Category: Husband

Message from the Universe

9/8/2014

I have registered for another running race!! Pretty pumped to report I will now be taking part in the Beijing Half Marathon on Sunday 19th October! I know, I know, you were getting ready for another: 'I didn't do any running but here's what I did instead' blog post, well, that is just not on the agenda for today. I feel like I may finally have gotten my running mojo back this morning, and possibly all down to this new motivation of having another race on the horizon in the not too distant future (as the grasslands race just seems so far away still! So, hard to really focus on any proper training). I think there's nothing more motivating than having an event to plan and work towards, so I'm so glad that I have signed up for this race, and it's in an easily accessible city (from here to Beijing is an hour's flight I think) so Coach/Husband can come with this time (the last two races he has stayed behind), which will be awesome.

And the reason this random registration came about? (As, it wasn't on my mind even a couple of days ago...) Well, a new friend mentioned she will be running the Beijing marathon on 19th October, with her uncle, who she usually cheers on while he runs it. We got chatting about running for a while after that, and training etc, and I asked does she still run in the colder months here (key question for me apparently), to which she answered, to my dismay, NO, it is too cold. Boo.... BUT, she said she does yoga instead, and this then led to a discussion of where she goes for early morning yoga sessions. The result of this little tangent is that I will now be joining her on some early morning yoga classes, woohoo! But, I digress... Back to the subject at hand: the Beijing marathon.

So, later that day, as I'm scrolling aimlessly through the sometimes addictive time-waste that is the newsfeed of Facebook, I noticed a post from another friend putting it out there about it being the last chance to sign up for the Beijing marathon, and to get in by today. I had seen no mention of said race before, so, this mild coincidence I took as my cue from the universe that I am meant to be running in the Beijing half marathon! Haha, why, you may ask? I know, it's only a small coincidence, but hey I'll take it. I read some work by Deepak Chopra lately along the lines of: whenever you notice a coincidence, it is the universe trying to tell you something or pointing you in the direction you are supposed to go in. Therefore, I feel the universe was telling me not only about this race (thanks Universe!) but that I should sign up before it is too late. So, to cut a long ramble short: I have signed up for the half marathon, and Husband and I can go for a fun little weekend away in Beijing as well.

Having this race to look forward to has already improved my running, I'm sure of it, and I was up and out there early and determined today. However, for this particular race, I think I'm going to adopt a very casual training plan this time, and not worry about time, speed, pace, PRs/PBs etc. I just want to run it purely on how I feel (Garmin-free) and take in the Beijing sights along the way. I'll keep you posted with my rough training 'plan' as I go. Today I ran approximately 12kms through one of my usual routes through a park. Legs felt strong and I felt great.

As promised, here's a shot of Husband and our new e-bike! Ahhhh, felt awesome to be flying along (at 30kms/hr) with freedom and the wind blowing through our hair yesterday....

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Yoga, Kickboxing and an E-bike

9/8/2014

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Well, that weekend came and went didn't it!? A bit too quickly for my liking, but there you go. Actually, we're kind of still on our weekend, courtesy of the Mid Autumn Festival that is currently being celebrated here in China, so ALL GOOD.

No running over the weekend, but I did do an intense, efficient body weight workout (courtesy of Hasfit) and some cycling around town and through the riverside parks. Feeling unexpectedly sore and stiff today, I think from the Hasfit workout (hadn't done that particular one in a long time).

Something that I did do however, was to sign up for the yoga club, and the kickboxing club!! Very excited about these two activities, just hope I can understand the instructor. Mind you, might be a good way to improve my Chinese, yes? Husband also signed up for the kickboxing club, so watch this space on how we go on this one. Many years ago, back in the day, I used to go to a kickboxing club on a Friday evening, and it was LOADS of sweaty fun. Can't wait.

