Strictly champagne drinking ,wallaby spotting and occasional running

So much for keeping up with blogging, been a busy February.

Had fabulous girly weekend in Glasgow weekend before my Birthday with Jemima. I'd got her tickets for Strictly live tour for her Birthday and Spa weekend for Christmas for same weekend. We took day off so we could make full use of facilities in Hilton Hotel. Not that it was without it's stresses leading up to it, had about 5 different phone calls from them, first of all to tell us we couldn't eat in advertised restaurant (meal was inc) but then another 4 calls from Spa asking us which treatment we wanted, what time we would like it etc etc. Didn't exactly fill me with confidence.

However we arrived and reception was great, our room was ready when we arrived (12.30) and she booked us into bar for meal as restaurant opened too late for us to get to show on time. There was bottle of Champagne waiting in room (also part of deal) and room was lovely albeit the view left something to be desired   >>>>
 We headed off to gym then to pool where we swam, jacuzzi'd and steamed ourselves. For our treatments i had Swedish massage and Jemima had lemon zest body scrub. Fabulous.

We headed back to room where we hooked up ipod and danced around room whilst getting ready. We made the somewhat out of character but sensible decision to save our champagne til we got back as a bottle of wine was included with our meal, and we knew we'd probably get few drinks at show. We had few vodkas in room whilst getting ready of course.

Here we are ready to head out. We headed off to bar for our meal, which remember was booked by reception only to find they knew nothing of it. Not great. We ordered couple glasses of wine and after being ignored several times Jemima went up to get another couple and to complain. Eventually someone took control and sorted things out for us but it shouldn't have come to that in a supposed 5 star hotel. Meal was lovely though as was guy Nick who sorted everything out for us.                                                                                   Although it's only about mile from hotel there is a big fuck off motorway (as per picture) in between so we got a taxi along. Show was just brilliant, very entertaining indeed and nice to see the judges in kilts. It was great fun and we had an amazing night.

We got back to hotel, had quick drink in bar then headed to room, i had asked at bar if it was OK to bring down bubbly and swap it if it wasn't cold enough and they were cool with that so that's what we did. So we sat in our beds and drank the champagne, decadent and fab way to end a great day. Breakfast was a disaster, but I'll leave that to the complaint letter I'm drafting.....

We left hotel around 11 to head back to Edinburgh but i wanted to see ManUt v Liverpool game so we looked around to see where was showing it, unfortunately it clashed with Rangers game and i doubt we'd have found many pubs in weej showing ManU instead of Rangers so we headed off for train. Jemima had got tickets heading out and had bought returns with it being 20p of difference so we gave them away when we arrived in Glasgow much to the delight of guy we gave it to. So we decided to do same again. Nice to make someones day with random acts of kindness i reckon, although Ian said it's not allowed :o/ oh well, we made 4 different people happy saving them £48 altogether!

As i headed home i got a phone call from Ian to see if wanted to go to Charity ball that night at Balmoral, plan was a nice quiet night in followed by early morning long run. Which is why i never stick to plans! Had to nip to Frasers on way home though as i managed to dye Ian's dress shirt for his kilt pink, oops. Nice pink though.

As we were waiting on cab i was on twitter and saw that Simon Cowell, Ant  n Dec and rest of BGT crew were staying at Balmoral and there were crowds folk outside and police everywhere. They were gone by time we arrived and i hoped we might see them in bar later but it was closed to residents only. Ball was fab though and we danced night away and didn't get to bed til 3am.

After nice long lie in we got up and headed out for 20miler, Ian is training for Blackpool Marathon and I'm doing the half so we headed down to Cramond, ran to mussel burgh and back again. 2hrs52 av pace 8.36, certainly blew the champagne cobwebs from previous night, and loosened off my doms from dancing ;)

Run to work next day wasn't as painful as i expected it, legs tired but felt ok. Busy week ahead with Valentines & my Birthday within few days of each other. Nice meal in house with some bubbly and too late a night for school night followed by night out seeing my boy and the girls who showered me with pressies, and bubbly of course. Then on Thursday it was my birthday and we went to Tigerlily for dinner. I was knackered by Friday so we had early night in preparation for National XC next day.

