An update on the Couch to 5K running to start with. On Wednesday, I managed the dreaded 20 minute run, and then promptly burst into tears. I think it was because I was so surprised that I had done it. I managed to control myself until I got home but then I just couldn't stop crying - proper sobs. T, who is home from Uni was most alarmed and after a couple of minutes of trying to console me and looking embarrassed, she eventually got strict and said "that's enough now, no more tears!", just like I used to do with her when she was very small. It worked anyway, and I stopped.
I have mainly Northern Soul favourites on my running playlist (lots of mid tempo songs that suit my mid tempo running style!), with the odd anomaly thrown in for good measure. At around 18 minutes into the run, just as my legs were feeling like lead and I had almost had enough, Little Mix began to sing "Wings", which goes "mama told me not to waste my life, she said spread your wings my little butterfly". Just as the opening bars struck up, a little yellow butterfly flew in front of me, and made me think of my Mum. And although I don't believe in all that, it was a good sign and made me stop thinking about my aching bones for a minute. An Easter miracle? Maybe not, but it was a nice thing to happen.
For the next run, it was back to intervals, and then on Easter morning, two 10 minute runs with 3 minutes walking in-between. And today, and for the next 3 runs, 5 mins walking, 25 mins running and 5 mins warm down walk at the end. I don't think anyone is more surprised than I am that I am 50 and actually managing to do this - I am just so scared that if I stop, I will never be able to do it again. And I would really like to be able to run. With these longer ones, I really struggle with the first five minutes and am always convinced that I will have to stop, but then I get lost in the run, and forget how many circuits I have done and before I know it, I am almost done, and still feeling like I could carry on. It's weird that the longer I run for, the easier it seems to become, and once I've got over the hurdle of the first 8 minutes or so, I just go on autopilot, losing track of time and place. I don't know if the same happens to everyone, or if it's just me. I still don't love it, despite Jo Whiley telling me that I probably will eventually, but I DO love it once I have finished. Maybe endorphins are an actual thing after all.
I have signed up to take part in the colour run at Abington Park in July. L is going to do it with me, although I think we are going to have to invest in some sanding masks, as she reminded me that we are both asthmatic and may not react well to the coloured paint powder which will be thrown at us. We have signed up for the pink wave, and I have bought us extra paint packs and a Hawaiian Lei each. I have no idea what I'm letting myself in for, and it might be better not to know! I have bought some new colourful running pants which look like they have been grafittied. I don't love them but they were the best Primarni had to offer. I will keep looking.
I've had a lovely Easter; completely overdone the eating, but now going to settle down and focus on sticking to the Slimming World Plan. I was doing so well today, but then a whole Easter egg jumped into my mouth. I was so startled that all I could do was chew. It was my only Easter egg, bought for me by T's smashing boyfriend, and it was absolutely delicious! (I also got a special non-edible Slimming World friendly Easter present from my very thoughtful big sister, just in case anyone was thinking of getting the violins out!)
Tomorrow's a new day and I will be better, and make healthier choices, as there are no more chocolates to take me by surprise. I have been spurred on by swapping my Autumn/Winter clothes for the Spring/Summer clothes which have been stored away since September in a couple of big suitcases. I got mostly lovely surprises as many of the clothes which were very tight or haven't fitted at all for the last couple of Summers are now perfect, and some are even too big. I had thought that I might need to buy a whole new wardrobe, but I am not disappointed as I have some really lovely dresses and tops that I haven't been able to wear for a few years now. I am being brave and getting rid of clothes I have grown out of, in the hope that I will never need them again. I know that I have no will power at all however, and I really hope that I will not regret it.
I was very lucky to have all my kids home for Easter, and spent a lot of time with them, eating and sitting in the garden of our local pub, soaking up the sunshine. I missed Mr C who took a trip to Southwold for the weekend with J, but he had a great time too.
I've managed to catch up on a bit of reading, this holiday. I have a Kindle and I buy books from Amazon when they are on offer. I feel like I have read so many that just merge into one, and without the front cover picture, I forget what I've read or which authors. It's a while since I've found a book that has really grabbed me, but I am currently really enjoying "Don't you forget about me" by Mhairi McFarlane. I'm only a quarter of the way through, but I am looking forward to bedtime so I can continue and find out what happens next. I have a reading Instagram account called bookworm_joanna where I tend to post (if I remember) books I'm reading or have finished. I'm always after more followers and would love to receive recommendations for good books to look out for.
In the Summer, when I spend as much time as I can at the caravan in Southwold, I tend to pick up lots of second hand books from the charity shops there. There are always plenty of the latest titles to be had, usually for around a pound each. The bookshelves in the caravan are full, and I have many to choose from. My sister is also a big reader, so I pass on the books I've read to her, and she knows that if they have my name in them, that I want them back when she's finished. She passes on hers to me too, and between us, we get through a lot of books. I was thinking earlier about great books which have really touched me, and certain behaviours of mine which usually indicate that a book is spectacular and noteworthy:
Reading a book slowly, not wanting it to end.
Getting excited at the prospect of continued reading - carrying a book with me in my bag in case I get a few spare minutes, or looking forward to going to bed.
Writing my name and the date in the front of a book- this means that I want to keep it, and if I lend it to anyone, that I want it back.
Knowing that I will read it again. With a few exceptional books, I have even read them twice in quick succession so that I can pick up on all the bits I missed the first time, or links which I failed to spot. This happened with a couple of the later Harry Potters (I don't care if you mock me; I love a good story)
Hunting down other titles by the same author. I did this with Mary Wesley, who is one of my favourite authors. I read her books over and over, and love that she is so posh but so rude at the same time. It amazes me that she is not more popular, but maybe just not everyone's cup of tea.
I love to read, and think it really helps to develop my own writing. It also helps me to keep abreast of popular trends like the use of names in titles recently, unexpected plot twists, and the recent inclination towards UpLit (uplifting literature), as seen in books such as 'Eleanor Oliphant...', 'A Man called Ove' and 'Three things about Elsie.' I am a member of a couple of book groups on Facebook - The Fiction Cafe Book Club and The Facebook Book Club, and love to see what other members are reading, and to read what they think of books I have already read.
I would really like to join a proper reading group as well as the virtual ones, but have yet to find one taking on new members. If anyone hears of a local vacancy, please let me know.
And that's about all for this week. T has gone back to Uni in Hull, L is back at school tomorrow and now I have no excuse. The Magpie beckons, and I am determined to finish editing before the Summer holidays start. Watch this space!
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