In other exciting news (for us anyhow) we bought an e-bike today, so now can cruise freely and easily around town and further afield. Yay! I will not, however, be riding said e-bike, but will happily straddle it and hold on as Husband does the honours (I am a terrible driver so am sure riding an e-bike will not be one of my strengths). Watch this space for e-bike adventure pictures! (Before it gets too cold that is).

Do you practise yoga? Kickboxing? (I can see my running diminishing and diminishing until it's an every now and then thing, perhaps having been replaced by all the fun cross-training! Oh dear...)

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It Happened...

9/4/2014

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...I had to wear long running tights and TWO running tops this morning, as it was quite cold. Noo..... It's happened already. I thought I'd have at least until October until I'd be in my 'winter' running gear here. People we have asked have told us that it starts to get cold here around about October time. Brrr, we beg to differ! It was quite cool last night when we went exploring the many food-streets literally on our doorstep (an awesome discovery). Apparently it will get down to between -25 and -35 degrees C! Oh dear. We are woefully ill-prepared at the moment, and so as soon as we get our first month's pay it's off to the shops we'll go, stocking up on essentials like: boots, jumpers, thermals, trousers, facemasks, and jackets, I suppose.

It seems crazy that it's soon going to be so cold, as it's still pretty hot and sunny during the day here, maybe between 24 and 30 degrees? A climate of extremes for sure, and one we are both completely foreign to and unfamiliar with. So, my next, pertinent question to all those who suffer through arctic-esque winters with proper snow and minus degrees days for months on end: What do you wear when you go running?? Are you still able to go for your usual runs? Are facemasks the go?? I have gloves, long tights and a long top that I wear under a t-shirt, but I'm thinking if I'm wearing these already (minus the gloves) then what will I do when it gets COLD-cold?!

Still, despite the cooler weather this morning, it was still a beautiful, awesome run: about 10kms through my usual route but just cutting off a small section of it. Why? Coz I felt like it. :)

Yesterday we had no internet all day, but if we had I could have told you all about my strength/weight training in the morning, and that I had full intentions of having a slothful, chilling afternoon again with Husband (we are making the most of our lighter-than-usual schedule - it changes next week I think). However, the afternoon was unexpectedly taken up by having coffee and discussions with one of my students and his friend, and then said food-street exploration and a fun dinner and beers out with Husband. I am more than ok with that.

It's just about the weekend, so I wish you a wonderful weekend filled with fun runs and/or good times!!!

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Soapbox Alert

9/1/2014

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An awesome run was had this morning, but I'll get to that shortly.

First, I have something that's been on my mind and bothering me since the other day, so I thought I would share it here to vent/rant/get it out of my system. I overheard somebody saying this to someone else the other day: "Women are just for f*&king. Oh and making some food, making your babies. They can be beautiful sure, but they are not intelligent like men." He was quite serious too. 'WTF?!' I hear you cry. Yes, that's right, there really are people out there who think like this! Firstly I was shocked and outraged, not only on behalf of women, but on behalf of men, and well, all decent human beings, who may be similarly offended having heard something so disgustingly ignorant and wrong. But since then, I have started to feel sorry and sad for this particular dude, with his clearly messed up, backwards view of the world. Then again, there must be plenty of others who may echo his particular sentiment? Be it that we have a host of stupid (mostly male), power-hungry, psychopaths running the world?? It almost makes me want to pack up and move HERE, to this utopian sounding (albeit for the lack of decent, intelligent men there, as per the article) society in a small town in Brazil: http://www.dailyedge.ie/noiva-do-cordeiro-women-1643505-Aug2014/ . It also makes me SO glad and thankful that Husband (and all my other beloved male friends and family out there) are intelligent and beautiful people who would never hold such a strange view of women and the world, but the fact that there are people out there who genuinely still think this way is quite disturbing.

What are your thoughts?? Do you know men who think like this? To the male readers out there, what would you say if someone came out with such a statement? I am genuinely curious.

