Tagged: Running

March 23, 2020

Day 1

This morning is the first test of the strength and endurance of our internet – all four of us are working at the same time. So far, all good – the biggest concern is between those who can work quietly (me, John, Bella) and those who can’t (Charlie) and whether those who work quietly will influence a dial down, or the constant nagging needs of one will dial it in the opposite way; I’ve only yelled once…

We’ve all kept to our normal times. Apart from Bella, who over slept so missed the newly installed 8.00 am run – we’ve each installed the couch to 5k app with the aim to run with it every day. It’s a great programme especially for beginners; it tells you when to run and when to walk and is designed to progress you from a beginner to running a full 5k. There’s an option where you can choose your personal running coach – mine is Michael Johnson, because when he tells me I’m doing good, I really believe I’m doing good. He’s fast becoming a good friend. When we’re running as a group we look like a flock of birds, when with no obvious signal we all transform from walking to pounding the streets. The streets today were probably two thirds down on traffic, but busier than expected. I think everyone thinks their car is their own portable bubble. The thing is it’s what you do at either end of your journeys that can matter…there’s news that petrol pumps are sources of infection. Just saying.

This weekend we prepped for the sketchbook revival 2020 challenge, buying nothing, but going through book shelves for old books, gathering dust that could do with a re-love, finding old sketchbooks, tearing out pages, old letters, cards, wrapping paper, tissue paper – anything that would make it interesting, then sewing it together…very satisfying.

Mine is done now. Just waiting for the first email to drop in with instructions for the day – better check my spam folder…

Also redid our window boxes: ivy, trailing white geraniums, miniature daffodil bulbs and some white plant that looked pretty! They’re going to get a bit of love every day as well.

Something little, something often, something creative, something together. This is could be more a blessing than a chore.

Laters, Kate x

April 17, 2013

Running with reason..

Want to know a secret?

I have started running and facing the perils of my own incompetence by pounding the streets in a regular, masochistic way. Let me be brutally honest..I am not a natural born runner – it really isn’t the way I am built: If I say I run with 2 sports bras, you’ll get the picture. But I’ve had a gnawing feeling that the gap between how I feel on the inside (pretty damn good, because I’m a glass half full type of gal) and what I see in the mirror (it’s a shock) is starting to widen… the truth is it’s not enough for me to just strap on a pretty pair of heels and lay on the lippy to paint the town red any more as the foundations are seriously starting to sway..and looking to the future..the only way is down..

Another confession..I’m running in my old pyjama bottoms..and not just any pj bums..these are grey ex-maternity ones now held firmly in place with a couple of safety pins. (Do you think it ‘s some psychological throw back so I can convince myself of how far my stomach has come already??). Any sartorial elegance has taken a serious nose dive…

Truth be told, I think the time has come for some major investment buying..but what?

I’m not hugely convinced by all the extra tight lycra..I realise it was invented for a reason, but I’m not sure I am it…jelly under cling film keeps playing a loop in my head.

If we are talking elegance, then it’s what the dancers wear to rehearsals that really floats my boat..the whole lose sassy shake that booty look…and yes..I wore legwarmers in the eighties..I was there..I bopped with the best to Fame n Flashdance and wanted to live forever..but I still love grey marl sweatpants and vitamin c skirts..