Now to say i wasn't up for this would possibly be a slight exaggeration, i just dont like XC, not entirely sure why, after all it's trails, kinda. Maybe it's cause it's short and you have to run hard all way, i dunno. Anyway i went, i did it and i was slower than last yr, bit rubbish really but hey ho, my head wasn't in right place for it although it was lovely to see everyone. At least we were  rewarded with stay at Oak Tree. Nothing makes me happier than to arrive in Balamaha and get welcomed by roaring log fire and nice cold drink. Really is best place on WHW, and they are even opening for WHWrace at 3.30am so crews can get proper Tea/Coffee and hot rolls, almost makes me want to be crewing again ;)

After another great dinner i really didn't think we'd be up late but we managed to get talking to 2 other couples and ended up there til chucking out time(again) We managed to say no to going back to their room for more drink though thankfully. After breakfast in morning we headed off to Crieff to do *Tour of Strathearn*  This is Ian's old stomping ground and he has threatened, i mean promised to take me on this route for ages, so we were. Beautiful part of country and more hills and fabulous views to tick off and new places to say I've now been. Bloody tough though. Ian & Phil have done route in 2.50, god only knows how, we did it in 3.55 and i was jiggerypokeried.

that downhill at end looks amazing but it nearly finished me off. Talk about 2 contrasting 20milers on consecutive weekends! Had everything on Tour of Strathearn, trails, forests, hills, hills, Emu's, Wallabies, Llamas and grouse. Great route, go do it if you get chance.

So last 3 weeks mileage have been 45.9, 57.7 and 42.6 respectively, this week was spent doing more speed stuff. Been doing some strength work too and it's working, i think.

Til next time....

Blink and it's gone

Where on earth did January go? Cannot believe we're a week into February already.

I used to blog daily now it's monthly, i wonder if it's because of Facebook & Twitter, we all tend to find out what everyone is up to on there so maybe we don't bother with blogs so much?

January was pretty good and i managed to clock up 212miles. Only one long run in there, still early in the year though so I'm not worried about that. The long run was of course the Training weekend on WHW. What a fantastic weekend it was too. The idea formed when we were last up there doing exact same run (Oct) and after chatting to Lucy (who owns the fabulous Oak Tree) the thought became a reality.

 I think it's fair to say it was a great success. Weather was "challenging" 60mph winds and rain, character building. Learnt that from last yrs double run when i had most horrendous weather. I'm a bit strange in that i tend to run in shorts n vest when most folk are layered up Ninja styleee but even i had several layers on this time. So much so i looked like Michelin man ;)  >>

I had a vest, 2 tops and jacket on.

By 2nd mile i started stripping off, by about mile 5 i was down to vest. Here i am being introduced to Lorn by JohnK. We ran fair bit together but i lost her on approach to Rowardennan.

Arrived at Rowardennan to sideways sleet and found a gaggle of people sheltering and eating and drinking. I quickly put on everything once again  to try and warm up to get one mile up road for the sun to come out! lol, Meant we were treated to a lovely rainbow though and it was here we saw The Troon runners who'd ran out earlier and were on their turnaround.

Ran fair bit of way with Helen, normally she'd be waaay ahead of me but hasn't been training much so it was nice to catch up, Mark kept running ahead then sprinting back up hills to check on her, bless. He is proper Mountain Goat.

Loved that we had the speedsters pass us as we headed towards Inversnaid, managed quick hug off 2 Andy's (Johns & Murray)  and off i went in pursuit of others. Arrived at inversnaid and again lots of people were huddled together sheltering, i had no plans to stopping so gave Ian a quick kiss then turned and ran back. I saw JohnK and another runner ahead so decided to try and catch them. And catch them i did, i stayed with them for good while which i was delighted with. Lost them couple miles past Rowardennan though but Ian caught me here so i had company again.

Having done this exact same route quite few times now this was definitely the strongest I've felt on way back. I ran hills I'd normally immediately walk up and i was feeling great. Its the last couple miles that always get me, when it's totally flat, until you get to "that" hill. You could easily sneak round corner and go across that bridge, i guess that's what always go through my mind when I'm climbing the damn thing!  Still, ther's always that feeling of satisfaction coming down those last few steps and knowing you've got less than 1/2 mile to go.