Aaannddd on with the running business: This morning's run was a coolish, refreshing, slightly drizzly 12kms run through the beautiful riverside, flower-filled park, one of my favourite new routes. It had been raining for most of the night but stopped for long enough this morning for me to get my run in. Yessss! Great way to start the day, and my legs felt really fresh and good. There might just be something in this cross-training malarkey, haha...

Now it's off to work I go, teaching two classes this morning and who knows what's on for this arvo. Have a wonderful day everyone!

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And the Winning Prize Goes to.....

8/26/2014

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... Marion! Congratulations Mani, you were the first to get back to me and correct my temporary blond affliction (sorry other Blonds!) informing me that it is a HERD of horses, not a gallop, nor a huddle, nor even a flock, lol... So, without further ado, here is your virtual prize:

Embracing something of a wave-particle duality, what's inside is pure possibility at this stage, and can be whatever you imagine it to be! I.e. another mountain bike, some cycling gear, cake etc.... Enjoy!

Now, onto the 'running' bit. No run this morning, but I got back to some strength/weight training. I was shocked to realise that I am down to doing this only about once a week, with the rest of the days taken up by running and cycling as I've recently bought a mountain bike. Why the mountain bike? I hear you ask (well, maybe). We-ell, Husband and I have registered for this event to be held on the beautiful grasslands of Xilingol next July! http://www.genghiskhanmtbadventure.com/ Clicking on this link will take you through to the page for the Genghis Khan Moutain Bike Adventure and Extreme Grasslands Marathon!!!

This is going to be awesome! So excited. Some friends of mine did it this year and highly recommended it, so Husband and I will be competing together, although not the running portion for him due to an old rugby injury (his knee). We will take part in two days of cycling (out of the three available) and I will also do the half marathon. We have opted for the 'long' option, so that means about 60kms on one day and 40kms on the other (the 'short' option was about 20kms each day). So, in between now and then I will be getting in as much training as possible while there is no snow and minus temperatures to contend with. However I still want to pick up my strength training and do more of that, so will be aiming to get a few more sessions in each week. It's all about balance right?

Who else is keen?? Fancy an amazing adventure to the beautiful grasslands of Inner Mongolia AND you get to take part in an awesome challenge too??! This could be your backdrop for a run or cycle next July if you come on over (although we'll probably be dressed in racing gear by then instead):

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Inner Mongolia (AKA 'the money shots')

8/24/2014

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There is one word to sum up my runs through Inner Mongolia (nei menggu): 'nature'. Probably my favourite runs of the whole trip, and an oft used mantra from my 50km trail race in the mountains courtesy of Husband/coach came back to me: 'one with nature'.

I had plenty of company on some of these runs, including cows, sheep, birds, hares, WILD HORSES (yeah, just try getting that song out of your head now. Yep, you're welcome!), and a puppy, to name a few. No human was encountered on any of my runs however (bar a couple of cowboys on motorbikes speeding off to herd his cows in the distance), and I truly felt 'one with nature', as per the mantra.

SO beautiful, and so peaceful.

The first run was during our stay in a farmer's traditional yurt / ger (a monglian tent). I'd asked one of the guys there, where was good to go for a run. To which he spread out his arms, indicating the vast choice of open running routes, i.e. the grasslands, d'oh... So, off I went bright and early the next morning about half 5 (although could have been even earlier - felt like it was light from about 3 in the morning out there!). I couldn't see where I was placing my feet on each step and sort of had to run with high knees, due to all the long grass. There was thousands of rocks and roots too, was actually pretty treacherously going, and I was worried about putting my foot down awkwardly and twisting my ankle. However, all was good, and I made it back to the campsite unscathed. Later that day, another of the guys there showed me some pictures of him holding up a fairly huge snake that is common to the land all around us. I asked was it poisonous/venomous to which he'd said of course. Hmmm, lucky I didn't know about that before my run!

