embarked on this new 'episode' I wasn't aware I needed a degree in web hosting. From the endless forums, blogs and wedsites I was led to believe that anyone could do it, so long as you had some basic computer skills... that would be everyone apart from me!

I have spent the last week or so going round in circles and having some crazy conversations with 'support' who must be so pleased that I have at last, given up. They can open up their emails from now on without fear of another rambling, ever so slightly hysterical 'support ticket' from the only idiot incapable of working out the step by step instructions.

I've been trying to take my blog to 'the next level' make it look more professional and evidently this can only be achieved by self-hosting. I've read everything I can possibly find on the subject but whatever I have read must have missed out the one vital piece of information because it just doesn't work!!!

Once I have had a few counselling sessions and I feel strong enough I will try again... they are not going to get rid of me that easily.

5 Ways to Improve my (next!) Great North Run

I sat and watched the BBC coverage of the Great North Run on iplayer yesterday, wow, what an incredible finish in the men's race! My own finish wasn't quite as exciting although I did appear to pip some poor chap to the finish right at the last minute but I don't think anyone was watching. The photo's are out today, they are only of the finish (thank goodness) of course they are hideous but I don't look too green!

Unfortunately the inevitable has happened and I have registered my interest in next years GNR. I'm just so cross with myself that I can't get this right, it didn't help last night watching ordinary folk being interviewed at the end looking quite normal - I can't believe this is beyond me.

I have made myself a list of things I need to change in order to be successful at this running business. I'm sure there are many other idea's but this is just a start:

• Find a running buddy - this seems to be so important from everything that I've read and listened to.
• Run/Walk shorter distances more often so I can maybe, just maybe run 2'ish miles without too much trouble and maybe, just maybe find that 'runners high' thing they talk about.
• When I run... run - quit loping!!!
• Get it in my head that if there is a next time, I am going to run and, it will hurt. Stop giving myself permission to walk. 
• If I ever do anything like this again, get organised early, book a caravan so we can cook for ourselves.

That will do for now, something to work on. So when is my first run... well, not today!

My Great North Run

...You really have to take a good 24 hours after any endurance activity before you can decide exactly how you felt about it. Once again...

I finished!

My goal had been under 3 hours and I missed it by 3 and a half minutes... but it doesn't matter.

My day began early, the alarm went off at 5.45 am following a less than successful nights sleep. Even when I did fall asleep I dreamt about not being able to get to sleep! Breakfast in the hotel was at 6 but really, who eats breakfast at 6! I got on the coach head to toe 'disposable', I really didn't want to use the baggage coaches - I must have had some kind of premonition about what was to come.

Our coach journey took almost and hour but looking at the weather outside I would have loved it to have taken a lot longer. I chatted to a lovely lady from Wolverhampton, she was supporting her husband who was running. Eventually the inevitable happened and we were emptied onto the pavement. We all followed each other to what we hoped would be the start, watching the skies blacken I invested in a rather fetching 'see through' poncho complete with hood. I managed to get down half a granola bar and some water between the 3 loo queue's that I did - well it was helping get rid of the time. within an hour I couldn't keep myself still I was visibly shaking with the cold. In the end I decided it was time to go to the start, I disposed of my old trousers and bag of food and drink, most of it untouched, the nerves were doing a great job of stemming my appetite for anything.

I stood for several moments staring at the line of runners which went on for ever, I couldn't make out which way they were going or where the start was so again I just followed hoping I was going the right way. We walked and walked and walked past white zones, green zones, purple zones - everything but pink!. I got to a cross-over point and the words of one of my proper running mates from work came into my head 'make sure you're on the left when you start - the right side goes up hill almost immediately' I had worked out by this time which way they were all going by using the fail safe method of checking the way they were facing so I crossed to the other side and again started walking up what I realised was the side of a dual carriageway. As I walked the elite women were introduced, they started, then the mass warm up started and eventually ended and I was still walking, quite fast now ripping off the poncho and disposable jumper as I went and abandoning them at the side of the highway. I thought I've been here since 8 o'clock and I'm going to miss the start - I'll have to start at the back - Oh, I do start at the back!

