Misty headtorcher pub run

This evenings club headtorch run took us on an interesting route.  I have no idea where we went!  The hills were shrouded in mist, we could see very little around us, and we had to search for paths, stiles and gates.  This, if I was running alone, would have been disorientating, spooky and probably frightening; with a group of fell runners chatting happily and sploshing over sodden ground I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'd bandaged my ankle as it's been sore during the day and there is some swelling.  It was stiff to start with but loosened up during the run.  It's stiff again now though and the frozen peas are back on duty!

I had blackcurrant and soda in the pub for a change.  The food was tasty; a hot chilli con carne and rice.

Fat club run and a twisted ankle

This evening we met our 'fat club' pals at Bolton Abbey for a headtorch run.  It was a perfect evening for running; dry, cool and very little wind.  I felt surprisingly fresh and was trotting up hills I normally struggle on.  We saw several herd of deer, picked out easily by my powerful headtorch lighting up their eyes.

Unfortunately I turned my ankle and although I was able to limp then ease back into running pace it is very sore now.  My 'no booze in January' continues with lime and soda taken in the pub after; I couldn't even drown my sorrows in a glass of Bacardi! 

Fingers crossed for a miracle cure overnight. The frozen peas are on!

More donkeys

We liked this donkey; he has lovely white whiskers!
 

Sunday was a long day with an early start and late end.  We were up early in order to fit in a cooked breakfast (Mum cooks the best breakfast) before taking Sam to rugby then heading west to pick up Tom's girlfriend Lacey.  We'd arranged to take Lacey to my favourite chill out spot; the donkey sanctuary as this seemed as good a place as any to meet her for the first time.  This meeting was very important as Lacey is about to become a Mum, and her son will be my first grandchild.  I'm due to reach Granny status in February.....no I DON'T FEEL OLD!!!!  The meeting went well; we liked  Lacey, and I think Lacey enjoyed meeting us and the donkeys.

Some of the donkeys in their stable

The highlight of the visit was watching the adoption donkeys getting up to mischief in their padock. They were running and braying, playing donkey races and biting at each others coats, and there was some rolling too. I'd no idea donkeys could be so naughty, michievous and lively. They're usually highly peaceful so this new insight into donkey life was a real treat. I also enjoyed, as always, visiting the donkeys in the paddock and stable. Many of the donkeys like to be stroked and talked to which gives me a great feeling of peace and tranquility.

For a change Sam returned from his match in a relatively good state; he was covered in mud and someone had stood on his face, but they'd had a good game and he was happy.  We had roast pork with all the trimmings for lunch and cherry crumble...mmmm yummy!

I was tired in the afternoon and had to resort to coffee in order to manage the drive home in safety.  We didn't get in until about 10:30 and went straight out for our run; just a trot around the village.

Sleep

Yesterday I didn't need to drag myself out of bed for my early morning run. 

On Thursday I'd resorted to a latte to aid concentration at work because I've been struggling to sleep recently and was tired. I normally avoid caffeine so it works like rocket fuel when I need it, but can result in a totally sleepless night.  On this occasion I was wide awake all night and didn't even make it to bed.  This was great in terms of being up and about for an early morning run!  I ran well to start with but came unstuck with heavy legs quite suddenly about half way through and struggled on the hilly section.  By 7am when I should have been bright and bouncy after my run, I was absolutely shattered with a day at work and a long evening drive still to come.  I made it through the day by drinking a latte in the morning, two small bottles of coke during the day, and another latte at the motorway services in the evening.  This can't have been good for me but my eyes had been closing involuntarily and falling asleep at my desk or behind the wheel of my car would've been disasterous!

I was worried that I wouldn't sleep again after drinking all that junk but I needn't have been.  I slept deeply and was still fast asleep at 10:00 this morning when Andrew brought me a cup of tea. 

I felt much for a good sleep!  We went for a short run at lunch time today, and I ran much better even on the hilly bits.

Sleep deprivation is a major problem for some people.  Fortunately for me it doesn't happen often.

Up before the sheep

This morning it was a bigger struggle than ever to get up and out for an early morning run.  My legs felt as stiff as tree trunks for the first half mile or so and I was sorely tempted to vault a wall and hunker down with some very huggy looking sleeping sheep.  I don't think the sheep (or Andrew for that matter) would've been very impressed!  By the time we were onto the home straight my legs had loosened up and I was beginning to feel something close to normal.  I still wasn't properly awake, and took too long getting showered and ready for work; Andrew ran me to the station so I wouldn't miss my train.

Anyway, the purpose of the early morning run was to allow us to catch up with friends at the Goose Eye night run without having to run; two nights of hilly headtorching seemed a bit much on tired legs.  It was great to see everyone and I even felt a bit envious that I'd missed the run!  Lime and soda is boring but relatively low in calories and I'm sticking to my 'no alcohol in January' challenge...so far so good.

My thoughts are turning to the spring....when does the camping season start?

Back to work and headtorch run

Over the Christmas break my body clock has gradually adjusted to accommodate late nights and a bit of a lie in.  Those of you who know me well will be aware of my reputation as being a smidge sluggish in the morning and maybe a wee bit grumpy too.  This morning was no exception; the alarm went off announcing the return to work routine and I woke up feeling sad, and...yes ok I admit it...grumpy!

The feeling stayed with me all day until this evening, about a mile into our social head torch pub run.  We'd taken a route to include a rock known as 'The Dragon Stone'. The rock has a smile and an eye and looks rather friendly for a dragon.  Visiting it did a great job of cheering me up!  It's amazing what a good run with friends on a dark drizzly evening can do to lift the spirits (and ease out the aches from post ultra legs!).

Hello 2013 and Hardmoors 30

Today Andrew and I started 2013 with the Hardmoors 30; a 31 mile ultra marathon on the North Yorkshire coast.  For once it didn't rain and the sun was shining so it made for a lovely day out.  The run was tough because it was windy and the coast path was extremely muddy, and also because I haven't done much distance training lately.  Needless to say, we both ache a bit now!

I've decided to try a month with no alcohol.  This is primarily because I recently caught up with a friend I haven't seen for many months.  He looked really well; slimmer, younger and more full of life than I've seen him before.  He said he's given up booze and feels better for it.  I don't think I drink too much but I'd like to know whether I would also feel better if I went without, so I'm going to give it a try.