The next three runs also took place in the grasslands of Xilingol, but further along, and from our own campsite (i.e. just the caravan and us) at the edge of a lake. We stayed here for four nights total, and it was the most peaceful tranquil place to camp. The farmers who owned the land would come and say hello on their motorbikes before they set off for some cow herding, but apart from that it was just Husband, puppy, myself, and bliss.

The runs I had from here were far less daunting and I had a sandy motorbike track to follow for most of the way, until the road opened up to a gravelly road, which later joined on to a 'proper' (although still small) road. Yep, we were 'out there' and felt respectably off the beaten track. It was exactly 4kms to reach the road, and once on the side of the road (still the grasslands, which covers a HUGE area) you could run left or right to various yurt campsites and streams. My 'usual' run out here was a gentle 11kms run across grass, sand, gravel, and swampy muddy land. The first one was an early one and I kid you not, I ran up to a group of wild horses (what's the proper name for a group of horses?? Do you know?) who swiftly galloped away upon seeing me. Two days later, I ran up to the same group of horses, who this time, did not move. I slowed to a walk and looked at them, trying to tell them 'hey, hello there, it's ok, I'm a friend!' What looked like the main dude, a fairly large white stallion with a long white main and tail walked directly towards me. Shit! Were horses aggressive? Or did he remember me from the other day and had come to check me out? Or, was he hungry and used to humans feeding them perhaps? He got really close (about a metre or so) and we just looked at each other for a while. I then started to carry on walking, and had to walk through the group (as they were all over the path) who seemed to be curious and calm this time, each one moving slightly and looking at me, but not running off like before. So beautiful and amazing to see up close, and I'm not a particularly 'horsy' girl.

We took so many photos of the grasslands, it was hard to choose which to upload here; have a look at the serenity and beautiful countryside that is 'nei menggu':

Ok folks, what is the correct name for a group of horses?? (I.e. a gaggle of geese, a flock of birds, etc...) First one to answer correctly wins a virtual prize. :)

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Henan (and Houston)

8/19/2014

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We crossed the border into our second new province of the trip, Henan, excited and eager to get to our first stop of Song Shan, near Dengfeng, where the very famous Shaolin temple sits. This was just following a fair bit of tension between the drivers and us, or namely the main driver (self-titled 'boss' we think) and Husband, owing to a dispute over music and of who's holiday it really is. I won't say too much at this stage (again, watch this space for the book! Haha, don't mind the blatant plug there) but one of the drivers had some definite 'control' issues. I was thinking the dispute was over and we could get on with 'our' holiday; it seemed they had found common ground over their shared love of songs by Whitney Houston and Celine Dion. Great. Or so we thought. As we drove into Henan and further into the province, the (we'd soon come to realise) ever-present sound of Whitney's voice in the particular songs the driver liked of hers was blasting through the car. Then he'd repeat the same song. Again. And again. And again. So began the theme 'album' or few songs for our entire trip (still considering calling the book "28 days of Whitney" for this very reason).

This couldn't diffuse our excitement however, and we settled in for a few days about 200 metres from the Shaolin Temple. I am a relatively late-comer to the joys of "Kung Fu" featuring David Carradine (thanks Husband for my 'education' earlier this year!), but for those of you well versed in this series from back in the day, we went to see where Grasshopper learned and lived, and to see if we could meet some enlightened monks and find out what it's all about. What we mainly encountered however, was hundreds (or thousands?) of other tourists and scorching hot weather, with a few mini Grasshoppers and a few bonafide monks around too. We did however, meet this monk outside the temple's grounds, who we think may be one of the dudes in charge? Either way, he seemed pretty chilled and enlightened to me:

There are possibly up to a hundred kung fu / wushu academies scattered all around near Shaolin Temple too, with hundreds of youngsters practising their martial arts moves in the 40+ degree heat. Dedicated. I got to see lots of monks-in-training on an early morning run, just before sunrise, when it seemed every academy sends its troops out for a gruelling-ish run, along the dusty main road and up and down a winding mountain road. This was the only run in the whole month where I had company! They were very serious little dudes though, and some seemed very young and small.

