..... I could possibly be gone for a while. I am having to re-type - FOR THE SECOND TIME - the whole of the first part of my blog, a mere 26,000/27,000 words!. Seems I can't copy and paste it. I'm about half way through at the moment and going as fast as I can .... 'tick over' running going well, enjoying getting back to it but full report when I've cracked this publishing lark.
Running for health, happiness and a good laugh whatever your age, size or fitness level
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Sunday, 24 February 2013
Getting on with getting on ..... Take 2
Finally this morning I got back on the machine. I'm just 'ticking over' at the moment, keeping my hand in. I should have started on Tuesday and then again on Friday but I didn't make it for various (pathetic) reasons but this morning I did. I only had to do 15 minutes but I wondered if it would be possible having not run at all for weeks but I did! and I actually enjoyed it. I won't tell you how far I went because again most people could walk faster (I am seriously beginning to wonder if the machine is a bit out because I am running!) anyway, for now it's not important. As soon as the weather improves I shall get outside and then I can gauge just how fast I am going.
I haven't had too much time to blog recently because I am trying to create a proper book - I mentioned it before - and it's a bit of a minefield. I do have a book now, to tell me how to create my book and I'm hoping it might all become clear. I have about 3 hours now to get it sorted and somehow I don't think it will be enough!.
I shall let you know when I have succeeded .... don't hold your breath!
I haven't had too much time to blog recently because I am trying to create a proper book - I mentioned it before - and it's a bit of a minefield. I do have a book now, to tell me how to create my book and I'm hoping it might all become clear. I have about 3 hours now to get it sorted and somehow I don't think it will be enough!.
I shall let you know when I have succeeded .... don't hold your breath!
Sunday, 17 February 2013
Stuck in the Gutter!
Well having had a few days off work I have managed to create just a little bit of time to do something that I actually want to do! so I started reasonably early this morning and set about going through the instructions on how to publish my book book. It was all going quite well until I got to 'gutters'. Took a while to discover that yes, I do need a gutter but it's taken me hours to discover how to create a gutter .... and I'm not there yet!. You see I have 'works' and not 'word' and it appears one of the differences is that works has no ability to create a gutter. If anyone has any idea's ................ no, I didn't think so!!!!.
Saturday, 16 February 2013
Motivation Return
Gradually feeling a little more motivated, at last I can get on with getting on and it feels good, especially getting on without the black cloud that's been hovering over me for a while now. My first job is trying to get my book published - as a book. I have 2 sites that I could use but it's all very complicated. I have just ordered a book which will hopefully guide me through the process. I'm hoping that more people might be inclined to buy a book book!.
I have contacted AICR and will soon be setting up my fundraising page although I'm going to concentrate mainly on selling my book to raise money.
Then there's the running, at this moment in time I'm quite looking forward to it, 13 and a bit miles doesn't seem nearly as daunting as 26 and a bit, although it's still a lot further than your average human should run. There is a slight danger though I think, that having completed 26 and a bit miles you might be tempted to think 'piece of cake' but it's still a very long way!. I'm really going to try to go a bit faster too. Anyway, I need to find myself a schedule to follow and get out and make a start. Andrew is going to try out the new running shoes and come with me when he can.
I have done a little bit of investigating on the GNR site and I'm already feeling the northern hospitality. There is a huge choice of accommodation ranging from a camp-site or caravan to university halls, to bed and breakfast to hotels. It sounds like fun already.
I have contacted AICR and will soon be setting up my fundraising page although I'm going to concentrate mainly on selling my book to raise money.
Then there's the running, at this moment in time I'm quite looking forward to it, 13 and a bit miles doesn't seem nearly as daunting as 26 and a bit, although it's still a lot further than your average human should run. There is a slight danger though I think, that having completed 26 and a bit miles you might be tempted to think 'piece of cake' but it's still a very long way!. I'm really going to try to go a bit faster too. Anyway, I need to find myself a schedule to follow and get out and make a start. Andrew is going to try out the new running shoes and come with me when he can.
I have done a little bit of investigating on the GNR site and I'm already feeling the northern hospitality. There is a huge choice of accommodation ranging from a camp-site or caravan to university halls, to bed and breakfast to hotels. It sounds like fun already.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
A change of plan
It's been a while!......
but I have had a great deal of sorting to do, on both a practical level and inside my head, I think though that I'm almost there. Where to start?......
Well we made the decision to defer our marathon place accept that when we returned the email it seemed that we couldn't defer without a broken leg - we needed to have an injury rather than an illness. Anyway, our decision was already made and so we pulled out. I'm not too sure quite how I feel about the 'pulling out of the London Marathon' bit yet. Once again the roads are full of runners, the local papers are full of people running the Marathon and my email and facebook fill up daily with 'marathon tips'. I am however, relieved beyond words that I no longer have to worry that the huge un-raised balance of our fund raising total will be automatically withdrawn from our account. Our finances already sit on a knife-edge and the stress was doing nothing for my every day wellbeing. There is nothing 'fun' about running long distances but I did enjoy the challenge last year and the feeling that I was doing a little bit of good at the same time but doing the marathon with a charity place flips the whole focus on it's head and changes the entire challenge, especially I think when there is very little connection between you and the charity, however wonderful the charity and it's work are.