Finally, we got to the pink zone and slipped in to the penned off area. We then seemed to stand there for ages but the atmosphere was great we chatted jigged about to the music that was playing, did a mass gangnam style dance (whatever that is? I just continued to jig along with most of the other people around me) and waved at the helicopter buzzing overhead. Finally we moved forward but only a short way... it took around 45 minutes to get across the start and off we went. We had only been going a few minutes when someone said that he first woman had just finished - how is that even possible?

We went under quite a few underpasses and each time we did someone shouted 'Ogi ogi ogi' and everyone else shouted back 'oi oi oi'. Despite the heavy rain which joined us as we passed the start line we were an incredibly jolly lot. I could see the Tyne Bridge and was determined I was going to run over it, the memory of staggering over Tower Bridge in the marathon is still very clear. I made it and then went into my power walking/running faze. Now, I had been warned about the hills but coming from Norfolk it's a bit difficult to envisage quite what a real hill looks like. I certainly won't describe Snow Street as uphill from now on. I tried to put my head down and run up the first couple but they were killing. In the end I made it policy that I would run on the downhills. One stands out among many, it was very steep and quite slippy underfoot and I almost completely lost control, I couldn't have stopped if my life depended on it. You'd think it would be easy going downhill but it's quite painful cause your toes slam up against the front of your shoe. Anyway, it was all going ok although the 'oi oi oi's' were getting weaker when the children at the side of the road shouted 'Ogi ogi ogi' endlessly. I was spurred on by a group of male nuns, one wearing a very short skirt and no pants! the one who blasted his vuvuzela right in my ear sent me sprinting off just to get away from him, I do become quite 'noise sensitive' when I've run a long way!

Cue scary music (the dark clouds were already there)... again!

Somewhere around 9/10 miles my old friend arrived and I felt incredibly sick. There is an overpowering urge at this point to drink something flavoured, fresh orange juice, strong coffee etc - at this very moment this awful blue powerzone drink is pressed into your hand... as much as I know it's a mistake I can't help myself, but I know with the first couple of sips that I've made a terrible mistake. The last mile went on for ever, it was endless, the wind was howling off the sea and it started to rain. I passed the finish and staggered to the K's so pleased that I didn't need to seek out the baggage coach, the only thing I wanted was a bucket. Despite the sheet rain people around me were posing for photo's, laughing and telling story's about their race. I just couldn't wait to get to the car which seemed to be parked miles away. Luckily we couldn't get out the car park for nearly 2 hours so I was able to spend the time with my head out the door wondering why on earth I do this to myself - I clearly was not born to run. We must have been almost half way home before I started to feel anything like normal again and my clothes had dried out. We got home late and I slept incredibly well.

This morning? well it's really bugging me now. There are fat people, thin people, tall, short, young, old who run, I see them cross the line and then go off laughing and chatting, why is it beyond me? Jan has already registered an interest for next year, forgetting me I don't think I can put Andrew through it all again. I think I would just like to see if I can find the fun in running before I give it up completely.

Have to say thank you to the wonderful people from Tyneside, they are an incredibly happy bunch of people. Their hospitality was fantastic.

Thanks too to the people who have sponsored me or bought my book. I shall let everyone know how much I raise in total.

Thanks as well to everyone who messaged me with good luck and well done messages, it means so much. Also thanks to my wonderful family, especially Andrew who supports so many of my nutty idea's.

And by the way, yes, I was the only idiot!
if you don't know what I'm talking about take a look at my 'I need to explain' post

You can still sponsor me at:

http://www.justgiving.com/vivsmountain/eurl.axd/ef6245347ef92b45bd94f555b70eeb4b

or buy my book by clicking on the Lulu tab to the right of this post.

Thank you x 

Weather Warning

So, hurricane force winds and rain forecast for Sunday... joy!... guess the shorts, visor and sunglasses won't be needed then, quick wardrobe re-think on the cards.

Just have to say thank you to the people who have sponsored me, with my book sales I'm now up to around £164.00. Thanks too for all the good wishes, it really does mean so much.

If you can, please buy my book, all the profits will go to: 

the Association for International Cancer Research.

just click on the Lulu tab to the right of this post. Thank you x

I Need to Explain...

This could go one of 2 ways...