Another run in this province was had near the oldest/first Buddhist temple in China: the White Horse Temple, or Baimasi. This was a great run, past veggie fields, the temple, and the very relaxed neighbourhood nearby where we were staying.

I only had two runs in this province, and days-wise could have had more. However, the heat was intense here. 'Hot' would be the key word for Henan, with 'dusty' coming a close second.

The people was lovely here (around Longyou, the Longmen Caves, and the White Horse Temple), very friendly (with the definite exception of near and around the Shaolin Temple, where people were very Unfriendly for some reason) after they got over their initial surprise of seeing two laowei, a puppy, and a caravan roll into their neighbourhood.

The food in Henan province was AWESOME too. Maybe my favourite food of the whole trip. Yum.

After our last stop in Henan of the White Horse Temple Town (Baimasizhen), we continued on to Shaanxi province, Whitney singing out loudly and proudly and with each favourable song on repeat (then repeat, repeat, repeat again).

Did you used to watch Kung Fu?

Do you know if there is a name for some sort of condition where somebody plays the same song over and over again for hours?? OCD or something else??

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Bye for Now, and Seven Things You May Not Know About Me

7/1/2014

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This will be my last blog post for a week. Don’t miss me too much! Haha… The reason being, is that tomorrow morning I leave for my ‘quick trip’ back to Oz. Hmm, when first working it out and booking flights etc, it seemed a quick 3 day visit back to the land of Oz, to run the Goldy half marathon and see my bestie. Turns out there is THREE days of travelling, one and a half ish either side of my actual time in Australia, courtesy of us not living in bigger city or a transport hub. So, tomorrow morning I will make my way up to Hangzhou (the capital city of Zhejiang province) and stay the night there before checking into my flight on Friday morning. I arrive into Australia early on SATURDAY morning though, due to a long (cheap) flight. Oops… (The return journey is equally a mission, but I prefer not to think about that right now…)

So, today is the day for packing, organizing, and then stressing about how much STUFF we have accumulated when attempting to do some more of the bigger packing, for our impending leaving of this school when I return from the Gold Coast.

This morning I completed my penultimate training run: an easy paced 6.4km run, in the STINKING heat and humidity! It was a particularly sweaty affair, but no leg pain dramas or otherwise. Phew…

Kristina over at Blog About Running (http://www.blogaboutrunning.com/7-things-about-me-you-might-not-know/) gave me a shout out for this Very Inspiring Blogger Award/Game (thanks Kristina!), so I’ll be passing that on to THESE fellow (and awesome) bloggers. You’re up! Kim (http://day-with-kt.com/), Amy (http://runwritehike.com/), Karen (http://moreclutterfromkaren.blogspot.com/), and Kristen (http://www.glitteranddust.com/)!

Enjoy. So, the ‘rules’ are to share seven things with your readers that they don’t know about you, and then pass it on and nominate other bloggers who can then share their seven things.

Hmm, so for those of you who know me in the flesh, these may not be that surprising or new information, but hey-ho, here are my seven things you may or may not know about me:

When I was about 11 or 12, I won first place in the Kent Championship Fencing competition (under 14 female category), held, not surprisingly, in Kent, UK. En garde!
I think I am very dichotomous in the way that I love to be SUPER healthy and into fitness one day, and then would gladly be heavily into all kinds of partying and debauchery the next day. It’s good to have balance I guess?
I can speak French (but I am quite rusty).
When I was younger my ‘hilarious’ (ironic) running joke was to tell people of my plan to migrate to America and find a rich husband to settle down with. Hmmm, yeah, I know, missed my stand-up comedy calling with that one. However, I did start a 4 year degree reading American Literature at Sussex Uni in Brighton, UK, where the 3rd year was to be spent in the states, so this gave a lot of weight to my ironic ‘joke’. (In the end, I quit this course two years early and went back to work/live in London for a bit while I figured out what I want to ‘do’ with my life. Still figuring it out today, haha…)
I would love to go back to Peru (and other parts of South America) and have a few ayuhuasca experiences (again, with the figuring out life malarkey…)
I am very clumsy. No glass, cup or plate is safe in my hands. Husband has a special, affectionate term for me in this sense. Now, I hope you don’t take offense at this, and he says it in a completely loving, jokey tone, but he calls me Edward-Penis-Hands sometimes, as I, ahem, f*&k everything I touch.
In about 5 to 10 years time, I hope to be living in an Earthship home, off the grid, and self-sustainable, growing veggies, making wine, writing trashy novels etc… I would love this be in Australia or Bali, or both, ideally.

So, that’s all from me for now. The next time I write here will be after the Gold Coast half and when I get back into town next Wednesday. Wishing you all a wonderful rest of your week and weekend ahead, and I can’t wait to tell you how it all went (successfully I hope!)

Tell me something I may not know about you!

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The Need for Speed and Massage

6/30/2014

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Boom. Legs seem back to 'normal'. Hurrah! All went well at the track this morning, and although it's about half of what I've been doing on previous weeks for my speedwork, this is what the plan called for, as I guess, one last final speed test / shake up before the race this weekend. In a way, it (I hope) emulates what I will be aiming to do at the Gold Coast half, sort of a mini-version of my plan. On the day I'm aiming for this: 3km warm-up/easy pace, 5km at threshold pace, 1.6km easy pace, 4.8km threshold, 1.6km easy, last 5.1km threshold. As long as I stick to my intended threshold pace (between 4:07 and 4:18, but usually 4:10 to 4:15 ish) and run no slower than around 4:45 for the easy paced sections (I hope), and providing my legs continue to do what I'm asking them to, then it should be a successful race. Watch this space.

Something I've read before but never put into practice is this: pre-race massage. Hmm, why haven't I tried this out before? I mean: I love running/racing. I love massages. Why not combine them, i.e. use the massage as a lead up to the race or part of my preparation? Doing some research this morning has informed me that ideally getting one from 3 to 5 days before your event can be very beneficial. I think I'll be getting one when I head up to Hangzhou (the capital of this province, and where I fly out from), which will be 3 days out from raceday. We wonder sometimes, Husband and I, why we haven't gotten more massages while we've been living here. Because we both LOVE getting massages. Hmmm, for me I think it comes down to this: not knowing which 'massage' places or spas are legit (and not brothels, of which there are many in our neighbourhood, ahem...) and the one massage I tried in a local, looked-legit place around the corner ended up being extremely painful and more of a manipulation massage rather than a relaxing, oily type. The BEST massage I've had out of my maybe 4 massages in total since being in China (in other cities), was one at the airport hotel in Shanghai airport. It was a Swedish massage and this will be the type I'll look for on Thursday. Of course, you can't beat a wonderful Balinese massage, but my journey's sadly not taking back to Bali this year (sigh). On this note if you're ever in Bali, get up to North Bali to a place called Bondalem - it's gorgeous, totally natural and beautiful, and far from the maddening crowds of infamous Kuta or Seminyak. Our friends have a villa there, Villa Selina (http://villa-selina-bali.com/), where you can stay and experience whatever's your cup of tea (surfing, hiking to a waterfall, chilling by the pool with copious Bintang beers, or sunrise yoga looking at the ocean). Another highlight of staying there (along with the amazing fresh and delicious food, and wonderful, warm company and hospitality) would be the massages. Seriously, the BEST massage I've ever had was there. Soooooo good. And I've had a lot of massages during holidays in Bali (and other places, but probably the most in Bali), and this was hands down the BEST. Ask for the masseur Firman, and they'll hook you up.

Here are some photos of beautiful Bondalem and Villa Selina from last year. Oh, if only I could fly in and see Matt and Putu and family, and the talented Firman before my race!