Ian was up ahead of me and i tried to put bit of sprint on to catch him but i didn't. I finished in 6hrs 3mins though which is my fastest time doing that section so i was very happy! All this without a Garmin or a watch incidentally, having forgotten mine. Maybe i should do that more often and let my body decide on pace.
JohnK snapped us just as we finished.

Great night in Oak tree later on with some of my favourite people ever. George & Andy kindly helped me eat my Pizza and everyone did their best to get Ian drunk by buying him plenty Birthday Whiskies!

I had no DOMS to speak off which is bizarre as we'd done 13miles in Pentlands the week before and we were both aching for about 4 days at least. Go figure.

Managed a quick catch up with Susan this week who was in town having lunch @ Tigerlilys for her Birthday lunch. Few glasses of bubbly went down a treat.















Plan for now is to try and push myself and go faster so we've started doing Intervals and bit of speed Training. My default pace is around 9mm, especially at 5am so I'm trying to push a bit harder.
Yesterday we had a cracking, tough run and av pace 8.08mm. Speedy for me anyway, especially on the hills.

I've let gym slip too so I've bought some weights for house and do them once home from run for about 20mins. I'll be lean mean running machine yet....

Everywhere seems to have snow except us, beautiful day here in Edinburgh. Hadn't really planned to run but too nice not to. Only did 8.5 though as wanted to be back in time to watch Super Sunday.

Got lovely girly weekend coming up with Jemima, so a 4 day week beckons. wooop!

All roads lead to Mullguy

AKA - Milngavie to some

Yikes, where did that year go? Quickest year ever i think. And pretty damn jam packed, in fact if i could bottle it and sell it i would, but i cant so i wont.

Quick rundown.
Jan- 177miles. One long run on WHW with a few loons, stayed in Oak tree for Ian's Birthday

Here we are climbing Comic Hill.

Feb- 201 Miles. inc 2 Races, Forfar Trail half (awful) and my first ever XC@ Falkirk (equally awful)Also did a 25mile run out to Broxburn and back, yes that was awful too. I'm seeing a pattern here.
 Oh not forgetting my birthday, which with it being perilously close to Valentines day was spent at Oak Tree and by running 30miles on WHW, of course. (great)

March - 190miles. Less mileage but more quality. Did 3 races. Inverness Half, 1.42. D33 4.58 and Perth50k 4.38 PB's all round. Fairly successful month i'd say.It was still snowing if i recall

April - 234miles. time to up the ante. Early April i did back to runs with Susan, we stayed at goddamn awful wigwams, never again. Great weekend though.Did 7hills after work one friday, just because. Last few miles were with head torch. Easter we stayed at FW, got bus to Kinlochleven and ran back, then did another 6 day after on way home, all on WHW. April finished off with the Highland Fling trying ot finish me off. I fell twice, the second time added insult to further injury and i pulled out at Beinglas limping and crying like a baby.








May- 214miles
Down but not out. First race to get myself back on trails was baby Cateran. Slower than last yrs efforts but i guess i was being extra cautious one week one from being bashed up. Had George Reid & Gavin to keep me company most of time. Great day out and cracking weather.  Mid May brought my biggest test. Balamaha to Tyndrum one day then all way to FW next. 1st day was hunky dory, 2nd day less so. Ok that's a bit of understatement. To find out full story you can trail back and read it in all it's gory detail. But hey, i lived to tell taleand we hot footed it over to Glenshee to Marshall at Cateran for Karen. Pretty damn exhausting 3 days i can tell you.
Last part of puzzle was a headtorch run from Milngavie to Balamaha, starting off around 11pm. Bit of an adventure.

June- 186miles  The big one. It all started so well, took a dip somewhere in middle and perked up until i got to top of Staircase. Ankles which had been giving me grief for past 20miles didn't like downhills at all. Again if you want gory details, go back and read all about it. Thank goodness for my superb crew. Without them there would be no goblet.

July- 101miles Lowest Mileage for around 18months, quite unsurprisingly. I'm kinda glad i had Doctors orders to lie with feet in air, I'm sure most folk dive back in too soon. Proper rest was what was needed, and proper repair. 5miles was around my longest distance. Had lovely weekend away in London for Bren & Chris wedding.


Aug- 180miles
Started off with us heading to Perth for rewind Festival, one of best weekends ever.