Either, a huge number of other people will have not had time to read all the instructions early on.

or

I will be the only idiot who didn't read the instructions early on.


You see, to avoid the inconvenience of having to get your name printed on your top the Great North Run has come up with a genius idea and they print it for you on top of your number... I say genius, it would have been had I read the instructions and gone in and amended the default because above my number it just reads...

Mrs 

Be funny if the only other idiot is a man and we end up run/walking together... we'll be Mr & Mrs!!!!

I know, it's really not funny, but I never read instructions, I'm such an idiot!

Thank You

Lovely surprise this morning, I have been sponsored!

I have no idea who by as it was anonymous but I hope whoever you are you will read this because I wanted to say an enormous thank you. I can't tell you just how it spurs you on when you know there are a few people out there supporting you. So to you, and to the people who have bought my book...

Thank you

x

Not Quite as Planned.. again!

As usual it wasn't quite as planned - but it didn't matter! we were a bit late up and as Andrew had other things to do I decided to 'cover' 8 miles outside and 5 miles inside. I left the house with the wobbly legs again - I guess my legs just wobble, I have to accept that. The route I have followed so many times looked beautiful this morning, it is very lovely when the sun is shining. The wind made an appearance when we got to the highest point but it wouldn't have been the same without it. The last 5 miles were... long and I felt drained by the time I had finished but I was over the moon because I had completed the whole 13 miles in 5 minutes short of 3 hours. It was then that I decided to re-check the distance of the outside bit... I was half a mile short - but it really doesn't matter, it really, really doesn't matter!

On the final straight now, 2 more runs this week, maybe a short walk on Friday and then my finale!

My Farewell Tour

Tonight I will map my very last, ever run. Tomorrow really will be my farewell tour. I shall bid farewell to roads that I have struggled along for very nearly two years now. I'm not sad that my 'journey' is over, I'm excited at the time I am going to have. There's so much I need to catch up with, so much to look forward to. I do however, intend to give running one last shot, I'm going to try it without the fixed date in my head when I have to be able to run a ridiculously long way. I'm determined that if there is any joy to be found in this running lark I will give it every opportunity to show itself.

I am a little sad that I haven't been able to raise a lot of money for the Association for International Cancer Research... around £14.00 to date from the sale of just 4 books! I'm sure this amount will grow a little thanks to family once I actually stagger over the line next Sunday. That said, overall, since my 'journey' began along with Jan, we have raised £1,450.00 for Isabel Hospice in Welwyn Garden City, around the same amount for AICR, a little over £800.00 for Break and about £240.00 for Shelter. By the end of next weekend we will have run, between us, officially, just over £91 miles and I can't even begin to think how many more we've run in training... and I've written a book, albeit one few people will read, but who knows, in a hundred years time it might be a classic. That's not bad going for 2 'mature' women, both with full time jobs and families. I think too that it was a very positive way of remembering and paying tribute to our big brother.

Anyway, positive thoughts Viv, 13 miles of head space to fill tomorrow.

Not a Good Day

This morning I left the house with the 'bendy legs'... Sunday's have replaced Wednesday's now as my 'most dreaded day of the week', I wake up with that sense of foreboding. I'm trying to think of it more as a total number of miles that have to be covered over the next 2 weeks and that every step is just a little bit closer to lazy'ish Sunday's again. This morning though, no amount of psychoanalysis was going to make the 13 miles I was going for any easier. I instantly reduced it to 10 miles but that didn't help either. I didn't realise it was windy today until I was a couple of yards up the road, immediately my ears hurt, then my head was pounding, then I felt sick. At just over 1/2 a mile I was walking and just passed the mile mark I was headed home!

What a disaster...

Not too sure what's wrong or if they are all just excuses but I'm not feeling great. One other thing I have learned about this running business is that, passed a certain age, you take the past week out with you on your long runs. I think, if I'm totally honest that at a certain age and if you're me, working full time and having other family responsibilities, running any kind of distance is just not going to be easy.

I think it will be an early night tonight and hopefully the week ahead will be a little more positive.

 

Forgot to Say...

I have sold......  2 books!

I know, there is a very strong message in this and I've got it!

Just What Have I Learned?