Money from the coffee morning we held, the bodyshop charity squares and the few ebooks I have sold will be sent to Shelter. The total is £213.50. Sponsorship money via the 'justgiving' site will be returned, this was pledged very much for completing the marathon and that we will not do - not this year anyway. Had we been able to defer we could have just extended the date to next year and continued to raise money but without a place it is only right that the money is refunded.
I was sponsored by someone that I have no details for. If that was you and you would like your money refunded please contact Shelter and they would be happy to do that.
So, what next, well I haven't given up on the marathon yet. I would love to crack it one day and I would love to do it with the coach. In an effort to pick myself up off the floor I went in search of a new challenge. The ballot for The Great North Run was, as luck would have it, still open and I applied. The coach was unable to commit at the time. She has just moved into a little house with her boyfriend and they are being bombarded with all those 'just moved in' bills so the registration fee was beyond her.
Last week I discovered that I have got a place which is great news. I think for this year it's a more manageable distance, the training will be mainly through the summer so no snowy runs and best of all, it's a ballot place so no fundraising pressure. Anything that I do raise, and I will do this mainly with sales from the ebook will go to the Association for International Cancer Research, for me this charity is so important. Cancer touches so many of us and any research into finding a cure has to be good, I like the idea of it being international too, taking knowledge from around the world and fighting this disease together seems an excellent idea to me.
Well that's all for now. For anyone who has supported us I am sorry we were unable, this year to see this through. I hope you can appreciate that although it all looks great fun on the telly the marathon is a huge challenge that takes many, many months to succeed in. There is so much that has to work over quite a long period of time and for me this year it just didn't happen. Please stay with me if you can as I head towards the Great North Run, I'm told it's a brilliant event and I am looking forward to it.
Viv x
but I have had a great deal of sorting to do, on both a practical level and inside my head, I think though that I'm almost there. Where to start?......
Well we made the decision to defer our marathon place accept that when we returned the email it seemed that we couldn't defer without a broken leg - we needed to have an injury rather than an illness. Anyway, our decision was already made and so we pulled out. I'm not too sure quite how I feel about the 'pulling out of the London Marathon' bit yet. Once again the roads are full of runners, the local papers are full of people running the Marathon and my email and facebook fill up daily with 'marathon tips'. I am however, relieved beyond words that I no longer have to worry that the huge un-raised balance of our fund raising total will be automatically withdrawn from our account. Our finances already sit on a knife-edge and the stress was doing nothing for my every day wellbeing. There is nothing 'fun' about running long distances but I did enjoy the challenge last year and the feeling that I was doing a little bit of good at the same time but doing the marathon with a charity place flips the whole focus on it's head and changes the entire challenge, especially I think when there is very little connection between you and the charity, however wonderful the charity and it's work are.
Money from the coffee morning we held, the bodyshop charity squares and the few ebooks I have sold will be sent to Shelter. The total is £213.50. Sponsorship money via the 'justgiving' site will be returned, this was pledged very much for completing the marathon and that we will not do - not this year anyway. Had we been able to defer we could have just extended the date to next year and continued to raise money but without a place it is only right that the money is refunded.
I was sponsored by someone that I have no details for. If that was you and you would like your money refunded please contact Shelter and they would be happy to do that.
So, what next, well I haven't given up on the marathon yet. I would love to crack it one day and I would love to do it with the coach. In an effort to pick myself up off the floor I went in search of a new challenge. The ballot for The Great North Run was, as luck would have it, still open and I applied. The coach was unable to commit at the time. She has just moved into a little house with her boyfriend and they are being bombarded with all those 'just moved in' bills so the registration fee was beyond her.
Last week I discovered that I have got a place which is great news. I think for this year it's a more manageable distance, the training will be mainly through the summer so no snowy runs and best of all, it's a ballot place so no fundraising pressure. Anything that I do raise, and I will do this mainly with sales from the ebook will go to the Association for International Cancer Research, for me this charity is so important. Cancer touches so many of us and any research into finding a cure has to be good, I like the idea of it being international too, taking knowledge from around the world and fighting this disease together seems an excellent idea to me.
Well that's all for now. For anyone who has supported us I am sorry we were unable, this year to see this through. I hope you can appreciate that although it all looks great fun on the telly the marathon is a huge challenge that takes many, many months to succeed in. There is so much that has to work over quite a long period of time and for me this year it just didn't happen. Please stay with me if you can as I head towards the Great North Run, I'm told it's a brilliant event and I am looking forward to it.
Viv x
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