So after doing nothing after WHW race and no more than 5 miles in July, clearly the sensible thing to do would be to run the Devil of highlands race huh? Well run it i did, again slower than last yr but i got under 9hrs which was my focus really, to be honest i just wanted to do that section and feel *normal* again. Ran a lot of it with my club mate Tom rather unexpectantantly, with Ian out supporting and running in to meet me on regular basis.

Sep - 135miles  2 races, bit disappointing really, Glasgow half and Stirling 10k, neither were PB's this depressed me somewhat knowing how well the yr had started off and i felt i was in decline!

Was meant to do round cumbrae, arrived in running gear with every intention but just felt completely rubbish so Ian ran it alone, well not alone obv, there were others in race. I went to a cafe and drank tea.





Oct - 207miles  Started off month at Oak Tree and another 30miles along WHW. Which set a precedent i guess, was at club few times doing intervals for first time ever which actually enjoyed.
Ended on a high with a weekend in St Andrews at Ultra runner soaked Wedding , incredible weekend.





Nov - 144miles
End of year party, or Glen Ogle Ultra as it's otherwise known. What an incredibly beautiful race.



Everyone who was anyone was there to enjoy the last big run of year. Cracking race, which was perfect timing as we headed off to sunnier climes of gran Canaria the next week.

Ran everyday on holiday, just 5k a day for me.  Ian ran twice a day and i sunbathed and read lots books. All inclusive help yourself to Cava, i was in heaven.



Dec- 170miles

Busy busy at work, December seemed to fly past. Christmas was upon us before we knew it. I just ran to enjoy it, no focus, no races, no hassles. We ran up Craiglockheart hill on Christmas day, was very windy.

Had great Christmas at home and brilliant New year in very Windy Troon. It's ok though as i was prepared  >>>

Ran/got blown along beach on new years day, great way to start the year i reckon.


hmm, ok that wasnt really a quick rundown was it? oops. Sorry if you've fell asleep







So here we are back to January. And once again all roads lead to Milngavie

I've lost 2 crew members so hunt is on for someone to fill those big shoes of Jules & Gav. Luckily still got Nick & Susan :o)

Santababy One- Santa Express Nil

I blogged recently about the Santa Express not only nearly running me down but wooshed on past me and left me sadly trailing. Well not today it didn't, i got onto Princes street and saw it just ahead and decided i was going to catch it. So i did, then i ran alongside it with kids waving at me and parents laughing at me til i passed it and waved to driver, lol

Then i spotted some Reindeer, no kidding. Right in middle of Princes street so i stopped to take a pic, broke my heart actually. Look at them, they should be Dancing & Prancing, not lolling around looking bored out their minds :(

Anyway, off i went back in pursuit  of Santa Express, which was powered by Petrol i presume because the reindeer are locked up on Princes st. I caught it again and had the kids saying *there's that lady again*  Not often i get called a lady ;) So i waved  regal stylee again and took off into distance.

This morning i was out running and i passed a guy who was on his way to his car,  stopped in middle of road and stared at me.I said "Good Morning" and he said "i cant believe you're out at this time running" When i said I'd already done nearly 3 miles by then and still had 4 to go (think it was about 6am) he looked at me like I'd escaped from somewhere secure. Then he said "in this weather too, dressed like that!" (it was raining, i had shorts n Tshirt on) It's funny how something so normal to us is alien to others. I guess I'd have thought exact same before i started running.

Been very busy past few weeks with Christmas Lunches on at work, present shopping, present delivering, present wrapping and Jemima having her 30th Birthday in between all that. Had lovely meal with J & Thel last week who's birthday is day before, so we had lots of pressies to swap. Great to catch up with both as ever, we're all so busy it's difficult to try and get a date we can all meet.

It would seem everywhere recently got a dumping of snow except Edinburgh, we got a smattering but nothing to write home about, or play in for that matter. This time last yr we were knee deep in it and i loved it. Been pretty icy here instead which makes for treacherous/dangerous running of a morning.

Ive avoided the canal on those morning and tried to stick to well lit areas where it will be meltier (real word) but still get some scare black ice/comedy/heart stopping moments when you think you're going to see your feet fly past your head!

Ive somehow managed to avoid falling just yet *touches head*

On Sunday it was a beautiful winters day, crisp cold and clear so we decided to head up Craiglockheart hill to catch amazing views in the winter sunshine, just 4 miles done which was enough for Ian to stay in Marcothon.