Have to be honest, the countdown has begun. Just over 2 weeks and my life as a 'runner' will come to an end and I can't wait! When I started this blog almost 2 years ago I used to start each post by asking what I had learned. I thought that I would look at the past nearly 2 years and put down what I have learned. So here goes:

• I was not put on this earth to run. I may be many things, but I'm not a runner and no amount of 'training' is ever going to make me one.
• I don't enjoy running. I'm only ever freezing cold or boiling hot. It's boring and the more miles you chalk up, the darker the places your brain takes you to.
• Running never gets any easier no matter how much you do it.
• I've lost hours and hours of my life on the road trying to get this right.

I'm not too sure what will happen to this blog, I think it too will end after 15th. I will continue to blog somewhere - I actually enjoy blogging, I love writing. I think though that I will find something that I enjoy to write about. I will have to find something a little bit energetic do as well or I fear I will turn into Mrs Blobby! even the running can't get rid of my stomach at the moment so if I don't do anything I will become huge... I'm considering yoga - we'll see!

Into Double Figures Now

Well I have just mapped 10 miles and it looks like a very long way, even on a tiny map! Have to be confident though, I have actually run, in one hit, double that amount - once. So, it is possible. I have got this sorted now and it's not the distance that scares me so much, it's the time... far too much time to be inside your own head, especially mine.

So, tomorrow - different head on, I'm going for a very long walk, and I might do a bit of running along the way. Somehow that sits better.

I shall report back on how it goes.

The Book Has Arrived!

Well, great excitement this morning - the book arrived and I can't tell you how chuffed I am. It looks great, like a real, proper book. Now to get it out there so that lots of people buy it and we make loads of money for AICR.

If you would like to buy a copy there is a button on the right of this page that will take you straight there or you could just sponsor me using the just giving button. If you can I would be so grateful - Thank you x

Now, mapping 10 miles - going to be a long one tomorrow!

Viv's Mountain - The Book is Here

I've been missing... I know, there is a very good reason for this. I have been publishing my book - as a proper book. It was so incredibly hard but I think - I hope I have got there now.

The link is below. This will take you to the Lulu site where you can buy a copy at £8.50. All profits, around £3.41 will go to the Association for International Cancer Research. It should be available from Amazon too but the profit for the charity is considerably less through them, around £1.14.


http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=VivsMountain&categoryId=200002

If you can support this amazing charity by buying my book I would be so grateful.

Thank you

Then again .....

Nothing, absolutely nothing is easy about this running business. From getting out the door, to finding the time, to finding the energy not to mention the running. I have come to the conclusion tonight that I am going to concentrate on the distance no matter how I cover it. I'm trying with the longer strides thing but when I start off I look like I'm in Monty Python's silly walks sketch (now that ages me!). I've stopped going up and down at all and I'm concentrating so hard at pushing off with my back foot and stretching out with my front leg that I get in this really weird position with my bum stuck out and my legs flying about all over the place, I end up trying to push and stretch with different legs at the same time until I trip over my own feet - I can't tell you just how much energy it uses just in a few steps. I have to keep stopping and starting before I begin to look anything like normal ... well, normal for me!

On the bright side I covered 5 miles tonight, I did it in around 72 minutes which for me isn't too bad. If I can finish this thing in anything under 3 hours I will be over the moon.

You may notice I have added a 'sponsor me' button on the right hand side of this blog, if you would like to sponsor me and support the Association for International Cancer Research I would be so grateful, thank you.

If you would like to know why I am doing this completely mad thing - despite the lack of a single 'running gene' in my body - take a look at my first blog 'To this Point' in October 2011.

By George, I think she's got it!

This evening I did a mile in 11.33 minutes ..... up hill!

In my world this is the equivalent to the first 4 minute mile. Fair to say I could barely stand when I got to the end and getting back down the hill again took almost 2 minutes longer but I was so chuffed with myself. I also did another 2 miles at lunch time, I did do them on the machine - but I wound the thing up to almost 1 kilometre an hour faster than usual and concentrated on taking longer steps, I didn't manage to run the whole 2 miles but I was very close.