That last photo features the gorgeous Annie (soon to be seeing her on Saturday in Oz! Yes!!) and beautiful Selina, on one of our last days of our long (but never long enough!) holiday in Bali last year. Oh Bali how we miss you....

So, in summary, if I can seek out a masseur who is anything like Firman was, then I'll be a happy camper (or even more of a happy camper) and fully fully prepared for the weekend's race.

Do you get a massage before a race? Or regular massages when you are training? (It's something I should do, but haven't incorporated it into my training or routine for some reason, d'oh...)

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Take The Pressure Down...

6/30/2014

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I went for a ‘test’ run this morning, checking to see if my legs were fixed. Well, yes and no. Yes, I ran with no pain and aches and niggles. Phew. But NO – they felt very very slow, and weak, like I’ve lost any sort of power that I had built up?! I hope this is not the case, and that it was perhaps due to it being my first run back after 3 days sans-running, or maybe the humidity was doing its thang again. Hmm, not sure. It was only meant to be a recovery paced run for me to test the waters, so it was successful in that sense, however my legs do not feel their 100% best. At all. Tomorrow I have my last speedwork session of the training plan: 3.22kms easy, then 4x 1200m at threshold pace with 2 minute rests, and then 1.6kms cool down. So, I will be able to see if my speed is still there. I have an awful feeling that all the speed and strength that I feel I built up earlier in the training period, have been jeopardized by the 50km trail race that I plonked in the middle of my half marathon training program. Oops… (Hmm, and I still wouldn’t change doing that race! I just might plan my races and schedule a bit better next time.)

However, hey - what if I can’t keep to the intended pace during the half marathon? What if I don’t get a new PB and beat my time from the Shanghai half last December? So, what?? The only person who will be disappointed is me. I highly doubt anyone else cares if I manage to complete it in 1:30, or 1:31, or even 2:31 (3:31, people may be concerned about however, namely the race organizers, as there is a 3 hour cut-off time). Sure, friends would be very happy for me if I DO complete the race in the time that I want, but I’m sure they’ll be equally happy for me if I don’t and I run it anyway and am happy with the race. It struck me this morning, as I was lamenting my crappy run, that it is only ourselves who pressure us. We are our own worst enemies sometimes, and if I treated my friends the way I treat myself sometimes (i.e. the pressure I put on myself to meet goals and other things) then I’m sure I wouldn’t be their favourite person to hang out with, if at all. Before I left for this morning’s run, I was deliberating about whether or not to go, and was generally procrastinating drink green tea after green tea (shock! We were all out of coffee, nooooo…..), Husband told me to stop pressuring myself – it didn’t matter whether I went now or later in the day. Hmm, he had a point. However, it already being mid-morning (crazy sleep-in this morning until almost 9am!), and hence a hefty amount of traffic and humidity out there, I knew these two factors would only get worse later on, and that if I didn’t go right then and there, that I wouldn’t go at all and the day would simply get away from me. So, yes, I pressured and forced myself out the door! But then, during the run, his words came back to me, and I thought that yes, as runners, I think we tend to pile on the pressure about certain paces, times or distances we think we ‘have’ to run. I know how awesome it feels to tick off certain goals and to achieve training successes, but when things don’t go according to plan, we really shouldn’t take it so seriously or to heart. I mean, no one else does, right? Your friends and family are just happy if you’re happy, and (should) support you whatever your time or place in a race. At the end of the day, it’s just for fun and it’s a form of playing. Like anything in life, we shouldn’t take it so seriously. I will try and heed my own advice!

And so, for something completely unrelated to running paces, fuel, injuries, or any other running related topic, here are some pictures of a beautiful, playful soul, who definitely doesn’t take life too seriously (although she takes begging for egg yolks or peanuts kind of seriously at times) and would never put pressure on herself for anything, she just goes with the flow. I should follow her example: