Dani's 2013 Challenges.....
Sunday 2nd June 2013
We are family......
Its been a busy weekend, Saturday involved a roadtrip to Notting Hill; hubby's sister has relocated there due to a new job, so I was given the daunting task of driving down with her bits and bobs in the car, tackling the busy streets of London on a Saturday afternoon!
Not going to say it was the easiest thing I have ever done, but Pickle joined us so it was a good 'girlie' day out..
Sunday was Challenge No. 11 - Woodhall Spa 5km Fun Run!
It was Pickle's first event, so along with Weez and Smith, we were in for a fun morning! The sun was shining which was a bonus! The event consists of a serious 10km which had over 1100 participants this year, and a 'fun' family run!
Pickle looked like she was one of the youngest to take part! She was donned in her favourite pinks and purple for the event and was soooo excited!!
The first half she rocked through, shouting 'come on mum, we can do it'!! Second half she started to get a little tired, so Mummy was on hand to offer piggy backs. The boys shot off at the start, so they were doing to be finished alot earlier than us!
The last 100 yards, Pickle got a little emotional... she was feeling very hungry and the bribe of hotdogs and icecream were a bit overwhelming! But I am very proud to say, she completed it!!
Next weekend, we have our next 5km Race for Life! She is looking forward to her next medal!
This is one proud Mumma signing off for now!
Dani xx
Dani's 2013 Challenges.....
Friday 24th May 2013
And the rain came tumbling down......
Before the event of June kick off, I need to get some good long miles in, original plan was to head out on Saturday however, due to family commitments, I decided to take the Friday off work as holiday and walk then.
After I had booked the holiday, I then found out we had an important meeting at work, so not wanting to give postpone training, I re-jigged me route to walk via work - 15 miles each way.
The weather was what can only be described as horrific!!! Torrential rain and gales.... not what I had in mind!
Set off in ample time to get to work in time for the meeting, the rain was continuous, and wasn't letting up! 5 miles in I did think 'what am I doing'... I was soaked and freezing, I did contemplate calling my sister to come and fetch me, but quickly gave myself a good talking too and carried on.
Feet started feeling very squaddy.. and squelchy! Stopping at mile 8, I took my boots off and wringed the water out of my socks. Unfortunately, I had no spares so had to put the wet ones back on :(
Eventually rocked up at work 3:50hrs later, surprisingly felt good all things considered, I put the fact that my joints didn't ache down to the fact I was so cold and wet!
Work kindly gave me some overalls to change into for the meeting, then after the meeting I spent about half an hour drying my clothes under the hand dryer!
The rain still hadn't let up, so stayed at work a little longer than expected. Heading of about 4pm for the walk home, I decided to repeat the route I came, as it was simple and safe. It was a bit harder on the way back as it was headwind.... pushed myself a bit quicker as I wanted to get home before the sun went down!
I had gaffa-taped my feet up before leaving work to dry and keep them dry, this slightly failed when I stepped into a 'deeper than I thought' pothole! :(
Eventually rocked up at home around 7:48pm, a hot bath was in order, followed by a large dinner of pasta and pizza! Felt pretty good apart from a little blister on my baby toe, and a bruised big toe nail.
I'm glad I just cracked on and did it, if I can walk that far in the crappy weather like that, then I think 100km in June is going to be a doddle!
I also am now officially passed my 400 mile marker... upto 423.59 miles!! Yay!!
Thankful of the Bank Holiday weekend now! Its the last one before event kick off!
Take care, steady steps!
Dani xx
Dani's 2013 Challenges.....
Saturday 11th May 2013
Think 'Pink'......
It was that special time of year again, 17,000 women (and the odd man) joining together to pound the streets of London in the name of Breast Cancer, completing either a full or half marathon.... wearing bras!!
Having completed the London Moonwalk in 2011, and volunteered last year, I was back again this year for another round of volunteering... smiles, cheers and lots of hugs were at the ready!
With the powers of Facebook, I have had the opportunity to 'meet' other lovely fellow walkers, we formed a group called Team Moonwalkers (TMW) and have helped support each other through events, Saturday night was the night we were all finally going to meet each other in the flesh!
The weather wasn't the best - cold, windy, raining and with a new venue at Battersea Power Station instead of the lovely Hyde Park it did not deter the amazing walkers, who turned out looking fabulous in their bras!
My shifts for the night put me on the finish line... it was great to be there at the end to see all the walkers come through the line... to take on a challenge like this is tough, but to do it in the middle of the night when you should have been asleep is seriously hardcore, so much more demanding on the body both physically and mentally!
I was in awe of every walker that came through the finish, with the cold weather it was a huge achievement for them all! There were alot of tears from some walkers, so hugs were ready and waiting for them! It was lovely that I was there to greet my fellow TMW Moonies, they are absolutely the best peeps like ever, and I love them all loads! I loved the fact that I was able to give Julie, one the group her Moonwalk medal.. it was her 1st Moonwalk!
After being awake for nearly 36 hours, stood out in the cold, damp for over 13 hours, I wouldn't have changed it for the world... it was a pleasure to be part of the night and I loved every minute of it :)
Dani xx
Dani's 2013 Challenges.....