It may not sound as though I'm doing too well but I do feel as though I'm making progress. For the first time I'm running slightly out of breathe and I think that by doing this I'm pushing forward all the time, hopefully getting up that hill tomorrow should be just a fraction easier and in a couple of days I will be able to turn around and come straight back down again. I also arrived home with not exactly a high, lets just say there was a slight lift in my head ... could I at last be getting 'the bug', somehow I seriously doubt it!

Running is always so Hard!

My intention this morning was to go out and run 4 miles outside then come in and do another 3 on the machine ... note, my intention!

I woke up having not slept too well, I had a bit of a headache and I was just a tad grumpy. I had made up my mind before I got out of bed that the day wasn't going to go too well.

I got out - later than planned and inched my way up the road with Andrew on the bike beside me. In my head I was fighting the growing temptation to turn around and go home. I did the first mile in 13 minutes which is faster than the machine thinks I run. I managed about half of the second mile when 'Will' took leave and I was walking and muttering at the same time 'I can't do this, how can I ever do this' I was so cross with myself that I hadn't even made it to the 2 mile mark that I decided, with the 30 mile sign that marks 2 miles in sight, that I would run fast to get to half way. I couldn't sprint as it was still a little way but I did try to cover a little more ground with each stride. When I arrived I announced that I sometimes think it's easier to go a little bit faster than when I go so slowly - so started a 2 mile debate about 'running strides' you see, I seem to exert so much energy not actually going very far at all, my stride is about the length of my foot. The thinking for this is that if I place my foot just a couple of inches ahead of the other one then I'm conserving energy. When I'm on the machine and I speed it up, I don't change my stride I just take a lot more in a shorter space of time. Our thinking is, that if I just open up my stride by a fraction, without speeding up at all, then I will cover more distance without using any more energy. I tried this in fits and starts all the way home, tried walking it first which proved the point that I do actually walk faster than I run because my walking stride is that much longer. Andrew kept abandoning the bike and trotting off down the road to demonstrate how he runs and the difference in our techniques. Problem is that in changing your stride you also have to change the way you breathe and what you do with your arms ... I'm not sure that with 5 weeks to go, now is the best time to change my technique, on the other hand, I'm not sure I'm going to make it if I continue as I am. I think my technique is possibly the reason for my lack of progress and the maybe the elusive 'running bug'

If there is anyone out there who lives reasonably close to me and runs and knows about strides and technique I could really do with a bit of a master class!

I didn't run on the machine when we got back, it's probably good for general fitness but I'm not sure it's helping me at the moment. The plan is - and it's 4 o'clock now and I've not started what I planned to do today - to go back out this afternoon and do another 2 miles ... not feeling it right now but maybe later.

Insomnia!

Well it's just gone 2 am and I'm wide awake! I was falling asleep on the sofa but the moment my head hit the pillow sleep was the last thing I seemed to want or need. Not sure what's going on. I worked for nearly 9 hours today from 7 am, then I ran/walked for 65 minutes, then I did my online Tesco shop - you would think that I should be tired but no, brain switches to overdrive and I just can't turn it off. Anyway I have been quite productive while I've been awake so not completely wasted.

If anyone has any cures for insomnia please leave a comment, I would truly be very grateful.

Rest days and my Training Programme

It's the relentlessness of it that I begin to struggle with in the end you see!

It just goes on and on and on .... never changes, always the same .... running .... and when you finish running and you go to bed, you wake up in the morning and what is there to look forward to .... yes, more damn running! 

I had a rest day yesterday. My rest days aren't carefully planned to fit into the rest of my training programme, they are brought about simply because of the height of my ironing pile or the number of hours down I am on my clock at work. I doubt Paula Radcliffe's training schedule has ever been set by her laundry!

Rest days usually come about because I run out of time. Anyway, having slept only a couple of hours the night before (couldn't find my brains off switch) I thought a rest day could possibly be a good idea. What I never bargain for is that whilst I don't run, I don't rest either! Consequently today was a bit of a disappointment 'shattered on a running machine' just doesn't cut the mustard. I .... moved for 65 minutes but I didn't run for too much of it and when I had finished I had barely covered 4 miles .... I know, could have walked faster - in my defence I really do believe that the machine isn't terribly accurate.

Anyway, I'm not going to get down about it. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully I will get a bit closer to running the whole 65 minutes and getting a little bit more mileage under my belt.

Consistency is the Key

Two runs again today ... I think consistency is the key! Both indoors, no excuses, just couldn't get over the door-step. I did 45 minutes both times. At lunch time I ran for 40 minutes and tonight I ran 30 minutes. In total I 'covered' around 5 and 3/4 miles.

I will only be able to manage one run, although I might walk tomorrow, have a bit of a break. Will continue Thursday and Friday and then go for 7 in one hit on Sunday. Feeling quite positive at the moment.

All going well .... so far!

A good day today. I have run twice, both on the machine. I was going outside tonight but the heavens opened so I decided against it. At lunch time I did 2 miles in a little under 30 minutes. This evening I ran for 40 minutes and did 4.46 km. I do feel that I'm getting somewhere at the moment, I have managed to make quite a bit of progress already. I think the twice a day run is going well for me.

I also had a delivery this morning ... I have finally found a combination of head gear that I can live with - a visor and a pair of sporty sunglasses, it hides the majority of my face - with a nice, colourful lipstick I hardly look like me at all - result! I have also succumbed to shorts - I had resisted for almost 2 years but it's just been so warm that I thought I would give them a go. They aren't short, shorts - I know my limitations, but they are ok, together with my AICR vest I am a lot happier with the 'look' than I was in the marathon. If I can just loose my stomach without actually loosing any weight everything will be fine.

Just where I'm at right now!

Well ...

It's not great if I'm absolutely honest. I went out today thinking I would split my run and do half outside (just to prove that I can) and I would finish on the treadmill. I was looking for 2 miles outside, I covered it but didn't run the whole thing as intended, I ran a little over a mile and a half before 'Will' went awol!

Back home I did another 3 miles, 2 of which I ran. Quite pleased with the distance but not so with the running. I think it's important though to get lots of miles in my legs ... however it happens. Looking for another 5 miles tomorrow - hopefully a bit more running though.

Great North Run ... Here I come!

Ok, decision made, I'm going to do it!

I have no idea where it came from or why but on Thursday my internal switch went from negative to positive in the space of a couple of minutes. You see unlike most runners (lol) I can't run myself to a happy place .... I have to be in a happy place to run - weird?

Anyway, the hotel is booked and I'm cramming for the next 6 weeks and 1 day. I discovered during my first run of the day on Thursday - yes I ran twice, and one of them was even outside! - that I can run for around 30 minutes, I covered around .... ur ... a mile? no, seriously, I did 2 so I'm not completely back at the beginning. yesterday I 'covered' a total of 5 miles though that involved some - ok, quite a lot of walking. Once again everything hurts and getting up and down the stairs is incredibly difficult, still not feeling this 'running bug' thing but hey, it's only 6 weeks and for such a good cause.

My book will be out really soon - and J if you are reading this, sorry and you'll have it by tomorrow - all profits will go to The Association for International Cancer Research
If you would like to sponsor me you can at: www.justgiving/vivsmountain

If anyone has any words of advice on how I can get just a tad faster or make this just a little bit easier I would love to hear from you. It doesn't seem to matter how much running I do it's always so damn hard!

Runner's High - or not!

Everything well and truly back to normal now. A weekend of washing, ironing, cleaning and blogging and now it's Sunday evening and that old feeling of doom is beginning to wash over me. Since our return I have to be honest I haven't run a step. The sun has been shining, my thoughts are turning towards babies and prams and any spare time has been spent trying to get a little business idea I have had off the ground. I'm also enjoying being 'ache free' though I'm not too happy about the extra pounds that I can't shift. With around 6 weeks to go until the start of the Great North Run I am seriously considering deferring.

I do think that at 55 and spending 37 hours a week doing something I hate I should spend the rest of my week having a bit of fun and right now I'm not finding running a lot of fun.

I just read on twitter 'The true but rare runner's high is a zone that we enter when everything seems to click perfectly' I have yet to experience this high and I feel I've been a little short changed, surely after nearly 2 years I should have come close at least once?

I'm going to give it until the end of next week then I shall make my final decision.