Righto, must get organised, Carol Concert tonight where we get to sing along to every 2nd one with Choir aka Christmas karaoke ;)

Happy Running Folks, stay safe.

Going Clubbing

not that kind, the dance round you're handbag, wave your hands in the air kind or even the bash a poor baby seal over the head kind.

No, I'm talking about running club of course.

Norma is club secretary and then some. This year she's done 2 Marathons and 3 Ultra's, she has 2 jobs and does an awful lot of work for the club.
She turned 60 yesterday and although we all danced night away at her party on Saturday, last night we (we, as in the club) all got together to run Norma's 60th Hill of the year in the Pentlands.  Goodness knows what made her count them all but count them she did, maybe she's been taking tips off Ian? He counts a lot, in fact he counted everyone in pub tonight, just because.

Anyway, we turned up at meeting point to find around 40 Lycra clad, headtorch, fluorescent runners all waiting to run, shows how popular Norma is i reckon. Quick warning about the ice and off we went. Route was Harlaw to bottom of Harbour hill and back, when we were about half there the fireworks burst in the sky. Iain M had ran on ahead and hid in hills waiting on the snake of lights coming towards him. Almost went over on bum watching it light up sky, pathway was very icy and very precarious and need careful footing. Once we arrived and last fireworks were off we all had quick toast to Norma of either sloe gin or whisky, some flapjacks & brownies and off we went back down to Harlaw car park into the icy wind.

Quick drink back at pub where Norma for even more Birthday cake then back for late dinner. Think might've persuaded her to enter WHW next yr ;)

It was teeny celebration for me too as that particular run took me to 2001 miles for the year. Crazy drookit windy run today tops it to 2006. Been bit of crazy day watching Scotland slowly close down due to bit of wind and rain to be honest. Funnily enough i didn't see anyone else when out running this morning, by time i got to work it looked like i'd been for a swim much to the amusement of my staff.

Who says us runners are daft?

Santa mown down by train shocker

Ok, I'm being melodramatic here by it might well have been the headlines tomorrow

Running home along a closed off Princes street minding my own business and i suddenly heard odd noise behind me. Looked round to find Santa Express closing in and kids waving a rather manic fashion, clearly wanting to see me mown down in my prime. (Yes, i am in my prime actually)

So i stepped aside and let it fly past me. Ok it might well have chucked along slowly and i might've tried and failed to keep up with it. What can i say, I've never claimed to be Paula.

Been avoiding the canal path this week due to icy conditions and sticking to roads where at least it's a bit meltier, therefore a tad safer. Seems Edinburgh has escaped fairly lightly and we were  about minus one about 5.30am when i left to run.
 And I've slightly redeemed by 4 days of slothlike behaviour by doing 18 miles in last days, go me etc.

Seeing as the Christmas tree is up, and Amazon have started delivering parcels to me(courtesy of the old man obviously) >>


I think it's time to pop some pressies under the tree, hurrah.

It's been a while....

I seem to have lost it. My blogging mojo that is, maybe i should go back to rambling on about nothing on a daily basis like i used to. Quite often i'm running to/from work and i think "oh i must blog about that" then totally forget all about it.
So i started a blog to then i deleted it as i was boring myself. So i've shortened it a bit.



We've been to Gran Canaria for a week
- Superb holiday. I'd go as far as saying near perfect.

ran 144miles in Nov, not too bad considering i didn't do more than 5k day on holiday

Been to Sunday Mail Sports Award, brilliant night.If you looked closely enough you'd have spotted us at table in front of stage ;)

Went to see We will rock you, superb.

Went down to Newcastle game at weekend to see them lose 3-0, score flattered Chelski i reckon.

On windiest day of year so far, Ian decided it would be good idea to run up Craiglockheart, Braid & Blackford Hills, i actually got blown over,  twice.


I started the anti Marcothon purely by mistake by running 6 miles on 1st then nothing at all for 4 days due to life getting in the way and a big load of lazyitis,but i'm cool with that. 8miles this morning to work blew off the cobwebs.

And that's about it.
 I've actually been really super busy and been enjoying life an awful lot, maybe that's why i dont have time to blog so much.

S'all Good :o)

Oh, how could i forget. I got a place in WHW race for next year