Monday 6th May 2013
Happy Days......
Sorry for the lack of blog lately... I've been one busy bee! Where do I begin....
Well, after an ickie few weeks of snot and lurgy, I'm finally back to feeling peachy! On the 26th April, I hit the 300 mile mark... I know I'm still behind from my year end target, but you know what... I don't care because I'm just really enjoying the whole journey!
28th April marked Challenge No. 9... Jane Tomlinson's 'Hope & Glory' 14 mile walk in the Peak District.. accompanied by my fab son! The sun was shining, it was a beautiful in a beautiful part of the country! We were up early to get there for the 9am start, it took us just over 5 hours to complete, with the route taking us up and over Win Hill Pike, Back Tor, Lose Hill and the stunning Mam Tor. I have never been more proud of my boy, he did so well!
Managed to get a couple of days off work last week, which made my Bank Holiday weekend a 5 day weekend :) It was also Hubby's birthday so was lovely to spend some quality time together... wanting to keep my training up, he agreed (as a birthday treat) to accompany me on a long bike ride... we mapped a basic route and set out last Friday morning, after 5 hours we had to call it a day as a certain little Pickle needed collecting from school... but we did manage to complete 50.10 miles :)
I was surprised at how good I felt afterwards, apart from a bit tired, I was feeling pretty good (couldn't sit down) but still good ;)
Family BBQ and bouncy castle on the Saturday to celebrate Hubby's birthday, then I completed Challenge No. 10 on the Sunday...... Bling in Motion: 10k Spring Bling! It was a secret squirrel event, and that's all I can say about that one! ;)
Today, went on a little 3 miler with Mother and Pickle up to the lakes to feed the ducks, enjoying the last of the sunshine before its back to reality tomorrow and back to work :(
So, total mileage to date is a grand total of; 378.04 miles in the bank! BOOM!
Ciao for now lovelies!
Dani xx
Dani's 2013 Challenges.....
Wednesday 17th April 2013
Slow and steady......
Seriously.. how much snot can the average human body produce??? I reckon if snot could be used to fuel my car, I could run it for a week with the amount I have cleared out of my body over the past few days...
Like many, the shocking scenes on t.v. from Monday's Boston Marathon shocked and appalled me, how could anyone in their right mind do such a thing! It's so sad to see an event which is focused on achievement, celebration and fundraising being targeted like this.. thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by these tragic events.
Having been off work recuperating with the lurgy, I did manage to get out this evening for a small 3.33 mile walk, which I did in honour of the Boston community.
Stay Strong Boston ♥
Dani xx
Dani's 2013 Challenges.....
Saturday 13th April 2013
ZZZZZzzzzzzz......
After my fab week of miles, this week has been the complete opposite.. a busy week at work combined with a non-sleeping Pickle has left me sleep deprived, run down and feeling rather blah!
Last night was the first night in a week where I managed to get a full 10 hours of much needed, undisturbed sleep.. felt great when I woke up (although suffering from a sore throat and chesty cough)! I have made an executive decision to rest for the rest of this weekend and just get myself back onto track.
However.. just because I haven't been able to do any miles this week, I have been able to plan some more miles.. so, another event is now on the cards.. The epic Wolf Run in Sept; I will be part of a team of 20 odd, the Wilde Wolves... raising money for Pancreatic Cancer Action on behalf of a fab couple, Dane & Charlie.. sadly, after overcoming his battle with pancreatic cancer, Dane received the worst news that the cancer had returned to his liver and has been told he only has between 3 to 9 months left.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dane and Charlie last year at another PCA event, they really are a fab couple!
I really did think doing this year's challenges would be a sort of 'lone wolf' year; however even though we are only 4 months into 2013, I have found so many awesome and inspiring new friends! Without the support of them, friends old and new and my fab family, this year would have been so much more challenging! A big MWAAHHHH to you all!
Dani xx
Dani's 2013 Challenges.....
Saturday 6th April 2013
Spring is in the air......
What a week it's been, considering it was only a 'short' week due to Easter, it seemed to go so slow.... it has been a somewhat worrying one, a very close friend of mine is currently fighting a battle with the big C, I love him to bits and know he will kick it's backside! It just annoys me how it always seems to attack the good peeps!
Changing diet again from next week, boosting up the healthy carbs, reducing the protein and crap food.. still remaining tee-total which actually doesn't seem to bother me, long-term wise would like to get onto a similar vegan/veggie diet but not sure I can go fully without a bit of meat! Will see how it goes.....
Miles have been OK this week, doing a bit more cycling in order to strengthen the knees, up to 26.08 following today's mileage... hoping to get out on the bike tomorrow for a good run so hopefully should boost the miles....
Lesson of the day... riding a bike in the dark + large potholes in the road = very, very big ouch!!!
5x50 challenge is going OK, need to keep it going and lengthen the distances I walking/cycling but still I am pleased with my progress, wasn't doing half as much 5 months ago!
Spring is finally here, skies are blue and sun is finally shining! Still wouldn't say its t-shirt weather but I think it won't be long before it is :)
Well, early night tonight... ready for tomorrow's bike ride!
Sleep well peeps!
Dani xx