6 Hotels in France

Just thought I would share our impressions of the different Hotels we stayed in during our stay in France, might help if you are planning a trip.

• Ibis budget  Bar Le Duc, France.

Excellent value for money, we paid £70.48 for 2 nights through Accorhotels. Nothing fancy but very clean, small room, comfy double bed with single bunk bed above should you need it. Shower, wc and air-con. TV but only showing French channels. This particular Ibis was in the middle of an industrial estate with a range of stores including an E. Leclerc within walking distance. There were also a couple of grill type restaurants a few yards from the front door. Continental breakfast was available for 7 or 8 euros extra.

• Hotel Saint-Hubert  Saint-Claude, France.

Booked through Booking.com at 51.00 euros for one night. Lovely spacious room with shower room and French TV. No air con. Interesting town within walking distance but very little open in the evening. We had a nice meal in the small bar. Breakfast was available but I think it was around 10 euros.

• Sejours & Affaires Appartments   Manosque, France.

This was a welcome change, we actually had 2 connecting double rooms, one complete with fridge, sink, 2 electric rings, plates, cups, saucers, glasses, cutlery and a few pots and pans. For the first time I was able to drink a cold wine out of a proper glass and we cooked for ourselves. We could also make a cup of tea, up until this point there had been no tea/coffee making facilities. We paid £79.00 for 2 nights. Lovely large bathroom with bath as well as a shower and TV. You could pay extra for a continental breakfast and there was a very good deal with a restaurant a small distance up the road.

• Royal Aigues Mortes Hotel  Aigues-Mortes, France.

Now this was a real treat, booked through Travel Republic for £48.00 for one night. The room was only small but opened onto a small patio overlooking a beautiful pool. Luckily we were able to book in early and made as much use of the pool as possible. The lovely, busy, lively walled town was a walk along the river away where there were plenty of bars and restaurants. We could have done with another night here.

• L'Etoile Hotel  Carcassonne, France

This has to be the tiniest room it is possible to fit a double bed and a shower room in to. No air-con though there was a fan which lost the battle against the fierce heat. Rather uncomfortable night. We had a lovely meal in the restaurant though. £38.51 for the night including breakfast.

• Kyriad Hotel  Bourges, France

We would seek out these Hotel's on any other trip, mainly because they had tea/coffee making facilities! We paid 45 euros for the night through Booking.com  small but very comfy room. Shower room was very tiny. Air-con, French TV. Bar and restaurant available. Mcdonald's just down the road. Continental breakfast was available for 9 euros but we discovered a 'Patapain' on the way to the motorway minutes from the hotel that sold anything you could want for breakfast at much more reasonable price and they were open at 9 am on a Sunday morning. We also picked up rolls for lunch too.

Back to work with a Bump

Holiday well and truly over now, back to work this morning with an almighty great bump!

I have just put on here a selection of shots from our last few days.

One of my paparazzi shots 

Limoux

A very pretty paper Mill we went to but didn't do the tour - it was in French and the heat was 

getting the better of Madi

Not sure which one of us looks the most pregnant?

I think this town was called Mazamet. We didn't spend too long there, 

'all day morning sickness' cut short our visit!

We watched them put this up in one of the squares, in time for the weekend when we came home.

The Castle

... looking so much better from a distance!

Entertainment in the Castle - this was free, we couldn't afford to see the 

Arctic Monkey's although we could hear them when we visited one evening!

Missing my daily cake fix already!

Fireworks in Carcassonne

Now I think on this day I have discovered that I will never be first in the queue for the Harrod's sale, nor will I camp out for tickets to Wimbledon or be at the front on the streets for the next Royal Wedding. The fireworks were amazing .... whether or not they were worth the 7 and a 1/2 to 8 hours we spent clinging to a hillside, the jury is still out!. It was all quite jolly to begin with and we sat on what at 2 pm was a gentle slope, we had plenty of room around us and a good view of the castle. By the time the fireworks started at just gone 10 pm the gentle slope had turned into an alpine mountain side and there was barely room to move.

The view from our hillside

Early days - all quite jolly!

Andrew very nearly finished this book by the time the evening was over!

The crowds building up

At last a plane appeared and five parachutes fell towards the Castle

 A selection of photo's from the fireworks